Im starving!!!

Without knowing anything about what you're eating or what your workout routine looks like, here are my 5 generic tips to hunger.

1. Make sure that your calorie goal is set appropriately. Way too many people skip this step and could be eating more. Your body may want more food for a reason: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/819055-setting-your-calorie-and-macro-targets

2. Look for foods that are higher in protein, fat, and fiber. These help us stay fuller and more satisfied for longer.

3. Drink plenty of fluids. Some people really do confuse thirst and hunger (of course, some people don't).

4. Play around with your meal times. Some people do really well on 6 small meals a day and others feel like gnawing their own arms off with that kind of meal schedule. When you eat won't affect your weight loss, but it may affect your mood and hunger levels throughout the day. It's okay to try things out to see what works for you.

5. Wait it out. If you know you're eating enough, getting enough protein & fat and enough water, etc. then you may just have to wait. Your body sends out hunger cues partially out of habit. It will catch on to the idea that you need to be hungry less often, but it could take some time for your body to catch up with the new routine.

best way is to make good food choices. I don't know what you are eating, but my experience is that the "cleaner" I eat, the easier it is for me to stay on track because I stay more satisfied and I feel better.

Understand that I am not saying clean eating is better at weight loss, rather, it is just easier for me to stay satisfied if I am eating a lot of lean meats, fresh veggies, and "good" dairy items like greek yogurt.

Without knowing anything about what you're eating or what your workout routine looks like, here are my 5 generic tips to hunger.

1. Make sure that your calorie goal is set appropriately. Way too many people skip this step and could be eating more. Your body may want more food for a reason: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/819055-setting-your-calorie-and-macro-targets

2. Look for foods that are higher in protein, fat, and fiber. These help us stay fuller and more satisfied for longer.

3. Drink plenty of fluids. Some people really do confuse thirst and hunger (of course, some people don't).

4. Play around with your meal times. Some people do really well on 6 small meals a day and others feel like gnawing their own arms off with that kind of meal schedule. When you eat won't affect your weight loss, but it may affect your mood and hunger levels throughout the day. It's okay to try things out to see what works for you.

5. Wait it out. If you know you're eating enough, getting enough protein & fat and enough water, etc. then you may just have to wait. Your body sends out hunger cues partially out of habit. It will catch on to the idea that you need to be hungry less often, but it could take some time for your body to catch up with the new routine.

Basically this. I started out at 1200 calories too (don't most people?..) and it was fine for me because I'm short (5'2"), was essentially sedentary (basically I sat on my *kitten* during winter), and not in my 20s anymore (ahem). Then I got my head screwed on, figured out a calorie limit which was good for me, figured out macros (focusing on protein, fiber and fat primarily) and have stuck with that, gradually adding calories as I get closer to my weight loss milestone and added exercise.

It takes a bit of math up-front (the links others have provided are excellent), but it gives you a solid, realistic plan, and having a plan which fits your life is everything.

Also, I felt hungry intermittently for the first 2 weeks, but it went away as my body adapted. I ignored it. I spent the last 20-25 years listening to hunger pangs and it left me obese.

I am at a 1200 calorie limit. i am unable to exercise as much because of my back but i do stretches and walk... The past 3 days I was good and happy, but today I am really hungry. Should I eat more then work the extra calories off. I am just to tired to walk today. .

Hun, you could probably eat more without exercising more. I started at 170 lbs and lost my weight eating 1650 net. You're much more likely to succeed and stick to it by making yourself less miserable in the process. This is hard enough without the addition of feeling blah and weak with constant hunger pangs. I started out on the 1200 calories. Did it for 2 months. I had brain fog, was miserable. I found the forums and read that sexy pants link and the rest of my weight loss went much better. Dont get me wrong, it's still tough but there's no sense in making it harder ♡

I am at a 1200 calorie limit. i am unable to exercise as much because of my back but i do stretches and walk... The past 3 days I was good and happy, but today I am really hungry. Should I eat more then work the extra calories off. I am just to tired to walk today. .

Hun, you could probably eat more without exercising more. I started at 170 lbs and lost my weight eating 1650 net. You're much more likely to succeed and stick to it by making yourself less miserable in the process. This is hard enough without the addition of feeling blah and weak with constant hunger pangs. I started out on the 1200 calories. Did it for 2 months. I had brain fog, was miserable. I found the forums and read that sexy pants link and the rest of my weight loss went much better. Dont get me wrong, it's still tough but there's no sense in making it harder ♡

^Exactly^

1200 is an unrealistic for a long term plan unless you are rather petite. What is your height and weight? I can almost guarantee you could up calories some.

When you are eating be "mindful " of what you are eating. DO NOT be distracted by watching TV or even reading a book or anything. This "mindful eating" routine helps you appreciate what you are eating now.

Or she could just set a more reasonable calorie limit

^^^^This

Eating to low causes a multitude of issues and can cause binging.....it is not sustainable.

You also asked about eating more then working out. The way MFP is set up, you are suppose to eat your exercise calories back....goal is net. So if you had a goal of 1450 calories (my BMR at 154lbs and 5'4") and you walked and burned 300 calories you should consume 1750 calories for a net of 1450. MFP does over estimate burn so many only eat 50-75% of exercise calories back or log as half the time. TDEE is another method you may want to look up. Regardless you will continue to feel miserable and not be able to continue on 1200 calories a day. Find out your BMR, using MFP or www.iifym.com and at the least set that as your goal. Then just read and read a lot.

I am at a 1200 calorie limit. i am unable to exercise as much because of my back but i do stretches and walk... The past 3 days I was good and happy, but today I am really hungry. Should I eat more then work the extra calories off. I am just to tired to walk today. .

This is why you're hungry.

Especially if you're going from eating twice that or more, to eating just that. Some people can successfully eat 1200 calories, lose weight, and not feel hungry all the time. That's not to say they should long term, nor is that to say that it is a good idea even short term.

You don't need to eat 1200 to lose weight. Even 1500 or 1600 will often cause weight loss in an adult female, of any weight.

My best advice is... up your calorie intake. Try eating 1600 or so calories. You will still lose weight, and your body and sanity will thank you.

Drink a lot of water. I slice an orange up and put it in a jug of water at night. The next day I try to drink the entire jug. It tastes great, calms the sweet tooth and cravings gives you a little vitamin C and fill the void in your tummy.
And remember, this too shall pass. Hunger pangs (not pains) don't last forever. It's really mind over matter. Two positive thoughts to keep you going: "Nothing tastes as good as skinny is gonna feel" and "Just keep going, every day is one more day you have succeeded in getting to where you want to go". It's really not that hard, just keep moving forward and don't look back. Use the success topic as a motivation. I love to see people who have stayed the course and dropped 100 pounds or better. They are real Champions. You can be one too :happy:

Appetite on a calorie deficit is like riding a bike on hilly terrain. Sometimes you coast, and sometimes you have to get off and push.

That said, make sure you are weighing your food, a very few of us underestimate instead of overestimate.

I started on 1,500 for two weeks (I started at 262lbs) and was a bit hungry still, but after a couple of weeks my body adjusted. I then dropped my calories down to 1,200. I'm rarely hungry now. If I am I will drink more water or eat back some of exercise calories burned.

I'm a little surprised no other women have asked this.....Where are you in your cycle? I get a couple days every month where I feel like I could clear out the entire grocery store.

I am at a 1200 calorie limit. i am unable to exercise as much because of my back but i do stretches and walk... The past 3 days I was good and happy, but today I am really hungry. Should I eat more then work the extra calories off. I am just to tired to walk today. .

We all have those day, doesn't matter if you just started or been going for almost 3 years like me. Yesterday all I wanted to do was eat. Today I'm good. Find something very filling and enjoy, not something loaded with calories and small so that in an hour you want something else. I just ate a ton of watermelon.