Having trouble at 1300 calories

Heya! I've only just started my diet. I'm on 1200 a day! Today I had moments of feeling very weak and light headed but water was a godsend. Snack on little things like almonds. My friend ate almonds whenever she was hungry and they kept her very full. Or fruit. Don't leave yourself too hungry or you'll binge!! Always drink water when you're hungry or wait 10 mins for the hunger to go away! I was told that your stomach growling is a good thing because it's your fat being used up to keep you energised! not 100% on that but... Xx

You're right. It's going to be hard to sustain 1300 calories because that's low. Go into your settings and change your goal to something less aggressive, like .5 lbs per week. If you exercise, eat back your exercise calories. I know it's tempting to try to lose the weight quickly, but if your stomach is growling and you're light headed, you're setting yourself up for failure. Also, try to eat more high volume, low calorie foods, like veggies and lean protein. That might take the edge off.

Heya! I've only just started my diet. I'm on 1200 a day! Today I had moments of feeling very weak and light headed but water was a godsend. Snack on little things like almonds. My friend ate almonds whenever she was hungry and they kept her very full. Or fruit. Don't leave yourself too hungry or you'll binge!! Always drink water when you're hungry or wait 10 mins for the hunger to go away! I was told that your stomach growling is a good thing because it's your fat being used up to keep you energised! not 100% on that but... Xx

Heya - I know I've only been on my diet a month, but I can tell you feeling weak, light headed and hungry is BAD! Trust me, I lost 14lbs my first month, but never once felt any of that. If you want to send me a message I can tell you exactly what I've been doing, but honestly please don't do that to yourself! I too am averaging right around 1200 calories a day, but you can do it with filling foods so that you always feel energized and satisfied!

I looked at your diary and I can see why you are having issues instantly.

I know nuts are really healthy for us, but about 300-400 of your calories every day are devoted to snacking on nuts. I'd be starving too.

In addition.... No more granola bars (another almost 400 calories every day) or smoothies in the morning. You need to eat real solid food, including more lean protein.

I would also recommend cutting further back on cheese.

I kind of concur with this ...

3 oz. nuts (max)
Cheese is okay ... moderation (maybe 2 oz. of really high quality, artisan type cheese ... more flavor for your calorie buck)

granola bars and smoothies, eh ... ditch 'em

Breakfast could be fruit and cottage cheese/Greek yogurt (protein and fiber will keep you full ... and the protein along with the fruit will keep your blood sugar stable ... lightheadedness when dieting is usually low blood sugar)

... and instead of granola bars, snack on an ounce of raw almonds (fat + protein + fiber = full)

ETA: EXERCISE ... You get to eat more when you exercise ...

Try to incorporate less calorie-dense foods. The less processed the better. Also make sure you are eating a lot of fiber. I have 2 fiber choice tablets each day with my breakfast. It helps keep my blood sugar even and it helps me to not feel so hungry all the time. I have also found that at 1350 calories net, if I don't work out, there's no way I can stay succeed. I need the calories I earn through exercise. I just started again, but part of my "pause" was when I adjusted my calories down and felt it was impossible to stay within bounds. It made me make sure I was thinking about ways to be successful. But it sure took the wind out of my sails for a while.

Try doing some exercise, if you're not used to it, start off with small activities.

Try walking around your block, a park - take the dog out (if you have one)

I say this, because MFP (even though it tends to overestimate) will calculate your exercise and add it on to your NET total, allowing you to eat those exercise calories back.

I swim for between 1-2 hours five days a week, I usually earn back between 600-1000 calories each day, which would is essence allow me to eat an extra 600-1000 calories back. I usually eat at least 1/4 of my exercise calories back, more if I'm really hungry.

As for being hungry, I'm not surprised. I usually eat at least 1000 calories just for dinner!

Agree with the others.
My daily allowance has be 1360 for the last 4 months and i've never had an issue with being hungry.

I have cut out nuts (or if i have some, it will be a small amount), no cheese as I found it really didnt make that much difference to the taste of things, I've switched to trim/low fat milk, low fat yoghurt, low fat ice cream so I can still eat / drink those things.

For breakfast I will have a measured portion of porridge or high fibre cereal like bran cereal with trim milk. Lunches will either be a soup with a piece of toast or a salad with tuna/chicken and half a cup of cooked couscous or rice, and dinners are similar. Protein / lean meat, lots of greens and veggies and a small amount of carbs whether its pasta, rice ,cous cous or potatoes.

I have dessert every night, even if its just a row of chocolate or a serve (about 60grams) of low fat ice cream..and those only add about 100-150 calories for me.

I also do exercise every single day, even if its just a half hour walk , which for me burns 250 calories (Heart rate monitor) , and as others have said, exercising means you can eat more!
good luck

I understand. I am only allowed 1200 calories a day and I am often hungry. I sometimes will just have raw veggies or fruit to fill the void. Eventually, your body should adjust and it will get easier. There are a lot of good suggestions on here for you. Good luck!

High fat, lower sugar/carb, moderate protein will be MORE satiating calorie for calorie than sugary and carby stuff. If the other suggestions don't work for you, try it for a week and see how you do. Feel free to message me.

I love carrots and hummus. Low calorie but lots of volume. If you like spinach you can have a lot of that. I make a taco salad with spinach, ground turkey, spices, salsa, and a few taco chips if I want. It is filling and healthy. I leave out the taco chips if I don't have the calories left. I usually save sweets and such for the days I get exercise calories. I try to get used to eating filling foods most days. Love eggs for breakfast. Occasionally I throw eggs, spinach, red onion, and tomato into my magic bullet and that is yummy as well. I am at 1500 calories now and have been losing steadily and I am not hungry. Good luck.

I think one user really hit the nail on the head when they said that you have to devise a plan built around your needs and your lifestyle. Other people can only tell you what works for them, and then you have to figure out what you are capable of doing. A different plan of attack, if you will.

I love my food, too, and the first time I tried MFP it was frustrating to see how few calories I could consume and how quickly my favorite foods filled that up. Here's what I'm doing differently this go-around:

Exercise! I've got an under 1300 calorie allotment, and that's no fun at all. I need to do exercise to earn those extra calories. Personally I've got a lot of free time right now, so I can afford to go for long walks. I don't have a lot of money for expensive exercise equipment or a gym membership, so I do exercises that don't require those things. Build an exercise plan around your lifestyle. Try to make it fun so that you'll stick with it! For my walks I make sure to stay comfortable (wearing appropriate clothing), and entertained (by varying my routes and listening to a good podcast).

Avoid temptation. If I say "oh, I'll only have one cookie", I'm going to end up eating four. It's a matter of being firm and avoiding what you know are your weak points. If you have the option of keeping unhealthy food in your house altogether, go for it!

Water is better than sliced bread. I drink a lot water now; it's healthy and I can quiet my tummy a bit! In my experience warm drinks like tea are better than cold water for keeping you from feeling hungry, but both are great.

You've gotten a lot of great advice here. I've certainly learned things! Best of luck to you on your weight loss journey!

Make sure you're eating back your exercise calories. That's how MFP is supposed to be used.

If that doesn't work then try adding 100 calories. Sure you may lose at a slower rate, but you'll be a lot happier and able to focus while you do it. :flowerforyou:

I agree with this. I originally was at 1200, myself, but after a week I was about ready to gnaw my arm off. I upped it to 1500 and found that I was happier and still losing.

More exercise and then eat more, simple!