i give up

Kali112
Kali112 Posts: 87 Member
in Motivation and Support
...on trying to eat 1200 calories a day! I have been trying to lose the same damn 20 lbs for years and keep yo-yoing up and down. i am not just greedy-i am actually really HUNGRY on 1200 calories a day (which is what i usually aim for) to the point where I am often so hungry that I can't sleep! Then I get so hungry that i binge and repeat the same cycle of restriction and overating.

I obviously need to eat MORE. I am 5'3 and weigh 135lbs, would ideally like to be 115. Oh and I am 24. Has anybody had success on a diet of 1600 calories a day? i have been loathe to increase my calories but I cannot continue being hungry 24/7 and damaging my body and mental state by binging. I really hope my increasing my calories i can stop the binge monster and actually enjoy life a little bit even if it means I lose super slowly.

Replies

  • LovingLifeInCalifornia
    LovingLifeInCalifornia Posts: 9,362 Member
    When I first started on MFP (in July 2011), the system told me to eat about 1200-1300 calories/day in order to reach my goal weight. I was horrified. It wasn't enough. I changed the settings to 1600...and I ate back all my exercise calories. At one point, I even changed it to 1700 calories....

    I lost 25 lbs. in 6 months.

    Part of it may have been also that I was working out almost every day (in order to "earn" the extra calories). I was regularly eating about 1900 calories a day. Through the process, I also stopped eating process foods (slowly) because they were "eating up" my calories and I was still hungry. I learned that I could easily eat more than what it said, but the food I ate was primarily "real" food. It took awhile, but I stopped eating chips, junk food, etc.

    Hope this helps.
  • squirelnutts
    squirelnutts Posts: 5
    I'm 5'6'' and was loosing a pound or two a week on 1500 calories. Have u tried eating more protein like Greek yogurts or fruits and veggies. That usually keeps me feeling full longer.
  • Mr_Knight
    Mr_Knight Posts: 9,532 Member
    I obviously need to eat MORE. I am 5'3 and weigh 135lbs, would ideally like to be 115.

    At 115, your BMR is likely going to be 1200ish and sedentary TDEE will be 1500ish.

    I certainly get wanting to eat more, but the reality is that at that size, "more" isn't going to amount to a whole hell of a lot before the weight starts coming back.
  • Vex3521
    Vex3521 Posts: 385 Member
    We're the same height =) and right now you're at my target weight for when I move over to contest prep..in July.. but yes you Can totally lose on 1600 daily. I've been cycling kinda funky lately and fast food hasn't helped but we have quite honesty had some insane days as of late. That aside 1600 Is a good number depending on 1600 calories of what and what the macro breakdowns look like. And also activity wise what you're doing.

    I am a Total carb-a-holic. I simply cannot do 40/40/20. 40% protein? Can do... but the carbs set me up to binge so I don't do more than 30% on those. By default it sets me at 40% fat but to be honest I don't think I ever come close to target on that! I only use extra virgin olive oil with cooking and use no butter, margarine, etc anymore.

    I would say up your calories and make sure you're logging totally accurately with your food scale. I'm actually doing an experiment right now in pictures that I'll be posting here in a bit! Shows between measuring cup and food scale what the difference can be.
  • Kali112
    Kali112 Posts: 87 Member
    ^i am 135lbs now... My goal weight is 115.
  • Mr_Knight
    Mr_Knight Posts: 9,532 Member
    ^i am 135lbs now... My goal weight is 115.

    Yes, I understand.

    If you eat like a 135lb person, you will remain a 135lb person. You aren't that far from your goal - if you want to be a 115lb person, it's time to start getting used to eating like one.

    Good luck!
  • anymom
    anymom Posts: 1
    I must be on the wrong site ......135lbs and complaining. wow..... I wish.... in my short lifetime left... would love to be to be 150lbs @ 5.3 iknow you must be a young women.... I'm older and have been dieting ___ALL my life weigh too much have been struggling for years trying to make a change without much success trying weight training and treadmill workouts please try whole grains instead of calorie counting they don't leave you hungry yeah yeah I didn't want to either but yea know there not too bad put them on salad or alone with a butter spray warmed for any meal they are pretty good they r full of nutrients .... quinoa ,barley ,brown rice,black rice ,buckwheat ,chia seeds, Flax,i Farrow ,oats ,try one or all you can't stop trying to help yourself if one does not work try different grains together yeah .. I'm no expert I've just been trying all my life and that's what you need to do just keep trying everything thing if one thing doesn't work try something new

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