Trouble with 1200-1500 Good ideas?

Posts: 197
10/2/12 11:29 A

I have a cheat meal every now and again only because I don't want to deprive myself to the point where I binge eat. But I still count my calories and try to work it into my allotment for the day.

The problem with having a cheat meal is that it will show up on the scale. If I can work it off and then some in the next 5 days, I don't feel bad about that. Sure, I might have lost more had I not cheated. But since I'm in this for the long haul, I can't deprive myself of EVERYthing I like for the rest of my life. And I've realized that when I reach my maintanence weight, I'm still going to have to eliminate processed foods and carbs from most of my diet.

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10/2/12 9:54 A

Wonderful suggestions on here!

It sounds like you usually eat out for lunch? I would recommend brown-bagging it whenever you can. And I know people tend to want to eat a very small breakfast and "save" calories for other foods, but if I don't eat enough for breakfast then I am setting myself up for failure. If you're having trouble just eating half of your lunch, try eating a bigger breakfast, or add in a 1/2 cup cottage cheese or some fruit as a mid-morning snack. It will be (maybe) 100 calories...and you'll probably save 300-400 by packing up half your lunch.

Eat a salad or a cup of soup before every meal, and drink at least 8 oz of water before you take your first bite. It definitely helps me control my appetite!

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10/2/12 8:05 A

i began sparks when my workload was very heavy. i ate 90% of my food at work because i worked 70+ hours a week. in that time i trained/ reprogrammed myself as to what i should eat.

first and foremost: TRACK
2nd: weigh and measure...EVERYTHING!

i then gathered 1500 calories a day into my cooler and headed to work. i learned what portions were just by seeing them preportioned in my bag. sometimes at the end of the day my bag was empty, sometimes not, and if there was food left over i removed it from the tracker, but i always ate within my range. my the end of June, i was laid off and it had become so ingrained in me as to what i should eat, that i dont follow it so intensely. if i encounter a new food, i measure, weigh and track till i memorize it but otherwise i feel like i can start to fly on my own.

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10/2/12 2:59 A

My suggestion is to:

1. Track. Not only does this help you stay within your calorie range, but it teaches you great foods to eat that are low calorie. It also holds you accountable. I'm less likely to eat four cookies if they have to go on my tracker. So instead, I'll just eat two

2. More importantly I think is to listen to your body. The numbers they give you, I'm sure are based on some scientific formula. However, you know you better than anyone else. Perhaps you don't lose weight because you are not eating enough. This has happened to me and I know it's happening when I get that starving feeling and start having all sorts of cravings. When I eat more, the weight just falls off.

3. Are you going over calories because you are eating the wrong things or because you are still hungry and you eat? If it's that you feel hungry, I think definitely you need to eat more.

4. I think skipping meals is never a good idea.

Good luck!

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10/1/12 11:32 P

You have to get to know yourself, which means logging. I know a dozen people have said it, but it's really true.

Different things work for different people. For example, DONNAC228 seems to have had good success eating less without a lot of exercise. I'm at the opposite end of the extreme. I eat like a horse, but I exercise like one, too.

I lost just over 50 pounds in about 9 months eating 2000 to 2300 calories a day. I am now at a healthy BMI and have been there about 4 months. I know most people need less calories than that, but for me dropping below 1500 calories gives me headaches and brutal insomnia and murders my sports performance. Not only is it unmaintainable (for me) I also have never lost weight that way. Admitting I simply needed more calories was the difference that's allowed me to succeed this time.

However--and this is a pretty big BUT--I'm tall, broad shouldered and very active. I participate in competitive sports and train most days of the week. Not every day, but some days my training may last two or three hours. So that said, I get very, very hungry sometimes even at 2000 calories. I understand your pain on this.

Sometimes you need low-calorie bulk. Here's some that work for me that are about ~200 to 250 calories each but have a substantial quantity of food... and aren't salad every day:

- 2.5 cups of egg flower soup from powder with 1/4 cup of egg substitute

- whole onion, red bell pepper, 3 tomatillos and garlic blackened under the broiler (no oil) sprinkled with cumin and cilantro

- 1 pound of mushrooms sauteed in 1/2 tablespoon of butter and a shot of brandy

- same as above but with pearl onions instead of mushrooms, then simmered in 1 cup of chicken bouillon

- 1 pound of carrots dipped in hot, hot mustard

- 1/2 a red cabbage, carrot shreds, 1 teaspoon of amber agave nectar [less calories than sugar and much sweeter!], couple tablespoons of cider vinegar, salt, pepper. You can add a few golden raisins if you want to get fancy.

- two whole cucumbers sliced and sprinkled *lightly* with a 1 teaspoon of sugar and mint flakes

- two whole cucumbers sliced finely, 1/3 onion sliced finely, mixed with half a container of greek yogurt, vinegar, mint flakes, water and spoon of minced garlic

- 4 cups of green beans with 1/2 cup of cranberries microwaved with water and a splash of rice vinegar

- 1/2 can tuna in water, hot mustard, 1 cup of peas

Not meals, but bulky snacks in the same calorie range:
- 6 cups of air-popped popcorn sprinkled with red pepper flakes
- 10 servings of sugar free jell-o
- dill pickles

Ok, ok, the jello is probably a bit excessive... but you get the gist. There's lots of ways to reduce calories without going on an empty stomach. Raid the recipes section for side dishes, many provide a lot of bulk for not too many calories!

[Anyone else have bulky favorites... ? I'd love to hear what you like, too!]

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10/1/12 7:02 P

Angellas22, I also lost over 100 lbs on about 1600 cal, and not much exercise. I was working at the time, and on my feet many hours of the day (I'm a nurse) so I didn't feel much like exercising. It took me a year and a half, but the good thing is, I kept it off, then after settling there for a number of years, I lost another 20 lbs. I settled there again for several years, more like 8 or 10 years, now I'm aiming for another 20ish. I did start exercising after I retired, and recommend you do it if you can, it's good for so many things. But one thing I learned is that I'm not in a race. If I overindulge on occasion, I haven't ruined everything, that's only one day out of my life. Someday I'll get below 'obese', hopefully by Dec. 31, but if not then, eventually.

Donna

Edited by: DONNAC228 at: 10/1/2012 (19:03)

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Posts: 9
10/1/12 6:31 P

I started with 1270-1640 and now I am down to 1200-1500 XD

Usually I go under this once I eat the right foods.

Breakfast: Cereal and skimmed milk or
1 slice Whole wheat toast and 1 tbsp jam or 1 slice of low fat cheese and
fruit or low fat yogurt about 200-250 calories

Lunch: Subway 6" whole wheat sub with just sweet onion and hot sauces All the veggies
or Baked/grilled/bbq chicken breast with green salad and .5 tbsp salad dressing
280-450 calories

Dessert: chocolate cookie or .5 slice of sweetbread or fruit bar or fruit 100-210 calories

Tea: Cappuccino - 80 calories

Dinner: slice whole wheat toast and jam or cheese or yogurt smoothie or granola bar 180 calories 180 calories


Snack: baby carrots or yogurt or fruit or another cup of coffee to make up the 1270 calories LOL

It's not so easy for me to get the correct amount of calories becaue I don't eat much protein but I am trying greek yogurt and eggs

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10/1/12 5:28 P

Thx for the advise!! I will do that!! :)

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10/1/12 5:14 P

MWILSEY2012, I wouldn't recommend the protein powder shakes. You're lacking a lot there in terms of nutrition. If you want to bump up the protein intake of your other foodstuff, think in terms of 'white meats' like fish, chicken, etc, grains like quinoa, or vegetables like black beans or edamame. Also, eat more spinach -- spinach is a high-protein green leafy food! -- and look at the nutrition information for your other food to see what you can get a couple extra grams of protein with... I find that if I look at the back of different brands of pastas, for instance, I can usually find one with a couple more grams of protein per serving than the others.

BUT, if you do want to opt for the powdered protein methods, consider using protein bars instead of the shakes. I occasionally use a Clif Builder Bar as a meal replacement. It has 20 grams of protein, some good carbs, and is vitamin-packed. Just be really, really picky on what you opt to use, and make sure it fits into your nutrition goals... I find that the lower-protein bars are not in the slightest bit what I'm looking for, but other people I know use them with good success as an added supplement. Besides, I can get chocolate mint flavored Builder Bars and indulge my sweet tooth while having one of my meals. :)

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10/1/12 4:46 P

Hi, I'm so impressed with your weight loss! 1650 calories seems like a lot without much exercise. How did you do it and how long did it take? I have 110 pounds to lose adn today is Day One. I am afraid of falling back into my old habit of binging.

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10/1/12 4:25 P

They leave me hungry in about 2 hours.

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Posts: 39
10/1/12 3:09 P

I have found out that i do better if i have a bigger breakfast. And by far TRACKING has been key for me to stay within my calorie range.
The recipes on site are great!

egg white, spinach and goat cheese whole wheat tortilla
blueberries

chicken over salad mix with almonds bolthouse yogurt dressing
small apple with peanut butter
healthy choice greek frozen yogurt

slow cooker salsa chicken- sp recipe

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10/1/12 2:49 P

i have to eat breakfast because of meds, usually2 rice cake w/peanut butter & jelly with broth i do not drink coffee.
snack fiber one treat 90 calorie brownie.

lunch michelinas lean gourmet dinner or salad.

dinner what ever i feed my hubby, weigh and measure all meals.

dessert yogurt w/sugar free jello. only 90 calories.

usually around 8pm a small snack mussellman's healthy pick flavored apple sauce.
pomagranate & blueberry only 70 cal.

hope this is helpful and i enjoyed all your ideas, especially the shrimp one.

lisa

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10/1/12 1:51 P

Okay so all of you I need some suggestions on protein powder shake stuff to do for at least one meal a day along with fruits and veggies... All I have read on this board has gave me great ideas... Thanks for all the help and support.

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10/1/12 1:47 P

I think 1200-1500 is kind of too low....Cause if your limit is 1500 then you're probably really not eating more than 1450 per day. I lost 130+ pounds by eating 1550-1650 per day with only about 15 minutes of cardio per day.

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10/1/12 12:50 P

If I eat whole foods and stay away from "junk" I have no trouble staying within that range. On some days I have trouble making the 1,200! Today I had Champion Nutrition whey protein in 8 oz. soy milk for breakfast (will keep me full until lunch.) Lunch was 2 egg whites, 1 yolk on whole wheat bread with 8 oz. V-8 juice. Snack will be 1 slice canteloupe, 1 slice lowfat string cheese and 1 Dove dark chocolate Promise (throughout the day.) For dinner I'm having 1 turkey breast cutlet, roasted sweet potato and broccoli. I'll have some type of snack in the evening, sometimes greek yogurt, 1 slice whole wheat bread with peanut butter...something healthy. I meet all the SP nutrition requirements. When I eat "junk" it uses up the alloted calories fast but yet I'm still hungry.

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10/1/12 12:17 P

This is a difficult one, for sure, because I love chocolate and I do get cravings, but I try to eat fruit instead.

Breakfast: I eat at 9:00 a.m. at work instead of at 7:00 a.m. at home. Then I'm not as hungry later and can eliminate one snack. Cereal or oatmeal with fruit. 100-200 cals.

Lunch: I eat either one of those small frozen meals like Michelina's or Budget Gourmet (check the cals before you buy to stay under 300 each) or a cup of pasta (it's the same size as a frozen meal, what an eye-opener!) or a turkey sandwich for the main meal. Then I have veggies on the side, usually a salad with 1 tbsp. low-cal dressing or some sliced raw veggies. I like to have a piece of fruit for "dessert" because I do crave sweets. 300-450 cals.

Snacks: Between breakfast and lunch and between lunch and dinner I have a snack of yogurt with fruit, string cheese and fruit, cottage cheese and fruit, or cheese and crackers. Protein for hunger and fruit because it's yummy! 100-200 cals.

Dinner: by this time I have about 600-700 cals. left to play with so there's lots of wiggle room. My husband does a lot of the cooking and his focus is not low-cal so this helps. We usually have a protein (baked chicken, fish) with veggies (broccoli, spinach, sliced cucumbers, salad) and maybe a half cup of rice. 300-500 cals.

Dessert: I usually have room leftover for dessert, which is hard to skip. Dreyers and Breyers vanilla or chocolate ice cream is !30-150 cals. when I really want a treat. Lately I've been eating these amazing apples that are so crispy. I've had one every night for almost two weeks!

Slimming down my lunch and eliminating breakfast at home were the keys to staying in range for me. It's tough and I struggle, but the results are worth it. Good luck!

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10/1/12 12:06 P

Love the shrimp idea...I will definitely do that and make my own cocktail sause as suggested.

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Posts: 26
10/1/12 9:30 A

Sometimes it's hard - if I avoid most processed foods and stuff with white flour and white sugar it's easier. I make sure to eat plenty of fiber. I like the idea about shrimp cocktail snacks. Another good protein snack that I do is to take some thin-sliced deli ham and/or turkey (I usually buy the Healthy Choice brand to limit the sodium) and 1 slice of low-cal swiss cut into a few pieces and make a few roll-ups - another 100 calories of protein. I'm not much of a veggie eater but find that if I sprinkle a small amount of grated parmesan cheese, (just 1/2 oz - around 50 cals - is plenty for a big serving) or Kraft macaroni and cheese topping (25 cals for 2 tsp which is plenty) on my broccoli or caulifower it tastes a lot better and makes me feel fuller. I also like the quest nutrition bars - full of protein and fiber, almost no sugar and for 170 calories they are very filling. Puffed wheat, rice, kamuth, other grains give you a lot of bulk for the calories as well - most are around 50 cals for a cup.

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10/1/12 9:20 A

You could also consider exercising just a tiny bit more instead of cutting calories so much. It doesn't take that long to burn 150-200 calories - going for a half-hour walk will do it (and the craving will be gone by the time you get home).

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10/1/12 6:46 A

I usually have no problem staying in 1200-1300 calories as long at I eat CLEAN foods. Nothing out of a box, in packaging, shrink wrapped etc. If I want bread, I make bread. If I want a wrap, I make the tortilla quickly.

As soon as I pinch sauce from a jar, or a treat from a wrapper, I'm toast. But I'm very very content with eggs/chicken/greek yogurt/fruit/veggies and one serving of starchy veg or whole grain a day.

It helps because it gives me a clear line of what I eat, and what I don't. And there's no fudging. It either was produced in a factory or it wasn't. Easy peasy.

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10/1/12 12:09 A

Raw veges - have them with everything! If you grate them (carrot, beets, radish) and chew them thoroughly I always find they help full me up. Plus I add baby spinach salad leaves to every meal. You do have to chew raw veges well though - otherwise they can muck up your digestion (well I find this personally)
Plus nuts really do help fill the gap. I find even just 6 almonds and a small piece of fruit (not a huge calorie load) tides me over if I'm feeling ravenous :D

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9/30/12 9:11 P

Suzykback, thanks for the shrimp suggestion, I almost always have it in the freezer but never thought of it as snack food, and I love it! Great suggestion!

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9/30/12 4:08 P

JESSLLOSER - Are you drinking 8 glasses of water every day? You may want to begin lunch and dinner with low-sodium soup or broth. Bolthouse makes incredible yogurt salad dressings with 75% fewer calories and 85% less fat, so another option is a very large garden salad for each meal - a great way to get your veggies. Another idea is to use a smaller plate, fill it once, and put the food away. If you are serving the meals family style, it is too tempting to go back for seconds.

I am trying to end my lunch and dinner with some dark chocolate. I am hoping it will signal my brain that I am finished with the meal. I also eat about 5 times throughout the day to keep from getting really hungry.

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9/30/12 3:26 P

Until you've tried to keep your calories within the 1200-1500 range, you just don't realize how hard it is...especially if you're the only person in your household dieting. Whether it's right or wrong, I try to stay below 500-550 calories for breakfast and lunch. This helps me when it comes to supper, and I'm dining with my family. I always have oatmeal for breakfast, and either soup or WW Smart Ones Turkey and gravy meal for lunch. Fruit, almonds, yogurt, etc. help me when I get hungry throughout the day. Getting enough protein has been tough, but I'm working on it. Also, I'm loving act II 94% fat free popcorn for an evening snack right now. Good luck to all!

Edited by: BENTONJ at: 9/30/2012 (15:27)

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9/30/12 2:59 P

SMANISMELL - what has helped kill two (or maybe 3!) birds with one stone for me when I'm craving late evening salty/savory is a shrimp cocktail. I buy the large (30-41 per pound) shrimp and divide them up into 3 freezer bags. They are pure protein and really LOW in calories. I make my own cocktail sauce (2:1 ratio of ketchup to horseradish) but you can buy or make what you prefer. When those munchies hit thaw out a bag in cold water (about 5 minutes) put a little lemon on them, dip in sauce - decadent!!! If you eat 10 w/sauce you will be in about 100 calories and get 14 g of protein. Hope that helps.

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9/30/12 2:51 P

SMANISMELL, do you like yogurt? I have Greek yogurt, plain or flavored, with some fruit cut up in it, there's a good bit of protein in yogurt, and it has staying power. I'm still at the 1330-1680 so I've got nmore calories to use than you do.

Donna

Edited by: DONNAC228 at: 9/30/2012 (14:54)

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9/30/12 12:12 P

My calorie range went from 1330 - 1680 down to 1200 - 1550 about a month ago. Some days I can stay within this range, but most days I go over. Some days I just feel so hungry! My problem is that I will be in the range, but late in the evening something stressful occurs and I am mindlessly munching on empty carbs to soothe my feelings. I have no one around me to keep me accountable, so munching it is! I have tried not keeping chips and crackers in the house, but sometimes when the stress hits, I go off and buy them. Also, I am not getting enough protein. I need to find ways to inocrporate more protein in my diet. Maybe that will help me to not eat so many empty carbs.

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9/30/12 11:15 A

For me, when I focus on protein (75 - 90 grams per day) my problem is being able to GET to 1200 calories a day! If I eat perfect choices (whole grains, fresh fruit & veggies, no junk, etc) but not enough protein I am struggling to stay under 2000.

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9/30/12 11:01 A

1200 -1580 is plenty for me. There is the odd day I go over (like yesterday) but that was because we had a scramble and lunch at the golf course and I had a drink with lunch which is very unusual. I track my calories daily but do not follow meal planner too closely. When things get down to the crunch I follow the planner more faithfully!

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9/30/12 9:18 A

I'm a huge believer in the meal planner. You can switch out certain items if you need to, but I think the portion recommendations are golden. Eat all parts of the meal, which usually consist of a fruit, veggie, starch, dairy, protein, and fat. For the dairy, I like to drink a glass of milk with the meal - it seems the most satisfying option. I think the meals are huge if I really stay on plan with them.

This seems to work better for me than just tracking the foods I eat.

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9/30/12 9:17 A

Lots of great ideas here, great topic!! I think we all need to do what works best for us. I track and try to keep my daily calories between 1200-1350 each day. I also use the WW pp, 9 healthy guidelines and that keeps me following the plan. I drink 8 water a day at least and eat lots of fruits and veggies. I've been trying to exercise 5 times a week, hour each time.
I only eat whole wheat bread,maybe two a day, depends--- oatmeal each morning (cook 1 min.) and cut up fresh fruit to eat with it. 3 dairy a day. The hardest part is snacking. ---- been trying to just eat: grapes or greek yogurt, nuts. Any other suggestions?
One day at a time and I will not quit. Eventually I will reach my goal, since I am determined. Thanks for sharing.

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9/30/12 8:54 A

Just wondering how you are doing with it now? Are you getting anywhere with all these answers?

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9/29/12 7:51 P

Try tracking your sleep. I have no control whatsoever when I don't sleep well.

Know your weakness and build it into your tracker. I must build in my evening snacks. Sugar-free Jello and sugar-free popsicles. Popcorn. Frozen grapes.

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9/29/12 6:25 P

Grab whatever fruit is in season. An ice cold fresh peach is heavenly!

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9/29/12 2:42 P

I'm sure someone has said this already but.... measure your food. Sounds like your portions are too big and maybe although the food is healthy, you need to replace some with lower calorie foods.

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9/29/12 2:30 P

Make sure you are estimating calories burned as accurately as possible. I was good with the lower end of 1200-1500 calories for several weeks ... pretty easy actually. Then after working out a lot for several weeks straight, I was suddenly STARVING all the time. so I got a heart rate monitor to help me measure calories burned during working out ... figured out I was way under estimating my calories burned during exercise. Once I bumped that up to a better estimate, i found I could eat a bit more and then suddenly - no more starving. and still losing :-)

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9/29/12 1:50 P

I skimmed through this quickly and saw so many good ideas, many I use, but no one plan fits everyone. For example, the 5 meals a day is good for some, not for others, you have to investigate and decide for yourself. I usually have 3 meals and one snack, and sometimes two if I feel hungry in the evening. I have trouble sleeping if I'm hungry, so I'll have a 3-4 oz portion of yogurt, which is enough to satisfy and it's protein. In the winter I might make that a hot chocolate. I find dairy is satisfying. I have no trouble getting carbs, I usually have two slices of homemade whole wheat bread a day.

I try to avoid white sugar, white rice and white flour. Those seem to set up cravings for more, and are not as filling as whole grains. I cook the Irish Oatmeal for breakfast in the winter, the long cooking kind. If I want to save time in the morning I make a 4 serving pot the day before, portion it out and reheat one at a time. I add raisins and apples when cooking, and nuts when reheating. Delicious.

I find the Dove dark chocolate/raspberry squares very satisfying and will have two squares when I need a chocolate fix.They are 44 calories each.

When I think I really, really want huge servings of something I remind myself that NOBODY ever starved to death on a 1200-1500 cal diet, and I might be craving but will live through it. Suffering builds character!! So I talk to myself, pray about it, and get busy with something that requires either concentration or that works the muscles. If I keep my mind and body busy I'm better able to handle it.

Last of all, I'm in this to get healthier, not to make the cover of a glamour magazine, and even if the scale isn't moving, I've GOT to be improving inside if I'm not eating junk. I started this journey at 333 lbs, and it's been many years since. I know I'm better off, even though I still haven't reached goal. I've lost 120+ lbs and probably need to lose 40 more. One day at a time.

Edited by: DONNAC228 at: 9/29/2012 (13:53)

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9/29/12 11:35 A

Usually when any of my limits are met, I stop eating. Except for protein because I never seem to meet that one. I don't always keep track of everything I eat which can be a bad thing but it is hard when you see something you want. I haven't really been hungry for any junk food. I usually just have rich hot chocolate.
I started the 5k challenge and with that, I may need to raise my range up. I am on the 1200-1500 calorie right now and when I jog the 3.1 mile, I usually burn 670 calories depending on speed of my jogging. If I don't watch, I don't lose and may gain a few pounds back.

For the rest of the night, I chew on gum :P

Good luck :)

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9/29/12 10:28 A

Some really great ideas. Thanks again, I can't believe how many of you took the time to reply to my question. I didn't realize that I could change my calories by changing my fitness setting. I actually burn 2000 calories a week. I could be eating a few 100 calories a day more, instead of trying harder to restrict. I did up my calories once before but didn't lose. Maybe I upped them too much.

Posts: 426
9/29/12 9:53 A

This week is the first week that I've stayed at 1200 everyday instead of having closer to the 1500 a day and I feel great about it!

Pounds lost: 13.8

0 7.85 15.7 23.55

31.4

SparkPoints: (8,951)
Fitness Minutes: (22,499)
Posts: 518
9/29/12 9:36 A

I would check to see if your weight loss goal is too ambitious. I believe that 1200-1500 is the minimum calorie range to keep your body functioning. However if you have set your calories too low your body will lower your metabolism by as much as 40% to compensate for the lack of food! And that will not do your weight loss journey any favors.

Also it is so important to eat protein at every meal and snack. Aim for 30g of protein at each meal. Eat your protein with lots of veggies, berries and healthy fats and you will be full and lose weight.

What does a day of eating look like for you?

SparkPoints: (884)
Fitness Minutes: (470)
Posts: 8
9/29/12 6:50 A

Just be careful what kind of carbs you are eating. Get them through good choices. I allow myself ONE slice of bread per day if I have bread. I do eat potatoes, steamed red potatoes, less starch. Watch for high corn syrup in your bread ingredient, nasty stuff and the manufacturers know it, your seeing more bread products telling us when they don't use it.

Also we need fat for our brain but only good sources of fat. Coconut oil is a excellent way to get that, also REAL butter from grass fed cows or at least hormone free. Margarine is NOT healthy eating period.

Also, once you get past eating tons of carbs you don't crave them anymore. Don't eliminate them altogether, they are important to.

Sugar, reduce sugar intake and again you lose cravings for it. It is easy day one and two, it is hard days 3-7 but after that it does get where you think twice about it and wonder if it is worth the calories. Chances are you will not think so. Sometimes I will be shopping and think I want a peanutbutter cup. I don't buy it then, walk away. If I still get the craving again and again I may scratch my itch, but most of the time I forget about it.

Do what works best for your body and how you feel after you've eaten something.

Motto: nothing tastes as good as fit feels. Or your clothes fitting better.

Edited by: DJSPRINKLES at: 9/29/2012 (06:52)

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9/29/12 1:30 A

to much information

current weight: 1.0  over

5 2.5 0 -2.5

-5

SparkPoints: (11,273)
Fitness Minutes: (8,174)
Posts: 321
9/29/12 12:06 A

Jess, I eat carbs, but when I focus on protein, it's actually hard for me to get to my carb limit. I have found that I function best when I watch the protein levels and even go a little high on fat. When my carbs get to the middle of my range (usually when protein is low), I'm sluggish.

And, I keep chocolate bars...and I know that one square of the Ghiradelli or other yummy-ness will taste amazing and will satisfy that desire. One square. I can enjoy my luxury, savor it, without eating a whole bar. It was an extraordinary day when I realized that. :)

With exercising a lot, I wonder if you haven't set your range too low. Your body may be resorting to starvation mode, slowing your metabolism and storing your food, instead of using it as fuel. As crazy as it sounds, you might need to eat MORE to lose weight. SP has info about this...look around the site.

current weight: 161.6

200 186.25 172.5 158.75

145

SparkPoints: (18,508)
Fitness Minutes: (7,930)
Posts: 1,166
9/28/12 11:02 P

I eat carbs, I usually run between 45% and 55% carbs on my pie chart thingie. Oddly enough the thing I have trouble getting a high enough percentage of is fat. I am consistently low on it and struggle to have as much as SP says I should.

I have a couple of slices of bread in morning, or an English muffin or pita bread. Lunch I usually have either a bean of some kind or a meat protein with pasta, rice or potatoes. Dinner usually has carbs too. Pizza on a whole wheat pita (That's my favorite meal this week. I tend to eat in streaks), or whichever of my food choices I didn't use for lunch.

SP says I should have between 135 and 252 on my carb count, so far this week I've been at 177, 199. 200, 160, 168, 167 and 174.


Edited by: REDDOGMOM at: 9/28/2012 (23:05)

current weight: 111.2

164 150.8 137.6 124.4

111.2

Posts: 9
9/28/12 10:00 P

Good ideas all. Thanks for taking the time to respond to this post. One thing I noticed was no one is eating carbs very much. Do you ever have a cheat meal? I`m struggling with this strict type of eating plan.

I know everyone will say, if you want to lose just do it. No one here wants to eat some chocolate on the weekend? Sounds like everyone is perfect at dieting. I counted calories for two years and lost nothing. I did a starvation diet, lost 25 lbs of muscle mass, and spent the next two years counting calories and wondering why I gained weight every week. Now I exercise 5 days a week, am active on weekends and have lost nothing in 3 months. I look better and fit a smaller size so I am losing fat. Good!

I liked the suggestion about eating half your meals and waiting. I think this will work best for me.

I tried IF too. didn`t lose. And it was hard. I really wanted to have a healthy outlook on food and eat with my family. I think my portions need to be smaller than other peoples. I could actually eat a cup of rice with each meal and still be under my calories, but if I do, I gain. Maybe I need to do like most of you and eat carbs very sparingly. I`ve only been able to do it for a couple of days so far. Then I give up.

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Posts: 3
9/28/12 4:11 P

I do that too. It makes it a lot easier for me. So far I have to do the meal plan til I get the hang of this on my own with a few substitutions from the list. Been on it just a couple of days but so far so good.

current weight: 209.0

209 199.25 189.5 179.75

170

Posts: 33
9/28/12 3:59 P

I have to agree about the fruit and veggies. It's really hard to keep your calorie count very high when you're eating veggies. The fiber fills you up and keeps you satisfied longer too. Remember that Seinfeld episode with Elaine and her "Big Salad"? LOL I love big salads with a variety of veggies and a couple nuts or seeds thrown in, too.

Posts: 583
9/28/12 3:46 P

NEVER drop your calories under 1200. It is NOT beneficial to your body in any way and will likely elicit a starvation response from your body causing it to store more fat for your protection.

current weight: 161.8

175 166.25 157.5 148.75

140