For those on 1200 calories a day
emz_1993
Posts: 96 Member
Are you starving throughout the day on that many cals? I want to lose up to 2 lbs a week but I don't think I can go that low without being absolutely miserable. I have been on that calorie restriction before and I was really hungry all the time. I'm set to about 1450 cals now but I regularly go over which explains why I haven't been losing that much weight lately. I want to lose 25 lbs more by new years. I'm already down 35 lbs.
7
Replies
-
I eat around 1000-1100 a day, I drink a lot of water and zero calorie juices like bai or life water. I also tend to eat small snacks throughout the day (every 2-3 hours) so I'm never usually hungry unless it's before bed, then I'll make tea9
-
I do what all the nutrition articles say is just "terrible" I don't eat breakfast so I can eat a larger supper. I drink coffee until lunch, eat a normal sized lunch, eat a normal sized supper, and I usually hit between 1250-1400 cal. If you want to eat more, work out more! It is hard to work out enough to make up for a whole meal, but easy enough to work out enough to eat the extra 250 calories you are saying you want to eat each day.
All of that being said though, I am a yo yo and probably not best to listen to me. I lost 112lbs in 2005, regained most of it, lost about 70lbs in 2008-2010, regained all of it. I did things quite differently both of those times (2005 I was super strict 1200 cal, 2008-2010 I was much slower and did more exercise and less strict). This time I'm working on strength training and exercise and focusing more on that while eating healthy and I am honestly more excited to gain strength than I am to lose pounds! Maybe my new friendship with exercise will help me keep it off this time.7 -
I want to lose up to 2 lbs a week
The closer you are to your goal weight, the harder it is to lose. You say you've already lost 35, so without more info, I'm assuming you're approaching your end goal. 2lbs a week is probably not realistic. Set it to 1lb or .5lb a week. Eat more. Then you won't be starving. You will lose slower, but slow weightloss is better than no weightloss & it sounds like you've plateaued anyway. Also better to feel satisfied & able to stay within your calories than feel starving & restricted & end up binging & going WAY over because of it.If you want to eat more, work out more!
No. Don't workout to allow your eating. Eat to fuel your workouts. The idea presented flirts with disordered thinking surrounding exercise & food. Better not to even go down that road.12 -
If you want to eat more, work out more!
No. Don't workout to allow your eating. Eat to fuel your workouts. The idea presented flirts with disordered thinking surrounding exercise & food. Better not to even go down that road. [/quote]
Yes, I didn't word that very well. I guess what I meant was that I set myself on sedentary, but I'm NOT sedentary, so as I workout my calorie limit goes up on mfp (fitbit steps as well) and so 1200 isn't actually what I should be at as a lightly to moderately active person. I don't mean to use exercise as a purging method. Just that if you are active then an extra 250 calories really isn't something to worry about.
I also eat to fuel my exercise, as on strength training days I throw in an extra snack to ensure I have enough glycogen in my muscles to get through my workout. Otherwise I lose energy halfway through.0 -
What are your stats? Ht/Weight. How often do you workout and what do you do.
Honestly, just by looking at your pic(s), you probably don't have the weight to lose to sustain 2lbs per week. You're probably at a point where 1lb per week should be more your goal.3 -
I exercise and eat my exercise calories, I couldn't manage without them x good luck2
-
I eat 1200 and am not hungry. I'm usually stuffed if I eat low calorie dense foods (vegetables). I eat 2 meals a day with each meal being around 400 calories. 2-3 cups of vegetables with each meal. I'll have 2-3 protein shakes and fish oil capsules to supplement those macros I can't hit. I feel better when I eat mostly vegetables and not a lot of processed foods. You could try replacing something with more vegetables.9
-
I'm on 1200 and generally not hungry. I eat a lot of protein, lots of veggies and not too many calorie-dense carbs, although I have not cut out any foods (like Oprah I have bread every day). If I'm hungry I eat a mini Baby Bonbel Light cheese (50 calories), or 28 grams beef jerky (70 calories), or my favorite, Masada brand pita bread (116 calories per pita), which will usually tide me over for a couple of hours. If I am truly hungry and need to eat more than 1200 calories I do (usually 1300) and don't sweat it because I am still at a deficit.5
-
i eat 1200 to 1500 cals a day. low carb and never hungry0
-
If you are less than 50 lbs overweight set your goal for .5 or 1 lb a week instead of 2 lbs a week. If you only have 25 lbs to lose 2 lbs a week is too aggressive a goal. If you are consistently losing weight at a higher calorie goal maybe accept slower but more comfortable loss. (Also weigh and measure your food and log as accurately as you can.)
My calorie goal is 1200 currently. I prelog my food for the whole day. I try to get enough protein foods and fats as well as several servings of vegetables or fruits. I eat more than 1200 calories most days though because I eat some of my exercise calories. I'm not hungry all day long.
This is how I eat and spread out my calories:
Typical breakfast- Greek yogurt, granola bars, cereal with milk, sandwich, dinner leftovers, fruit, cottage cheese (about 200-300 calories)
Typical lunch- sandwich, salad, or dinner leftovers (about 300-500 calories)
Typical dinner- something different every night of the month. (about 500-600 calories) I have soup once a week usually.
Typical snacks- things like fruit, chips, popcorn, pretzels, chocolate, cookies, granola bar, carrots, celery, broccoli, trail mix, deviled eggs, pickles, cottage cheese (about 100-300 calories)
2 -
I'm a 1200 eater too, and never hungry enough to go off my routine. I dont eat breakfast apart from a couple of coffees, eat a small to moderate lunch and use most of my calories at dinner and early evening, when I am at my hungriest, and am most vulnerable to over eating.3
-
ksilletti246 wrote: »I eat around 1000-1100 a day, I drink a lot of water and zero calorie juices like bai or life water. I also tend to eat small snacks throughout the day (every 2-3 hours) so I'm never usually hungry unless it's before bed, then I'll make tea
0 -
Does that work for you? My coach got mad at me because I wasn't eating 1500 a day1
-
Hmm, ladies i was eating 1200 a day, my coach got mad said i need 1500 a day, i work out daily, strength training, ugh i don't know0
-
-
Yea I'm on 1200 calories a day as well. I can't do that. I tend to eat more than 1200 calories. Maybe I need to up my veggies and protein, maybe that will help.1
-
i eat every two hours i usually eat between 1200-1400 but i burn about 800 to 1000 calories after my work outs a day so i can afford more protein calories0
-
I don't eat breakfast (I don't feel hungry until afternoon), I don't drink my calories (except alcohol), and I make sure my meals have a good amount of protein and fat. I have found through trial and error that fat keeps me full. Fiddle around with your macros and see what helps you feel most satisfied.1
-
wantitforthewow wrote: »i eat every two hours i usually eat between 1200-1400 but i burn about 800 to 1000 calories after my work outs a day so i can afford more protein calories
Wait... wat?
Are you eating a TOTAL of 1200 - 1400 calories a day then burning off 800 to 1000 - so you're NETTING about 400 calories a day?4 -
If I exercise I eat back those calories, so 1200 for me is without any exercise.0
-
I'm at 1200, and I start my day with a high fiber cereal. I try to eat vegetables with every meal and to meet my protein goals every day. I do the standard macros that MFP gave me.
If you're starving all the time, even with a balanced diet, you need to bump up your calories and lose slower. That's not a lifestyle that you will ever be able to maintain otherwise.0 -
I've only been at this for a month but I usually just make sure My meals are small enough as to where I'm always able to snack during the day. Also- on weekends I usually flub Friday or Saturday due to drinking, but I try to make my smartest eating choices those days and still log my drinks so that I have to face my poor decisions!0
-
DamePiglet wrote: »wantitforthewow wrote: »i eat every two hours i usually eat between 1200-1400 but i burn about 800 to 1000 calories after my work outs a day so i can afford more protein calories
Wait... wat?
Are you eating a TOTAL of 1200 - 1400 calories a day then burning off 800 to 1000 - so you're NETTING about 400 calories a day?
This...Inquiring minds want to know...because if you are, that's cray cray1 -
I find myself drinking carbonated 0 zero calorie drinks, so I can feel "fuller". I'm only on my second day and I feel hungry ☹️0
-
yagirlmella wrote: »I find myself drinking carbonated 0 zero calorie drinks, so I can feel "fuller". I'm only on my second day and I feel hungry ☹️
Noooooooooo!!!!! Please stop! Haha. So many studies have been done that show the people who drink diet or zero drinks end up eating more, and having more food cravings. The reason is because aspartame (don't get me started on THAT!) being an artificial sweetener makes your brain think there is a sugar hit coming so prepares the pancreas to release lots of insulin ready to break down all the sugar, then that sugar never comes so you remain in a constant state of wanting the extra sugar and calories.
If you CAN get off diet sodas please do. I was absolutely addicted to Coke Zero. I have finally gotten off of it, drink mostly only water, and if I want something fizzy I have sparkling water and add in a little fresh lemon. Tastes like more than water haha.
3 -
My calorie goals are set at 1470 per
Day. Some days I get there, other days im at around 1000-1100. I eat a lot of fat (healthy fats from avocado, olive oil, fish and nuts) and I am rarely hungry. Some days I have to really think about eating more as I know I won't even make the thousand calorie level. I want to lose weight at a healthy rate and not do anything bad to my health in the process.... I have almost totally cut out sugar and after the first week of cravings, it made this whole weight loss plan so much easier!!!!!0 -
louisepaul16 wrote: »yagirlmella wrote: »I find myself drinking carbonated 0 zero calorie drinks, so I can feel "fuller". I'm only on my second day and I feel hungry ☹️
Noooooooooo!!!!! Please stop! Haha. So many studies have been done that show the people who drink diet or zero drinks end up eating more, and having more food cravings. The reason is because aspartame (don't get me started on THAT!) being an artificial sweetener makes your brain think there is a sugar hit coming so prepares the pancreas to release lots of insulin ready to break down all the sugar, then that sugar never comes so you remain in a constant state of wanting the extra sugar and calories.
But if the sugar never comes the insulin is not released. Even if you still want more sweetness you can have another diet drink, it doesnt mean you will start eating cakes and sweets.
There is a lot more to gaining weight by people drinking diet versions than just a sweet taste7 -
I eat 100-1100 a day. Only been at it a week but I have to force myself to eat that much. Never thought my problem would not be not eating enough.2
-
Are you starving throughout the day on that many cals? I want to lose up to 2 lbs a week but I don't think I can go that low without being absolutely miserable. I have been on that calorie restriction before and I was really hungry all the time. I'm set to about 1450 cals now but I regularly go over which explains why I haven't been losing that much weight lately. I want to lose 25 lbs more by new years. I'm already down 35 lbs.
With only 25lbs to lose I would cut that down to 1 pound per week...1 -
louisepaul16 wrote: »yagirlmella wrote: »I find myself drinking carbonated 0 zero calorie drinks, so I can feel "fuller". I'm only on my second day and I feel hungry ☹️
Noooooooooo!!!!! Please stop! Haha. So many studies have been done that show the people who drink diet or zero drinks end up eating more, and having more food cravings. The reason is because aspartame (don't get me started on THAT!) being an artificial sweetener makes your brain think there is a sugar hit coming so prepares the pancreas to release lots of insulin ready to break down all the sugar, then that sugar never comes so you remain in a constant state of wanting the extra sugar and calories.
But if the sugar never comes the insulin is not released. Even if you still want more sweetness you can have another diet drink, it doesnt mean you will start eating cakes and sweets.
There is a lot more to gaining weight by people drinking diet versions than just a sweet taste
But it does cause insulin to release. Not ALL sweetners do this but a lot do. Not necessarily that you will go and eat sweets and cakes but the next meal you eat, generally people who drink diet drinks will end up eating more than if you had had water or even the full sugar/fat version of the soda.
http://www.m.webmd.com/diet/news/20140917/artificial-sweeteners-blood-sugar
Something to read about it.
1
This discussion has been closed.
Categories
- All Categories
- 1.4M Health, Wellness and Goals
- 393.6K Introduce Yourself
- 43.8K Getting Started
- 260.3K Health and Weight Loss
- 175.9K Food and Nutrition
- 47.5K Recipes
- 232.5K Fitness and Exercise
- 431 Sleep, Mindfulness and Overall Wellness
- 6.5K Goal: Maintaining Weight
- 8.6K Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
- 153K Motivation and Support
- 8K Challenges
- 1.3K Debate Club
- 96.3K Chit-Chat
- 2.5K Fun and Games
- 3.8K MyFitnessPal Information
- 24 News and Announcements
- 1.1K Feature Suggestions and Ideas
- 2.6K MyFitnessPal Tech Support Questions