Always feeling hungry and unsatisfied?
rrjs
Posts: 46 Member
I've been at this weight loss thing for about two weeks now. I aim for 1200 calories a day and have been good about meeting that goal, no more no less. But, I'm starting to feel zapped and hungry, even after I eat a meal.
This morning I had an english muffin with an egg and a cup of orange juice - about 300ish calories. But I still feel unsatisfied, like I want something more. I feel this at nearly every meal, and it's draining.
Am I not getting enough of a nutrient? Could my diet be the reason I'm feeling this way? Is there something I could be doing differently that wouldn't impact my daily calories but still help me feel satisfied?
This morning I had an english muffin with an egg and a cup of orange juice - about 300ish calories. But I still feel unsatisfied, like I want something more. I feel this at nearly every meal, and it's draining.
Am I not getting enough of a nutrient? Could my diet be the reason I'm feeling this way? Is there something I could be doing differently that wouldn't impact my daily calories but still help me feel satisfied?
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Replies
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You should be eating 1200 cals plus the calories you earn from exercise. This adds another incentive to exercise, feel better, look better, be more fit, healthier, and you get to eat more.0
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Hi,
Try adding some more protein into your diet, as that is supposed to fill you up more than carbs. Also, make sure you are drinking plenty of water.
Does MFP set your target to 1200 or did you set that yourself, as you might not be eating enough (MFP sets my target to 1300, for example). If you are exercising, are you eating back your exercise calories?
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Part of it is that your body is used to getting more calories. From what I've read, it can take a month or more for your body to get used to less food than you would normally eat.
The other part, is 1300 calories is unhealthy. 1600 for a woman, 1800 for a man is considered the MINIMUM that you should have in a day. Your body just isn't getting enough energy for a day of living, let alone any exercise that you may be doing.
I would also try Vitamin pills. That may help a bit in the energy department. If your like me, and were drinking alot of soda, you also are not getting the caffine and sugar that your body got used to. Which will make you feel tired and drained.0 -
I presume from your profile that you aren't overweight, or only just barely. How did you arrive at your goal of 1200 calories? Do you know how many calories you should be eating to maintain your current weight, including the exercise you're doing? Subtract maybe 300 of that ... is the result a lot higher than 1200? If yes, re-think your goals.
This article should be useful: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/61706-guide-to-calorie-deficits .0 -
MFP automatically set me at 1200 calories, and no, I'm not eating back the calories I earn from exercise.
Should I adjust my minimum daily calories?0 -
Make sure you are getting your protein and complex carbs...at every meal!
You can up your calorie goal- if you are feeling "zapped" or tired- it usually means you are not eating enough calories.
Also- try not drinking your calories- they just do not satisfy...and those are a lot of calories!
This isn't about dieting- it is about making changes!!! Find what works for you and your body- if you need more calories- then set your goals to have more! :-)
Hang in there!0 -
Eat back the calories you burn from exercise. You are hungry because you are not getting enough calories.0
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The other part, is 1300 calories is unhealthy. 1600 for a woman, 1800 for a man is considered the MINIMUM that you should have in a day. Your body just isn't getting enough energy for a day of living, let alone any exercise that you may be doing.
Where did you come up with these numbers? my maintenance is 1950 so I would have to go under the 1800 to lose weight. From my understanding it is 1200 for women and 1500 for men.0 -
MFP automatically set me at 1200 calories, and no, I'm not eating back the calories I earn from exercise.
Should I adjust my minimum daily calories?
Yes you should adjust your goal, you don't have much to lose and you should not set your goal for more than 1 lb/week. you may also want to start eating your exercise calories back. MFP already gives you a goal Net calories to lose weight. 1200 NET which means if you burn 300 cals from exercise you have to eat 1500 to net 1200 (1500-300). Just follow MFP it works all this out for you.0 -
MFP automatically set me at 1200 calories, and no, I'm not eating back the calories I earn from exercise.
Should I adjust my minimum daily calories?
1200 is what you should *net*. That means if you burn 400 calories from exercising you should be eating 1600. This is why you're so hungry.0 -
MFP automatically set me at 1200 calories, and no, I'm not eating back the calories I earn from exercise.
Should I adjust my minimum daily calories?
It set you automatically based on the goal *you* gave it of how many pounds you wish to lose per week. If you aren't overweight, about half a pound/week is reasonable. Losing 2lbs/week is not reasonable for someone who doesn't have much to lose. Also, it'll make it more likely you'll lose muscle -- surely not something you want, right?
Seriously, adjust your goals, eat back some of the exercise calories (based on how confident you feel you estimate them...), and read the article I linked, plus all linked in this post http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/23912-links-in-mfp-you-want-to-read-again-and-again .0 -
Make sure you are getting your protein and complex carbs...at every meal!
You can up your calorie goal- if you are feeling "zapped" or tired- it usually means you are not eating enough calories.
Also- try not drinking your calories- they just do not satisfy...and those are a lot of calories!
This isn't about dieting- it is about making changes!!! Find what works for you and your body- if you need more calories- then set your goals to have more! :-)
Hang in there!
What she said!
Eating your exercise calories is incredibly important, along with not drinking your calories.0 -
I didn't read all the responses so this is probably repetetive as I'm going to tell you what everyone on here's been telling me... 1200 may not be enough calories, eat back your exercise calories, and add protein, protein, protein, especially early in the day!! Good luck!!0
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Fiber is another good addition to your diet. I usually try to keep a fiber bar on hand when I need a snack in the morning or afternoon.0
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Your going to have to find foods that are more filling with less calories. Try drinking more water too! If you find that you need more food in the am then eat more calories at breakfast time. Maybe 4 egg whites, Whole wheat toast and apple and a serving of almonds. This is tricky but you can do it!!0
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Hi,
It set me to 1200 calories and for the first few days I was really struggling, so I adjusted my goals. I originally had a goal of 2lb per week loss, but I adjusted it to 1lb per week loss and this gave me more calories per day to play with. I was immediately a happier bunny and actually found it hard to hit the higher calories, so now I aim for 1200 - 1500 and exercise 3 times a week. I'd rather be happy and losing 1lb a week for 42 weeks than miserable and hungry losing 2lb a week for 21 weeks! In fact, I've lost 5.4lbs in 21 days and don't feel deprived. So, I'd say have a play around with your goals and find an intake that will be achievable for you, you can always adjust again when you're appetite adjusts.0 -
The other part, is 1300 calories is unhealthy. 1600 for a woman, 1800 for a man is considered the MINIMUM that you should have in a day. Your body just isn't getting enough energy for a day of living, let alone any exercise that you may be doing.
Where did you come up with these numbers? my maintenance is 1950 so I would have to go under the 1800 to lose weight. From my understanding it is 1200 for women and 1500 for men.
That was my thought too? MFP sets me up with 1200 calories for the day. Why would they put us at an unhealthy amount of calories? I also received advise from a personal trainer. She also stated 1200 calories is a good amount.
As fars always feeling hungary... Try drinking water with your meals. Sometimes your body mistakes hungar for thirst. My usual routine is to eat my meal... I try for about 300 calories each meal. Then as soon as I'm done I drink about 8oz of water. This way I feel a bit more fuller.0 -
1200 calories is the limit to keep your body from going into starvation mode... so eating a steady diet of 1200 calories is a dangerous position to put your body in. Up that to 1300-1400 calories a day and add in some workouts. The key to weight loss is working out AND not starving your body. (If your body thinks you're starving... it will keep you from losing weight)0
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So I should always be paying attention to my NET calories, not just my calories eaten?0
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So I should always be paying attention to my NET calories, not just my calories eaten?
Yep!!!0
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