I've bee doing caloring counting for a month. I had lost 7 pounds in the first 2 weeks. I gained 1.5 of them back in the 3rd week and nothing has changed since then. I exercise at least 5 days a week, don't get above 1400 calories (most days are around 1200). I drink at least 64 oz of water a day. Most of my food intake is whole grains, lean meats, fruits and veggies. I am getting frustrated. So I've heard that sometimes doing a one time cheat can give you a boost. Has this worked for anyone? I don't have a strong desire to cheat but if it works maybe I should try it...??

I'm not as knowledgeable yet as the other ladies in this forum, but I wouldn't recommend "cheating" so much as maybe upping your calories. Try eating, say, 1500-1600 for a week, keep your exercise and water intake the same, and see what happens. Sometimes our bodies need that extra boost when we stall. Also, it's very possible that 1200 is way too low, and your body is holding on to all it can.

Good luck!

Don't go for any form of "cheating." If you're a calorie counter, there is no food that's off limits--so there's no need to "cheat." Just fit whatever food you'd like into your daily allotment... Oh, did you mean go way over your calories for one meal? Huh... And then what do you do the rest of the day, not eat at all?

I think 1200 is probably too low for you. I would aim to not go below 1400 or above 1600, and see how that goes for a minimum of 2 weeks. Keep your exercise the same. 2 weeks is suggested because your weight might pop upward at first--and you don't want to let that panic you and make you drop your calories again.

Too many people seem to make the mistake of setting their calories too low and their exercise too high/strenuous, and then they wonder why they are tired and hungry and not losing...

Have you tried some of the calorie estimators on the web? Like on Freedieting.com?

Jay

I think that's a good idea. I am going to try that. I just seem to have a hard time getting even 1200 calories. I think I may need to eat for calories for breakfast and lunch because by the end of the day when I add up my calroies I am always short and trying to find something at night to eat.

You sound like me-and I agree with JayEll. It's a matter of us not getting discouraged....and seeing results. Hang in there, we can do this, right!?? RIGHT. And girl, you lost 7lbs in two weeks?! Go on with your bad self!

Hi All,
this thread jumped out at me so I'm going to pipe up. Nigelswife, I feel your pain. Until Thursday, I was going South Beach and lost 9# in the first 2 weeks and then spent the last 4 weeks playing patty-cake with 2 pounds. Up, then down, still "on the beach" in terms of food options AND keeping calories at about 1400-1500 per day.

As with all "change your whole kitchen over" diets, eventually I come to the conclusion that I really like bread, cereal and raisins and other prohibited foods and that I can't live like that forever! So I've decided to try to make + choices by going with whole grains and lots of fruits and veggies, and just count calories.

So, here I am. Meanwhile I'm not sure what my calorie intake should be since I wasn't losing at 1500 carb-free calories. And, after 3 days of eating good carbs as a part of my diet, I've had a really, really bad day of eating sugar! Basically, I'm not going to bother logging my day today (tomorrow is a new day) but I've had cookies, M&M's, etc. I had a nutritionally sound breakfast and dinner, but everything in between was garbage and I feel horrible physically! What an idiot!

Now that the whole world of food is open to me, I don't know how to restrain myself. I don't want to undo my loss and I REALLY want to experience success with counting calories. Can anyone offer advice that will help? Oh, and I don't normally have this food in the house - we're having a party this week for my daughter's graduation and so the food is currently in abundance.

Thanks for your help!

H2ODawg: Gosh, just say no to sugar!

That's the only advice I can give. If you eat carbohydrates, make sure they are complex carbohydrates, like whole grains and whole grain products.

M&Ms are something you can have while counting calories--no food is off limits--but you have to stick with serving sizes and know how much you're eating... and if you can't stop, then they are something you simply have to put out of bounds for the time being. Or else.

Jay

Jay,
you're right, of course. On the right path today and feeling stronger. Stress is such a killer - because I find if I'm in freak out mode, I just don't care about the diet! Once I get past this week with company, graduation and a big party, I'll be back to my thoughtful self. I know I can do a LOT of damage in one week though, if I'm not careful!! Thanks for the words of encouragement!!

I acutally moved from years of doing South Beach to calories counting about a month ago. South Beach is an awesome well rounded diet but I had a hard time staying on plan because of "restricted foods." It's funny because when I'm told I can't have something....that naturally waht I want to eat. Potatoes were a big one for me. I LOVE potatoes (mashed, baked, whatver...) So I switched over to calorie counting and it's been so much easier. I love it.

N'wife,
I TOTALLY agree, I seem to fixate on the "can't." That's not to say that I know what the "should's" and "shouldn'ts" are. But Shouldn't and Can't are two different things.

Did good all day and then went to Bucca de Beppo's for a year end teacher's get-together. Ugh. Now regret. We shared appetizers so I had 2 pieces of fried mozzarella and 2 pcs of mozz garlic bread. I don't like Italian so that's all that worked for me. Feel fat. Tomorrow is another year end pot luck so will do better with fruit and veg choices. I guess with all going on this week my goal should be to survive and maintain! Sometimes I guess, that's the best we can hope for!