What works for you?

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Replies

  • flippy1234
    flippy1234 Posts: 686 Member
    Orphia wrote: »
    elphie754 wrote: »
    flippy1234 wrote: »
    SuggaD wrote: »
    1000 calories, plus exercise...umm no.
    I am 51. Unfortunately, this is the only thing that has worked for me. I eat what I want but small portions. I do not deprive myself of anything.

    Then you likely are not logging correctly or have unrealistic expectations on how much to lose each week.

    Sadly, yes, this is very likely true.

    A calorie deficit does not have to mean deprivation.

    I am not deprived at all. I feel great. Tons of energy. I found what works for me. I am losing slowly. I don't update my profile. I am very realistic. There are days when I go over my calories. I still enjoy my wine as well.
  • elphie754
    elphie754 Posts: 7,574 Member
    flippy1234 wrote: »
    Orphia wrote: »
    elphie754 wrote: »
    flippy1234 wrote: »
    SuggaD wrote: »
    1000 calories, plus exercise...umm no.
    I am 51. Unfortunately, this is the only thing that has worked for me. I eat what I want but small portions. I do not deprive myself of anything.

    Then you likely are not logging correctly or have unrealistic expectations on how much to lose each week.

    Sadly, yes, this is very likely true.

    A calorie deficit does not have to mean deprivation.

    I am not deprived at all. I feel great. Tons of energy. I found what works for me. I am losing slowly. I don't update my profile. I am very realistic. There are days when I go over my calories. I still enjoy my wine as well.

    Do you weigh your food? If not, you are likely eating more than you think.
  • SLLRunner
    SLLRunner Posts: 12,942 Member
    edited October 2015
    flippy1234 wrote: »
    Everyone is different. Losing weight and being healthy is not a one size fits all thing. But, I am curious as to what has worked best for you.
    For me, it has been small portions, staying within 1000 calories and walking about 1/2 hour almost every day. That is my formula for me.
    Please share what has worked best for you.

    Eating at a calorie deficit.

    Re the bold part: this is not healthy. You need to eat more.
  • PinkPixiexox
    PinkPixiexox Posts: 4,142 Member
    For me it's been a very, very simple - move more!

    I LOVE food but I have a VERY sedentary full time job, so in order for me to enjoy the quantity of food I desire, I have to make the effort to get up and move! My Fitbit has been absolutely vital for me, if I'm honest.

    I also track absolutely everything (pre-logging helps hugely)!
  • ohmyllama
    ohmyllama Posts: 161 Member
    1000 calories and exercise 2-3 times a day! My doctor put me on a low calorie diet, so I don't feel like it's a disaster as long as I keep all my appointments and feel good. I have more energy than ever... feel great so far.
  • beck1967
    beck1967 Posts: 17 Member
    SugarD I have to somewhat agree with you, I am 47 and I have to reduce my own calories to about 1300 to lose. Anything higher and the weight does not budge. Even with exercise.
  • leahcollett1
    leahcollett1 Posts: 807 Member
    definately not eating less than 1700 calories as this is my tdee, including exercise -
    track everything
    enjoy the workout
  • Lounmoun
    Lounmoun Posts: 8,423 Member
    Setting a reasonable and comfortable calorie goal. Not being in a rush or having a deadline.
    Eating and enjoying the foods I would normally eat. No unsustainable diets.
    Smaller portions of higher calorie items paired with more lower calorie vegetables.
    Pre-logging my whole day has been extremely helpful.
    Moderate exercise. You Tube workout videos.
  • Need2Exerc1se
    Need2Exerc1se Posts: 13,575 Member
    Orphia wrote: »
    elphie754 wrote: »
    flippy1234 wrote: »
    SuggaD wrote: »
    1000 calories, plus exercise...umm no.
    I am 51. Unfortunately, this is the only thing that has worked for me. I eat what I want but small portions. I do not deprive myself of anything.

    Then you likely are not logging correctly or have unrealistic expectations on how much to lose each week.

    Sadly, yes, this is very likely true.

    A calorie deficit does not have to mean deprivation.

    Doesn't it? Everyone in a calorie deficit is depriving their body of the calories it needs to maintain it's current status.
  • vaguelyvegan
    vaguelyvegan Posts: 45 Member
    What works for me is ignoring cookie-cutter advice about calorie minimums and mealtimes and whatnot. Every body is different and I think we have to learn what works for us on an individual basis--what makes us feel our best. I find that a few hard-and-fast rules help me: no snacking at work, hit the scale every morning, weigh and log my food as I go along and stop eating when I've reached my caloric limit for the day. It's not rocket science, but it's also not easy, which is why I think people try to complicate the process by subscribing to fad diets and pseudo-intellectual listicles they pick up on BuzzFeed. The fact is that maintaining a healthy weight requires a fair amount of vigilance over a long period of time, and because that kind of sucks, we search for ways to deflect the responsibility and mask the simple concept of nourishment. Really I think our bodies know what's good for them. It's the psychological baggage that's so hard to overcome.
  • SLLRunner
    SLLRunner Posts: 12,942 Member
    edited October 2015
    flippy1234 wrote: »
    Orphia wrote: »
    elphie754 wrote: »
    flippy1234 wrote: »
    SuggaD wrote: »
    1000 calories, plus exercise...umm no.
    I am 51. Unfortunately, this is the only thing that has worked for me. I eat what I want but small portions. I do not deprive myself of anything.

    Then you likely are not logging correctly or have unrealistic expectations on how much to lose each week.

    Sadly, yes, this is very likely true.

    A calorie deficit does not have to mean deprivation.

    I am not deprived at all. I feel great. Tons of energy. I found what works for me. I am losing slowly. I don't update my profile. I am very realistic. There are days when I go over my calories. I still enjoy my wine as well.

    How long have you been 1000 calories?

    What is losing weight slowly? A half pound a week or so? If this is accurate, then you are undoubtedly eating more food than you realize, which is a good thing because 1000 calories is not healthy.
    Orphia wrote: »
    elphie754 wrote: »
    flippy1234 wrote: »
    SuggaD wrote: »
    1000 calories, plus exercise...umm no.
    I am 51. Unfortunately, this is the only thing that has worked for me. I eat what I want but small portions. I do not deprive myself of anything.

    Then you likely are not logging correctly or have unrealistic expectations on how much to lose each week.

    Sadly, yes, this is very likely true.

    A calorie deficit does not have to mean deprivation.

    Doesn't it? Everyone in a calorie deficit is depriving their body of the calories it needs to maintain it's current status.

    It seems to me your reply is out of context because the OP said she is eating 1000 calories, which is not healthy.
  • flippy1234
    flippy1234 Posts: 686 Member
    SLLRunner wrote: »
    flippy1234 wrote: »
    Orphia wrote: »
    elphie754 wrote: »
    flippy1234 wrote: »
    SuggaD wrote: »
    1000 calories, plus exercise...umm no.
    I am 51. Unfortunately, this is the only thing that has worked for me. I eat what I want but small portions. I do not deprive myself of anything.

    Then you likely are not logging correctly or have unrealistic expectations on how much to lose each week.

    Sadly, yes, this is very likely true.

    A calorie deficit does not have to mean deprivation.

    I am not deprived at all. I feel great. Tons of energy. I found what works for me. I am losing slowly. I don't update my profile. I am very realistic. There are days when I go over my calories. I still enjoy my wine as well.

    How long have you been 1000 calories?

    What is losing weight slowly? A half pound a week or so? If this is accurate, then you are undoubtedly eating more food than you realize, which is a good thing because 1000 calories is not healthy.
    Orphia wrote: »
    elphie754 wrote: »
    flippy1234 wrote: »
    SuggaD wrote: »
    1000 calories, plus exercise...umm no.
    I am 51. Unfortunately, this is the only thing that has worked for me. I eat what I want but small portions. I do not deprive myself of anything.

    Then you likely are not logging correctly or have unrealistic expectations on how much to lose each week.

    Sadly, yes, this is very likely true.

    A calorie deficit does not have to mean deprivation.

    Doesn't it? Everyone in a calorie deficit is depriving their body of the calories it needs to maintain it's current status.

    It seems to me your reply is out of context because the OP said she is eating 1000 calories, which is not healthy.

    I know what is and isn't healthy for me. I am 51 years old. Not my first time at this Rodeo and I finally found a formula per se that works for me. Whether I am eating more than I think or not enough, I know what my body needs. I am a very healthy person. Not on any meds, I exercise and feel great. So, as I have said many times in many posts, everyone is different and it's up to each individual to figure out what works best for them to achieve their goals, whatever they may be in the most healthy way for them.
    So, I asked the original question just so people could share what has worked for them. Maybe others who have not had success can pick up some hints and tips that may, or may not work for them.
  • Need2Exerc1se
    Need2Exerc1se Posts: 13,575 Member
    SLLRunner wrote: »
    [
    Orphia wrote: »
    elphie754 wrote: »
    flippy1234 wrote: »
    SuggaD wrote: »
    1000 calories, plus exercise...umm no.
    I am 51. Unfortunately, this is the only thing that has worked for me. I eat what I want but small portions. I do not deprive myself of anything.

    Then you likely are not logging correctly or have unrealistic expectations on how much to lose each week.

    Sadly, yes, this is very likely true.

    A calorie deficit does not have to mean deprivation.

    Doesn't it? Everyone in a calorie deficit is depriving their body of the calories it needs to maintain it's current status.

    It seems to me your reply is out of context because the OP said she is eating 1000 calories, which is not healthy.

    How could you possibly know what is healthy or unhealthy for the OP? Do you even know her? Do you have access to her medical record? Are you a medical professional familiar with her history?
  • Kalikel
    Kalikel Posts: 9,603 Member
    Eating lots of small meals. It's hard to cram all the different vitamins and minerals into 1200 calories, so different meals help. Plus, I'm never really hungry or feeling stuffed.

    Getting enough sleep. Don't ask my why it works. I don't know. One of these days, I'll find out.

    Exercise. If I didn't do it, I wouldn't lose.
  • seltzermint555
    seltzermint555 Posts: 10,740 Member
    3 meals per day with zero snacks in between
    weighing every day
    10+ glasses of water every day
    paying more attention to being under on sodium
    paying less attention to being under on fat
  • flippy1234
    flippy1234 Posts: 686 Member
    SLLRunner wrote: »
    [
    Orphia wrote: »
    elphie754 wrote: »
    flippy1234 wrote: »
    SuggaD wrote: »
    1000 calories, plus exercise...umm no.
    I am 51. Unfortunately, this is the only thing that has worked for me. I eat what I want but small portions. I do not deprive myself of anything.

    Then you likely are not logging correctly or have unrealistic expectations on how much to lose each week.

    Sadly, yes, this is very likely true.

    A calorie deficit does not have to mean deprivation.

    Doesn't it? Everyone in a calorie deficit is depriving their body of the calories it needs to maintain it's current status.

    It seems to me your reply is out of context because the OP said she is eating 1000 calories, which is not healthy.

    How could you possibly know what is healthy or unhealthy for the OP? Do you even know her? Do you have access to her medical record? Are you a medical professional familiar with her history?

    Thank you for responding to that. I am the original poster. I am healthy and happy.
  • Bshmerlie
    Bshmerlie Posts: 1,026 Member
    beck1967 wrote: »
    SugarD I have to somewhat agree with you, I am 47 and I have to reduce my own calories to about 1300 to lose. Anything higher and the weight does not budge. Even with exercise.
    I am 46 and average about 1500 per day. I lose about 2 pounds per week. You guys may be eating more that you think.
  • Need2Exerc1se
    Need2Exerc1se Posts: 13,575 Member
    edited October 2015
    Bshmerlie wrote: »
    beck1967 wrote: »
    SugarD I have to somewhat agree with you, I am 47 and I have to reduce my own calories to about 1300 to lose. Anything higher and the weight does not budge. Even with exercise.
    I am 46 and average about 1500 per day. I lose about 2 pounds per week. You guys may be eating more that you think.

    I am 51 and average about 1500 per day. I lose about .5 lbs per month. I may be eating more than I think. You may be eating less than you think. We may all simply be different people with different needs.
  • cnbbnc
    cnbbnc Posts: 1,267 Member
    Eating less

    Exercising more

    What he said.

  • LisaTcan
    LisaTcan Posts: 410 Member
    For me what works is eating around 1600 calories a day, which consists of three meals and 1 snack in the afternoon. I make to not graze at all between meals. Also, finding an activity I really enjoy - cycling! Pre-logging my meals really helps me not to go over my calories.
  • esaucier17
    esaucier17 Posts: 694 Member
    flippy1234 wrote: »
    Orphia wrote: »
    elphie754 wrote: »
    flippy1234 wrote: »
    SuggaD wrote: »
    1000 calories, plus exercise...umm no.
    I am 51. Unfortunately, this is the only thing that has worked for me. I eat what I want but small portions. I do not deprive myself of anything.

    Then you likely are not logging correctly or have unrealistic expectations on how much to lose each week.

    Sadly, yes, this is very likely true.

    A calorie deficit does not have to mean deprivation.

    I am not deprived at all. I feel great. Tons of energy. I found what works for me. I am losing slowly. I don't update my profile. I am very realistic. There are days when I go over my calories. I still enjoy my wine as well.

    Same for me....and I weigh everything :wink:
    ...and I also enjoy my wine!
  • flippy1234
    flippy1234 Posts: 686 Member
    esaucier17 wrote: »
    flippy1234 wrote: »
    Orphia wrote: »
    elphie754 wrote: »
    flippy1234 wrote: »
    SuggaD wrote: »
    1000 calories, plus exercise...umm no.
    I am 51. Unfortunately, this is the only thing that has worked for me. I eat what I want but small portions. I do not deprive myself of anything.

    Then you likely are not logging correctly or have unrealistic expectations on how much to lose each week.

    Sadly, yes, this is very likely true.

    A calorie deficit does not have to mean deprivation.

    I am not deprived at all. I feel great. Tons of energy. I found what works for me. I am losing slowly. I don't update my profile. I am very realistic. There are days when I go over my calories. I still enjoy my wine as well.

    Same for me....and I weigh everything :wink:
    ...and I also enjoy my wine!

    Excellent!
  • TrailNurse
    TrailNurse Posts: 359 Member
    Intermittent fasting during the day, Keto at night and low carb on the weeks with heavy weight training 4-5 times a week. That is what works for me.
  • TrailNurse
    TrailNurse Posts: 359 Member
    flippy1234 wrote: »
    SuggaD wrote: »
    1000 calories, plus exercise...umm no.
    I am 51. Unfortunately, this is the only thing that has worked for me. I eat what I want but small portions. I do not deprive myself of anything.

    You do what is right for you and don't feel pressured to change it just because someone doesn't agree with your program. Us short women about to hit menopause don't need as many calories. As long as you eat well, have energy and are exercising to prevent chronic health issues you are good to go.
  • nvmomketo
    nvmomketo Posts: 12,019 Member
    For me?

    I am doing very well on a very LCHF diet. I was not good at moderating my sugars and carbs, so eliminating them has cut my cravings and it is MUCH easier to stay with a healthier diet (for me).

    I was losing well on 1500 calories per day but I've since upped it to about 2000 and have found it is my maintenance level.
  • CrabNebula
    CrabNebula Posts: 1,119 Member
    Calorie counting/portion control and 45 minutes/5 days a week of SS cardio.
  • bwogilvie
    bwogilvie Posts: 2,130 Member
    What worked for me when I lost 65 pounds between January 7, 2013, and December 15, 2014?

    - Creating an account on MFP and committing to logging my food and exercise.
    - Buying a food scale and weighing ingredients in my meals. Since I'm the cook in my family, that wasn't too hard, and I soon learned which ingredients needed to be weighed carefully and which I could eyeball.
    - Learning what my regular exercise actually burned. For cycling, getting a computer that had GPS and an HRM function taught me that my earlier HRMs had grossly exaggerated the calories I burned.
    - Logging consistently, checking my logs against my actual weight loss, and if there were any discrepancies, tracking down why they had occurred.

    Or, to sum it all up: being brutally honest with myself about how much I was eating and exercising, and if my estimates didn't match up with my accomplishments, revising the former, rather than complaining about the latter.

    And I rarely felt deprived during my loss. I did average over 500 calories a day in exercise, which made a big difference. But after the first three weeks, when I had to resist hunger pangs a lot, I came to realize that many hunger pangs would subside after 15-20 minutes, especially if I had a glass of water, so I just found ways to distract myself.
  • flippy1234
    flippy1234 Posts: 686 Member
    TrailNurse wrote: »
    flippy1234 wrote: »
    SuggaD wrote: »
    1000 calories, plus exercise...umm no.
    I am 51. Unfortunately, this is the only thing that has worked for me. I eat what I want but small portions. I do not deprive myself of anything.

    You do what is right for you and don't feel pressured to change it just because someone doesn't agree with your program. Us short women about to hit menopause don't need as many calories. As long as you eat well, have energy and are exercising to prevent chronic health issues you are good to go.

    Agreed. Thank you.
  • JustSomeEm
    JustSomeEm Posts: 20,265 MFP Moderator
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