Brandi, see if you can find a bunch of posts by Mel. She finds that exercise calculators just don't work for her. Over time she's just come to learn how much she can eat and what she has to do for exercise (I don't think it's 2-3 hrs a day, lordy I hope not!)
You'll get it figured out.

I use a heart rate monitor to know how many calories I burn. Maybe I should wear my heart rate monitor for a few days and write down just how many it says I burn in a 24 hour period. Doing this over the course of a few days should give me a good idea, right?

I hate that it's such a guessing game. It's like I had no problems. I was losing 2 lbs a week. Then all of the sudden I just stopped. I didn't change anything, but after a month I've just kinda gotten a little lazy in the exercise department.

I wish I could just be happy with being healthy and not care anymore about my weight. If anyone has that kind of power please share with me.

Originally Posted by ChefBran:
I use a heart rate monitor to know how many calories I burn. Maybe I should wear my heart rate monitor for a few days and write down just how many it says I burn in a 24 hour period. Doing this over the course of a few days should give me a good idea, right?

I hate that it's such a guessing game. It's like I had no problems. I was losing 2 lbs a week. Then all of the sudden I just stopped. I didn't change anything, but after a month I've just kinda gotten a little lazy in the exercise department.

I wish I could just be happy with being healthy and not care anymore about my weight. If anyone has that kind of power please share with me.

Ive been reading your posts all day and I want you to know that there are a lot of people sharing your frustrations:( Especially the part about just accepting yourself at the end there...Im sad to say that I am just 2 pounds over goal and STILL dont have that power:( Its such a difficult mindgame:(

And the part about just stopping losing all of the sudden...I am there with you. I have lost 70 pounds over 2.5 YEARS and the last 30 have been the hardest. I reached goal and then for the last two months, began to GAIN keeping the exact same regimen. Now, I cant seem to lose them no matter what. Everyone will agree shaking things up may be the key. Just dont stop trying, we are all in the same boat:)

A couple days ago I wore my heart rate monitor for 8 hours. In that time I wrote down how many calories I burned on the hour each hour. I tend to burn around 125-150 calories an hour. That ends up being 2200 calories in the 16 hours I am awake. So I think maybe I'm not getting enough food.

Anyway since last Wednesday I have been doing the Wendie Plan on the WW forum. I converted it from points to calories and figured out what I should be eating each day. So far, so good. It was scary eating 1950 calories one day, but I made it. As of this morning I'm down 1.5 lbs. Hopefully it sticks until Tuesday when I officially weigh in. Or maybe even go down more. :D

I just wanted you all to know that I'm really thankful for all the help I received. It is comforting to know I have people out there that understand and care enough to try to help. You all are amazing. :hug:

Thanks so much! I hope I get to say my plateau is broken on Tuesday.

Brandi ~~ CONGRATULATIONS on breaking your plateau! I know you had been so frustrated and not sure what to do, and I'm glad that trying something new out is helping!:hug: