Are the calculators right? Or am I an alien?

mumblemagic

When you get the scales, also get some measuring spoons and a jug. Get digital scales, and weigh in grams not ounces - you can be more precise that way. Only use the jug for liquids, and be really careful not to over-heap measuring spoons, especially for peanut butter!

Ddsb11

TavistockToad wrote: »

I am the same height and a couple of pounds heavier and I can lose 0.5lb per week on net 1650 cals. Are you sure you have to eat so little?

If I don't have to eat so little and can lose that's what I aim to find out! Previously in my life it was go as low cal as possible and make it happen as quick as possible. Now I want to do it as healthy as possible psychologically and physically. I realize 1200 is more damaging for me in my relationship with food than anything. So I'm trusting the calculators and I keep going up and back to the same weight over and over. Making me question if the calories were correctly allocated to me. This is why I appreciate this communities expertise! Alien it not.

I can trust the process and stick to a slow loss if I know inevitably it is the correct path I'm on.

Ddsb11

endlessfall16 wrote: »

msalicia07 wrote: »

endlessfall16 wrote: »

Eat at 1250 then. You'll not binge but lose wt at the same time.

That's not much different. I'm trying to prevent hunger to the point of overrating by the end of the week and ruining all my hard work. If I increase my exercise I get more hungry and my diet is really where I get weight loss results. I exercise for health not weight loss.

Sounds like you are not patient and don't believe in baby steps.

You did well with your analysis and belief, having all those numbers. Don't miss the next step which is to put all that analysis work to good use. If your analysis is correct, you will avoid bingeing and lose wt following the middle ground number. Best of both worlds. Then, build on it.

I like your forward answer! After all I am here for help, so thank you. I suppose I'm trying to avoid the "insanity" of doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result if there will be no change. It's a fine line from changing what doesn't seem to be working and being patient. I'm very happy to be patient if I'm clear that the method will provide my desired results eventually.

I am all about learning a lifestyle and completely over the yoyo speed dieting, that's for sure!

rileysowner

msalicia07 wrote: »

DavPul wrote: »

when did you begin weighing your food?

I follow the package labels as they are already portioned out. That's what I do to prevent error. Example: bag of steam veges 120 cal per bag, macros listed accordingly.

The amount in the package does not have to be exactly the amount listed. Usually there is a small margin allowed for being below that, but most companies actually put in more than is listed to avoid issues with consumers taking them to court. That would mean those numbers you have been putting your trust in are likely under representing the actual calories you are eating.

IGbnat24

I'm 5'4 128-130. I'm trying to get to 125 for bikini season--so I get losing a few lbs even in you're already in the healthy range. Set your loss to .5lb/week. You don't have 1lb/week to lose. Carve out an extra 10-20min at home 4-5x/week and do a bodyweight circuit (example: as many rounds as possible in 15min: 10 burpees, 10 push-ups, 10 mountain climbers, 10 sit-ups). You need to kick it into high gear to shed the last few lbs. get to work ☺️

Ddsb11

mdrichardsons wrote: »

sunnybeaches105 wrote: »

Seriously? No one voted "alien?" MFP is slacking

Haha...
ok just a thought I like to eat different on different days so what if you stay at 1200 like you want I'm guessing your not eating back your exercise calories so have a few extra on the weekends maybe 1500+ or something you'll have to play with it. Then you will feel like your getting your binge on those days. I agree 1200 sounds low. I'm 5'3 135 and I eat 1200 during the week and saving my exercise calories I eat 1500-2000 on the weekend depending on what is going on. I'm currently losing at about 1-1.5lbs a week. Which is pretty fast since I don't have much more to loose. but since I'm not super hungry and tired I'm ok with it for now. There are weeks though where if I feel hungry or tired I eat more and it hasn't affected my weight loss. So listen to your body if you not getting enough calories eventually you will get tired and will not move as much which will mean less co. So in the long run you're better to eat a little more.

I can see the appeal- saving your higher calories days for the weekends. I wish I had that much mental control, but it would be a dangerous position for me at this point. 1200 cals have always lead to binges, so I am trying desperately to find that happy medium of losing weight but feeling satiated. A lifestyle I can manage with as little psychologically effects as possible.

Francl27

I was losing at 34 and 133 pounds eating 1700 calories. 5'5" also. But I was walking an hour every day... but that shouldn't make such a difference.

So yeah, you're probably eating more than you think.

PricillaKorea wrote: »

I would make sure that you are eating the RIGHT foods too. Sometimes it isn't all about the calories. If you eat too much processed stuff even if it is low in calories it will still cause you to gain weight.

It's only true in the sense that most processed food underestimates calories.

Ddsb11

IGbnat24 wrote: »

I'm 5'4 128-130. I'm trying to get to 125 for bikini season--so I get losing a few lbs even in you're already in the healthy range. Set your loss to .5lb/week. You don't have 1lb/week to lose. Carve out an extra 10-20min at home 4-5x/week and do a bodyweight circuit (example: as many rounds as possible in 15min: 10 burpees, 10 push-ups, 10 mountain climbers, 10 sit-ups). You need to kick it into high gear to shed the last few lbs. get to work ☺️

Haha I like that "get to work". Just joined a gym to expand on my weight lifting so I'm excited about that!

Ddsb11

Francl27 wrote: »

I was losing at 34 and 133 pounds eating 1700 calories. 5'5" also. But I was walking an hour every day... but that shouldn't make such a difference.

So yeah, you're probably eating more than you think.

PricillaKorea wrote: »

I would make sure that you are eating the RIGHT foods too. Sometimes it isn't all about the calories. If you eat too much processed stuff even if it is low in calories it will still cause you to gain weight.

It's only true in the sense that most processed food underestimates calories.

Since concensus is that I should be losing weight at 1350 without adding exercise calories back to this, I can only surmise I need to weigh my food.

And I thought I was being concise with the portions and labels all being accounted for! Knowledge is power I suppose.

Ddsb11

mumblemagic wrote: »

When you get the scales, also get some measuring spoons and a jug. Get digital scales, and weigh in grams not ounces - you can be more precise that way. Only use the jug for liquids, and be really careful not to over-heap measuring spoons, especially for peanut butter!

Seriously, peanut butter calories should be freebies, it's just not fair.

WinoGelato

PricillaKorea wrote: »

I would make sure that you are eating the RIGHT foods too. Sometimes it isn't all about the calories. If you eat too much processed stuff even if it is low in calories it will still cause you to gain weight.

This is not true. If you eat at a calorie deficit, even if you eat nothing but highly processed food, you will lose weight.