Not starting off on the right foot.

My target is 1550, feel free to take a look at my diary if you like.

The 'best way' can be different for different people. For example, I'm hungrier later in the day - so I eat a big breakfast which gets me through until 2-3pm, and then I do lots of eating over the next 6 or so hours - late lunch, afternoon snack, dinner, and then sometimes a dessert or snack before bed.

Other people may be the opposite, more balanced, or tend to graze all day.

Also, don't let a day of going over ruin it for you, it happens to everyone! My first week of proper tracking, we went to a festival and bought home loads of cheese and chocolate and salami and beer...!! I still lost weight by my weekly check-in as I accepted it as a 'bad day' and got straight back onto my good plan the next day.

In addition to timing of food and caloric intake, I make sure I am getting food with lots of protein as that helps me feel full. Great snacks for me in this category are Greek yogurt, almonds, natural peanut butter on celery. You can do this!

Going over your limit once and a while is not going to hurt your weight loss. Also remember you are just started and it is likely going to take a bit to change your habits.

first thing you should know is that it takes repetition to make something a habit. I have had an account on here since last year but just this week really started using it. Also, know that we all have to splurge sometimes. IF we all tried to be healthy and perfect all of the time a splurge would turn into a binge and everything we are doing would go down the tubes!:ohwell: What is really important is that you are learning how to use the tools and you understand now that maybe a Mexican buffet is something that has to be measured carefully. I have always heard that the first bite is the most flavorful bite you will take, so maybe next time just very small portions or bites of everything you want.

It takes time to change ingrained habits and lifelong ways of thinking and doing. You will have bad days and good days. The trick is to have more good days than bad days. Its not a "diet" to just do for a while, but its a lifelong change in eating, moving and thinking habits.
I agree with Susan.. If you know you are going to go somewhere where you will most likely eat a higher than normal calorie meal, have a lower breakfast and dinner or maybe cut out a snack or two. It takes time and mental energy to plan out a day, but the rewards are worth it!
Best wishes.. Nix
:flowerforyou:

My first week, I did so well and was getting a bit full of myself. Then Friday night came...I was tired, bored, a bit grumpy, and stressed about a variety of things. I ate dinner. then I ate dinner again. Then I had a snack. and another. and another...but I logged it all before I went to bed, realized I was over by about 1400. But, over the previous few days, I had been under by a few hundred, and decided the average of the week really wasn't anything to be ashamed of. That was the last time I went way over. Most days I'm a bit under but if I'm over it's by less than 100. I have had to exercise more than planned a few days to balance a big lunch but that is my choice, just as the big lunch was my choice. I'm simply staying focused on my reason for doing this, and adding variety to every day, both in food and activity. Boredom and obsession = failure for me. I've done this enough times to know it about myself, so now I'm working on changing habits, one choice at a time.

My calorie breakdown during the day is generally breakfast is small, a small morning snack maybe, lunch is generally about 2x breakfast calories, and dinner is whatever I feel like (healthy) with the remaining calories, leaving a few hundred for a snack later in the evening if I'm in the mood. I try to get in my exercise before dinner so I know exactly what I have to work with, and don't have to play calorie catch-up when all I really want to do is sit down with my feet up. :yawn: I set my loss goal at 1.5 pounds/week, knowing I have some wiggle room in both directions to still lose.