Updating Calorie Goals

natspoiledbrat
natspoiledbrat Posts: 133
edited September 20 in Food and Nutrition
So now that I have lost weight, my daily calorie intake is decreasing. At first I could have almost 2000 calories a day, then it was down to 1850 and now it is at about 1760. It has been really hard for me to stay under 1760 and I feel like I go over every single day if I do not earn extra calories from working out. Do you think it is ok to change my goal from losing 1 lb a week to 1/2 a lb a week so that I don't get so discouraged? I know that it is going to take me double the time to lose the weight, but I feel like I keep bombing everyday because the 1760 mark is too hard to keep under. You can describe me as an "all or nothing" kind of person, so if I blow my calories, I usually end up going way over, I think this will help me mentally to stay in the game. I know its all mind over matter.........what do you guys think?

Replies

  • mmrose00
    mmrose00 Posts: 253 Member
    I think you should do what you think is best, if adjusting your cal's to reflect a 1/2 lb weight loss per week works for you.. Do iT!:wink: As long as it keeps you here!!

    This journey is exclusive to the individual.

    My question to you would be..will you get discouraged not seeing the scale move as quickly as it was prior to the switch?
  • jhambone213
    jhambone213 Posts: 8 Member
    If you are finding it hard to stay under your total, you can either try to increase your exercise total or substitute items with something that is less in calories. The other idea my wifes doctor suggested is to eat a small heAlthy snack 30 minutes prior to tour meal. I guess it takes your body that long to register that you have eaten something, and this will in turn make your body think you are fuller than what you are. Hope I was able to be of some help and continued luck and your journey.
  • cmw72
    cmw72 Posts: 390 Member
    Everybody has to find a balance that they can live with.

    Right now I'm at 1750 (I started at 2200), and I've had to make some cuts, but it does get easier once you get used to it.

    What worked for me is really evaluating what I was eating, and seeing where I could scale it back. Also, planning out my food for the next day the night before really helps me stay focused. I also keep gum handy in case I feel a need to snack. I try and pace my calories out these days so I'm not blowing them all on one big meal. I try to save special higher-calorie meals for Saturday or Sunday night, since I tend to eat less on my days off.

    Just think about all the things you can fit into 1760 calories...
    17 bananas,
    8 servings of yogurt and granola,
    35 turkey franks,
    5 1/2 lean cuisine meals...

    These are just some examples, but if you pick a few things here, a few things there, plan out what you're going to eat ahead of time ... you might find that it's not so unmanageable.

    Which ever way you go, you're still making progress, and you're still making a positive change in your life.

    You win either way! :drinker:
  • Sarah219
    Sarah219 Posts: 46
    Just picked up some good advice here too from you all so thanks x:smile:
  • MacMadame
    MacMadame Posts: 1,893 Member
    I think it's better to slow down the weight loss as you get closer to your goal anyway. It makes it easier to slide into maintenance because you just gradually increase your calories until your weight loss stops and then the way you have to eat for the rest of your life is the way you are eating already.

    Now, I have to admit, I'm not talking from experience. I sure tried to do this, but I was in the middle of training for a Half-ironman and I couldn't keep up with the calorie demands. And I think that made that transitions a lot harder because I ended up having to experiment a lot to figure out how to eat to maintain. My friends who slowed down gradually had a much easier time of it.
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