Struggling 😕
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Can someone tell me what the World's Best Calorie Tracker Gadget is? Something that will integrate with My Fitness Pal. I'm struggling to count calories !
I'm not sure what a calorie tracker gadget is, but a food scale combined with MFP's data base is one of the best tools out there.8 -
I have been trying to loose weight now for 3 years. My goal is to go from a uk size 10 to a uk size 8 without having to squeeze into them 😕 so probably need to loose around 12lbs ish maybe a bit less.
My problem is I don’t stick to anything. I’ll loose like 6lbs and then gain it all back sometimes more. I can’t stick to healthy eating for long. Food is definitely my biggest problem. I joined the gym a year and a half ago and loved it but since COVID hit I haven’t been much at all because of lockdowns. I couldn’t get in to the whole exercise at home. I’m really struggling mentally because I hate to way I look and the past few summers I’ve felt so uncomfortable and I promise myself that next summer I will be at my goal but it never happened 😕. Is there time to get near my goal by June?
So I’m hoping to get advice and tips as to how anybody started out on there journey? How much did you cut out in the beginning? How do you still manage to maintaining/loosing weight?
I’d be so grateful to anyone that could help me ☺️. Sorry for such a long post!
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I agree with the intermittent fasting. I have also been struggling. Seems I take two steps forward and three steps back. Ive started the intermittent fasting. 10/14. Meaning I have a 10 hour window to eat and 14 hours of fasting. For me, I eat from 10 in the am and stop at 8pm. That doesnt mean I am continuosly eating for those 10 hours, LOL. I try to eat healthier. Gluten free, sugar free and salads for lunch. I have also cut back on the carbs. Im keeping track of my calorie intake with the myfitness ap. Its not easy and it seems slow but, it will work out in the end...that is my hope anyway. One day at a time :-) Good luck to you....2
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I'd say, start knowing that you will have bad days - more bad than good early on. Set-up a realistic plan, not an ambitious one. Stick to the plan as much as you can. When you don't, don't punish or beat yourself, just restart as soon as possible.
One 'easy'-ish way to approach this is intermittent fasting, or setting up one or two 'fasting' days per week -- where you restrict calories. For example, if you consume on average 2200 calories per day, keep it to 2200 for all days except for two, when you try hard as you can to not exceed 1200 calories. If the fast days are spaced apart, you will always have time to recover and won't get exhausted.
You will also need to supplement this with exercise. The easiest way to lose weight and keep the losses is to run regularly. By run, I really mean just 'jog' - relatively fast paced but not trying to knock yourself out. Start with only 5 minutes the first time you run. At first, run every other day - and try increasing your next run by 1 minute. By the end of Week 1, you will have run a continuous 8 minute run; 11 minutes by the second week; 15 minutes by the end of the third week. Within a month you will be running about 20 minutes per run - every other day. No matter how fast or slow, it will be a great change to your lifestyle. Even if you run 8 or even 9 minutes per kilometer, that will be already between 2 and 2.5 km per run every couple of days.
Ideally, you then keep this up and keep increasing the time (or distance) you run. I went from not being able to run for more than 5 minutes without going out of breath, to comfortably running over 70 minutes consecutively uphill within less than 2 months by following this approach. I also went from probably over-eating, maybe exceeding 3500 calories per day, to sticking to just under 2000 calories per day, and just under 1000 calories per day on fasting days.
It may seem like a simple change, but if you work out the maths, it will be impressive: By the end of the first month, you will be running over 20 minutes per time. That would be up to 80 minutes jogging per week. This translates to 100-150 calories per run; 400-600 calories per week. Combined with the approx. 2000 calories saved per week from fasting - that's about 2500 calories per week. You will probably lose the 5-6 kilos (12 lbs) you seek before the end of month 2. If you find the plan tough, halve everything (1 fast day; increase running time by 1 minute every 2 runs; or 2 fast days of 1600 calories instead of 1200, etc.). It will take longer, maybe, but what does it matter?
And remember, any change you make must become a permanent lifestyle change to keep the weight off.2 -
As an addendum to the above:
Work out snack replacements. I used to leave eating bread with peanut butter and sugar (don't ask) every night before sleeping. Not a good idea to pile on sugar, carbs, and fat before sleeping. I severely cut down on eating bread in general, and for peanut butter (which I love), I ended up weighing portions for specific calorie goals. I removed sugar - so, for example, I'd start having instead a rice cake or corn cake (not bread) with 1/3rd of the peanut butter serving I used to have. A corn cake is probably half the calories of a slice of bread. Combined that's an impressive reduction in calorie intake. Soon enough, I worked out that pop corn is an even 'lighter' snack. Eventually, I stopped snacking at night altogether. If you do things step by step, your body will find things easier than wholesale changes over a small period of time. Do you have sugar with your cofee? Start taking half the sugar first, and work towards eliminating it. Do you love pizza? How about from here on you eat one piece less than you used to, maybe two pieces less after a while? Do you love filling pasta? That's fine - how about you set up a 'day off' every week when you can still have those things that you love? I do that myself, Sunday is both my long run as well as my day off. Because exercise is combined with reward, it is the day I look the most forward to, as after my long run I will have whatever I want, no regrets, no remorse.4 -
Really, 12lbs isn't much. The 6lbs you are fluctuating might just be water weight. If you've ever seen competitive fighters cut weight, it isn't impossible to lose 20+ lbs in a couple of days if you are dedicated enough... and that's where your problem lies: dedication.
Everyone is reading too much into your problem with miracle diets and magic solutions...
You've pointed out your problem. You, "don’t stick to anything." Don't blame COVID lockdowns for why you "couldn’t get in to the whole exercise at home." Oh well, that's the only option for many of us. You are choosing to stay where you are at and making excuses why.
It is up to you... how much longer are you going to mentally beat yourself up for how you look without taking the necessary steps to change it?
Your options are:
1.) Stick to your diet, use MyFitnessPal to count calories and macros, and suck it up and "get into" the home exercise thing.
2.) Accept your current weight and looks, and decide to be comfortable with yourself where you are now.
Either way, it's your choice. And either choice is fine, there's no reason to feel uncomfortable with where you are being a busy mum and all. But yes, you have plenty of time to reach your goal. I think if you really get into MyFitnessPal, you will find that you are able to work whatever foods you like into a calorie-deficient and macro-balanced diet. There's no reason to "suffer" with eating foods you don't like. Play around with the calorie tracker and see what you can get away with.
Then... STICK TO IT! Nothing is going to stop you or force you to keep going except for you. There's no magic solution for this. Those who succeed with diet and exercise do so by choosing to make these things a constant in their lives. It isn't always convenient or easy, but it's worth it in the end.8 -
For people with trouble sticking with a plan, I recommend intermittent fasting. You don't have to commit to it over a long period of time. There are many sources of information on the topic. Make sure you use a source that has proven reliable. One that I like is: https://webmd.com/diet/news/20191226/intermittent-fasting-diet-could-boost-your-health#1 and it's backed by good data. But it's not the only one. Vet the information carefully before you embark that way. Intermittent fasting can be a wonderful way to achieve your goals.4
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I've learned dieting does nothing but mess with the metabolism. It's small changes you can make every day and continue forever that make the difference.
Ex: if I normally put half and half in my coffee, switch to whole milk, then 2%. If I usually eat a bagel loaded with cream cheese for breakfast, try a light cream cheese, bagel thin and some fruit. Small but sustainable changes.
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The only recommendation I can make is a lifestyle change. And lots and lots and lots of patience.
I had the yo-yo effect so many times over. This is what makes calorie counting a great tool. You can calculate your estimated energy requirements and then plan your meals around those. This way I managed to still incorporate foods I enjoy so I don't feel deprived, and I can stick with it. I choose to prelog my meals for the day as then I just "eat according to plan".
Another trap I initially fell in was wanting to get rid of the extra weight AS IN YESTERDAY! And it's natural to want fast results, but... it can really backfire. If your calorie target is based on a loss of 2lbs/week, then MFP would likely set you at a very low calorie intake (especially because you have so little to lose). This might leave you feeling hungry and unable to stick to your planned meals even if you did all the above. This is where patience comes into play. It would be more sustainable to eat at a smaller deficit thus losing weight slower, than at a larger deficit and being unable to consistently stick to your target.
As for exercise, I highly recommend doing something you enjoy, be it swimming, a walk, ping pong, golf, dancing, any activity you enjoy is good, because you'd be more likely to keep doing it. For me, I find weight lifting enjoyable, and I love the challenge of running (but once a week only because I don't find cardio THAT enjoyable :laugh:), and in-between I'll play ping pong if I have the time.
TLDR?
1. Do not be overly restrictive and find ways to incorporate your favourite foods into a REASONABLE calorie target (i.e. mild/small deficit);
2. Find activities that you enjoy (the kind where you move, not the Netflix kind);
3. Be consistent and be patient.
Good luck!3 -
Here is a different approach. You won't get satiety with a plant-based diet for long because you have to eat soooo much to get in enough protein which leads to over-eating calories. I agree that some fasting will help. Here are a couple of things to consider doing: 1. go at least 12-14 hrs at night w/o food 2. no snacking, go at least 4-5 hrs between meals, this may mean only 2 meals a day but get in enough calories, this will be a game-changer. 3. Listen to Dr. Ted Naimen on any podcast as he can simplify the P:E ratio concept (protein to energy). You are not losing because you have or are getting too much ENERGY (E) which is fat and carbs. Decrease one of these and the ratio will help in achieving your goal. Get the protein amount right for your body and fill the rest of the calories or macros with the energy part/fat or carbs or a good mix of both.2
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christina3nickerson wrote: »Here is a different approach. You won't get satiety with a plant-based diet for long because you have to eat soooo much to get in enough protein which leads to over-eating calories. I agree that some fasting will help. Here are a couple of things to consider doing: 1. go at least 12-14 hrs at night w/o food 2. no snacking, go at least 4-5 hrs between meals, this may mean only 2 meals a day but get in enough calories, this will be a game-changer. 3. Listen to Dr. Ted Naimen on any podcast as he can simplify the P:E ratio concept (protein to energy). You are not losing because you have or are getting too much ENERGY (E) which is fat and carbs. Decrease one of these and the ratio will help in achieving your goal. Get the protein amount right for your body and fill the rest of the calories or macros with the energy part/fat or carbs or a good mix of both.
What? Plenty of people manage to reach satiety on a plant-based diet and without going over their calorie goals. Please don't spread misinformation.8 -
I love this thread: everyone's insight and generosity sharing their experience.
Weight loss is calories in/calories out. "CICO" Therefore, intermittent fasting is a tool only if it helps a person cut calories. It is not a goal in and of itself. The goal is always less calories.
I have both succeeded and struggled with IM. I initially lost weight and felt great. I was not tracking calories or exercise at that time and I probably was not sleeping enough either. When things got hard to sustain, I just ate more in my eating window. I stopped loosing weight and eventually stopped intermittent fasting.
The feeling of hunger and restriction can start a binging cycle. This happened to me.
IM is not a magic bullet for weight loss. For me, it triggered other issues. A year later I am at it again and loosing weight using the many tools that people in this thread describe. Funny thing is that on most days, I find myself with an 8 hour eating window. But that's not the goal. That's the side effect of being in charge of myself. I am loosing: about a pound a week. Slow and steady wins the race.
Thanks for everyone's very helpful posts in this thread.6 -
ooops when I say above, IM I mean IF - intermittent fasting2
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troyrodeheaver1 wrote: »You can answer shop as much as you want to, but it boils down to mindset, discipline, and consistency. You can do it.
...and calories. Fewer calories in than out, regardless of fad diet or method.5 -
To my point of plant-based and satiety, I want to point out "for long" and I should add also "personally". In other words, for me personally, a plant-based diet is what it took to start a great health journey away from the SAD way of eating I was raised with and then I pivoted into what I enjoy now. NSNG.1
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I've found that lately when I log in, in the morning, that exercise calories have been added back into my daily amounts thereby reducing my calories for the day, and I don't understand why. anyone else seeing this?
I have set myself at "sedentary" level which gives me 1,330 calories per day, and this morning I had 56 deducted for exercise?
Also, I do a lot of walking, which using my fitbit can run around 800 - 1000 calories "earned" during the day. I have been told that I should be eating them back, and that I shouldn't. I figure a 20% inaccuracy rate. Should I be eating back at least a portion of them?
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Hey, congrats on your effort so far. Agree it is a struggle - eating too much is an addiction I struggled with. Hated diets restricting the foods I love.
However, there is a way to achieve results without too much sacrifice (or at least feeling that way). Some reply posts actually talk about that.
The reason I say this is because I felt just like you did. Lose a few pounds after exercise and strict diet - only to regain it within a day or 2. That is demotivating and hard to do.
So, I have lost about 14lbs since April 2021 without feeling much difficulty. Here is what I am doing:
1) Intermittent fasting (18 hours no food, 6 hours eating window) - My first meal is at 10 AM and last meal before 4PM. It is ok to eat 2-3 meals (anything you like in moderation). Sticking to this will make you watch the portion size without you realizing it. Also resist your urge to eat at around 8-830 AM (you will most likely feel it). But wait till 10 AM - it is well worth it.
2) AVOID watching TV/Phone or other distractions when you eat. Mindful eating is important
3) Drink lots of water -say min 2000ml up to max of half your body weight in fl oz
4) Check in MFA with your weight every morning immediately after waking up & restroom visit
5) Check in on this app, make food entries every day: keeps you motivated
6) Do light to moderate exercise - walking or biking if you can (15-30 mins is fine)
7) Lastly - try to get at least 6-7 hours of sleep. Stop screen time at least 30 mins before bedtime.
18hr fasting is easy - start with 12 and slowly increase the fast time. Your stomach will thank you and your body will get a break to do all the needed repair. Whatever you do, please refrain from eating after 6 PM, that is a great start. See how you feel in the morning.
The above steps will give daily result which in itself will motivate us to stick to the plan. If you falter a day or 2, don't worry, get back on the plan. That should eventually take you to your goal. Hope you regain your best self soon!3 -
tdsimoes67 wrote: »I've found that lately when I log in, in the morning, that exercise calories have been added back into my daily amounts thereby reducing my calories for the day, and I don't understand why. anyone else seeing this?
I have set myself at "sedentary" level which gives me 1,330 calories per day, and this morning I had 56 deducted for exercise?
Also, I do a lot of walking, which using my fitbit can run around 800 - 1000 calories "earned" during the day. I have been told that I should be eating them back, and that I shouldn't. I figure a 20% inaccuracy rate. Should I be eating back at least a portion of them?
Even the sedentary level includes some expectation, for most people it'd expect probably something in the range of 3500-5000 steps. The negative exercise adjustment (MFP telling you to eat fewer calories than your basic calorie budget) comes from having a fitness tracker (Fitbit or whatever) synched to MFP, with negative adjustments enabled. MFP isn't really looking at steps (though it does report them), it's comparing what it expects you to burn during the day to what your fitness tracker thinks you have burned or will burn, and adjusting accordingly to keep you at the same relative calorie deficit (weight loss rate).
Early in the day, if you tend to exercise late, you could get negative adjustments (calories subtracted from eating goal) then later (after exercising/walking/whatever more later in the day), it could add those calories back in again, maybe plus more.
After a few days of use, you'll probably get a feel for how many calories you end up with at the end of a typical day, in your MFP goal. To start, eat those calories. After 4-6 weeks, evaluate that strategy based on your weight loss, and eat more or fewer as needed to dial in a sensible loss rate.
You might get more/better answers if you started your own thread about this, rather than piggybacking on another person's thread about a different topic, where some people with relevant info wouldn't notice your question.
Best wishes!5 -
amechecameron wrote: »INTERMITTENT FASTING....Not for weight loss but for CONTROL. I'm doing the same thing and it has helped tremendously. Perspective: I am a mom of 3 in medical school. My children are 4,5 and 6. So when I tell you that IF and then implementing calorie restriction during your eating window are pure gold in getting started I don't say it lightly. I am under a lot of stress and just prohibiting myself in this way has given me so much confidence in my ability to control my own "hunger." Don't be afraid that it won't work. Because your body will adjust and you won't feel the same level of hunger after a couple of days. You don't lack will power, you lack self- control. Think about it for a moment. Download the Zero app in addition to this one and take back your life. You can do it.
Thank you so much 😊. Some days I do this unintentionally because I don’t normally get hungry till around 10/11 o’clock. What window would you recommend for me?1
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