Losing 'vanity pounds' - go hungry?

I totally understand. For a while in college I was still slim, but wanted to be a few pounds less to be happier with myself. I wasn't at a huge calorie deficit, but I felt like I was starving and would lie in bed and think about how badly I wanted to eat until I fell asleep or gave in. I was still eating a healthy amount of calories, so I wasn't actually starving, but I just felt hungry.

I've found that choosing the right foods lead to less hunger. I upped my protein intake and ate less carbs and it totally worked for me. Instead of a cereal for breakfast, I had a hardboiled egg or high protein yogurt with fruit or Turkey bacon. For dinner, I find that a lean cut of pork with broccoli or peas kept me full through the night.

Currently, I went through a weight gain from something very similar. I started a new job and treated my stress with the foods I craved and a few glasses of wine when I got home. I'm working on myself again and now that I know what to eat I almost never feel hungry, despite the fact that I'm at a serious calorie deficit.

I am in the same position as you. I generally come in around 1200-1500 a day, but I do not go hungry. If I ever have a craving I just eat fruit or a plain salad, it's barely any calories and you get some good vitamins.
I also eat a lot of dry fruit and nuts the calories are higher but they fill you up more and are long burners so you need less.
I still eat terrible foods like takeaways, cheese, bread and alcohol often. But I never go over 2000 a day. If I do, I exercise so I am back down to 2000 or preferably less.

Those last few pounds are going to come off VERY slowly, so starving yourself isn't the answer. It will just make you binge.

I'm older, shorter, and lighter than you are, and I can eat 2300 calories a day and create a deficit. 1500 sounds way too low--eat more. And as a pp said, lift some heavy weights. It will do more to get you the look you want than not eating.

Something you may want to consider is a bit of a revamp of your diet. I checked your macros for the last week or so and you're always going over carbs and under on fats and protein. The problem with this balance is that carby food tend to be processed quickly and leave you hungry while foods high in protein and healthy fats will keep you full much longer. Sure it seems there's an awful lot of calories in these foods but they're the kind of calories that should stick with you longer.

The great thing about logging is that you can take note of how certain foods affect you. Think about how you feel after certain meals - was it really filling and if not, how could you change it (add meat/legumes to salads, use full fat dressing or dairy, etc)

And although you're not necessarily looking to tone, weight training may be more beneficial to you than cardio alone. The more muscle you retain, the more calories you'll burn at rest and your body may develop the look you want because it'll be burning mostly fat. Something to consider.

ETA: Kettlebell work can help but a lot of that is more cardio/endurance work. The only class I know if that would be more strength training is Les Mills Body Pump but there could be others. Talk to the folks at the desk and see what they recommend.

Those last few pounds are going to come off VERY slowly, so starving yourself isn't the answer. It will just make you binge.

I'm older, shorter, and lighter than you are, and I can eat 2300 calories a day and create a deficit. 1500 sounds way too low--eat more. And as a pp said, lift some heavy weights. It will do more to get you the look you want than not eating.

^This. I'm trying to figure out why you are only eating 1500 calories per day. My base calories before exercise are more than that, and I'm also older, shorter, and lighter.

Have you calculated your TDEE? Are you weighing/measuring your food and liquids? Are you counting calories or looking at macros as well? I peeked at your diary and you are not getting enough protein and seem to be low on fat as well, which also contributes to being hungry.

Those last few pounds are going to come off VERY slowly, so starving yourself isn't the answer. It will just make you binge.

I'm older, shorter, and lighter than you are, and I can eat 2300 calories a day and create a deficit. 1500 sounds way too low--eat more. And as a pp said, lift some heavy weights. It will do more to get you the look you want than not eating.

^This. I'm trying to figure out why you are only eating 1500 calories per day. My base calories before exercise are more than that, and I'm also older, shorter, and lighter.

Have you calculated your TDEE? Are you weighing/measuring your food and liquids? Are you counting calories or looking at macros as well? I peeked at your diary and you are not getting enough protein and seem to be low on fat as well, which also contributes to being hungry.

Maybe she means netting 1500?

Try filling up on raw veggies.

I've never had to lose anything other than vanity pounds. But if you've been in a certain range all your life, a weight increase is very concerning. I need to be under 1200 to lose weight. Sometimes I am hungry. But more frequently and troublingly, I'll find myself eating when I'm not hungry. Granted, my caloric needs are low, so it doesn't take much for me to overeat.

I've found that choosing the right foods lead to less hunger. I upped my protein intake and ate less carbs and it totally worked for me.

It's true. If I eliminate sugar, alcohol, and excessive fats and carbs I'm there. Right now, I'm focusing on avoiding sweets. I've had a lot of stress and I can't go on a flat-out diet at the moment. (For me to make significant progress it helps for me to go on a very streamlined eating plan for a limited period.)