[Mom3LoveBugs]

I am thinking of starting to count calories... I have been doing low carb / high protein but I think the low calories are just not enough for my body which is why I am not losing.

I am 5'4 and weigh 152 lbs and would like to be around 140 lbs.

I have used Spark People in the past when I was heavier with success.

Any advice or recommendations??

Thank you!

[mrslynah]

Two suggestions;

1. I use an IPhone App called MyFitnessPal. There are plenty out there, and not sure what type of phone you have, but you can use the online version as well. It has a data base of foods as well as exercises. You set you calorie goal and you can see throughout the day how many calories you have left. If you exercise, your net calorie budget changes. It's simple and helpful to me.
2. When I hit a plateau at 152 lbs., I found Intermittent Fasting. I immediately started losing again. I fast for 16 hours a day between 9pm and 1pm and eat for 8 hours a day. There are several threads on this site. For me it has really helped me beat the plateau, as well as understand and control my hunger. I can eat my calories in larger chunks, and I never go to bed hungry. I also try to work out at the end of my fast, so I dip into fat stores.

Those are the two things that have worked best for me. Good luck!

[CassiR]

Mom3, I recently switched from IP to calorie counting and whole foods to lose extra vacation weight. I'm enjoying it more. Results can be just as fast as IP i've found. No restrictions works best for me. No more binging. Anyways, if you find you want to switch to calorie counting then the scale will go up a bit because more food going through your system but it will go back into losing mode after that. That's what I experienced anyways. I've also been working out and that's giving me tons of energy. I hope you find what works for you! You've done so well already!

[gapeach]

I switched from atkins to calories counting a few weeks ago, Cass is right, it took a few weeks for my body to adjust but it was worth it. I went up 3lbs the first week, but I am back to losing and it has really been coming off this week...my 2nd week counting calories. I also love the flexibility with calorie counting....and quite frankly I feel that fruits and veggies are too important to be restricted by carbs. I am still trying to limit my complex carbs though. Good luck, and don't panick (like I did) if at first it doesn't seem to work, it will!

[Mom3LoveBugs]

Thank you everyone for responding!

CassiR - I'm curious as to what your macro-nutrients break down is? Especially your carbs.... how many grams a day do you try to stay under? I'm nervous to add in a lot of carbs!

I have calorie counted in the past with great success BUT I was also near 85 lbs heavier which made the weight come off easily.

gapeach - I agree, fruits and veggies are part of a healthy life style... I can't wait to start adding them back in!

[CassiR]

I think you'd do well. I'm still getting used to this and trying to find lowER carb options for things. I enjoy my sandwich for lunch everyday though
Been around 170-190g of carbs each day lately, which is kind of high. Although I get nearly 40g of fiber per day as well. Any grain/carb I chose to have always has a lot of fiber. Fiber bread, flax crackers, quinoa, brown rice, kashi go lean oatmeal, etc.

I'm really enjoying snacks though. Fruit seems to be my go-to snack. Grapes, melons, banana, etc. And carrots & hummus. I love the Sea Snax seaweed snacks too.

From what i've read on here, the key is to keep your calories at a good number. Some people go too low and stall. Keep it at a reasonable number and up the exercise. All calories should be coming from nutrient dense items, too. Companies try to sell 100 calorie packs of things that have no good nutritional values and they won't fill you up. Be careful with those. But i'm sure you know since you've had success with this whole thing

Let us know what you decide!