Have been MIA

j99li

Hi everyone....its been a really long time since I've been active on MFP.

I've been working the past 8 months and have just started school again. It has been a very stressful time. During this time, I have not counted calories but I have been trying to make healthy decisions. However, I've noticed recently that I've been eating WAYYYYY too many cookies so it's time to hold myself accountable again.

I had a huge dinner tonight and after dinner, I stepped on the scale (I know I shouldn't but I couldn't help it). I am at 201.8. It hurts to even type that because even though there is the weight of dinner inside of me, I have not been this high in a year! I need to get back to it!!!

As school is fairly busy, I have not had the most time with exercise as I would love to. I wish I had a lot more time like I did while working because I was able to go every day while I had my job. Now that I am in school, I swim 3-4 times a week for 30 -45 min each time. I can't swim well but I do go back and forth in the pool kicking my legs while holding on to a flutterboard haha. I think I need to maybe just go swimming 3 times and on Sunday do some weights? What do you think?

I am now very limited to exercise because my right knee isn't doing so well I already had a bad knee and my friend wanted me to do a spin class with her and that just made it worse So swimming is my only option right now as even climbing stairs is painful.

Please provide some encouraging words to help. I am seeing a dietician and through the past year, I have kept my weight of 190 but it has been fluctuating. It is midterm exam time right now at school and the stress makes me want to eat chocolate! I am going to start logging my food to hold myself accountable again even if its for snacking! I just want to be able to monitor the amount of junk going into my body.

My dietician has recommended me to see a counsellor as I have body image issues. I have come a long way since my initial weight of 230lbs but when I look in the mirror, all I wish was that I was skinny and all I see is someone extremely fat with lots of flaws. It's a tough struggle.

Please help me on this journey to find myself and please hold me accountable!

Thank you.

Promqueen_74932

Hey honey!

Don't beat yourself up! It all happens to the best of us. First things first is to get out of the dieting mindset. We want to have a lifestyle change. Do yourself a favor and take an hour or two a night and prepack your meals for the next day. This WILL keep you within your calorie range. Break your total daily calories into 5-6 meals Example: If I'm supposed to eat 2,000 calories a day then I would divide that by 5 or 6 (400 calories per meal or 333 calories per meal).

Do you know your BMR? Please use this site to determine your BMR, b/c MFP isn't alway right. You might have to set your caloric intake manually.

http://www.bmi-calculator.net/bmr-calculator/ ~(Please read)~

Once you know your BMR, you can calculate your Daily Calorie Needs based on your activity level using the Harris Benedict Equation here:

http://www.bmi-calculator.net/bmr-calculator/harris-benedict-equation/ ~(Please Read)~

Example: My BMR is 1573.

So if I was moderatetely active (moderate exercise/sports 3-5 days/week) : Calorie-Calculation = BMR x 1.55 = 2438.15

That is to maintain my weight. So if I wanted to lose a pound a week, which I suggest, I would subtract 500 calories from that thru exercise and/or nutrition.

Also remember that not all calories are created equal. Try substituting sugary sweets with fruits, but if you are CRAVING a cookie then EAT 1! Don't deny yourself something, or a binge might be the result. Have fun and eat foods you ENJOY.

Please contact me if you have any questions! *HUGS*

Sara