Advice from You Success Stories

First my background so y'all can give the best advice.
1. 191 pounds, 5'4" at my tallest.
2. I have Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome which is an endocrine disorder that can make losing weight difficult.
3. I don't care if I ever get super thin, but I want to be fit with in my healthy weight range.
4. I love food. I don't want to give up anything.
5. Just had foot surgery that keeps me from doing super intense work outs.

So, with that little bit of background do y'all think it is best for me to try for the 1200 calories a day or go for a higher calorie intake of 1400? I don't want to get frustrated at 1200 calories because I feel deprived but I don't want to eat higher calories and get frustrated because it's not coming off as quickly. So, what is a girl to do?

Replies

  • speedracer2007
    speedracer2007 Posts: 53 Member
    Here is one guys advice...I have been on many many diets since I've been about 5 years old..literally and now I'm over 50 so I have some experience at this thing. Everytime I tell myself I'm dieting and can't have something...for example, ice cream, I crave it more. Dieting is self imposed pressure, not just physical but emotional too. My success with MFP has come from 2 areas.......the daily encouragement from the community of friends, and the daily accountability to stay within or close to my daily calorie goal. I don't sweat it, or don't even care if I go 200 calories over for the day because I have so much control now that I didn't have before and don't have the pressure....I took away the pressure of dieting and am still accountable to myself and my daily diary ( I have not skipped a day in the 110 days since I joined). I still eat pizza....but limit myself to 2 slices, not the 4 or 5 from before, or an ice cream bar, not the pint of Ben & Jerrys I had before... MFP has taught me control & discipline because I log into my diary everyday.

    I suggest taking it slow...1400 calories and don't mentally beat yourself up. Some weeks you might lose 2 lbs, some weeks nothing , other weeks 5 pounds...just stay the course, be consisstent in your diet / daily habits and you will lose weight. Good Luck. Add me as a friend if you'd like.
  • islandnutshel
    islandnutshel Posts: 1,143 Member
    I am the same hight and just a little heavier. 1200 to 1400 seem reasonable to lose at. I start w 1200 because I am fairly seditary most days. And I exercise for more calories to eat. I don't have pcos, but have mobility problems as well. Even when I couldn't walk I would do weights or punches from the couch. Any exercise I could imagine, swimming, stationary bike, pilates wii fit. Now I am walking, and just do a slower pace. It all adds up. Some times it just takes trial and error, a willingness to look silly and a little imagination. Just don't stop moving.
  • mpfand
    mpfand Posts: 98 Member
    I have been faithful to my MFP diary for over 465 days now. It's a journey, for sure. Seeing in black and white how much I was eating was a real eye opener for me. I lost a little over 30 lbs. in about 7 months. I'm 5'3 and weigh about 121 lb now; 118 lb on a good week. lol My original goal was to just get back into my jeans because I didn't want to have to buy new ones. lol As the weeks turned into months, I realized how easy it was to get results with MFP and I knew I could keep going and lose more. I took it slowly and the more I lost the more motivated I was to continue logging, exercising and making better food choices. I never went into this thinking "diet" because I knew I'd be setting myself up for failure. I still eat Ben & Jerry's, just not the entire pint. Even if I eat half (like last night-lol) I still don't beat myself up because half is still better than the entire thing and I don't do it every day or even every week. I think if you start with 1400 calories a day and light exercise you'll see results. Eat plenty of protein, drink plenty of water, and try to limit your sugar. That was a big one for me. Over time, you'll find what works for your body and what doesn't. Good luck!