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MyFitnessPal Community

This is so unfair!

76wendyful

Yes, I am acting like a whiney baby right now, but I am very upset.
I am trying to eat better, and according to MFP I am allowed 1200 calories a day. I only have 525 left and it is only lunch time! Its no wonder I give up and eat stuff and just don't log it ( I know, I'm just lying to myself!)
How can I eat decent and be satisifed for 1200 calories! Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Replies

LMDelphia

I think if you exercise and eat your exercise calories, and that works, great. Sounds great.

Personally, I don't eat my exercise calories. I work hard to burn them, not eat them!!! Otherwise, I'd just eat less and not bother!!!

My two cents is eat more protein to feel more full on less. Eggwhites and salad, anyone?

Eats_With_A_Fist

Meat, tons of vegetables, pull back (or cut out the grains), at least 30 mins of moderate exercise daily, eat back at least some of your exercise calories. Protein shakes usually make me feel full just be sure to get decent powder.

76wendyful

This is just me and my opinon. What your eating isn't "bad" but I would start batch cooking for lunches at work. For 300 cals you could have a piece of boneless/skinless chicken(110), 2 cups broccoli(60), apple(80) and still have 50 cals left. I didn't find those frozen dinners very filling.

Good idea! They are not satisfying at all! As I am writing I am thinking about what else I can eat and I just finished lunch!

missybda

I have a huuugee appetite like a guy and I am still on 1200 calories. I think I look just fine but still have a personal goal of mine set. I have lost 23 and counting and my secret is exercise. It's like saying you want to go on a ride at the amusement park and your there but your not in line. Obviously you are gonna be let down when you see everyone else who had a ball on that ride and your still standing there. Similar with only getting 1200 cals getting discouraged, wanting more food but not willing to kick butt to get it (or stand in line for the ride). You want more cals? Earn them. If you work walk 20 mins at lunch even if it is around and around the parking lot. If your a stay at home mom kick a soccer ball around, or wait til the kids are down for nap and walk that yard, apartment complex like you own it. At any rate the ball is in your court. You can gripe, complain and rant or you can say your worth it and earn as many cals as you want back in exercise! I just want you to succeed.

worldhurdler

Also, if you are saying that you have already eaten breakfast and lunch and still have 525cals left for dinner, then I think you are doing fine! There are lots of delicious meals that are under 500cals. Sure, they won't be pizza or pasta bolognese, but a heathy protein, lots of veggies, and even some starch will easily fit within that range.
For example:
1 medium sweet potato w/cinnamon butter and brown sugar - under 200cals
6oz chicken breast - about 200cals
Big salad with lots of veggies (cucumber, tomato, etc) and a light dressing - maybe 50cals
Just one example - you can also do lots of soups, chili....the list is almost limitless.

Now, if you are commenting that you've only eaten breakfast and have 525 left...well, then I would re-evaluate your breakfast!

(Note: I am 6'0", 160lbs, and training for an Olympic distance triathlon - on my non-training days I can eat 1200-1300cals and feel totally satisfied. I actually have to almost force myself to consume more on heavy workout days. Just to clarify that I'm not preaching something that I've never practiced)

RuthAne

What helps me is to start meals with a salad and/or soup. And sometimes just a glass of seltzer will satiate what I thought was hunger.

Eats_With_A_Fist

Well, obviously the key here is exercising! :ohwell: I really need to get back into that. I just really started this journey again on Monday, so I will have to start up that exercise regimen!

I walk 3 times a day.. it can be that simple.

^ this. Walking is one of the best fat burning exercises you can do...even at an easy pace.

Jazzyjules71

Drink lots of water! A lot of times hunger is really thirsty, I think most people don't drink anough.
Don't drink your calories....I saw Milk was taking up too much calories in my day!
I think higher protein, veggies,fat and fiber is much more filling.....carbs make you more hungry-
I think eating ever 2-3 hours works better for me. Snacks keep me going, then I lower my meal calories.

Julie

rbryntes

Other than what people have already said (more lean protein, fiber, exercise), is it possible for you to drink 1% or fat-free milk? Same with cottage cheese? It's an easy way that I see some of your calories creeping in.

And remember that higher fiber foods can be veggies; broccoli, tomatoes, zucchini, etc. have been very helpful to me in controlling my hunger.

servilia

I would really ditch that 290 calorie potato. It's taking up 25% of your daily calories and I bet it's making you more hungry an hour later. Replace with veggies and legumes. String beans, broccoli, cauliflower, spinach, greens, anything like that.

otr12

Go get on a thread mill and run for 1 hour!

This is my favorite comment of the day.

MrsCon40

1. Exercise.

2. Eat your exercise calories.

Problem solved.

ottawagirl613

You could always put your weight loss setting to 1 pound or 1/2 pound a week weight loss.. That ups your calories by a few hundred.. And depending on how much you have to lose can actually speed up your weight loss.. Also the slower you lose the more likely it is to stay off.. Something to think about!

missybda

Remember, some people think of exercise as some strenuous effort that requires much forethought. A beautiful hike at your state park. Simple things like vigorously cleaning/scrubbing your shower and tub. All these things and much more burn cals and are in the search engine. Find things that you enjoy doing but still getting that bonus of more cals!

lilRicki

exercise...you can burn a couple hundred just by walking, then you have enough to stuff your face

FlyFishinX2

My intake for the day is suppose to be 1850 but if I go for a bike ride of just an hour I burn over 500 calories, a ride of 3 or 4 hours burns almost as much as daily intake...so my problem on most days that I exercise is finding enough food(and time) to eat everything back.

capricorn144

Yes, I am acting like a whiney baby right now, but I am very upset.
I am trying to eat better, and according to MFP I am allowed 1200 calories a day. I only have 525 left and it is only lunch time! Its no wonder I give up and eat stuff and just don't log it ( I know, I'm just lying to myself!)
How can I eat decent and be satisifed for 1200 calories! Any suggestions would be appreciated.

On April 13th I started this.
I weighed 185.8 my all time high.

I was given 1350 cals a day from MFP to work with.

I measured and weighed my food and logged in everyday.
I don't exercise.
I have lost 27 lbs and am 3 lbs away from my goal.

I eat enough of good food everyday ...3 meals, and at least 3 snacks a day.

Have a protein at each meal and it will help you stay satisfied.
I use 1300 cals a day and feel great. It is not hard to do.

Clean eating ( simple unprocessed foods make all the difference. ) and I still eat out on occasion and enjoy smaller portions.

Good luck...and it helps if you put your effort into good food in small portions. You will find you do get enough to eat and enjoy it.

:flowerforyou:

lisasbig30

You have two options. Exercise more or change your calorie goals. I eat a little over 1300 and prefer that.

angelaclassact

I think you need to take a look at what you're eating! Oddly, I eat 1200 calories a day, and I exercise 3-4 times per week, and burn about 300-450 calories each time I work out. I don't replace what I burn working out, I may eat 100 extra calories and that's it. On the days I do not work out I am more hungry. If I ate what I replaced I would not lose weight, as my daily burn calculation to live is roughly 1200 calories a day.

saltorian

Go get on a thread mill and run for 1 hour!

This is my favorite comment of the day.

LOL - Yes! I was going to say the same thing!:laugh:

AmyBrenn

If you aren't already doing it; Try a low glycemic diet. and eat at least 5- 6 times a day to get your betabolism going.

And yes, lots of good cardio exercise. That has helped me emmensely.

I've dropped and gained the same 5 pounds for almost a year now and just found out I have HBP. I told my doctor my woes and he recommened following the South Beach Diet (low glycemic) so I thought, what the heck and started it about a week and a half ago. I'm now down 10 pounds! I have been pleasantly surprised with how full I am most of the time, but the biggest surprise is consistently being below my caloric allowance everyday (even when not exercising). This rarely happened when I was filling myself with breads, pastas and sugars. I have cut out sugar and keep my carb intake low, making sure they are fiberous and complex carbs, not simple. I'm not saying it works for everyone, but it seems to be working for me. Good luck!

ilike2run

you have to exercise--maybe not every day, but that's the only way to be healthy long term. Also--find ways to eat MORE food for less calories. You could have half a bagel with peanut butter for 300 calories, but you can also have two egg whites, two pieces of turkey bacon and whole wheat toast for the same calories. don't be discourage!! Just stick to the plan--exercise--and LOG EVERYTHING!!! I'm a nurse and when I give this web site information to my patients, I tell them to eat normally for two weeks and log everything...THEN they will be able to see where they need to make changes. I know with a few little tweaks you'll find out how to get more of everything you need!!! Good luck, just don't give up!!!

ilike2run

i agree with this post--low carbs work best for me too!

MissD89

Im also at 1200 calories a day and I feel that's just fine. I'm never starving. I may get hungry but, It's not because I havent eaten because I'm low on calories. It's cuz I ahvent eaten cuz I've been BUSY. lol. feel free to add me and take a look @ my diary. good luck to u!

NiciS72

A lot of that also depends on WHAT you're eating. Protein & fiber will make you feel full longer than anything else. You'll have to open your food diary for more useful input.

I agree. I've been super hungry for days so decided to go back to my old breakfast of 3 scrambled eggs and 1 serving of Jimmy Dean Turkey Sausage crumbles. WITH my coffee and creamer my breakfast was under 400 calories. If I skip the coffee and creamer I'm at 290. I wasn't hungry mid morning today.

MissD89

you have to exercise--maybe not every day, but that's the only way to be healthy long term. Also--find ways to eat MORE food for less calories. You could have half a bagel with peanut butter for 300 calories, but you can also have two egg whites, two pieces of turkey bacon and whole wheat toast for the same calories. don't be discourage!! Just stick to the plan--exercise--and LOG EVERYTHING!!! I'm a nurse and when I give this web site information to my patients, I tell them to eat normally for two weeks and log everything...THEN they will be able to see where they need to make changes. I know with a few little tweaks you'll find out how to get more of everything you need!!! Good luck, just don't give up!!!

Agreed! LOG EVERYTHING! so u can really see what u eat and u can fix it. and PLAN ur meals so u know ur not guessing if ull have enough calories. and exercise as much u can so u can EAT MORE. lol thats what I think of sometimes when I make myself workout.

aliciaryoung

I try to plan out meals in advance. Also if I know I'm going to be eating out that night (like tonight, for my sister's birthday) I look up the menu and try to find out the nutrition information. Then I log in that meal early in the day so I'm aware on how much I'm planning on eating later.

It helps, especially if I am going to the gym also, because it keeps me motivated to push a little harder so I can have my treat at dinner time.

LIndabuskin

I substitute steam vegies for rice/pasta/potato where possible eat big for breakfast medium for lunch and tiny for dinner.

LaMujerMasBonitaDelMundo

First of all have you figured out your BMR & TDEE? Do it first & then once you come up with your TDEE to maintain your weight, subtract it by 250 or 500 & there you will get the amount of calories you have to eat to lose weight, instead of relying on what MFP sets you in. Personally, I find the 1200 cals too low & apart from that my protein req's set very low & I'm muscular so I need more calories & protein for my muscles. MFP's recommendation is just to give you a rough estimate but its still up to you to adjust your requirements.

SallieBeige

Fall in love with vegetables and salad (no dressing)

You will get bored of all the chewing you have to do and might well still be under your calorie intake