Oh, Where To Start
 

I am trying to revamp my whole diet and workout routine, because I was sitting here thinking..

"Weight Watchers has always told me to eat 18 points a day. And I calculated that out to be 900 calories a day. I don't find that that is enough calories. No wonder I find myself binging"

I went to Weight Watchers two summers ago, I realize that now they have upped the points, but I want to count calories.. or just try something new and different altogether

What would be a good, healthy caloric intake amount where I can still lose weight at a good decent level?

I am 5'4, 132 pounds and I work out 4 nights a week to a moderate aerobics tape (Tony Little Target Traning: Hips, Buttocks and Thighs), and also work on my abs doing a light assortment of different crunches. My goal is to be 120 pounds.

Your suggestions are greatly appreciated!

ps. I stopped going to Weight Watchers, I couldn't handle the pressure of weighing in each week, it triggered binging and I just don't agree with their philosophy

I count calories myself and I find it makes this weight loss thing easier because if I want something bad enough, I just allow calories for by eatting a lower calorie dinner...

I am 5'10" and I weigh 190.5# (as of this morning :D ). I usually eat between 1200-1400 calories a day. I go to Curves everyday I can and do my pilates tape on other days. As I have lost about 12# in a month, I would say this is working for me. Maybe you should try a 1200 cal a day regiment and see how you feel. I eat breakfast, lunch & dinner with 2 snacks thrown in the mix and sometimes I have trouble hitting 1200 calories.

I don't know if that helps at all, but whatever you decide on, give it time before you chance your mind... sometimes your body needs time to adjust!

i dropped from 215 pounds to 155 pounds in about 6 months just by keeping a food journal and working out. i was eating between 1200-1500 calories. now that i am pretty much where i want to be, i keep a food journal for maintenance purposes ( and the hope that i might drop a couple of more pounds), but i am eating about 1500-1700 calories a day now. some days a little more. i find it was the easiest way for me to do because i had total control over everything. i can't imaine having certain foods to eat, or people to report to and weigh-ins!!!!!! EEEEEEkkkkkKK. no thank you.

there are fitness calculators all over the internet that tell you how much you should eat to maintain weight. you need a 3500 cal. deficit a week to loose one pound of fat. a little light ath and voila' youhave you daily caloric needs.

goodluck and keep us posted.

Wow, that's fantastic! I ate 1200 calories yesterday.. but I was hungry all day :( I need to find better sources of calories so I am not starving all day.. What do you eat on a typical day?

That's a huge weight loss! That's fantastic! I am starting to make a food journal now, and it is working out pretty well for me, except I have no idea what to eat to keep me full and going though out the day :(

That sounds pretty good. I am still getting used to the idea of 'eating' again. Being at 900 calories a day, you think it's the only way you can lose weight and maintain, then you start to read about people who are actually eating what in my mind is a lot, haha

big book stores sell books that tell you how many calories are in just about everything. calorie dictionaries if you will. i bought one when i first started couting and took it with me every where. i would read through it at night looking for low calorie choices. once you start counting you will be surprised at the amazing meals you can create with less calories than a nasty lean cuisine has. stick to lots of veggies, they have lots of fiber and most are low in calories. stay away from canned veggies, try frozen if you are opposed to fresh. it's a lot easier to eat healthy than most people think. if you eat a well balanced diet, you will inevitably eat healthier.

Anything above 1,200 that works for you. It's pretty much accepted that you shouldn't have less than 1,200 calories a day. Of course that will vary, as my bedridden mother-in-law gets about 500 a day and for her level of activity, the nurses say it's great. Of course, I don't think you want to reach her weight of 84 pounds. Yikes!

I started out at somewhere around 2,000 when I was over 240 pounds. Just guessing, as I didn't count calories back then, but I can get a good idea by knowing how many calories are in most foods these days. But now, I keep it under 1,300 in order to lose. If I go over that, I just maintain. You'll need to experiment and find an amount that works for you.