Advice please?

ColinsMommaOC
ColinsMommaOC Posts: 296 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I am trying to determine if my goals are reasonable, or if they are likely to be too difficult or unrealistic. And hopefully get some answers to random questions....

About me:
Height - 5'7.5
Age - 29
Current weight - 296.5

first goal - 260 by July
2nd goal - 200 by January (for my 30th birthday)
final goal - 155

This website has me eating 1640 calories a day with a 2lb/week loss and sedentary. I work in an office and sit for most of my day. I have a FitBit that I use to track and on average I get about 3000-4000 steps a day. I plan on working out more (maybe 3 times aweek?) but I have not started yet. Since I have such a high amount of weight to lose, do Macros matter at this point? Someone said to get a food scale and I am going to, is there a blog or post that will help me use it correctly in the log? If I go out to eat (restaurant) and cannot use the scale, what the best way to accurately log my food? Some people here have said you dont have to eat exercise calories, some people say you do.... which is it??

Any thoughts, advice or help would be very much appreciated.

Replies

  • SezxyStef
    SezxyStef Posts: 15,267 Member
    I would say your first goal is quite reasonable. 2lbs a week is appropriate for you.

    Exercise is good...not necessary for weight loss but still good for your health and it gives you "extra" calories to eat when you log it here.

    Macros matter if you are concerned with what you are losing...if you want to lose mostly fat yes...if you don't care what the weight is (muscle and fat) then no they don't matter...

    Yes buy a digital food scale that measures in grams at least and has a zero/tare button...it is invaluable.

    As for how to correctly log...I have a post I did yesterday but it is long and it has lots of information in it...some said it was daunting..but I will stick it in here if you want to read it.

    Basically the post says to look for entries without an asterik, generic or homemade and choose the servings that are in grams and how to add your own food information as well.

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1234699-logging-accurately-step-by-step-guide?hl=Logging+accurately&page=3#posts-19337078
  • WBB55
    WBB55 Posts: 4,131 Member
    So here's the good news!

    At your weight, no matter if you exercise or not, as long as you're accurate with you food logging ( weighing your food with a digital scale) you WILL lose weight as long as you eat less than 2500 calories every day!

    JUST FOR NOW I suggest not stressing out about anything, and focusing on eating 2000 calories every day for, like, a month. Just that. And then see how you feel.

    From there you can reassess. That's just my two cents.
  • editorgrrl
    editorgrrl Posts: 7,060 Member
    Weight loss takes a whole lot of trial & error to find what works for you. Read this: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants

    Connect your Fitbit account here: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/apps/show/30
    For more info, see the Fitbit Users group: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/forums/show/1307-fitbit-users
  • skullshank
    skullshank Posts: 4,323 Member
    my buddy trog authored this lil' bad boy....have a read. :flowerforyou:

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1235566-so-you-re-new-here
  • ColinsMommaOC
    ColinsMommaOC Posts: 296 Member
    @ skullshank - I did read it and trog answered a few questions for me :) but I will re-read it in case I missed something. Thanks!

    @ editorgrrl - wow that is a long post. I will try to read it and see if it helps. Thank you for the other links as well.

    @ WBB5 - why should I eat 2000 a day? Is 1640 too low?

    @ SezxyStef - thank you for the link! It is long, but I will read it and see if it helps.

    Edit: thanks for all the replies!
  • editorgrrl
    editorgrrl Posts: 7,060 Member
    I forgot to answer your question about macros. Take baby steps! As you've noticed, you've got a whole lot of new stuff to learn. For now, just focus on learning to log everything you eat & drink accurately & honestly. Think about buying a food scale.

    Down the road, start trying to exceed your protein & fiber goals. They'll help you feel less hungry. But for now, just meet your calorie goal.

    Oh, and be sure to take before photos & measurements. The scale will go up & down, but the camera never lies.

Categories