Trying to figure out where I should be...Help is needed!
Jwithrow4
Posts: 21
1) What's your current intake of calories gross, on average?
According to the BodyMedia armband average over last 3 months was 1269
2) What's your current average intake of protein, carbs, and fats, in grams?
All are approx. Protein-54 Carb-162 Fat- 45
3) Do you use a food scale and measure everything?
I do measure when I am at home, but not when I am at work
4) Do you track all of your intake, daily? (Everything?)
Yes, I track everything I eat or drink, good or bad.
5) Do you take cheat days or days off?
Not really. I don't limit what I can eat, I just keep an eye on the calories and how it fits in my day. I am a little more lax on guidelines on Sundays.
6) How much weight have you lost so far?
43.1lbs since October 1, 2012
7) What is your activity like, both exercise and non-exercise?
I have a desk job, so not much movement there. I do zumba at least 3-5 times a week for anywhere between 20-45 minutes at a time. Other than that, just normal daily cleaning & life
8) How long have you eaten at your previous amount and what happened in that time frame?
I have been eating at 1200 or close to it for the last 4 months
9) What's your height, current weight and if you know it, bodyfat%?
I am 5 ft. 7in., 187.4 as of this morning, and I am not sure about body fat, but most sites give me between 27 and 40%. My guess is toward the upper end.
10) If you're stalled, for how long and is it a complete stall (zero change in weight)?
I am not stalled, just slowed way down, which I think is normal. I am still losing pretty good, but want to make sure I am doing what is right for my body and a long term result.
Also, please ensure that you have your diary open
Open and ready for review (please be kind!)
Thank you for looking at this for me. I have gone over so many different options and am just confused by it all. I may re-post with my husbands info too. He has joined in and is catching me quickly!
According to the BodyMedia armband average over last 3 months was 1269
2) What's your current average intake of protein, carbs, and fats, in grams?
All are approx. Protein-54 Carb-162 Fat- 45
3) Do you use a food scale and measure everything?
I do measure when I am at home, but not when I am at work
4) Do you track all of your intake, daily? (Everything?)
Yes, I track everything I eat or drink, good or bad.
5) Do you take cheat days or days off?
Not really. I don't limit what I can eat, I just keep an eye on the calories and how it fits in my day. I am a little more lax on guidelines on Sundays.
6) How much weight have you lost so far?
43.1lbs since October 1, 2012
7) What is your activity like, both exercise and non-exercise?
I have a desk job, so not much movement there. I do zumba at least 3-5 times a week for anywhere between 20-45 minutes at a time. Other than that, just normal daily cleaning & life
8) How long have you eaten at your previous amount and what happened in that time frame?
I have been eating at 1200 or close to it for the last 4 months
9) What's your height, current weight and if you know it, bodyfat%?
I am 5 ft. 7in., 187.4 as of this morning, and I am not sure about body fat, but most sites give me between 27 and 40%. My guess is toward the upper end.
10) If you're stalled, for how long and is it a complete stall (zero change in weight)?
I am not stalled, just slowed way down, which I think is normal. I am still losing pretty good, but want to make sure I am doing what is right for my body and a long term result.
Also, please ensure that you have your diary open
Open and ready for review (please be kind!)
Thank you for looking at this for me. I have gone over so many different options and am just confused by it all. I may re-post with my husbands info too. He has joined in and is catching me quickly!
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Replies
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Can you open your diary please.
However, if you are eating 1269 per day, you are under-eating.
How much weight have you lost in the last month?0 -
Sorry, I forgot it was only open to friends. It is now public. In February, the total lost was 5.3 lbs. I have been eating higher for a couple weeks, but seem to just be gaining. Thanks!0
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Sorry, I forgot it was only open to friends. It is now public. In February, the total lost was 5.3 lbs. I have been eating higher for a couple weeks, but seem to just be gaining. Thanks!
5lb with the amount of weight you have to lose is a pretty decent pace. I will get back to you soon re intake.0 -
That sounds good. Thanks for all of the help you provide!0
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Just to confirm - you have quite a few really low days (sub 1,000 calories) in your diary - are these 'legitimate' full days of logging or days where you missed logging - just asking to make sure we have a good picture of your intake history.0
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Those were full days of logging. I didn't start researching the "eat more weigh less" idea until just a few weeks ago. I am one of those who were programmed to believe that losing the weight was better for your body even at the risk of bordering starvation. Honestly, increasing has been very hard for me and most days I struggle to hit my higher target without feeling like a balloon.0
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Thank you for your response.
When you say 'feeli like a balloon' do you mean feeling full or feeling 'fat' when you do get nearer to your target? (Note: either one is a pretty common feeling)0 -
It is a fat, bloated kind of feeling. I did notice that on some of the more recent days, my sodium was higher than normal, so I am trying to keep an eye on that. I always seem to be way over on carbs and way under on protein too. I'm glad its a common thing and am hoping I will adjust before long. Thank you again!0
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What does your BMF say is your average daily burn?0
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Sorry it took me so ling to get back to you. I only have the desktop site at work on my breaks. I used the BMF for 3 months and the average daily from December 1, 2012 to February 13, 2013 was 2465. I stopped using it so my husband could get an idea of his average as well. The last couple of days have been really bad for intake, I am working on getting back on track. it seems the more I can eat, the more I want to and end up going overboard.0
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**long. Also, I doubled checked the numbers and it was actually 2672 average daily burn.0
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Sorry - one more question - do you measure or weigh food on a digital scale when at home?0
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We got a digital scale about a month ago and when I am at home (which is usually just evening food) I do measure or weigh it out. I am getting a scale to bring to work so I can weigh here also, but I don't have it yet.0
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I just calculated your average calories for the last month (since you have been weighing your food) and you look to have an average calorie intake of 1,350. What has your weight done in the last 4 weeks?0
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On 2/15 it was 187.6, 2/22 was 185.8, 3/1 was 188.2, 3/8 was 188.8, and today was 187.8. I really want to do this the right way and feed my body what it needs, but the increase in calories has me gaining and after working so hard to lose it, I am getting frustrated. The 1200 to 1400 calorie range seemed to work very well for a consistent loss, but so many say it is too low. Thanks for your help!0
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So, your intake and weight loss over the past month is very low. You should be able to eat more and lose weight based on 'averages'. Have you had your thyroid tested or been tested for PCOS?0
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I do have hypothyroidism and take medication for it. My levels though haven't been tested since I started losing, just right before. I will talk to my doctor and see if we need to test again. I haven't been tested for PCOS at all, so I may look into that also. I'm so thankful for your help.0
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I have not forgotten about you. SideSteel and I are discussing the best approach for you as I would really like to see how we can get your calories up a bit, while still achieving a weight loss.0
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Not a problem. Thank you for taking the time to help! In the past, I have tried every scam and false promise out there. I have 2 daughters and I want them to grow up knowing what it feels like to be healthy, to sweat, but also to enjoy food, not be controlled by it. I want to learn to do this right, not just for me, but for them too. Thank you again!0
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Due to the fact that you have a thyroid issue,we are going to suggest limiting carbs as lower carbs seems to work well in having a better metabolic impact (it's usually the other way round) as well as upping your fats as people with thyroid issues also seem to do better with a slightly higher fat intake. We are also going to suggest starting to up your calories a bit to get your intake to a more reasonable level. The theory is, the impact of the lower carbs will more than offset the impact the slightly higher calories. Also, as we are reducing carbs, for energy, higher calories will be beneficial.
So, we are recommending that you set your calorie target at 1,500 (no eating exercise calories back) for the next 2 weeks and then get back to us after that with your results (or earlier if you have any questions or concerns)
Marcos should be set at:
Protein: 125g
Fats: 67g
Balance will equal about 100g carbs. Try to get as close to these as possible. Also, try to up your NEAT (non exercise activity) and also look into starting some resistance/strength training.
This may take a bit of trial and error so we also ask you to be patient with us in this process. We also recommend seeing your doctor to get your levels tested again.0 -
That sounds great. I will start tomorrow with those numbers and let you know in 2 weeks what the results were. Thanks again!0
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Just chiming in to say I am super impressed with the detail of help Sara is providing. I learn so much from these discussions.0
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I agree. Sara and SideSteel rock.
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Locking for now as part of a process that we are using to track open threads. http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/914180-thread-locking-and-intake-follow-ups
Please PM either myself or SideSteel in a week or so when you are ready to give us an update, or earlier if you have any further questions, and we will unlock it so you can post.0
This discussion has been closed.