New here- what is really the right amount of calories?

kristies73

Hello! I've been in an up/down mode for a long time on Weight Watchers. I thought maybe coming to MyFitnessPal will let me see more and understand where I need to be so I can consistently lose again. I have already lost 20 lbs on WW.

I'm a desk job and a busy mom in the evenings. I'm 5'2" and 146. I need to be 130. 1200 calories seems so hard to do, so I have it set to 1360. My exercise is just starting to get ramped up, but honestly I'm lucky if I get 2-3 times of week of low-moderate cardio and 1-2 weeks of low weight machines. I know I should do more and I'm trying to work up to that and make the time in my schedule. I joined a gym a month ago.

So how do you all do it, and do it consistently? Sometimes I go over those calories and I spike up in weight and then it takes FOREVER to lose and it's a never ending up/down cycle because one weekend I eat a little more and it blows the month of hard work just to lose a few pounds. 145 was a low for me 2 months ago. Usually I manage between 146-148 and just feel stuck here. I would love to just see 144 so I can see a break through. I'm so confused if I should eat more or eat less.

So my history is following Weight Watchers and choosing healthy foods for the most part. Fat free yogurt, fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, some healthy fats. I just don't know if I'm eating enough or am a little high with portions? Like I said, I have good healthy days, weeks of eating and then there is a party, more eating out that week, a weekend event that causes me to eat non-normal food or a little more than usual and my weight spikes up a lot! And then it takes forever to go back down. So is it really that out of ordinary eating that happens in life that sabatoges my efforts? How do I keep consistency and enjoy those out of ordinary things that happen?

I don't know! I just hope seeing the calories and exercise in this tracker will enlighten me because I've been struggling in this weight range for LONG TIME. I feel frustrated and ready to cry. Thoughts?

ASCHUBERT711

kristie,
I have just started MFP about 2 weeks ago, and have lost 6 lbs in my first 8 days because i ate low to NO carbed foods. Tons of salad and tuna and cheese and salami. Honestly counting calories to me is more stressful, so i decided i could eat less than 70 carbs a day and when i do that it will keep my calories low as well. I feel great and just about never feel hungry. I drink only water and also cut out sugars. I only use 2 tsp for coffee in the morning. A great way to calm the crave of sugar is sugar free popsicles. They taste great and actually curve that sugar craving. I havent been able to weigh myself recently but in about 2.5 weeks i have lost so far about 9-10lbs. I also have a desk job and dont get a chance to work out to often, but by me cutting out sugar and carbs im not worried about junk going to my thighs while im working. But i hope this will you out a little bit and wish you luck on your journey through weight loss.

llkilgore

Are you taking your measurements? If you've just starting using weight machines in the last month then it's likely that you have some exercise related water retention. It's part of the recovery process and can mask fat loss in the short term if you go only by the number that comes up on the scale.