New to MFP! & really at a loss

salsadancer615
salsadancer615 Posts: 7 Member
edited November 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
Hi everyone! First off, it's great to be a part of this community. I'm going to share with you guys my story and hopefully I'll finally be able to get somewhere..

I'm going to be 24 in two months. I'm 5'6 and 155 lbs. I have been trying to loose weight for over 3 years and I don't know what my deal is. I've had to put off my modeling because of my weight

Replies

  • juggernaut1974
    juggernaut1974 Posts: 6,212 Member
    edited September 2015
    If you're not losing weight, you're eating too many calories. That's really all there is to it.

    Suggest weighing/measuring and logging every single thing you put in you mouth to get a handle on how many calories you're currently eating. Then adjust that number downward by about 200-250 calories per day, and eat that for a month or two and then re-assess. You're already at a relatively healthy weight, so I wouldn't suggest going for a more dramatic deficit than that initially.
  • salsadancer615
    salsadancer615 Posts: 7 Member
    I've heard so often that counting calories is bad, and to only eat extremely healthy..like nuts grains salad, raw food etc.

    Like for example 150 calories in soda vs 150 calories in almonds is different..I guess they're wrong then, as I haven't lost any weight for so long
  • salsadancer615
    salsadancer615 Posts: 7 Member
    ceoverturf wrote: »
    If you're not losing weight, you're eating too many calories. That's really all there is to it.

    Suggest weighing/measuring and logging every single thing you put in you mouth to get a handle on how many calories you're currently eating. Then adjust that number downward by about 200-250 calories per day, and eat that for a month or two and then re-assess. You're already at a relatively healthy weight, so I wouldn't suggest going for a more dramatic deficit than that initially.

    I've heard so often that counting calories is bad, and to only eat extremely healthy..like nuts grains salad, raw food etc.

    Like for example 150 calories in soda vs 150 calories in almonds is different..I guess they're wrong then, as I haven't lost any weight for so long
  • schandler1011
    schandler1011 Posts: 83 Member
    It can really be frustrating for sure!
  • I_Will_End_You
    I_Will_End_You Posts: 4,397 Member
    salsadancer615 wrote: »
    I've heard so often that counting calories is bad, and to only eat extremely healthy..like nuts grains salad, raw food etc.

    Like for example 150 calories in soda vs 150 calories in almonds is different..I guess they're wrong then, as I haven't lost any weight for so long

    No. For weight loss only, calories are all that matters. If you aren't losing, you're eating the amount of calories you need to maintain your weight and need to cut back.
  • macgurlnet
    macgurlnet Posts: 1,946 Member
    edited September 2015
    salsadancer615 wrote: »
    I've heard so often that counting calories is bad, and to only eat extremely healthy..like nuts grains salad, raw food etc.

    Like for example 150 calories in soda vs 150 calories in almonds is different..I guess they're wrong then, as I haven't lost any weight for so long

    For being satisfied, one might say that 150 calories of X item is better than Y item. And X and Y will be different for everyone. For weight loss, it doesn't matter.

    I've lost 23 pounds eating a big variety of stuff - including "unhealthy" fast food - by weighing all my solids, measuring liquids, and tracking as accurately as possible here.

    Get a food scale and start logging accurately. Set a reasonable goal (0.5lb/week for every 20 pounds you have to lose).

    Keep at it for ~4 weeks, then re-evaluate based on how much weight you've lost.

    ~Lyssa
  • salsadancer615
    salsadancer615 Posts: 7 Member
    Is there a good amount of calories I should not go above per day to loose? 1,500? I have no idea
  • TeaBea
    TeaBea Posts: 14,517 Member
    edited September 2015
    salsadancer615 wrote: »
    Is there a good amount of calories I should not go above per day to loose? 1,500? I have no idea

    Put your stats in MFP - height, weight, age, activity level.

    Then select 1/2 pound a week loss for your goal.

    Eat that many calories + half of your logged exercise calories.

    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1235566/so-youre-new-here/p1

    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1080242/a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants/p1
  • I_Will_End_You
    I_Will_End_You Posts: 4,397 Member
    salsadancer615 wrote: »
    Is there a good amount of calories I should not go above per day to loose? 1,500? I have no idea

    What's your activity level? Do you work out? Walk alot? Work a desk job or on your feet?
  • ariana_eatsandlifts
    ariana_eatsandlifts Posts: 197 Member
    I highly suggest you read the threads in the "Helpful Posts" section at the top of this forum. That is a great way to get a lot of your questions answered.
  • salsadancer615
    salsadancer615 Posts: 7 Member
    So if I wanted to try for 20lbs by December 1st...what would a target calorie goal be?

    And as far as exercise...any ideas? How many times per week, is running good? Classes at the gym? So many options..
  • ariana_eatsandlifts
    ariana_eatsandlifts Posts: 197 Member
    edited September 2015
    How much do you weight now? 20 lbs might be too aggressive by December. In fact, I've found setting deadlines for weight loss actually demotivates me when I don't see results as fast as I like.

    As for exercise, find something you like and want to do.

    Edit: just realized you posted your stats already. 20 pounds is definitely too aggressive to lose in 2 months. Aiming for .5 - 1 pounds loss will be more sustainable.
  • salsadancer615
    salsadancer615 Posts: 7 Member
    I_Will_End_You wrote: »
    salsadancer615 wrote: »
    Is there a good amount of calories I should not go above per day to loose? 1,500? I have no idea

    What's your activity level? Do you work out? Walk alot? Work a desk job or on your feet?

    Very light activity....I go to a gym class such as cycling/yoga/total body fitness like 2-3 times per week.

    But I need to get an exercise plan set up too. But that's what I currently do
  • salsadancer615
    salsadancer615 Posts: 7 Member
    ariana_eatsandlifts wrote: »
    How much do you weight now? 20 lbs might be too aggressive by December. In fact, I've found setting deadlines for weight loss actually demotivates me when I don't see results as fast as I like.

    As for exercise, find something you like and want to do.

    Currently I'm 155
  • daniwilford
    daniwilford Posts: 1,030 Member
    It is difficult to get the nutrition you need for health when eating less than 1000-1200 calories a day for a female. At your starting weight I would suggest taking it slow. Depending on your activity level your total consumption would vary. Start out by putting your numbers into MFP and set it for .5 lbs a week as a loss goal. Eat back only a portion of your exercise calories. You can make adjustments from there.
  • I_Will_End_You
    I_Will_End_You Posts: 4,397 Member
    If you just want someone to set a calorie goal for you, I'd say around 1500 per day at your current activity level. If you'd like to read and understand more, try reading this thread:

    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1080242/a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants/p1
  • TeaBea
    TeaBea Posts: 14,517 Member
    edited September 2015
    salsadancer615 wrote: »
    So if I wanted to try for 20lbs by December 1st...what would a target calorie goal be?

    And as far as exercise...any ideas? How many times per week, is running good? Classes at the gym? So many options..

    20 pounds by December 1st is not gonna happen unless you are VERY overweight to begin with. Shoot for 1/2 pound every week.

    Pound per week goals
    75+ lbs set to lose 2 lb range
    Between 40 - 75 lbs set to lose 1.5 lb range
    Between 25-40 lbs set to lose 1 lb range
    Between 15-25 lbs set to lose 1 -.50 lb range
    Less than 15 lbs set to lose 0.5 lbs range

    Really aggressive weight loss makes it hard for your body to support existing lean muscle mass. Google skinny fat, only the scale looks good.

    Exercise is for fitness. Pick something that you like to do. Cardio for heart & lungs. Strength training to help keep lean muscle, and so good for bone health.
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