Help for a Newbie?

BraidedKitteness
BraidedKitteness Posts: 21 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Hello Everyone!

I've been using MFP for a little under a month now and I need some help. MFP has me at a goal of 1200 calories to lose one pound a week. I'm trying so hard to meet that goal but it seems like i'm having a hard time doing it. I'm always either over or under. Any words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated! My diary should be open for viewing. There are two days that I didn't eat much. I was sick and just could not eat. >.<

More info:
*Receptionist at a Zoo. Awesome but very sedentary job.
*Works out usually 2+ hours a week.
*IS 26 and weighs 146~ and needs to be 125-130~ to be healthy.
*Has a sweet tooth that is trying to be controlled.

Anything else, just ask! Thank you!!!

Replies

  • _HeartsOnFire_
    _HeartsOnFire_ Posts: 5,304 Member
    Your diary isn't open.

    Are you eating back your exercise calories? With only 17 lbs to go, 1 lb a week *may* be too aggressive. The less amount of weight to lose, the harder it can be and it's usually happens more when you shoot for 1/2 lb a week.

    Mainly though...unfortunately weight loss takes time, you've not going to see the scale move each week. There was a month it seemed I didn't see it at all. Have you measured yourself? Inches are just as important as lbs.
  • mariabraceyrobinson
    mariabraceyrobinson Posts: 94 Member
    I, like you, have a desk job. I have seen a nutritionist & she has me eating on a schedule. Actually she has me at 1300 calories, eventhough MFP says 1200. Maybe this will work for you as well.

    Breakfast by 9am
    morning snack 11 am
    lunch 1 pm
    afternoon snack 3pm
    dinner by 7
    evening snack (only if you worked out)

    I snack on 100 calorie packs of nuts & fruit cup. Don't get me wrong, I DO NOT diet, EVER. I eat what I would normally eat, just with little motifications. I generally follow the "suggested" serving size. This is how you make a life style change and not diet. If you can handle portion control. You should be ok.
  • BraidedKitteness
    BraidedKitteness Posts: 21 Member
    Your diary isn't open.

    Are you eating back your exercise calories? With only 17 lbs to go, 1 lb a week *may* be too aggressive. The less amount of weight to lose, the harder it can be and it's usually happens more when you shoot for 1/2 lb a week.

    Mainly though...unfortunately weight loss takes time, you've not going to see the scale move each week. There was a month it seemed I didn't see it at all. Have you measured yourself? Inches are just as important as lbs.

    AH, Thanks. I fixed it. 17 is ALL of my weight loss. >.< It's not an it's only to me since I'm just starting. I'm measuring myself every two weeks like it suggests. Tomorrow is measure day. I'll have to update then. ^.^ I'm glad to hear i'm not alone in not seeing anything for a month. It's been very, VERY, frustrating.
  • BraidedKitteness
    BraidedKitteness Posts: 21 Member
    I, like you, have a desk job. I have seen a nutritionist & she has me eating on a schedule. Actually she has me at 1300 calories, eventhough MFP says 1200. Maybe this will work for you as well.

    Breakfast by 9am
    morning snack 11 am
    lunch 1 pm
    afternoon snack 3pm
    dinner by 7
    evening snack (only if you worked out)

    I snack on 100 calorie packs of nuts & fruit cup. Don't get me wrong, I DO NOT diet, EVER. I eat what I would normally eat, just with little motifications. I generally follow the "suggested" serving size. This is how you make a life style change and not diet. If you can handle portion control. You should be ok.

    Thanks!!! I may try that. I know part of my problem is serving size. My boyfriend does all the cooking since I tend to hurt myself in the kitchen. He tends to split everything down the middle, which works for him, but is too much for me. Then he gets fussy because I'm "complaining" about too much food. I try to even things out by not eating as much durring the day.

    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    Anybody have tips on managing food portions with a significant. other?
  • brisingr86
    brisingr86 Posts: 1,789 Member
    Hey. First, feel free to friend me; you have a less to lose, but sounds like we're similar age, goals and sedentary desk jobs (and a sweet tooth!). I also have the 1200 goal. Next, don't worry about being under once in a while. If you're consistently under, you may want to make a conscious effort to eat a little more (but try to make it something with a bit of nutritional value as opposed to a candy bar just to use the calories). If you're 100 over because you were really hungry some days, no big deal. Also, don't forget to eat back your exercise calories. Your body will need the extra fuel on days you work out (that's a big one newbies forget). As far as the sweet tooth, I've found it easier to curb the cravings the longer I've been eating healthier, but I also don't deny myself all sweets because I know I will eventually binge. I make sure they fit into my calories for the day and try to just have one or two little pieces spread through the day instead of 4 or 5. Also, if you're really struggling to stay under the 1200 on rest days, but are solid on your workout routine, check out "in place of a road map" and look at maybe switching to a TDEE based model, which is usually a higher per day goal because it spreads your exercise calories over the week. You don't get the extra calories on your workout days, but you have more on your rest days. Good luck!
  • _HeartsOnFire_
    _HeartsOnFire_ Posts: 5,304 Member
    Hey. First, feel free to friend me; you have a less to lose, but sounds like we're similar age, goals and sedentary desk jobs (and a sweet tooth!). I also have the 1200 goal. Next, don't worry about being under once in a while. If you're consistently under, you may want to make a conscious effort to eat a little more (but try to make it something with a bit of nutritional value as opposed to a candy bar just to use the calories). If you're 100 over because you were really hungry some days, no big deal. Also, don't forget to eat back your exercise calories. Your body will need the extra fuel on days you work out (that's a big one newbies forget). As far as the sweet tooth, I've found it easier to curb the cravings the longer I've been eating healthier, but I also don't deny myself all sweets because I know I will eventually binge. I make sure they fit into my calories for the day and try to just have one or two little pieces spread through the day instead of 4 or 5. Also, if you're really struggling to stay under the 1200 on rest days, but are solid on your workout routine, check out "in place of a road map" and look at maybe switching to a TDEE based model, which is usually a higher per day goal because it spreads your exercise calories over the week. You don't get the extra calories on your workout days, but you have more on your rest days. Good luck!

    I agree...I'm now doing the TDEE method because I like knowing exactly what I can eat each day. I track my exercise but make sure to make it only 1 calorie since in the TDEE method you don't eat back your exercise calories.

    Here is a link to the road map she mentions
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/654536-in-place-of-a-road-map-2-0-revised-7-2-12

    If you switch to the TDEE method, I'd suggest TDEE-10-15% at most 15%. Since you don't have far to go. :)
  • BraidedKitteness
    BraidedKitteness Posts: 21 Member
    Hey. First, feel free to friend me; you have a less to lose, but sounds like we're similar age, goals and sedentary desk jobs (and a sweet tooth!). I also have the 1200 goal. Next, don't worry about being under once in a while. If you're consistently under, you may want to make a conscious effort to eat a little more (but try to make it something with a bit of nutritional value as opposed to a candy bar just to use the calories). If you're 100 over because you were really hungry some days, no big deal. Also, don't forget to eat back your exercise calories. Your body will need the extra fuel on days you work out (that's a big one newbies forget). As far as the sweet tooth, I've found it easier to curb the cravings the longer I've been eating healthier, but I also don't deny myself all sweets because I know I will eventually binge. I make sure they fit into my calories for the day and try to just have one or two little pieces spread through the day instead of 4 or 5. Also, if you're really struggling to stay under the 1200 on rest days, but are solid on your workout routine, check out "in place of a road map" and look at maybe switching to a TDEE based model, which is usually a higher per day goal because it spreads your exercise calories over the week. You don't get the extra calories on your workout days, but you have more on your rest days. Good luck!

    I agree...I'm now doing the TDEE method because I like knowing exactly what I can eat each day. I track my exercise but make sure to make it only 1 calorie since in the TDEE method you don't eat back your exercise calories.

    Here is a link to the road map she mentions
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/654536-in-place-of-a-road-map-2-0-revised-7-2-12

    If you switch to the TDEE method, I'd suggest TDEE-10-15% at most 15%. Since you don't have far to go. :)

    WOW!!! Thank you both! So much information! I'll definately be switching! I think I can manage the 1400 instead of 1200, and then just not "count" my exercize calories. *Excited again* hehe.

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