Miss Kitteh's Journal, 17 March 2014

I think I have only consumed around 1200 calories in a day once or twice since starting this a month ago. I am just never hungry anymore and never crave the bad stuff now that I'm so used to clean eating. I can barely finish a container of yogurt at this point. I think what helps is all the water I drink throughout the day and the increased exercise. Everyone is different though, but I make sure to keep healthy snacks around like berries or nuts, and sometimes I'll just gnaw on a raw, peeled cucumber. Most nights I'll have a spoonful of peanut butter before going to bed, and just the thickness and sweet taste satisfies any hunger I might have. 

joy what diet you doing ? I just started atkins its my second week . 

I know how you feel. I am trying to stay under 1800 and can't do it. I was doing good today, then I found a chocolate bar in the fridge and .......I...ATE IT. 

Hercottage... I'm on the low carb, high protein diet, which I thought at first was Atkins, but I've learned it's different. So now I eat NOTHING processed, including the Atkins snacks and frozen meals. They are full of sugar alcohols which are still not good. With the LCHP though, I also learned that my fat content needs to be higher. With a little trial and error over the course of one month, I've lost 12lbs. I'm almost 48 so I also realized that regardless if I want to or not, exercise MUST be a part of my routine, and I'm seeing and feeling a difference. And honestly, I'm not hating it so much like I used to. In fact, I'm even able to RUN on the treadmill for about 5 minutes at a time now! Something I thought I'd never do. 

Hi Miss Kitteh, I'm not on that program, but I do try to limit my calories to 1200-1400 a day. It isn't easy for me either, & I can hardly exercise due to severe osteo arthritis & other health issues. I do use a recumbent exercycle, & that helps some but I can only go about 15 minutes before I start hurting. I hope you can stick it out with the 1200 calorie challenge, but if not don't beat yourself up about it. Maybe that just wasn't a good challenge for you. I've washed out of a couple of challenges myself, & have decided not to join any more as it seems to be too frustrating for me. But that's just me, & everyone is different, & our bodies are all different. What works for one will not work for others, so we have to experiment to find what works best for us. I like to keep those 100 calorie packets of cookies & such, & also NSA fruit cups & such handy for my snacks, so I don't go overboard. Maybe this would help you too? Sending you hugs of comfort & best wishes on your continued weight loss journey. 

I am technically doing the same challenge but I wont actually be shooting to stay below 1200 for a couple weeks. Maybe up your goal and use the challenge as a period to get yourself down to 1200 calories? If you don't feel so restricted as you work your goal down a little farther each week it may get easier.  

Wow. I didn't expect anyone to comment. Thanks everyone. Joyluck, I agree about eating healthy and drinking water. Most days I'm not hungry either, but those days that I AM, I could lick the paint off the walls! I don't eat anything processed either (except two squares of Trader Joe's dark chocolate bar every day at 132 calories). And I agree about the exercise. I do it EVERY DAY for at least 30 minutes. I just got back from a 20-min. jog tonight. I see and feel a difference too. More energy. Yeah for you doing 5 minutes on a treadmill. That's terrific. I remember when I wasn't even able to do that. LOL Homebody Girl. I know about chocolate. I'm glad it's not illegal because I'd even eat MORE of it then. Glammer - I hear you about hurting, and it's true every body is different. I don't eat any grains AT ALL, so that wipes out huge grocery bags of food for me. I make up for it eating tons of protein and produce. But there are days when I want a bagel or biscuit or big slice of bread really really badly. So. I have to drink two or three huge glasses of water instead. It's medieval. CalynLZ - That's a really good suggestion. I think I jumped from 1287 to 1200 too fast. I need those extra calories still. A little further each week sounds saner. I usually can do it, just not seven days in a row. 

It is really a challenge to keep it between 1200 calories. I've been managing to do it for nearly two weeks now and the hunger pains are fading away slowly- but surely. It takes dedication and determination...and perhaps a self picture from the neck down in your nickers just to remind yourself exactly what you're striving for. You've lost 3.2 pounds already, and since you've lost that, you can lose more. I have faith in you! Keep going and don't be discouraged by how much you haven't lost. Just because you're on a diet doesn't mean you have to get rid of everything you love. Just balance! You can do it! 

your probably not getting enough calories. I up'd my intake to 1500-1800, and I'm finally losing + I'm not hungry all the time. I used to eat at around 700-1200, but the weight was coming off soooo slow! Up your intake! (: At least by 100 cals a day to see which fits you best.  

Try only doing 1200 on the days you don't workout.  

Try only doing 1200 on the days you don't workout.  

Aamaddux - Thank you! // Marissa - Thanks for your comment. When I tried upping my intake I didn't lose, I GAINED. How long before you see loss start to kick in? But if I do 1200 I get stuck at one weight or the loss is almost negligible. I obviously haven't found my strategy yet. // Happiness- That's a great suggestion, except that I work out every day. :)  

You're welcome. Losing weight has to deal with the body chemistry- like how active your metabolism is. I'd suggest if you want to do the 1200 calorie intake- switch it up with your exercise. Your body gets used to doing one thing, and then it just doesn't work anymore. So one day you can do a 2-3 mile walk. The next ride a bicycle. The next do a full body work out with sit ups, squats, push ups (or wall push ups), maybe even try yoga. It keeps your body from getting used to it an adapting. Also if you feel like eating everything in the house go for a light jog- usually working out (for me) helps to suppress the appetite. Don't forget to drink your liquids though. On the first week of my 1200 calorie diet I lost 4 pounds, but that's because my metabolism works differently than yours does, and I'm eating much less.  

It sounds as though your body is attempting to compensate for the missing calories. 

Also, muscle confusion is a bit of a myth, Aamaddux. Your muscles don't get used to one thing, per say. They just get stronger and require more strain to accomplish the same amount. 

Uh oh. Now I'm really confused. There are so many theories out there, and so many different metabolisms and exercise/food strategies that my head's exploding. Oh well, my head was too fat anyway. It could do with some weight loss.