Think I'm set too low on calories

Veil5577

I've got my calorie limit set at 1200 like a few others here. Usually I'm under that due to finances. I'm beginning to think though that I should reset it to a slightly higher level, like maybe 1450.

I've not seen the progress I want to see over the last month. I set the calorie limit that low because exercise is painful for me, but I'm also thinking of starting to walk again, pain or no pain. I love to walk, and I hate that I'm missing this pretty summer we're having because I am letting pain stop me.

I know if I set the limit higher the loss will slow down but I've also noticed that when I eat over the 1200 it seems to kick my metabolism back in. So I was thinking of upping it to 1 lb a week instead of two and adding walking in at least 4 times a week for 30 minutes, and not eating the calories back.

Anyone think this might help, or should I stick to what I'm doing? My diary should be open.

editorgrrl

According to your ticker, you want to lose 75 lbs. 2 lbs. per week at your size is way too aggressive a goal.

Read the Sexypants post: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-Sexypants

hill8570

You're eating way under your goal (sub 1000) almost all days. If setting your goal higher will motivate you to eat more, by all means do so -- starvation diets suck.

And I'd recommend a bit more variation in your diet. 90% of the days are basically the same thing. That just can't be good for you.

JoRocka

Well exercise is for wellness- not weight.
But I feel you on the poor mans diet budget- trying to buy cheap food = food that is high calorie and unfilling- trying to buy filling low calorie food = more expensive.

I've been trying to really stretch my budget with food and dry beans are a big wincosts teh same as a can and I can easily make them stretch 3x the distance of a standard size can.


It isn't much to add 300 more calories - puts you at a more reasonable goal- beans and canned stuff makes for chili- can last all week- plus popcorn + butter makes for a great 200 or so calorie snack depending on how much butter you add (the kind you buy in a clear bag- not microwavable popcorn- it's like 3$ for a bag that I can't eat in a week + 2-3 dollars for box of butter- 1 tablespoon of butter =120 calories.

So easy peasy lemon squeezy.

I would try the pool if you can- that's easy on the joints- seen several people get their workoiuts in just walking laps.

Veil5577

Well, the reason for that is I am a recovering binge eater. I'm careful to buy things I won't binge on, and finances restrict the foods I can afford to buy. I'll be changing it up a little, by adding in apples, but I have to be very careful what I buy or I'll binge eat.

SnuggleSmacks

I was really confused about how many calories I actually burn each day when I first started here. I work a very sedentary job, but some days I'm very active outside of work, and some days I'm not. When I put sedentary as my activity level to be safe, MFP also set my goal at 1200, and I wasn't happy with that. It was very difficult to stick with.

In order to dispel the confusion, I bought a fitness tracker. I picked Bodymedia, but any of the Fitbit, Vivofit, Polar Loop, etc. trackers will give you an idea of how much you burn on a daily basis. What I've found is that on my very inactive days, I only burn a little over 1700 cals, so 1200 would be correct for those days. On my active days, I burn over 2200, so 1200 would be a disaster those days.

If you don't have the money to invest in a fitness tracker of some sort, then I strongly suggest that you A. carefully monitor your activity and make sure that you input all of it in MFP (which can also be tricky because MFP overestimates burned calories on a lot of things) and B. make a spreadsheet or download an app or just keep a list...track how many calories you ate and your exact weight, side by side, every day for 3-4 weeks. With the knowledge that 3500 calories equals a pound of fat, this should help you determine with a little more accuracy how much you should be eating to maintain a steady, healthy loss. It still won't be completely accurate, as water weight, muscle loss/gain, and other assorted things will affect the numbers as well, but it will give you a better idea of what you're doing.

Veil5577

I was really confused about how many calories I actually burn each day when I first started here. I work a very sedentary job, but some days I'm very active outside of work, and some days I'm not. When I put sedentary as my activity level to be safe, MFP also set my goal at 1200, and I wasn't happy with that. It was very difficult to stick with.

In order to dispel the confusion, I bought a fitness tracker. I picked Bodymedia, but any of the Fitbit, Vivofit, Polar Loop, etc. trackers will give you an idea of how much you burn on a daily basis. What I've found is that on my very inactive days, I only burn a little over 1700 cals, so 1200 would be correct for those days. On my active days, I burn over 2200, so 1200 would be a disaster those days.

If you don't have the money to invest in a fitness tracker of some sort, then I strongly suggest that you A. carefully monitor your activity and make sure that you input all of it in MFP (which can also be tricky because MFP overestimates burned calories on a lot of things) and B. make a spreadsheet or download an app or just keep a list...track how many calories you ate and your exact weight, side by side, every day for 3-4 weeks. With the knowledge that 3500 calories equals a pound of fat, this should help you determine with a little more accuracy how much you should be eating to maintain a steady, healthy loss. It still won't be completely accurate, as water weight, muscle loss/gain, and other assorted things will affect the numbers as well, but it will give you a better idea of what you're doing.

That is a good point. I work two sitting jobs, and on days I work both jobs I don't have time to exercise. I only get a three block walk on those days to and from my car.

That's why I set the thing to 1200 calories. But it's been a month and I'm not seeing any progress.

hill8570

Well, the reason for that is I am a recovering binge eater. I'm careful to buy things I won't binge on, and finances restrict the foods I can afford to buy. I'll be changing it up a little, by adding in apples, but I have to be very careful what I buy or I'll binge eat.

If you're on a budget, I'd recommend laying off the processed and fast food (Fritos, granola bars, McD, prepared lunch meat, etc) and stick to shopping the "outer aisles" (raw veggies, fruits, meat you have to cook, cheese you have to slice yourself). Cooking from scratch is a hassle at times, but it stretches the budget and is generally way better for you.

elizabethgray773

As a woman, you really should never go under 1200 calories a day. thats the minimum your body needs to run. you will lose weight faster and more permanently if you are around the 1500 cal a day mark.

editorgrrl

I work two sitting jobs, and on days I work both jobs I don't have time to exercise. I only get a three block walk on those days to and from my car.

That's why I set the thing to 1200 calories. But it's been a month and I'm not seeing any progress.

Weight loss takes a whole lot of trial & error to find what works for you. But 1 month of no progress means you're eating at TDEE, which is your maintenance calories.

Since you have a history of disordered eating, I'm hesitant to suggest logging everything you eat & drink accurately & honestly. Logging works, but it might just trigger you.

So try being more active. Walk every day. Take a class: Zumba, yoga, tai chi, hula hooping, whatever. To lose weight, you must eat fewer calories than you burn.

The Sexypants post should be required reading for all MFPers: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-Sexypants

SnuggleSmacks

It really is a shame when a McDonald's diet is more affordable than a healthy diet, but there's ways to alleviate that. If you have a Trader Joe's or Aldi's nearby, those are good places to shop for inexpensive produce. Trader Joe's also has a great variety, Aldi's doesn't but they're super cheap. If you have a farmer's market nearby, that's another great resource. Also, check to see if there are farms nearby that sell meats, poultry, eggs, butter, milk, etc. in the area, or direct to the public. Sometimes local is more expensive, and sometimes it's not. It depends entirely on the farm. Dried beans and rice are great, and usually cheap, especially if you find a place that has a bulk section (the big bins that allow you to scoop out just as much as you need, and purchase by weight), so you can just get one or two servings at a time.

Veil5577

I've had a few bad things over the past couple of days. For the most part I'm trying to stay on the plan. I cut out bread so the granola bars are what I use to get through my work day without going to Subway. I used to use my Crock Pot a lot, since I don't have time to cook, but the Crock Pot also led to binges. :frown:

editorgrrl

I don't know if this would help you, but I freeze Crock-Pot leftovers in single-serving containers. Soon, I have a nice selection of quick, healthy, affordable meals.

SnuggleSmacks

I don't know if this would help you, but I freeze Crock-Pot leftovers in single-serving containers. Soon, I have a nice selection of quick, healthy, affordable meals.

I do this whenever I cook a large batch of stuff, whether it's in the Crock-Pot or not. It's a shame my power went out for days with the last snow storm and I lost my stock of stews, soups and chilis.

Veil5577

I don't know if this would help you, but I freeze Crock-Pot leftovers in single-serving containers. Soon, I have a nice selection of quick, healthy, affordable meals.

Yeah, I did that. I had a lovely bunch of containers full of cheesy brat stew. Ate every one in one day.

That's why I gave up the Crock Pot, at least for now. Since I started my journey my stomach has shrunk and it's not as easy to binge anymore. I'm hoping by the time cold weather hits, I'll be able to dig out the Crock Pot again and eat the meals I make normally.

editorgrrl

Sorry, I was hoping the freezing would make them less of a trigger.

Edited to add that I think your deficit is too aggressive. Have you tried eating more than 1,200 calories?

Veil5577

Sorry, I was hoping the freezing would make them less of a trigger.

Edited to add that I think your deficit is too aggressive. Have you tried eating more than 1,200 calories?

Yes, some days I try to. The trouble is, I go all day throughout my two jobs on only the two granola bars. I don't like eating at work in front of my co-workers. I start work at 9 am. By the time I get home from job number 2 at 11;00 PM, I'm not very hungry so it's hard to get up to even 1200 some days. Plus the amount of food I buy has to last two weeks so I have to be really really careful to not eat too much and make sure it lasts; that's another thing that has stopped the binges.

Believe it or not, with both jobs, by the time I have paid rent, car payment and bills, I am lucky to have 200.00 left over. My last grocery store trip was over 100.00 and all I bought was grapes, carrots, deli meat, cheese, granola bars and cat food. I'm going to try a different store this time around, but I don't have an Aldi's near my house, unfortunately.