Just started calorie counting

brunzella92
brunzella92 Posts: 46 Member
edited October 5 in Introduce Yourself
Hi my name is Heather and i'm new and excited to start this site! I've doing every diet imaginable and someone simply asked me "have you ever just done boring calorie counting" and i haven't! I set myself up in the food log and have been putting in all my daily info. It's great how it breaks down all the components!

I was wondering if there are any food tips or advice you can give me as a former ww that failed constantly!! Thanks!

Replies

  • DGSki
    DGSki Posts: 71 Member
    Drink your water, which was a big thing on WW! Count all your calories and if you have a bad day no big deal there is tomorrow!! Also make plenty of friends!! MFP friends are just a great inspiration, motivation and a huge part of success!! Good luck and feel free to add me as a friend!
  • kalexander2005
    kalexander2005 Posts: 223 Member
    I recommend starting with one thing at a time -- do that for a few weeks before adding another, and continue. Calorie counting is a great first step. I recommend a 30 minute walk three times a week, or hay, even once a week, if you haven't been doing it for a while. Hopefully, you can get on some friends' food diaries and start getting inspired. Good luck!!
  • jennrogue31
    jennrogue31 Posts: 1
    Hi I tried and new ww and it got to confusing for me. Someone told me about this site. Love that it is free and simple.
  • maaadde
    maaadde Posts: 90 Member
    Hi! I think counting calories is the best way to go, I mean after all it's simple mathematics in - out. So good choice! First off I think it's really important to choose your food wisely so that you get as much food as possible from every calorie. Sticking to a low calorie diet can be tough enough without having to feel hungry all the time! I'm not trying to discourage you but it's only fair to be prepared :)

    There are a lot of diets out there that tell you to cut carbs. Personally I don't disagree with them, but that's mainly because carbs do contain a lot of calories and usually don't make you feel as full as the same amount of protein or fat would. On the other hand, nobody can deny that most starchy foods are very yummy and you should be able to enjoy life so don't get too stuck on that part! :) I don't eat much bread these days, and I try to limit my pasta, rice and potato intake as well. I almost never feel hungry and I sum up to about 1400 kcal a day without my exercise so I'm pretty happy with that :)

    What are your goals? :)
  • brunzella92
    brunzella92 Posts: 46 Member
    Thank you !

    To answer what my goals are, i've listed my information as a 1200 cal/day goal hoping that is enough, but like you say, calories go quick depending on what foods i eat. I thought i was at about 1200 guesstimating but i'm sure i was way off with the picking here and there. When i did ww (10xs lol) the points system is great and all but weight doesn't come off me on that plan and i was paying and not even going :( I'm hoping that if i limit and journal that i will get on tack. Also my goal is to cut out the alcohol which i'm sure contains alot of empty calories!!!
  • maaadde
    maaadde Posts: 90 Member
    Yeah it's easy to believe you've got an idea about how much you're eating but at least I have been way off about that in the past, lol. The alcohol part I think is as important as it's hard, at least for me it is, 'cause I'm in college and there are a lot of parties all the time that I really don't wanna miss. Alcohol contains a whole lot of empty calories, and the body also makes the breaking down of alcohol its major priority so everyting you eat when drinking goes pretty much directly to fat stores. So if you can, I'd say it's a great calorie source to cut out!
  • mhoertsch
    mhoertsch Posts: 1 Member
    I am new to this. Seems easy to follow, but I amo learning.
  • Mizzy58
    Mizzy58 Posts: 47 Member
    I just started yesterday. I almost hit the button to join online WW but remembered this site. Much cheaper and shows the actual total of the saturated fat, protein ect. . I have to watch what I eat also to keep my cholesterol down. I have been off med's for a year now. I've lost 35 pounds on my own. But I've been stuck in a rut the last 6 months. This is giving me the boost I need. I love where it tells you how much weight you could loose by the daily meal.
  • brunzella92
    brunzella92 Posts: 46 Member
    It truly is amazing that when i was trying to keep track in my head how different it was on paper. I went over last night by 80 calories but at least now i'm accountable for that, where as before, i would guesstimate and probably overate by hundreds of calories.

    So that being said, if i stick to my 1200/1300 calories should i see a weight loss?? I feel i've been doing this forever with no results. Maybe it also has alot to do with which foods i'm eating calorie-wise? How do you also know if your not eating enough? By the scale? I wouldn't even weigh myself starting this, i do know where i am within a couple pounds, wasn't wanting to see that number yesterday :(
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