Saving exercise calories (challenge)

I'm still in. I know that this week will be a little more challenging, but I am certainly up for the challenge. Last week, I lost more than I have in over 6 weeks. I hope not to blow it all on thanksgiving. I am going to eat generously on thanksgiving and modestly throughout the weekend. I want to go into December another 2- 3 pounds lighter, that would put me in a really good position for success for the rest of the year.

So I'm looking at calories like money. If I have $12.00 for the whole day (1200 calories), you eat 250 calories (or $2.50) on breakfast, so that leaves me with $9.50 to "spend" on the rest of my snacks and meals. Well what happens when you run out of money (in real life), you don't get to eat! So you learn to spend your money wisely. $2.00 on a candy bar, or $2.00 on 3 ounces of chicken, a half of cup of brown rice and a half of cup of veggies. But what happens if you're still soooo hungry after your $12.00 are spent? You go to the bank and make a withdrawal. Burning 400 calories gives me back (up to) 4 more dollars to spend. But I try not to make withdrawals unless its mandatory!

Kristen, I know what you mean, I didn't exercise as much last week either. I don't think it was really intentional though.

Stewie, thats a long time to go without eating your exercise calories, esp whie doing p90x, so please be careful. When I do double zumba on wednesdays, I usually eat back a few hundred calories so I don't have a headache or dizzy spell.

Elaine- I want to start off by saying, great name! It's my mom's name and my daughter's middle name. You're right about overestimating the number of exercise calories we burn, but also, we UNDERestimate the number of calories we eat. I have a hrm and a digital food scale and I try to keep everything as accurate as possible, but there's always room for error. Thanks for your feedback.

Getting rid of all the thanksgiving leftovers so I can be in tune with this challenge again starting tomorrow.

It will be a challenge, but I am up for it. I am trying hard not to touch those exercise calories. Usually when I eat, its because I'm bored or craving something sweet or salty. So I am really trying to discipline myself to eat only when I'm hungry!

I wanted all the leftovers gone by today. But I told my husband if there is anything still lingering on the 1st, its going in the garbage! all the desserts are gone and if I eat some of the other foods in moderation, I can still stay under my calories.

Well the things that I am trying to do differently is not eat so early in the morning and so late in the evening. I'm trying to eat between 9am and 9pm. then I eat what I call "around the clock" 9,12,3,6,9 I'm trying to eat only when I'm hungry and stop eating when I'm full. I am trying not to eat out of boredom or while watching tv. I still have a problem with snacking "after hours". I am trying to eat more filling foods instead of eating empty calories. More fiber, more water. I would love to hear your suggestions as I am still having a hard time keeping my focus. I do fine all day, but toward the end of the night, I tend to crash and burn!

ok, I thought I was seeing double. You guys names are so close...do you know each other? I hope that's not a dumb question. its almost midnight and my brain has already shut down.
Well I didn't workout today and I was still able to eat under 1200 calories and I don't feel like I am starving. Fiber and water are big factors in that. I am trying not to eat empty calories. I have to make every one of them count. Making a plan the day before really helps me too.

Thanks guys for hanging in there with me! Have a great weekend.

that's exactly how I feel. Its just about awareness of what I eat. Am I hungry or just bored? I'll go find something else to occupy my time and then eat about a half an hour later. I wait later in the morning to eat instead of as soon as I wake up. I dont eat if I know I am going to sleep in the next half hour to an hour. So that's what I am taking away from this challenge. Not eating every single morsel of my exercise calories just because I have them. Or because the majority of the members feel "obligated" to eat them. I just listen to my body and try to make healthy choices. So far its been working!