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Hey guys!
So I´ve been a lurker here for some time and have already lost 15 pounds. I decided it was time to introduce myself. I am a calorie counter, because for me it´s the easiest and most effective way to lose weight. Currently I´m eating around 1500 calories a day. I work out about 4 times a week. I can´t go much lower than that or I will get moody and very hungry:dizzy: But it seems to me that many are eating around 1300 calories a day.
I really want to lose the weight once and for all. I´m still young and I don´t want to miss out because of my weight. It seems to me that I´m always very heavy even though I wear a small size. When I weighed 145 pounds I wore a size 4 and my abs and ribs were visible. So I guess I will never be very light:(
So tell me about your plans. How many calories a day are you eating? And do you have any rules about what not to eat ( f.e no white sugar)?
I have been allowing myself anything as long as I stay within my calorie budget, but thankfully that´s mostly healthy whole food.

Hi icelandgirl90, Welcome nice to have you posting!! Congrats on the weight you've already lost! That's fantastic!

For me, I try to eat between 1200-1400 Calories a day, and work out at the gym 3 times a week, and do short, light work outs at home the other days. I am the same as you, in that I allow myself to have pretty much anything if it falls within my calories, but have found that aside from my coffee in the morning, if I stay away from sweets, it's a lot easier to keep away from sweets.

Welcome!

It sounds like you probably have a naturally muscular build...as we all know, muscle weighs more than fat so your being a fit 145 is MUCH better than being a flabby 130!

I shoot for about 1500 cals/day, but it varies. Lately it's been hard to stay right on point...being from Iceland, I'm sure you can relate to the effects the winter weather and darkness has on dieting!

I don't "ban" any foods, but I stick to lean meats, whole grains, etc. as much as possible.

Sounds like you're off to a great start. Good luck!

Good Morning!

I've been trying to stay between 1300-1500/day; most days I'm right at 1400. I'm trying to incorporate more exercise, but it's been slow going.

My weight loss has been pretty slow, but I also get VERY moody when hungry, which DH HATES HATES HATES. So I'm taking the slow and steady road ;)

Welcome!! Congrats on your weight loss so far!! I eat between 1650-1850 calories a day and I vary it daily depending my hunger level. I lose about 1 to 1 1/2 pounds a week and I exercise about 4-5 days a week. I am comfortable losing at this pace and at this calorie level, and I reallllly hope I don't ever plateau and have to drop my calories because I like this level!

I try to eat as healthy as possible (no white breads, white rice, etc.), but I do not deprive myself of food. If I want a piece of cake, I'll work it into my calories for the day.

Wait a minute....you wore a size 4 at 145lbs and were upset about it? Reality check. You are 5'5". You are not going to weigh the same as someone who is 5'0". Stop using the scale to consider a healthy weight. Take measurments and use how you look and feel as an indication of how healthy you are. We are not all built the same and our bodies have different compositions. Take a look at the thread "how much do you weigh and what size you do you wear" under the weight loss support forum. You would be surprised. Sorry if this seems harsh, but we can not get our self worth from numbers on a scale.

I would say if it is working for you, keep doing what you are doing. 15lbs is great. I wouldn't change a thing unless you hit a plateau.

Good luck!

Thanks guys! It´s nice to hear what other people are doing.@LTs girl,
What I ment was that I had to have an eating disorder and work out 2 hours a day to get down to 145 pounds, so I know I will never be that light if I want to stay healthy. I was also much younger then but still I was one kilo over having a healthy BMI even if I looked way too skinny. I just know that I can never be healthy and maintain with ease 145 pounds, which still doesn´t sound that light! So in BMI I will always be ,,overweight". Even at the weight I am now (183 pounds) I´m a size 8-10 and have a flat stomach. But still when I step on the scale I think that I must be fat, and that the mirror and sizing are lying. I don´t know how to explain, it´s just weird! I have been working out since the age of 12 and was in gymnastics and ballet before that, so I must be quite muscular. I have actually stopped weighing myself now and go by how my clothes fit and how I look in the mirror and feel.
It´s amazing what losing 15 pounds can to do the self esteem!
@ northenexposure, thankfully it´s getting lighter out now by each day, but in december and january I almost never saw light outside! It kind of makes you want to be cozy inside with hot chocolate and a book instead of going outside!

Welcome, icelandgirl, and congrats on your weight loss so far!!

Your description of yourself sounds a lot like my best friend. She's 5'5" and wears a size 6, and you'd NEVER guess her weight from looking at her. Especially when you look at her from the side and see how narrow she is - flat stomach, no butt, etc. She used to dance as well, and now is a pilates instructor, and she just has a very well-proportioned and toned body. I've envied her legs the entire time I've known her (they're PERFECT). If you went by the scale alone she'd definitely be considered overweight for her height, but looking at her you wouldn't think she was carrying any extra pounds at all. Like you, she also had an eating disorder when she was younger. Especially considering that experience, I think it's amazing that she's able to recognize that she's very healthy and in great shape despite the numbers on the scale.

All that is to say - if I were you, I wouldn't worry too much about what the scale says and what the averages for your height tell you it should say. :)

Hey there! I'm pretty similar to others on this board- between 1200-1400 calories a day, do moderate yoga 3-4 times/week, run/other cardio 1 time/week. I don't ban any foods, but I eat almost exclusively fresh veggies and fruits, whole grains, and almost nothing processed. That said, nothing wrong with a slice of pizza or some Twizzlers every now and then as long as I've alloted for the calories :)

I have some of the same experiences you do with muscles. I am on the very upper end of a 'normal' weight, but I usually wear a 4-6. I want to lose about 10 lbs but I know I'll never be able to go below that. I also did gymnastics as a kid and have muscular thighs (from years of soccer) and arms (rock climbing) and I don't really want to diet those away. Good for you for focusing on how you feel and your health instead of just on a number.