Confused about protein intake and left over calories...

thinlizzy525
thinlizzy525 Posts: 54
in Food and Nutrition
Ok, hey all! Now i just started this MFP think and i am trying to get motivated. I am however confused. Let me start by saying I KNOW that my diary sure didn't start off great (i didn't even log on for a while). Anyway, I would like to get it straightened out as soon as i figure out some things. Ok like today 8/2/12. I am not over my calories but i am what looks like negative in the protein area. Is that good or bad? I keep reading that high protein is good for you. I really need to come up with meals that are low cal and low fat. Maybe i'm eating too much prepackaged foods? HELP ME! lol I'm getting discouraged but i really need to get this going. My health is important. I quit smoking in January of this year 2012. I was 194 lbs in June and i'm at 186 now just from not eating at night and i stopped with the take out,fast food and soda (even diet soda). So i want to be 140 which was my weight last summer. How sad its that. *sigh* I would appreciate any help and advice on what's best for my eating habits. Maybe take a look at my food diary will help? THANK YOU SO MUCH!:happy:

Replies

  • 9JANE
    9JANE Posts: 21 Member
    Left over calories is ok but you need protein about 45 to 65 grams aday and if you exercise YOU NEED more protein for instance I had not been getting extra protein and I quit losing weight and that is when the doctor told me that I needed to get more protein you need to eat several small meals during the day one of the meals should have quite a few protein grams in the food , one bar that is good is Life Choice Protein bar there is several different flavors and they have about 21 grams of protein in each one, but you have to be sure and get the high protein bars because Life Choice does have other bars they will not bewith the other protein bars. You need to post your food every day and post how many pounds you have lost and you will get there. I have only been on here since June but I have been trying to lose weight since Sept. and I have lost about 71 pounds and am feeling great.
  • thinlizzy525
    thinlizzy525 Posts: 54
    Ok so i adjusted my goal from losing 2 lbs a week to 1 1/2lbs a week. It increased my calorie intake but i also do go walking 4 days a week (3 miles) fast paced so i think i will eat more to make up for those i burned...right?
  • kornmaiden
    kornmaiden Posts: 109
    Ok so i adjusted my goal from losing 2 lbs a week to 1 1/2lbs a week. It increased my calorie intake but i also do go walking 4 days a week (3 miles) fast paced so i think i will eat more to make up for those i burned...right?

    Yes, I would eat back at least some of the calories you burn from exercise. It's one of the main motivators for me! I set my goal calories low on purpose and then on days I work out I have a little bit more. This seems to be working for me. Just make sure the extra calories are quality food.
  • thinlizzy525
    thinlizzy525 Posts: 54
    Left over calories is ok but you need protein about 45 to 65 grams aday and if you exercise YOU NEED more protein for instance I had not been getting extra protein and I quit losing weight and that is when the doctor told me that I needed to get more protein you need to eat several small meals during the day one of the meals should have quite a few protein grams in the food , one bar that is good is Life Choice Protein bar there is several different flavors and they have about 21 grams of protein in each one, but you have to be sure and get the high protein bars because Life Choice does have other bars they will not bewith the other protein bars. You need to post your food every day and post how many pounds you have lost and you will get there. I have only been on here since June but I have been trying to lose weight since Sept. and I have lost about 71 pounds and am feeling great.

    OK so let me see if i got this right. If i stay BELOW my daily calorie goal that is great. BUT my daily goal for protein is i believe 56 so if i happen to log in some food into my food diary and it says -62 is that bad? Does that mean i am negative and ate too much protein. I don't know...i cannot seem to find the right place to get an explanation of this here on MFP.
  • thinlizzy525
    thinlizzy525 Posts: 54
    anyone? lol
  • thinlizzy525
    thinlizzy525 Posts: 54
    I finally got all the answers to my questions.... lol :) I LOVE MFP!

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