I've done some research, but still would like some advice.

holothuroidea

Her calorie goal is set at a deficit of TDEE-30% for light activity, not TDEE for light activity.

BMR- 1900
TDEE light activity- 2700
Calorie Goal- 1890

Add activity beyond light activity, eat back the calories.... deficit stays the same.

I don't think the OP has an error in her methods, but in her accuracy. She's not weighing out most of her foods, and they're very calorie dense foods which means that the error could really be significant. Plus, I see numbers like 500-800 calories burned in exercise, and that doesn't seem reasonable. I'm especially suspicious of inaccuracy there because MFP's exercise database is notoriously bad for this.

jcramer1227

I mix up my cardio and it's not a set schedule. I typically do between 45 and 60 minutes of either elliptical, stationary bike, treadmill, or Zumba. I usually do a mix. One day will elliptical/Zumba and the next might be bike/treadmill. There are some days when I don't have as much time (class and work) so I may only get 15 to 30 minutes of cardio. The intensity? I work up a pretty good sweat, but I admit I don't really know what kind of scale to judge that on.

jcramer1227

Just to clarify why I chose "lightly active."

The way it was easiest for me to understand calculating my numbers was to take exercise out of the equation. If I didn't workout at all, I consider myself lightly active. I have class during the week and work as a server 3-4 days of the week. I suppose that may bump me up to moderate since serving is an active job, but I guess I wanted to "play it safe." This is why I eat back my exercise calories. I hope that makes sense.

jcramer1227

Yeah, I have learned over the past few months that the totals on foods/exercise are inaccurate sometimes. I like to use an average method when I calculate calories burned. I use the counter on whatever I'm using (treadmill/elliptical) and I use what MFP gives me and I use a couple online calculators...average that. I will be doing this at least until I can get an HRM.

holothuroidea

Instead of averaging them, take the lowest number. Or only aim to eat 50-75% of your exercise calories back. That way you don't risk overeating.

jcramer1227

Thank you for some great advice and encouragement! I do pretty well in the kitchen, but most of the time just lack motivation to actually do it lol It's one of the many things I'm working on when it comes to my poor eating habits!

jcramer1227

Hmm...sounds like a pretty good option. I will have to try that. I will admit that I really like seeing the big burns (who doesn't, right?) but perhaps to get out of this rut, it might be a great option to get the ball rolling.

holothuroidea

Re: Cooking vs. eating out.

Is it really a lack of motivation, or just habit?

Maybe first you can change to eating out only once a day. Then, once that's good, start reducing the amount of days you eat out. So if you eat our 7 days a week, make it 6, then 5, until you're down to 1 day a week. Then commit to staying there for at least a month, until it the habit is broken.

jcramer1227

Definitely bookmarked that thread! Thanks I'll have to take a look when I tweak my allotment.

jcramer1227

Yeah, after high school I gained all kinds of independence when I left home. I ate what I want, when I wanted it. Which meant fast food. It has become a habit that I'm slowly breaking. I would love nothing more than to set a specific schedule like that, but, in my experience, it works better for me to "wing it." I know you may be thinking I'm just not applying myself, but if I'm truly honest here, I know that the second I start telling myself "no" and "you HAVE to do it this way" I will resist my own restrictions lol as silly as that sounds. I'm extremely stubborn. But trust me, what I eat now is nothing like what I used to eat. I'm very proud of myself for that.

And as a side note: the snacking and meals you see from Perkins...I work there. Just wanted to clarify that I don't actually make several trips to one place for food!

jcramer1227

You need more precision, go by this...
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/943139-weight-loss-cheat-sheet-ipoarm

Wow...what a difference! Just by using my BF% in the calculation, I got a completely different number than what I'd been using. Turns out my TDEE -20% (moderately active) is about 1700. I will have to give this a shot. Admittedly, these numbers seem much more reasonable. I'm excited to try this!

conniemaxwell5

When you eat out a lot, you get a lot of sodium and not a lot of nutrition. I would try eating more whole foods and keep your sodium below the daily goal. I didn't think sodium meant anything but I've notice that I blow up like a balloon (sometimes 3-5 pounds overnight) when my sodium intake is high. When I control that macro alone, I steadily lose weight. Drink lots of water (at least 8 cups a day, but if you're exercising you need more). Veggies and fruits keep things moving through your digestive system so they are important too.

treagal

when i started i lost almost 25lbs the first month. 2nd (added weights to the mix) month i stalled, didn't lose a pound for 1.5 months and i was going really hard. month 3 i started to see loss again. that was when I CUT THE SALT out. I was eating a lot of microwave meals and popcorn. Never way yourself the day after a good workout, you body uses more fluids to help it repair. Always way yourself first thing in the morning. MEASURE!!!!! That was what got me through and kept me encouraged. even though i wasn't losing weight i was losing so many inches. now it's been 5 months and i've lost 40lbs. Be patient! Keep at it. Good luck!

holothuroidea

Yeah, after high school I gained all kinds of independence when I left home. I ate what I want, when I wanted it. Which meant fast food. It has become a habit that I'm slowly breaking. I would love nothing more than to set a specific schedule like that, but, in my experience, it works better for me to "wing it." I know you may be thinking I'm just not applying myself, but if I'm truly honest here, I know that the second I start telling myself "no" and "you HAVE to do it this way" I will resist my own restrictions lol as silly as that sounds. I'm extremely stubborn. But trust me, what I eat now is nothing like what I used to eat. I'm very proud of myself for that.

And as a side note: the snacking and meals you see from Perkins...I work there. Just wanted to clarify that I don't actually make several trips to one place for food!

I know exactly what you mean. I developed a fast food habit during college but I was active and didn't overeat so I didn't have any problems, but when that habit carried on to my life after school, it was bad news.

It took me about 3 years to break that habit. I tried a lot of different things. Don't worry, as long as you keep trying, you'll get there eventually.

Can you take a scale with you when you go out to eat? That way you'll know if they give you more food than is listed in the nutrition info.

ecw3780

I really recommend trying the 4 meals every 4 hours plan. I had a big problem getting the scale to move and I was having huge fluctuations between days. It isn't anything extreme, but instead of have 6 small meals throughout the day, you cut back to 4 slightly bigger meals at least 4 hours apart. I know people swear by eating every few hours, but I am not sure I agree with that any more. Supposedly, the 4 hour window allows your body to burn your stores instead of just constantly intaking food. I figured it couldn't hurt so I gave it a try. I am snacking less, especially on junk, the scale has stopped fluctuating, and I have started losing more than half a pound every few weeks.