[smh219]

Hi guys,

Calorie counting is my preferred choice but I have a few questions. First of all, I've heard there are dangers with eating too few calories. How do you remedy this in a safe and healthy way? I feel like I am eating very small lunches and dinners, but I never have breakfast (I'm never awake at that hour). I also walk on the treadmill every other day, for 40 minutes (should I be focusing on cardio or weights - but that's a question for the exercise forum ). Do you recommend eating 5-6 smaller meals per day -- how small? What is a good calorie size for "main" meals and then smaller meals?
How could I use a food scale?

I'm sorry for all the questions -- I'm just trying to sort out a few things.. including trying to find out if the campus cafeteria food will give me nutrition information!!! Thank you

[phatcat]

I'm no expert, but you should shoot for about 1600 calories a day or so...depending on your hunger and exercise. Try to incorporate fruits and vegetables and whole foods as compared to prepackaged foods with lots of chemicals.
If you're living in a dorm you could steam your veggies in a steam bag in the microwave...even chicken breasts.
Take a daily multivitamin as well. Maybe you could take a nutrition class or talk to the Health Center as your school?
take care!

[JayEll]

Hey!

Breakfast is defined as the first meal of the day, so whenever you get up and eat, that's breakfast. You don't want to go too long after you wake up to eat, because your body needs something to work with after not having had any food all night.

There are lots of sites on the web that let you track your calories. FitDay, The Daily Plate, etc. This makes it simpler. You can download FitDay for a fee, or you can use it online for free, for example.

5 or 6 meals a day is what I followed to lose. The meals were 300-400 cals, and the snacks were 100-200. The websites also help you decide on a calorie target.

A pound a week is a good average weight loss--but it varies from week to week. Some weeks you'll be on your target and not lose at all, or even gain. Don't let it bother you. Just stay with the plan.

Good luck!
Jay

[dgramie]

Calorie counting is the only thing I have ever stuck with.I have lost weight many times but always got tired of what diet I was doing and just stopped and gained all the weight back plus some. I dont get bored counting calories and I have stayed with it(16 months and counting). I aim for 1500 per day.I always eat breakfast and I have found eggs or oats stay with me best.
I love it because nothing is off limits!! I just have to plan ahead to make it work. I do best when I plan a week at a time ahead.
good luck