Help me I'm lost!

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Skyrocket123
Skyrocket123 Posts: 149 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Over the years I've done so many diets that I don't know what is healthy or works any more.
I have 2 stone (28lbs) to lose.
I was trying Atkins Phase 1 today but am lost already.
I try reading on here about different approaches and macros and now my heads fried.
Can someone help me please? I am 43 and had just not shifting weight like I did so easily in my younger days. I'm not exercising much because I work long hours and I'm so tired when I get home. I have 3 kids and with everything that entails, working out hasn't been a feature for a while.
Help!

Replies

  • malibu927
    malibu927 Posts: 17,565 Member
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    The only thing you need to lose weight is a calorie deficit. A specific diet like Atkins can help, but you still have to ensure you're eating less than you burn. You'll probably be better off searching for a low carb group that can help you figure your macros out.
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,391 MFP Moderator
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    It may be beneficial to read some of the stickies .


    Essentially, figuring out a diet plan that will work for you and that will address your goals is key... but also very individualize. Personally, I would suggest getting a food scale and start there. Set your goal to 1 lb per week and try a combination of resistance/weight training and some cardio.
  • Kalikel
    Kalikel Posts: 9,626 Member
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    No matter how you do it, the one thing that will be happening is burning more calories than you take in. There are a million different ways to do it, a million different diets. In the end, the reason they work is that you burn more than you swallow.

    You can do Atkins or you can focus on macros or you can do none of it and just count your calories.

    The bottom line is the calories. The rest is just fluff. So, find whatever way of lowering calories works for you and stick with it and...you will lose! :)
  • Yi5hedr3
    Yi5hedr3 Posts: 2,696 Member
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    Try 10% carbs, 25% Protein, 65% fat to start. :)
  • PinkPixiexox
    PinkPixiexox Posts: 4,142 Member
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    It really doesn't have to be complicated, I promise :)

    There are SO many 'different diets' out there - but they all work on the same premise - a calorie deficit.
    That is ALL that matters in order to lose weight.

    Work out your calorie allowance and track your food each day - don't go over your allowance and you'll lose weight. Don't worry about all these variations you see.
  • Skyrocket123
    Skyrocket123 Posts: 149 Member
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    If I was losing weight the standard MFP way of 1200 calories but with higher protein (and dropping wheat and starchy carbs and opting for healthier ones) what would my macros be? Can someone help me please and guide me through it.
  • SezxyStef
    SezxyStef Posts: 15,268 Member
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    Skyrocket123 wrote: »
    If I was losing weight the standard MFP way of 1200 calories but with higher protein (and dropping wheat and starchy carbs and opting for healthier ones) what would my macros be? Can someone help me please and guide me through it.

    MFP standard is not 1200...that is based on your weekly weight loss goals and stats entered.

    If you put in more than 1lb a week to lose then yes it iwll give you low calories.

    When I started I had 60 to lose and it gave me 1460 to lose 1lb a week...which is a great rate.

    As for dropping wheat and starchy carbs why? medical issues.

    If not then don't bother eliminating foods.

    Key is to get in 0.8 grams of protein for each lb you weight, 0.35 grams of fat and let carbs fall where they may.
  • rockmama72
    rockmama72 Posts: 815 Member
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    I'm 43 with 3 kids... Sending you a friend request!

    To echo what's been already said, this does not have to be hard.

    I have my macros set to 40% carbs, 30% protein, 30% fat. When I started logging diligently, I almost never got it right. But it was such a good exercise for me... I'd say it took about a month and then I had a good feel for what my meals should look like and what I needed to put on my grocery list. Examples of things I buy more of: Nuts, cheese, yogurt, fruit, raisin bran, vegetables. Things I buy less of: Chips and pretzels, packaged sweets, Cocoa Krispies. It's not an all or nothing thing--everyone still loves the stuff in the "buy less" group! We just shifted the balance. The whole family benefits and it's easier for me to lose weight. I also cook a LOT and we cut down on takeout, which was also expensive.

    I don't really "work out" but I do have a Fitbit and I compete in challenges with my mom and sisters. My 6-year-old daughter always wants me to win, so she goes for lots of walks with me. I take the total calories burned from the day before (according to the Fitbit), subtract 500 calories, and that's my calorie goal for the next day. It's pretty easy and I'm down 20 pounds since August. I want to start doing pilates again now that it's getting cold! That's my next goal--to get flexible and add a bit of strength.
  • cocates
    cocates Posts: 360 Member
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    Use this link to help you determine your daily calorie goals (it is set for a 1lb/week weight loss).

    http://scoobysworkshop.com/accurate-calorie-calculator/#results

    I'd be happy to do it if you tell me your weight and height.
  • butternutbear
    butternutbear Posts: 1 Member
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    The reason for losing the wheat is it makes me itch all over and feel shocking. My stomach hurts after wheat. Coates I'm 142lbs and 5ft6. Thanks I really appreciate this help


    cocates wrote: »
    Use this link to help you determine your daily calorie goals (it is set for a 1lb/week weight loss).

    http://scoobysworkshop.com/accurate-calorie-calculator/#results

    I'd be happy to do it if you tell me your weight and height.

  • chocolatexxmintt
    chocolatexxmintt Posts: 85 Member
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    Calories in and Calories out. Exercise hun, eat healthier choices, go for a walks, join Zumba classes, ectera.
  • TheopolisAmbroiseIII
    TheopolisAmbroiseIII Posts: 197 Member
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    Calories In, Calories out. That's all that matters (FOR FAT LOSS). The more you exercise, the fitter you'll become, but in the fat loss arena, a calorie deficit is all that matters.

    If you eat 1500 calories in a day, but burn 1800, you'll lose weight. That doesn't mean you have to burn it with exercise. Your body uses food energy all day long to let you think, move, heal, perform cellular functions.. everything your body does on its own. If you eat less than your body uses in a day, your body pulls the deficit from your stored body fat (and marginally from other body tissues, but generally not substantially unless you are completely immobile and eating far too little for far too long).

    Macros are important-ish to take into account because you should be eating at a ratio of fat/protein/carbs that you want to maintain for life, so you don't end up falling into old habits after being on something really oddly restrictive like one MIGHT after losing on keto or atkins or whatever.. Also, some people find they eat less at a certain ratio because they stay full longer, have fewer cravings, etc, but that's for you to decide, and not for anyone else to tell you is right or wrong.

    Eat less. You'll lose weight.

    Eat less, move more. You'll lose weight and be more fit.

  • juggernaut1974
    juggernaut1974 Posts: 6,212 Member
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    butternutbear wrote: »
    The reason for losing the wheat is it makes me itch all over and feel shocking. My stomach hurts after wheat. Coates I'm 142lbs and 5ft6. Thanks I really appreciate this help


    cocates wrote: »
    Use this link to help you determine your daily calorie goals (it is set for a 1lb/week weight loss).

    http://scoobysworkshop.com/accurate-calorie-calculator/#results

    I'd be happy to do it if you tell me your weight and height.

    Whoa, wait. Time out.

    You're 5'6, 142 and want to lose 28 lbs? That would put you pretty underweight
  • TheopolisAmbroiseIII
    TheopolisAmbroiseIII Posts: 197 Member
    edited October 2015
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    juggernaut1974 wrote: »
    butternutbear wrote: »
    The reason for losing the wheat is it makes me itch all over and feel shocking. My stomach hurts after wheat. Coates I'm 142lbs and 5ft6. Thanks I really appreciate this help


    cocates wrote: »
    Use this link to help you determine your daily calorie goals (it is set for a 1lb/week weight loss).

    http://scoobysworkshop.com/accurate-calorie-calculator/#results

    I'd be happy to do it if you tell me your weight and height.

    Whoa, wait. Time out.

    You're 5'6, 142 and want to lose 28 lbs? That would put you pretty underweight

    I agree, but to play devil's advocate, it would put her on the extreme low end of a healthy BMI. Each person is different, but 5'6 is well within the largest part of a bell curve of height, so extreme low end of healthy BMI isn't really the time to panic, but probably the time you'd go to see a specialist about your low body weight before it becomes a problem.

    Edit: also why did the OP change account halfway through this discussion.. are all being had?
  • krithsai
    krithsai Posts: 668 Member
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    juggernaut1974 wrote: »
    butternutbear wrote: »
    The reason for losing the wheat is it makes me itch all over and feel shocking. My stomach hurts after wheat. Coates I'm 142lbs and 5ft6. Thanks I really appreciate this help


    cocates wrote: »
    Use this link to help you determine your daily calorie goals (it is set for a 1lb/week weight loss).

    http://scoobysworkshop.com/accurate-calorie-calculator/#results

    I'd be happy to do it if you tell me your weight and height.

    Whoa, wait. Time out.

    You're 5'6, 142 and want to lose 28 lbs? That would put you pretty underweight

    Same as above. You're already right in the middle of the healthy range.
  • blkandwhite77
    blkandwhite77 Posts: 281 Member
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    U want to be 114 at 5ft6???? Sorry that seems dangerously underweight to me

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