How do you do 1200 Calories?

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Replies

  • Christine_72
    Christine_72 Posts: 16,049 Member
    arditarose wrote: »
    I eat 1200 before my dessert usually and hit all my macros in the first 1200. If I wanted or needed to do 1200 I'd make my dessert a small piece of chocolate and berries and fix up a few other things throughout the day.

    @arditarose‌ can I ask how many grams of protein you aim for everyday? Protein is the one thing I struggle getting enough of on low calories.

  • janejellyroll
    janejellyroll Posts: 25,763 Member
    LeenaGee wrote: »
    My diary's public. Feel free to look. I'm a vegetarian who often eats the same thing for a few days running, so it's pretty boring, though.

    I'm in a spell where I haven't been getting much exercise for medical reasons, unfortunately.

    I hope you don't mind mamapeach but you are constantly saying your diary is public so I took the liberty of printing it out and quite frankly I am not surprised you are as sick as your are. I understand you are vegetarian and have Celiac Disease but it would be unrealistic to expect a young healthy person to survive and function on this amount. You are constantly advising people regarding their diets and yet you eat poorly in my opinion. When you analyse your diet, there is not a lot of food there and this is fairly consistent from what I can see of the way you eat. And what is with all the water - 16 -18 glasses a day.

    2oz of Organic Edamame & Mung Bean Fettuccine - that is less than a 1/4 of a cup and that is your main meal of the day with a serve of cabbage and pepper stir fry.

    I would be eating my right arm by dinner time.


    Breakfast
    Trader Joe's - Irish Breakfast Tea, 24 oz
    Splenda - Splenda, Granulated, W/ Calories, 1 Cup, From Splenda.co.uk, 0.36 cup (25 g)
    Land O Lakes - Low-fat Half & Half, 4 Tbl
    Spices - Cinnamon, ground, 0.25 tsp
    Nuts - Almonds, 6 g(s)
    Trader Joe - Fat Free Cottage Cheese, 1 cup (113g)
    Libby's 100% - Canned Pumpkin Puree, 0.5 cup (122g)
    Spices - Pumpkin pie spice, 0.25 tsp

    Lunch
    Explore Asian - Organic Edamame & Mung Bean Fettuccine, 2 oz
    Cabbage Pepper Stir Fry, 1 serving(s)

    Dinner
    Simply Nature - Creamy Almond Butter, 0.5 tablespoons
    Fage Greek Yogurt 0% Fat - Greek Yogurt, 8 oz
    Nuts - Almonds, 8 g(s)
    Quick Tools

    Snacks
    Quest Bar - Vanilla Almond, 1 bar
    Talenti Gelato - Toasted Almond, 1/4 Cup (100g)


    Totals 1,115
    mamapeach910 Daily Goal 1,254
    Remaining 139

    I also ran an 90 day Report on your diary and all your Iron, Potassium, Calcium, vitamins etc etc etc are all dangerously low on a consistent basis.

    Leena, I am very short and 52 years old (I am amused you referred to me as young) and have hypothyroidism. I need to run at an extra deficit to lose weight. 2 ounces is the recommended serving size for pasta. Hint: it's measured dry, before cooking.

    Editing to add that as for my illnesses? Do some research on how some people have an autoimmune response to pregnancy. Educate yourself.

    Editing to add one more thing regarding all the water. I have chronic dry mouth and throat due to a medication I'm taking.

    I know you don't need validation, but I eat 2 oz of pasta all the time. Mixed with veggies, it seems like a lot. There is nothing wrong with 2 oz and vegetables being a main meal for the day.

    It makes a nice big bowlful. I always eat a very large amount of veggies at my main meal. I ate an almost embarrassing amount of broccoli today. On days where I want just a plain pasta meal, I have one of those vegetable spiralizers. I saute spiralized zucchini in a little cooking spray with some garlic powder and then mix it in with the pasta and toss it with the pasta sauce. Instantly doubles or triples the volume. Really great for those hungry days.

    I keep meaning to get one of those spiralizers, I know I would love it. Which brand do you have?
  • arditarose
    arditarose Posts: 15,573 Member
    arditarose wrote: »
    I eat 1200 before my dessert usually and hit all my macros in the first 1200. If I wanted or needed to do 1200 I'd make my dessert a small piece of chocolate and berries and fix up a few other things throughout the day.

    @arditarose‌ can I ask how many grams of protein you aim for everyday? Protein is the one thing I struggle getting enough of on low calories.

    My minimum is 110, but I can get up to 140 grams in 1200 calories. Quest bars, cottage cheese, meat for lunch, meat for dinner.
  • Christine_72
    Christine_72 Posts: 16,049 Member
    arditarose wrote: »
    arditarose wrote: »
    I eat 1200 before my dessert usually and hit all my macros in the first 1200. If I wanted or needed to do 1200 I'd make my dessert a small piece of chocolate and berries and fix up a few other things throughout the day.

    @arditarose‌ can I ask how many grams of protein you aim for everyday? Protein is the one thing I struggle getting enough of on low calories.

    My minimum is 110, but I can get up to 140 grams in 1200 calories. Quest bars, cottage cheese, meat for lunch, meat for dinner.

    Thanks. Mine is 122g, I'm happy if I get over 100g

  • arditarose
    arditarose Posts: 15,573 Member
    arditarose wrote: »
    arditarose wrote: »
    I eat 1200 before my dessert usually and hit all my macros in the first 1200. If I wanted or needed to do 1200 I'd make my dessert a small piece of chocolate and berries and fix up a few other things throughout the day.

    @arditarose‌ can I ask how many grams of protein you aim for everyday? Protein is the one thing I struggle getting enough of on low calories.

    My minimum is 110, but I can get up to 140 grams in 1200 calories. Quest bars, cottage cheese, meat for lunch, meat for dinner.

    Thanks. Mine is 122g, I'm happy if I get over 100g

    Yeah, I think you weigh less than me. 100-122 seems good.
  • Christine_72
    Christine_72 Posts: 16,049 Member
    edited March 2015
    arditarose wrote: »
    arditarose wrote: »
    arditarose wrote: »
    I eat 1200 before my dessert usually and hit all my macros in the first 1200. If I wanted or needed to do 1200 I'd make my dessert a small piece of chocolate and berries and fix up a few other things throughout the day.

    @arditarose‌ can I ask how many grams of protein you aim for everyday? Protein is the one thing I struggle getting enough of on low calories.

    My minimum is 110, but I can get up to 140 grams in 1200 calories. Quest bars, cottage cheese, meat for lunch, meat for dinner.

    Thanks. Mine is 122g, I'm happy if I get over 100g

    Yeah, I think you weigh less than me. 100-122 seems good.

    I'm 140lbs 5"8

  • chrissyfitter
    chrissyfitter Posts: 67 Member
    It is really hard but I do lots of egg whites and tomatoes and apples and bananas. I go over sometimes but that's because I don't log all my excersize I only count about half of exercize
  • PeachyCarol
    PeachyCarol Posts: 8,029 Member
    LeenaGee wrote: »
    My diary's public. Feel free to look. I'm a vegetarian who often eats the same thing for a few days running, so it's pretty boring, though.

    I'm in a spell where I haven't been getting much exercise for medical reasons, unfortunately.

    I hope you don't mind mamapeach but you are constantly saying your diary is public so I took the liberty of printing it out and quite frankly I am not surprised you are as sick as your are. I understand you are vegetarian and have Celiac Disease but it would be unrealistic to expect a young healthy person to survive and function on this amount. You are constantly advising people regarding their diets and yet you eat poorly in my opinion. When you analyse your diet, there is not a lot of food there and this is fairly consistent from what I can see of the way you eat. And what is with all the water - 16 -18 glasses a day.

    2oz of Organic Edamame & Mung Bean Fettuccine - that is less than a 1/4 of a cup and that is your main meal of the day with a serve of cabbage and pepper stir fry.

    I would be eating my right arm by dinner time.


    Breakfast
    Trader Joe's - Irish Breakfast Tea, 24 oz
    Splenda - Splenda, Granulated, W/ Calories, 1 Cup, From Splenda.co.uk, 0.36 cup (25 g)
    Land O Lakes - Low-fat Half & Half, 4 Tbl
    Spices - Cinnamon, ground, 0.25 tsp
    Nuts - Almonds, 6 g(s)
    Trader Joe - Fat Free Cottage Cheese, 1 cup (113g)
    Libby's 100% - Canned Pumpkin Puree, 0.5 cup (122g)
    Spices - Pumpkin pie spice, 0.25 tsp

    Lunch
    Explore Asian - Organic Edamame & Mung Bean Fettuccine, 2 oz
    Cabbage Pepper Stir Fry, 1 serving(s)

    Dinner
    Simply Nature - Creamy Almond Butter, 0.5 tablespoons
    Fage Greek Yogurt 0% Fat - Greek Yogurt, 8 oz
    Nuts - Almonds, 8 g(s)
    Quick Tools

    Snacks
    Quest Bar - Vanilla Almond, 1 bar
    Talenti Gelato - Toasted Almond, 1/4 Cup (100g)


    Totals 1,115
    mamapeach910 Daily Goal 1,254
    Remaining 139

    I also ran an 90 day Report on your diary and all your Iron, Potassium, Calcium, vitamins etc etc etc are all dangerously low on a consistent basis.

    Leena, I am very short and 52 years old (I am amused you referred to me as young) and have hypothyroidism. I need to run at an extra deficit to lose weight. 2 ounces is the recommended serving size for pasta. Hint: it's measured dry, before cooking.

    Editing to add that as for my illnesses? Do some research on how some people have an autoimmune response to pregnancy. Educate yourself.

    Editing to add one more thing regarding all the water. I have chronic dry mouth and throat due to a medication I'm taking.

    I know you don't need validation, but I eat 2 oz of pasta all the time. Mixed with veggies, it seems like a lot. There is nothing wrong with 2 oz and vegetables being a main meal for the day.

    It makes a nice big bowlful. I always eat a very large amount of veggies at my main meal. I ate an almost embarrassing amount of broccoli today. On days where I want just a plain pasta meal, I have one of those vegetable spiralizers. I saute spiralized zucchini in a little cooking spray with some garlic powder and then mix it in with the pasta and toss it with the pasta sauce. Instantly doubles or triples the volume. Really great for those hungry days.

    I keep meaning to get one of those spiralizers, I know I would love it. Which brand do you have?

    I have the Vegetti.

  • janejellyroll
    janejellyroll Posts: 25,763 Member
    LeenaGee wrote: »
    My diary's public. Feel free to look. I'm a vegetarian who often eats the same thing for a few days running, so it's pretty boring, though.

    I'm in a spell where I haven't been getting much exercise for medical reasons, unfortunately.

    I hope you don't mind mamapeach but you are constantly saying your diary is public so I took the liberty of printing it out and quite frankly I am not surprised you are as sick as your are. I understand you are vegetarian and have Celiac Disease but it would be unrealistic to expect a young healthy person to survive and function on this amount. You are constantly advising people regarding their diets and yet you eat poorly in my opinion. When you analyse your diet, there is not a lot of food there and this is fairly consistent from what I can see of the way you eat. And what is with all the water - 16 -18 glasses a day.

    2oz of Organic Edamame & Mung Bean Fettuccine - that is less than a 1/4 of a cup and that is your main meal of the day with a serve of cabbage and pepper stir fry.

    I would be eating my right arm by dinner time.


    Breakfast
    Trader Joe's - Irish Breakfast Tea, 24 oz
    Splenda - Splenda, Granulated, W/ Calories, 1 Cup, From Splenda.co.uk, 0.36 cup (25 g)
    Land O Lakes - Low-fat Half & Half, 4 Tbl
    Spices - Cinnamon, ground, 0.25 tsp
    Nuts - Almonds, 6 g(s)
    Trader Joe - Fat Free Cottage Cheese, 1 cup (113g)
    Libby's 100% - Canned Pumpkin Puree, 0.5 cup (122g)
    Spices - Pumpkin pie spice, 0.25 tsp

    Lunch
    Explore Asian - Organic Edamame & Mung Bean Fettuccine, 2 oz
    Cabbage Pepper Stir Fry, 1 serving(s)

    Dinner
    Simply Nature - Creamy Almond Butter, 0.5 tablespoons
    Fage Greek Yogurt 0% Fat - Greek Yogurt, 8 oz
    Nuts - Almonds, 8 g(s)
    Quick Tools

    Snacks
    Quest Bar - Vanilla Almond, 1 bar
    Talenti Gelato - Toasted Almond, 1/4 Cup (100g)


    Totals 1,115
    mamapeach910 Daily Goal 1,254
    Remaining 139

    I also ran an 90 day Report on your diary and all your Iron, Potassium, Calcium, vitamins etc etc etc are all dangerously low on a consistent basis.

    Leena, I am very short and 52 years old (I am amused you referred to me as young) and have hypothyroidism. I need to run at an extra deficit to lose weight. 2 ounces is the recommended serving size for pasta. Hint: it's measured dry, before cooking.

    Editing to add that as for my illnesses? Do some research on how some people have an autoimmune response to pregnancy. Educate yourself.

    Editing to add one more thing regarding all the water. I have chronic dry mouth and throat due to a medication I'm taking.

    I know you don't need validation, but I eat 2 oz of pasta all the time. Mixed with veggies, it seems like a lot. There is nothing wrong with 2 oz and vegetables being a main meal for the day.

    It makes a nice big bowlful. I always eat a very large amount of veggies at my main meal. I ate an almost embarrassing amount of broccoli today. On days where I want just a plain pasta meal, I have one of those vegetable spiralizers. I saute spiralized zucchini in a little cooking spray with some garlic powder and then mix it in with the pasta and toss it with the pasta sauce. Instantly doubles or triples the volume. Really great for those hungry days.

    I keep meaning to get one of those spiralizers, I know I would love it. Which brand do you have?

    I have the Vegetti.

    Thank you!
  • NikonPal
    NikonPal Posts: 1,346 Member
    I ate roughly 1200 calories for well over 1 year. A nutritious diet was always my primary concern. I didn’t intentionally “give up” anything – it is just a fact that things like pizza, alcohol, ice cream etc. could not be part of a “long-term” 1200 calorie plan. I haven’t had fast-food or a processed cold-cut since 2013 (don’t miss either).

    I did have pizza twice in 2014. I factored a small (6 oz) piece of fried fish 1-2 times a month into calories. I had frozen yogurt instead of ice cream. Extra calories were allotted at Thanksgiving / Christmas (but that meant still under control). None of this was “cheating.” All of this was planned.

    More than one doctor suggested I have surgery, because my super obesity far outweighed (LOL) any surgical risk. I decided not to take that route. For years, I have been under the care of more than one physician and have received regular blood work / monitoring for heart, arthritis etc. – so they were aware of what I was doing diet-wise.

    I had almost 200 pounds to lose and “chose” to eat only foods that added vitamins, fiber etc. and those that left me with a full feeling (Broccoli, spaghetti squash etc.) and were extremely low in calories. I was never hungry and I am still not hungry. A balanced diet was imperative. Yes, I sometimes “want” a sweet etc. but I am not truly hungry.

    MFP helped me internalize an instinctive awareness of the calories I consume. It is NOT hard or anything I obsess about. I’m in maintenance now and adjusting calories carefully. Most days, I still eat in the 1200-1300 range but have not been dropping pounds like before, because of the regular strength exercising I have been doing.

    My entire lifestyle has permanently been changed. I will NEVER re-gain all that weight. I could begin to list all the benefits I have reaped.

    Having said all that – everyone is different and I make no judgements about anyone. I hope anyone struggling with obesity succeeds in losing weight.

    73641431.png
  • goblue8426
    goblue8426 Posts: 41 Member
    As everyone else said, filling foods high with protein, lots of veggies/greens, and frequent snacks (for me, anyway). Also, exercise so I can eat even a little bit more! I eat at 1340 right now, and even had room today for a 240 calorie dessert, without exercise calories! Pretty proud of that one :)
  • nicsflyingcircus
    nicsflyingcircus Posts: 2,860 Member
    Mitzimum wrote: »
    honestly, I really don't think 1200 calorie diets work. This is from my own experience of course, basically you should work out how many calories you need to eat to lose weight based on your height, weightloss goal, age and a few other factors. I found I actually hold onto weight if I eat less than 1600 a day and can't lose weight at all. I highly recommend working out your calories using a calculator such as this http://www.losebabyweight.com.au/weight-loss/body-mass-index/
    it could make your life a whole lot more enjoyable and successful

    I've lost 142+ lbs in just under 11 months eating on average 1200ish cals. It works just fine and I don't suffer from hangry, lack of energy or what have you. I still have nearly 80lbs to lose and will likely continue to ride the 1200-1300 train as far as it will take me, until I reverse diet out to maintenance.

  • Christine_72
    Christine_72 Posts: 16,049 Member
    Someone mentioned ice cream above. If I want a decent size bowl of ice cream after dinner I have to practically starve all day to fit it into my calories. Which is why I know I couldn't sustain 1300ish calories everyday forever. As it is it's driving me mad trying to get rid of this last 8lbs which seems to be taking forever.
    Sorry about the whinge lol it's just starting to get to me lately :angry:
  • I usually eat cereal & skim or almond milk for breakfast; fruit, usually a banana, or combos for a snack; a sandwich on whole wheat bread & vegetables for lunch; & then a small to moderate sized supper of whatever I want and stay under 1200 calories. I drink a lot of water, it's about the only thing I drink.
  • LITtlerMeCO
    LITtlerMeCO Posts: 130 Member
    jvt63 wrote: »
    I don't lift weights, so I find 1200 calories (lower carbs, higher protein and fat, lots of berries and nonstarchy veggies) filling and satisfying. When I lifted, I couldn't control my appetite, which is why I'm not lifting weights. (I think lifting is great, and I'd do it if I knew I wouldn't overeat.)

    Truth. I did 55 minutes of lifting tonight and came home where I ate two hard boiled eggs like an anaconda. I slowed down for the rest of my post workout meal but I barely tasted the eggs.
  • Christine_72
    Christine_72 Posts: 16,049 Member
    jvt63 wrote: »
    I don't lift weights, so I find 1200 calories (lower carbs, higher protein and fat, lots of berries and nonstarchy veggies) filling and satisfying. When I lifted, I couldn't control my appetite, which is why I'm not lifting weights. (I think lifting is great, and I'd do it if I knew I wouldn't overeat.)

    Truth. I did 55 minutes of lifting tonight and came home where I ate two hard boiled eggs like an anaconda. I slowed down for the rest of my post workout meal but I barely tasted the eggs.

    :laugh: :laugh: :+1:

  • Asher_Ethan
    Asher_Ethan Posts: 2,430 Member
    I definitely could not do 1200 calories. I eat about 2000 a day (still loosing weight) but I definitely feel a drag in my workout compared to when I wasn't on a calorie deficit.
  • rayw89
    rayw89 Posts: 564 Member
    Nikonpal: You took such responsibility for yourself and did a fantastic job. You should be very proud. :)
    Someone mentioned ice cream above. If I want a decent size bowl of ice cream after dinner I have to practically starve all day to fit it into my calories. Which is why I know I couldn't sustain 1300ish calories everyday forever. As it is it's driving me mad trying to get rid of this last 8lbs which seems to be taking forever.
    Sorry about the whinge lol it's just starting to get to me lately :angry:
    If you're wanting more than just a 1/4 cup(average) serving of ice cream, try Arctic Zero brand. I haven't tried it yet myself, but my brother-in-law has raved about them before. You can eat the entire pint of ice cream and it's only between 150-300 calories!

    Also, keeping busy leaves room for treats. I just ate some cream filled chocolates, and still have some calories to fill in before bed. I have class for 3-4 hours 3 days a week, so that leaves me with a good chunk of calories for when I get home. I'm slowly polishing off all the "bad" stuff I've had since restarting MFP.
  • LeenaGee
    LeenaGee Posts: 749 Member
    NikonPal wrote: »
    I ate roughly 1200 calories for well over 1 year. A nutritious diet was always my primary concern. I didn’t intentionally “give up” anything – it is just a fact that things like pizza, alcohol, ice cream etc. could not be part of a “long-term” 1200 calorie plan. I haven’t had fast-food or a processed cold-cut since 2013 (don’t miss either).

    I did have pizza twice in 2014. I factored a small (6 oz) piece of fried fish 1-2 times a month into calories. I had frozen yogurt instead of ice cream. Extra calories were allotted at Thanksgiving / Christmas (but that meant still under control). None of this was “cheating.” All of this was planned.

    More than one doctor suggested I have surgery, because my super obesity far outweighed (LOL) any surgical risk. I decided not to take that route. For years, I have been under the care of more than one physician and have received regular blood work / monitoring for heart, arthritis etc. – so they were aware of what I was doing diet-wise.

    I had almost 200 pounds to lose and “chose” to eat only foods that added vitamins, fiber etc. and those that left me with a full feeling (Broccoli, spaghetti squash etc.) and were extremely low in calories. I was never hungry and I am still not hungry. A balanced diet was imperative. Yes, I sometimes “want” a sweet etc. but I am not truly hungry.

    MFP helped me internalize an instinctive awareness of the calories I consume. It is NOT hard or anything I obsess about. I’m in maintenance now and adjusting calories carefully. Most days, I still eat in the 1200-1300 range but have not been dropping pounds like before, because of the regular strength exercising I have been doing.

    My entire lifestyle has permanently been changed. I will NEVER re-gain all that weight. I could begin to list all the benefits I have reaped.

    Having said all that – everyone is different and I make no judgements about anyone. I hope anyone struggling with obesity succeeds in losing weight.

    73641431.png

    What an amazing post and such an amazing achievement. You deserve your success after all the work you have put into it. You are to be congratulated. I wish you well for your future and will be looking out for your advice in the future. :)
  • lilbea89
    lilbea89 Posts: 62 Member
    I strive to be as veg\vegan as possible. I was at 1200 calories a day for a while (im at 1300 a day now) and after the first couple weeks I didn't feel as hungry. I upped my water intake and stopped drinking juice or pop all day. I also do 2 or 3 snacks a day of veggies\fruit or hummus so I don't get hungr between meals.
  • PeachyCarol
    PeachyCarol Posts: 8,029 Member
    Someone mentioned ice cream above. If I want a decent size bowl of ice cream after dinner I have to practically starve all day to fit it into my calories. Which is why I know I couldn't sustain 1300ish calories everyday forever. As it is it's driving me mad trying to get rid of this last 8lbs which seems to be taking forever.
    Sorry about the whinge lol it's just starting to get to me lately :angry:

    Decent size is relative. Ice cream has always been a major love of mine. I could sit down with the carton and a spoon and go to town. Switching to gelato, which has a greater depth of flavor helps. Another thing that helped me in the long term was giving everything up for a long time, it was part of what helped ME on my path to moderation. I can truly be satisfied with even the smallest portion now.

    With ice cream, if you eat it slowly (this is true for anything), and appreciate the flavor, even a tiny portion can be satisfying. I've had as little as 2 tablespoons and been satisfied. 50 calories!

  • Christine_72
    Christine_72 Posts: 16,049 Member
    True true :) A decent size would probably be 500g at the least ;)
  • Nony_Mouse
    Nony_Mouse Posts: 5,646 Member
    True true :) A decent size would probably be 500g at the least ;)

    Or this. Ten scoops, 1.9kg. I used to live near the town where these infamous beasts are made, and drive through it every day on the way to and from work. Had I known about it, I very possibly would have given it a go!

    8145928.jpg
  • PeachyCarol
    PeachyCarol Posts: 8,029 Member
    True true :) A decent size would probably be 500g at the least ;)

    The thing with ice cream... doesn't your mouth get cold and numb your taste buds after a while?

  • rayw89
    rayw89 Posts: 564 Member
    True true :) A decent size would probably be 500g at the least ;)

    The thing with ice cream... doesn't your mouth get cold and numb your taste buds after a while?

    Unfortunately that never stopped me. :P (Talenti is the bomb, though!)
  • Pretty_Little_Nobody
    Pretty_Little_Nobody Posts: 626 Member
    I always end up going over, unfortunately. =[ Close my diary and then the late night munchies happen
  • betuel75
    betuel75 Posts: 776 Member
    I do a pint of artic zero ice cream almost every night which is 150 calories. Perfect low cal ice cream alternative.
  • wathjo1
    wathjo1 Posts: 106 Member
    Don't drink your calories. Have your salad dressing on the side and dip your fork in it instead of pouring the dressing on the salad. Eat tons of fruits and veggies, especially leafy greens. Those are the tips that have helped me!!
  • tulips_and_tea
    tulips_and_tea Posts: 5,741 Member
    LeenaGee wrote: »
    NikonPal wrote: »
    I ate roughly 1200 calories for well over 1 year. A nutritious diet was always my primary concern. I didn’t intentionally “give up” anything – it is just a fact that things like pizza, alcohol, ice cream etc. could not be part of a “long-term” 1200 calorie plan. I haven’t had fast-food or a processed cold-cut since 2013 (don’t miss either).

    I did have pizza twice in 2014. I factored a small (6 oz) piece of fried fish 1-2 times a month into calories. I had frozen yogurt instead of ice cream. Extra calories were allotted at Thanksgiving / Christmas (but that meant still under control). None of this was “cheating.” All of this was planned.

    More than one doctor suggested I have surgery, because my super obesity far outweighed (LOL) any surgical risk. I decided not to take that route. For years, I have been under the care of more than one physician and have received regular blood work / monitoring for heart, arthritis etc. – so they were aware of what I was doing diet-wise.

    I had almost 200 pounds to lose and “chose” to eat only foods that added vitamins, fiber etc. and those that left me with a full feeling (Broccoli, spaghetti squash etc.) and were extremely low in calories. I was never hungry and I am still not hungry. A balanced diet was imperative. Yes, I sometimes “want” a sweet etc. but I am not truly hungry.

    MFP helped me internalize an instinctive awareness of the calories I consume. It is NOT hard or anything I obsess about. I’m in maintenance now and adjusting calories carefully. Most days, I still eat in the 1200-1300 range but have not been dropping pounds like before, because of the regular strength exercising I have been doing.

    My entire lifestyle has permanently been changed. I will NEVER re-gain all that weight. I could begin to list all the benefits I have reaped.

    Having said all that – everyone is different and I make no judgements about anyone. I hope anyone struggling with obesity succeeds in losing weight.

    73641431.png

    What an amazing post and such an amazing achievement. You deserve your success after all the work you have put into it. You are to be congratulated. I wish you well for your future and will be looking out for your advice in the future. :)

    Agreed! Thank you for sharing your story. Personal accountability and responsibility resulting in huge success. What a breath of fresh air!
  • spilledmilk
    spilledmilk Posts: 83 Member
    I do 1500 and it's really not too bad. Most of the hunger pains faded after the first week or so. Now I barely get hungry and my cravings have greatly subsided.
This discussion has been closed.