Keeping within calorie range

It's NOT enough to live on. You couldn't net 1200 as a sustained amount for years on end without getting seriously underweight. The whole point in us all being here is to lose weight, so it's natural that at some point, your body is going to notice that. Hunger is NORMAL. There's no prizes for denying that.

What are you basing that on? Most days I actually TAKE IN NEARLY 2,000 CALORIES. I also typically burn 400-500 calories per day. So yes, I net 1260 when I'm trying to lose 1lb/week. I'm 1460 to lose .5/week and 1660 to MAINTAIN. And that's NET.

So you're telling me I'm starving myself?

Please. I eat all day long and NET 1260. How is NETTING 1260 not sustainable long-term? Show me some proof. Because I'm really eating close to 2,000 calories per day and doing something active each day. I am actually a very healthy woman!

As stated before you may have your cals set too low.

I have found that eating a snack between meals helps me. I try to get in fiber throughout the day too. For snacks try a protein and good carbs for example an apple w a serving of peanut butter. I also love laughing cow cheeses. They have them in small portions and they are great for snacks. Or string cheese... For me, a quality snack keeps me from being overly hungry at my next meal. And I drink at least 64 oz of water.

Sometimes I want to eat but I'm not actually hungry. I'm still trying to get over those hurdles.

This is just my experience and opinion. . Good luck to you.

To several of the posters as well as the OP.

Still hungry - great!

Means your metabolism hasn't dropped yet. That's a good thing.

While at a healthy weight you can live easily on a suppressed metabolism, compared to where it could be, I'm not sure why someone would want their weight loss slower than it needs to be by doing it before you reach healthy weight.

Because if your healthy estimated BMR could be 1500, and you eat 1200 (don't include exercise yet) constantly, and you get to the point of functioning fine, your BMR is NO longer 1500.
It is below 1200.

So now your orginal figures that got you to 1200 are not correct.

1500 BMR x activity selection of sedentary 1.2 = 1800 maintenance.
1800 maintenance - weight loss goal 2 lbs wk or 1000 calories/day = 800

Guess what, MFP stops at 1200 - you weren't going to get 2 lbs a week anyway.

So with true BMR now at 1200 x 1.2 (if that is even true) = 1440 maintenance.

So now you are eating at 1200, and your true BMR is lower than it could be, so now your deficit is really only about 240 calories.

1/2 lb a week, almost.

Gee, I wonder why stalls and plateaus happen? And any overeating is added on as fat to store, instead of raising the metabolism.

You just lost a potential of free 300 calorie burn each and every day. Plus the fact your daily activities don't actually burn the number of calories you think.

This is the WRONG direction. You can only follow that downward spiral for so long, you body will win, and you will lose your willpower, or muscle very easily.

Add in exercise, and especially not feeding the workout at that low level, you just accelerated the whole situation and made it worse.

I really find that exercising helps and the tools that show on your food intake where it breaks down carbs, protein, fat and sugars. is definitely a wake-up call. Increase your protein and fiber and try to cut back on fast carbs / sugar (which includes fruit).
One of my daily favorites in Chobani Greek Yogurt....tons of protein and it holds you. You may have to slow down your weight loss to allow for more calories per day. 1200 isn't much and your body may be in "starvation mode" - which in that case, you're going to hang onto fat anyway.

Good luck - hope this helps!

You could perhaps log your entire day before hand to see the end result.. adjusting all the portion sizes to make sure it's within acceptable range.

Up your calories and make sure you eat a good lean source of protein at EVERY meal! This helps you stay full longer.

Bottom line is if you are "starving" you need to eat. Being a little bit hungry is fine between meals and a great way to leanryour actual hunger cues from you body.

I was on 1200 cals for about 2 months and I did fine eating at that level but I had NO energy! Now I eat at least 1440 cals...have no idea what I NET because that doesn't matter to me. I eat 1440-1500 a day and burn at leat 500 in exercise 5 days a week. On the weekends I only eat 1440 or so and no exercise.

I don't eat back all of my workout calories but they are there if I need them! The thing is if you eat a healthy well balanced diet of lean protein, plenty of fruit and veg with a reasonable amount of startchy crabs....you will be satsified and have the energy you need to be active all day!
BUMP YOUR calories up!!!! It is the only way! Weight loss is not an over night process. it takes time and the slower you lose it the more likely you are to be successful! The slow and steady approach is best! I work out like a maniac and have NEVER lost 2 pounds a week. I was hitting 1,000 cal burns a few months ago and eating only 1200 cals and even THAT did not make me lose 2 pounds a week!
I now eat 1440 cals per day and burn 500-750 cals a day and have a pretty steady weight loss of 2-4 pounds a month. EAT!

Great explanation. I knew we were MFP friends for a reason.