Calorie Confusion

I think if you've got 100+ pounds to lose then you should start at the suggested calorie intake of 1,380, you've to a long road, if you make it too hard then you are more likely to give up. Make sure you get as much exercise in that you can, even just starting with short walks as it all adds up but make sure that you also eat some of these calories back. Prove your sister and the others wrong and show them that calorie counting can work and that you can do it! Good luck

Most of the fad diets that you are reading about on the internet will work, but only for a short period of time. They'll leave you starving, depleted of nutrients, your weight will rebound in a big way, and you'll end up heavier than when you started. Calorie counting can be boring, if you let it be. So here's how you prove your sister wrong. First, make the calorie counting interesting. Be a calorie and nutrient detective. Challenge yourself to get your calories right and your macros right every day. If you screw up on one day, just start again on the right track the next day. Calorie counting isn't a "quick fix" but it's more likely to be a life-long fix. By taking a measured approach to regaining your health, you'll learn how to eat in a sustainable, healthy way. Trust the calorie goal that MFP has given you. As you lose weight, it will recalculate for you. Set your goal for no more than 1 pound a week. You want this to be do-able, and not to set yourself up for failure. One step at a time...one calorie at a time...you'll get there.

I too have a sister. Add me if you want.

Who says calories don't count ?????????? Just tell your sister to live her life and you will live YOURS. And this isn't a diet--this is your LIFESTYLE CHANGE---because this is the REST OF YOUR LIFE. I had to change my thinking and now I am doing so good and I enjoy my change AND I enjoy exercising. This is for ME, not for anyone else. Just tell everyone this is about YOU no them and enjoy this--have the fun is watching yourself change in the mirror!!! Is not hard. Just enter your food and exercise and go with the flow. You can do this and you have a whole world here behind you!!!!!!!!!!

I too am doing this for myself without much support, but IT WORKS! Today I entered the normal weight/BMI band after being overweight for the past 30+ years. I only had 30-odd lbs to lose, but I did it in just over 6 months by purely following MFP and building up my exercise as I felt able. Have faith in the app, weigh your food (get some nice accurate digital scales) and record everything that goes into your mouth ... you will see the results you want to see!

Just wondering, if you have 100+ pounds to lose, why are you only at 1380?

Do what the app says - just STICK TO IT - You can lose weight by counting calories!!!!!!!!! I have done it. You don't have to exercise at all to lose weight. Exercise is best for your overall health - good for your hearth, muscles, etc.....but calorie DEFICIT is what makes the weight come off - just as too many calories is what put the weight on! People in third world countries without enough calorie intake are sure skinny- huh? God bless them - but we can SEE that it works! Just STICK with it!

I'm not so great on the advice for what calories you should have BUT the 28lbs I've lost (so far) from counting calories definitely prove your sister wrong. Going back to basics work Good luck :flowerforyou:

I am also new to counting calories. I have been on every diet out there. MPF makes it very easy to keep tract, Im on week 2 and so far I love it, and it keeps me accountable every day. Don't worry about others, they don't live in your body! YES, stay at the higher calorie count! Good luck, your welcome to add me

1000% Counting your calories counts, but not only that it completely changes your attitude to food, i'ts ruined pringles for me with like 1000 calories in a tube and we all know once you pop....it's game over i used to think the same about it thinking it was a bit tedious but it has changed my style of eating, cooking due to the fact you are having to watch what you eat, i started in Jan 2013 and lost 51lbs so far and thats with a few weeks off for study stress, it's a long haul but it's soo worth it just wish i did it earlier to be honest. but the key to it all is start off slow and gradually let your body and mind get used to it, you really don't want to sicken yourself with it quickly and undo any good work you've done. Good luck

It does work, and it works for the long haul. I've lost weight more quickly on some other "diets," but I always returned to "normal eating" which led to gaining it back. Counting calories helps you learn to make better choices and eventually develop a "new normal" which will help you to be successful for life.

Ive done all the fad diets, i can think of, through my youth just cos I was hoping for a quick fix.

There is no such thing as a quick fix

Ive only been calorie counting for the last 60 odd days and have lost 22lbs.. Calories counting is definitely the way to go.. Keep with it and you will soon see results

If you find that you are struggling on 1300 calories a day then work out your BMR and TDEE and work out your daily calories from there.

Good luck with your journey

We're all here for the same reasons, and we are always willing to help with motivations

Also the app after entering my info set me up with a daily intake of 1380, however I read many things stating you should do 1200. Should I go by what the app says?

With a 100 pounds to lose, i would absolutely not go lower than 1380. Stick with that and exercise so you can eat back those calories and I guarantee you'll have an easier time of it.

I think what some of the 'calorie counting doesn't work' people are getting at is that if you restrict too much you might rebound and gain back.

Personally, I think two things.

1. Calorie counting is vastly useful when you are starting out because it will give you an understanding of what the foods you're eating contain. I would also look at macros, although people differ on this.

2. Anything you are going to do to lose weight, you need to be able to do your whole life. I gave up cokes, and I knew that was something I could live with. I believe in building good habits one at a time so it is easy. If you say 'i will eat 1200 calories' and you are starving, you will not do that your whole life. There is also a theory about satiation but I don't want to bog you dow. Here is an interesting article if you want to read it: http://www.gnolls.org/tag/satiation-vs-satiety/ The basic point is to eat foods with nutrients, not just 1200 cal's of crap. Again, people differ, but I think you will be much happier if you go this way.

Good luck on everything!

I, too, (in all my infinite wisdom---lol) seriously think 1380 is too low for starting point. If you gained 100 pounds (like me) then your body is used to eating a lot more most likely. Please don't think I'm rude because I am only speaking from common sense and because I am YOU too! Maybe a good starting point would be 1800 calories. My daughter in law lost 60 pounds eating 2500 calories without exercise! That would NOT have worked for me...but the hardest thing you will discover about this journey is that we are all UNIQUE in what it takes to lose. Yes, there are 'methods' that work. I had to play around with carbs, protein, fat to keep losing. It was almost a cruel game at times! But it CAN be done. There are thousands on here who have done it.

Seek out and find good supportive friends. We are here. We are losing, and We care about you.

Again, back to my 'suggestion'....start at 1800 for a few weeks. If you are losing, then stay there a while. When you stop, drop 100 calories and try that for a couple weeks. And so on. Your body will rebel and you will starve and give up if you cut down too fast. Eat sensibly ahd MOVE. I don' t care if it is 10 minutes today. Tomorrow, do 11 minutes! No matter what abuse we have done to ourselves, we have MIRACULOUS bodies and they do respond to exercise and improve each and every day. Don't overdo it--don't get hurt. Just move. Walk, Dance. Swim. Swimming is wonderful if you have access to a pool. I could not swim ONE SINGLE Lap when I started. I swam a mile a few weeks ago. Havent done it since, but I DID IT and I could if I wanted...just haven't had the 63 minutes it took to do it. heehee. But I regularly swim 35-45 minutes along with weights, treadmill, and elliptical. Don't feel self conscious about joining a gym, if you can. No ONE is judging. In fact, anyone that actually 'sees you' will be impressed that you are there and either ignore you or give you a smile and a nod. Most folks are just in their own exercise zone and ignore you. Just DON"t FEEL threatened! If you can't or don't want to do gym yet, then walk. I found exercise videos at resale shops--or ebay too. Just move. and Don"t STOP. Move every day. It will speed the loss and make you feel so much better on this long journey--cuz it don't happen overnight. But it WILL happen if that is what you desire.

Make sure you get some good fats, protein, veges & fruit. Do lots of research. Read the forums on Motivation and Success (at least one a day). It really helped me to SEE others lose. There are groups for women of certain ages, folks who have that 100 or more pounds to lose. Join a group. If you see someone inspiring, send a note and a friend request. I thought the whold online friendship thing was stupid and wouldn't help. Boy--was I WRONG! I have met wonderful, beautiful,, and very inspiring Friends for life on here.

There are wonderful recipes here too. I am sure you can find a healthy version of something you love to eat. If not here, then google low calorie or low carb versions of you favorite foods. That really helps so you don't feel like you are in the prison of dieting with hothing you like to eat.

GOOD LUCK honey--and keep MOVING and NEVER EVER EVER GIVE UP. The many winners here will keep you inspired.

"GREAT POSSIBILITIES COME WITH CONTROL"

Establish a plan, move, and stick to it until it no longer works...then move to Plan B.