Having trouble with calories and attitude

A lot of people have issues with hunger, especially at the beginning. I mean, if your body is used to a certain number of calories, things are going to be frustrating and uncomfortable when you drop the calories. What I do is separate everything into three meals and three snacks. I end up eating every two to three hours, and I never get hungry to the point of crabbiness. Spacing out what you eat and eating smaller amounts at each time usually helps with that.

Also, the girls that you work with don't know your body. It might sound like too much because most people are used to looking at "dieting" as a set method that should be universally applied to everyone in the world. If your calorie count seems high to you, try it out for a week or two, see what your loss looks like, and then adjust it as necessary. This isn't an exact science.

Best of luck on your journey.

As far as your calories being too high, what did you set your activity level to? And are you getting crabby because you are being so strict on yourself? I cheat almost daily because I so rigorously watch my calories that I have enough room in my diet for a couple small (1-2 pieces 16-32 cals) of dark chocolate. My wife gets moody if she doesn't get some small cheat snack too.

Try eating every 2-3hrs eat your breakfast (make sure it has protein and can keep you full) eat 2-3hrs later a snack then again lunch and so on.........eat small meals regularly will keep you full and less cranky. As for your calories everyones different dont go by what your cowkers or friends say if thats what MFP told you then go by that or ask your dr. Also depends on how much you wkout........make sure you eat enough you dont want to go into starvation mode


Good luck

Hi there everyone. I am having trouble with what my calorie level should be. I let mfp give the recomendations and I followed what it said, but the girls I work with say I have my calories level too high. I'm not sure what to do.

The girls at work aren't certified nutritionists, right? Don't listen to them. More information is needed before we can offer advice. For example, what is your current weight and goal weight? What is your current BMI? What did you use as your activity/lifestyle setting (sedentary, light active, etc.)? What did you use as your weekly weight loss goal (lose 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, or 2.0lbs.)?

Please read the "guide to calorie deficits" link in my signature. It will help you a great deal.

The calories set 1400 daily have been working for me. I like others here zig/zag the net calories though. I do it because I have more eat out/drink wine opportunities on the weekends. So I eat less then my net goal during the week and slightly more on weekend nights. It balances to an average of 1400 daily.

I chose 1lb loss a week but am into my 2nd month and doing good.

And for the cravings.. I still get hungry but my choice is usually a protein snack (bite of tuna, turkey breast, hard boiled egg). Anything bready or sweet tasting just makes me hungrier personally.

Oh, one more thing. I should point out that a major reason you want to keep those calories in an acceptable range is so that your protein intake is suffcient to not only built muscle, but just to keep it. The last thing anyone wants to do, male or female, is lose weight drastically because a big portion of it will be muscle and you will have supressed your metabolic rate. You'll eventually cave in to hunger and when you gain weight back, you won't get your muscle back, just more fat.

I get nasty when I don't eat...that's why I pack food around with me now..since being on MFP I got use to eating 5 times a day, and when I don't, I make really poor choices and I eat way to much...it's ok to be cranky, this isn't easy. I'm here for ya my friend.