I don't know what to call this...

mommy3457
mommy3457 Posts: 361 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I saw other people close to my body type, weight, height, etc. lose 20-25 lbs eating 1200 calories per day. So, I thought to myself "That's what I'm trying to lose so I'll give it a try." This was last week. I made it fine. Now, my body is always hungry (practically screaming at me). I tried more calories before (1500) in the past, and I lost nothing. I don't know what to. My heart is breaking writing this because I feel so unsure. I have been on here long enough to here all the different arguments about not eating 1200 calories, doing TDEE, etc. So, please do not make feel worse than I already do. I just want some encouraging, nice advice. Because I want to get to my goal so badly, and I feel like my efforts are in vain sometimes. I'm 5'1". I'm 148 lbs. I'm not trying to be one of "those" people. I just want to reach my goal like everyone else. By the way, I know that I can't be one of the few who can lose weight on 1200 calories. My body hates me for trying. I get really bad back pain ever since my c-section, and it has been worse. I am a sensitive person so I'm asking you to please be kind to me. I need your support.

Replies

  • I_Will_End_You
    I_Will_End_You Posts: 4,397 Member
    I tried 1200 calories for like, a week, and I felt faint and all around crappy. If you weren't losing at 1500 in the past, it's very possible you were eating more than you realized, and not burning as much as you thought through exercise. I would give it another shot and be as accurate as possible with your calorie counting. (weighing & measuring)
  • mommy3457
    mommy3457 Posts: 361 Member
    Maybe I wasn't trying 1500 long enough. You are probably right. 1200 is making my body hate me right now. It's awful!
  • Mia_RagazzaTosta
    Mia_RagazzaTosta Posts: 4,885 Member
    I tried 1200 calories for like, a week, and I felt faint and all around crappy. If you weren't losing at 1500 in the past, it's very possible you were eating more than you realized, and not burning as much as you thought through exercise. I would give it another shot and be as accurate as possible with your calorie counting. (weighing & measuring)

    This.

    And also, patience. It doesn't happen overnight.
  • weightlossdiva1219
    weightlossdiva1219 Posts: 283 Member
    Just work out harder. If you are hungry STOP DOING IT. You should never make yourself hungry it's a recipe for disaster. Try eating filling foods that are healthy but keep you fuller longer aka chicken, oatmeal, etc. 1500 is a good goal. That's mine, and I usually eat 1200-1300 but on the days I feel hungrier, I eat. I dont OVEREAT and I dont eat unhealthy. But making yourself go hungry is not a good plan.
  • I_Will_End_You
    I_Will_End_You Posts: 4,397 Member
    Maybe I wasn't trying 1500 long enough. You are probably right. 1200 is making my body hate me right now. It's awful!

    Could be. How long did you try it?
  • JDHINAZ
    JDHINAZ Posts: 641 Member
    Hard to know what to say with your diary lock up tight, but some good advise was given to me today. I've recently increased my cals to 1600, going on appx 3 weeks at 1600. I was losing on 1600 for a while, but seem to have hit a wall in the last few weeks. The advise was, give it 5-6 weeks to let your body adjust.

    Also, are you new to exercise? That can cause you to hold on to water for a while.

    Lastly, if you haven't measured yourself, do it. The scale can be a real b*tch. I'm putting mine away for a month.

    Focus on good nutrition, exercising, and logging your cals and exercise correctly. Just so you know, it seems MFP exercise cals are somewhat inflated. If you have a HRM, use it. If you don't but can afford one, get one. Just keep at it! This isn't a race. This is about changing your lifestyle, and that can take time! Best of luck!!
  • mommy3457
    mommy3457 Posts: 361 Member
    Maybe I wasn't trying 1500 long enough. You are probably right. 1200 is making my body hate me right now. It's awful!

    Could be. How long did you try it?

    I tried it for a month. Maybe I didn't try long enough. Yeah, I'm going to eat more calories today. I don't like feeling "crappy."
  • mommy3457
    mommy3457 Posts: 361 Member
    I am losing in inches over the past few months. I can say that.
  • I_Will_End_You
    I_Will_End_You Posts: 4,397 Member
    I am losing in inches over the past few months. I can say that.

    If you lost inches, you're doing something right!
  • mommy3457
    mommy3457 Posts: 361 Member
    I am losing in inches over the past few months. I can say that.

    If you lost inches, you're doing something right!

    lol it feels like i'm not though when the scale seems to barely move
  • michellechawner
    michellechawner Posts: 892
    At least you are losing inches instead of losing nothing.

    I did 1200 and was starving all the time, but lost. I upped to 1300, and stalled weight loss. I went to 1400 and felt satisfied and the pounds were coming off again. Everyone is different.

    Try 1300 for a few weeks and see if it helps... if you are still starving, try 1400. You just need to find a number that works for you - have you calculated your BMI? You should never eat below that number. MFP has a BMI calculator.

    Also, I know I had a lot of success with TDEE - 15% or 20% Here's a link to calculate your TDEE:

    http://www.fitnessfrog.com/calculators/tdee-calculator.html
  • mommy3457
    mommy3457 Posts: 361 Member
    At least you are losing inches instead of losing nothing.

    I did 1200 and was starving all the time, but lost. I upped to 1300, and stalled weight loss. I went to 1400 and fest satisfied and the pounds were coming again. Everyone is different.

    Try1300 for a few weeks and see if it helps... if you are still starving, try 1400. You just need to find a number that works for you - have you calculated your BMI? You should never eat below that number. MFP has a BMI calculator.

    Also, I know I had a lot of success with TDEE - 15% or 20% Here's a link to calculate your TDEE:

    http://www.fitnessfrog.com/calculators/tdee-calculator.html

    I just reset my tdee. I'm going to try it for 5-6 weeks this around.
  • JenniferPlus2
    JenniferPlus2 Posts: 119 Member
    I feel your pain. I have struggled with the calorie and nutrition part of the journey so much! I know that my saving grace is exercise. I figure if I eat less than 1800 calories, I am eating at a defecit and if I add exercise to that then I am doing my body some good. I notice that I am a lot stronger and feel healthier when I exercise and just try to eat healthy foods....key word try. Just remember that it is a life change, not an immediate one. If you have lost inches then it is working.
  • kw85296
    kw85296 Posts: 265 Member
    If you don't feel comfortable doing 1500 again, try 1400. I would also try to concentrate on eating foods with a lot of volume for few calories. Many of your veggies and fruit fall in this category. Foods with a lot if protein and fiber also tend to help keep you full. Drinking plenty of water will also help.
  • j724mecham
    j724mecham Posts: 102 Member
    I can definitely relate as well. I wanted major weight loss and wanted to lose 2lbs a week. I don't have a food scale because I don't feel like I want to weigh food forever and ever, but would rather be as educated as I can.
    I was at 1200 for quite a while and VERY miserable. I have been on MFP since Mid May and have lost about 6 lbs and that's just from the past 6 weeks. The rest was a complete stall and it was when I was on 1200 calories. I have been about 1400 to 1500 calories since then and it has made a major difference. I have lost each week and feel a bit more freedom. If you don't enjoy it now, you're certainly not going to enjoy it the rest of your life. Unfortunately (like I had to realize), I can't just bite the bullet and stick with 1200 calories until I reach my goals and then eat normally.
  • DesireeNL
    DesireeNL Posts: 220 Member
    Something that helped me was variety, food wise and calorie wise. If you tend to eat the same breakfast most days of the week, mix it up. For example, eat crackers one day, a sandwich the next, yoghurt with fruit the next. Get a couple of things you can chose from each day.

    Variety in calories, as in don't eat the same amount every day. I've noticed in the past that during weeks where I was quite strict, I didn't lose much, but weeks with a dinner or a party I'd lose more. So I mix up how much calories I eat each day, of course not going below my BMR.

    But at least you're losing inches so that's great!
  • skinnysushicat
    skinnysushicat Posts: 138 Member
    I'm the same height and started at 143lb. I'm moderately active (just walking to and from school etc pushing the buggy) and I'm breastfeeding twice a day. I tried 1200 for 2 days and it made me feel really ill. I have to be well enough to care for my kids, and in fact it put me right off MFP for a few weeks. Now I am eating 1650 and loosing about 2lb a week. According to MFP I should not be losing on this many calories, but I am.

    You have a small baby, and you need to look after yourself for him / her. Yes, losing weight is important, but not if you can't function because you are so hungry. I think you should gradually up your calories, maybe to 1400 or so, and try to exercise a bit more to help you lose. And eat veggies that will fill you up with low calories.
  • skinnysushicat
    skinnysushicat Posts: 138 Member
    I'm the same height and started at 143lb. I'm moderately active (just walking to and from school etc pushing the buggy) and I'm breastfeeding twice a day. I tried 1200 for 2 days and it made me feel really ill. I have to be well enough to care for my kids, and in fact it put me right off MFP for a few weeks. Now I am eating 1650 and loosing about 2lb a week. According to MFP I should not be losing on this many calories, but I am.

    You have a small baby, and you need to look after yourself for him / her. Yes, losing weight is important, but not if you can't function because you are so hungry. I think you should gradually up your calories, maybe to 1400 or so, and try to exercise a bit more to help you lose. And eat veggies that will fill you up with low calories.

    Ha, I did not read the thread before I posted, but lots of people have given you the same advice!
  • ddky
    ddky Posts: 381 Member
    I feel your pain. I did 1200 for about two weeks and was starving. So I bumped it up to 1500 plus about half of exercise calories and lost 29 pounds. I may be in a plateau now, I haven't lost for about 3 weeks. If you are really hungry on the 1200 then it is not enough. Try the 1500 (weighing and measuring everything) for a while longer. If you still don't lose, you might want to try low carb. I can lose weight like crazy on low carb, I just can't stay on it for very long. Best of luck to you.

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