Absolutely ravenous.

Why 1200? What had it been before? Height? Weight? Goal? Were the other 428 days good?

Questions out of the way, get jicama, a.k.a. yambean. That is a root. When you eat it, it tastes sweet and is crunchy. It is high in fiber and 100 grams of it fills you without giving you much calories.

It may be that you don't seem to get enough protein.

Were you weighing everything when you were at 1600? You should have definitely been still losing at 1600 calories. I am also 5'3"

freespirit427 wrote: »

nutmegoreo wrote: »

I peaked at your diary. I agree that your protein is often pretty low. The other thing I would suggest is switching tracking sugar (it's included in the carbs anyway) and watch your fibre instead. I find fibre, protein, and fat to be more filling, but that isn't the same for all people. I love some carbs, but they don't seem to stick with me as long.

Additional comments: I saw many things measured in cups and tablespoons, and a buffet plate guesstimate. You seem to be working out a fair amount, so you should be able to lose on 1600 (I'm 5'2" and in my 40s and can lose on 1600 when working out). My suggestion is to go back to 1600 but tighten up your logging, and only eat half your exercise calories back for now (they tend to be overestimated by the system for many people). See what that does in the coming weeks. When I'm on 1200 calories, my dog starts looking like a t-bone steak. :laugh:

I have those days where we go to a restaurant and I eat good foods during a buffet but just have no clue what exactly Ive eatten. Hence the guessing game. I do not do it often though.

I am a very mild pescitarian. I only eat small amounts of fish if any. I find it hard to find proteins that arent in yogurt or shakes, bars etc. Could you show me some examples of quick filling fibers, proteins etc?

I hit atleast 10k steps with my fitbit as well.

Thanks!

Those buffets are the devil for counting calories. When possible I try to stick with lean meats like chicken (which doesn't work for you), vegetables, salads (but watching what I put on them. If I remember correctly, it was Chinese buffet, so look for foods that aren't deep fried. Maybe take a peek at a common calorie counts for that type of food, so you have a better idea. If I'm not planning on controlling myself too much at a buffet, I will eat very light the rest of the day, and just save my calories for it. While there, I allow myself a single spoon of anything I want (it's still a full plate), and try to grab extra veg with fruit for dessert.

As for meals: I can share some links to some of the recipes that I use, but I don't log here anymore. I will share the vegetarian ones with you. For fibre, I usually take in lots of fruits and veg, but beans have a decent amount of fibre and protein.

Vegetarian chili (208 cal/serving, 12g of protein), sometimes I'll use this as a pasta sauce:

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/recipe/view/168377262542333

Vegetarian lasagna (I make them in individual tins and freeze for grab and go meals, that's why there's 19 servings; 237 cal; 14g protein)

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/recipe/view/208253882240493

You could also try googling for pescetarian recipes that are lower calorie and high in protein. I usually take any recipe and use 1.5 times the amount of vegetables in it which will bulk it up and make it more filling for the same number of calories, or you could make more portions and have lower calorie meals.

I hope this helps some.

Also, OP, period? pregnancy? Just getting those possibilities out of the way. That said, yes, it can just happen sometimes that you crave certain foods. Just try to force yourself out of it with sheer willpower...and maybe drink a lot of water to fill your stomach so you won't eat as much.

Look, it doesn't help anything if you lower your calories so much that you starve and then end up bingeing. Right?

I'd be ravenous on 1200 cals as well!
Try switching your foods around, definitely add more protein, chicken, boiled egg, full fat yoghurt and eat foods like porridge or wholemeal bread, all low cal foods that will fill you up for longer.

why a 400 calorie drop? why not go down to 1400..and eat back half of exercise calories and add more protein and cut out high carb and sugar snacks. I hate 1200 calories...and many who lose on that low are stuck at a low maintenance calorie range. A life of misery..no thank you. The goal should be to lose eating as much as you can.