Can't reach 1200 goal calories per day (losing weight)

I was also struggling to eat 1200 calories. My starting weight was 235 (EEEEK) and I was losing but not as rapidly as I expected. I was also getting headaches, although I didn't feel hungry. I am 5'7 female.

I decided to try to up my calories to 1,500 and make an effort to actually eat them, BAM! I lost 5 pounds in a week, (3 pounds in a week and a half at 1,2000) my headaches went away. I have more energy. I am sleeping great,

I do not know if this is your situation, but maybe try increasing your calories for a week and see if it helps. Good luck

Oh and I HATE breakfast but I try to eat something in the morning,Today all I could stomach was a spoonful of peanut butter.

ps. My tracker is off, I didn't add it until yesterday. I have lost 8 pounds total

I want to pop in here and do some opinion-ing.

My highest ever weight was about 200 pounds, I'm not at about 180 after going down to 160, and so I know the logistics of losing AND gaining weight.

I want to say that to those who seem to think saying "how did you get fat if you struggle to eat 1200 calories" is okay, that it's not. You have no comprehension of that persons lifestyle before they joined this website. It is so incredibly easy to eat the same AMOUNT of food and have a difference of thousands of calories. For instance, eating 500 calories of chocolate, or eating 500 calories of salad- but I can tell you, that there is no way that I could eat 500 calories of plain salad.

The problem is the "diet" culture that forms when people who are overweight are taught that the only things they can eat to lose weight are "diet" foods like salads, lean meats and vegetables- take it from a vegetarian, trying to live on only salad and boil vegetables was a bad idea.

This "diet culture" we perpetuate in our society teaches people (ESPECIALLY women) that you've failed if you dip into a row of chocolate occasionally, or that if you have a pizza with friends, you're repulsive and you're an atrocity to yourself and society. The reality is, that it's about balance. We wonder why so many people stack weight back on after they've lost, and I'm willing to bet half the reason is that they don't know how to balance their lifestyle. You have GOT to diet the way you want to live the rest of your life- you have to learn that treats are fine, but they have to be moderated. You have to learn your nutrition balances between calories gained from carbohydrates, fats and protein. You have to KNOW your body and KNOW what works for you, and you have to immerse yourself in a supportive environment that encourages and assists with that.

To the OP, I want to say I can relate to you so much. Even now, after over a year of using MFP, I struggle to make my 1200 calories. Before, indulging in ridiculous amounts of simple carbs, I'd power through 2000 calories and still not even be close to full. Now, when my staple food is vermicelli and stir fry style foods, I struggle a lot to hit the target. I have no doubt that some of it is leftover guilt and panic and anxiety from people around me telling me I was eating too much, that I should be cutting my calories further- people who didn't understand that portion isn't everything. People who didn't understand the impact that their words had on me, to the point where I spent quite a few weeks going into calorie deficits (exercising ANY food i'd eaten off, sending my MFP profile into the negative numbers) because I felt so guilty about eating anything.

Never feel guilty, but do try to make up your 1200 calories through healthy, nutritional mediums- nuts, fruits, grains, and hey, an amazing treat is a banana smoothie with some cocoa powder added- so good, still nutritional, and bananas help to fill you up because of their potassium!

My best advice is to learn more about nutrition as you go on your journey- keep the 1200 number in your mind, but also remember that while calories are important, giving your body the sustenance and nutrition it needs to function is also important, more important than anything. And don't let anyones negative comments impact you! You are doing so well, and you're doing an amazing thing for yourself. Keep it up xxx

Well said MelanieBester! :drinker:

I want to pop in here and do some opinion-ing.

My highest ever weight was about 200 pounds, I'm not at about 180 after going down to 160, and so I know the logistics of losing AND gaining weight.

I want to say that to those who seem to think saying "how did you get fat if you struggle to eat 1200 calories" is okay, that it's not. You have no comprehension of that persons lifestyle before they joined this website. It is so incredibly easy to eat the same AMOUNT of food and have a difference of thousands of calories. For instance, eating 500 calories of chocolate, or eating 500 calories of salad- but I can tell you, that there is no way that I could eat 500 calories of plain salad.

The problem is the "diet" culture that forms when people who are overweight are taught that the only things they can eat to lose weight are "diet" foods like salads, lean meats and vegetables- take it from a vegetarian, trying to live on only salad and boil vegetables was a bad idea.

This "diet culture" we perpetuate in our society teaches people (ESPECIALLY women) that you've failed if you dip into a row of chocolate occasionally, or that if you have a pizza with friends, you're repulsive and you're an atrocity to yourself and society. The reality is, that it's about balance. We wonder why so many people stack weight back on after they've lost, and I'm willing to bet half the reason is that they don't know how to balance their lifestyle. You have GOT to diet the way you want to live the rest of your life- you have to learn that treats are fine, but they have to be moderated. You have to learn your nutrition balances between calories gained from carbohydrates, fats and protein. You have to KNOW your body and KNOW what works for you, and you have to immerse yourself in a supportive environment that encourages and assists with that.

To the OP, I want to say I can relate to you so much. Even now, after over a year of using MFP, I struggle to make my 1200 calories. Before, indulging in ridiculous amounts of simple carbs, I'd power through 2000 calories and still not even be close to full. Now, when my staple food is vermicelli and stir fry style foods, I struggle a lot to hit the target. I have no doubt that some of it is leftover guilt and panic and anxiety from people around me telling me I was eating too much, that I should be cutting my calories further- people who didn't understand that portion isn't everything. People who didn't understand the impact that their words had on me, to the point where I spent quite a few weeks going into calorie deficits (exercising ANY food i'd eaten off, sending my MFP profile into the negative numbers) because I felt so guilty about eating anything.

Never feel guilty, but do try to make up your 1200 calories through healthy, nutritional mediums- nuts, fruits, grains, and hey, an amazing treat is a banana smoothie with some cocoa powder added- so good, still nutritional, and bananas help to fill you up because of their potassium!

My best advice is to learn more about nutrition as you go on your journey- keep the 1200 number in your mind, but also remember that while calories are important, giving your body the sustenance and nutrition it needs to function is also important, more important than anything. And don't let anyones negative comments impact you! You are doing so well, and you're doing an amazing thing for yourself. Keep it up xxx

Really good post.

Thanks, and sorry for typos in that long post. I gotta stop writing big essays in the middle of the night.

How quickly some people forget what it's like to start making changes.

Either that or they just lack any sense and manners.

I'm guessing it's the latter.

OP you have gotten some great advice here. I would also suggest reading some of the stickied threads to give you a little bit of further guidance and begin to educate yourself on making sustainable changes that you can stick with long term.

Good luck.