1200 Calories - Struggeling

Here are some thoughts. I am allowed 1250 kcals by MFP to lose 1/2 lb per week so I struggle with this also.

1) decrease your weight loss goal to 1/2 lb per week if you are not already there. You will still get there slowly but surely. It's better to have a higher goal that you stick to than a lower goal that is not attainable. A decrease of wt loss by 1/2 lb per week increases your allowed calories by about 240 kcals per day unless you are already small to begin with. It's amazing what a difference that 240 calories can make.

2) Find creative ways to get moving or burn calories. I set my computer at work up so that I now stand 8-9 hours a day instead of sitting. That gives me another 100 calories a day. I brought a ministepper and step 45 sets pf 100 steps in between my cases (I process about 50 cases a day and each set of 100 steps takes about 1 min 20 seconds so that adds 60 minutes of walking time in my day, another 194 kcals. I step while I am setting up, thinking, and processing the case in my mind and them stop stepping when I type or dictate. I don't exactly count but I know my average times for these things so this is an approximation. These two changes add 294 kcals to my MFP allowance. I have discovered that the stepping keeps me more mentally alert , perhaps it's the increased oxygen to the brain? Something like walking and thinking.

3) With those extra calories treat yourself! I have a caramael chocolate (85 cals) and a skinny cow bar (110 cals) almost every night. That makes all the standing and stepping worthwhile.

4) For eating out or special occasions, I try as hard as I can to work out and build my allowed calorie buffer to at least 700, preferable 900-1000 calories before I head out, so that I can really enjoy myself and not hold back. That might mean 3-4 miles of running, cumulative, anywhere within 48 hours prior to the event.

Of course I try to exercise 3-4 times a week also , I tend to eat back all my exercise calories but as long as the overall trend on the scale is down I will continue with that.

Hope that helps someone. I personally felt too deprived on 1250 kcals so this works for me.

I have mine at -1.5lbs a week and its 1310 calories and I had 100lbs to lose now 90 Ive lost 4lbs 1.5lbs 3lbs 1lb and stuck to it I think your body will give what it wants to so maybe as scrappy said change it no good struggling and losing lots best to feel full and lose slightly less if this is for life it wont matter if it takes a little longer? xx

I just had a look at your diet setting..

Some things such as your energy drinks are 115 cals.. If you find something such as a sugar free energy drink which has no cals (aspartame tho) are zero cals..
Also the crepes are high also..

I am in the UK and on 1200 calories a day. I manage it most days even without exercise. Feel free to check out my diary to see what I eat.

One change I made was the fruit I was eating. I swapped bananas and apples for grapes and satsumas. It saved me quite a few calories.

First off don't try to be UNDER 1200 - you need at least 1200 so better to be slightly over than under. Second, eat back your exercise calories or you will be hungry - your net calories need to be 1200 or your body will not be getting enough to sustain it. Some people find that 1200 is just too low and they actually lose more by eating more calories. I find the best way for me is to go by weekly rather than daily calories so my average per day is 1200 (eating back exercise calories) but I can eat more some days and less others. Also 1lb per week or less is plenty to lose so don't feel disheartened if you're not losing lots of weight - slow and steady is best. Good luck!

Try and make the most of your calories- I eat 1220 calories a day and I feel like I've eaten more than ever before- lots of vegetables as they are very low calories.....

Try and only drink diet drinks or water
Measure out your carbs
Use low-fat products

There are lots more tips out there...I just can't think of them at the moment

cant get the hang of the quoting thing, anyway I have heard about the not eating enuff thing, but im scared to eat more and get bigger

Its the quality not quanty that will lose you weight I look at people diaries that have been here months and lose regulary the ones that arent hungry and you get to see this differently have a look make lots of mfp friends

yeh think im going to give the egg white thing a go, I hate waste but I could give the yolk to my he is one of these lucky guys that never puts weight on.

I problem Im having is im trying to stick to it, but every time i stand on the scales it still says 165lb, and my jeans still wont go up! (

It de motivates me and i think whats the point! x

Get egg whites without the Yolk?
The yolk is high in cholesterol..

i find that if i stick to what the setting say i should be intaking and nt change them, then i lose weight i dont as a general eat my exersie cals unless like yesterday was pancake day so did extra zumba to have a pancake lol. when i started i was on 1450 cals and was hungry all the time, as my weight has dropped so have my cals and im now on 1350 and unless its a day like yesterday in normally under goal and not feeling hungry, so my advice would be check ur settings and stick with it for a week or so, if ur like me dont make plans to spend time with family and freinds until u get the huner under conrol as in ratty when hungry lol

Stuck at 161 myself for over a month. I had the exact same issue. This past weekend I read an article about your glucose levels and how mixing the right foods can actual help you lose weight. I made a list of the low and moderate foods to keep your blood sugar in line then paired them up for my meals. The first day I lost a pound! I was not hungry at all because I ate something every 2 hours. You can find any information about this on the web as well as list of foods in each category. It might not work for everyone, but it worked for me!

Hey, I find it really easy to stick to 1200 (and I have 50 pounds more to lose!) have a look at my diary for ideas. Have coffee and fruit for breakfast, something filling but low cal for lunch and a nice dinner

I don't have time for gym either, I work full time, but can you manage 20 mins in the evenings? 20 mins of Zumba on the wii will earn you about 250 cal (well that's intermediate, but beginner isn't much less)

You can do it, make it work
x

On the other hand, I'm struggling to make the goal of 1200 calories and barely reaching 800 calories. Apparently, this is too low... What do I do? :ohwell: