Struggling a bit, should i have a bigger lunch and breakfast?

Have you tried getting a afternoon snack in (something with fiber and/or fats), if it is like @janejellyroll asked? Or is it just that you have no willpower when you get home?

You don't snack at all? Are you absolutely certain 1200 calories is right for you? Are you not exercising? I would suggest to try having a protein bar when you got home, see if that curbs the desire to binge.

Looking at your diary, I can tell you, you either do not eat nearly enough, or you are not logging it... in which case, you really don't know how much you're eating and I really don't know which macros you are trying to binge on.

maea5040 wrote: »

MzManiak wrote: »

You don't snack at all? Are you absolutely certain 1200 calories is right for you? Are you not exercising? I would suggest to try having a protein bar when you got home, see if that curbs the desire to binge.

I do snack throughout the day, and will usually have baby carrots, sweet peppers, or some fruit.

Why don't you try a snack with some protein and fat? Many people find these to be more filling than plain fruits or vegetables.

Also, are you sure that 1,200 isn't too aggressive for you?

Agree with all that 1200 might just be too ambitious. And we will all tell you there is absolutely nothing wrong with reevaluating your goals in favor of something slower but more sustainable.

maea5040 wrote: »

I do snack throughout the day, and will usually have baby carrots, sweet peppers, or some fruit.

Just a few easy additions to the snacks you're already eating: hummus, Greek yogurt mixed with Ranch dressing (or the seasoning to taste), Greek yogurt mixed with peanut butter (or again, PB powder to taste) is nice with apples. Cheese sticks are great. Nuts.

I am anxiously awaiting my afternoon snack which is avocado mixed with cottage cheese. I have some crackers to put it on too.

candylilacs wrote: »

I think mid-afternoon snack of protein. An apple and jif-to-go!

Breakfast like king, lunch as a farmer, and dinner like pauper. Breakfast is 500-600 calories!

I just want to add that this does NOT work for me. I'm the exact opposite.

Afura wrote: »

Have you tried getting a afternoon snack in (something with fiber and/or fats), if it is like @janejellyroll asked? Or is it just that you have no willpower when you get home?

I wake up starving so most of my calories are eaten between by lunch. By dinnertime I'm less hungry so typically my dinners are smaller. Because I would eat the paint off the walls if I don't have a snack mid-way between breakfast and lunch, I schedule a snack then. Not much, 150-200 cals. Something like apples and peanut butter, greek yogurt or something like that.

Maybe if you did that between lunch and dinner it would cut down the unplanned eating.

The next question is: If you only want to lose 30 pounds, are you sure 1200 cals isn't too low? Just a thought.

candylilacs wrote: »

Since when is chicken salad a pauper's dinner? I mean, you're not going to eat red meats and demand bread. I want to add breakfast as a king, and lunch and a dinner as farmer, but I kind of like dinner like pauper.

What's wrong with red meats and bread?

maea5040 wrote: »

Afura wrote: »

Have you tried getting a afternoon snack in (something with fiber and/or fats), if it is like @janejellyroll asked? Or is it just that you have no willpower when you get home?

Ill usually have baby carrots as a snack, but I also have no willpower when i get home.

Something with a little more oomph. I like baby carrots too, but try adding some peanut butter or cheeses for fats, or a container of yogurt too. Fats aren't necessarily bad.

OP is that your net after exercise? I have similar stats...5'3" SW 161 (was probably more as I didn't have my first weigh in until about 30 days into using MFP) CW 157.8.

If I do zero exercise I'm set at 1260 for the day. With exercise I have found a range of 1400-1600 (depending on my TDEE) has been helping me lose consistently and not feel too hungry.

Also, are you distracted when eating when you get home? I've made it a rule to have no phone, TV etc when eating and find I am able to still snack on my favourite foods without overdoing it. Knowing I can still have a snack as long as I stay in my calories is motivating! My current vice is a homemade oatmeal cookie with 8g of peanut butter spread on top.

Like others have mentioned...add some more fats and protein to keep you full. I find for myself that eating a simple green leaf salad with a touch of balsamic and oil with dinner (with or before the main dish) keeps me from eating too big a portion.

I agree with the advice to add some protein or fat at snack. I've started having an apple and 1 oz of almonds around 3:30 and I stayed sated until about 6:30pm

If you are just starting out...1200 might be a bit ambitious. I know MFP sets that as a goal but if I ate the way MFP told me too, I wouldn't still be here 20+ lbs down and 4 months strong. Try changing your settings to 1/2 pound per week and changing your activity level. Then after a while, if you feel like you're ready to try 1200, go for it. I think maybe you could try drinking more water while snacking and eat more for breakfast to avoid overeating when you have dinner.

I believe a bigger breakfast and lunch. I use to do that as well, then I did an experiment with eating a good breakfast and a larger lunch and it works out much better for me. You can always experiment.

maea5040 wrote: »

I normally have coffee and a hardboiled egg if anything for breakfast, and will have some chicken with a vegetable for lunch. I can have 1200 calories per day, and will end up having 500-600 calories left for dinner, but by the time i get home i end up binging and eating way more than that. Would having a bigger lunch prevent that?

I eat when hungry. If I don't want breakfast then I eat lunch and some days I don't really want either but will eat a little bit. But it's best to eat when hungry. If you find that you binge when you get home maybe you could keep a healthy snack in your car or with you at work to eat before heading home so you won't be as likely to overeat when you get home to eat that last meal of the day.