Starting tomorrow......again!

Not knowing anything about you... but seeing you say you need to lose 56+ pounds, I'd guess eating 1200 calories will not be enough. If you give some details (height, weight, activity level, approximate bodyfat percentage) I could run you some numbers. But typically 1200 calories is too low for a lot of people.. :flowerforyou:

please do not start off at 1200 calories cos it is quite likely you will struggle to keep to it. I know I did. After a fortnight of it I almost gave up but read a few forum posts and changed my activity level to sedentary, made my goal a lb a week - ate back some of my exercise calories (didnt have a garmin then) and ended up nearly 5 stone lighter 14 months later. It takes a time to lose the weight we have put on over a length of time and if you can find a deficit that works rather than going for the most drastic and struggling, I would personally recommend that you do.

Best of luck with your journey

Starving yourself at 1200 cals will not result in the weight loss you want, that is, if you're looking for long term success! Food=fuel, your body needs it along with exercise

Hi Bean:

We are in this together. Starting over again as well and I find following the 1200 cal is best for me as well because it allows me to eat everything. So consider tomorrow the first day of the rest of your life. Do it for the babies. Get those sneakers, put them under your desk at work and use them during your lunch break for 30 minutes tomorrow or whatever time you have. At least by the time you get home in the evening you would have already done something for yourself. Pack your lunch bag while you count your calories. Do that at night so you can be prepared. We can certainly encourage each other if you like.

Fly.

please do not start off at 1200 calories cos it is quite likely you will struggle to keep to it. I know I did. After a fortnight of it I almost gave up but read a few forum posts and changed my activity level to sedentary, made my goal a lb a week - ate back some of my exercise calories (didnt have a garmin then) and ended up nearly 5 stone lighter 14 months later. It takes a time to lose the weight we have put on over a length of time and if you can find a deficit that works rather than going for the most drastic and struggling, I would personally recommend that you do.

Best of luck with your journey

I can't agree with this more.

The reason I gave up is because I was so strict on my intake and exercise that even though I looked better, I felt like crap. Also, I gained some of the weight back. I'd rather have slow and steady progress over the course of a year or so than drastic weight loss followed by binging and re-gaining the weight because my routine is too strict.

Thank you Marypatmccue! It's so kind of you to take the time to offer your support. Mary, what would I need to provide you with and can I do it via a private message?

To all of you, I am reading every response and taking in your wise words.

You can PM me your height, weight, activity level, approximate body fat (which can be calculated by using fat2fit radio -- google that) age... I should be able to figure something out for you.

I firmly believe in IIFYM (if it fits your macros)... there are no "bad" foods in my eyes, you just have to work it in to your allotment for the day.

I have about 47 more lbs to lose, and I used sedentary/1 lb a week and I got 1430. However, I use that as a guideline to try to stay somewhat close to. If I go over a bit, I don't get too worried. I think your height and age also affects the results.

As long as my other nutrition is in line (protein/carbs/fats), then I'm fine with going over a bit on calories. Moderation is what counts in both food intake & exercise - don't overdo it in either thing and you'll be on your way.

Best of luck to you!

Good Luck on your journey. I am the father of 7. You just have to make it a priority.

good luck

Hey, I'm with you for sure! I'm only 5'1" and should be at 130 pounds (I come from a large-build family), so I'm looking at 58 pounds I need to lose. I admit that I'm great at the exercise portion, but my eating is terrible. I always do well in the mornings, but it's in the evenings that I fail.


I'm an exercise and sports science/nutrition double major with only a year left until I get my degree, so things are looking up on my end and I know they will for you, too!
MFP is such a great site, but the 1,200 calorie goal is something that really irritates me. It's a set amount and though a good goal for weight loss, it's too extreme to begin with. 1,200 calories is what the average human needs to function. Let me say that again. to SURVIVE. please, please please please eat more than that if you are exercising at ALL. To add to that, do you know how many calories you were eating before you decided to make this lifestyle change? 1,200 calories might be too little in the sense that it might not stick. If you restrict yourself too much in the beginning instead of letting yourself eat less more slowly, your weight loss is less likely to stay off.

So sorry for the rant, lol. I hope all goes well for you! you've got my support!

@ Bean333333, You've got this. We've got this. It will take time, so we must be kind to ourselves.
@ Jrline - You're right also. I think making a schedule will be best. Working gull time and attending classes full time is tough, but if you can do it then so can I. Thanks!

i think setting target dates has potential to be detrimental.
this process is not linear, so seeing a looming date and experiencing fluctuations could prove to have some negative impacts.
just my opinion.

good luck to you!
you CAN do this.

also, why start tomorrow?
start NOW.

i'm surprised no one has mentioned this yet, maybe I just missed it. Usually the 1,200 calorie goal that MFP provides is based on the rate at which you want to lose weight, not just the total amount you have to lose. The common logic is that a deficit of 3,500 cals will result in the loss of 1 lb. That is a deficit of 500 cals/day and pretty reasonable for most people Many people however enter that they want to lose 2 lb/week when they set up their MFP profile, so it calculates a deficit of 1000 cals/day, but with the caveat that 1,200 is the lowest setting that MFP will recommend. It is subtracting your deficit from its estimate of your maintenance calories based on your height, weight, age, and activity level.

The links provided to you, particularly the Sexypants thread, and setting your calories/macros targets - are great reading.

I think that one of the challenges people have with adhering to MFP is they jump right in with extreme deficits, an aggressive exercise regime, and unnecessary food restrictions. Setting reasonable goals for yourself and taking things slowly is the best way to ensure long term success. I know you are eager to lose the weight, but doing it at a sustainable pace and in a way that you can maintain for the rest of your life is usually advisable for achieving the best (ie sustainable) results.

Good luck!