Hi. I was here at 3FC last summer as I attempted the Medifast program. Unfortunately I got sick on it and had to quit (Dr pulled me off after bad test results) then my mother entered hospice and I spent 2 months away from home helping to care for her, and then spent a winter not doing much for myself after she died. Result is, I bounced back up from a low of 162 to 178

I am back down to 170 right now after starting a combination of CC and Slim Fast (my go to drink or snack bar for convenience and to make sure I am getting some extra nutrition)

But this is HARD! Figuring out what my calories per day should be is very confusing. I have been anywhere from 1000-1200 per day but have been advised that this is too low (?). I am 5'3" and I do either 30 minutes low intensity workout on the treadmill followed by 10min of sprints alternating with walking OR I walk 3 miles outside every day. I should say that I lost the 8lbs in one week which I know is too fast but I anticipate that a great deal of it was shedding the "water weight" that I have read about and that my rate of decrease will slow down.

Here is today's food log so someone, anyone, can pick it apart.

B- 1 slimfast high pro choco shake made with 1 scoop powder, 8oz skim milk and 1/2 cup frozen blueberries (240 calories)
S-1 wedge laughing cow lite with 8 Kashi TLC original crackers (95 calories)
L-4 oz turkey breast and 2 cups romaine with 1tsp olive oil (180 calories)
S- 4oz non fat greek yogurt, plain, with 1/4 cup fresh blueberries, 1/4 cup fresh strawberries and 1/2 tsp lemon curd (115 calories)
D- 3.5 oz chicken breast, 5 oz potato made into a "twice baked" with 1/2 cup non fat cottage cheese, 1 cup chopped broccoli, 1 wedge laughing cow ( 430 calories *note I had to divide this in 2 and eat half as an evening snack because it was too much food)

1060 calories and I am stuffed I am using the calorie count from About.com because I also get a "grade" on the meals to help me stay on track nutrition wise and the numbers correspond to the numbers on my products but could they be off? Because yikes this seems like a load of food!

So what am I doing wrong?

Also, would it completely nauseate people if I logged my days here and asked for feedback? I want to lose, of course, but I want to be healthy and safe about it too and I think having people "in the know" work with me on this would help.

Thanks! (my name is Lisa, btw)

I think if you're full it is fine staying a little lower some days, there is no way 1200 cal a day can be the magic number for us all, I try to stick to that number and I'm 5'7. You're menu for the day seems very realistic.

Is the accountability thread in a different forum? 'cause I couldn't find it here

I did find the one for daily calories and I think I will join in on that.