Always feeling hungry and failing at my diet...

AFWXDUDE
AFWXDUDE Posts: 53 Member
in Motivation and Support
I dont know if its just me, but I am struggling to stay under 1700 calories as I never feel full and always have a craving because of the hunger. I have had 1 full day so far being under. Grant it, this is only day 4, but this is the reason ive always quit on a diet. Eating things like chicken and rice just isnt satisfying unless I have 8-12 oz of chicken and 2 cups of rice. Any suggestions?

Replies

  • KarenJanine
    KarenJanine Posts: 3,497 Member
    1700 sounds pretty low for a 23 year old male, I'm not surprised you're struggling to stay under. What is your height and weight? Are you exercising? If so then you could be eating back some exercise calories and still lose.

    Try working out your TDEE, using an online calculator like this:

    http://scoobysworkshop.com/calorie-calculator/
  • AFWXDUDE
    AFWXDUDE Posts: 53 Member
    I exercise a bit, but the 1700 is the total caloretic intake per day im supposed to do if not exercising. Even on days I am exercising id like to stick to this. I have been eating roughly 2700 calories a day for the last couple years and want to start losing 2 lbs a week, which is why im trying to stick to 1700.
  • Greytfish
    Greytfish Posts: 810
    Consider aiming for just 1 pound loss per week. It's more sustainable long term and will be easier to adhere to.

    1700 is pretty low for your age and gender. Where is your protein in grams/day? If that's low (and the MFP default setting is waaaay low, even for a smallish woman) you will feel hungry and won't gain muscle mass.

    Thank you for your service BTW.
  • AFWXDUDE
    AFWXDUDE Posts: 53 Member
    MFP says 84, but I am pretty far under that for the most part. My Diary is wide open for yall. I dont really concentrate on the other items, just the calories. I have plenty of muscle under the fat, so i figured for the first bit i could lose a little bit of both and be alright. And thanks for your bottom comment :).
  • MarkTown
    MarkTown Posts: 7
    well, you're used to eating over. Of course in the start you will struggle. I would start by at maintanance in the start and then slowly lower your calories. You're changing your entire consumption so it is ok to crave more food since your body is used to it. Take it slow :)
  • AA1ex
    AA1ex Posts: 223 Member
    Sounds like you are restricting yourself too much, if you are feeling hungry. Try to remember that the weight you want to lose didn't come on overnight and will not go away overnight either. Start with small changes that you can live with then progress. This is also only if you are changing your diet for a lifestyle change. If you want to lose weight for a special event or something then it might be something to just deal with since the weight will more likely come back on. Either way more protein and fiber could help in your meals to help keep you feeling satisfied while giving your body what it needs.
  • msf74
    msf74 Posts: 3,498 Member
    When these feelings of hunger arise is it a specific type of food you are desiring or is it just food in general?

    Cravings arise on many occasions due to feeling overly restricted or deprived, usually coupled with a lack of power in relation to choice and are for specific items (usually the items you forbid yourself to eat)

    So, if it is the latter then you could simply give yourself permission to work in anything you want to eat within your calorie goal and it should help with the cravings (although whether you end up actually eating them is another matter entirely.)

    If it is the former you could try eating more protein or leafy / fibrous vegetables to add bulk and satiety to your diet.
  • AFWXDUDE
    AFWXDUDE Posts: 53 Member
    Its definitly food in general. Every now and then it will be something specific, but typically its just hunger pains. I am trying to cut weight in general due to me being in the Air Force. I have slowly put on about 40 lbs since joining 5 years ago and its just time to drop it. I can maintain eating just about anything, but I really want to drop at least 40 lbs by July. Thats my medium goal. My micro goal is to be under 200 by mid march. My overall goal is to lose 60 lbs total by late fall.
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    you shouldnt be rushing to lose weight... 1lb per week is plenty. theres also no need to be eating only 1700 cals and no exercise cals... i am 5ft5 and 135lbs and i am losing bodyfat on NET 1800...

    eat more and then you wont be hungry... think sustainable healthy lifestyle, not diet that you win or fail at....
  • BeanQueen3000
    BeanQueen3000 Posts: 161
    Yesterday's diary looked pretty sad, no wonder you were hungry :(.
    I agree with the majority of the rest of the posters here: your target is just a bit too low, calorie-wise, and you could definitely try finding some more protein-rich foods.

    I struggled a lot at the beginning as well, but I've found a couple things have helped. First, I spent a lot of time being a creeper checking out "successful" people's diaries whose original starts and goals matched mine: This gave me loads of meal and snack ideas, and occasionally helped me feel better on off days. I also invested in some awesome cookbooks with a healthy bent, which helped introduce a bit more variety to the food I keep around, and also helped teach me some work-arounds to apply to higher calorie recipes. Amazon's reviews are very, very helpful; find a top rated book and try some stuff out. I'd highly recommend the America's Test Kitchen books.

    There's always exercise, too :)
  • toddis
    toddis Posts: 941 Member
    I'd also advise eating more.

    As far as hunger goes you'll need to experiment with foods that are more satiating.
    Generally those are foods higher in protein/fiber/fat and lower in sugar. Nuts, meats, veg.
  • Greytfish
    Greytfish Posts: 810
    Yeah, your protein is all over the place, but even on your high days, it's pretty low. That will cause you to drop weight, but it will also do so by not sparing muscle. That's not something you want to do if you're doing PT and active with your family.

    Also, I would lower your carb percentage and increase your fat allottment. Fat will give you more energy and won't stall your fat loss.

    More meat, veggies, and healthy fats.
  • AFWXDUDE
    AFWXDUDE Posts: 53 Member
    So everyone is saying I shouldnt stick around 1700? Last year I tried a 1200 cal diet for a few weeks... I figured 1700 was more than acceptable. I will be incorporating more workouts in, I have just been working Midshifts this week, but being military we have to workout. Would it be ok(health wise) if i kept at the 1700 cals MFP recommends while working out?
  • AFWXDUDE
    AFWXDUDE Posts: 53 Member
    BTW my food diary wasnt complete for yesterday. Since Im working night, I start breakfast at 8 PM and its currently 530 am which is almost dinner time. i added my last meal though.
  • LittleMissYoYo
    LittleMissYoYo Posts: 88 Member
    My advise would be to have a great breakfast such as porridge or something with oats. This will keep you fuller for longer, I eat about 2-3 meals a day and have lost 3lbs so far (Only been doing this for a week or so) but before I use to eat only one big meal a day and gained over 42lbs in a year!

    Also being a man you should have at least 2000 calories a day, but make sure these are good calories such as fruit, wheat, high fiber and make sure it lasts xxx
  • Greytfish
    Greytfish Posts: 810
    If you want to try to stay below 2000, I would lower carbs, double protein, and increase your fat by 10-20%. I have a feeling, with PT 1700 is way low for you. You want a long term strategy, not one that keeps you one donut away from self destruction.

    Your protein goal is lower than mine, and I'm 5' 7" female with a BMI of 21.
  • BeanQueen3000
    BeanQueen3000 Posts: 161
    That makes sense now- I work nights as well. You can adjust how your "meals" are categorized under diary settings and make them more like time frames to accommodate wonky schedules. My diary's set up like this, and I've found it a bit easier.

    1700 still seems really low, especially if you've got a lot of physical activity going on day-to-day.
  • Greytfish
    Greytfish Posts: 810
    Oh, and I would try a protein for breakfast. Eggs. A protein shake.... You'll stay fuller, longer.
  • deksgrl
    deksgrl Posts: 7,237 Member
    Set your goal to lose 1 pound per week, or half a pound a week. Losing 2 pounds is too aggressive for you because you do not have a lot to lose.

    Men should not eat less than 1800 calories a day (unless directed by a doctor). You can eat more than that and still lose weight.
  • AFWXDUDE
    AFWXDUDE Posts: 53 Member
    Alright, so add protein, maybe 300 cals a day and ill be good? I am also thinking of starting T25 to go with it all. I have heard from quite a few buds that T25 keeps them more than in shape for PT test(I hate working out if yall havent guessed lol).
  • knra_grl
    knra_grl Posts: 1,566 Member
    play with your food - I think 1700 low - increase it a bit - my son is 23 and I could never imagine him restricted to 1700 a day and he isn't a big eater despite his 6'4" stature - I agree that you need more protein - when you start exercising more make sure you eat back some or most of those calories and don't expect the weight to drop too fast - slow and steady progress will be more beneficial in the long run - if you go on a "crash" diet to drop the weight fast it is likely that you would gain it back - better to keep logging and pay attention to the things you are eating - it's all a learning experience and you will figure out what works for you - when I am feeling really hungry I don't eat cauliflower I eat protein. Good luck!
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    Alright, so add protein, maybe 300 cals a day and ill be good? I am also thinking of starting T25 to go with it all. I have heard from quite a few buds that T25 keeps them more than in shape for PT test(I hate working out if yall havent guessed lol).

    sounds better...

    you dont have to work out to lose weight, but you'll look a hell of a lot better naked if you do!
  • AFWXDUDE
    AFWXDUDE Posts: 53 Member
    Ill pass that last one onto my wife Toad, shell thank you ;)
  • _Zardoz_
    _Zardoz_ Posts: 3,987 Member
    You have one of the most dull and boring food diaries I've ever seen. Where is the fruit and vegetables? Vary it up make it more interesting don't be scared of carbs. Eat well normal food just less of it.
  • Myhaloslipped
    Myhaloslipped Posts: 4,317 Member
    I have found that low-calorie protein and fiber keeps me full for much longer periods of time. Fish, chicken, apples, etc. allow me to eat larger amounts of food and stay full longer. Also, drink lots of water, which will also help keep you full.
  • ndj1979
    ndj1979 Posts: 29,136 Member
    I exercise a bit, but the 1700 is the total caloretic intake per day im supposed to do if not exercising. Even on days I am exercising id like to stick to this. I have been eating roughly 2700 calories a day for the last couple years and want to start losing 2 lbs a week, which is why im trying to stick to 1700.

    2 pounds a week is really aggressive and just because you want to do something does not mean that it is the best course for you. You say that you are "hungry and failing" at your diet…so instead of eating 1700 why don't you go up to 1950 and see how you feel? That is still aggressive and would put you at 1.5 pound per week loss….

    The pat you are are on is going to lead to eventual breakdown and failure, you have already identified the problem so now you need to fix it. Is it worth it to lose four more pounds in two weeks only to quit; or would you rather have sustainable long term weight loss and keep the weight off for the long term.

    Also, you do not need to eat 100% healthy…you can follow the 80/20 rule..80% healthy, 20% whatever you want ice cream, pizza, cookies, etc..
  • Myhaloslipped
    Myhaloslipped Posts: 4,317 Member
    Set your goal to lose 1 pound per week, or half a pound a week. Losing 2 pounds is too aggressive for you because you do not have a lot to lose.

    Men should not eat less than 1800 calories a day (unless directed by a doctor). You can eat more than that and still lose weight.

    Also this. 2 pounds per week can be difficult to keep up with unless you want to exercise a significant amount. 1 pound will probably be much easier to handle.
  • Mischievous_Rascal
    Mischievous_Rascal Posts: 1,791 Member
    I eat 2400/day. 1700 is what I would eat if I didn't do any exercise, and I'm a 45 yo woman. You need to find something you can sustain. Fast isn't always best.
  • jetlag
    jetlag Posts: 800 Member
    Just a thought: if you're hungry all the time, you'll fail again at your diet and not lose ANY weight. So, why not aim for an easier deficit and some weight loss rather than a huge deficit and no weight loss?

    And to echo the post above. I'm a 44 yo woman, 5'9" and 1700 calories is my sedentary weight loss calorie level. I usually eat more like 1900 and lose about 1lb a week.

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