Hi. I just started and after looking at my day from yesterday, I didn't make my calorie goal suggested at the daily plate. It gave me 1956 to lose 2 lbs per week (which I think is very high) so I checked out a few other methods and got 1873 so I was trying to get to 1800 or close to it. I would rather start higher and cut back if needed then lower and not lose an ounce. Anyway...I only got to 1545 (40g fat or 23% and 43g fiber). So....I felt like I chose good things ..I did fell a bit hungry during the day and could have had a bigger dinner (but honey cooked and didn't make enough veggies or chicken). Can I post my day and get some critiques? I'm trying to eat normal and not diet but healthy.

Kristen

IMO, 1800 sounds like a great starting point. I see so many people come in and jump right to 1200 and all I can think is, "what will they do when they hit a plateau? They have nowhere to go calorie-wise!" As for online calorie calculators that try to tell you how many calories you need to lose X amount per week--all just estimates. Every single body is different, and no calculator will ever give you the exactly correct amount for your body. Trial and error is really the only way to find out for sure what will work for you

Oh, and post your menu if you'd like. We're all here to help

B=High fiber bagel 150,egg 70,ham 20,cheese 25 = 265
S=kashi bar =170
L=salad w/dressing 171, Eng. Muff 100,ham 60,fruit 61 =392
S Fiber one cereal dry =60
D= chicken 130 rice 190,veggies 38,olive oil 40=458
S= skinny cow =140
popcorn=120
Grand total 1545 and looks like enough food, right? Like I said, I could have had more than 3 oz chicken but there wasn't any and I could have had more veggies with dinner to fill me but there wasn't any...I would normally have more fruit but shopping day is Wednesday so I have to make do with what's there for a couple more days. Any other suggestions??

Thanks,

Kristen

Hey Kristen- it looks like we're at the same weight. I lost 13 pounds in January and February and gained it all back I'm getting back on track now, yesterday was my first day and I gained a pound???

I would love to see what you eat daily. I did the calorie calculator on sparkspeople.com and it has me eating between 1200-1300 calories a day?

Hi Dawn. That sounds way too low for starting. I went from 223 to 146 in 7 mos. in 2005 (followed the fat flush plan) and gaind back up to 214 in 2007. I know how bad gaining back feels. I will say...step away from the scale. I usually weigh once a week but I think I'll try to do it every other....I think it takes that long to balance out. Good luck to you (and me).

Kristen

Morning! 1800 sounds about right. If you are incorporating a bit of exercise too that's good. The key is to never feel hungry, go slow and make it a lifestyle. What I did was go to fitday too and log a day to see where my calories and nutrition are coming from. I try to balance at 50 carbs/25 fat/25 protein. I do agree with the others if you go to low in calories there is nowhere to go when you plateau. I've been at 1600-1900 calories this entire time. The higher days are my TOM or exercise days when I'm hungrier. I'm figuring soon I'll have to decrease to lose the last 10 pounds but I'll be okay decreasing to 1400-1500 or increasing my exercise. These are all numbers I can live with for my life. I never want to eat so little again that I can't wait to be off my "diet". Considering this is the 3rd time I've gained and lost this weight I'm doing this way right and for the last time. Stay here and stay motivated!