[BelovedImzadi]

Today was the first day since I started counting calories that I really went over. I've gone over by like 10 - 20 calories before, but that always balances out with the days I go a little under. But today I went well over. My plan is 2000 calories and I had 2137 calories. So I went 137 calories over.

I'm not exactly beating myself up over it, but I do feel a little guilty. I think my calories might be a little low right now, anyway. Since I am aiming for a 1000 calorie deficit it's not like I am going to stop losing or anything.

The only thing I can't figure out is if I should adjust my calories tomorrow to compensate. Should I aim to be 137 calories under?

eta. This was related to one of my main problems. I get up pretty early and stay up pretty late. This morning I was up at 7 am and it is almost midnight and I am still awake. Sometimes when I have days this long I get hungry after dinner, which is what happened tonight.

[JayEll]

Hey! 137 calories isn't terrible. The idea isn't to hit exactly the same number every single day, but to hit an average calorie target over time. Going "well over" your calories would be 500 or more...

One strategy for calorie counting is a technique called "zooming," and it involves eating more or less than your target, but in a planned and controlled way. The average for the week should still come out at your target level. For example,

1500
1500
1500
1500
1500
1500
1500
gives an average of, obviously, 1500 for the week. But so does

1500
1750
1600
1350
1400
1500
1350

close, anyway. It works better for some people, not so well for others, so you'd need to try it and see.

When you're doing your meal planning, it's possible to include a snack in the evening so that you're not starving before bed but you stay within your calories for the day.

Remember, it's the average over time that you're aiming for. Calorie counting is never completely precise.

Jay

[Thighs Be Gone]

Beloved, you hit on one of key problems. When I stay up late, I tend to eat more too. Whenever humanly possible, I turn in early. Before I started all of this, I would put my kids into bed and tuck my hubby in and all that. Then, I would proceed to go to the fridge and make my snack--usually 1000-1500 calories a night!

137 isn't a huge deal. Most days I go up and down. I hover right around 1500 as my average. I actually think the inconsistency (some days being much higher and some days much lower) is beneficial to me. I have also noticed it is truly in sync with my body. Some days I am hungrier than others.

[BelovedImzadi]

Thanks guys. I like the idea of varying my calories. I know some days I feel like I am forcing in my last 500 calores and other days I wish I had 500 more. I may try this and see how it works.

Do you guys ever have a no counting day? I think it would be nice once or twice a month to just stop thinking about calories for one day.

[JayEll]

I always count. Even if I decide I'm going to have a larger meal than usual, I still count everything. Because my body keeps a "count" whether I do or not!

Jay

[Shannon in ATL]

I still count everything, but I do have a day where I give myself a higher calorie limit. I find that I often use those extra calories on a larger meal that day, or some kind of sinful snack I've wanted all week. I do still count it, though.

Early in the weight loss process I found that my higher calorie day was bringing my average up 100-150 calories per day, so I scaled it back a little, but still kept it in the plan. I made it part of my 'calorie cycling' schedule.

[RN BSN 2009]

Maybe it would be good if you gave yourself a calorie range instead of a calorie limit.

Also, toggling the amount of calories you eat in a day helps keep your metabolism guessing.

I've found that many people don't plateau as often if they keep changing their calorie amounts.

[kittycat40]

I count everything, even on those splurge days too. I made a cake with my little ones today and factored in what my cals from that were. oy. dam, they add up fast. but I can still have a small dinner and be ok. over, but ok.