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lola_1977
lola_1977 Posts: 44 Member
edited December 19 in Food and Nutrition
For those that eat at 1200 to 1300 calories...how do you not feel like you are starving? Can you share what a day of eating is like for you?

Replies

  • tinkerbellang83
    tinkerbellang83 Posts: 9,140 Member
    The majority of people who are eating 1200-1300 calories and not feeling like they are starving are only in a small deficit because it's only really appropriate for those who are older/shorter/slighter/sedentary.

    What is your current weight/height and what is your goal weight? You may just be striving for too aggressive a rate of loss.

    Also are you exercising and if you are, are you eating those calories back?

  • smolmaus
    smolmaus Posts: 442 Member
    edited February 2019
    I eat a lot of vegetables and protein at every meal. I can't skip eating exercise calories.

    Breakfast is two eggs on toast with some onions, mushrooms and spinach. Lunch every day is cauliflower, carrot and broccoli (about 230-250g veg total) with either 80-90g chicken breast or a tin of mackerel and hot sauce. Dinner is usually rice based, with chicken and bulked up with more veg. I swap real rice for cauliflower rice and pasta for spiralised courgette if I want to save some calories for a treat but 400-300-500 (plus a few for coffee and bits and pieces) is usually fine on non-active days.

    I mean non-active days though. If I try that plus a workout it's a Bad Time.

    Agreeing with above poster: I am 5'2" and well within healthy BMI so this is 0.5lb a week loss max for me.
  • lola_1977
    lola_1977 Posts: 44 Member
    tinkerbellang83 wrote: »
    The majority of people who are eating 1200-1300 calories and not feeling like they are starving are only in a small deficit because it's only really appropriate for those who are older/shorter/slighter/sedentary.

    What is your current weight/height and what is your goal weight? You may just be striving for too aggressive a rate of loss.

    Also are you exercising and if you are, are you eating those calories back?
    tinkerbellang83 wrote: »
    The majority of people who are eating 1200-1300 calories and not feeling like they are starving are only in a small deficit because it's only really appropriate for those who are older/shorter/slighter/sedentary.

    What is your current weight/height and what is your goal weight? You may just be striving for too aggressive a rate of loss.

    Also are you exercising and if you are, are you eating those calories back?

    I’m 5’3 230 I would be happy getting to 185. I do workout 3 days a week. Idk if I should eat them?
  • tinkerbellang83
    tinkerbellang83 Posts: 9,140 Member
    edited February 2019
    lola_1977 wrote: »
    tinkerbellang83 wrote: »
    The majority of people who are eating 1200-1300 calories and not feeling like they are starving are only in a small deficit because it's only really appropriate for those who are older/shorter/slighter/sedentary.

    What is your current weight/height and what is your goal weight? You may just be striving for too aggressive a rate of loss.

    Also are you exercising and if you are, are you eating those calories back?
    tinkerbellang83 wrote: »
    The majority of people who are eating 1200-1300 calories and not feeling like they are starving are only in a small deficit because it's only really appropriate for those who are older/shorter/slighter/sedentary.

    What is your current weight/height and what is your goal weight? You may just be striving for too aggressive a rate of loss.

    Also are you exercising and if you are, are you eating those calories back?

    I’m 5’3 230 I would be happy getting to 185. I do workout 3 days a week. Idk if I should eat them?

    Yes you should eat them, it's how MFP is designed to work. Also have you set the correct activity level? Sedentary only accounts for around 3000 steps per day, which isn't a lot.

    4ytc8te5jvff.jpg
  • Panini911
    Panini911 Posts: 2,325 Member
    edited February 2019
    lola_1977 wrote: »
    tinkerbellang83 wrote: »
    The majority of people who are eating 1200-1300 calories and not feeling like they are starving are only in a small deficit because it's only really appropriate for those who are older/shorter/slighter/sedentary.

    What is your current weight/height and what is your goal weight? You may just be striving for too aggressive a rate of loss.

    Also are you exercising and if you are, are you eating those calories back?
    tinkerbellang83 wrote: »
    The majority of people who are eating 1200-1300 calories and not feeling like they are starving are only in a small deficit because it's only really appropriate for those who are older/shorter/slighter/sedentary.

    What is your current weight/height and what is your goal weight? You may just be striving for too aggressive a rate of loss.

    Also are you exercising and if you are, are you eating those calories back?

    I’m 5’3 230 I would be happy getting to 185. I do workout 3 days a week. Idk if I should eat them?

    yes eat back exercise calories.
    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10503681/exercise-calories-do-i-eat-these-a-video-explanation/p1

    did you input your stats in MFP and did it give you 1200 calories? if not start there. note that few people will be low on activity level, that is for nearly bedridden people.

    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1080242/a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants/p1
    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1399829/step-by-step-guide-to-losing-weight-with-myfitnesspal

    I bulk up with low cal foods, (volume eating cuz I like eating MORE)
    https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10563959/volume-eaters-thread/p1
  • tinkerbellang83
    tinkerbellang83 Posts: 9,140 Member
    edited February 2019
    Panini911 wrote: »
    lola_1977 wrote: »
    tinkerbellang83 wrote: »
    The majority of people who are eating 1200-1300 calories and not feeling like they are starving are only in a small deficit because it's only really appropriate for those who are older/shorter/slighter/sedentary.

    What is your current weight/height and what is your goal weight? You may just be striving for too aggressive a rate of loss.

    Also are you exercising and if you are, are you eating those calories back?
    tinkerbellang83 wrote: »
    The majority of people who are eating 1200-1300 calories and not feeling like they are starving are only in a small deficit because it's only really appropriate for those who are older/shorter/slighter/sedentary.

    What is your current weight/height and what is your goal weight? You may just be striving for too aggressive a rate of loss.

    Also are you exercising and if you are, are you eating those calories back?

    I’m 5’3 230 I would be happy getting to 185. I do workout 3 days a week. Idk if I should eat them?

    yes eat back exercise calories.
    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10503681/exercise-calories-do-i-eat-these-a-video-explanation/p1

    did you input your stats in MFP and did it give you 1200 calories? if not start there. note that few people will be low on activity level, that is for nearly bedridden people.

    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1080242/a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants/p1
    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1399829/step-by-step-guide-to-losing-weight-with-myfitnesspal

    At OP's stats, it's around 1300 (1297) for 2lb per week loss at Sedentary, but my bet would be on Activity Level being at least Lightly Active which would be around 1570 (+ exercise calories) for 2lb per week loss.
  • hypocacculus
    hypocacculus Posts: 68 Member
    MFP has me on 1200 calories a day - I only have 7lb left to lose. I can do this for a day or two, then even the furniture starts to look delicious. I get around it by earning exercise calories to bring it up to 1600 calories per day. I'm just fine on that, with the occasional diet holiday when I've got sick of virtuousness.

    Food wise, I eat meals based on fresh vegetables, 1 or two pieces of fruit, porridge, soup, eggs, fish, milk and low fat cheese. I'm partial to rye crackers, snack on rice cakes, and when I can afford the calories, a handful of nuts and dried fruit. I'll eat wholegrains and pulses but avoid highly refined white carbs and cooking oils and keep alcohol to a minimum (wine allowed two nights per week!). I dream of vast piles of Haribo but had to go cold turkey on those. I have no self control.
  • lola_1977
    lola_1977 Posts: 44 Member
    tinkerbellang83 wrote: »
    Panini911 wrote: »
    lola_1977 wrote: »
    tinkerbellang83 wrote: »
    The majority of people who are eating 1200-1300 calories and not feeling like they are starving are only in a small deficit because it's only really appropriate for those who are older/shorter/slighter/sedentary.

    What is your current weight/height and what is your goal weight? You may just be striving for too aggressive a rate of loss.

    Also are you exercising and if you are, are you eating those calories back?
    tinkerbellang83 wrote: »
    The majority of people who are eating 1200-1300 calories and not feeling like they are starving are only in a small deficit because it's only really appropriate for those who are older/shorter/slighter/sedentary.

    What is your current weight/height and what is your goal weight? You may just be striving for too aggressive a rate of loss.

    Also are you exercising and if you are, are you eating those calories back?

    I’m 5’3 230 I would be happy getting to 185. I do workout 3 days a week. Idk if I should eat them?

    yes eat back exercise calories.
    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10503681/exercise-calories-do-i-eat-these-a-video-explanation/p1

    did you input your stats in MFP and did it give you 1200 calories? if not start there. note that few people will be low on activity level, that is for nearly bedridden people.

    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1080242/a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants/p1
    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1399829/step-by-step-guide-to-losing-weight-with-myfitnesspal

    At OP's stats, it's around 1300 (1297) for 2lb per week loss at Sedentary, but my bet would be on Activity Level being at least Lightly Active which would be around 1570 (+ exercise calories) for 2lb per week loss.
    tinkerbellang83 wrote: »
    Panini911 wrote: »
    lola_1977 wrote: »
    tinkerbellang83 wrote: »
    The majority of people who are eating 1200-1300 calories and not feeling like they are starving are only in a small deficit because it's only really appropriate for those who are older/shorter/slighter/sedentary.

    What is your current weight/height and what is your goal weight? You may just be striving for too aggressive a rate of loss.

    Also are you exercising and if you are, are you eating those calories back?
    tinkerbellang83 wrote: »
    The majority of people who are eating 1200-1300 calories and not feeling like they are starving are only in a small deficit because it's only really appropriate for those who are older/shorter/slighter/sedentary.

    What is your current weight/height and what is your goal weight? You may just be striving for too aggressive a rate of loss.

    Also are you exercising and if you are, are you eating those calories back?

    I’m 5’3 230 I would be happy getting to 185. I do workout 3 days a week. Idk if I should eat them?

    yes eat back exercise calories.
    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10503681/exercise-calories-do-i-eat-these-a-video-explanation/p1

    did you input your stats in MFP and did it give you 1200 calories? if not start there. note that few people will be low on activity level, that is for nearly bedridden people.

    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1080242/a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants/p1
    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1399829/step-by-step-guide-to-losing-weight-with-myfitnesspal

    At OP's stats, it's around 1300 (1297) for 2lb per week loss at Sedentary, but my bet would be on Activity Level being at least Lightly Active which would be around 1570 (+ exercise calories) for 2lb per week loss.
    tinkerbellang83 wrote: »
    Panini911 wrote: »
    lola_1977 wrote: »
    tinkerbellang83 wrote: »
    The majority of people who are eating 1200-1300 calories and not feeling like they are starving are only in a small deficit because it's only really appropriate for those who are older/shorter/slighter/sedentary.

    What is your current weight/height and what is your goal weight? You may just be striving for too aggressive a rate of loss.

    Also are you exercising and if you are, are you eating those calories back?
    tinkerbellang83 wrote: »
    The majority of people who are eating 1200-1300 calories and not feeling like they are starving are only in a small deficit because it's only really appropriate for those who are older/shorter/slighter/sedentary.

    What is your current weight/height and what is your goal weight? You may just be striving for too aggressive a rate of loss.

    Also are you exercising and if you are, are you eating those calories back?

    I’m 5’3 230 I would be happy getting to 185. I do workout 3 days a week. Idk if I should eat them?

    yes eat back exercise calories.
    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10503681/exercise-calories-do-i-eat-these-a-video-explanation/p1

    did you input your stats in MFP and did it give you 1200 calories? if not start there. note that few people will be low on activity level, that is for nearly bedridden people.

    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1080242/a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants/p1
    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1399829/step-by-step-guide-to-losing-weight-with-myfitnesspal

    At OP's stats, it's around 1300 (1297) for 2lb per week loss at Sedentary, but my bet would be on Activity Level being at least Lightly Active which would be around 1570 (+ exercise calories) for 2lb per week loss.
    tinkerbellang83 wrote: »
    Panini911 wrote: »
    lola_1977 wrote: »
    tinkerbellang83 wrote: »
    The majority of people who are eating 1200-1300 calories and not feeling like they are starving are only in a small deficit because it's only really appropriate for those who are older/shorter/slighter/sedentary.

    What is your current weight/height and what is your goal weight? You may just be striving for too aggressive a rate of loss.

    Also are you exercising and if you are, are you eating those calories back?
    tinkerbellang83 wrote: »
    The majority of people who are eating 1200-1300 calories and not feeling like they are starving are only in a small deficit because it's only really appropriate for those who are older/shorter/slighter/sedentary.

    What is your current weight/height and what is your goal weight? You may just be striving for too aggressive a rate of loss.

    Also are you exercising and if you are, are you eating those calories back?

    I’m 5’3 230 I would be happy getting to 185. I do workout 3 days a week. Idk if I should eat them?

    yes eat back exercise calories.
    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10503681/exercise-calories-do-i-eat-these-a-video-explanation/p1

    did you input your stats in MFP and did it give you 1200 calories? if not start there. note that few people will be low on activity level, that is for nearly bedridden people.

    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1080242/a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants/p1
    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1399829/step-by-step-guide-to-losing-weight-with-myfitnesspal

    At OP's stats, it's around 1300 (1297) for 2lb per week loss at Sedentary, but my bet would be on Activity Level being at least Lightly Active which would be around 1570 (+ exercise calories) for 2lb per week loss.
    tinkerbellang83 wrote: »
    Panini911 wrote: »
    lola_1977 wrote: »
    tinkerbellang83 wrote: »
    The majority of people who are eating 1200-1300 calories and not feeling like they are starving are only in a small deficit because it's only really appropriate for those who are older/shorter/slighter/sedentary.

    What is your current weight/height and what is your goal weight? You may just be striving for too aggressive a rate of loss.

    Also are you exercising and if you are, are you eating those calories back?
    tinkerbellang83 wrote: »
    The majority of people who are eating 1200-1300 calories and not feeling like they are starving are only in a small deficit because it's only really appropriate for those who are older/shorter/slighter/sedentary.

    What is your current weight/height and what is your goal weight? You may just be striving for too aggressive a rate of loss.

    Also are you exercising and if you are, are you eating those calories back?

    I’m 5’3 230 I would be happy getting to 185. I do workout 3 days a week. Idk if I should eat them?

    yes eat back exercise calories.
    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10503681/exercise-calories-do-i-eat-these-a-video-explanation/p1

    did you input your stats in MFP and did it give you 1200 calories? if not start there. note that few people will be low on activity level, that is for nearly bedridden people.

    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1080242/a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants/p1
    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1399829/step-by-step-guide-to-losing-weight-with-myfitnesspal

    At OP's stats, it's around 1300 (1297) for 2lb per week loss at Sedentary, but my bet would be on Activity Level being at least Lightly Active which would be around 1570 (+ exercise calories) for 2lb per week loss.

    If I do 2 pounds it’s 1370 1.5 it’s 15 something 1 is 1840. I’m gonna use that one to start I guess. ?
  • tinkerbellang83
    tinkerbellang83 Posts: 9,140 Member
    edited February 2019
    lola_1977 wrote: »
    If I do 2 pounds it’s 1370 1.5 it’s 15 something 1 is 1840. I’m gonna use that one to start I guess. ?

    2lbs a week loss is possible/healthy with the amount you have to lose, but it depends what you'll find sustainable.

    You could find that you can stick to it for a few weeks, lose a few pounds, but become hungry, cranky and ultimately end up quitting. However, if you take it slower, say the 1.5lb or 1lb per week loss , have room for a few more foods you enjoy you may find that easier to stick at long term and lose all the weight and keep it off. Then when you get down to the last 10-15lbs you reduce it to the 0.5lbs per week loss and start adjusting to eating more food, ready for maintenance.

    How active are you through the course of your normal working/homelife day?

  • lola_1977
    lola_1977 Posts: 44 Member
    tinkerbellang83 wrote: »
    lola_1977 wrote: »
    If I do 2 pounds it’s 1370 1.5 it’s 15 something 1 is 1840. I’m gonna use that one to start I guess. ?

    2lbs a week loss is possible/healthy with the amount you have to lose, but it depends what you'll find sustainable.

    You could find that you can stick to it for a few weeks, lose a few pounds, but become hungry, cranky and ultimately end up quitting. However, if you take it slower, say the 1.5lb or 1lb per week loss , have room for a few more foods you enjoy you may find that easier to stick at long term and lose all the weight and keep it off. Then when you get down to the last 10-15lbs you reduce it to the 0.5lbs per week loss and start adjusting to eating more food, ready for maintenance.

    How active are you through the course of your normal working/homelife day?
    I say sedentary but probably lightly active most days I’m trying to get more workouts in
  • Competeballpythons
    Competeballpythons Posts: 224 Member
    You can always adjust as you go along
    Be consistent and don’t beat yourself up if ya get off track a little
  • tinkerbellang83
    tinkerbellang83 Posts: 9,140 Member
    lola_1977 wrote: »
    tinkerbellang83 wrote: »
    lola_1977 wrote: »
    If I do 2 pounds it’s 1370 1.5 it’s 15 something 1 is 1840. I’m gonna use that one to start I guess. ?

    2lbs a week loss is possible/healthy with the amount you have to lose, but it depends what you'll find sustainable.

    You could find that you can stick to it for a few weeks, lose a few pounds, but become hungry, cranky and ultimately end up quitting. However, if you take it slower, say the 1.5lb or 1lb per week loss , have room for a few more foods you enjoy you may find that easier to stick at long term and lose all the weight and keep it off. Then when you get down to the last 10-15lbs you reduce it to the 0.5lbs per week loss and start adjusting to eating more food, ready for maintenance.

    How active are you through the course of your normal working/homelife day?
    I say sedentary but probably lightly active most days I’m trying to get more workouts in

    Workouts are separate from your activity level.

    Activity level is what you do when you're purely at work/home/school without intentional exercise.

    Sedentary accounts for up to about 3000 steps

    Lightly Active is around 3000-6000 steps per day.

    Active is around 6000-10000 per day

    Very Active would be for those doing over 10000 steps

    I work a desk job and even without walking to/from work I'd get in around 2500-3000 steps just at work and a further 2500-3000 at home whilst cooking, cleaning, etc. More if I head out to shops or go out for a walk at lunchtime.
  • AnnPT77
    AnnPT77 Posts: 34,598 Member
    A little food for thought, as you consider which route to go:

    https://www.aworkoutroutine.com/1200-calorie-diet/
  • NewMeSM75
    NewMeSM75 Posts: 971 Member
    I'm 44, 5'1". I normally stay at 1200. I try to eat plenty of lean proteins and vegetables. When I am able to exercise, I listen to my body. If I feel like I need the extra calories, I eat them. If not, I don't.

    Today:

    Breakfast: 1 hard boiled egg with 3 turkey sausage links 208 cal
    Snack: Watermelon chunks 72
    Lunch: fiber pasta with albacore tuna, light mayo, pickle and hard boiled egg & a banana 366
    Snack: navel orange 103
    Dinner: 7 1/2 oz shrimp with 1/2 coleslaw and cocktail sauce 350
    Vitafusion vitamins: 30

    Total 1129 (79g protein, 25g fiber, 148 g carbs)


    I still have enough left for a treat after dinner.

    One of my go to proteins is tuna and shrimp. High protein, lower calories.


  • RelCanonical
    RelCanonical Posts: 3,882 Member
    I'm 5'1'', female, only 20 pounds away from a healthy weight, and sedentary. I eat more on days that I exercise, but I don't get that hungry unless I'm eating too many calorie-dense foods and not enough fiber.
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