Critique my Food Intake Vs. Results

anellisisland

I just made my diary public...how am I doing? I would like opinions on my diary since this is a lifestyle change for me, and I want it to be a sustainable one!

As you'll see, there are some days I am under my calories, and other days where I go over. I am very diligent with my food tracking and use a food scale daily.

Thanks in advance!

SezxyStef

You have lost 17lbs...I think the results speak for themself.

Mind you I checked your exercise as well...700 in 1hour of zumba...eh...

anellisisland

Do you think it's coming off too fast? I am worried about the "lose it fast, gain it back fast" dilemma.

Also, I use the MFP numbers for calories burned. I am also skeptical about 700 cal in an hour of zumba (even though I give it my all and sweat a ton). That's why I try to build in a buffer of calories under my daily goal.

How do others accurately track calories burned without the use of a FitBit (or similar)?

SezxyStef

too fast? depends on how long it's been...I didn't go all the way back.

How much do you want to lose? current weight? age? height? The info inputted into MFP will give you a number of calories but it doesn't say "wait that's too much too soon". Most of what i have read if you want to lose +75lbs 2lbs a week is good, under 10 1/2 a week is good...

Yes I did as well for my fitness (Circut training) but they are known to be off...I think most here who do cardio use a hrm with a chest strap regardless of the kind.

Greenrun99

If that is you in the picture, I take it your between 5 ft - 5ft 5 or so.. so 1 hour of zumba even at max heart rate would be around 500 but that is HR way up there.

As for your food, I would just recommend more protein (like 120g of protein) to sustain your lean mass while losing.. and you could probably eat more if you wanted to.. depending how much your losing.. but your weekly loss should be 1 lb and again by that picture your probably between 110-150 if your around that height.. so depending on your goals you may also want to start getting more familiar with real weights.

TribeHokie

It looks like you're doing just fine. You're not really eating too low so I wouldn't worry about it coming off too fast. As for exercise, the best way to track calorie burn is with a HRM but without one of those I tend to say log it with the internet calculator and eat back half the calories it says you burned. My only suggestion with your food intake would be to incorporate more fruits and veggies for bulk (100 calories of veggies is a lot more filling than 100 calories of chocolate), but if you don't find yourself being overly hungry throughout the day then keep on with what has been working for you.

anellisisland

It's been since August 1 (so almost 2 months). I would like to be about 20 lbs lighter.

Greenrun99 I am 25 and 5'8" (although yes it is me in the pic...my husband is just very tall). Also, this pic was taken on our honeymoon. I am back down to around this weight, which is 170. But thanks for the 110-150 complement!

TribeHokie I agree with the fruits/veggies vs chocolate. I will try to eat more, although a lot of my recipes do contain a fair amount of veggies and I eat fruit everyday with lunch (when I have it). The chocolate is my sanity check. Otherwise I think I would feel so deprived and would go on a crazy binge of all the food I used to eat.

Thanks for the feedback everyone! What's your opinion on eating back all calories burned through exercise?

TribeHokie

Oh I'm all for sanity checks. Like you said in your original post, you want to be eating in a way that is sustainable and if chocolate keeps you happy and not feeling deprived then you should absolutely include it. I was just using that as a comparison point ; )

salsera_barbie

I agree with what someone else said and would up your protein. Ideally you want it set to 40/30/30. If your using the default setting in MFP then your protein will be too low. I'm at 1300 calories and my protein is set to 98g.