190 people.......60 pounds or more

Msaip
Msaip Posts: 482 Member
edited September 2024 in Food and Nutrition
Are you eating only 1200 calories a day plus your exercise calories? Did u bump it up to 1300-1400? I'm having troubles dealing with 1200 calories a day! I don't know how you do it!

Replies

  • aknep3
    aknep3 Posts: 9
    is your goal scheduled around losing 1 pound per week?
  • bethrs
    bethrs Posts: 664 Member
    I can't say exactly- but when I started I weighed about 175 and I ate 1500 a day. I think I had it set at 1 lb a week, maybe. I remember it being pretty managable. I've since changed goals and calorie limits several times, but I've never eaten only 1200 calories a day. Lowest I went was 1300. You can always set a number of calories yourself instead of choosing a lb per week goal, and then see if you can live with what MFP predicts. I know I did .7 lbs per week forever.

    The key is to do something you could reasonably maintain. If 1200 is hard, you won't stick with it (same goes for if that number is 1300- if 1300 is a real true struggle, you are more likely to quit).
  • Msaip
    Msaip Posts: 482 Member
    1.5. I'd really like to lose two per week but 1200 a day just is not enough for me :( I try really hard to keep it around 1300 or less But I don't have an hour and a half for a workout a day! lol
  • aknep3
    aknep3 Posts: 9
    well, maybe you just need to focus on losing it a little more slowly. if you change it to 1 lb per week (which is recommended) then you may be able to ingest more calories in a day. plus, if you're going over right now, then you're probably losing slower than you'd like anyway. so if you would decrease it to one, you may be able to have more calories a day and if you don't go over, it will make you feel better!
  • Msaip
    Msaip Posts: 482 Member
    Does it make you feel like you are defeating the purpose? It's hard for me to grasp reasoning to keep torturing myself! lol
  • Angierae75
    Angierae75 Posts: 417 Member
    I'm set to 1250 a day, but I exercise 200-350 cals a day (that only takes 40 minutes - 200 if I walk, 350 if I do an exercise video) and eat most of those back. It's a good way to get more food, and it definitely doesn't take 90 minutes of exercise in a day to get a couple hundred calories extra to eat.
  • bethrs
    bethrs Posts: 664 Member
    Yes. Aknep is on to something. I know it is hard to be patient, and it is really awesome you have the committment and drive to do this. But, you probably didn't put the weight on at 2lbs a week, it stands to reason that it's okay to lose it more slowly too.

    I really liked taking it easy because it felt like something I was succeeeding at, and with less pressure I could fit it into my life and make tiny changes as I went along. So now, nearly 2 years later, I've stuck with it, logged consistently, made great friends on ths site, and have the knowledge and the habits that I believe I can maintain for the rest of my life.
  • bethrs
    bethrs Posts: 664 Member
    Also- I think planning ahead really helps me stay on track. I eat alot of the same things, but even when I make something new, I map out the day and make sure it fits in. Putting breakfast and lunch in and then toying with dinner to come up with something that fits before I even cook (or buy) it helps me not get into sticky situations with my calories.
  • aknep3
    aknep3 Posts: 9
    you certainly arent defeating the purprose, you're already improving compared to how you ate before you joined this site. be proud! but yes, paitence is key as well. we'd all love to drop off unwated weight asap. but sometimes it does more harm that good to be drastic. take your time and use caution, dont deprive yourself. like bethrs said, you could end up quitting!
  • KayakAngel
    KayakAngel Posts: 397 Member
    I don't mind limiting calories to the point of having to make healthy choices, but I won't limit my calories to the point that I'm hungry or deprived - that is no way to live. I'm eating about 1600 per day and burning 200 to 400 with exercise, which is really working for me. Definitely don't discount the importance of exercise and burning calories. If you can burn at least 200 calories most days, you can easily add that to your daily planned calories. My only advice is to play with it a little and see what works for you. Good luck! :happy:
  • TS65
    TS65 Posts: 1,024 Member
    I have mine set at 1560 and I've lost 3.6 lbs in 3 weeks. Very manageable calorie wise - a little frustrating because it's so slow. BUT... it's something I can stick with long term. So it's a toss up some days for me to decide whether I want to restrict further and lose more quickly or lose slower but not feel deprived in any way.
  • Msaip
    Msaip Posts: 482 Member
    It feels really great to know that support is out there and despite the downfalls It's not a wasted journey. Maybe im just in a slump. I find it manageable to stay around 1350-1400 a day. That alots me for 300 calories burned a day through exercise and roughly 1-1.5 lbs a week. I guess the plus side is the slower it takes the better chances I have of keeping it off! Some days are worse than others but with your help and motivation I'm sure things will start to look better!
  • bethrs
    bethrs Posts: 664 Member
    That's the spirit! We are totally here for you. Friend me if you like!
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