Lowered calorie goal and need help staying full

JennsJourney30
JennsJourney30 Posts: 99 Member
in Food and Nutrition
Ok so for the next 6 weeks I lowered my calorie intake to 1200 to see how many days I can do it. I'll add more depending on workout. I've been pretty good around 1400 but normally am close to goal so 1200 is going to be a little more of a struggle.

As I lay here I feel hungry and am thinking about food ugh!
Breakfast is usually a jimmy dean turkey sausage muffin for around 250 calories or cereal(not the best) but sometimes I have to rush to get to work.
Lunches are hard for me because they used to be my biggest meal of the day but know that I have to run home to walk the dog on my lunch break I can't eat unless it's while I'm driving so I've been doing turkey with one cheese slice sandwich. Well it's getting boring and need something easy to do in the car. Some days I don't have to walk him so I do better lunch but at least 2-4 days I have to come home so need help for those days.
This also means that I am real hungry by the time 3-4 rolls around so I find myself snacking. Then by dinner I can easily over do it and be hungry. Then I'm eating biggest meal around 5-7 and sleep around 9. Not good.

Morning snack usually Greek yogurt. Afternoon snack varies. Depends on how busy I am at work as to what I can eat. I like to chew and feel like I'm eating so I can do shakes but don't want to do them all day ya know?

Any ideas/help? I'll check back here tomorrow but I don't mind if you message or friend me.
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Replies

  • ntdcruz
    ntdcruz Posts: 19 Member
    Well, MFP just had me lower my goal to 1250 and I struggle eating less as well. I am exercising like crazy to be able to eat more... :)
    When I was working (until April), I make up baggies of baby carrots, celery and sugar snap peas. Strawberries are also in season and low in calories if you don't mind the sugar. Those 80 calorie yogurts are good and the protein really does seem to help. I also chew a lot of gum, as i think I used to eat sometimes just to have something in my mouth. :) Good luck!
  • ValerieMartini2Olives
    ValerieMartini2Olives Posts: 3,024 Member
    you have no stats posted here or on your profile, but going by your pics, you look like a pretty big girl (no offense at all). There is no reason to eat 1200. You could easily be eating 1800 and STILL lose weight. I am doing 1970 a day and am losing weight. Ignore my ticker as I fell off the wagon and gained weight so now I have to re-lose what I have gained.
  • Barbellarella_
    Barbellarella_ Posts: 454 Member
    You're ticker reads that you have about 60 pounds to lose still? 1200 is going to be WAY to low, and it will bite you in the butt later, I promise.

    If u want me to run your numbers, I'll need your weight, height, goal weight and activity level. Are you on your feet most of the day, plus walking your dog?
  • BeginningAgainMay14
    BeginningAgainMay14 Posts: 97 Member
    I'm not going to comment on your 1200 calorie goal, I do have a lunch suggestion. If I were eating in the car I'd put a small container of hummus in my cup holder and dip carrot and celery sticks in it. It also has the advantage of being high in fiber and giving you some fat and protein so it may help you stay full longer.
  • ThatGirlYouKnowTheOne
    ThatGirlYouKnowTheOne Posts: 7
    Eat less carbs and more protein. It's really that simple. And never go more than 4 hours without eating. My cal goal is 1200 and I never eat more than 1000, and I'm full and have tons of energy!

    Did you put in your current weight and height? Activity level?

    Exercise can allow you more calls, but don't eat them and you'll lose more.

    GET RID of processed things like Jimmy Dean sausage biscuits. That's keeping you back more than you know! Eat oatmeal for breakfast. It sticks with you!

    Message me if you want to!
  • ThatGirlYouKnowTheOne
    ThatGirlYouKnowTheOne Posts: 7
    It also doesn't matter how late you eat as long as you give your body at least 8 hours of sleep with no eating. My internist told me that, and it's true. I eat at 10pm, midnight, sometimes 1, and it doesn't affect my weight.

    I see that you are just eating randomly. That's how you got fat to begin with. Follow a meal plan. Breakfast. Snack. Lunch. Snack. Dinner. Snack. And hire someone to walk your dog until you lose a good amount of weight. Slow down eating, and you will get full. Stay away from the carbs!
  • RodaRose
    RodaRose Posts: 9,562 Member
    You need a new plan. Eating in the car is not a good idea. Set your alarm a half hour earlier so that you can have time to eat breakfast and so you do not need to rush to get to work. Do you have time on the weekend to cook some meals that you can have for breakfast during the week? (It does not have to be breakfast food.)
    If you want a breakfast-type of food, try this Baked Oatmeal on the weekend and cut it into pieces for the week:

    http://www.jillianskitchen.com/2012/09/03/blueberry-lemon-baked-oatmeal/
  • emmanap91
    emmanap91 Posts: 300 Member
    As others have said, oatmeal is a great quick, filling, tasty breakfast. I use the quaker weight control instant oatmeals with milk and a tsp of brown sugar (they're not sweet enough for me). totals under 300 cals and keeps me full until lunch.

    I agree with RodaRose, you may need to get up earlier to reduce your rush. Additionally, preparing meals at the beginning of the week is a great suggestion - my bf and I like to cook up two dishes, one in the crock pot and one in the casserole dish, on a sunday before a busy week, and then we have two different meals to eat for lunch/dinner throughout the week.

    My last comment is just that if you are allowed to snack at work (you said you have morning and afternoon snacks, so I'm assuming you eat them at work), then why not just eat lunch at while working as well?

    EDIT: also, you need more vegetables in your diet. Fruits and veggies fill you up and are extremely low in calories. That jimmy dean breakfast sandwich has more calories than about 1 pound of broccoli, 2.33 pounds of cucumbers, 2.5 pounds of tomatoes, or 1.33 pounds of strawberries. You'll definitely feel full and remain full for hours if you eat even 150 calories worth of fruits and vegetables.
  • JennsJourney30
    JennsJourney30 Posts: 99 Member
    What do you mean stats? I thought i had my profile open so not sure how to do that. I'm at 221 now started at 238. Mfp had me at 1400 calories but I manually lowered to 1200 but I'll add on more as I workout during the day.
  • JennsJourney30
    JennsJourney30 Posts: 99 Member
    I hadn't heard of baked oatmeal before I'll have to try that thanks.
    You need a new plan. Eating in the car is not a good idea. Set your alarm a half hour earlier so that you can have time to eat breakfast and so you do not need to rush to get to work. Do you have time on the weekend to cook some meals that you can have for breakfast during the week? (It does not have to be breakfast food.)
    If you want a breakfast-type of food, try this Baked Oatmeal on the weekend and cut it into pieces for the week:

    http://www.jillianskitchen.com/2012/09/03/blueberry-lemon-baked-oatmeal/
  • JennsJourney30
    JennsJourney30 Posts: 99 Member
    Unfortunately hiring someone isn't in the budget right now or I would love too. I prefer to be able to sit for my hour but right now just can't.
    Yes I can snack at work (someone else asked) but we aren't allowed to eat meals. I'm in medical and we can have a quick snack out of patient eyes.
    I don't normally skip meals and always snack before lunch and before dinner. These past two weeks my work schedule has been whack with my other tech out I get covered whenever so it's thrown me off some.

    I love oatmeal and started goin back to it but someone said too many carbs. Is that true?
    It also doesn't matter how late you eat as long as you give your body at least 8 hours of sleep with no eating. My internist told me that, and it's true. I eat at 10pm, midnight, sometimes 1, and it doesn't affect my weight.

    I see that you are just eating randomly. That's how you got fat to begin with. Follow a meal plan. Breakfast. Snack. Lunch. Snack. Dinner. Snack. And hire someone to walk your dog until you lose a good amount of weight. Slow down eating, and you will get full. Stay away from the carbs!
  • MissMercy62
    MissMercy62 Posts: 3 Member
    More fat and protein, less carbs. Carbs do not last long in your system, so they do not fill you for long. Fat and protein will stay by you. You can change your goals in MFP. But I agree with other posters that 1200 is too low. My BMR is over 2200, so for weight loss my daily calories are set at 1900. You'd lose weight on 1600, I bet, with lower carbs. For breakfast for instance, lose the bun and eat more meat.
  • animatorswearbras
    animatorswearbras Posts: 1,001 Member
    I have 15 pounds to lose and I'm on 1450cals (and I eat back exercise cals so I will usually eat 1600-1800 cals those days unless I "save" them for a weekend bottle of wine and cheat meals) Although having said that I'm sedentary most of the time and have an office job. I couldn't cope with 1200 I've tried and it's too restrictive and I end up giving up.

    If you're managing on 1400 and finding that easier I'd stick to that, however to answer your question this is what I usually do to fill up on less cals:-

    pad out pasta meals with loads of salad so just have half a portion of what I'd usually make as a pasta dish and shove it on top of a hugely generous salad of baby leaves, cucumber, baby toms, peppers etc and dress it with balasamic vinegar sea salt and pepper.

    Swap out potato wedges for butternut squash wedges baked in the oven with a spray of olive oil, sea salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika and cayenne pepper if you like a kick. serve with reduced fat sour cream.

    stir fry veggies with garlic, soy sauce, ginger, and black pepper. I use brocolli, thin cut carrots, onion, peppers, bean sprouts, loads of mushrooms and a few petite pois. You can either dry fry and scramble and egg in their for some extra protein, or my favourite scramble an egg white in with it (save the yolk) then add a broth of miso soup and chicken stock and finally stir in the yolk at the end! I sometimes garnish with a sprinkle of sweet chilli sauce too. If your feeling extra hungry and have the cals spare you can add a few noodles but it's substantial enough without.

    Good luck xx
  • _Zardoz_
    _Zardoz_ Posts: 3,987 Member
    Nothing wrong with carbs. How many carbs you have have no effect on your weightloss. As others have said up your calories you'll still lose weight.

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1175494-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants?hl=guide+to+sexypants&page=1#posts-18361594
  • Hell_Flower
    Hell_Flower Posts: 348 Member
    Oatmeal/porridge for breakfast. If you make it with water, you can have a bit more and it keeps you just as full as making it with milk.

    My snack secret is dried figs. I find if I'm a bit peckish that 2 or 3 of them will tide me over for a good couple of hours until my next meal. They come in at around 20 calories each.
  • schmanciepants
    schmanciepants Posts: 62 Member
    For breakfast (or even lunch), hard boiled eggs are great. 2eggs, string cheese, and some fruit or veggies (even a slice of good bread) can make a good and portable meal.
  • amy1612
    amy1612 Posts: 1,356 Member
    Eat less carbs and more protein. It's really that simple. And never go more than 4 hours without eating. My cal goal is 1200 and I never eat more than 1000, and I'm full and have tons of energy!

    Did you put in your current weight and height? Activity level?

    Exercise can allow you more calls, but don't eat them and you'll lose more.

    This is pretty awful advice, 1000 calories a day is NOT a good idea, you want hair and fingernails that arent brittle? A brain that functions? You need to eat more than that.

    Go to the sexypants link, click it, its awesome.

    Food wise,I'd try and make sure to get a good bit of protein, some fats and carbs every meal as it will keep you full. Mixed bean salad with avocado is good on the go to pre-pack. If you want oats for breakfast go for it, but try to have some protein too (a couple of boiled eggs or something)-I personally find oats never keep me full for long enough.
  • _Terrapin_
    _Terrapin_ Posts: 4,301 Member
    bump cause now Jenny Jenny is in my head. . . .'who can I turn to?'
  • JennsJourney30
    JennsJourney30 Posts: 99 Member
    bump cause now Jenny Jenny is in my head. . . .'who can I turn to?'


    LOL!!
  • JennsJourney30
    JennsJourney30 Posts: 99 Member
    Eat less carbs and more protein. It's really that simple. And never go more than 4 hours without eating. My cal goal is 1200 and I never eat more than 1000, and I'm full and have tons of energy!

    Did you put in your current weight and height? Activity level?

    Exercise can allow you more calls, but don't eat them and you'll lose more.

    This is pretty awful advice, 1000 calories a day is NOT a good idea, you want hair and fingernails that arent brittle? A brain that functions? You need to eat more than that.

    Go to the sexypants link, click it, its awesome.

    Food wise,I'd try and make sure to get a good bit of protein, some fats and carbs every meal as it will keep you full. Mixed bean salad with avocado is good on the go to pre-pack. If you want oats for breakfast go for it, but try to have some protein too (a couple of boiled eggs or something)-I personally find oats never keep me full for long enough.


    Today I decided 1/2 cup oatmeal (not instant) and two hard boiled eggs. I'll see how that does.
    I was also thinking I know I need more water and that may help too I drink about half what I should be.
    I decided to up it to 1300 and slowly work down if I can handle 1300.
    My BMR per the scale at the coaching place I go says 1797 and MFP had me at 1400 cal - that was their recommended. I'm going to try 1300 but add more depending on workouts.

    I love all the tips for foods so I'm going to compile a list and see how I can make things on Sundays for the week. At least for breakfast and lunch. Dinner I can cook same night. I don't mind prepping for the week it helps stay on track so I'm going to see what I can find on the threads here. What's another good place to look? I use all recipes but not sure if there is a site like that but all healthy foods?
  • akaMrsmojo
    akaMrsmojo Posts: 762 Member
    1200 is not a magic number, I would go back to what MFP recommends. You were doing well, why change it.
  • JennsJourney30
    JennsJourney30 Posts: 99 Member
    1200 is not a magic number, I would go back to what MFP recommends. You were doing well, why change it.

    The point of the thread was that I'm asking for ideas/help on foods to stay full. Not about the cal limit.

    I'm working with my doctor and a coach on the calorie part but I was hoping to get some tips on the foods from those who have had success or what works for you. I know everyone is different so it may not be the same for me.
    My coach has me on a 6- week challenge that started yesterday and that's why we dropped it to 1200- although last night I decided to try 1300 first then maybe 1200.

    Were all on here for the same reasons and love getting ideas from those who have had success. It helps with motivation and I love seeing that it CAN be done because sometimes I'm sure we all feel how hard it can be. According to that fancy scale at the coach place my BMR is 1797 and MFP had recommended 1400 so going down 1-200 doesn't seem so awful.
    Were doing this to break a plateau and hoping kick start the weight loss again and then I'll be going back to the 1400 and see how it goes.

    Thank you to all who have given tips and ideas for the foods. My life is a little hectic with not be on able to sit and eat a meal for lunch and having to eat on the go. I know it's not ideal but for now it's what I have to do to make it work. I can't afford a dog walker right now and working 3 jobs(one full time, two part time) I am pressed for time in the morning. Getting up earlier to eat more just makes me too tired when I'm up late working and have to be at work at 6:30 am. Not making excuses just trying to find what will work with my life right now. Have a goal to leave one of those jobs by end of the year if I can. So I'm working extra hard :)
    Two part time jobs are pretty sedentary my full time I'm an xray tech so two and a half days were pretty busy and the other two and a half pretty slow- desk work.

    Any websites for recipes or anything that has worked for you means a lot. It motivates me to do it and thats why I love the MFP community. I'm glad we can all do this together. Too hard to do it alone.
  • JennsJourney30
    JennsJourney30 Posts: 99 Member
    For breakfast (or even lunch), hard boiled eggs are great. 2eggs, string cheese, and some fruit or veggies (even a slice of good bread) can make a good and portable meal.

    Thanks. I did get two eggs this morning with some oatmeal. I brought some fruit for a snack and a Greek yogurt for other snack. :)

    Hey is it true that cheese stays in your stomach for weeks? My coach told me that it's not the best snack because of that?? I always got those lite string cheese as a snack but now wondering? Your thoughts?
  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
    I'm older than you, I started smaller than you, and lost 1.5 pound a week eating 1600 for months while doing a 20 minute workout a day, and that's it.

    Get a new doctor and coach (beachbody coach I assume? Most are clueless. If you do a challenge program, you NEED proper nutrition).
  • akaMrsmojo
    akaMrsmojo Posts: 762 Member
    My apologies, but 1200 is just too hard to maintain with adequate nutrition. I would quit on 1200. If you did not want people to comment on it, I would suggest not posting the 1200 thing. It is a sore subject with everyone. Everyone I know who insisted on limiting themselves to 1200 quit. We all have the same goal, to be successful.

    I agree with the oatmeal.
  • laserturkey
    laserturkey Posts: 1,680 Member
    For breakfast (or even lunch), hard boiled eggs are great. 2eggs, string cheese, and some fruit or veggies (even a slice of good bread) can make a good and portable meal.

    Thanks. I did get two eggs this morning with some oatmeal. I brought some fruit for a snack and a Greek yogurt for other snack. :)

    Hey is it true that cheese stays in your stomach for weeks? My coach told me that it's not the best snack because of that?? I always got those lite string cheese as a snack but now wondering? Your thoughts?

    That is not at all true about cheese. WTF. That coach is an idiot.
  • baleywhary1
    baleywhary1 Posts: 3 Member
    That calorie count sounds way too low! Are you trying to lose more than 1 lb a week? Healthy weight loss is only up to 1 lb a week. If you eat too few calories your body can go into "starvation mode" and hold on to as much fat as possible. Your metabolism will drop and you'll actually hamper your weight loss abilities!
  • Mischievous_Rascal
    Mischievous_Rascal Posts: 1,791 Member
    You need a new plan. Eating in the car is not a good idea. Set your alarm a half hour earlier so that you can have time to eat breakfast and so you do not need to rush to get to work. Do you have time on the weekend to cook some meals that you can have for breakfast during the week? (It does not have to be breakfast food.)
    If you want a breakfast-type of food, try this Baked Oatmeal on the weekend and cut it into pieces for the week:

    http://www.jillianskitchen.com/2012/09/03/blueberry-lemon-baked-oatmeal/

    Bumping for the recipe, thank you!

    OP: 1200 is miserable. MFP is great, but it's pretty straight up generic when setting goals. The best part about this site is the free advice given by people who have done what you want to do in a safe and sustainable way. I would suggest giving this (and all the links referenced in it) a thorough read and set a calorie goal that's more suited to you individually.

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/833026-important-posts-to-read

    I personally lost most of my body fat eating just below my maintenance calories of 2400. (Which is the purpose, right? Retaining lean body mass while losing fat, not merely "losing weight".) 1200 is not necessary unless you have a medical condition and are being monitored, or you're super short.

    Best of luck!!
  • Momjogger
    Momjogger Posts: 750 Member
    You need to get rid of the bread and processed food. Add carbs from fruit and veggies, hummuh, white and sweet potatoes can replace bread for starches. If you are still hungry, have a salad, snack on cucumbers and celery. They will help. Also, I eat Greek yogurt with fresh fruit and a little Stevia for breakfast. You can eat it in the car. Salad with protein and chick peas or beans are good for lunch. I would agree with other posters to up your calorie intake and add some movement/exercise if you want to lose quicker. Tweeking your diet over time is the way to go. Don't rush it.
  • RodaRose
    RodaRose Posts: 9,562 Member
    That is not true about the cheese.

    Open an account on Pinterest and use various search terms.
    They have people who have created plans for once a week cooking:

    http://www.pinterest.com/vanze/once-a-week-cooking/

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