Newbie! :) advice??

Anna_Joys_Journey

Hey y'all, I'm LJ and I'm new around here (regardless of what my profile says.). I registered for MFP awhile ago, but I am just now coming to use it. I'm married to a wonderful man who is in the Air Force, and we have two kids. We currently live in northern Japan, and I am a rarely-at-home-homeschooling mom.

I was never the fat kid when I was younger. In fact I was treated for anorexia and bulimia on many occasions. Certain things happened to make me become emotionally attached to food...and well, I've held on tight. I actually didn't eat very much at all,but was really sedentary and what I did eat was crap.

I quit my 3-a-day Coke habit 2 months ago (unintentionally), and saw a horrible picture of myself from Mother's Day service at church. I knew that picture had to be my "before"...because I refused to gain anymore. I live in a tower apartment building, and a friend and I started (very slowly) running up and down the stairwell at night. We did it every other day. Eventually I worked up the courage to go to the gym with her as well. We'd work on the weight machines for 45 minutes and then walk briskly on the treadmill for 15 minutes a few days a week. Last week my husband had to have the car every day and couldn't leave work, so the kids and I walked everywhere we needed to go. While my son was in art class, I'd take my daughter to the gym and walk on the treadmill and mess around with free weights while she played.

On Monday I plan on starting a 13 week TurboFire/Les Mills Pump Hybrid (I've dabbled in both programs before, but don't like either of them as a standalone). It's heavier on the Pump which I like because I prefer weights to too much cardio. My husband is also intent on killing me through Couch2-5K starting next Wednesday, and has already signed me up to walk a 5K with him on the 4th so I can "get a feel for the distance".

A few weeks ago I decided I should pay attention to what I'm putting in my mouth, so logged back in here to figure out how many calories to eat. As seems the usual, MFP gave me 1200. I've been using a different app (fat secret) to track because I didn't quite understand how MFP worked. I realized pretty quickly that I've been starving my body. I was only eating around 700 calories a day. Oops. So I decided to give myself a limit of no more than 1400. I've not gone over once, but have had a few days where I ate way too little.

I'm 5'4", and I started at 235 pounds on May 28. My husband took my measurements as well. Yesterday I weighed in at 218, and I've lost 9.25" (4" from my waist alone!). So I lost 17 pounds in a month! Woo hoo!! My ultimate goal weight is 145, but at the moment I'm just shooting for ONEderland. I'm in a size 20 jeans (but they're a bit too loose now), and a size XL in shirt. I'd be happy to be a size 12 again. (I'm VERY "hip-py" and have always had a large rear).

I've been reading about the BMR and TDEE thing, and it makes a lot of sense to me...but I already struggle to get 1400 calories in. If I did it all right, according to the numbers (TDEE - 20%) I should be eating more like 2000 a day. How in the world do I do that? I'm afraid to add back everything I've worked for! how do I ensure I'm getting enough fuel for my body without eating senseless calories? I don't want to stuff my face just for the sake of getting enough calories...

Feel free to friend me, I need motivation!!

ETA: I also use a Fitbit...but not sure how much good it's doing me. Will be switching to a BodyMedia FitBand just as soon as I can.

socioseguro

Hi

Congratulations on your success so far. I suggest you repost in the "success stories" section of MFP.

I believe you are taking the right steps. keep up the good work.

Good luck in your journey