Inspired & confused

icu814me2

Hi everyone. I just joined yesterday and have been going through multiple topics. I am very inspired by all of the success that people have had on here. That said, I am very confused as to the direction I need to go. Simply put I have at least 100 pounds to lose. I am 51 and it seems like the pounds come off slower. Mind you, I am trying to also eat as good as I can. I have been doing low carbs and eating about 30 carbs a day in veggies and a little fruit. The weight is coming off fast (lOST 9 LBS IN 3 DAYS), but then when I read some of the posts I get confused about which plan to do. Right now I just want to lose wieght. I am all in for starting an excercise program also.

Please offer any help you can with low carb vs. ???? I would really appreciate your advice.

RJ

WBB55

My first question would be have you talked to a doctor? And also do you have other goals besides simply to lower the number on a scale? Like, to lower blood pressure or cholesterol?

If you plug in your data into this calculator http://scoobysworkshop.com/accurate-calorie-calculator/
it will give you some numbers called your BMR and TDEE. These numbers will help you determine the right amount of calories to eat, based on what your body needs.

Or, if you put in all your info accurately into MFP, it should have given you a "net" calorie goal to eat per day. What does it say? What settings did you use when setting up your MFP account?

Going low carb is your own choice. It isn't necessary to lose weight. But maybe you have other reasons for it.

icu814me2

The health is fine. No reason to go low carb, other than it just seems to be a easy plan. Right now I just want toose so I feel more energy, so I can be more active.

freckledjezebel

Congratulations on your success so far!

I am not an expert by any means, but I should say that people get energy from good carbs (whole wheat, ect) and if you start an exercise program while eating little or no carbs you might find it a little more difficult than you would otherwise. By that I mean that you might find yourself really tired, with little to no energy.

But all you can do is try! If you're getting healthy results then go for it!

WBB55

Did you find out your BMR and TDEE using the link I suggested?

If you want to lose 100 pounds (and I did it back in 2006-2008) then the key for me wasn't fad diets or whatever. The key was sticking to a regular plan. MFP gives you some great tools to track your food intake and exercise. My suggestion to you is to use the site for 4-6 weeks. Eat the amount of calories it tells you to. Log all of your food as accurately as possible (use the weight of the food in grams, if you can). Log your exercise. Track your weight loss.

If during that time you get cranky or start to binge from hunger, add 100-200 calories per day.

Come back in 4-6 weeks and tell us how it's going. Patience and consistent logging has always been the key for me. Good luck.

cpusmc

Congrats on 9lbs in 3 days. Sounds like you have put your body in a significant calorie deficit by limiting your carbs. I agree with WBB55, figure out your total calories either with MFP or the other method recommended. Using the diet you are doing now, see where that puts you re total calories. If you are feeling good, plenty of energy, then stick with it for a month or two and see where you land. From there, re-evaluate and adjust. You can start to add exercise along the way.

shrimpydoo

Congrats on a terrific start. I agree with the others. THe worse thing you can do is deprive yourself (and your body) of the food it needs. Yes, it's important to operate at a deficit, but make it work for you. You're in for the long haul, so sit back, get used to the new you, set small goals (not all need to be weight related) and just hang in there. It works.

EATINGTOLIVE77

I can't tell you what to do, however, I can share my journey, and I have be up and down this diet world for a while now:)

I just rejoined MFP a week ago. My first week I have lost 4.8 pounds, your weight lost in 3 days is not surprising to me. My brother is a large man and when he eats a high veggie,medium protein diet, with a little dairy and fruit, he loses weight like crazy. He has more energy and his aches and pains seem to go away. This has inspired me to go no wheat diet. I have been reading up on it and its really a easy diet to follow. Just don't eat wheat. You will get your good carbs in the veggie and nuts.

My first week was great, however, after completing the week I read that I am consuming too much fruit (limited fruit OK) and need to increase my veggie intake. This morning I had a two egg omelet, mushrooms, green and red peppers, cheddar cheese. YUMMY That was 2.5 hours and a forty minute workout ago.

The book I am referring is called Wheat Belly. This may not be the health plan for you or others that read this post, however, knowledge is power no matter what. So go ahead get the book, read it and apply to your life style or not.

Also feel free to check back with me on my wheat free journey. As of now I have not been tried I actually have more energy and I am not eating all of the time. I use to snack all the time, now I seem to not be hungry enough to want to eat. I make myself set down to 3 meals a day to make sure I get my calorie intake.

Hope this has been of some knowledge or help. Everyone at MFP just wants you to success

icu814me2

Thanks everyone! I am really looking forward to this journey.