Hey everyone.. Id like to try calorie counting. I was doing some ip alternatives over the last six weeks and then I got sick with diverticulitis and ended up in the hospital for six days where I was told I could not continue doing ip because of the lack of high fiber in the diet. So, here i am back to the drawing board.

I am very new to calorie counting. I am wondering what would my calorie intake be and where can I find such information?

Welcome, mrsmurphy! And best of luck on your progress!

There are lots of opinions out there, but here's mine, as a successful loser:

I think at your weight, you should aim for 1500-1700. But part of it depends on how active you are, and that is hard to measure, because all the little incidental walking around you do makes a huge difference. (I use a Fitbit to measure mine, and it's a big help as far as how many calories I can eat on a given day).

The commercial weight loss programs I've used (Weight Watchers and Nutrisystem) are both in that calorie range, I believe. And they work. But calorie counting is free, so that's what I'm doing as a part of my lifestyle from here on out, so that I don't gain it back.

You might read other opinions, and find other information, and gradually settle on what gets results for you. But 1500 would be a healthy and effective number for you, I predict.

Keep posting your progress here!:)

mrsmurphy, There are lots of calorie calculators available online where you put in your age, weight, height, and activity level and they tell you how many calories to eat to maintain your weight and to lose weight. I personally use the My Fitness Pal app on my phone to track everything, and I find it super simple to use!

Hello all! I have decided to join you all in this thread because I need some accountability. I have been eating terribly lately. I'm honestly a little shocked at how bad its gotten. I think this is a nice place because it forces me to think about what is going into my body.

Welcome to all of the newcomers to this thread. I hope you find the missing piece to your fitness goals alongside us :)

Thursday could have not been any more PERFECT! Completely OP & my thyroid is working up to par-I had it checked if I didn't mention that here.

Anywho....

Thursday's KILLER Day
Grapes: 76
Turkey Bacon (2), Raisin Bread (1), FF Cheese Omelet, Coffee:
Fage' Greek Yogurt, 1/2 Cauliflower Crusted Pizza: 400
Honeydew Melon, Granola: 105
PB Nana Oats, Trail Mix: 355
Total: 1237

Exercise: I KILLED it at the gym tonight for over 1 hr and 40 minutes, plus I walked my K9s earlier in the day for 30 minutes: 685 {HRM}
Water: 88 oz

If ALL of my 1200 cal days could be this wonderful, I'd be one skinny chic!!!

I had to step on the :goodscale a day early, just to see where I was this week. I work tomorrow night and Saturday, so I thought the weigh-in might be skewed a little bit. I felt as though I had lost weigh in my belly, despite TOM making an entrance yesterday.
:fr: I was down 2.6 lbs from last Friday's weigh in!!! :fr:

OK, I'm not getting just super excited yet. I need another day's reading at 143 before I believe it!!

I use to post here when I was having my best success, its been a few years. I lost 90lbs and gained back about 30.Im working on getting it back off. I have been back to counting calories halfway until yesterday. I discovered what I was calling a serving of things were actually about a serving and a half. I am now back to weighing and meausuring everything! I know for me to lose I do best at about 1400-1500 calories per day.

Mrsmurphy -- I found this calorie calculator and it liked it. Seems to give a lot of info and also it gives you a zig-zag option to further enhance your progress. <-- fancy way of saying lose fat faster! lol

http://www.freedieting.com/tools/cal...alculator.htm#

Welcome dgramie, glad to have you here!

Yesterday's calorie deficit was 359, a pretty good day. My weight is holding at about 132.

Please go away, winter! You make it difficult to get lots of activity in.:mad:

Thursday - 886 Calories

Friday - Breakfast ~ Hot Cereal and Honey = 144 calories
Lunch ~ Sweet Potato Soup & 2 Boca Chicken Patties = 696
Snack ~ 2 Fiber Plus Bars = 260 calories

I need to get my water in for today. My lips are starting to feel dry.

100 more calories to use.

b: coffee, kashi cereal, 2% milk, strawberries - 400
l: l.c. rice and beans w/roasted chicken I added - 350

Hmm, it's 1:30 and I'm still hungry. My lunch just didn't do it for me.

s: blueberry greek yogurt w/some fresh strawberries thrown in. Yum. - 175
d: 2 low carb chicken/veggie wraps - 300

Total: 1225 < - - - holy cow, that's a first!

Guarantee I'm gonna have a couple of jolly ranchers so my total w/be 1300 for the day. Woot!

glittergation- It really does make you stop and think about what you're putting in your body when you're logging everything! It is so easy to make bad choices when you're not thinking about it.

K9Owner- Looks like you had an awesome day! Way to go!

dgramie- Best of luck with everything! I've been wanting to buy a scale so I can measure my food for more accurate portion control. It is so easy to underestimate when it comes to serving sizes.

2/10/12

Breakfast: Whole wheat toast with 1 tbsp butter (overestimation)=260
Lunch: 1.5 cups vegetable soup with saltine crackers, 2% Colby Jack cheese=523
Snack: Yoplait light yogurt, Creme Savers=160
Supper: Sandwich with 2 slices provolone cheese, tomato, arugula, mustard on flatout bread, Jello sugar free pudding cup=348
Snack: Orange sherbet push up=90
Total: 1381

Yay!! I did great today. I resisted desserts at work (which is sooo hard to do...I love desserts) and I feel very proud of myself tonight. Plus I'm fully satisfied.

Ugh I've been bad and haven't posted - but i've been at around 1400-1500 the past few days.

Heres today
B - Oatmeal, blueberries + yogurt
1/2 cup OJ
L - Salad with avocado, goat cheese and falafel balls
Ryvita crackers
S - apple + ginger snaps
D - rice pasta with kale and pesto

Puts me at 1400

I had a very moderate day because I knew my husband was bringing home pizza.

Eggs for breakfast
shrimp and broccoli for lunch

Managed to only eat two pieces of pizza and really enjoyed eating them slowly. Have 100 calories left to consume.

Can barely believe it! Take out pizza is one of the main foods I have a hard time not overeating.

(Hope to start posting here so I'll feel more inclined to make healthier choices)

Yesterday I made itialian beef and it was soooo good. I followed the recipe and next time will make some changes. I will skip the soup mix and just use an onion. It was really good and we truly enjoyed it open faced. Scales jumped up 2lbs overnight. YIKES!!

Yeterdynwas not good, ended up at 1648, oh well:(
Today though I am trying smoothies throughout the day and saving up for dinner. It worked today! Dinner I made beef soup (246g) with tomatoes, carrots, onion and green pepper. It was scrumptious! I figured it out and it was pretty low on the calorie scale.
So today is ended up with 1164!! I am full and getting to bed soon:)
Hope this scale makes a move..... Really got to get exercising next week! I have bradycardia ( heartbeat under 50 normally ) so nothing to strenuous . We will see!