Finding it hard to eat 1200 calories

This may sound crazy but I am finding it hard to eat 1200 calories. So in turn I think I am sabotaging my weight loss. I work two jobs and usually start at 9 and don't get to the gym till 10 at night. Is there any tips that I could use to keep my intake going? Plus I am a chef so I dont want to be snacking on the bad calories that are around me.

I pack snack in separate baggies and just munch on those throughout the day... it keeps my stomach occupied and my brain alert.  Today I have a baggy of carrots, an apple, a banana, a juice box... all really low in calories and fat.

so preparation is key..thanks i will try that

I'm constantly surrounded by kids here who all insist upon eating at differnt times, I find that having something to drink stops me snacking! Just keep a bottle of water with you at all times! X

Eating 1200 calories isn't too bad if you have six small meals a day.. always eat something for breakfast like a bowl of cereal and then 3 hours later eat a snack of some sort I normally eat a can of tuna with 5 crackers in it some mustard and a tsp. of mayo

for lunch try to eat something that will fill you up but wont go over a lot like lean cuisine or smart ones or even just a sandwich

then another snack

for dinner i normally eat about 500-600 calories but that might be too much you can switch the dinner for the lunch that way you will burn more calories during the day than eating a larger dinner and having it sit..

I hope that this helps ...

;)

Some days you do need to give yourself some grace... girl, working two jobs can be hell some times.  So some days you may need to get a lot of extra sleep.  Even just looking at hot bodies can get me depressed sometimes!

Anyways, i work at a coffee shop, and when i first started I definitely gained a frappe belly.  I had to kind of gross myself out on each item of food.  the 600 calorie muffins: i had to think about all the gross drippy fat inside each one, and the artificial ingredients, like the fake blueberries, etc.  slowly, i started realizing that those kinds of foods made me feel gross, have lots of energy highs and intense lows, and gain a gross muffin top.

i don't know, it's all a mental game.  hope this helps.

Most likely because you are eating too little. 1200 is the calorie minimum for a woman, but for a man it is between 1400-1500. So upping your calories just a little bit won't hurt you I'm sure.

Now I am going through the wonders. Im wondering how many calories is in everything. It seems to be taking over my life!

Why are you wondering? Are you eating 1200 calories? Is it because you aren't losing?

I am not losing fast enough. I have changed my diet and workout by ten fold. It becoming fustrating to say the least.

My goal everyday is about 1400 cals and I find it very hard also. I'm a huge snacker and it's really hard to resist what the kids are eating. I liked the one reply of drinking lots of water. I also love the Special K crackers. You can have like 17-18 crackers and it's about 100 cals. I feel your pain. Keep up with the good work, success is ahead.

So you're a guy who's eating 1200 calories and working out more than you used to. You should eat more if you want to lose weight. Your body thinks you're dying and it's holding on to every calorie.

so what should be my goal in calories then?

pimptech06, I personally think 1200 calories is WAY too low! I know we all metabolize food differently but even though you are trying to lose weight, you can not deprive yourself of nutrition and the fuel your body needs. Did your doctor or dietitian recomend that intake?

But to answer your question, depending on your weight and how much you want to lose, you may want to consider 2000-2500 cal per day, especially since you are exercising. If you are big like me (374lb), 3000 cal per day is not out of the question and it is healthy to lose 1-2 pounds per week. I get frustrated with how long it takes too, that part just sucks. Stick with it though.

You could try to eat 4-5 smaller meals a day (400-600 cal) with 3-4 snacks (100-200 cal) a day. Every morning I find it helpful to pack a large ziplock bag with 3 boiled eggs, 1 yogart, 2 -3 fruits & veggies, and one bagel. This is my breakfast and my daily snacks. And if you have as much to lose as me, never skip breakfast... this is vital! You have inspired me to write in my journal about lifestyle and eating habbits. Check it out if you want.

I was given a goal of 1200-1500 calories a day by my personal trainer. I ofc, always shoot for the 1200. Almost all days now I'm right there - its only if I have that 1 extra thing I would go to 1500. I noticed I would prepare the most perfect, well rounded meal for myself.

I would eat this, and right after be like... omg I'm still hungry now what ?? If I stuck it out for another 30 minutes, I wouldn't be hungry anymore... but that 30 minutes is hard. Have something to do, that will keep you occupied until your brain has time to realize, you aren't actually hungry anymore. Take a shower, go outside and talk to a neighbor, whatever. Just don't sit around being hungry.

Worth a shot :)

I am starting to get a lot of response toward 2000 plus calories a day. I am going to try it out this next week. Thanks for everyone who has replied, its been a big help!!!! Everyone keep up the work, we can do this together!!!