Just realized what I'm doing to myself...

starrybay

Today, after a "normal" day of eating (for me), I decided for the fun of it to see how many calories I was eating. I've never paid much attention to calories before and after today I have a completely different mindset. I won't get into the details.. but basically I have been regularly eating 3 to 5 times what I should be eating, according to myfitnesspal.

I want to make a change in my life because my health is suffering and nothing is going to get better without me making an effort.

I am serious about this, so please do not hold my food diary entry for today against me!
Now that I know better, I intend to do better.

It would be nice to have some friends on here with similar goals! I want to lose about 60 pounds. Add me!

andreaisme

You can do it!!

cyn4him

Congrats on taking the first step and making that decision!! I would b happy to be friends :-)

lelstar

Good on you, first step check!

maciec

Good for you! I have a good friend that signed on to MFP recently because of the same thing. She was floored when she looked at the calories and her salt intake. Do you have a plan yet other than watching your calories?

starrybay

Thanks, ladies! I really appreciate it!

mom22kidsaz

I also just joined and would love to stay on track with someone who just started. I'm highly motivated and want to be held accountable to what I'm doing/eating.

We can do it!

starrybay

My plan is to stick to around 1,200 calories a day and exercise at least a couple times a week for 30 minutes. I've never really "worked out" before, just the occasional trip to the gym with a friend, so I'm going to start small and work my way up to more intense activities.
I think just walking is a good start for me right now! One step at a time, right?

sthomasx7

I find that I fail to "log" in my diary on purpose when I know I have overdone it. My goal for next few weeks is to log it anyway. Like today, I thought I had way overdone it but it really wasn't too bad since I also went for walk. There should be a palce on the diary to just plug in "pigged out today" of "Faturday".

Good luck.

HodderAL

Sometimes MFP is a real eye opener for what we've been unknowingly doing to ourselves. But, now you know, and now you can move towards a healthier you!!

when I joined MFP in late February of this year, I had 82lbs to lose... Now I'm 49lbs away from my goal The more support we all have the better

atxdee

My plan is to stick to around 1,200 calories a day and exercise at least a couple times a week for 30 minutes. I've never really "worked out" before, just the occasional trip to the gym with a friend, so I'm going to start small and work my way up to more intense activities.
I think just walking is a good start for me right now! One step at a time, right?

YES! def one step at a time! Starting w walking is a great idea and then work your way up

mdj1501

That was sure a real eye opener for me too. Good luck and add me if you need friends

klynn639

You have taken the first step Congratulations you have to start somewhere. Good Luck, I am new on here too. :flowerforyou:

tyetria

No one will hold you diary against you. It's for you and a track for you to start paying attention to the food your putting in your body. Hell, I'm still adding fast food entries. But MFP tools help so much and will really make you think twice abt your choices when you see them in front of you. When you know better you tend to do better. MFP members are a great support group :happy:

naomi8888

Congrats on making the decision. One word of warning though. IMO (and just IMO) 1200 is pretty low. You may start on that and end up falling off the wagon badly because it's hard to stick to. I'm sure that even eating at about 1500 or 1600 you will still lose weight.

Good luck.

SWiel84

Hi StarryBay!
My longterm goal is 60 lbs.... I'd love to be friends, as we're shooting for the same goal! I just started myself and I'm already down 5. Like you said, now that you know better, you're already on the right track to doing better :-) Good luck! Please contact me if you ever want to talk!

BackTatJIM

My plan is to stick to around 1,200 calories a day and exercise at least a couple times a week for 30 minutes. I've never really "worked out" before, just the occasional trip to the gym with a friend, so I'm going to start small and work my way up to more intense activities.
I think just walking is a good start for me right now! One step at a time, right?

You should go under tools and check your bmr calculator , 1200 may be starving yourself, I went from 1800 cals to 1500 cals within about 7 weeks of losing weight and found myself undereating and slowing my metabolism, now I am back up to 1700-1800 cals a day maybe you should check yours ;-)

beautifulbrat

it is amazing how fast the calories add up. but congrats on taking that first step. i sent you a friend request

rcapon

Realized what I was doing to myself too!

I added sugar to my counter... was astonished that although I ate a reasonably sensible diet in terms of calories, fat etc... I was consuming 3 times the amount of sugar I should be each day. My one latte in the morning (no added sugar) consumes 1/2 the allowance... Black coffee it is!

Good luck

Tomhoffman84

Welcome and wish you the best of luck. I'll offer some advice for what it is worth, but I know everyone has what works for them.

I used to weigh 290lbs at one point, down to 206...my experience has been setting a 1200 calorie goal is hard to do and really restricts what you are able to eat. It makes the process painful and you definitely feel like you are dieting.

Just my opinion, but you may want to consider something slightly higher, around 1600 a day. Still gives you room to eat relatively normally (portion control is everything) and still hit your goals. Makes it more about lifestyle change and good food/portion choices and is much easier to maintain over time.

JuliaGulia316

I just signed up and have the same exact plan as you! I'd like to add you as a friend, I bet that the motivation on both ends will help.

tstawicki

Welcome and wish you the best of luck. I'll offer some advice for what it is worth, but I know everyone has what works for them.

I used to weigh 290lbs at one point, down to 206...my experience has been setting a 1200 calorie goal is hard to do and really restricts what you are able to eat. It makes the process painful and you definitely feel like you are dieting.

Just my opinion, but you may want to consider something slightly higher, around 1600 a day. Still gives you room to eat relatively normally (portion control is everything) and still hit your goals. Makes it more about lifestyle change and good food/portion choices and is much easier to maintain over time.

This, this is so true, and my experience too

chellebelle315

Welcome...it's good to log what you're really eating, it's a wake up call. Don't make the mistake SO many make and restrict your calorie intake to the point where you're starving. Read some of the "for newbies" posts under the "general diet and weight loss questions" thread on the message boards. It will answer a lot of questions that will come up as you start to work within the constraints of MFP to budget your calories.

Feel free to add me if you like. I'm committed to losing the weight once and for all this time, and I'm here most days, logging my own stuff

v_snowdrop

There should be a palce on the diary to just plug in "pigged out today" of "Faturday".

LOL I need this feature.

lisaw0823

I feel like I was slapped in the face with reality as well. I notice I get tired more easily. I am on a misson to change as well. I have been trying to eat healthier for about 6 months, not losing any weight and need to add the excercise component. Now I am realy out of shape. Hard work and dilegence will pay off for use both!!

jsapninz

I remember doing the same thing when I first started and being horrified lol. :sick:

I was actually like "GOOD JOB BODY, I CAN'T BELEIVE YOU DON'T WEIGH 1,000 POUNDS ALREADY!!" :laugh:

Onward and downward! You can do it!!:drinker:

Mompanda4

Good for you! Realizing what you've been doing wrong is takingnto first step to taking the right step...befriend me if you like...I would invite you but I am tech challenge...lol

chellebelle315

I find that I fail to "log" in my diary on purpose when I know I have overdone it. My goal for next few weeks is to log it anyway. Like today, I thought I had way overdone it but it really wasn't too bad since I also went for walk. There should be a place on the diary to just plug in "pigged out today" of "Faturday".

Good luck.

Ha! This cracked me up. I'm so using "Faturday". I've definitely done it...just stopped logging on a day that goes off the rails, or not logging on a day when I'm intentionally taking a break from calorie counting. My goal this time around is to log everything no matter how ugly it gets...to keep myself 100% accountable.

robinbarten

Welcome and congrats on starting, that is the first step in the right direction.
I totally agree with the previous posts on you should eat more than 1200 calories. And make sure to enter everything you eat otherwise it defeats the purpose of logging. Not all days are going to be perfect, but knowing you are going to log everything may keep you from overindulging in something you shouldn't.

I don't feel there is anything I can't eat, just have to be careful on how much and stay within my allotted calories.

shan2112

I hear ya! I have lost 30 of my 90 pound weight loss goal - so I have exactly 60 pounds to go too! We can do it!!!

robynb7d

I just started a week ago...and the portion (or lack of) control I had before was so amazing to me, after tracking everything and takin into perspective. I too have really changed the way i think and eat in just these few days...i have about 60 to lose. Good luck!