1200 calories a day is killing me!!!

just eat more

When I first started on this site in January I stuck with 1200 calories per day, which was very challenging and I would feel very hungry when I went to bed at night. I did have some relatively quick results - 5 lbs over a few weeks.

Then I started incorporating more exercise and in late February began P90X. The lowest calorie eating plan on P90X is 1800. I checked that against my BMR and TDEE and found 1800 cal per day would still allow me to lose if I am exercising. So I have been averaging ~1800 calories per day, some days 2200, some days 1500. And have maintained a gradual weight loss since then. More importantly than the weihgt, I am stronger, more energetic, clothes fit better, and I don't go to bed feeling like I am starving.

I'm not opposed to the English muffin - breakfast sandwich with egg and english muffin (especially the whole grain kind) is good for you and under 300 calories. Add smoked salmon if you want even more protein and good fats (for little calories).

1200 calories is not low if the person feels stuffed and can not eat anymore. Why make people believe that eating 1200 calories is a bad thing? Are you in their bodies to say eat more? Sure I can eat more but I am certain to nearly vomit afterwards if I eat over say 3000 calories.

This is not a game about how many calories you can stuff into body its about eating intelligently according to what your bodies telling you.

Hi all you beautiful people.

So MFP suggested I eat 1200 calories a day but I am finding it very hard to eat healthy and stick within the calorie range.

If you look at my food diary, last Wednesday's food is what I'd happily been eating for the last 2 months with a calorie intake of ~1200 a day. It's not clever but I was rarely hungry nor was it a chore.

Then someone questioned the amounts I was eating for my fitness goal hence it's gone up. As you will see, nothing particularly healthy or unhealthy but I'd been on a low carb (~100g of carbs a day) and basically eating meat and vegetables mainly (with meat snacks in between).

Hopefully, using my diary will give you some idea of what is possible if you still want to keep the calories down.

Just reading some of the things you guys eat makes me feel like I am overeating. Thank you I will go check out the recipe side.

The other challenge is ofcourse cooking 3 different meals at dinner time as DH is not in the mood to change his lifestyle and the kids do not eat any of the two meals I make. I want to stop making excuses and just do it.

Hey there

Firstly, I really feel your pain! It can be so hard to make these changes, especially as when (as you say) you have young children and a husband that isnt interested in healthy changes. But once you start you'll get on a roll and there will be no stopping you!

I can't add much new, only that I totally agree with all the other posters about trying to cut back on carbs and drinking more water- this has really helped me. 2lbs a week is a lot though especially if you dont have a lot to lose. I need to lose 12-14lbs but as I'm in the 'healthy weight' range for my BMI, even though I exercise often and mostly stick to my calorie allowance its been really tough going. Ultimately I found that half a pound a week was about the maximum I could do, so it may be that you need to re-evaluate your goal to be more sustainable?

As for cooking different meals at night, I totally get it - I have the same problem with my husband, who likes quite a carb-heavy diet (but is a runner with a lightning fast metabolism, where I'm the opposite). What I started doing was buying in lots of canned vegetables (like mixed bean salad, kidney beans, carrots etc). Then I would have the same meal as him, keep the protein and replace whatever else he had with canned vegetables or a fresh salad. Or even 'good'/brown/low-GI carbs sometimes like brown rice or quinoa.

For example, if he would have chicken, mashed potatoes and green beans, I would have chicken (smaller portion), green beans and carrots. Or whatever other combination. This way we don't cook separate meals, just a separate portion of veg or salad that I use to adapt my meal. You could try this. I found it was the only way I could do it that was still convenient- and let's face it, if it's not convenient, you probably won't do it!

Hope that helps a little bit.

Hi all you beautiful people.

So MFP suggested I eat 1200 calories a day but I am finding it very hard to eat healthy and stick within the calorie range.

For example today my diary consists of the following:

Breakfast: English Muffin with laughing cow wedge and strawberry jam

Lunch: 2 Slices Seed Bread with Pesto, Avo, Cottage Cheese and Peppers.

Supper: Chicken Breast with rice and grilled veggies

Snacks: Peach and Small Bran muffin.

That is over the calorie range.

Before starting this I did not even eat so much but now I obsess with what I eat and although the choices are healthy, it is not in the 1200 calorie limit.

Please advice cause when I eat any less now I feel extremely hungry.

Also my other bad habit is having a glass of wine at night which takes my guard down but I'm working on that.

My question is, what changes can I make to stay within this range otherwise I'm never going to loose this weight.

If you are struggling with 1200, it may be that it is not the right amount for you.

Do you know your BMR and TDEE? -Work out your TDEE and deduct 20%. http://www.fat2fitradio.com/tools/bmr/

I was also given 1200, but couldn't manage as it made me ill and cranky - I now lose on 1600.
1200 works for some, but not for everyone, you need to find the sweet spot for you.

Also, bear in mind that the way MFP works, 1200 is meant to be NET, so if you exercise even a little you will eat more than 1200.

Good Luck.

The Fat2Fit site is fantastic. You need to know your body fat % and the military is most accurate so you can figure that out here http://www.fat2fitradio.com/tools/mbf/ Also they have this cool feature that will help you find your ideal weight based on your lean body mass since the goal is to lose body fat not lean body mass I feel like this is good to know too http://www.fat2fitradio.com/tools/ibw/

Hey

I am on 1200 cals a day also, and I seem to eat loads! I have diet everything and for the last two weeks I haven't been exercising much (and even when I do, I don't eat more as I personally feel this is cheating and means the exercise is pointless if you are just eating loads to make up for it).

I would personally say to you, maybe up the calories for a week, say to 1800 and then each week drop it until you get to 1200? Or just get lots of diet foods.

Weight Watchers meals are fab and rarely go over 350 calories which is amazing. Lower cal bread, drinks, anything really, it'll make a huge difference And then you can eat a lot more too and stay with your target.

Good luck either way xoxo

It's difficult to comment without seeing your diary, but I would say that if you aren't full with the food you're eating then you need to change your food a little. Have a look at some open diaries, see what people are eating with calories that would fit in to your limit and try them!

Secondly, exercise. It doesn't have to mean the gym, I only work out at home and I've lost wieght - if you want a glass of wine you might have to work for it, and if that glass of wine means you need nibbles then you'll have to work for them too. You have kids, take them to the park, play football with them, go cycling, get them dancing in the house with you, or if you can get some alone time do some workouts you can find online - exercise doesn't have to be expensive or done away from the family, getting everyone involved makes it a whole lot easier!

It IS harder to lose weight when you don't have as much to lose, but if you stick with MFP I have every faith that you'll do it. :drinker:


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