Is it all about calories?

healthy491
healthy491 Posts: 384 Member
edited December 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
I may sound dumb but i am trying to maintain my weight and just tone my tummy and thighs. However , I just take into account my calories and eat the required calories to maintain my weight. I sometimes reduce calories during the week so that I could eat some junk on weekends. I eat a lot of carbs and vegetables and fruit and some protein but i make sure to never exceed my calories ( except weekends). However , I do drink diet soft drinks and artificially flavoured water which both contain no calories. Am I doing my 'diet' right?

Replies

  • LivingtheLeanDream
    LivingtheLeanDream Posts: 13,342 Member
    Its all about total calories in/out each week, not WHAT those calories are. Its totally fine to save/bank some calories for weekend eating - that's what I do. I cut during the week my cals my 200 so come the weekend I can splurge with no guilt :smile: I find if I eat too many carbs/too much sugar then my tummy appears more bloated/bigger.

    To 'tone' your tummy and thighs the best way imo is to lift weights that are heavy for you. Even body weight exercises are effective - youtube is great for those kind of workouts, check out Fitness Blender/Hasfit and Jessica Smith strength training. :smile:
  • WBB55
    WBB55 Posts: 4,131 Member
    It's 99% about the calories.

    There is one thing I recommend, though, about saving calories for the weekend. I've found best results -- as in no plateaus -- when my weekend/birthday/etc planned "binges" still stay below my TDEE for that day.

    Let's say my TDEE is 2200. Normally I eat 1700-1800 and have been losing steadily. Eating 1500 all week and then eating 2200 on Friday and Saturday won't interfere with my weightloss trends.
  • stevencloser
    stevencloser Posts: 8,911 Member
    For weight management, so gaining or losing, calories are the determining factor.
    For overall health and all that jazz, getting proper nutrients is important too, especially as you get closer to your goal.
    Also make sure that you don't exceed your calories on the weekends so much you're negating your week's efforts.
  • JeromeBarry1
    JeromeBarry1 Posts: 10,185 Member
    If it is working for you it is because you understand how much "junk" you can get on weekends. Congratulations. It is all about calories but you seem to be achieving your goal of maintenance intuitively, the way billions of people did before the fat epidemic struck.
  • healthy491
    healthy491 Posts: 384 Member
    JeromeBarry1 wrote: »
    If it is working for you it is because you understand how much "junk" you can get on weekends. Congratulations. It is all about calories but you seem to be achieving your goal of maintenance intuitively, the way billions of people did before the fat epidemic struck.

    I'm sorry but I didn't quite understand what you are saying ?
  • DebSozo
    DebSozo Posts: 2,578 Member
    healthy491 wrote: »
    I may sound dumb but i am trying to maintain my weight and just tone my tummy and thighs. However , I just take into account my calories and eat the required calories to maintain my weight. I sometimes reduce calories during the week so that I could eat some junk on weekends. I eat a lot of carbs and vegetables and fruit and some protein but i make sure to never exceed my calories ( except weekends). Am I doing my 'diet' right?
    Yes. If you want to maintain, then it looks like you are being successful. You have figured out the calorie range, are eating healthy foods, and occasionally treating yourself on weekends but compensating by cutting back during the week. Congratulations. This is a balance that people struggle to achieve when on maintenance. You are doing it.
  • sijomial
    sijomial Posts: 19,808 Member
    You seemed to have found a method of maintaining that works for you - well done.

    If you have a read of the posts in the Maintaining Weight forum you will see that regarding your calorie allowance as a weekly, not daily, thing is common as is the fitting in of some food into your overall diet that you (or more likely other people!) might regards as a treat foods or junk food.
    You will also see that a lot of people maintaining are still improving their body composition and appearance. Here's a thread that might interest you.....

    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10177803/recomposition-maintaining-weight-while-losing-fat/p1
  • kommodevaran
    kommodevaran Posts: 17,889 Member
    edited May 2016
    Calories for weight management.
    Diet composition for calorie management, health and general wellbeing.
  • healthy491
    healthy491 Posts: 384 Member
    Thank you all for your help :) !
This discussion has been closed.

Categories