[Nicholsfamily1987]

I just want some opinions. Is everyone on here in maintenance or losing weight? If you have already lost your weight do you continue with calorie counting or switch it to something else? I have been actively calorie counting since April. It's one of the easiest ways to be able to lose weight and still sometimes be able to put in a snack or something else in without going over what you're suppose to eat. Does anyone else have problems at time staying within your calories? I feel like the closer I get to my GW the more I want to self sabotage. Ideas would greatly be appreciated!

[JerseyPAGirl]

Hi there!

I'm losing. I just started my program today. It's been two years of continual struggle for me. I just wasn't mentally ready - probably because I went through a rough divorce and I was trying to do too much at once! But yesterday I had an epiphany; I finally felt mentally strong enough to do this

I'm counting calories, which is the best way for me. Here's what my program looks like (and yes, I made this especially for me

Breakfast:

1.5 cups Cheerios
1 cup fat free milk
1 Tbsp. dried cranberries (not much sugar in the type I buy)
1 Tbsp. walnuts

Mid Morning Snack:

1/2 cup cottage cheese

Lunch:

Smoothie:
1 cup fat free milk
5 medium frozen strawberries
1/2 of a medium banana, frozen
1 scoop Jay Robb protein powder
1 Tbsp. coconut oil

Mid Afternoon snack:

Lowfat greek yogurt

Snack before workout: 1 cup bone broth

Dinner:

4 cups lettuce
1/2 medium tomato, chunked
1 hard boiled egg, roughly chopped
3 oz. smoked turkey breast (or 5 oz. cooked shrimp)
2 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
1 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar
1 Tbsp. good grated cheese (not the crap in that green can...eww)

I use a huge metal mixing bowl and I put the vinegar, oil and cheese in and whisk until blended. Then I add all the other ingredients and toss it with my hands. That way you get the flavor on all the lettuce and stuff!

Calories for the day: 1454

I have 150 pounds to lose.

As for feeling like you want to sabotage, stop thinking like that. It's okay to treat yourself; just work out and you'll never gain weight. I was almost at my goal weight 3 years ago (before my husband left me) and I could have those occasional treats; I just made sure to push myself a bit harder during workouts. For me, I worked out 7 days a week. I lifted heavy weights 3 of those days. I intend to do the same now; I just have to start out SLOW. That's the key.

Congrats to you for getting so close to goal!! KEEP GOING!! You'll do it

[Teddie]

I find calorie counting the easiest way to lose weight. 1400 calories a day helps me to lose 1-2 pounds a week. It is also the number of calories I will need to stay at when I reach maintenance. So, I determined to make peace with that number and stay within my caloric parameters for life. I have a free day at the beginning of each month. I eat anything I want really. Filling up on fruits and veggies during the day makes a big difference in feeling satiated at the end of the day. I love light soups, 100 calorie yogurts and fresh fruit to bring to work for break time. I stay within 500 calories at work, so I can have a nice supper at home. Im not a morning eater, so 200 calories at breakfast works for me. Keep us posted on your progress!

[PrairieQueen]

I'm here to lose. I'm the same as ^^^^. I keep my morning/lunch under 600 if possible, so I can have a nice dinner. Some days it's more, some days less. I've lost on average 1 lb a week doing this. I am able to have more "specials" in the summer when I do an above average amount of physical activity almost daily. I started mid-June and lost about 10 lbs the first 4-5 weeks then slowed down. Some weeks it's more than a pound, some weeks it's less. It all averages out though.

Good luck!

[Kilketay]

I'm losing right now, but intend to continue counting in maintenance. I've lost in the past using calorie counting ... and gained weight when I stopped. I agree it gets harder to stick to calorie goals as I get close to goal. Try including more protein and raw/cooked veggies in your diet to increase satiation. I also find it helps to have calorie goals for certain times of the day. For me: No more than 400 calories before noon, no more than 800 before 3pm, no more than 1000 before 5pm, then my daily goal of 1600 calories by end of day. Hope that helps!

[Annie98]

calorie counting was very hard for me, i was never sure how much i was eating so i was very paranoid, for me being on a proper diet plan without even thinking about calories was much easier and i saw great progress on me

[Vickie Chickie]

I calorie count/do my own thing and I'm still hoping to lose weight. I suspect I'll probably do a version of calorie counting for a very long time. It's a comfortable process for me, doesn't make me obsess and doesn't make me rebel. I eat pretty much whatever I want to eat but the calorie counting makes me think a bit more about the quantity of various things and helps me step back and look at alternatives that might be satisfying and healthier.

That said, I've been at a pretty stable weight the past 6 or 8 months. I don't really have a "goal" but know that I'd like to loose a bit more. I don't really feel like I'm sabotaging though. More like taking an extended break. I've changed my habits enough though that even though I'm not losing, I'm not gaining either.

Rigid "diet plans" work for some but not for me. I either get obsessed with the rules or rebel against the must-do's/can't haves. Having the flexibility to make my own plan and eat real food that I like when I want it is important for me.

[Munchy]

I have food logs going back 20 years (with about a one year break for pregnancy) and almost all of them are calorie based, but I also prefer to stay away from grains/sugar/fruit with the occasional off-meal. The moment it became super easy was when I started meal planning and batch/freezer cooking 8 years ago.

Some days I go over, but I mainly stay in the same 5-10lb range without trying, and I want to plan meals and log for life.

[CurryMama]

I am using calorie counting to lose weight. Just started back yesterday! lol I did it in 2012 and lost 30 pounds in 3 months with some exercise so it works for me. I remember having trouble before around bed time. It's hard to quite the night snacking. I just try to get busy doing something else...get my mind off my stomach and drink more water.

[Teddie]

Originally Posted by Munchy

I have food logs going back 20 years (with about a one year break for pregnancy) and almost all of them are calorie based, but I also prefer to stay away from grains/sugar/fruit with the occasional off-meal. The moment it became super easy was when I started meal planning and batch/freezer cooking 8 years ago.

Some days I go over, but I mainly stay in the same 5-10lb range without trying, and I want to plan meals and log for life.

Munchy - you're an iinspiration! You sound very disciplilned with your control of the food you eat.

[Munchy]

Originally Posted by Teddie

Munchy - you're an iinspiration! You sound very disciplilned with your control of the food you eat.

Thank you! I, honestly, started batch cooking when I had a baby. I was making baby food, so I figured that I could make myself meals. I just kept going. If I didn't, we would be eating out all the time. I just can't do that to my family.