Yeah, what Mel said. The reason that no one can say "this is the way to do it" is becuase we're all different. If there really was just one way, then we'd all be gorgeous and thin!
Here's the scoop: at it's most basic calories are what keep your body going. You get calories from the food you eat. You burn calories by simply living - breathing, walking, sleeping, sitting, typing, whatever you do. If you eat more calories than you burn, then you gain weight. If burn more calories than you eat, you lose weight. It's actually really that simple.
What's *complicated* about it is that not everyone burns calories the same way. And there are other things that can affect your weight - like if you're retaining water, or if you're starting your period, or if you're working out really hard and your muscles are swollen.
And, within those guidelines, you have to eat HEALTHY calories. Sure you can eat unhealthy calories and very few of them, but eventually your body will rebel because you're not getting the nutrition that you need - you'll start craving something and wind up binging or eating too many calories.
Ideally you should be eating a balance of veggies & fruits, lean proteins, and complex carbohydrates. Limit the sugars (especially processed sugars) and things with chemicals.
My advice to someone just starting out is to begin simply by writing down everything you eat. Do it for a week. And I do mean EVERYTHING. If you cut the crusts off your kids bread and eat them - write it down. If you lick the spoon after you cook something - write it down. If you nibble on a couple of pretzels that a co-worker gives you - write it down. Once you see what you eat, you'll get a much better understanding of where to go from there.
Do keep posting here and asking questions ... and share your meals with us and we'll be happy to give you advice and help you figure out what will work for YOU.
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