new and having problems eating 1200 calories a day

If you want to consume more calories eat more calorie dense food. Throw some butter on something, have some avocado, eat peanut butter by the spoon. It's that simple!

but id say get as close to 1200 as you can every day, dont go crazy counting calories.... i hope i dont! and congrats on ur weightloss so far!

First, starvation mode does not exist in the way that has been advertised by fearmongering diet book and supplement manufacturers. Your metabolism could be impacted negatively if you ate less than 50% of what your body needs for an extended period, but studies show that this will still not stop weight/fat loss. It will only slow it down a bit.

Second, a funny thing happens when you first begin to track calories. You become hyper-aware of both what you're putting in your mouth, and your body's reaction to it. This means that for a short period, it's easy to come in below your calorie goal. It happens to a lot of people. But your appetite will correct itself, and soon, and you'll be tempted to binge because your body will want to make up for the calories it's missing. I mean, you didn't get overweight by eating 1000 calories a day, did you?

One way to avoid the binge that's coming is to make sure you come close to your calorie goal. The goal isn't just an upper limit, it's a goal that you should strive to reach each day. Same with macros, especially if you're exercising to keep muscle...then the protein goal becomes very important.

For now, while you're in the phase where it feels like you can't eat more, add things like olive oil, nuts and real dairy butter to what you're already eating. Meanwhile, have a plan for some really low calorie/high bulk things that you like, because that urge to eat will be coming soon, and you want to be prepared. Salads with lower calorie dressings, non-starchy veggies, lean meats like poultry and seafood...try to have some easy things on hand, because you're going to need them.

I am 5'2 and started at 210 lbs too. At first I ate just when I was hungry, making good choices and working out. I was consistently under my calorie goal by 2, or 300. This resulted in massive weight loss. Great! But then it slowed down, probably because the initial loss was mostly water and just making such huge changes to diet. So I tried to eat 1200 calories in order to lose more. Which...as much as this community will try to tell you, is BS. Didn't work. I think breaking it up into smaller meals helps so your metabolism is constantly working. But I recently went back to only eating when I was hungry and making really good choices which results in my eating about 900 net cals a day. I do work out every day and I'm not hungry except at night. I think that's kind of boredom-hunger though so I ignore it.

Just to say that I don't think it's bad if you are not really hungry, you're getting adequate nutrition and eating less than your MFP goal. These are all estimates anyway.

900 calories per day is inadequate to reach your macro goals, much less get the micronutrients you need. Your goal is not something for you to be "under," it is something for you to reach. I do eat under my goal for a few days in a row in order to have a treat day and eat over, thereby keeping as close as possible to 3500 calories in deficit for the week.

A 900 calorie diet is detrimental to your health. Do you only want to get skinny, or do you also want to get healthy?

I just started a week ago and have lost 5.5 pounds but........
I'm 5ft and weighed 211 lb. I'm set to eat 1200 calories a day but I've only managed that twice. Most days I'm at 1000 to 1100. I don't feel hungry or tired. I'm taking a vitamin. I'm afraid after reading so much about starvation mode. So do I force myself to eat the 1200 or ???? Any advice out there?

You didn't get to 211 pounds eating 1000 calories a day. When people start they can get a bit carried away with going for 'Healthy' and low calorie foods. Just aim for a balanced diet don't restrict food types and you'll likely hit your calories easily. There are no good or bad foods just food.

Can I please have all of their extra calories and give them back to them?

I'm sorry I like eating, and if I didnt have a calorie goal to meet everyday or feel like crap after eating a ton, I'd probably eat 10,000 a day.

Ok serious now. Your TDEE according to the stats you posted is ~1800 a good 500 calorie deficit from that is ~1300 so you should be eating more than 1200 anyways. Need more, try something packed with calories. Nuts and Seeds tend to be a good option for that.

I would not worry about it, work your weekly average, not daily

Some days you will be down, some days up

No point in stuffing food in if you are not hungry

Worked for me

Im the same, but i keep thinking about nourishing my body and what are the best foods I can fit in! I eat a lot of veg which doesnt add to much on the cals but means I am getting lots of vitamins! I look at my nutritional break down so I have enough protein and go from there!

With all respect, how is that possible? Lol. My breakfast alone is over 900 calories half the time