[Eliana]

I can't have a signature yet, so I'll spell it out.

I'm 5'4" and weigh 221, down from 235. I have chosen to eat 1200 calories a day spread across 6 meals because that's what my cousin did to lose 100 lbs.

At first, this was really difficult. I started 11/9 and struggled for a couple weeks. Now though, the opposite has happened. I'm no longer hungry all the time and sometimes forget to eat. I had been saving up my calories a little bit so I was sure not to over in the evenings. That was necessary at the beginning, but not so now.

I particularly struggle on the weekends, I'm finding. During the work week, I'm very structured with my meals. I eat at very specific times, 2.5 hours apart. On the weekend, I tend to get up and laze around and I skip breakfast. I don't care for breakfast and during the work week, I compensate for this with a protein shake.

To cut the rambling, I'll give an example:

Yesterday:
Wake at 8:00, not hungry, skipped
10:00 first snack- protein shake 200 calories
12:30: lean cuisine, 180 calories, but I didn't eat it all, so may 150 calories?
3:00: orange (30 calories), yogurt (110): 140 calories
5:30 dinner: half turkey burger, portioned broccoli and corn: 200 calories
snack: popcorn, about 75 calories
Total: 765

Wow. I hadn't realized how little that was until I just now added it up.

I know I'm setting myself up for disaster. For one thing, once I go that low and realize I didn't even notice, I get into a mindset of trying to outdo that the next day. Today I worry that perhaps because I was so "good" yesterday, if I eat normal today (1200), then I will probably pack on the pounds and won't see the results on the scale this weekend when I weigh in.

Does anyone else struggle with thoughts like these? I need a kick in the butt, I think, of the opposite sort.

This is my problem, after all. When I diet, I do so ridiculously. I know this. 765 is neither sustainable nor healthy. This is why I fail, time and time again. I know this. And yet...

[JulieJ08]

I have a few suggestions, pick and choose what makes sense to you.

I think eating too few calories can eventually cause you to lose your appetite. So to some extent, you have to eat to bring your appetite back (I ordinarily don't much believe in eating when you aren't hungry). I don't mean forcing down a meal when you aren't hungry in the morning. But even just doing something small, like an apple, or even just a glass of juice, earlier in the morning, can start to bring your appetite back. Then you might try some whole grain toast. Soon you may find you like breakfast

Also, if you have trouble with calories, forget about diet food. You don't need Lean Cuisine. I don't know what kind of yogurt you're using, but you don't need nonfat. Maybe even try full-fat. Roast or top your broccoli with some olive oil instead of steaming. Add a green salad with real vinaigrette. When you have eggs, don't just do whites. You could add some nuts to your yogurt.

I don't know if/how you're exercising. If you're not exercising, add a little gentle exercise. If you're exercising a lot, try cutting back a little.

[Eliana]

That is good advise, thank you.

I am not exercising, mainly because I don't want to overdo this. The last time I tried this it was South Beach. I ate perfectly and lost 30 lbs over two years, which was way too slow for me. I exercised ridiculously, going to the gym 6 days a week for an hour or two, and three when I had the time. There were days I did an hour of cario, and hour of weights and then I hit the pool! I get obsessed and crash and burn. I get nowhere and have 221 lbs on me to prove it. So this time I thought I'd go slow and just start with calories. I figured once that stopped working, then I'd add exercise.

Typical me though, I can't even do just calories slowly. I'm too impatient. I hate this about myself.

[JulieJ08]

It doesn't suit everyone, but have you considered a gentle beginner yoga video or class?

Not only would it be gentle, but I find that yoga does a good job of re-connecting us to our bodies and what they need. It helps moderate both the impulse to overindulge and the impulse to overdo it and punish our bodies and minds.

[beerab]

I would supplement a lean cuisine with someone else- they are too little in calories IMO. I never feel satisfied with one- I usually have a LC with fruit or a small salad on the side.

Also you probably could have had a whole turkey burger for dinner instead of a half. I also agree to cook with a bit of EVOO on your veggies to add in more calories.

Dipping below 1200 is already not good- you aren't even hitting 1000- I found when I did that eventually I WOULD binge.

[mkendrick]

Also, if you eat too few calories your body will go into starvation mode and hang onto every bit it can. Hence, slowed weight loss. If you're feeding your body adequately (1200-ish), then it will burn energy/calories more efficiently.

I'm still in the hungry all the time phase (I think my issue is boredom more than actual hunger), so I don't have much advice in that area.

[caryesings]

This is a very timley thread for me. I've been going through some stress the last 10 days and it has completely killed my appetite.

First thought was, whoa, have I changed. A year ago this level of stress would have had me comfort-eating non-stop. Something in my brain chemistry has actually changed. Hmm....

However even though the thought did cross my mind to take advantage of this feeling to move the weight loss forward, I'm making every effort to daily make sure I'm keeping calorie count up by concentrating on nutrition. I've actually gotten to the point in my life that I like to exercise and I know I can't work out to the level that I like to now if I starve myself, intentionally or not.

[Eliana]

Caryesings, I'm glad I could help someone else.

I think my problem was a weekend thing. It will probably be a battle every weekend. How odd. You'd think weekends would bring on binging, not starvation. Though honestly, I've never been a binge eater. I'm more of a grazer.

But today, a Monday after being home for four days, I was actually pretty good and ravenous! I have been clock watching for next mini meal.

Mkendrick, I can now honestly say that while I do still get hungry now and then, like today, at least my mini meals now fill me up...temporarily. LOL! That's better than before when my 200 calories brought no satisfaction whatsoever! At least I feel full for a good 45 minutes or so.

[lorilove]

Eliana

Glad to hear that you are eating a bit more. I have been at this for a long time and it is not uncommon for someone new to find that staying within or below calorie seems easy.

It migh the excitement or thrill of finding a plan that works or just that pumped up motiviation that you get when starting something new.

That newness does wear off and it should since undereating is never a good thing. Remember that food is fuel so you need to eat inorder to optimize your bodies performance and it's ability to get fit and lose weight.