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Despondent
How is anyone supposed to stick to 1200 calories per day every day?! During the week it's fine, I struggle, but I manage. At the weekends, I want to have a glass of wine and chill. Which takes me well over 1200 calories! I give up!
Pizza & garlic bread for dinner. Have had 300 calories the rest of the day. My activity log helps a bit, but not enough. I don't have the time to do more.
I feel very despondent.
Yes! I know what you mean. It is a real eye opener when you find out how quickly those 1200 calories add up! It does get easier, I've been counting for about six weeks now and I'm finding it's easier to judge and don't go over as often. And I went way over in the first few weeks so you're doing really well!
So have a glass of wine on Saturday! If you make that your one allowance per week, you should still lose weight. Basically, you're learning to discipline your eating, which is not incompatible with occasional treats as long as you know how to plan for them. One glass of wine once a week won't kill you or keep you overweight for the rest of your life.
My next question is: Does your calorie target have to be 1200? Depending on where you're starting from, that may be too low to reach for at the start. A lot of people sabotage their diets by getting too ambitious and impatient; we don't just want to lose the weight ... we want to lose it NOW! Try 1350 or 1400, and scale it down as you lose weight. If you lose about 1-2 lbs. a week, you'll be fine.
That makes sense Tony, thanks.
When I completed the questionnaire, 1200 calories was the result. I'll see how I go 
Original Post by sheebs46:
That makes sense Tony, thanks.
When I completed the questionnaire, 1200 calories was the result. I'll see how I go
What questionnaire did you complete? I am looking for any tools I can get my hands on to be successful.
Thanks in advance.
Click on "Calorie Target" under the Tools tab. Here are a couple of other links you can cross-reference:
http://www.dietitian.com/calcbody.php
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/calorie-calc ulator/NU00598
sheebs46:
I'm also on 1200 calories, and like you say, it is managable during the week, but the weekends are difficult. So, I decided to give myself a little break on Saturdays, when I bump up my calories to 1400 for the day. That way, if I want a glass of wine or 2, it is perfectly alright. And, 1400 cals is not a big deal, not blowing everything, you know?
You shouldn't try to overthink this calorie restriction. If you think that you are being deprived, chances are you will blow your diet plan. Take it from me, I know! Everyone in the family is enjoying pizza, etc., but because you are dieting, you can't have any.
Try the bumping up of the calories for that one day, and if you also want the pizza, etc., then just limit to 1 small piece, (if you are also having wine) . Make sure you blot off the oil (on top of pizza cheese) with a paper towel. Apparently, this really takes off a lot of the fat. Try to eat a big salad (little dressing) before the pizza. Make sure the pizza has lots of veggies on it. Anything to fill you up with more than just empty, fatty calories.
I like all of the wine, pizza & weekend foods too, but I'm sick & tired of the 20 lbs. I have to lose, and I like the idea of fitting into a size 8 or even 6 even more than the wine & pizza!
Oh, and here's my 1200 calorie plan during the week, if it helps at all...I lost 5 lbs. in my first week, but slowing down now to 2lbs a week:
Breakfasts: Either 1 c bran flakes with skim milk & 1 c, fruit, or 1 egg on wholemeal toast & 1 c. fruit.
AM Snack: 1 c. fruit, or 100 cal. snack pack, or tall skinny Starbucks latte.
Lunch: California rolls (6 small), or 1/2 turkey sandwich with mustard, or salad with chicken or shrimp. 1 c. fruit or carrots.
PM Snack: Fruit or 100 cal. snack pack, or 3 c. light microwave popcorn, or Slim-a- Bear 100 cal. ice cream bar.
Dinner: 2 c. Veggie & tuna casserole with salad, or big salad with chicken breast and 1/4 c. cheese, or fish or chicken breast with a little carb (rice/potato), no more than 1/2c. Keep dinner to about 400 cals. max.
I've also been keeping a big jug of water with lemon slices on the counter, which I drink all day.
Good luck!
I just joined calorie counter three weeks ago. I don't see the 1200 as some indicator of moral failing or a final arbiter of whether or not I was worthy. It's more like a daily game to see if I can hit it. And I am (more often than not). And the next day is a new day to try all over again.
I think the power documenting calories is that we get a sense of how much it all "costs", and every time we're in a situation where there is food or an opportunity to move, it's like a mini-game where you make the best choices you can.
So the glass of wine is worth it that day and that moment. And if there are regrets, next time you don't drink it. That's the beauty of starting each day anew.
For me, the week-long view is really key, rather than being too focused on a single day. At the end of 7 days, I want to have consumed 3,500 fewer calories than I consumed... leading to (one hopes) a 1-pound weight loss.
The two trackers (consume and burn) on the "My Account" page are great for keeping an eye on progress over the day, and if I go a little over today, I know I have to stay a little under on the other days if I want to stay on track. So far, I'm finding that is not too bad... although I am a guy so it may be a little easier as I have more calories to work with.
If I want a special treat (like that glass of wine, or for me a bowl of chips), I find it helps to bump up the activity and add the net activity calories to the burn meter. Remember, it's not just how many calories you consume, it's also how that compares to what you burn off.
Best wishes to all.
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