thanks sage
 

hello, thanks for the info. how have you been doing?? i started counting at breakfast and lost it again by dinner. but last night i got my monthly so. i can now get really strict on calorie counting, i wont have the urge to cheat. i hate using pms to cheat but i really do get so hungry for a couple of days, that nothing seems to satisfy me. well my fifth weigh in is tomorrow, i will let you know how it goes. well i have only just started to count calories, but i have been on and off different diets for one month, ww low carb and no diet approach, that is how i lost the first 5 lbs. now i have to really start paying attention to everything that goes in my mouth. sorry for rambling, but i just have to talk about this stuff. thanks Debi

me too
 

It's great to have this board to talk about this.
I started low fat eating April 1st. I write down everything I eat as well as how many calories;I make a point of staying below 1500 calories. I drink as much water as I can; I weigh myself each Monday (so far I lost only 7 pounds)My problem is that I am not into exercises so I just do my best to be as active as possible. I am really determined to make it work this time! there's lots of information to keep you going on the internet.
Be Positive! We can do it!

on ww, they taught us not to count calories for non starch veggies. they were unlimited.

Kid580, I know what you mean about not having to count non-starchy vegetables. However, if you look at the calorie count on some vegetables, e.g. carrots, beets, onions, etc. you will see that if you aren't careful you can take in a lot of calories on these. Just be aware of the nutritional value of what you are eating.

just eating less
 

hi sage, sounds like you have a plan, congrats on the 7 lbs, way to go. as of today i lost another pound, so i am right behind you with 6 lbs lost. i must confess i am not counting calories, i am looking at how many calories are in something, then decide whether or not i will eat it, but i am just trying to eat less and eat lowfat. more veggies and salads. keep up the good work. Debi

Not a great week
 

Well, today was my weigh in day and gain two pounds. pretty much a blow to my ego
after losing 4lb last week 17 in total. now 15 in total. It has been a stressful week.
My horses got out and I thought someone has stoled them. Ran around town looking for
them found out county had them. It costed me to get them out. My neighbors won't leave
the fence alone so I locked them up on the other side of the field. Looking for some land
closer to home to put them on. Mean while I think I will be selling out. So I am going through
high stress over this mess. I sent one of my horses with someone else cause she just needs
to be train to be rideable. Maybe it will straighten a few kinks out of her.

I come home and parts of the street has been under construction found out I couldn't cross the
construction over a water line break. Talking about a mud fest. I blew my mind and went to
Luby's for a bit. Figure it would be a place for me to spend an hour on top of that had not had a m
meal all day.

DANGER ZONE! Wish I was as smart as my mom and took the bake fish or such but NOOO
I didn't do that. I had a nice BIG FATTING MEAL!!!! a NICE SALTY FATTING MEAL. I figure blowing
one day wouldn't hurt but it must of have. or that and those potatos all week.

I had a bake potato all week and I am thinking. I must not weigh it right cause it says Med.
potato 124g. Well I put they potato on the scale and the silly thing weigh down 400g I cut
one in half one day and it weigh down that much but the rest of the time I didn't I ate a whole
baked potato. So I imagine I messed up there to. GRRRRRRRRRR

Oh I hate these two pounds I gain. GRRRR!!
back on the wagon today!!! :( :( :(

Howdy!
 

Hey gang,

I have been lurking for a while and post regularly on the "Alternative Group" thread, but since I am now a calorie counter (thanks, Doc), I thought I might come and crash with you guys too. A couple of questions for you seasoned counters: how do you break your calories up in terms of carbs/fat/protein AND, do you eat small meals throughout the day or a couple of big ones? I find that I tend to have a massive breakfast and use up more than half of my calories right away. This works for me, as I will usually have a later-morning breakfast (10:30-ish) and then dinner around 6:00, but in terms of my metabolism, I am trying to figure out what works. Any ideas? I look forward to getting to know all of you.

Thanks!

Linds
(NevadaChick)

everyones body is different on this sort of thing, but i lost 65 pounds in 1/2 year on ww without ever counting calories in non starchy veggies incl. onions. i gained most bk, but it wasnt from not counting those calories.

the same
 

I think I must have hit that plateau people talk about;no weight lost this week which means I only lost 1 pound in the past 2 weeks.Well I am not going to let it get me down and will keep counting and try to be more active.
I will do it this time!

Questions on Calorie Counting
 

I have read on I think Ivillage that you can do what they call a jumpstart to your calorie counting program which is basically low calories 1000-1300 for a week or too? Does anyone have any information or even an opinion on that.

My next question is about calorie ranges. If I want to healthfully lose 2lbs a week, how do I calculate what I'm eating to how much I work out and so on. I work out 5 to 6 days a week. Any suggestions?

yes, 1000 cals is too little. you will shut down your metabolism.1400-1500 should give ya a 2 p loss.

another book
 

I'm just browsing here...FEISTYFILLY, I love that handle! Just a suggestion for another book that I use all the time, (also availible from http://www.half.com) MAKING THE CASE FOR YOURSELF by Susan Estrich.

I began losing weight in 1995 and have now lost 65 pounds with a few more to go. I've gone from a size 20 to an 8/10.

Best wishes to all of you.

been doing alright.
 

hi all, sounds like people are really progressing around here. i dont come here so often now, cause i am posting in diettalk.com, on no diet approach board and my weekly weigh is in there too. i slowly changing eating habits and not really counting calories, just trying to eat less of my favorite foods. it is going really slow, but i will hang in there. good luck to all. Debi

Lost 4lb
 

Woo hoo! I was bum when I gain four pounds last weekend and lost 4LB this weekend. Wow
I'm not sure how that happen though but I am right on my calculations this week. I wish I
quit sea sawing like this for the last two weeks. kinda of worries me. I thought maybe I was
starving my body last week at around 1200 calories so I stepped up to 1400 and got some
weight loss a going.:)

Our body is a mystery.

Well in total I have lost 19Lb and I got 101 to go.

What a success

I am worried about this end of the month tho. My birthday is just around the corner and I
know there is going to be some fatting cake with high calories some where. :(

There is a Mississippi Mud Cake due to my honor of my birthday (More like horror)
Wondering how am I going to balance my weight out of that day! GRRRR!!!

Gotta do some calculateing to maintain on my b-day and get back on the wagon to lose after
sure don't wanna gain.

congrats!! my advice is dont worry bout it- ENJOY your birthday&other special occasions! even if you gain- so what? just promise yoursdelf youll get back to it after. thats what i do.

Count me in, too.
 

I am another calorie counter. I don't buy into any of the other diet programs, because they simply do not work for me. My whole family has started eating healthier. We started simple, by just eating less of the "normal" foods. Now we read labels and I keep a journal at www.fitday.com. It makes it very easy to keep up with the calories.

FeistyFilly: I looked for a lite recipe for your Mississippi Mud Cake, and it can be done, but, it's your birthday. Enjoy!!

F.Y.I. for those that don't know me. I started relearning to eat on April 23rd. I have lost 20 pounds so far. I have learned over the years that "low fat" most of the time translate into "high calories". Not always, but a lot on cookies and other treats. So I don't even bother to buy those items. If I want a treat, I eat the real thing. Though, it is not very often that I get a treat. I really like eating healthy. One thing it has done, is increase the different dishes we eat. It is easy to fall back on the same old meals week in and week out. Now we look for new things to eat. My husband likes the challenge of creating new dishes that are healthy. (He does most of the cooking since he is a stay at home dad.) I love our new life.

Well, enough of my blabbing. I am just so excited about being healthy once and for all.

231/211/170
5'10"

congrats on that loss! thats awesome! i just wanna say i agree with you on having "real" treats and that the previous poster should enjoy her bday!!

Controlled cheating/Free day
 

Just wanted to add my two cents (when DON'T I want to?!?).

If you're staying in control of your eating most of the time, an occasional treat won't hurt you...and new studies coming out are beginning to show that taking a 'day off' from low-cal eating can even help your weight loss.

As you probably know, if you keep your calories too low your body will go into starvation mode - and hang on to every fat cell and calorie as best it can. "Tricking" your metabolism by having a 'day off from dieting' regularly apparently can keep your body from thinking it's starving.

Right now, I'm on Week 4 of the Body for Life Challenge - the 'free day' is part of the program. Every Sunday, I give myself permission to eat whatever I want - That doesn't mean total out of control binging though. I call it "controlled cheating". I'll have something special - usually go out for a good meal (Mexican food has been a favorite - I'm not talking whole beans, brown rice, etc. - I'm talking combo platter and refried beans with a margarita on the side!) with my husband. It gives both of us something to look forward to - our Sunday "date".

Just a thought...take care!

great job fiestyfilly, sorry if i spelled it wrong. 4 lbs way to go.
mrs.jim, sounds like your controlled cheatingday works well for you. good idea

To Nettie
 

Hi Nettie! Congratulations on your great weight loss - 20 pounds in less than a month! Goodness! :) If I may ask, how many calories are you eating per day? Also, have you been exercising a lot? I'm roughly the same starting weight as you were (221 lbs.) and whatever you're doing, I'd like to do too!!!! Teach me! Teach me! :)

Thanks a bunch!
Jennifer

Good morning everyone!

I lost two big fat pounds last week. More at the pace I wanted. The more my family sees changes in me, the more interested they are in eating healthier. My husband usually does all the grocery shopping, but I went this week and we spent a lot of time reading and comparing labels. Amazing how much sodium companies have to put in food if they are putting it in a can or box. We learned a lot and ended up going to the farmer's market for a lot of our food.

Jennifer: I try to eat between 1400 and 1600 calories a day. I think the weight came off so fast in the beginning because I was eating so unhealthy before I started. I went from eating fried, fast food to fresh healthy food. I just started exercising last week and I lost two pounds. Not the pace I was at, but a pretty healthy pace to lose weight. I took my step-daughter to a movie Saturday night and pigged out on popcorn. I did forgo the soft drink and had water, though. One small step. And considering we go to the theater about once a year, I'm not worried about starting a bad habit. I'm still pretty new at this and learn more about how to eat and even more about myself everyday. I still have to fight cravings for certain things. But I want to take it slow now and hopefully I will be able to maintain a healthy weight throughout the rest of my life.

Hope everyone has a successful day!

231/209/170
5'10"

Hi everyone,

Does anyone else have this problem?? I do great with my eating all week, then the weekend comes and I always way over eat on Fri and Sun. I have gained 2pds doing this in the past 4 months. I think this is going to have to stop or I will be right back up the scale. Maybe I am just getting tired of watching everything that goes in my mouth?? This is a lifestyle change so I better quit feeling sorry for myself and get back on track. Used to be I was so careful not to eat little bits and pieces of stuff (like a handful of chips etc) now I find myself doing that daily. Well thanks for letting me vent. Any ideas would be appreciated.

Have a good week.

Daytona

i do!

Daytona
 

I think many of us here have that problem - it's pretty easy to stay on program during the week - especially if you are working a full-time job or otherwise so busy you don't have time to think about eating other than what you have planned.

Then the weekend hits - and control goes out the window (just like a mini-vacation I guess!).

That's what I was talking about in my previous post - one of the truly terrific things about Body for Life is the "Free Day". I'm not saying you should do BFL (although it's a great program!) but the concept of a 'free day' is worth thinking about.

Let me define what 'free day' means to me...it does NOT mean a 24-hour binge on everything in sight. A Free Day to me simply means that, if there is a special food you crave, that is the day you have it. Jim and I have turned "Free Day" into "Date Day". I weigh myself on Sunday morning - then I'm free to eat whatever I want during the day. Giving myself that permission is WONDERFUL and my special meal always tastes much better since I'm not feeling as though I'm 'sneaking' it or 'going off the wagon'. On Sunday evening, after we've had our dinner (usually Mexican food) I'm full and content - ready to begin my program anew on Monday morning!

A designated "free day" also gives you a short-term goal to aim towards, and keeps me from eating something I should probably not have during the week. If something tempts me, I just say to myself "I'll just wait til Sunday - only six/five/four more days - and have it then." That usually works - knowing I will be able to treat myself in just a few days can squelch a craving pretty quickly! On the other hand, without a free day, I will just end up feeling resentful because 'everyone else is having it and I can NEVER eat that!'

Think about it - a 'free day' DOES make perfect sense - especially done mindfully (not a 12-hour bingefest).

Take care!

help
 

is there anyone who can help me with calorie counting

Becca
 

Sounds like you could use some group support and a little nutritional education...from the tone of your posts anyway...

First off, stay away from all those 'miracle weight loss' pills and nostrums that are advertised all over the place. Let's face it, if they REALLY worked, it would be front-page news throughout America!

What you need to do is find out how many calories your body needs to function each day, depending on your daily level of activity, your weight, etc. I'd say that for most people, anything UNDER 1400 calories a day is way too low. Even though you would THINK that eating 1,000 - 1,200 calories a day (or less!) would take off the weight much quicker, what it REALLY does is burn off lean body tissue as your body goes into 'starvation mode'. In other words, your bod will hang onto every fat cell for dear life, thinking that you're in a famine. Then, when you start eating normally again, your body will very efficiently store all those extra calories as ugly fat.

I and many other 3FC members use www.fitday.com to keep track of calories - both eaten and expended in exercise. Keeping a food journal can really help you become MINDFUL of what you are eating.

Also, go to the library and check out some books. Educate yourself on how the body assimilates food and burns calories! If you go to my website, I've got some suggested reading - most of which you can find in any library. I need to update my list to include Laura Fraser's "Losing It" and Bill Phillips' "Body for Life" as recommended (I'll get to it one of these days!)

Personally, going to Weight Watchers hasn't helped me a great deal, but it sounds like the group support and basic nutritional education that they provide could really be helpful to you. If you can't afford Weight Watchers, then see if there's a TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) or Overeaters Anonymus (sp) in your area. Both these organizations charge next to nothing and offer the group support that many people need.

You also sound the way I was back in the late 80's - kind of depressed with yourself and life in general. I cannot stress how much regular exercise (including strength training) can help you in this regard. I'm a believer in the concept that tying on your walking shoes, going out and getting some fresh air, sunshine - just basically MOVING - works wonders, not only in helping to lose weight, but in your overall mindset. If you're a newbie at exercise, may I suggest another book "Great Shape" by Pat Lyons and Debbie Burgard. This book (written in 1988) focuses on exercise for large sized women - not necessarily to lose weight, but just to feel good about themselves and get healthier (of course, losing weight is much more possible if you're exercising!)

Oops, just checked the clock - got to hit the shower. Keep posting and take care!

Hi MrsJim,

Thanks for the reply. Actually I do follow calories most days of the week and I set Sundays as my "day off". Here I thought I was the only one doing this LOL. The problem is my day off has just become tooo much freedom in eating. I have kept my 85pds off for the past 7 years and I think I am just getting lazy. You know how it is, just a little this and that, I have to remind myself that weight doesn't come on 5pds at a time, just 1/4 and 1/2 etc and before we know it you have 20 plus pounds to lose. Maybe what I am lacking is motivation. It is so true what you said about waiting till Sunday for your treat, it helps keep the week in check. I am just going to re- commit my diet habits and I am sure this problem will pass. I walk almost everyday of the week and use weights for upper arm strength 2-3 times a week. You are right when you say being out of the routine of the week allows to much free time, and lately I been spending it in the cupboards, I know better!! I am going to try and plan some activities for the weekends, it should be easier now that the weather has finally gotten nicer. Thanks again for the reply, sometimes you just need to be reminded of what needs to be done!!


Daytona

Good Morning All!
 

Things are still going well. I have been OP all week and have been exercising every night. I added a ten minute ab tape to my cardio workout. I could feel the burn immediately. I didn't do as many reps as the instructor, because I spent a lot of time trying to make sure I was doing them right. I hear you can really mess your back up if you don't do ab routines the correct way. I bought the "Quick Fix Abs, Julie Upton" tape. She is really good at explaining how each exercise is done and showing you exactly what muscles to move. I also added 2 pound hand weights to my cardio tape to get more resistance. I think I need to buy a few more tapes, so I can get a rotation going and not burnout on one tape.

Hope everyone is having a successful week!

231/209/170

Hi fellow calorie counters,

Just checking in to see how everyone is doing this weekend. I have managed to eat at a more sensible level and I have walked both days. I am down 1/2 pound so I just have to lose 1 1/2 more to be back to goal. That could take me a while. So far we have had rain everyday. The weather will probably improve when Tuesday comes LOL.

Have a good weekend.

Daytona

yay datona! i have lost almost 5 pounds in the last 3 days.

Huf and puf
 

Well, I lost a pound this week and begin to think I am starving myself to much.
Think I am missing out on some fiber foods or so.
Since March I started this diet and until today I have lost a total of 20lb.
Right now I am revaluating my program and figuring out why in the last two weeks
I have been feeling more hungry. Then again I am not so sure if I know what hungry pains are
it may be just stress telling me that I am hungry. I haven't walked for two days either and
have felt like crap lately for not walking.

Hope all are having a great memoral day weekend.

257/237/137

hang in there!

hello fellow calorie counters!
 

I posted here for a while but kind of "fell off the (calorie counting) wagon". I have lost 25 pounds and maintained that loss even though I wasn't really counting calories. I know I was in a way though because I found out through the internet how many calories are needed for me to maintain my weight and I try not to exceed that! I wasn't trying to lose but I didn't want to gain back the lost pounds either!!

Well, now I am getting back on track. I still have to lose 123 lbs to get to the top weight of the healthy weight range for my height 5'9. It's gonna be a long hard battle I am sure!

I am glad to be back and hope to be reporting the kinds of losses you all are.

Lorelei
313/288/165

congrats on 25 lbs down
 

hi lorelei, sounds like you have a good attitude about this way of eating, keep up the good frame of mind. i was on no diet approach, for over a month, and i lost but very slowly, i know that is the best way to lose it, but i also know i could do better. i know i am allowed 1400 cal. a day to lose at a safe and healthy weight loss.i dont like writing down stuff, so i have a richard simmons program, and i am just going to put the 1400 card in foodmover, and when all the windows are shut, then i would have eaten 1400 cal for the day. i tried this before, but was hungry, i will do it this time. i am 5'3 and weigh 183. i want to get down to 125. good luck to you. oh yea i started this on sat. i messed up on mon. but i am back on track today.

Good Morning!

Hope everyone had a great weekend! I lost two more pounds last week. I didn't really watch what I ate this past weekend. I didn't write anything down. I have to be a lot more careful this week. I always do better during the week, not just because I'm away from food at work. I think I do better because I have the support boards at work and I very seldom log on at home on the weekends.

I have to get back to exercising tonight. I have been "off" for the past four days.

Gotta go. Hope everyone has a successful day!!

231/207/170

Good morning everyone,

It feels like a Monday to me!! That's the problem with holiday weeks. Sounds like everyone is doing good, the rest of this week should fly by. Our weather had been nothing but rain for the past week, it sure puts me in a foul mood. Well have a good day and remember to exercise.

Daytona

hi all,

it sounds like everyone is on the ball. thats great! i started last thursday&am down 5 3/4.

165.2/159.4/150/-5.8/+9.4/

New Thread
 

I started a Colorie Counters #3 Thread. Hope no one minds, this one was getting a bit long.

231/207/170

Closing this thread
 

Hope y'all don't mind if I close this thread - since there's a new Cal Counter one started up - gets kinda confusing otherwise!!!

See ya!