New and hungry

Hello and welcome! Great job over the last few days!

You shouldn't be too too hungry right off the bat. I've found that drastically cutting my calories initially was a sure way to make me fail- rather I tried slow adjustments downward. Doing little changes here and there. After a while, you get used to regular sized portions.

The headache thing is also odd- perhaps the person above me mentioning electrolytes has a point. I wonder if perhaps you made another dietary change that might be triggering a headache- i.e. cutting out caffeine, etc?

I know what you mean about cheese. Cheese is like my favorite thing in the world and I have learned that in order to be successful, I need to really moderate the amount I eat. It's generally not worth including much in the eating plan, as it is so calorie dense it blows the budget. I will enjoy a string cheese instead (70-80 cals) or take a small chunk of good cheese with a few crackers to work- pre-defining my portion size when I am not hungry really helps. I also switched from spreading cream cheese on toast to buying those little Laughing Cow light cheese wedges (35 cals). That seems to satisfy my need for cheese enough that I don't go crazy when I do encounter it.

As far as the exercise- don't worry about it right now. Like I said before, it's easier to make smaller changes incrementally than to change everything you do. For me, what I am eating seems to make a much larger difference in weight loss than exercise, so it really helps to get a handle on the food situation first. And besides- it sounds like it's roasting hot where you live, no fun. I like your plan to add in some walking when you can. After a few weeks or even months when you've figured out the food thing, you can start adding in movement that you enjoy doing.

Hope that helps!

Unfortunately, it can be scary when you see what you have been doing in clear view. Headache, I would try the electrolytes idea and a cup of tea/coffee in case it's caffeine.

It can be a struggle with cravings when you are making big changes. It shouldn't last more than a week, if you try to knuckle through. Personally, I like to fit things in. Have the take away once in a while. If It's not "off limits" you'll be less likely to be overwhelmed by cravings.

Be patient and kind with yourself. Play with your protein, fat, and carb ratios. I increased both protein and fat targets and consider those a minimum. And I eat more fibrous veggies to feel fuller on fewer calories. Everyone is a little different. It may take some time to figure it out for yourself.

Try reducing your calories a little at a time and give your body a chance to adjust. You don't have to do it all at once. As far as exercise, even if you start with 10 minutes a day, you are still likely doing more than what you have been doing. Could you put on some music and just dance around the house or take an early morning walk? Don't let yourself get overwhelmed.

I really like that you aren't being impatient with the process. We all want quick results, but that doesn't set us up for the life long habits that will be needed in maintenance.

For reducing calories (I love pasta too), I make my same recipes (mostly), but add extra vegetables, smaller amounts of meat and/or cheese. That allows me to either take a larger serving for the same calories or a same size serving for fewer calories (depending on how many I have left). It takes some time. But experimenting with food can be lots of fun.

Sorry.. minimum protein 63g..more is better on protein.