Finding it really hard to stay under or at 1200 calories per

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  • Blossom01
    Blossom01 Posts: 658
    Thank you soooo much MFP buddies:happy: I shall give these ideas a try:love:
  • beccajoh
    beccajoh Posts: 7
    I always drink plenty of water with my meals, and I eat really slowly! I used to eat my food in such a greedy fashion, then just a few minutes later I'd be feeling so full I thought I might vomit!

    I'm on 1200 per day too - I'm just not a very big person, only 160cms tall. Protein is digested more slowly than other foods, so try swapping it in.
  • francesstewart1
    francesstewart1 Posts: 71
    Sleeping in your workout gear, that is awesome!!!!
  • francesstewart1
    francesstewart1 Posts: 71
    Exercise exercise exercise! I consider any workouts I do a way to “earn” extra calories so I don’t have to go crazy trying to stick to 1200. :smile:

    The hardest part about starting an exercise routine is just that, starting! For the first couple of weeks you will have to force yourself, it will be an almost physical battle - but once you are in the swing of it, it becomes natural, and you will grow to enjoy the way it makes you feel! I suggest sleeping in your workout gear to begin with (that’s the only way I could get out of bed when I first started) that way you aren’t so tempted to hit snooze, and just go for a half hour walk to start off . As your fitness improves, increase your workout times.
  • TwiFan5
    TwiFan5 Posts: 419 Member
    I am also finding it hard to stay near the 1200 calories mark so I am thinking of changing my goal so that I don't feel guilty for eating a bit more.
  • lefrance12
    lefrance12 Posts: 131
    If you are exercising, you should gain calories back. Be sure to include both type exercises... strength training and cardio and you should be fine. I am set at 1400 and most of the time I have about 2-300 left due to this. Hope this helps
  • esorcel
    esorcel Posts: 459 Member
    Here are the suggestions for keeping calories low that I have pulled together. The websites are very helpful.

    CHOOSE THESE FOODS:

    Low-fat or fat-free version of foods
    More watery vegetables (lettuce, celery, cucumber) than fruits (see website below to compare calories)
    Low-fat veggie dips, and other low-fat or fat-free dressings
    Sugar-free version of foods: ex. beverages, snacks, deserts
    Whole-grain products to help control appetite (whole-wheat breads, oatmeal, brown rice)
    1 slice of bread at a time, or lite breads in which 2 slices is the same as 1 (for sandwich lovers)
    Fish or chicken without skin instead of beef or pork
    Tofu instead of meat (very low calories with high protein to help with increase metabolism)
    Food re-placers such as veggie burgers, smart dogs, veggie cheese
    Use cooking sprays
    Use herbs


    BLOOD SUGAR STABILIZERS THAT HELP TO CONTROL APPETITE:

    Whole-grain products instead of white, bleached food products
    Soy-milk, almond milk, rice milk, coconut milk, instead of regular cow's milk
    Low-sugar, no added sugar, and sugar-free foods and beverages
    Use sweeteners such as Agave Nectar, Nutrasweet or other artificial sugars (although their safety is questionable)


    NUTRITIONAL CONTENTS OF FRUITS, VEGETABLES, FISH
    http://www.fda.gov/Food/LabelingNutrition/FoodLabelingGuidanceRegulatoryInformation/InformationforRestaurantsRetailEstablishments/ucm063367.htm

    LOW-CALORIE, LOW-FAT ALTERNATIVE FOODS
    http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/obesity/lose_wt/lcal_fat.htm


    If you have trouble keeping your calories down, snack on more vegetables such as carrots, broccoli or cucumber in order to create more space for the foods you crave


    Personally, I like to snack on carrots to combat hunger, and it works!
  • esorcel
    esorcel Posts: 459 Member
    I'm set at 1200/day also, and you can feel free to look through my diary if you're interested in the kinds of meals that I eat. I usually stay within 100 cals of my goal +/- (though certainly not all the time!). What's helped me is cutting back on carbs (which I needed to do for my own health reasons). There are around 100 calories in every slice of the bread I buy, so I started making open faced sandwiches for lunch, and it has been a lot easier to meet my goals since then. Also, if I get a craving for a bagel (I LOVE bagels) then I'll make half of one instead of a whole one. I find that trying to eat as much protein as possible keeps me really full and satisfied. Hope that helps!

    Good luck on the continuation of your journey :bigsmile:

    There are lite (or light) breads on the market where 2 slices=the same calories as 1 slice. It's good for the sandwich lovers.
  • mamastuck
    mamastuck Posts: 131
    wonderbread smart white I LOVE IT!
  • Blossom01
    Blossom01 Posts: 658
    TK MFP Friends:flowerforyou:
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