To increase or not to increase...calories
 

My plan was 1200 calories for the first two weeks and 1500 the second two weeks. Well, my mind isn't handling that idea well right now. I finished the first two weeks on 1200 and did real well. Noticing my clothes getting loose and whatnot. Now it's time for the increase I'm a little nervous because when I try add extra food for the extra 300 calories I can't because I feel like I may eat too much, mostly psychotic...because I count everything.

I decided to do it this way so my body doesn't get used to the calories and slow down.

What do I do now?

what about cycling? 1200 one day, 1600 the next, 1300 after that, etc...juggle it so that your metabolism will keep guessing. besides just total calorie consumption, are you eating frequent small meals? this will keep it revved and burning but it's hard ...i can't do 6 200-calorie meals a day without going bananas. i usually do like 300 for breakfast, 200 mid morning, 300 for lunch, etc.

Wow - 1200 would absolutely STARVE me. I started out at 2000 and weightloss was slow. Now, I do 1800 and loose pretty consistently every week.

Definitely, INCREASE - IMO.

:hug:
Andrea

I do six small meals but the calorie count varies. Breakfast -190 cal, morning snack - 70-90 cal, lunch 270 - cal, afternoon snack - 200 cal, dinner - 320 cal and evening snack - 100. Sometimes it may increase 50-100 depending on what I take for morning snack. I eat the same thing everyday because I do better when I stay away from variety, I tend to overeat which is why I'm stuck. I'm not starving actually I feel full after every meal and the snacks carry me through to my meal. I work at a computer all day and can do the meals easy. It took about three days to adjust to eating 1200 calories. I drink about a liter and a half of water so I'm satisfied all day. If I don't drink enough water I get hungry. I do 40 min swift walking and 20 min toning. On weekends I do 30 day shred...what I can of it anyway.

My husband has been constantly monitoring me to make sure I eat 1500 calories a day for the last couple of days. We talked about how I was feeling and he is committed to helping me push past my blocks but sometimes he doesn't understand. So I'm posting for help.

I just stay between 1200 & 1500 cals. Somedays its closer to the 1200 than the 1500 but sometimes I eat every single calorie of my 1500. It allows me the flexibility I need sometimes AND keeps my body guessing. I would do what Charlotte suggested and just cycle them. You'll still def lose at 1500 so if its a mental block of being scared to stop losing dont worry! Alot of people eat alot more than 1500 and still lose! It just takes time to play around with it and find out what works for you! Good luck!!!

I'm 5'4 also and started out at 272 lbs. My doctor told me to start at 1500 when I first began, but I wish I had known to start out higher. The problem with 1200 calories is that if you happen to stall or plateau (this may never happen) you will not be able to lower your calories any.

Congratulations on all the positive changes you're making; I think you will do well with whatever you decide to do!

this is what I do too, although I did find that when i was sticking too long at 1200 (sometimes not even hitting that, although not intentionally), I plateaued. When I tried to eat at the top of my range, I started losing again. So I'm going to make sure to not spend too long at 1200 and alternate more throughout the week.

Don't be afraid to try different things and see what works best for you. Good luck!

I say calorie cycle. I am actually going to start this tomorrow. Good site here
http://www.freedieting.com/tools/calorie_calculator.htm

Last time I dieted, I was at 1200 cal/day... At first it was fantastic! But then slowly tapered off and platued. At first, I was completely happy at 1200 per day, and could hardly eat enough to fill that out. But as the weeks passed by, I very slowly became more and more frustrated by the small number. Eventually, I decided that I couldn't live like that for the rest of my life, that it sucked, and I threw in the towel and gave up dieting all together. I was starving, and despite the pain and struggle, the scale wouldn't budge nor would the tape measure.

I was scared to up my calories. Even when I was failing, I was afraid. So afraid that I decided to give up before I had a chance to fail.

What I learned is to take it slow! If you want to up your calorie in tack, which I totally support you to do, do it slowly! Like 100 a week, until you're up to your goal. No need to scare the body :D

I'm starting at 1500 calories after reading online that if you start too low (say 1200) that you'll have no more calories to cut out if you plateau.
I also read that combining a lower calorie range than you were eating AND increasing your activity is VERY important and the best way to jumpstart weight loss.

If you know approximately how many calories you were eating prior to calorie counting then just cut out 500 cals per day and add some walking in.
This alone will make you lose weight. If your weight loss slows down, pick up the workouts and/or cut another 100 calories until it picks up again.

Everyone has a different number that works for them and its all trial and error.

Good Luck!

I have been very successful losing weight by eating the calories I would need to maintain my ideal weight (1800). Sometimes I don't always meet it, but I try to get close. Either way, I am trying to find a way I can eat for life because I don't want to gain this weight back!

Thanks so much!!
 

Well the jury is in, I'm going to keep my increased calorie plan in place. I will alternate weekly instead of every two weeks. I like the daily cycling but I have to work my way into that. I have done well the last couple of days. I actually got up to the 1500 which wasn't so bad.

I appreciate all the input. Especially about the plateau info and no room to decrease calories.:dance::dance:

Try cycling and see how it’s works for you. I am on 1,000 -1,100 cal/day Monday – Thursday and then 1,200 – 1,500/day for Friday – Sunday. Zig Zaging works very well for me. I am loosing 1 lb per week and I have my weekends when I can enjoy wine and some extra food.

I just want to add ... what a nice husband :)

Thanks SusanB. He's wonderful and very supportive.