[xxkaleidoscopic]

There are many ways to go about this, so there's no one right answer. My suggestion is to start at 1500 calories a day, and do that for a week and see how you feel. If you're working out, maybe make it 1700. After a week, adjust as necessary.

[lin43]

Originally Posted by DezziePS

I have lost and gained weight quite a bit, and I have to say that the only way it works for me is to track food. I lose a good amount and then I think, "I know how many calories are in just about everything I eat, I don't need to journal to track them, I'll just keep a running estimate in my head." Then, I start "estimating" everything quite generously and I feel like I'm constantly on a diet because I'm always thinking about calories, but somehow I'm gaining weight. Hopefully this time I will get it through my thick head that I need to food journal- maybe not for the rest of my life, but for longer than I keep thinking I do.

There is something about having to write down everything you eat that helps you cut back. As much as a pain as it sounds like, measure your food out (you can get a basic food scale for $5) and track everything you put in your mouth. I have complained for years that I just don't eat that many calories but it's soooo hard for me to lose, when really the truth is probably that I eat a lot more calories than I realize when I don't journal. It seems like you can eyeball things- but if you think you're putting 1 Tablespoon of coffee creamer in your morning coffee and you're really putting in 3, it adds up fast!! Same goes for "tasting" while you're cooking, adding "just a little" oil to a frying pan, or finishing the rest of a kid's pb&j! It just sneaks up on ya!

I agree completely. I've had to accept that fact that I'm just not good as estimating. Actually, I wonder that it took me so long to realize this as the same applies to other things in life---e.g., I'm not good at guessing people's ages, weights, etc. Also, I'm ALWAYS very early for appointments because I don't do well at estimating time (at least I'm early rather than late, though! ). So, it just makes sense that I don't do well with estimating food. I tend to underestimate, though, and when that happens, I become frustrated because I don't feel I'm eating enough, and I give up the whole "eating healthy" thing. As such, I calorie count so that I can eat all the food that I'm "allowed" to with my calorie allotment.

This is my first time calorie counting using an app. I am finding it SO much easier than when I used to write down my calories. In fact, it's sort of fun! To the OP, I highly recommend using a journaling/calorie counting app if you have a smart phone. I use a free one called CALORIE COUNTER. I think it's great! I know that many others here use one called My Fitness Pal. I'm sure there are many good journaling tracker apps out there.

[Munchy]

Originally Posted by joyfulloser

That's where meal planning is IMPERATIVE to success! I had lots of people inviting me to stuff too...AND I live with a skinny lil' 12 yr old who loves junk food! AND I LOVE SWEETS! As a matter of fact I'm like you...homemade goodies thrill me! Not sure which I like better...the baking or the eatin...maybe a bit of both!

If I were asked to pinpoint the single most important thing I changed in my life that made the most difference in me reaching my goal, it would be meal pre-preparation...hands down!

For instance...me daughter and I are going away for the weekend. I plan to pack our large cooler and take enough of my frozen meals, frozen grilled chicken, bag of salad, dressings, diet soda, water and cookies/muffins/desserts so that I don't have to eat out one day. I do this because 1) it's habit now; and 2) I enjoy my cooking more than any restaurant and 3) I'm cheap!

Since you like to cook, maybe try making your meals a week or two in advance and freezing them. You'll be surprised how easy this will make the process of saying NO to eating out.

I agree 100%. Cooking and freezing full meals and packing my entire day's worth of food is the key.

[ahyessophie]

Originally Posted by Munchy

I agree 100%. Cooking and freezing full meals and packing my entire day's worth of food is the key.

I need to do this. It'll make things so much easier when school goes back in so I can just grab something frozen and I'm all set. Is there anything you've found that doesn't freeze very well?

[Munchy]

Originally Posted by ahyessophie

I need to do this. It'll make things so much easier when school goes back in so I can just grab something frozen and I'm all set. Is there anything you've found that doesn't freeze very well?

I haven't found anything that doesn't freeze well just yet - I freeze different kinds of bean mixtures (for rice and beans), soup, chili, rice/chicken mixtures, turkey/zucchini meatballs, homemade sauce, homemade veggie burgers, turkey breakfast sausages, frozen sliced bananas, and more.

I also make super fast meals by:
-Keeping roasted vegetables handy
-Baking potatoes/sweet potatoes in the microwave
-Using instant brown rice
-Using frozen vegetables
-Cutting my cheese into measured portions
-Keeping low calorie flatbread on hand (pizza), low cal wraps (burritos or sandwich), small tortillas (quesadillas)

I work late often and I'm a single mom to a three year old, so we are all about planning. I always plan my meals for the next day, and sometimes for the next few days or week.