Welcome Robsia! The harp! very cool! Robin Gibb plays a harp, you know. You seem to have a good head on your shoulders about that initial weight loss. With that kind of deficit you could be losing about 1/3 of a pound each day. Does that sound accurate?
It doesn't really matter to the fact that we're glad you've joined us.

Justjunebug, but I promised Retro we'd come up with an economy diet for her. We'll have to think hard.

1dayatatime, every time I see your log in name I start humming that hymn :) I did not have a deficit at all yesterday. In fact, I gave up trying to find Chinese food in fitday. It's bad enough without even entering it all. Gladly the weekend is over and we can get back to comforting, manageable routine.

Hi everyone,

I've started the new year determined to get healthy. I joined Curves and I've decided to count calories.

But I can't figure out what calorie intake target (how many cals to consume per day) to set for myself. I'm 5'3", weigh 173. My work is definitely sedentary.

I tried going on Fitday, because so many people in these forums have recommended it. Maybe I'm a bit slow, but I just can't seem to figure it out.

My second question is, once I set my calorie intake target, is it bad to be below that target?

Thanks!

Hi Fruitster and welcome! Counting calories is effective and can be fun, but figuring out some of the initial stuff can drive you nutty! Work away at fitday and ask questions, we'll try to help. It is a great tool.

Now, as for a starting point. In my eyes, you've got 4 choices.
1. Figure out how much you have been eating and cut from there.
2. Surf the internet for days and compare 12 different sites.
3. Do the old 12 times your goal weight.
4. Guess which is what I did :)

I kinda think 1200 cals is OK but maybe give yourself a range. Not less that 1100 and not more than 1300? That way you can give yourself a bit of grace and forgiveness ... and avoid malnutrition:)

According to Nutridiary, which I use, your BMR is 1557 and they've added 311 for General Activity, which totals 1868.

If you wanted to lose 1.5 pounds a week, your caloric intake should be no more than 1118. You can increase this by exercising.

If you wanted to lose 1 pound a week, your intake should be no more than 1368, which is much healthier.

HTH

There are a bunch of low budget ideas here and here

Thanks SusanB and Robsia!

Holy moly, there are SOOO many websites on diet calculators! But I found a calculator that I can understand at: walking.about.com/cs/calories/l/blcalcalc.htm. And it shows, like Robsia says, I need about 1870 calories to maintain my weight, and to lose weight I should cut that by 500 calories.

So I guess I'll aim for 1200-1300.

Thanks!
--fruitster

thanks!

Hello all!


I am aiming for my target calorie intake of 1500-1600 calories per day. I do a lot of walking during the day to help reach a calorie deficit. Eventually I will get back into more formal exercise. I will also bring my gigantic bottle of water to get all that I need (I just can't make it to the water fountain that many times a day!).

Good Luck!


Hillary



http://www.3fatchicks.com/weight-tra...7/137/157/.png

Cals yesterday: 1209
Deficit: 1167

I have actually lost 7.5 lbs now but I can't put the 0.5 on my ticker :(

But I'm more than halfway through my V-day goal!!!

My deficit yesterday was 528. It could possibly be more as the kids and I went to the park yesterday and took a short hike. I only accounted for "walking" instead of worrying about the extra burnage (is that a word?) I got from negotiating terrain and hauling a 4 year old over creeks. :)

Burnage looks like a perfectly good word. We know what you mean.

I played enough with my fitday activities that I think I've got them fixed. I can leave them where they are and only add actual intentional exercise, over and above what I do all day. I think it'll be worth the fussing.

Hello all :)

Got room for another one?

I posted my intro in the introduction thread, I've been counting calories as a lifestyle change (not a diet, the minute I say that word I reach for the cookies :dizzy: ) for the past year and have had some success.

I use fitday as my calorie counter. Yesterday was the first day of my climbing back on the wagon after the christmas excess and according to fitday I had a 599 cal deficit!

I look forward to posting here on a regular basis and getting to know you all better!

Welcome LynneA. A 599 cal deficit is great!

I know I'm the one who said we should keep it simple but it should come as no surprise to you all that I'll hopelessly detail-y. I love the minute planning details!
Since I fiddled with my activities for a few days ... now I'm going to attack my food. Today I'm going to shoot for a nearly perfect day. Well perfect by my estimation of what I think is ideal for me.
Between 12 and 1300 calories, 40% protein, 40% carbs and 20% fats.
Do you want updates through the day or just a summary in the morning?

Hi Everyone! I am new to this but really excited to do it. I started a Fitday journal http://www.fitday.com/WebFit/PublicJ...er=grapecoffee and would like input on whether I am doing it correctly. :) Thanks.