Hi.. Im new. I am also a Calorie Counter. Im 28 years old 5'3" and current weight is 145. I started my diet five and half months ago and have lost a total of 45 pounds (because of health problems). I am walking about anywhere from a hour, 15 minutes to a hour, and 1/2 a day. Im worried what my calorie intake should be. I was on 1,000 calorie diet but as I look online its very unheathly. I took my intake to 1300. Then I worry I aint getting enough excersise. Is the walking enough or should I add more?
Im wanting to at least burn 1- 1 1/2 pounds per week. Wishful thinking anyways lol.


Thanks,
Misty

It has been my experience that the more weight I lose the more difficult it is to influence how many pounds I lose in a week. So, the best gauge of how I am doing is how I FEEL. If you feel healthy, if you are energized then you are likely eating enough and exercising plenty. The weight will take care of itself from there. If it doesn't then you can begin tweaking your program by increasing the intensity of your walking (not necessarily the length of your walk) or reviewing the quality of those 1300 calories, etc.

Jawsmom,

That makes alot of since to me (take it day by day health wise). I do find it harder to drop a pound with more weight I lose too. Im usually "healthy" but there has been times Ive pushed myself and regreted it. Trying to advance to jogging is a no, no right now. lol

Im gonna look over my diet real closely the next week (also using that fitday thingy that is talked about throughout the forums). See how it goes. If I dont see any progress I will increase the intensity of my walking. I thought about adding some weights to my legs or arms to help burn the fat but Ive never used those things. Dont know how effective it would be.

Thank you for replying. Its wonderful to meet others that are experiencing the same issues as myself.

Sincerely,

Misty

Adding weights to your ankles and wrists can be very hard on your joints. Maybe just toss in some strengthening exercise, do floor exercises with the weights.
How are you making out with fitday?

SusanB,

Well if its bad on the joints I really dont wanna go that route then! I will do what you said. I'll have to turn my house over to look for my old dum-bells. Which could take some time lol. Using those hopefully to tone up and burn some extra calories. I added some jump roping to my schedule even though I only made it 6 minutes but I think that is good for starters!
Fitday- Oh you have no idea the help between this board and fitday has on me! I actually get to see where Im lacking in all kinds of areas. Its not only important to see the calories your actually putting in but what else is going along with it. Im down another pound this morning!