Advice, please. :)

jnicole9591
jnicole9591 Posts: 1 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
So, I originally weighed 254 lbs, but since New Year's Eve, I have lost 85 lbs in total. I've stuck to 1200 calories for that length of time, and sometimes right under a 1000. I don't workout a whole lot. I'm up a lot during the week though cleaning and grocery shopping on a daily basis. However, I've found myself at this plateau where my weight keeps bouncing back and forth or stands still. I plan on buying an exercising machine so that I can spend one hour walking/running daily, because I do feel I need to put in some exercise. But here's my question: should I up my calorie intake to 1300 or even 1400? Because I just feel more hungry now. I drink coffee every morning with a 100 calorie snack, my lunches are usually 200 calorie soups or a lunchable, and my dinners are usually a 4 oz meat with a can of beans or veggies. I have low calorie snacks in between lunch and dinner, and after dinner. I don't know... I'm just hungry and 1200 is starting to look like a lot less than originally. Perhaps it's because I have more energy now?

Replies

  • Liftng4Lis
    Liftng4Lis Posts: 15,151 Member
    Congratulations on your weight loss! 1200 calories isn't sustainable long term. You should lower your weight loss goal to be less aggressive, so yes up your calories.
  • donnamaeh
    donnamaeh Posts: 6
    I walk 1 hour per day. You get 265 more calories that you can add to your daily total. I eat only 1 ingredient foods and they are very low in calories. I eat all day and don't get hungry.
  • Llamapants86
    Llamapants86 Posts: 1,221 Member
    When your body had more fat it could supply more energy from fat. With less fat stores your body will be more hungry at the same deficit, that's why it is recommended to lower your weight loss as you progress.
  • donnamaeh
    donnamaeh Posts: 6
    Don't up your calories. Change the foods you eat. You can eat fruit, veggies and meat all day and not get hungry.
  • divediva2
    divediva2 Posts: 297 Member
    Congratulations on your loss!

    Do you eat breakfast? From your post it sounds like you just have a small snack and coffee, not really the best way to start the day. I've been working on losing weight for so long but not much progress. One thing I have learned is that breakfast is the most important meal.

    I am working with a personal trainer who has quite a bit of knowledge regarding nutrition and weight loss, it's her job. She has told me that I need to eat more, I am a low calorie person and I have not been able to lose weight for quite a long time. I joke that I will be the Queen of Maintenance.

    On Friday we weighed me, from that number she calculated my daily caloric needs for someone who is moderately active.1960 calories!!!!!! I was eating 1200-1500 but the kicker, not enough protein. There are many calculators out there that will give you your basic calorie needs for just being there, no activity. Then it adds more for activity. This calculation was different, it looked at my body type and from that we multiplied my weight by a number to come up with my needs.

    One thing she did tell me which was a light bulb moment for me, plan your proteins for the day, put them into MFP then add your carbs and fats. It is amazing as this works, I do eat lean proteins such as the chicken, lean beef cuts, greek yogourt, eggs so that is my base for eating. The carbs are complex ones, I try to stay away from packaged stuff. So whole grain sprouted bread, brown rice, old fashioned or steel cut oats, quinoa and cous cous. Add your green veg and a couple of fruits, some healthy oils and you will be eating well my friend.

    I am on Day 3 of this type of eating, have to say Day 1 was hard, I was stuffed, Day 2 a bit of the same challenge, today is great so far. I am eating about 3 hours apart, 5 smaller meals.

    Definitely add some exercise in, but look at what you are eating and when and figure out what your basic calories needed are for your current weight. I think you will have more energy, feel better and get great sleep. I do!
  • lioooba
    lioooba Posts: 105 Member
    1200cals aren't healthy! Go up by 50calls each week, so you won't gain back weight. I'd recommend you weight/strength training. Build muscles in order to "tone" up and burn more calories. Cardio isn't as good as everyone is thinking!!
  • zoeysasha37
    zoeysasha37 Posts: 7,088 Member
    I think eating more is a good idea. 1200 calories isn't very sustainable. you could also try eating more nutrient dense foods, things like lunchables really won't keep you full for long , and don't have much nutritional value.

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