1300 calories but hungry and exhausted

[Neednewstuff]

Hi
I'm 20 weeks postpartum with twins, no longer breastfeeding as of 2 weeks.
I'm 5ft 2, 60kg and keen to now start losing some weight.
I've been trying to work towards 1300 calories, I feel like this should be fine, 300 for breakfast then 500 each for lunch and dinner. Eating balanced/healthy meals isn't a problem and I'm getting plenty of protein, doing 7k steps per day on average (pushing double pram!) And have a toddler so I'm constantly moving.
I've been trying to only eat between 10am and 6pm.

However I'm so hungry to the point I'm dreaming about food and eating toast in the evening and messing up my fast. My body feels physically tired like I can't get up and down the stairs sometimes.
I've had my bloods checked at my 8 week appointment and didn't have any issues. But I'd like to start a weight training programme soon so need to get on top of the diet and feel energised somehow!

Any tips? Is my calorie level enough? What can i do?

You’re obviously not eating enough if you’re hungry and exhausted. Congratulations on your twins! Someone will be along in a minute with some food advice.

Push it up to 1400 and aim to do 10k steps.

Stop fasting as you will need the constant energy.

My friend does an online diet fitness group. It’s only about £20 a month but there is a lot of people on it. She does meal plans and people post pics of what they are eating. You can check her out on Facebook. She also does live exercise vids on the morning. I’ll send you over the details if you want.

She always advices against fasting though

That isn't enough. Your body is still healing. Still rebuilding the huge amount of resources you passed on to your children.

It would be better to aim at 1800 calories, and keep up with the exercise. Starving yourself, you'll just make yourself ill.

How much water are you drinking?

Too few calories. I'd maybe aim for 1600-1700 for a while? With staying active as you are, you should still lose weight steadily.

1600 could look like

• 400 breakfast
• 400 lunch
• 200 snack
• 500 dinner
• 100 treat/ dessert

Thank you everyone, I wasn't expecting such a response.
I'll stop fasting then and push up to 1600/1800 calories and try to hit 10k steps, I was planning to increase the calories when I started working out anyway and that's much more the level I'm probably having after my evening Snacks but I can plan it now to make sure those are good calories.
I am trying to drink plenty of water as I thought this could be a reason for feeling weak.
Looking forward to eating now !!!

Your bmi is in the healthy weight category. You will probably have to drop to 1000-1200 calories at that weight & height.
I sympathise as I'm shorter than you and struggling to lose on 1200. Small bodies don't need many calories unfortunately.

It sounds like it's too soon to start calorie counting. Enjoy your maternity leave. Focus on eating healthy energy boosting meals. You don't want to spend your maternity leave hungry and miserable. You may find it comes off anyway and if it doesn't then perhaps look at things again a few months down the line when things are easier.

I am similar height and was similar weight (62 kg) at my heaviest non-pregnant weight. I agree that 1300 is not enough.
Regarding the steps 7000 is bare minimum but it’s great if it’s brisk walking when you are out of breath.