To eat, or not to eat? That is the question!

wiglitt

I gained weight when I started eating back my calories burned. I agree with your post. Everyone needs to find out what works best for your own body. I don't comment alot on here but I do try and follow along with the post and advise, some if the advise is just bad. Yours however works for me :-)

Thanks

jrt9999

To the OP. I am happy for you that you found a program that works for you. Your tone definitely indicates you are tired of folks indicating you should eat more or at least the recommended 1,200 calories net. I don't blame you. I know I am tired of the folks that push under eating as the one true way. To each their own i say.

When I first asked myself my overall goals one of them included how many calories I would like to consume daily once I am at maintenance that would keep me at my ideal weight. Since I now have a very healthy relationship with food, that was not always the case, I am shooting for 2,200 to 2,400 net calories per day. This should allow me to enjoy a good variety of food, keep me well nourished, and keep the overall engine running strong. In order to do this I am up every morning at 4:30AM, eat every three hours or so, exercise regular, eat plenty of food, get plenty of rest, and don't let the drama get to me.

spaboleo

Hmmm... I'm not really sure what your point is, Spaboleo. I wasn't trying to say you are wrong or that your choices are incorrect, I was just asking out of curiosity. I'm not 'promoting' anything, I just wanted to know what your experiences were so that I could look out for any future pitfalls. I'm definitely not trying to say that my way is the only way or that it is the right way, I'm just saying that it is *my* way. People should do whatever works for them and whatever they are happy with. This works for me and I am happy with it. As for your last PS.... First of all, I didn't ever say how many calories I am eating in a day, I just said I was doing something simliar to what you had done. And secondly, why would I make that up? I assume you mean that I am eating a lot more than 700 calories, so again, why would I lie about that? And more importantly, why would you care if I was?

Everything is fine with you being sceptical on public boards.
But expressing misstrust all along if someone provided repeatedly funded information and is just trying to share (bad) experiences with other users is somehow annoying. That combined with teasing answers, cocky comments and trivial suggestions ("That's usually how it goes on any diet ") isn't really conducive for answering the topic-starters question.

You always should keep in mind that there are a lot of users only skimming through the threads on the search of a answer that goes along with their expectations. They'll probably stumble upon your comment, miss the context and interpret your comment in the way I did (namely that you are down to 700kcal/day).
And that is what I like to prevent.

There are enough unhealthy dieting plans and programms, as well as misconcepted ideas and myth out there.

kkellam1

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I had a look at your food diary, too. And I am really impressed! And it sounds delicious
Because you are a large guy you are able to burn a lot with moderate strain. (Am I assuming walking right as the non-sportive strolling around like taking the dog for a walk? )
You joined in Feb 2011 and already lost 20lbs, which is impressive, too! But don't expect that rate of weight loss until the end, when you reach your goal weight.
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Yes, walking. I used to take the dogs, but not so much now. When I started, I would take one dog for a mile, then swap to the other dog for a mile. Now, I find that they slow me down. My ankles would hurt when I took the dogs, most (I think) from constantly reigning them in. They are enthusiastic and strong as hell (about 75 punds each). So my footing was never really stable as I walked.

I do 2.5 miles in about 45 minutes. Twice a day, every day. Not as fast as a lot of people, but I check my heart rate during my walk and it's usually right in the fat burning zone. So far, that is working for me. I can feel the strength and endurance building up, so I may lengthen that or speed it up as time goes by. No rel workouts other than that. I don't want to change the world all at once. I don't see it as feasible to go from am overweight couch potato to a fitness buff all in one step. I'll drop some weight, get in better shape all around, then see what is appropriate to do at that point. I am afraid that if I take on too much, I will fail at something and that will discourage me.

Yeah, this morning was 23 pounds and 2 inches around the belly. I am really pleased with that. And you are exactly correct - I do not expect that rate to continue, but I am enjoying the heck out of it while it does. My thought is that wherever this weight loss journey ends up, I have still made myself a lot heathier than when I started.

Thanks!

spaboleo

If only half of the people here on MFP would be half as realistic in goal setting and overall weight loss expectations as you are
That is the way to go...keep it steady and don't force anything.

Unknown

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tessjordan88

I don't make it a point to eat my exercise calories, BUT I know that when I exercise that I can eat a little more than the base 1200 calories and that it's probably better to eat additional snacks when you have or are going to work out. I used to try and deprive myself and stick to a firm calorie count and MFP's way of doing things has worked SO much better for me. I eat what I like in moderation and I know that if I work out, I can eat more than if I do nothing at all. I definitely don't think that anyone should try to eat ALL their exercise calories back if they are trying to lose weight. In my mind, it's better to have that calorie deficit.

Exactly! If you are eating your exercise calories back, and your "net" calories are close to your BMR, you are only maintaining your current weight. There will be no weight loss.

tessjordan88

To the OP. I am happy for you that you found a program that works for you. Your tone definitely indicates you are tired of folks indicating you should eat more or at least the recommended 1,200 calories net. I don't blame you. I know I am tired of the folks that push under eating as the one true way. To each their own i say.

When I first asked myself my overall goals one of them included how many calories I would like to consume daily once I am at maintenance that would keep me at my ideal weight. Since I now have a very healthy relationship with food, that was not always the case, I am shooting for 2,200 to 2,400 net calories per day. This should allow me to enjoy a good variety of food, keep me well nourished, and keep the overall engine running strong. In order to do this I am up every morning at 4:30AM, eat every three hours or so, exercise regular, eat plenty of food, get plenty of rest, and don't let the drama get to me.

Thanks! You seem to understand what I meant... EVERYBODY is different. What works for one person may be totally wrong for another. The whole point of healthy weight loss is to lose weight in a healthy way, right? So you should find the best HEALTHY way to do it, the way that works best for YOU.

tessjordan88

I gained weight when I started eating back my calories burned. I agree with your post. Everyone needs to find out what works best for your own body. I don't comment alot on here but I do try and follow along with the post and advise, some if the advise is just bad. Yours however works for me :-)

Thanks

Thanks! My point exactly!