how long until you're used to less calories?

It only took me a week but I completely changed my diet to lower calorie foods but was filling. Now I feel like I am constantly eating and rarely do I get "hungry". I am usually eating BEFORE i get hungry (2-3 hours).

I agree with above - I don't do diet foods per say, but I'll cut calories and carbs when I can and if I gotta have them I try to make them the best bang for the caloric buck.

I did a quick peruse through the last few days of your diary.
I don't know how the logging breastfeeding thing works as I wasn't dieting when I was nursing my 3. Sometimes I see measurements in ounces, sometimes just calories and sometimes not at all. How often are you nursing? If your nursing more than your accounting for it's got to be the equivalent of exercising and not eating back calories. Do you drink water while your actually nursing? Dehydration can cause fatigue as well as not eating enough. Remember too that sodas and drinks with caffeine will cause more dehydration than they cure. All drinks are not equal in terms of hydrating potential. Oh also alot of times thirst is mistaken for hunger. If you're not sure, drink an 8-10 oz glass of water and wait at least 15 minutes before you decide to eat something. At the very least you'll be increasing your water intake and if you're still hungry you haven't blown calories that won't satisfy you.

I would also reconsider some of your food choices if you can, maybe change one or two things at a time or at least cut back on some things (like the soda - 255 calories for a 24oz drink?) If you want to drink calories, then consider a protein drink or milk instead. You get a better nutritional bang for the calories and you will have a feeling of fullness from fat, fiber and protein. If you're just starting out it might be best to take a week or two and just log food without much changes to see where you stand overall. Then you can figure out what kind of nutritional changes you want to make. Are you concerned with sodium or fat intake? consider lower amounts per serving or changing from saturated and trans fats to healthy fats like olive oil and nuts instead of butter and cheese. Take a look at what kind of meats you are eating too - increasing your protein with the right choices will not greatly affect your calories and you can also add lots of veggies with minimal impact when that hunger strikes.

My diary is open to friends but you're welcome to take look and get some ideas where you can make small changes. One thing I noticed is your turkey sandwich comes in at 555 calories? Now, I don't know what ingredients you use but my sandwiches never run more than 250 and that's if I'm using a full calorie (like 80-90 cals per slice) bread. These kinds of small changes can really add up and give you more options.

Oh, also, with nursing I would expect you to eat more frequently than your log says you do. I see 3 meals but no snacks. That could cause you fatigue too if you're going too long in between meals. I generally eat every 2-3 hours as well and with my 1520 calories I shoot for 3 meals of 400 calories and 3 snacks (am, pm and evening) of 100 calories. If I work out I can either increase my meal sizes or have more snacks but since starting in January I've noticed a decrease in cravings for sweets and processed carbs. Although I do eat them, I'm not enjoying them physically or mentally like I used to think I did. Some things don't even taste the same.

So really examine if your logging all the calories you're burning and then consider making a few small choice changes that will give you more freedom between meals to eat more. Don't give up - every day is a learning process for all of us and we all have our own demons in the closet trying to keep us down. YOU CAN DO THIS!!!!


ETA: you might want to reconsider your goals too. If you're set for 2lbs a week loss then maybe that's too big of a jump for you. People don't realize how much they've been eating until they have to start logging everything. Then the bells start to go off and you figure out...wow, that pkg of cookies was like 6 servings...OMG so a lot of us are probably used to eating well over 2-3000 calories a day and now we're asking our body to function on 1200? You'll never get used to that. Consider less of a loss at first to slowly decrease your calories. As you lose your body will need less just to function so it will adjust accordingly.

Mindset is important too. If you just want to shed a few pounds on a diet and then go back to what you were doing, you'll never adjust or keep it off for long. If you set your mind to making better choices, eating whole foods, less chemicals, more fiber, etc. then you are making changes that will stick with you and will become 2nd nature after awhile. You're also setting a good example for your family. Don't impose the calorie restrictions on them but why can't everyone eat the same meal? Healthy eating isn't just for those on a diet.

It took me a while to get used to eating better and not feeling so hungry. Now if I don't eat regularly I feel hungry. At this point I eat up to 6 times a day. I have your usual breakfast, lunch, and dinner but I snack in between on protein shakes and fresh fruit. That tends to keep me full and fueled all day.

I think others have said it, but the quality of the calories count.

Your diet will do it. From your diary it looks like it may be carb related..sugar/insulin rollar coaster.

It depends on HOW you're getting those calories, I find the healthier I eat the more I get to eat and stay within my calories. I have not felt like I'm starving very often if at all since I've been eating healthier choices.

I am doing diet chef and i have to say never have i enjoyed food so much. It is delicious and filling. I have not felt hungry since starting the diet. I am now only eating around 1300 calories and it is sustaining me throughout the day with the added exercise i am doing.

Yeah, it really depends on the quality of the calories. They call em empty calories for a reason

Couldn't agree more!!!

It only took me a week but I completely changed my diet to lower calorie foods but was filling. Now I feel like I am constantly eating and rarely do I get "hungry". I am usually eating BEFORE i get hungry (2-3 hours).

I agree. After a week I was good. I eat solid proteins. Things I know will fill me up. I drink a lot of water as well. And just like you I always feel like I'm stuffing my face. The only time I feel a little tug is if I stay up late pass normal sleeping hours but I don't give in to it. Its just my body's of saying go to bed already.