I am new to the forum and thought some of you more 'seasoned' dieters could let me know if I am on the right path. Keep feeling like I am doing something 'wrong.'

Currently, I'm using sparkpeople and lose it! (iphone app) to track my calories. Hate sparkpeople's interface, but they have so many other foods listed, it's good to supplement. Both tell me to essentially eat 1600/cals a day. I'm trying to do this slowly and sustainably, so in the end, i'm actually eating about 1700-1800 a day which causes both programs to yell at me. That's a psychological trip.

I haven't weighed myself yet, but i can feel myself getting leaner and stronger...so this counts for something, no?

As far as exercise... I take hatha yoga 3 times a week for 90 minute classes. I know yoga isn't a calorie burning thing, but I AM getting so much stronger and feeling more connected to my body, which i think is helpful for weight loss. I'm going to add cardio in three times a week starting this week (went to the gym today! woo!)

Sorry this is so long, but I really appreciate any feedback on anyone has. And i promise to get a scale and weigh myself this week!

It sounds to me like you are doing just fine. Keep up the great work!

Once you weigh yourself, you'll be able to decide whether you're at the right calorie level. Does the software just let you know that you're eating above their recommended calorie level or is it obnoxious about it. I might switch to one of the other tracking softwares if it's really annoying.

Thanks, all! i will buy a scale soon and see what's going on

You know on lose it you can add cals. I can't remember, I think it's under goals or something. That way you can add 100-200 to bring your allowance up if seeing a surplus bothers you.

ncuneo, ahh, you are correct! i will adjust. it's really a trip to see that surplus in red letters!

hi everyone, i bought a scale and have lost 8 pounds. so 1600-1800 is apparently just fine!

Awesome! Congrats on your loss!!!

You could also try Daily Plate they have lots of foods there too. I started to use them instead of Spark to track calories. I haven't had to enter anything manually. Also I put it that i wanted to lose a pound a week and it gave me 2000 calories! You can also choose half pound or even maintain.

2000 is my max and i don't reach it most days but its nice to have the extra calories for days when I'm hungry. I've been losing .5 lb - 1 lb a week since I started counting calories. (first 25 came off just eating less but not keeping track)