Hello, not new to this site, but new to this forum.

I started keeping a daily food and exercise log about a week ago, and tracking calories as well. I was just trying to see what I do in a normal day, and only yesterday did I set a maximum daily calorie goal for myself- 1400 (which I went 10 cals over).

Since I'm fairly new to the calorie-counting world, I have some questions. I was wondering what is the daily calorie intake you allow yourself? Is it working? What- if any- issues do you have from it?

Thanks in advance!

Hello. I've only been counting calories for a couple weeks, so I'm trying to figure this out too. I used a the daily calorie needs calculator on this site to determine I need 1,870 calories to maintain my current weight. Of course, I am trying to lose so I want to eat less than that. I've been using Fitday.com and find that I average around 1,400 calories per day -- some days more, some days less -- but I've yet to go above 1,900. Eating this way (plus doing some exercise), I lost about five pounds very quickly, but now it's slowing WAY DOWN. Based on what I've read so far, I figure this must be normal and don't want to screw up my metabolism by dropping my calorie intake lower.

Anyway, to answer your question, I'm not highly consistent but I'm hitting about 1,400 calories per day like you are. It seems to be a comfortable amount for me, and from this point on I'm just guessing my weight loss will be slow and gradual.

1400 sounds reasonable. Does your counter have a nutrient section? I think the biggest challenge is to get all the nutrients you need into your lower calories.
My nearly perfect day is between 1200 and 1300 cals per day. Sometimes, I manage.

My caloric goal is 1800. I'm following the Calorie Queens recommendation to eat at my goal weight's BMI... 150 x 12. It's HARD to eat that much - granted, I'm also not eating the "B" list foods as much -- like ice cream.

Kimberly

Thanks for the replies so far! I find that I'm arriving at around 1,400 calories without really trying to keep it at that, too. I mean, I'm not naturally a small eater, lol, but since I started eating 6-8 small meals a day and picking healthier foods, I'm satisfied and don't find myself wanting more than that.
I just upped my exercise routine today though, from just walking to low-impact aerobics (sweatin' to the oldies ) too. So, that intensity might make me hungry more often.

I agree.. Now that I am more aware of what I am eating, I'm finding it hard to GET to 1800 calories. Granted, that is if I am at home all day with no temptations - thankfully I work at home. Eating out is a whole other story. That's when I am glad I have the extra cushion of calories. Most restaurants aren't too bad though - IF I am careful with what I order. I normally eat about 300 calories at breakfast and maybe 400 at lunch. That leaves me 1100 calories to play around with for snacks and supper. I keep those 100 calorie pack snacks in the house - specifically the Oreo ones because I'm satisfied with just one pack and they don't trigger overeating. Actually, if I eat more than one pack I get terrible heartburn. (I guess that's a good thing.)

I'm the same way! I do MUCH better in my diet and exercise if I'm home all day. When I worked full-time in an office setting, I found it very difficult to maintain any kind of healthy diet. I either ate out of boredom, or out of a poor-me-stuck-here-all-day-in-a-cube-i-deserve-a-reward reason.
When I'm home, for whatever reason, I usually have much better control.
I can do okay eating out if it's just my hubby and the kids, but if I'm with other people- forget it. Going to other people's houses is the worst! Don't know why I have trouble controlling myself in those situations.

I agree about the eating at other people's houses. I suppose it is the lack of control over what there IS to eat - other than just not eating it. I think for me too, I don't what to seem different than anyone else. So if I am at someone else's house for a meal, I'll just eat that meal. (Maybe much smaller portions than anyone else.) If I am out to eat with other people, it totally depends on where we are eating (and who is in the group). If we are at a Mexican restaurant, well, that's just bad news regardless of who I am with. I'm okay at Applebee's, Perkins, Chilis, Bennigans. I like the Weight Watchers menu at Applebee's, especially the Tango Chicken Sandwich.

Kimberly

Good thought, I think that's probably what it is for me too.

Well, I aim for between 1200-1300 although if I went to 1500 it wouldn't be the end of the world - I actually went slightly over 1500 one day early on but I was using up a Chicken Kiev that was left in the freezer.

My average so far is 1282 and I'm very happy with that.

1200-1800. Big range, I know. My average is 1400. I go up and down all the time. Sometimes I just can't get it all in (get distracted) and it is a little low. Most of the time I look at the nutrients. I'm aiming to learn more about that. I'm even looking into buying a book to tell me which foods have which nutrients.

I am new to counting calories and I joined sparkppl, which says I should stay between 1200-1400. Today, I am at 600 right now for breakfast and lunch.. and I feel like I have eaten SO much!! lol

susan is this number to lose, or to maintain?

Oh to lose ... for doingitformyboys ... It's at least a reasonable starting point.

I aim for max 1600, I used to go for max 1400 (last year) but I wasn't losing much at all. I've changed it up for this year for between 1200 - 1600 and yes it is hard sometimes eating that many calories! It did get me thinking though just how many calories I used to consume before I changed my lifestyle! Frightening!!!!!!!!!!