Why Can't I Seem To Go Under 1800 kcal?!?!

Every day, without fail, I always hit around 2200 kcals... and everyday I tell myself that it's ok, tomorrow will be a new day... Plus, I convince myself that because I walk to school and back [90 mins in total, 3.5mph] I am burning enough kcals to hit 1800.

What I need is someone to tell me that that is not how it works, and that if I eat over 1800 calories, I won't lose weight. [This is the number calorie count has selected for me].

GRRRRR.

David.

I don't know if it helps or hurts, but I have to admit I'm the same way.  I've been browsing this forum today, feeling pretty low because I've gone over my limit already-on day 3-and I can't run because it's raining out (and I no longer own a treadmill). 

I remind myself there's another day, and it's not worth quitting over.  Hopefully someone else will have better advice for us both.

Someone (whose word I trust) did tell me that drinking warm tea or even warm water will make you feel fuller...so I've started drinking a cup of tea in the evening instead of eating junk food. 

Good luck. 

I know the feeling, I have asked the question regarding calorie limits and whether the limit includes those calories burnt by exercise. i.e. I ate 2200 calories yesterday and ran for an hour, burning 700 calories, so does this mean that I am within my limit of 1700, or below by 200 as I was inclined to believe. Hopefully I can get clarity on this. Really struggling to stay within the 1700 calorie limit, even though I am eating really healthily. Add to this, the fact that I have been to gym every single day this week and worked my butt off, only to put on 500 grams! Very, very annoying. But..... will hang in there and hopefully succeed!

Good luck to you, hang in there.

If you are eating over your limit every day, it could be one of several things a) You're new to the calorie counting thing and your body is protesting the dramatic change. If that's the case, try to cut down gradually so you're not shocking your system so much. b) You might actually need more calories. This is coming from experience. I'm out on an injury right now, so I actually have cut my calories a significant amount. However, when working out every day, I was trying to subsist on 1600/day, and found that not only was I not losing weight, but the rest of my life was suffering because I was CONSTANTLY thinking about food- planning out menus, freaking out if I went a couple hundred calories over, looking at recipes, etc... They've done studies that show that too much caloric restriction leads to this sort of obsession with food. I upped myself to 1800-1900/day, and it was amazing the difference- I started losing slowly again, and I found that my behavior was much less obsessive. I've also started not worrying if I go over a few hundred calories- a lot of times, that's actually good for the metabolism! I mean, I just got back from spring break where I was (lets be honest here) consuming probably close to 3000 calories a day (including alcohol), and despite this, I only put on 3lbs in 10 days- little bit of a setback? Yes. End of the world? No. And damned if those steaks and margaritas weren't SO worth it!

I have this same problem. CC recommends that I have 1550 calories per day, but I'm ALWAYS around 1700 or 1800. I've decided to just go with it and work out a little extra to make up the difference.

Try taking a good look at what you are eating.  Cutting out entire food groups can cause cravings.  Eating too few calories early in the day can cause one to overeat in the evening.  Eating too much simple carbs, (sugar, honey, syrup, white rice, white flour products, even fruit and low fat dairy, if one is eating too much) can cause spikes in ones blood sugar, that lead to crashes which leave you hungry.  Eating too much high fat, proccessed food can cause your calories to be too high.  Some folks say that it's all calories in vs calories out, but that's a little simplistic.  Let me illustrate with an example.  You could go to McDonalds for lunch, and get a cheeseburger and a small fry.  Doesn't sound too bad, that's not a lot, right?
Grams of food: 185
Calories: 530
Fat: 23
Sat Fat: 7.5

That's a lot of calories for a mere 185 grams of food.  185 grams is not going to keep you going for long.
 Now, let’s say instead that you go to Subway.  Say you’re hungry.  You get a 12” turkey sub on wheat, lots of veggies, no cheese, no mayo, a little spicy mustard maybe. 

Grams of food: 446
Calories: 560
fat: 9
Sat fat: 3
Look at the grams.  For basically the same calories, way less fat, and less than half the sat fat, you get to eat more than twice the food of that skimpy, pitiful Md's meal.

So, if you are having real trouble staying under your calorie goal, look at what you are eating.  Try eating lean proteins, whole grains, veggies, and fruit and non-fat dairy in moderation.  Also, I do better when I don't drink my calories.  Smoothies, milk, and fruit juice may be healthy, but they don't keep me satisfied for long.  I do better drinking low to non calorie drinks, and eating my cals.

I hope some of this helps!

I am only 5'3, to lose my last 5 lbs I have to go to 1200 cal !!! I started at 116 lbs, was 113.4 today. I make SERIOUS choices with the little food that I get to eat. They are raw fruits & veggies, steamed or raw - lots of cereal, oatmeal. I dont eat anything unless it has at least 3 grams of fiber, cereals have 7-11 grams, so I do feel full. This is working - I eat 1200 one day, 1300 the next 1200 the next, 1350 the next, and so on to try to 'trick' myself?!???

Heres what I ate today

Quaker Oatmeal w/ Raisens,Dates & walnuts - 140 cals/3-4 grams fiber

8 Strawberries w/ Splenda - ABOUT 100 cals

20 Shrimp-Boiled w/ 2 tbsp cocktail sauce 250 cals - virtually o carbs !!!! :)

Raisen Bran Extra 1 cup w/ bit of milk - 250 cals - 7-9 grams fiber

Will eat Turkey Sandwich 15-16 Sunchips of my Favorite kind 300 cals - 5-6 fiber

DESSERT - 100 cal Snack Pack - Strawberry cakes - 3 fiber

That is pretty good !!! I drink coffee(black w/ splenda) /water in between if hungry. It is not too bad - I just dont want to be still with these 5 lbs on in MAY - I am determined to get it off.

That is only around 1100 - so I will have a late night snack. Yogurt, glass of milk, small popcorn or Goldfish

Other things that I eat for variety is Fiber One Bars, Soups, LOVE fresh zucchini w/ light Ranch, sometimes some raisen bread - My weakness is BREADS and FLAVORED CRACKERS !!! I try to get a tiny bit of that to prevent burnout/deprivation thinking....