[JoviMom]

Good Morning all!

Im Karen and I am new to calorie counting. But at this point, I am convinced it is the only way to go for me.

Since I was about 14 years old and my doctor put me on a Liquid diet, I have been on and off every diet known to man. I am very carb sensitive and Atkins worked great for so long (still does) but now due to adhesion issues due to 2 c-sections, a hysterectomy and an oopherectomy, I need more fruits and veggies in my system to keep things regular.

I am heading to the store this morning to get a scale. (My old one bit the dust!) But I am really hoping to find a lot of support here to help me rid myself of this weight once and for all. When I am at my thinest, everything feels so much better!

[CountingDown]

Glad you found us!

I love calorie counting, and it is the only plan that has worked long-term for me

[DMNewman]

WELCOME!!! Jump on in and feel free to ask ANY questions, there's always someone here to help.

[marbear24]

Welcome! Calorie counting has been the best option for me, and I've tried quite a few. It doesn't "out-law" any foods, just helps you keep them in moderation. Goodluck!

[edzard]

Another Washintonian! Welcome, I have found that calorie counting is the only way I can lose. I have proven it again and again lol!

I think the best way to start is to just count how you eat normally for 3 days to a week and then start cutting out calories from that average and slowly adding exercise. Then you don't go way low and have no where else to lower to when you hit a plateau.

5-7 days of info is best but if you just can wait then do 3 or 4 days, just eat normal! That way you can cut 300-500 daily off that average and start your journey, when I started I found I was eating close to 2500-3000 calories! Now I lose weight eating 1800 or so, but everyone is different so keep in mind any advice you receive you have to evaluate for yourself if it works for your body.

Look around too, I know lots of CC'ers go lower carb, they eat fruits and veggies but no refined carbs and limit their whole grains to early in the day....just a thought if your body doesn't like carbs. Enjoy being here and see you around!

[Nigelswife]

Welcome! I'm from WA too (Vancouver). This diet seems like the easist thing to me. I did South Beach for years and did really good on it. But it got to the point where I had a hard time not craving foods that were "forbidden."

I'm sure you'll love this forum like I do.

[Samantha100]

Take a moment to visit "Figwee.com". At Figwee you can create a free account to track your food intake. You are given actual photos of the food and then use a slider to vary the amount of food of the plate or in the bowl. Once you match the photo with what you are actually eating, Figwee lets you enter the food into your food diary. The site is very useful to help to relearn portion control.

[JoviMom]

Thanks Everyone! I have been out running around with the kids all morning and just got back.

Edzard and Nigelswife I am in South Everett... How cool to see a couple Washigntonians!

I can tell you that I eat at least 2500 cals a day right now. I have been tracking my calories for years on Fit Day, even though what I was watching really was my carbs.

I think the hardest part for me is to watch the cravings. As soon as I start to add whole grains in, I crave sweets. I have no idea why.. but it works that way for me. I am going to try to combat that with eating more fruit.. but we shall see how it goes.