Healthy Calorie counting

[goodtolaff]

I have been on Atkins and CAD and after reading a lot of postsI have noticed that the ones that lose are the ones who eat a healthy amount of calories.

I went to Fiday.com and determined my ideal calories for the day.. I have been doing this plan writing everything down and am losing weight. I also feel better.I am looking forward to adding more fruit.

So If anyone wants to join me in my colorie counting Please do..

[EmandM]

Hi Shelagh! Just popping in to say hello! I can post here too, because technically I calorie count, since I drink a large Timmie's double double outside of my RM. So I will post on here and on CAD! Glad to read you are doing so well! I just read that writing what you eat the night before is the best way to be successful. Then, if you don't eat something, you cross it out. If you eat too much of something or something that wasn't on your plan, you circle it.

GL!

Pam

[okiechic28]

i am so glad i found this thread. have tried Atkins and did lose 20 pounds then have stayed the same weight for months. i decided to try to do a low calorie diet. this past week i have stayed between 1000 and 1250 calories a day and have lost 4 pounds. (yes i am going to hear that any thing below 1200 is too low but for now it is working for me and thats what i'm sticking to).
looking forward to joining you in your calorie counting.

[goodtolaff]

HI okiechic, glad to see you... Today my mom had surgery so I was at the hosp. all day and my food was not good but not too many calories.

I really love counting calories and I am getting a little better at it. I think 1200 cal is ok but I am no expert. AS long as you feel well. I get real hungry then I eat too much, ugh!! I am doing 1600- 1800 . I want to lose 10 lbs by christmas. Then 20-30 more for next summer.

Pam, Hi!! nice to see a fellow canadian..

[EmandM]

Hi Shelagh - I have always wanted to read You on a Diet as I like Dr. Oz from Oprah. Can you tell me more about what he said about the one meal being varied? Varied how? Thanks in advance and sorry to hear about the stress over your mom's surgery.

Okiechic - I also post on the CAD thread. I do one meal a day and at times it can be as low as 800 calories. I am in maintenance and it seems to work for me. Some days my meals are a lot more calories, some days they are less, so I guess I have found a good balance for me. Take a multi-vitamin if you are not getting all your nutrients.

Pam

[skeeweeaka]

Hello all, I've also been calorie counting for about a week and a half. I found out that I was barely getting in 1000 calories a day and my weight loss has been extremely slow, 15 pounds since March. After reading the Atkins board, he suggests that for those having problems with weight loss, to up their calories to between 1500 and 1800 so for now I am aiming for those numbers. I calculated my BMR and it says that I can lose two pounds per week on 1800 calories a week... We will see...

Hope you guys don't mind if I join you....

TJ

[alaskanlaughter]

this is a good thread...i did lowcarb for a month and my calories skyrocketed...so i trimmed back to counting calories first and makign lowcarb choices second and if i didnt make lowcarb choices, at least it had to be healthy choices...that has worked WAY better for me and i began to see my weight creep downward steadily....i never lose weight fast, no matter which WOE i try, but what i do lose tends to stay gone even if i go off plan....so i like seeing a thread for people who are just counting calories...ive been staying between 1500-1800 and its worked well for me, not a fast loss, but a steady one

[skeeweeaka]

Originally Posted by alaskanlaughter

this is a good thread...i did lowcarb for a month and my calories skyrocketed...so i trimmed back to counting calories first and makign lowcarb choices second and if i didnt make lowcarb choices, at least it had to be healthy choices...that has worked WAY better for me and i began to see my weight creep downward steadily....i never lose weight fast, no matter which WOE i try, but what i do lose tends to stay gone even if i go off plan....so i like seeing a thread for people who are just counting calories...ive been staying between 1500-1800 and its worked well for me, not a fast loss, but a steady one

Hey Alaskan, I agree such a terrific thread... I also see that you, too, are trying to keep your calories in the 1500-1800 range... It seems doable for me... I hope I start seeing the scales go down... It has been a challenge so far!

TJ

[goodtolaff]

WOW!! I woke up to find new posts! TERRIFIC!!!

I have been trying low cal and it does get easier, the secret is not to go too low. I have a friend that is regular weight and she writes down her food every day. She says that is what keeps her healthy and slim. She eats 1500- 1800 a day.

I also read to keep 2 or 3 of your meals plain, almost the same everyday, then vary your menu on one meal a day. That make sit easier to make good food decisions... I am going to try .

My mom may come home today , she will be coming here. I will be back when I can... Welcome everyone.

Does anyone know how to bump us up??

[landis]

Originally Posted by goodtolaff

WOW!! I woke up to find new posts! TERRIFIC!!!

I have been trying low cal and it does get easier, the secret is not to go too low. I have a friend that is regular weight and she writes down her food every day. She says that is what keeps her healthy and slim. She eats 1500- 1800 a day.

I also read to keep 2 or 3 of your meals plain, almost the same everyday, then vary your menu on one meal a day. That make sit easier to make good food decisions... I am going to try .

My mom may come home today , she will be coming here. I will be back when I can... Welcome everyone.

Does anyone know how to bump us up??

If we get too low in the list, just post even one word or smiley! That'll bring us up to the top!

Oh and HI! I have been calorie counting for over a month. I used to be on Atkins and really loved it but just got tired of it and gained some back. I never thought I could do calorie counting but I am and staying on it! In fact I was at a high of 165 about 2 months ago and am currently at 155. It's going slow but steady. I do about 1000-1200 calories a day and try to eat fairly healthy though I don't get enough veggies I know

Glad to see this thread!!!

[goodtolaff]

Hi Guys, it is 8 oclock and I am so tired. was at the hospital today with my mom.. My calorie count was around 1200 today and I am going to try not to eat tonight. Last night I got up and ate which put my count over the limit.

Good night ,Talk to you all tomorrow

[goodtolaff]

welcome landis, keep up the good work and post often

[goodtolaff]

I am down in weight a little this AM... today I eat more fruits and veggies... Hope you all are doing well.... anyone want to post their menus???

[Andrea78]

Hello again Shelagh! Nice to see you!

What a nice coincidence, I jumped on here for a minute this morning and saw your post about counting calories. I started doing this yesterday and I love it! I never thought I would be a calorie counter, but it's not that hard and I find I am satisfied with eating low calorie. Not necessarily low fat, just low cal. I decided I want to stay around 1400 cals a day and see how I do. If I lose weight too quickly or feel bad then I am going to raise them. Yesterday I had 1365 calories and I felt great. I was a little hungry at bedtime but I also decided to cut my eating off after 6pm so I just had some water and went to bed.

I started a food diary with writing everything down. I have just been writing down my food as I go, but I like the idea someone suggested of writing your meal plan down the day before and crossing things out and circling. I think it's fun, sort of like a game! I am not following any particular low carb plan right now, just trying to stay away from a lot of white junk, sweets and soda. I was a big binger, and I would eat all day long from the time I got up to the time I went to bed so I am trying to recover from that. Staying on certain plans made me feel deprived, and that led to my binges. So I guess I am doing lower carb with calorie counting, my way! I am trying to learn portion control. I like feeling in control of what goes into my mouth, and being accountable.

I am so glad you started this thread! Let's keep it going! Oh and if you're wondering about my scale challenge well haha that crashed and burned. It's okay, it's a hard thing to stay off the scale. I've gotten on the scale a few times, actually this morning and I was down a whole pound. But I did learn a lesson from my challenge, that I don't need to weigh myself every day and obsess so it has helped me to cut down to once a week weighing.

Here is my menu from yesterday:

B: 1 oz string cheese 80 cals
water, vitamins (wasnt hungry)

L: 1 packet oatmeal w/a dash of milk 150 cals
1 slice whole grain toast 90 cals
1 Tbsp. margarine 60 cals
1 cup 1% milk 100 cals

water, vitamins

D: 4 oz. hamburger 320 cals
1 slice cheese 60 cals
2 slices bread 120
ketchup 10 cals
mustard 0
French fries, baked (84g) 120 cals
salad (lettuce, tomato) 30 cals
croutons (14g) 60 cals
3 Tbsp. Ranch 165 cals
water, vitamin

Grand total of 1365 cals

So you see, I am definitely not super low carb. But this is a huge improvement over how I would normally eat if I was off plan. I am practicing moderation, and if I am really craving something I can fit a small portion into my calorie intake! Well now that I've rambled on I will give someone else a chance to talk, haha. Sorry for being a blabbermouth.

[skeeweeaka]

Hello all,

My calories for yesterday was 1767...trying to be within 1500-1800... so that was good for me yesterday... Although, I have to admit I had that uncomfortably stuffed feeling and I don't like that at all... Will try to scale it back today!

Hope everyone else is doing well...

TJ

[LoraJR72]

Since I am also calorie counting here is my menu:

Breakfast: 2 scrambled eggs, 2 slices of turkey bacon, 1/2 grapefruit

Lunch: 4oz. chicken, 5oz. green salad, 5oz. lima beans, 1tsp. extra virgin olive oil, 1T of Eden's Apple Cider Vinegar, Spicy Mustard and hot chili flakes, black pepper, 8oz. Grapefruit juice

Dinner: Same as lunch, except instead of juice I'll have 1/2 grapefruit.

2.364L of water and tea.

[EmandM]

Andrea - I just read that writing down what you eat is the best way to lose and maintain, so good on you!

Shelagh - how are things? How is your mom?

TJ - I don't like feeling stuffed either. I follow CAD at times, and when I don't I calorie count. I gage how full I am by whether or not I could take a brisk walk after. I got this from The Beck Diet Solution, which is more about how we think, it can apply to any diet. It's interesting, as it goes into sabotoging thoughts, like "oh, I ate an extra piece of cake, might as well blow it and start again tomorrow." But that extra piece of cake is nothing compared to the damage the rest of the day could do.

GL everyone and I will post here and on the CAD thread!

Pam

[skeeweeaka]

Originally Posted by EmandM

Andrea - I just read that writing down what you eat is the best way to lose and maintain, so good on you!

Shelagh - how are things? How is your mom?

TJ - I don't like feeling stuffed either. I follow CAD at times, and when I don't I calorie count. I gage how full I am by whether or not I could take a brisk walk after. I got this from The Beck Diet Solution, which is more about how we think, it can apply to any diet. It's interesting, as it goes into sabotoging thoughts, like "oh, I ate an extra piece of cake, might as well blow it and start again tomorrow." But that extra piece of cake is nothing compared to the damage the rest of the day could do.

GL everyone and I will post here and on the CAD thread!

Pam

Hey Eman, Great advice! I think I need to read The Beck Diet Solution, sounds like a good read. Self sabotage used to be a huge problem for me, but then I started doing IF for a while and that seemed to cure it for me. Now if I eat something off plan, I simply get right back on at the next meal and try not to depress about it. I'm learning that this is not going to happen over night for me, therefore, I'm looking at it as a journey...a way of life for the rest of my life. Believe it or not, that has given me some peace even though the scales are not moving. I'm not saying it isn't challenging, but I am learning to cope.

Yesterday, the overly full feeling stayed with me and I had a difficult time sleeping....my calories were 1767...but I had chicken fried with pork rinds, for the first time, and I think that was just too filling for me... I actually think I put too much breading on them!

Thanks again for the info...

TJ

[skeeweeaka]

Hello all,
I think I did much better today with my ratios...not feeling overstuffed at all! Lowered my calories to 1600....but upped my fat! This tracking is quite interesting...takes time...but helps me really put what I am eating into perspective! Thanks for the help!!!

Fat (74%) Carbs (6%)
Protein (19%) Alcohol (0%)

TJ

[goodtolaff]

Hi Guys, my mom is here staying for a few days. So far so good.

I kept my calories around 1400 today and I feel great.Nerves make me want to eat and eat but I am just having a cup of tea and watching Amerias got talent.. Soon I will go to bed and watch Nancy Grace, then sleep.

I didnt get as much exercise today as I should have , maybe tomorrow.

SO good to see you all. Hey!!Andrea, so , so good to see you. I know we can do this, it is easier than low carb . The other day there was a bag of my grandkids chips in my car and I just took one, then I thought OH NO!!!.. But with calorie counting I havent blown my woe , I can just add that chip to my daily count and cut out something else.

[LoraJR72]

I mentioned this on another thread but I find I can do better by stretching my meals throughout the day than eating 3 separate ones. I need the fuel before and after my workouts otherwise I'll faint away (which I nearly did yesterday).

Calorie counting is important but I'd like it to be quality calories not empty ones. Fruit, egg whites, chicken, low-fat cottage cheese, non-fat yogurt, vegetables, fish, nuts, and Ezekiel 4:9 bread are my staples. I'm eliminating saturated fats completely. Eating clean.

[goodtolaff]

Such a good idea lora My main food for the summer was steak( doing low carb) even tho I love it I know it is not good for me. I have had to learn to cut back on butter and mayo too. I do feel better.

Many do very well on low carb but I landed in a big fat stall, so now I am trying healthy calorie counting.

Good luck to everyone.

p.s.-- I made it through the night- didnt eat

[Andrea78]

Just poppin in to say hi as I don't have much time right now. Gotta go make dinner for the kiddies and I in a few minutes, I'll be back later to post my menu for today. I seem to be doing well!

Shelagh- great job on not eating through the night! I find that is my hardest time of day. I cut off my eating at 6:30pm. When that urge hits I try to go do something else, or just go watch TV upstairs.

[skeeweeaka]

Did well on my calories yesterday...right at 1800, down 2 pounds today....

TJ

[LoraJR72]

down 2 pounds today....

Great news!

I struggle to even get to my BMR.

[skeeweeaka]

Thanks! It has truly been a struggle, but I keep on keeping on! I see everyone else's successes and I've just gotta believe that I can do this...78 pounds to go!

TJ