Hard time sticking to calories

Try using lower calorie options. Always go for fat free when possible. That usually cuts the calories in half! And you could easily make a dinner with 300-400 calories. Mine are almost always under 300. Just make a lot of veggies. Meats are going to be higher, so try using veggie meats. You could also try making your own pizza with pita bread. You can control what you put on it. I found a tomato sauce that was only 35 calories per serving! They sell it at whole foods. I highly suggest taking a day to go grocery shopping, but browse slowly and look at the labels. It might take a long time, but every time after that you'll know what to get and won't have any problem!

around 100 (or 100 something) dinners are not that hard to find or make. its much easier if you go vegetarian for dinner, since veggies have way less calories then meat. try looking up soup recipes online (i've found TONS of soup recipes on the Vegetarian Times website that are all under 200 calories. if you go there just search with the "low cal" setting on.) just try some vegetable dishes and you'll be having much less calories consumed (you can also try this at lunch, then you might have more for dinner if having a light dinner isnt your thing)

300 calories is about right for what you probably SHOULD be eating at dinner (400 is a good place to give your self a maximum for ANY meal) no one ever said a diet was easy, you're going to have to cut back on the high calorie foods and start eating more veggies (by the way you dont actually have to log celery because you burn more calories chewing on it then it has in it, so if you're craving something to eat go grab some celery and eat as much as you want, guilt free!)

300 calories is about right for what you probably SHOULD be eating at dinner (400 is a good place to give your self a maximum for ANY meal) no one ever said a diet was easy, you're going to have to cut back on the high calorie foods and start eating more veggies (by the way you dont actually have to log celery because you burn more calories chewing on it then it has in it, so if you're craving something to eat go grab some celery and eat as much as you want, guilt free!)

Yep, breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dine like a pauper!

And it is possible, I've just hit my goal weight today after 30 years of being overweight/eating huge portions/drinking enough wine to float a battleship. But you do have to be willing to change; cut out all of the crap from your diet, but allow yourself the odd cheat day and treat - and ramp up your exercise. We're all behind you. You CAN do it!

I am with missesG aim to earn as may calories as you can exercising, this gives you flexibility. I dont use low fat or low sugar substitutes I prefer to have a little of something luscious rather than a lot of something that tastes like, and in fact is full of all sorts of crap.

I eat loads of salad stuffs, recipes such as those in Rick Gallops low GI diet are good (especially the chicken tarragon TO DIE FOR) drink lots of water,

I always have a little something mid morning and mid afternoon (an apple, peanut butter on toast stuff like that) in fact feel free to take a look at my diary if you want, it is far from perfect I am often over on carbs fats etc but i stick generally to my 1200cals I eat most of my exercise cals, i dont deprive myself, I dont get hungry and I am losing weight slowly but surely...... i try to see this as making permanent changes so they have to be sustainable and low fat 0% stuff just dont do it for me I dont wanna live like that!

Good luck!

my situation is a little different but i feel your pain. i've been using MFP for almost two weeks now to track my food and exercise, and sometimes i find that i go 100-300 over what they recommend, while most days i find that i'm 100-500 under what they recommend. and i eat SIX times a day. i never eat low-fat, sugar-free, or "diet" food. but i also go to the gym for about 60 minutes a day five days a week, so that puts my calorie limit for the day between 1200-1800 depending on whether i exercise or not, and how strenuous my exercise is.
really though i'm just using MFP to be accountable for what i'm eating; i find i'm hardly ever eating junk now, and i don't have a heart attack over going way over my sugar suggestions for the day every day, because i eat a lot of apples and pears and berries. my concern is that i always get a lot of sodium, even though i eat a lot of fresh food and don't add salt to anything.
i think if you're eating healthy (make sure it's a lot of fresh fruit and vegetables, and not a lot of pre-packaged or take-out/fast food... home made as much as possible is the best), you're exercising, and you're seeing a reduction in pounds or inches or clothing size, going over your your calorie limits for the day isn't anything bad. sometimes your body really needs that energy to keep going!
don't feel too disheartened, and good luck!

Have little meals all day...dont stick to a big breakfast, lunch & dinner with nothing in between. Your going to focus all day on what to have in between. My diary is public. I love veggies & fruit. You will see alot of days I have tons of snacks. There for the whole day. I have no timeframe I eat them at. Load up on veggies & fruits. I stick to 2 legged animals like turkey, chicken. I dont eat fish cause Im allergic to mercury but have fish (watch how much).
I have fruit alot of times for breakfast. Most of the time I have 3 things listed for breakfast..it's never eaten at the same time. I'll have grapefruit but done have other things til 2 hours later depending on my schuedule that day.
It wasn't easy when I started but it's good to get ideas from other people & find what works for you. This will be different for everyone.

Aldi's turkey burgers are only 130 calories. they taste really good. I put 1 tsp of light mayo on it. I dont do a bun but I stack it with lettuce, tomato, onion.
subway - veggie on 9 grain bread - lite mayo veggies. this I do once a week. find 3 or 4 things to eat for the day under your goal & keep alternating your days. this is what I do plus plan your day of what your going to eat.

so remember if you like veggies....snack on raw veggies with 2 tbs of marzetti classic ranch, grapefruit and other fruits make the majority of your snacking.

hope this helped....were friends on here anyway..look at my food diary

Lynda

I have a hard time sticking to my calorie limit too and my limit is 1400-1500. I've recently read that foods and drinks that are high in protein can curb your appetite and make you feel fuller. I plan on trying out the Special K shakes soon. They aren't that many calories and have 10g of protein. (Slim Fast is gross in my opinion.) I'm going to get some and try them for breakfast. I'll let you know how it goes. If you find anything that works for you let me know. You can add me if you want. Good luck!

I am proud of the honesty SharonMac is showing in her diary. Her dad is my husband's brother. She is eating the way she was taught by her parents. Over my long marriage to her uncle, I have brought him to the "veg side". Hubby didn't even have brocolli until he married me for example. The only three vegatables served in his family home were winter squash heavily buttered, canned carrots, and canned french style green beans. Hubby's family considers eating french fries as "eating your vegtables". Another brother in law thinks that a couple of donuts and full calorie coke is an okay breakfast.

My hubby's orignal family is giving HIM a really hard time about his healthy diet and exercise. And he is a grown man of almost 50. So I would expect the same level of support (non exisistant to down right "What the heck are you doing this for?!!!") for our SharonMac.

As her aunt, I may be partial, but SharonMac is a beautiful woman both inside and out and know that she wants to get healthier for herself and her family. I am so proud that she is trying to make these changes despite how easy it would be do fall into those bad habits that she was brought up wiht.