How is 1770 calories so little food?

I guess so many of you don`t have emotional issues with food and are or were overweight because of SAD, (standard american diet)

You made the comment that it felt like you'd lost a friend when you had to cut back on your food. It sounds like you have a relationship with food that needs to be changed. Food is not a friend that you can go to when you're sad, lonely, stressed, etc. Food can't help you solve your problems or keep you company. I turned to food for those things for a long time and it took some deep soul searching on my part to stop that way of thinking.

We talk a lot about 'lifestyle change' on this site and that's partially true. But for those of us who have had an unhealthy relationship with food, it's more than that. It's self discovery and healing.

Yes, I think this is what I need. I think food and wine, is a reward for a long day. I need something else that I love just as much. I don`t know what that is yet. And I have made myself feel bad about my body my who life. First family members did it for me and then I did it to myself. I`ve read many books on the subject and am only now starting to get to the root of my body hatred. It really is a tough process.

I`m really sorry I ever opened my diary. I was asking for motivational help. Many of your sarcastic comments about quick adds, as if your sure I can not be correct in the calorie count by reading labels and just not bothering to search the food name. You do realize they print calories on labels no?

I am looking for motivation to change how much I eat, my question was how does one get their brain around eating smaller portions. I realize an ounce of chicken is a lot less than I thought. doesn`t that give you the idea that I am weighing my food.

I really want to give those who critiqued my diary a big sarcastic thanks!

It`s a psychological thing. Not really a nutrition thing, another reason it is in the motivation section and not the general diet and weight loss help.

What I want to know is when the scale goes down so slowly, little by the little, the way I hear it is supposed to, what do you do to keep your motivation.

If you love food and wine, like I do, what do you do in place that is fun?

I am not sure what you are doing wrong, but I have been at this for a week now, and I am a big dude at 6'2'' and I am starting to have trouble as well eating all my 2000 calories. I think you need calorically dense whole foods. One of the members here who lost a lot of weight said one of the things that helped was that he ate food with as few ingredients as possible, meaning natural whole foods that are naturally more calorically and nutritionally dense.

Also, if you ask for advice and people try to give it, don't get mad or discouraged when you don't like the answer they are giving. If you need a hug and a pat on the back to get you on track then ask of that, but I don't think this is the place to have people blow smoke up your back side either. If you want them to help then you have to be open to honest feedback.

Not asking what I am doing wrong, I am losing. finally getting started on the right path but I am not feeling it yet.

I am asking how to feel good and find a new friend in all of this. A new friend besides food. Let`s be honest depriving yourself of things you love never feels fun at first. does it??? How do you change a habit, just flip a switch??? You all seem so sure of yourselves for whatever reason. Sure enough to put people down when they ask a question.

if you're that hungry at 1700 calories there is something wrong though and it's something people can give good advice on if they can see what your diet consists of.

I am going to guess super high carb, with low fat and protein are the problem. Carbs leave you hungry because of sugar spikes. Fake sugar gives the same hunger cues to the brain as regular sugar. it actually makes it worse because your body is expecting the sugar and primes for it but there is nothing there which cues more hunger cravings.

I am not really hungry, I use food and wine as a reward. Most nights it`s fine but I still feel the loss of my go to relax time. It was like an excuse to relax. Otherwise I never take that time. It is a good lesson that I was using food to make me happy instead of appreciating my family (kids) or just really enjoying the t.v. program I`m watching. I guess so many of you don`t have emotional issues with food and are or were overweight because of SAD, (standard american diet)

Yes, I need to lose only 20 lbs. I live in Japan and cook almost all of my food at home. I rarely eat out and exercise regularly. I very rarely eat processed foods. I got very overweight from pregnancy, years ago now. But have technically been overweight since college. I used to log everything but when you use a lot of different veg and stir fry sauces it can be sooo tedious. I always make sure I am as close as possible and err on the side of over. I was eating too much to lose before, but I was very good at maintaining. I also got confused as to my TDEE from trying the EMTWL method. I was too naive to understand how very bad my math was and that I needed a simpler approach. I tried eat more to weigh less but I was already eating too much. So I gained only on MFP so far. Finally now I am losing but it`s only been a few weeks and I am not confident it will continue. I am sure from so many of your posts that if I only continue I will get the hang of it.

Yes, I do love high calorie foods but have already reduced them. I guess over all advice is to suck it up till I get used to it. Some of you have found a substitute for your previous food love, I just haven`t found mine yet.

I just figured out that MFP calories are gross and not net for calories burned. If I set the correct activity level then eat back my exercise cal, which I did last week I lost less. That must be it for that. The first week I used a pedometer only to log calories, that must have been more accurate for the amount of work done. I`ll do that again next week.

It is so interesting how everyone reacts to a question in different ways. Some are patient and kind and some are dismissive. Whatever, you have your opinion and I asked for advice. Some go for tough love, and some try to explain. I guess this is who they are at home too.