Starving all the time

Chelsea_Laura · February 2012

I'm set to lose a pound a week, which gives me 1200 calories to eat a day. By the afternoon into the evening, I'm starving! Even when I go over by 100 or 200 calories, I'm falling asleep to an angry, hungry stomach. And when I do go over my calorie goal, I feel bad for "cheating," and I'm still stinkin' starving!
I eat eggs, cheese, chicken, vegetables, soups, healthy choice meals, pretzels...I think it's a balance diet to some extend. I'm not a huge fruit fan.

Any suggestions??

Mirpixie · February 2012

I'm in the same boat. I went over badly today (superbowl) and I'm still hungry. I want to eat something so badly, but I'm way over.

PinkEarthMama · February 2012

Can you open your diary so that we can tailor some suggestions to you?

Sydney0710 · February 2012

If I were you, I would seriously consider adding nuts to your diet. Nuts really give you a feeling of fullness that, to me, is unmatched by most other foods.

irisheyez718 · February 2012

You don't have much to lose. I'd consider changing it to half a pound a week and eat back your exercise calories.

Sydney0710 · February 2012

Oh, and what kind of cheese are you eating? Maybe you could sub-in reduced fat cheese to free-up a few extras calories for another snack later on in the day.

Elf_Princess1210 · February 2012

eat lots of fresh fruit and vegetables they help keep you full.

pornstarzombie · February 2012

Are you exercising? The more you exercise, the more you get to eat!

That motivates me to move my butt.

1,200 calories really isn't a lot...well, it doesn't seem like a lot to me, but I am very active so my calories are set at like 1560 a day, or something like that.

AmeliaLynnPanda · February 2012

Drink more water 30 minutes before your meals and eat way more green leafy vegetables or really just more vegetables. Try this for a week and see if it helps.

hyde1977 · February 2012

Are you eatting back your exercise calories? I cannot see your diary so it is hard to give suggestions.

I use to be starving all the time which is when I realized that I was not eatting enough. Your body needs fuel and the foods you listed are good.....I would look at are you eatting enough.....are you eatting every few hours?

Maybe add some nuts and enusre you are drinking lots of water.

Not sure that will help!

stephanielindley422 · February 2012

Try eating back your exercise calories and make sure you are drinking tons of water.

Helice · February 2012

I know what you mean, yesterday i gave into a large (american regular), chicken royale meal from burger king with a bk fusion, and i finished it still starving!
Like 1,000 calories wasted!
Sometimes i just get really hungry and no about of food can feed the best, il literally just keep eating until i fall asleep, and then wake up the next day starving lol.

The only way i have found to cure it, is the second you start to feel hungry, eat something fast lol..
I find that if i wait like 10 minutes for dinner to be cooked to eat, then my body will like expect me to eat like 10% more...
It doesnt make any sense at all lol.

Beezil · February 2012

1200 is probably too low for most people... but, if you have only been at this for a few days, give your stomach about a week to shrink before you give up - that will help.

dinosnopro · February 2012

up your protein, if you know you maintenance calories start at 500 cals below and adjust from there.

ccckwalk · February 2012

It is hard to help you when we can't see your diary. If you go to settings you can change your diary settings. It is tough sometimes but there are some amazing people on here that can help and motivate you on your journey to fitness. ~Corina

bademasi · February 2012

I drink lots of water and I have been on 1200 calories for three months and I am not hungry. I eat lots more now It seems than I did before. The only thing that changed is the foods. Healthy vegetables, grains, fruits, nuts etc. No fried foods. Real portion sizes and not excessive meats. Protien helps keep you full. Warm tea fills in the gaps. :happy:

VeggieKelli · February 2012

First, are you guys exercising a lot?? If so, then you may want to up your daily calorie goal, especially if you are burning a lot.

Secondly, are you really hungry, or are you just bored, thirsty, tired, etc.? It doesn't sound like it from your description, but you might want to try drinking a lot of water, doing a little bit of exercise when you are hungry (this has worked for me before when I know I've eaten a lot and shouldn't be hungry but still am).

No matter what you do, it sounds like you might want to change your calorie goal, maybe to 1600? 1200 is rather low, and it sounds like your body is not liking it. If you up your calories but are worried about not losing, just work out a little more. Oddly enough, eating more and working out still leaves me full, whereas taking in the same net amount of calories but not working out makes me a lot more hungry!

Uh, I'm sure there's a lot of other great advice out there, so hopefully you guys get it figured out! Diet wise too, eating more whole grains and proteins can help you feel more full. Good luck!

chevy88grl · February 2012

If you're that hungry then it is quite possible 1200 calories simply isn't enough for your body. I would change your weekly weight loss goal to .5lbs since that will add some calories onto your daily total.

Also, I would probably do some research of my own. I would figure out your BMR and your TDEE. Then subtract 250 calories off your TDEE and try that for at least a month.

I have a lower BMR (only 1338), but my TDEE is quite high (around 2449).

1200 calories isn't enough calories for a lot of people. Your body is telling you it needs more nutrients by constantly being hungry.

kandrews24 · February 2012

I can't see your food diary. If I could, maybe I could help.

Generally, what most of us do is exercise (and eat some of those calories back).

Otherwise, general tips:

- drink lots of water (it helps curb your appetite, increases metabolism, and keeps your tummy fun, plus tons of health benefits)
- eat 6 small meals a day (this helps shrink your stomach and keeps you from getting out of control hungry)
- eat combos of things (such as protein, fat, carbs = such as a pbj sandwich)
- eat large volumes of veggies (low cal, very healthy and filling)

I've been known to eat a salad large enough for 4 adults + my entree.

Once you shrink your tummy and adjust, it does get easier. If all else fails, set your goal to maintain or lose half a pound per week. That way, you won't gain or can lose slower (and eat a little more).

Best of luck.

Kimmiejo92 · February 2012

Try eating "free" foods (free or nearly free from calories) when you are still hungry. Egg whites prepared with nonstick spray, crunchy veggies, citrus fruit, sugar-free Jell-O, berries, pickles, water. Good luck!

chase2012 · February 2012

yes i feel hungry as well..i stopped eating the snack that i used to eat in between meals and just eat at meltimes think my body is in shock..lol

Alisha_countrymama · February 2012

Cut out a majority of your carbs, and add in lean protein, this will keep you feeling full longer.

Hollybot · February 2012

Healthy Choice Meals are loaded with calories and sodium. They dehydrate you which makes you fell more hungry as well. Cut those out, add lean protiens and nuts!

12skipafew99100 · February 2012

Good idea from someone about nuts. Also get more good fats from foods like olives, olive oils, avacado and more protein in general. Save some calories for right before bed. I never go to bed hungry if I can help it.
Shoot for between 1200 and 1400. Try for 1200 and eat another 200 if you are hungry. You will still loose, just a tab bit slower.:flowerforyou:

Almonds, walnuts, sesame seeds are great in MODERATION. Go lower carb and lots of veggies.

Fight for it, you are worth it!~

Chelsea_Laura · February 2012

wow...thank you all so much! I am short (5 feet) and I exercise 3 times a week. And I definitely eat those calories back!

I will try to open up my food diary...as scary as that sounds!!

But I am pretty sure I'm eating out of pain of hunger and not boredom. I may switch it to loosing half a pound a week. I'm more concerned about doing this for the long term than quick results.

chiv123 · February 2012

I was also assigned 1200/day to lose 1lb/week. After a week and a half of being drained all the time I upped my exercise level from sedentary to the next one up to get more calories (which as a student may be more accurate). Now at 1330 calories I am bit more comfortable but I find myself burning 7,8,9 hundred calories each day just so I can eat enough to feel normal. I eat more than I'm supposed to, so I workout, then I'm hungry, so I eat more, then workout harder the next day... at the rate I'm going, in a week I'll be doubling my allowed calories with calories "earned" from exercise. At some point I'm going to have to figure out how to simply eat less. Each day I get right up to my net calorie goal, typically within 10 calories. Sorry I don't have an answer for you. I'm looking forward to seeing what ideas are out there.

Mirpixie · February 2012

This is my daily calorie goal 1,340. I haven't started a workout routine yet. I'm new at this weight loss thing. Done simple things in the past, but always gain my weight back. I just hate how hungry I get at night and I'm already over my calories for the day, so I can't eat.

garbanzalo · February 2012

Consume less refined sugar. Sugar results in an insulin spike that leaves you hungry. Eat more vegetables and proteins. That should keep you full through the day.

luvmycandies · February 2012

Try some green tea, it also helps to suppress the appetite a little.

jennifershoo · February 2012

Healthy Choice Meals are loaded with calories and sodium. They dehydrate you which makes you fell more hungry as well. Cut those out, add lean proteins and nuts!

^^This

Stop eating from a box or a can.
Eat more fat and protein.
Eat less carbs.
Had a column to track your sodium. I bet you're way over you're daily goal.
You may be dehydrated and misinterpret thirst for hunger.
Track your sugars.

MrsD4ever · February 2012

MFP had me set at 1270, but I did a lot of research around the internet and ended up changing mine to 1400 manually. I'm still losing weight just fine.

Starving all the time

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