Anywhere from 2000 - 2200 --- During the summer, my husband and I treat ourselves once a week to a meal at a fine dining restaurant. I "guesstimate" (because these are not chain restaurants, so I do not really know the calories), but that meal alone usually adds up to 1800 - 1900 calories (& that's not with me going all out; that's with me watching it a bit!). Even if I eat only about 400 calories up until that point on that day, that still makes that day 2200 or so. I aim for for an average of 1400 per day, so the rest of the week is usually 1200 - 1300 calories with that one day at 2000-2200.
I go anywhere from 1200-2000 calories. It's hard to get to that 2000 without making dumb choices, like a couple days ago, I had a small pizza to boost my count, but I still stayed at maintenance (I think).
I don't do it according to any real plan though, I just eat what I feel like I need on a certain day...if I'm not that hungry and/or craving lots of raw veggies, my count will be low. If I'm hungrier or craving high fat things like dairy and meat, it'll be higher (like 1600-ish). The highest days are two times a week max though.
I try my best to let my body tell me what it needs for the day, while making mostly healthy choices. I have to be aware of any stresses that might make me feel like I need to eat...yet I really do not need to. This is the tricky part for me.
My goal is to average around 1500 cals per day. These are my calorie levels for the last 14 days.
1620
1288
1573 2 4th of July parties.
1387
1798 July 4th
1410
1396
1596
1426
1268
1618 daughters' birthday party
1363
1663 high stress day
1270
total ~ 20676
average 1477
Last edited by envelope; 07-14-2011 at 09:29 AM.
Reason: edit
If we could vote on a "WINNING" comment...THIS^^would be it! Great job envelope!
It's hard for me without some structure because I am STILL working on not eating for emotional reasons.. or bingeing... Goodness, it's a challenge I am working through every single day It is better overall but I am still quite shaky so until I can really get a handle on it, I have to follow a more structured way of eating.
Thanks! I am going to start too on Monday. I have seen the site before and it looks good. I am going to try cycling at my goal weight because I think my maintenance plan is going to work best for me if I continue cycling. I am naturally hungrier on certain days than others and the mistake I made last time I did this was not having a maintenance plan.. So I'll finish off the weekend doing what I've been doing and then start cycling officially on Monday.
Thanks! I am going to start too on Monday. I have seen the site before and it looks good. I am going to try cycling at my goal weight because I think my maintenance plan is going to work best for me if I continue cycling. I am naturally hungrier on certain days than others and the mistake I made last time I did this was not having a maintenance plan.. So I'll finish off the weekend doing what I've been doing and then start cycling officially on Monday.
I meant cycling at the calories required to lose at my goal weight to transition to maintenance slowly once I arrive.