1200 and Hungry

Yeah, definitely make sure you are at least netting 1200. I started there also and at first it was fine but after a week or so I was hungry all the time. While I agree with everyone about eating veggies, honestly they're not truly THAT filling when you just eat them plain. I'd add them to other things to make you feel like you're eating more.

But I would recommend EGGS (and not just measly egg whites, I'm talking the whole thing,) 0% greek yogurt topped with Kashi GoLean cereal, vegetarian sausage, peanut butter, and 100 calorie bags of popcorn.

One of my favorite meals for about 300 calories that I absolutely LOVE because it tastes amazing and is a ton of food is to make 1 serving of smart taste spaghetti (170 calories,) and top with 1/2 cup tomato sauce, and literally like half of a green pepper and 1/4 of a red onion sauteed with some italian seasoning. Add a few shrimp for more protein if you need, and finally top with 1 tbsp of parmesan cheese. Once you get all of this into a bowl it is a huge amount of food and is very filling.

I go out and walk for the amount of time it would take to have a nice sized snack. Eating back my exercise calories worked for me this past year.

For me the key is to exercise so I have extra calories. Also, I try and eat a lot of things that are high in protein and fiber. Both of those really really help curb my appetite. 90 calorie greek yogurt cups are the best! So high in protein...so yummy!

Warning!

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eating back your workout calories is something to try, but keep in mind it does not work for everyone (myself included).

I was doing 1200 + exercise calories and was only loosing 0.5-1lb a week. Now I've upped my calories to 1305 but trying not to eat exercise calories. Hoping it'll work better for me.

If I am a bit hungry eating 100kcal of exercise cals when I've burned 500+ won't do any great damage so I don't worry. Listen to your body though, what works for one doesn't work for everyone x

girl you need to be eating more!! Here is some advice that I got from a friend. My name is Ashley so the names don't exactly match I dont have my info in here but i eat about 1660 cals a day and still lose weight. I think if you read this it will put you more at ease and seriously....eating more calories will not make you fat. 1200 is just wayyyy too low.


Go to www.fitnessfrog.com and use their calculators to determine your BMR/RMR and your TDEE. These are important.

The way that MFP works is that it calculates your TDEE (the amount of calories you spend each day to live, function, walk to your car, watch TV, sit at your desk or take a shower. Basically, the average calories you burn on an average day) and then subtracts calories from that to help you lose your desired amount per week.

TDEE - calorie deficit automatically calculated my MFP = Your daily calorie goal

If you want to lose 1lb/week, your deficit will be 500 calories/day since a lb is the same as 3500 calories.
3500 calorie deficit/week = 1lb loss/week THEREFORE 500 calorie deficit/day = 1lb loss/week

If you want to lose 2lb/week, your deficit will be 1000 calories/day.1000x7 days = 7000calories deficit/wk.
If you want to lose .5 lbs/wk, your defiicit will be 250 cals/day or 1750 cals/wk.

Now, if you exercise, you're adding to that average TDEE by quite a bit, so MFP asks you to log it in, but since MFP has already subtracted a deficit for you, you can eat back those calories and still lose weight.

For ease, I'm going to use my numbers...

Kristel
5'6" 149lbs
BMR 1471
TDEE 1850-2050 (depending if I'm considered sedentary or lightly active, so I go in the middle and use 1950)

TDEE = 1950/day
Desired loss/week = 1lb
1lb = 3500 cal = 7 x 500/day

Therefore, MFP has calculated my daily goal at 1450 cals/day because 1950 - 500 = 1450.

If I chose to exercise, that means I earn calories. Let's say I work out for 30 min on the elliptical and burn 300 calories.

Now we add that into their formula:

1950 (TDEE)
- 500 (daily deficit)
+ 300 (exercise)

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1750 NET calories (i.e. the adjusted amount with exercise)

Try a small apple and sprinkle a little cinnamon on it. not a lot just a light dusting. yummy! Good luck.

This ^ add a small serving of walnuts to that for some healthy fats that will help you stay satisfied....delish!!!

I'm with you; 1200 is rough. One thing that really helps me is soup...if you have a Trader Joe's nearby there's a super flavorful wonton soup in the frozen department that is 220cal and very filling; I also make a modified "egg drop/italian wedding" soup with chicken broth, egg whites, trader joe's turkey meatballs, poured over fresh spinach. Haven't done the latter in a while due to the new wonton soup that's so much easier.... :-) ) Tonight I had two servings of sugar snap peas, which were pretty filling, but tonight I am still hungry. My "easiest" days are the ones where I eat plenty of protein. 3 egg whites, a low carb flour tortilla, just a smidgen of cheese...super filling. Fage 0% greek yogurt feels indulgent yet it isn't, and you can flavor it with Torani sugar free syrup (I like raspberry.) If you are hankering for chips, look at the Coco Pop Cakes at Whole Foods- 16 cal each and you can eat three and feel like you've had chips...Zico chocolate coconut water tastes like a chocolate milk- a treat!

I have to go to bed (up at 4am tomorrow) but I'm happy to help in any way I can. Good luck!

I agree with the others that fruits and veggies are good for snacking. When you buy it, cut it up immediately so you have it on hand instead of less effective snack foods. Make sure that 1200 isn't too low...are you exercising? Protein will keep you ful longer...my nutrition teacher says "eat like a king for breakfast, a prince for lunch and a pauper for dinner", meaning try to get the majority of your calories in the day & less in the evening & night. That being said, I get the major munchies at night. Try to chew gum...or brush your teeth. Try to assess if it is physical hunger or just your mouth wanting to taste something. If you are physically hungry, then you would probably do better eating something small. Best of luck to you!!!!

Warning!

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eating back your workout calories is something to try, but keep in mind it does not work for everyone (myself included).

Why doesn't it work for you?

To the OP. You're hungry because you're eating 1200 calories. I am also going to assume you're following the status quo and consume multiple meals. So, you have 6/1200= 200 calorie meals. No, wonder you're hungry. On top of the EXTRA calories you're burning via cardio, you're body is crying out for energy (hunger). Here is what you can do:

1. Increase your calorie intake via protein.
2. Cut back on the extra activities (cardio).

Monitor your progress for 2 weeks and assess.

I don't know WHY it doesn't work, but when I eat back my exercise calories, I don't lose weight as easily. It has been trial and error, and for me, eating back my calories was an error.

Also -- I eat 1200 - 1400 wonderful, FILLING calories a day. It all depends on the foods you choose. I happen to choose foods that keep me satisfied and not hungry

dill pickles are 15 calories a piece

A piece of fruit? Are you eating back your exercise cals?

lot's of great advice here. :happy: