help

salvesol
salvesol Posts: 15
in Getting Started
Hello!

I'm new to myfitnesspal. I would like to lose 30 lbs in the long term. In the short term, i.e. the next two months, I would like to lose at least 10 pounds. Mostly because I haven't seen my family and friends in 6 months... and I've gained 10 pounds in those 6 months. I will be back in two months and don't want them to see me with 10 extra pounds (my mum would kill me!) I was already getting "friendly" advice from some close friends and my mum about losing weight before gaining those 10 extra pounds... so what would they say if they saw me now?

I have never tried losing weight before. I am really scared of messing it up and ending up heavier than now. That is because I think I have a good metabolism right now and don't want to destroy it.

So, will eating only 1200 calories a day destroy my metabolism? I am pretty sure I eat way more than 2000 a day right now, way way more.

Exercise: I go swimming 2x a week ( 1 km), sometimes go to the gym (stepper) and walk anywhere between 40min to 1h30 a day. I am sitting the rest of the day (student).

How do I count calories? I don't have a kitchen scale and cook all my meals. (I never use ready-made meals)

Any advice on how to lose weight?

Replies

  • Blokeypoo
    Blokeypoo Posts: 274 Member
    Wasn't this posted yesterday/recently? Apols if not, my brain melts with some of the "activity" in this place.

    Focus on long term stuff not quick fixes for dates which will come and go.

    Use the search facility to read all the great advice already here.
  • salvesol
    salvesol Posts: 15
    Hello! I just subscribed today. So maybe someone else is in the same situation and posted the same kind of stuff?
  • salvesol
    salvesol Posts: 15
    I read the "sticky-posts".

    They say a BMR of 1200 kcal is an average and is different for every person. According to calculators my BMR should be 1200kcal , I am afraid it is more than that and that I will ruin my metabolism by only eating 1200 kcal...
  • TitanGM
    TitanGM Posts: 1,161 Member
    Sounds like you're pretty active. A 1200 calorie diet is just a smoke in the air because it rather mislead people into extreme diet which is dangerous. Calorie intake is different from person to person. You have to find what is YOUR B.M.R (Basal Metabolic Rate)
    Go here for more info: http://www.bmi-calculator.net/bmr-calculator/
  • salvesol
    salvesol Posts: 15
    Thank you for your input.
    My BMR is actually around 1500 kcal. So my goal will be 1500 kcal + exercise calories.
    Do you know if the calorie-count by the machines at the gym (stepper) is accurate?
    For swimming I will have to figure it out somehow...
  • Dav4unic
    Dav4unic Posts: 3
    Welcome! Make sure you also are losing the weight for you? Not for your family only. Good luck in your weight loss journey. I am sure you'll be successful; you're off to a great start!
  • knra_grl
    knra_grl Posts: 1,566 Member
    You really should get a scale to be able to accurately weigh and measure foods. You can pick up a cheap digital scale for about $10 - all you really need is one that weighs in grams and ounces. Make sure you have measuring cups and spoons also. You can find things in the data bank that are entered using cups and spoons but the weighed measures would be better. I find that I often don't need a tblsp of peanut butter, margarine or mayo and weighing just gives the most accurate calorie count. Weighing and measuring foods will become second nature and so will knowing what foods are really high calorie. You can find an online exercise calculator where you can enter all your information to calculate your exercise calories if you don't have a HRM.

    Try this site or one like it >> http://www.freedieting.com/tools/calories_burned.htm

    Good luck! :flowerforyou:
  • Sarauk2sf
    Sarauk2sf Posts: 28,072 Member
    Have a read of this.

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1175494-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants


    Also, lose weight for you, not your family. I doubt they would 'kill you' and if they got annoyed, then that is their issue, not yours as you are at a healthy weight based on your stats.
  • salvesol
    salvesol Posts: 15
    I am losing weight for myself (to feel better overall), but the fact that I am going to see my family soon makes me want to start now rather than later.

    Thank you for the link, I read through it, very informative!
  • salvesol
    salvesol Posts: 15
    You really should get a scale to be able to accurately weigh and measure foods. You can pick up a cheap digital scale for about $10 - all you really need is one that weighs in grams and ounces. Make sure you have measuring cups and spoons also. You can find things in the data bank that are entered using cups and spoons but the weighed measures would be better. I find that I often don't need a tblsp of peanut butter, margarine or mayo and weighing just gives the most accurate calorie count. Weighing and measuring foods will become second nature and so will knowing what foods are really high calorie. You can find an online exercise calculator where you can enter all your information to calculate your exercise calories if you don't have a HRM.

    Try this site or one like it >> http://www.freedieting.com/tools/calories_burned.htm

    Good luck! :flowerforyou:
    As you suggested, I bought a scale, I don't think I would be able to count calories otherwise. It takes a long time to weigh everything and I was surprised that calories pile up so quickly!
    I think I read in another thread you are doing C25k? I will start today! (If i dare! ;))

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