So disappointed in myself!

just dont let your cals go in the red asmuch as possible. its only you that can do it you will find you can eat lots of food that isnt crap and stay within your limits.

MFP used to frustrate the hell out of me because 1200 calories isn't enough. It's just the default it goes to.
I agree with all of the above comments suggesting calculating your ideal calories elsewhere and inputting it into your 'goals' section on here.
I changed mine to 1600cals, 40%carbs, etc.
Otherwise you'll be so hungry you'll HAVE to cheat!

you don't necessarily have to post any specific pictures on your fridge or put a lock on it or anything like that. I've seen people who do that and it doesn't really sit well with them emotionally in the end, ya know? HOWEVER it is very helpful to write down a few goals and post them somewhere visible. I also knew someone who wrote encouraging things down on a little card they laminated that had like things on it that encouraged them toward their goals that they kept in their pocket. It seemed super useful. (*) (*) (*)

actonangels1 wrote: »

I gave my stats on another thread that didn't really go too far, so I'll post them again.

Sex - Female
Age - 42
Height - 5' 1"
Weight - 205 lbs

I set my goal for 2 lbs per week, but then I think I dropped it to 1.5 lbs per week and I don't think it moved my calories up any.

Hi actonangels. I used IIFYM, which is also frequently referenced on MFP, to calculate your stats (http://iifym.com/iifym-calculator/). You could go up to 1682-1788 and still see decent weight loss (you know, assuming everything else goes right ). You should avoid going below your BMR, 1529 - BMR is how many calories your body needs just to complete the basic functions. MFP is also weird with how it defines your basic activity level. I tried the 1200 cal/ sedentary (use this since you have a desk job) for awhile, and was miserable. Most other fitness websites will explain that sedentary is really for professional couch potatoes. I got a Fitbit Zip earlier in the summer and realized that I'm a lot more active than I originally thought - all those dog walks and trips to the water fountain add up. I'm usually hitting 12k steps/ 5.5 miles every day. With that in mind, I went up to 1724 and have FINALLY been losing 1lb/ week consistently (I'm fairly close to my goal, so 1lb/ week is probably the best it will get).

Eating more within your allowed calorie range is counter-intuitive at first. Think of your smart phone (hopefully you have one to get the analogy) - as your battery level gets lower, some of your accessories like GPS, bluetooth, camera flash, will turn off to conserve energy. The energy will be used to keep the phone and screen on. Likewise, your body will conserve energy if your caloric intake is too low. Fat burning is an accessory compared to breathing.

Like the other posters have said, gradually adjust things to find what works. You'll always fall off the wagon if you deprive yourself, so use treats as a reward. Stay on track Sun-Friday lunch? Have a beer or wine (in moderation!).

Rickbottom wrote: »

I am just as bad, been on over a month and have been an appalling failure. Wine is my biggest weakness and boy is it a big one, once I fall off on that I am likely to indulge in food naughtiness too. Shocking. On the positive side, I have been hitting the gym pretty regularly but it is not enough to counter the bad stuff. I am also set for 1200 calories and then eat/drink my gym calories. I have been thinking about resetting as well, for a higher level of activity TDEE and then not eating my gym calories. Really though I need to stop reaching for the wine. Sorry I have no useful advice, I am just in the same boat.
I am still trying to at least track and track honestly and yesterday I was 1300 calories over my goal (did not work out). Today I have 800 calories earned from exercise and I am trying not to touch them.

OMG this is me!!! LOL! I LOOVVVVEEEEE Wine! Huge wine drinker which for me turns into wine binges. I exercise everyday except Sundays. Because of the exercise I maintain. If it gets really bad I gain a pound or two. Aug I committed myself to stay on track and log my food and cut out wine for the most part. I now drink once or twice a month. I've lost 10 lbs so far. I also calculated my TDEE and upped my calories which helps me feel satisfied.

Also if you're subconsciously just not looking forward to the attention you might get from weight loss..that seems to be a trigger for me. I've even resolved to keep wearing baggy layers

actonangels1 wrote: »

postrockandcats wrote: »

Stop shaming yourself for eating; eating is important and you cannot starve yourself healthy. If you want to change, you need to find a way of eating that's sustainable long-term. Up those calories, don't be afraid of food and stop trying to quantify food as good or bad. It's food.

Your profile says you want to lose 35 pounds. I'm going to assume that you're not obese and close to a healthy weight. You'd be better off with a smaller caloric deficit, anyway; you need that fuel. Your body will thank you.

I found that allowing things like sweets, booze and other supposedly "bad" things in my life kept me from binge eating. I just don't eat them all the time because they don't keep me full.

PS- I end up around 2k calories a day and I'm still getting smaller. I'm in a US 10/12 and started at a 24.

My profile says 35 lbs because 80 - 90 just sounded like an absurd amount of weight to lose and not really realistic! I am very obese actually, and the 80 - 90 is really what I need to lose. Although, I think if I lost 80 - 90 lbs, I'd be too thin... so I think in reality, it's probably about 60 lbs that I think I would be okay with.

Makes sense. My original goal was 25 pounds, which would have put me still over 200 pounds. I thought I was pushing my luck by changing to 170 as a goal weight, but now I'm at 155- 95 pounds lost total. Just be easy on yourself.

A book that I found really helpful about rewiring your habits:
"The Power of Habit" by Charles Duhigg

I actually read it for work, but was impressed for how well it worked for your personal life too.