I'm new here, first time using a tool like this.

ren3liz
ren3liz Posts: 45 Member
edited November 26 in Introduce Yourself
Hello all,

I am new here & this is my first time using a tool like this. I have never counted calories before. I have always been 150-160lb with an athletic/curvy frame, but never what I would have considered really "needing" to lose weight (although many would disagree). Over the course of the last 4-5 years I have slowly gained what has totaled to [gulp] 30-40lbs from a combination of less exercise, a more sedentary job, & increased calorie consumption from alcohol & food (I work in the craft beer business).

A combination of denial, thinking I still looked good because of how my body "carries" extra weight, and not weighing myself frequently enough...all of this extra weight really crept up on me and I certainly didn't respond quickly enough. But I am here now!

I work out 4-5 days a week and have been burning around 300-350 calories during those workouts. I had my weight loss goal set at 1lb per week but kind of freaked out once I found out exactly how much I weighed and then set it at 2lb per week...which may not be realistic, and that dropped my pre-work out calorie "allotment" from 1380 to 1200 per day, ouch.

Anyway, any tips or advice is appreciated. This is something I want to be dedicated to without letting it run my life sort of thing.

Cheers!
-RP

Replies

  • bemichele78
    bemichele78 Posts: 1 Member
    Hello and welcome! I love the tool and find it super helpful!! Hope you enjoy it! If I can ever help I'm happy to, just send me a message.

    Michele
    #habitbuilders #getfitstayfit
  • ntnunk
    ntnunk Posts: 936 Member
    edited November 2015
    Welcome!

    You've taken the first step and come here, so that's a plus. 1200 cals is too few. Also, based on what you say about how overweight you are, 2 lbs per week is too aggressive. I'd recommend going back to 1lb/wk. My advice is the following:
    • Set realistic goals
    • Log faithfully and truthfully
    • Set realistic goals
    • Realize it took time to get this way, it'll take time to get it back off again
    • Which goes back to: set realistic goals. :)
    • Don't trust MFP's calorie numbers for workouts (they estimate WAY high)

    Good luck! You've got this.

  • ren3liz
    ren3liz Posts: 45 Member
    Thanks! Okay, I'll set it back to 1lb/week. The calorie count is coming from the treadmill at the gym, not MFP. I do all treadmill workouts interval training on the highest incline - mainly fast walking at 4.3mph & jogging for 30 seconds to 1 minute at a time for usually around 20 minutes total. It shows at least 300 calories burned. I also do other strength training and crossfit-type exercises, but I don't know how to estimate those calories so I just don't. Luckily I work out with a girlfriend who is very supportive & fitness-oriented.

    I have been logging and measuring, even down to the dressing on my salad. I did just set my journal to public.

    Thanks, all - I think this is a very helpful tool. Surprised that I'm here, but happy nonetheless. :)
  • AudryDelaney
    AudryDelaney Posts: 11 Member
    Wow our stories are so similar!!! I'm surprised I'm here myself, as well. We can do this:)
  • ntnunk
    ntnunk Posts: 936 Member
    ren3liz wrote: »
    Thanks! Okay, I'll set it back to 1lb/week. The calorie count is coming from the treadmill at the gym, not MFP. I do all treadmill workouts interval training on the highest incline - mainly fast walking at 4.3mph & jogging for 30 seconds to 1 minute at a time for usually around 20 minutes total. It shows at least 300 calories burned. I also do other strength training and crossfit-type exercises, but I don't know how to estimate those calories so I just don't. Luckily I work out with a girlfriend who is very supportive & fitness-oriented.

    I have been logging and measuring, even down to the dressing on my salad. I did just set my journal to public.

    Thanks, all - I think this is a very helpful tool. Surprised that I'm here, but happy nonetheless. :)

    Awesome! It sounds like you're on the right track. You'll probably hit a point in the not-too-distant future where logging suddenly seems like it's this massive chore. If so, stick with it. Soon enough it'll be a habit you don't even think about anymore.

    Also, be aware that the calorie estimations from the treadmills and such are suspect as well. They kind of have to be since they are basing their calculations purely on gender, age, and weight for the most part. I'd suggest getting a heart rate monitor for your steady-state cardio work. Strength training is a much harder thing to quantify, unfortunately. In my opinion, you're right to just not worry about calorie burn for those activities. You can't really get yourself into trouble that way.
  • ren3liz
    ren3liz Posts: 45 Member
    @Audry awesome, thx for the friend request and yes we can!

    @ntnunk aw jeez, but that makes sense. Realistically as long as I'm not trying to eat back all of my calories most days do I need to be that particular? Maybe something to readdress if I don't see the results I want to after a while. What about like a Fitbit?
    & yes I can see where I could start to think it was a chore. Work days are easy- I pack my food and enter it all in the morning. Remove something if I don't eat it. But holidays and social outings, or a random day where I didn't pack for work- that will be much tougher.

    Thanks everyone for the kind words and support. :)
  • valenciaota
    valenciaota Posts: 5 Member
    I felt the same way before starting MFP! I have a Fitbit and I feel like the calorie count is inaccurate. For example I have not exercised yet today and I have "burned" 1600 calories. I like the pedometer part since it helps challenge me to beat my steps! I am now getting into the habit of planning my week so if I know there's a special occasion or event I can decrease carbs or increase exercise to make sure I'm burning the 3500 a week (1 lb of fat). Good luck!!!!
  • valenciaota
    valenciaota Posts: 5 Member
    Also, research IIFYM and get some ideas about flexible dieting. You'll be surprised at how many calories your body really needs in a day!
  • ntnunk
    ntnunk Posts: 936 Member
    ren3liz wrote: »
    @ntnunk aw jeez, but that makes sense. Realistically as long as I'm not trying to eat back all of my calories most days do I need to be that particular? Maybe something to readdress if I don't see the results I want to after a while. What about like a Fitbit?

    If you aren't trying to eat back calories, then no, you don't need to be that particular about calorie counts for exercise. Personally, that's exactly what I do. I have a calorie target I aim for. Exercise, for me, is a buffer or bonus. I don't factor it into my calorie goals at all. The same for a fitbit. I have a Garmin Fenix 3 watch that's also an activity tracker. I mostly just use it to as a reminder to get out of my chair at work. I like activity trackers because they provide me with a little motivation and get me to walk around a little more than I normally would (I'm a software developer so it's easy to get buried in what I'm doing and not leave my desk for hours).
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