I know I am new to this, but I am really struggling.

kaylenemccuen
kaylenemccuen Posts: 3
edited October 4 in Motivation and Support
Ok, so I have only been on MFP for a week now, and there are many aspects that are fantastic. The support is incredible and the tools are super helpful.
My problem is this diet. I was very successful on Weight Watchers, I just couldnt afford it. The problem is this.....weight watchers wasnt a diet, but a new lifestyle, and it was EASY.
I am on 1200 calories a day. First time in my life I have ever counted calories and I an amazed at how much I cant eat. Maybe I should stop comparing the two "diets"...maybe thats my problem. But it just seems as if if there is very little "cheating" room on this one.
Any suggestions?

To me...the best part of weight watchers was that they gave you cheat points. 49 points of them every week!!! So if I went over my daily number, I had a fudge factor to keep me from getting down on myself. I am going over every day now, and I am terrified of what the scale will read on my next weigh in.
On my last diet, if I wanted to munch out at the end of the day...I could eat all the fruit and frsh veggies I wanted without having to count them. My cupboards are bare, but I always have fruit around. So far...this just isnt working for me. Its the exercise that makes or breaks this diet isnt it??
Signed,
Totally afraid of failure and beating myself up at the end of every day

Replies

  • mynameiscarrie
    mynameiscarrie Posts: 963 Member
    Lifestyle changes don't involve cheating...they involve making what you like fit into your daily goal. I eat what I want. Most of the time I eat things that are good for me but ill eat candy and cake if it fits into my day and I've managed to lose 33 pounds and i'm still losing. diet is key in any weight loss but you have to be willing to work if you want to be able to eat whatever
  • cirellim
    cirellim Posts: 269
    You were counting calories on WW as well they just made it a tad bit easier for you. 45-50 calories is roughly the equivalent to one point. You can still follow the WW "lifestyle" as you say just change you're calories into points if that's the way you prefer to do it? Regardless, you CAN do this and if just practice a little bit more self control I'm more than positive you can achieve some miraculous results. MFP is just a catalyst to weight loss you are the one that needs to be accountable for what you put into your body at the end of the day. Don't give up though, you're here and thats the first step just keep on pushing!!
  • AlisiaMurta
    AlisiaMurta Posts: 8 Member
    http://www.bmi-calculator.net/bmr-calculator/harris-benedict-equation/

    This is a site that will let you know how many calories you can eat to maintain your weight, of you're going over this amount daily, then maybe you should be worried. 1200 is the bare minimum a women should eat, maybe bump it up a little, and when you get used to that cut again.
  • bjberry
    bjberry Posts: 665 Member
    The 1200 calories is to go for a 1 lb loss per week. Did you lose a lb a week on weightwatchers?
    I am using the 1500 calorie diet and not counting exercise calories. This would cause me to lose about 1/2 lb per week and I am much more comfortable with the 1500 calorie diet. If I am having a family celebration (with fatty foods, in small qualtities), I dance and chase my grandson around, and count the exercise calories that day. It is much easier this way.
    I am 5 ft 6 in, and the 1500 calories diet works fine for me.
    Have fun with this. :drinker: (lots of water!)
  • occupyme
    occupyme Posts: 30 Member
    Since WW worked for you, have you considered following the WW plan and logging it on MFP? Even if the numbers don't work exactly, you'll be eating in a manner that suits you and enjoying the support from MFP folks. Also, you can increase your calorie limit here to a number that fits your needs.
  • jessbatts
    jessbatts Posts: 11
    Hi, you cant keep using the word diet!! I know when I want to eat better if i use the word diet my body just craves junk food and my will power is very low!!
    You need to just know what works for you & your body and if there is a chocolate biscuit that you can't do with out just have one and let your brain be satisfied!! Also when you go grocery shopping dont buy the things you know will tempt you!!! If its not there you can't have it!
    Hope this helps a little : D
  • YoungerNextYear59937
    YoungerNextYear59937 Posts: 90 Member
    If you want to eat more, exercise more. You are allowed to "eat back" any extra calories you burned from exercise.
  • shanna0413
    shanna0413 Posts: 600 Member
    Hi there. This time around for me, my calories are lower than ever and I have really struggled with it. Maybe if you look more at portions rather than what you can't eat it will help? And yeah I think the exercise does make a big difference. I know if I'm getting close to my calories at the end of the day I try to add extra exercise to be sure I dont go over. it does take some getting used to, if you have some days where you are over instead of getting bummed about it, try to look back at why your over, if your eating too much food, the wrong kind of food, etc. I hope you get the hang of it.
  • Puffins1958
    Puffins1958 Posts: 614 Member
    We are ALL entitled to have a cheat day now and then. I find it very helpful to log my calories, it let's me know how I'm doing. So when I want to have olive oil, I know I can't go as crazy as I used to. For me, butter is a better substitute with sooo much less fat.

    I'm sorry, it's been a very long time since I've been on Weight Watchers, I just keep track of calories now.
    If you want support, please feel free to add me. I hope that you NEVER beat yourself up emotionally, it's just not worth it!!!!
  • 77tes
    77tes Posts: 8,571 Member
    Exercise and eat your exercise calories back. That has worked like magic for me. When I know I will splurge, I make sure I fit in a good workout to compensate. Good Luck! :happy:
  • grassette
    grassette Posts: 976 Member
    Since WW worked for you, have you considered following the WW plan and logging it on MFP? Even if the numbers don't work exactly, you'll be eating in a manner that suits you and enjoying the support from MFP folks. Also, you can increase your calorie limit here to a number that fits your needs.

    That is a GREAT idea. That way you get the great feedback this site has to offer, get to see how exercise factors in, and know the real cal value of what you are eating.

    I did WW twice. So I`ve learned what they had to teach me. I love MFP because I can plan my meals ahead of time, and do portion control before I eat.

    And I`ve been losing well, and am not hungry!
  • heymac01
    heymac01 Posts: 1
    Absolutely, You need to exercise and then you will earn more calories to consume. Keep up the great work. It is worth it.:smile:
  • val205
    val205 Posts: 50 Member
    Okay, I've done weight watchers too and now MFP - this is my fourth week. I'm finding I'm eating similar amounts of things to when I was on WW, but I'm not eating any treats that WW suggest you have like two ? (it's been a while) points a day of.
    By best advice is that I've found the first week on ANY restricted diet really tough - it takes a while for your stomach to adjust to the new amounts/types of foods you're feeding it.
    What I am doing is allowing myself one cheat night where I can have a few (maybe 3?) drinks so I don't go totally crazy.
    I'm also exercising so I earn more calories so I can eat a bit more.
    Drink loads of water.
    If you want to eat your "cheat points" - do it in moderation - you'll maybe just lose a little less weight - or do extra exercise to make up for it.
    Best of all, listen to your body. If you're hungry, eat - just make the right food choices.
    The people on this site are really motivating and logging in each day is really easy. You'll get the hang of it, give yourself some time to adjust.
    Add me as a friend if you like :)
  • tracikearns
    tracikearns Posts: 138 Member
    You might want to consider upping your calories to 1300 or 1400...I personally think 1200 is the absolute bare minimum amount of calories that you should have in a day. Zig-Zagging may help also, especially when you have something special and you know you are going to go over your calories :)
  • thurberj
    thurberj Posts: 528 Member
    I started this journey in the summer when I was not working so I exercised a lot and had more calories to play with. I slowly adjusted downward how much and what I was eating. Now after 4 months, I sometimes can't get to my 1200 calories on days that I don't exercise. I really get full easier, and don't require so much food. I eat lots of veggies and drink lots of water. i do eat treats when I feel like it and I drink on the weekends....that is when i workout the most :-) You'll get the hang of what works for you!! Good luck :-)
  • lep_623
    lep_623 Posts: 193 Member
    There is no such thing as bad foods, there are foods that are healthy and foods that are not that healthy. You have to just decide to make the choice to eat the healthier foods, but allow your self a treat every now and then. If you know you are going to be going to a birthday party or somethign with cake then eat low cal stuff the rest of the day to make the wiggle room for that cake or pizza or whatever at the party. Just remember your weightloss is decided by you and what you do for yourself (such as what you eat and how much you workout) LIke Bob Harper says "Calories in, Calories out". If you would like I could look at you food diaries and see what I think could/should be changed that may help! :D You can do this, just don't give up!!
  • em1976
    em1976 Posts: 119 Member
    If you want to eat more, exercise more. You are allowed to "eat back" any extra calories you burned from exercise.

    This.Sure eating healthy will lose weight but ultimately somewhere along the line you have to incorporate exercise(my opinion). Baby steps. If you wish to eat workout.If you do not wish to workout thats fine,stick with the calories and you will lose weight.Hardest part can be getting your head around it,stick with it,patience,try to not beat yourself up over bad days so long as they don't become every single day.

    My reason for exercising isnt always so I can eat.Emotionally I feel it balances me,I feel better about myself,my day and I feel more stable in a sense.The benefits of working out be it a walk around the block to an aerobics class are many.
  • rnagehrke
    rnagehrke Posts: 1
    It is very hard to change and you have to mentally be ready more then anything. The bottom line is what do I want more, this cookie or to be healthy. That being said I also eat anything I want. If I want the cookie I eat it, even if it tips me over my daily limit. I have followed my own plan and basically eat 50 to 75% vegetables and fruits with each meal. 25% lean protein and 25% whole grain carbs. I exercise an hour at least 5 times a week. I have lost 111 lbs with this plan. I know that I will have to eat this way for the rest of my life if I want to keep the weight off.
    This certainly will not work for everyone. Everyone who asks me what I am doing responds with "Oh, I could never do that". Well maybe they can't. You have to find the program that works for you even if you have to make it up.

    Good Luck to you, I hope you find the change that works for you.
  • stdjld34
    stdjld34 Posts: 4
    I am by no means an expert on this subject, but MFP calculates your weekly calories deficit based on the amount of weight/week you elect to lose (this is just an estimation based upon lifestlye+age+current weight+etc), although to me it seems to work just fine. Anyway, a "typical" individual needs about a 3500 calories per week deficit to lose about 1 pound (BMR+exercise-intake >=3500/week), again this is just average, everyone is different. But if you "cheat" or per se go over you alotted daily calories goal, if at the end of the week you are not exactly at the 3500, it doesn't mean you will not lose weight, but you weight loss will be proportionately slower, so just keep that in mind, just an aside we all have our bad days, the key though is perserverance.


    If someone reads this, and I am absolutely wrong, please feel free to correct me.
  • Queen_Christine
    Queen_Christine Posts: 342 Member
    I've done weight watchers and calorie counting - I find calorie counting easier. Exercise is key but not just with calorie counting. You can eat what you like, make the numbers work, just like they say in WW, but you will learn in time the healthier choices allow you to eat more. Then when you exercise you can eat up those calories too. Check out what your friends are eating for meal ideas. And make more friends for motivation. I will send you a friend request. Good luck!
  • perceptualobfuscator
    perceptualobfuscator Posts: 159 Member
    If you're finding it too difficult because your calories are too low, why not switch your weight loss goal to something more manageable? When I started this, I couldn't handle eating 1200 calories per day for a 1 lb per week weight loss, so I switched to a 1/2 lb and felt much better. The weight still came off, only without the headaches, dizziness and grumpiness. If you can't hack it at that rate, up your calories and dedicate yourself to doing it the slow and steady way. Do whatever it takes to keep yourself from quitting, and stay in the game. Remember that the more gradually you take off the weight, the more likely it is to stay off in the long run. Do what works for you.
  • 42hockeymom
    42hockeymom Posts: 521 Member
    First of all, I did WW too.

    The whole concept of cheat day, did not bode well for me because "Hey, I can cheat!" I didn't learn the whole, "make it fit into your day" and I ate too much convenience crap. And most of all, it was expensive in that I had to drive 40 miles to a meeting.

    So I found MFP.

    Second, what WW does, and what is going on here is not that different, it's just the different numbers. You're logging your food, just like with WW. You're reading your labels just like with WW. You're watching your portions, just like WW. The database here is one of the best ones around, so it's pretty much done for you. And like WW I watch how much I have left.


    Now, on to my peeve. I hate the whole "cheat" ideal. Why must we "cheat" if we want to have something? Why can't we just have what we want and learn moderation. This is something I will have to do for the rest of my life. I cannot see myself dieting for the next 30 - 40 years.

    You're gonna do great!
  • woou
    woou Posts: 668 Member
    this is MY favorite thread since joining MFP! some really awesome advice in this one.
  • sara_rose
    sara_rose Posts: 40 Member
    http://www.bmi-calculator.net/bmr-calculator/harris-benedict-equation/

    This is a site that will let you know how many calories you can eat to maintain your weight, of you're going over this amount daily, then maybe you should be worried. 1200 is the bare minimum a women should eat, maybe bump it up a little, and when you get used to that cut again.

    I agree with this Kaylene. I think you are going to run into 'starvation mode'. When I first started I was allowed somewhere around 2000 calories a day. I followed the calorie count that MFP suggested. If you don't eat enough calories during the day your body with think it is starving and will hold onto your fat. Not good. Also, exercising is what is making this happen for me. The second I quit working out everyday (because of my tendonitis) I stopped loosing. You really need to eat more then 1200 cals a day. I think that is just two little. I am down 51 lbs and I still eat more then 1500 cals a day. hugs....
  • Gretchen22276
    Gretchen22276 Posts: 97
    Kaylene! 1200! No no no no. I'm pretty sure MFP did no give you that number. When I started I got 2200 calories a day. As I've lost it has shrunk down but I'm still at well over 1200 and I'm actually going to up it because I'm not losing. Yep. You heard me. I'm going to up it bc I've plateued and I can jumpstart by adding some calories. Weird but for me it works. When my body doesn't get enough it starts to hold on to everything. So up my exercise and up the calories. I suggest you add. Add calories and add exercise. It's hard work but it is well worth it.

    Love you!!! Xo. Don't give up. Eat more! Live more! Be healthy!
  • mynameiscarrie
    mynameiscarrie Posts: 963 Member
    Kaylene! 1200! No no no no. I'm pretty sure MFP did no give you that number. When I started I got 2200 calories a day. As I've lost it has shrunk down but I'm still at well over 1200 and I'm actually going to up it because I'm not losing. Yep. You heard me. I'm going to up it bc I've plateued and I can jumpstart by adding some calories. Weird but for me it works. When my body doesn't get enough it starts to hold on to everything. So up my exercise and up the calories. I suggest you add. Add calories and add exercise. It's hard work but it is well worth it.

    Love you!!! Xo. Don't give up. Eat more! Live more! Be healthy!


    when i started MFP gave me 1200...i didn't up in until i lost about 20 lbs and i still only upped it to 1400 (.5 lbs a week)...it depends on her goals and starting weight but 1200 is a rather normal starting number from what i've seen
  • helenmelon29
    helenmelon29 Posts: 787 Member
    Kaylene! 1200! No no no no. I'm pretty sure MFP did no give you that number. When I started I got 2200 calories a day. As I've lost it has shrunk down but I'm still at well over 1200 and I'm actually going to up it because I'm not losing. Yep. You heard me. I'm going to up it bc I've plateued and I can jumpstart by adding some calories. Weird but for me it works. When my body doesn't get enough it starts to hold on to everything. So up my exercise and up the calories. I suggest you add. Add calories and add exercise. It's hard work but it is well worth it.

    Love you!!! Xo. Don't give up. Eat more! Live more! Be healthy!

    I think I got 1200 or 1300 cals too. Im 5'7 and now weigh 144 (lost 14 in total). Ive changed mine to 0.5lb per week and get about 1500 cal now. x
  • BerryH
    BerryH Posts: 4,698 Member
    Check your MFP settings and make sure you're set to lose 1lb a week - I bet it gives you more than 1200 calories! A far as "cheat" meals and snacks go, MFP is designed to automatically give you a calorie deficit so you are recommended to eat your exercise calories back, so an extra bit of a workout can "buy" you more to eat!

    Opinion on MFP is fiercely divided on whether you should eat your exercise calories back and whether MFP gives an accurate burn, but you can't go wrong if you eat half back. Myself and several friends have had a lot of success eating them all or most back, but we're all different, and I'll do anything to eat a bit more!

    Good luck!
  • kaylenemccuen
    kaylenemccuen Posts: 3
    My BMR is 1811.8 to maintain. I changed my MFP settings to lose a pound a week instead of 2...changing my daily calories from 1200 to 1600. This is MUCH MORE doable!!! Thank you sooooo much for all the great advice...that alone, makes this far superior to WW. So glad I decided to vent to yall yesterday!:happy:
  • kaylenemccuen
    kaylenemccuen Posts: 3
    If you're finding it too difficult because your calories are too low, why not switch your weight loss goal to something more manageable? dedicate yourself to doing it the slow and steady way. Do whatever it takes to keep yourself from quitting, and stay in the game. Remember that the more gradually you take off the weight, the more likely it is to stay off in the long run. Do what works for you.


    This was excellent advice!! I have 9 months til my wedding...plenty of time....too bad patience has never been one of my finest qualities! :ohwell:
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