Hey, everyone. I just saw the July challenge post, and would love to be a part of it. I was just wondering how you all decide on calories and water. How do I know what the right amount for me is?

I decided on calories based on what www.thedailyplate.com told me it would take for me to lose 2 lbs per week. The water was, to be honest, just something I kind of pulled out of the air. There was no research behind it. Sorry, I know that's no help!

I used thedailyplate.com also, but I actually chose quite a bit less because 1800 calories a day just seemed way too much for me, so I'm going to start at 1500, which seems doable at this point.

As for the water, I just went with the 8 glasses a day theory that I've heard for who knows how long

I'm not exactly sure. However, if I were the maker of the rules I would assume the exercise point is for keeping with YOUR particular plan. If that means it's a rest day, I would think you'd get that point. But I don't know if that's the way the "rules" of the challenge work.

Actually, on the monthly challenge, if you plan a rest day for that day, you don't count a point for exercise that day. So it would be normal for lots of us to have 3 point days instead of 4 point days.

I have always read that 8 glasses of water a day is important, I drink about 4-5 bottles of water a day, for food, I did alot of researching, and on the daily plate it said I needed to eat 1800+ calories when I begun this journey, but I lowered it to 1700( most days I eat between 1400 and 1500), also I remember my doctor about 10 yrs ago saying if I ate 1500 calories a day I would loose weight. Now exercising, also was a research thing, and 30 minutes a day helps you loose , but I do about 55 a day for 5 days, sometimes six, because it makes me feel really great, it is a problem sometimes exercising for almost an hour, but it is doable, and once you start you will see how much better you feel.
cheryl

Thanks, everyone, for your advice. I checked out thedailyplate and it's very helpful. I think keeping track of everything, though tedious, will help me. I have counted calories before, but, well...fell off the wagon, so to speak. Being here has definitely helped, and I think this challenge will keep me even more on track. I have heard mixed things about water consumption, but figure I will start at 6 glasses a day, and work my way up to 8...that way I don't have to pee every 5 minutes. And although the website suggested my daily caloric intake start at 2200, I bumped it down to 1800. I am trying to slowly get into the exercise thing, because when I started last week, I went all out, and my legs were so stiff I couldn't walk on them without nearly crying. But I will get there!!!! Thanks again, everyone...I just have to say, I love it here!!

Toni -

I LOVE the smileys in your signature! How cool are you?

lol I think that's considered "dorky", not "cool". But hey, I'm okay with that. I'll confess, right here, right now...I'm a dork!

"Hello. My name is Toni, and I am a dork."

Whew, I feel better getting that off my chest!