The point is that to lose weight in a healthy way, we need to get enough nutrients. That is the whole reason not to go below 1200 for an extended period of time, as a general rule.

The body needs an intake of protein, carbohydrates, and fats every day, not to mention vitamins, minerals, etc. It's not just that if you eat less and less you will lose more and more. If it were that simple, we'd all be able to lose weight in no time!

When you go below 1200, you are in danger of burning more than fat--for example, muscle, which you need to keep.

You're angry right now and want a quick solution. But think about it some more... We want you to succeed, but not at the expense of your health.

Jay

Unfortunately I am just as hungry at 1600 as I am at 800.

So it's starting to look like 110 pounds is the impossible dream.

If you're just as hungry at 1600 calories as at 800 calories, I can't help wondering what exactly is making up those 1600 calories. Some foods obviously help us feel fuller than others, so it sounds like the first thing you might want to try is making sure you're eating the right kinds of food to quell your hunger, and eating often enough. You've probably already thought of that, but I thought I'd throw it out there anyway.

Also, are you absolutely sure you're physically hungry? Are you just wanting to eat for other reasons? Maybe you should look into a book like "Intuitive Eating" to attack the reasons why you find yourself wanting to eat more than 1600 calories. Don't get me wrong -- I'd LOVE to eat more than 1600 calories, but I'm still trying to lose more weight so I simply can't. I don't think I'm necessarily "hungry" at that calorie level though, except on the days I run more than 10 miles, but on those days I eat more calories because I need more. For me it's all about spacing out meals and snacks so that I'm eating small portions frequently. Cutting my calories in half, however, would absolutely make me hungrier. It just makes sense.

To answer your first question, yes I am eating healthy foods. I am eating whole grains, veggies, fruits, lean meats, some dairy and some veggie products. I eat dark chocolate and the occasional beer but I account for the calories and I don't have beer or chocolate every day.

To answer your second question, yes I am genuinely hungry to the point of feeling unsteady and sick, at least during the day during the workweek. I eat an average of 2100 cals a day during the workweek, but I eat about 1500 on the weekends. At work I am constantly moving and at home I am not moving nearly as much so I'm not as hungry .

If I could work at home I think my calorie problems would be solved.

I think we've been here before--the next question is, how much do you eat for breakfast and during the day, while you are at work? You should be having most of your calories when you are actively working--then you won't feel so hungry.

Jay

Marlu, you have received some excellent advice from some veterans at 3FC. Please listen to them. Your desperation is making you react emotionally, rather than intellectually. I know, I have had similar thoughts through this process!. You may feel that you are as hungry at 1200-1600 calories as you are at 500-800, but much of this will be mental hunger if you are making wise choices. Your BODY will be much happier with the higher number of calories. It will function better, it WILL adapt to the lower calorie intake by burning more fat. It may be slower, but it will be healthy. Don't let your emotions and fears win this battle. You have done so well, and you are in the home stretch. You CAN do this - healthfully!

Thanks again for all the replies. I'll try for a daily average of 1500 calories for the next few weeks.

Will let you know how it goes.

Marlu,

when you're at a relatively healthy weight like 122, it'll be hard to see anything drastic change but there WILL be some change if you did the 200 calories less thing than the 500/800 calories/day plan. Let me tell you, when I was around 120 lbs (5'3-ish), it took me about 5 months to get down to 112. 8 lbs in 5 months is slow for most people, but for someone small like me, it's very normal. I ate around 1600-1800 calories and exercised for 30 minutes 5 days a week. I was rather impatient but soon learned that weight loss , SAFE weight loss could only come with time. So hang in there.

Hey Veggie. Thanks for the reply .I know weight loss is slower when you're lighter but I can't help feeling that it shouldn't be, since the same effort is put in and the same, or more, deprivation is endured as by heavier folks.

After all even shorter lighter people get hungry.

I know I've got to get past this. I also need to get past the conviction that 1500 calories is starvation level.