so i think people are lying

I hear what you're saying...but, I can honestly say that I haven't been hungry since I started the plan. I upped my calories to 1300 to see if it helped my lose weight faster, but for the first month I ate 1200 calories or less. And, I was never hungry. Occasionally I'd crave sugar/chocolate, but not because I was hungry...just because I was addicted.

But, I think it's all about your food choices. Post a sample of your days and maybe it'll help people give advice for being fuller.

I think I am not hungry because I hardly ever waste any calories on "empty calorie" items. I am not a carb person at all (other than my sweets addiction), so I don't really have any chips or pasta or rice or bread and any of that. I eat lots of fiber, which is filling. And, try to eat a decent amount of protein, healthy fats, etc.

So, my daily breakfast might be scrambled egs w/ low-fat cheese. Or, huevos ranchers (beans, egg, and lettuce on a corn tortilla). Or a fiber one bar. All are very filling. Startin the day off full helps me make it through the day.

Try taking a daily sugar-free metamucil supplement. The 8 ounces of water + fiber will help you stay fuller and help you get your fiber in. It's not medicinal, just fiber...

I think it depends on the person and day. Yesterday I had a hard time netting 1200 calories. It wasn't because I did eat, I ate. You could even check my food journal if you like. I exercised and earned 314 calories. I ate 1461 calories but I only netted 1146. I wasn't hungry and didn't want to force myself to eat.

It also matters what you eat. I ate fruit, veggies and fiber. I was over my recommended fiber by 15.

I don't eat like that everyday. There are days I feel like I could eat all day long and it's a struggle "not" to eat all my calories. and then some.

I get what you are saying...I dont know if anyone should do 1200 calories long-term. And, certainly there are times when your body needs/wants more than that. (Especially during time of month, etc). But, I think that the people here are speaking the truth. Everyone is different. There's not much incentive to lie, I don't think.

Normally, when I diet in the past, I'm always starving...it's always misery. For some reason, this time it's not been much of a challenge. I just think it's because I'm in the right place and I never was before. My perspective of it is different. My perspective of many things in my life is different. Whereas I used to feed my hunger with food, now I"m trying to feed it with things I love and that make me happy....literature, amazing music, poetry, and on and on. Just rediscovering passion in life that isn't related to food and working on personal growth!

My Daughter tells me I "cheat" because if I am close to my 1200 and I am starving, I'll do more exercise so I can eat more. Whether you wanna call it cheating or whatever, it works for me because I lost 5 lbs. already...LoL I swear it doesn't matter what I eat, I never feel full, even after drinking 10 cups of water a day!!

I agree... I can't believe that people can be at 800 calories and "not hungry" or "its a lot of food"

Ummm.... if that is the case how did they get over weight? It doesn't make sense and I complain to my husband about it because I just had to raise my calories form 1200 because I am SOOOO HUNGRY

I keep hearing this " I'm at 1200 calories and I'm not hungry....I don't know what to do!" I think people are so entranced with the idea of a perfect plan that when they hit 1200 they telll themsleves they are not hungry no matter what. I'm saying that when I work out hard, I don't have a hard time eating more cuz I am starving!!! The 1200 calorie thing baffles me because I feel like no matter what, I can do something to hit my calorie mark. I love food and food loves me....

I've read this many times.... and it's fantastic that these people have made changes to the point where they have cut back so much and feel that way at times, but in reality I think if they had problems eating that much food they wouldn't need to lose weight in the first place! Eating that little long term, or exercising daily to the point where you can't meet the 1200 calorie goal will certainly prove to be difficult for them eventually :laugh:

Ok Ive been following the thread here and its a bit off track from what i originally read.... originally the post was regarding people "at" 1200 now its regarding people "under" 1200..maybe Im confused....per your last post ** "I guess I'm saying either these people are not eating a balanced diet or they are just telling themselves they are full so they have an excuse to stay under 1200 calories. I don't think it's healthy or practical long term to get into the habit of eating less than 1200 calories a day. Now and then, yeah I get it you're not always hungry, but every day and you risk becoming malnourished. "**

I think it depends on what I am eating. I am at 1200 calories and if I eat only fruit, vegetables, whole grain then I am stuffed, but if I eat fast food, processed foods, or high fat food then I have to limit my quantities more and I cannot eat enough to be full. Before I began this diet I was just eating the wrong foods.

I eat 1200 calories (except on days I exercise..then I eat more) and I have no problems. I think the key for me has been to be sure I'm eating every 2-3 hours. Breakfast, snack, lunch, snack, dinner, snack. As long as I stick to something close to that, I'm fine and not hungry. When I skip snacks (which I sometimes do), I get hungry for meals earlier. Sometimes I will think I'm hungry, but I know I'm not (usually cause I just ate), so I chew a piece of gum and that helps.

I have got to say, when I swim for an hour, I am FAMISHED by the time I get home, but it's totally cool, because I've earned myself over 500 calories! :happy: YAY!