Anyone else have trouble netting 1200?

If you eat only 1200 calories, your weight loss will stall after 3 weeks,.... you'll get discouraged... and then possibly give up? Your body NEEDS more than that. Just my opinion...

First of all--great job on exercising regularly! It makes all the difference.

I had the same problem when I first upped my calories to maintenance. Unfortunately, my tastebuds are now used to eating more again, and sometimes it's a battle all over again! Be thankful that your self-discipline is paying off.

That being said, try to make sure you don't fill up with empty calories. I try to check my nutritional values and eat something I need. (more fiber, or more calcium, etc.) The temptation for me is just to have more dessert!

Good luck, and congratulations on your success so far.

That has been a challenge but I find eating calories early in the day perhaps purposefully eating slightly higher caloric items (still controlling sodium,sugar etc.) I am able to average 1,400- 1,700 a day.

this is what I try to do as well. I have to be aware of my snacks and make sure they are healthy and full of the right stuff. It is easier to lose weight in the beginning , but as soon as you start getting closer to your goal weight you will have to learn to eat the right amount of calories. Eating healthy and making 1200 calories is better for you than just eating empty calories and getting to 1200 calories. MFP wants you to consume 1200 net calories or did you just read people's posts of don't eat under that amount? Everyone is different and I have come to find that this website works exactly the way it says it should. Consume the right amount of net calories and you will be in good shape for the long haul. Losing weight slower is better for your body and easier to keep it off. Good luck finding your happy foods!

I think your calories are just fine... I know alot of ppl will disagree with me but you eat more than I do and I am on 1200 cals as well. I am doing something right as well considering I'm almost 55lbs downs. I wouldn't stress over your calories that much. People will preach starvation mode but from what I read that just doesn't "happen" as easy as ppl say. Go look up some of the reports that have been done on it, I feel that you may find what I have found that it is something not to worry about as long as you are taking care of yourself. But you are right about one thing if I ate back my calories from my workouts I would be stuffed to the brim all day long.

I'm with you as well but my calories are way higher. I'm at 2130 to loose 1.5 lbs a week BEFORE exercising and I try to get some exercise in every day even if it's only 25 minutes of walking on busy days. I'm eating way better than I used to but sometimes I feel like I need to throw some crap into my diet to get closer to my daily goal. I can eat reasonably well on about 1500-1600 calories a day and feel content. I'm a little more relaxed on weekends but I still try to stay under my goal but either way some days it feels like I need to have something I don't particularly want just to get my calories in. I seem to have mastered both over-eating and under-eating. It's the middle ground that's giving me fits.

well, I think it is because you are trying on a new lifestyle! And, good for you! Those of us who have either underfed OR overfed ourselves have so much to learn! Getting the brain and the body to listen to each other will take time for sure. A little structure with planning and getting our nutrients is a good idea.

Just make sure you are as accurate as possible with calories....weigh your food, use a HRM to calculate calories and NEVER eat below your BMR.....no matter what!

Best of Luck cutie pie...your hair is so much like my daughter's....she loves the rainbow!

:laugh:
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museli bars are good if you need extra calories, and you can stick one in your handbag and eat it on the run, in the car or whatever.

i always have dried fruit on hand and nuts to snack on.

full fat yoghurt is my thing as well, i really don't like the diet type yoghurts, and opt for full fat greek with a bit of honey added, it's like desert for me.

i wish i had your problem with not eating enough calories!!!

and i disagree with the previous poster who says if you only eat 1200 calories you will stall after 3 weeks. My partner ate 1400 calories a day for about 4 months straight and lost over 20kg (he is tall and male, so 1400 was his base).

Add a couple more pieces of fruit. If you get them in season they'll be cheaper and tastier too!

Generally, food that you chew is more satiating and liquid calories are less so.
Just drink 2 cups of milk instead of water and that's 250 calories

Looking through your diary, I'd recommend you eat less carbs and increase your protein intake. MFP's default settings are way too low in my opinion.