Portion Size ( with pic)

If you can eat all of it in one sitting and it fits into your daily calorie goal, then it's not "too much".

Outside of preference and/or some condition that requires regular eating, portion sizes are irrelevant. Calorie total(s) are relevant.

Some people eat 1-2 large portions, but lose weight. Some people eat 5-6 small portions, but lose weight. Some people eat 3 mid-size portions, but lose weight.

Others do some variation of the above and gain weight. Others maintain weight.

That's because their total Calories are low/high/just right enough such that they lose/gain/maintain weight.

If you're gaining you're likely eating more than you think. Since you mentioned cups - I'm going to assume you don't use a food scale? Do you use the recipe builder for foods you cook yourself? Are you accurately calculating the exercise calories you eat back? Get a food scale and work on the accuracy of your logging. Portion size doesn't matter if it fits in your calorie goals.

Salmon is awesome, but you don't really know how much you're consuming if you don't weigh it. Grams are the most accurate unit of measurement. Cups and spoons should be used for liquids.

If anything your calorie intake sounds too low for your height and activity level do I have a feeling that you're not really eating 1200 calories.

Don't forget to count oils and butter used for cooking food too.

NatashaCrnjacBoyce wrote: »

jemhh wrote: »

NatashaCrnjacBoyce wrote: »

It definitely fits within my calories for the day, I'm always quite under my calories everyday. I'm 5'6 148 at the moment. I fluctuate some days between 3-5 lbs. I drink green tea and plenty of water, no booze. Just really wishing I could start to see the lbs drop, I feel like I'm getting stronger, but really can't tell.

What is your daily calorie average? 1200 calories

What is your activity level and what kind of exercise (if any) do you do?

Strength training, weights, body weight exercises, stair master 30 mins, or uphill walking on treadmill.

Have you started a new exercise program lately?

Not particular.

Do you tend to have wide fluctuations in carb or sodium in your diet?

I don't really eat very many carbs and have been very aware of how much salt I'm taking in.


How much fiber are you getting?

Is 1200 your goal that you are eating under or is it what you are actually eating?

Off the top of my head, my first thought is that you are eating more than you think. My reason for saying that is the weight gain and the fact that completing the exercises you listed on a regular basis would be difficult at only 1200 calories.

Are you eating 1200 total or is 1200 your goal and you eat back exercise calories too? You could be overestimating your exercise calories.

NatashaCrnjacBoyce wrote: »

courtneyfabulous wrote: »

If anything your calorie intake sounds too low for your height and activity level do I have a feeling that you're not really eating 1200 calories.

I do use a good scale but mainly for my proteins, haven't really been using for vegetables, salads and etc. I guess I need to be more aware or that.

As you get closer to your goal weight, accurate calorie counting becomes extremely important because your margin for error diminishes significantly. And in order to count calories accurately, you need to weigh all solid foods, including packaged foods and "pre-protioned" foods like slices of bread, bacon, etc. and yes, fruits and veg.

That looks like a really nice dinner, enjoy. Bon appetite!

As long as you eat like this and exercise, there is no reason you'd gain weight unless there is a problem with the hormones. I just suggest that you do not drop calories drastically.