New to calorie counting

pdworkman
pdworkman Posts: 1,342 Member
edited October 5 in Introduce Yourself
Hi! I am on about my fourth day of MFP. I have never counted calories before, just tried to have a balanced diet and get enough exercise. Been through some challenges the last few years, and got back into exercising after Christmas last year. I lost a little bit of weight, not much, but I did lose inches. Then in May I started running and put on more weight instead of losing it. I've been cross training as well, and have managed to lose a couple more pounds in the last month or so as I tried to cut down some portion sizes.

Anyway, I found when I started entering my food and exercise MFP just how many calories I was eating. No wonder I wasn't losing any weight. But the feedback I'm getting from MFP is "off". If I follow the number of calories that it recommends, I am hungry - starving - most of the day, And even though I told it I wanted to lose only .5 lb a week, I have lost 2.5 in four days. I am trying to eat small bits more frequently to combat the hunger, and that is working better today, but I don't know whether to change my calorie intake or wait to see if it evens out over the next few days.

Pam

Replies

  • VinVenture
    VinVenture Posts: 290
    If you've drastically changed your diet I think it's water weight, as 2.5 lbs is 11500 kcal loss. If you're hungry I suggest finding some healthy, low-cal snacks. My favourite is raw cauliflower and carrots. Getting a food scale is a great way to watch your portions, that and making your own lunch. If you want to combine those two, look into bento's.

    Also, unless you're drinking a whole lot already, drink more water. It'll help fill you up nicely
  • lme0627
    lme0627 Posts: 46 Member
    Hi Pam. I too started counting calories last week. In the past I have done Weight Watchers and of course counted "points." I must say that I think counting calories on MFP is easier. I am like you I had no idea how many calories I was eating, and esp things like sodium and sugar! I started seeing a bariatric dr last week and he suggested 1500 calorie diet and this site. I try to plan my meals in advance so I can try to do about 3 -500 calorie meals a day. Hard but trying :wink:

    Good luck!!

    Leslie
  • Zee48
    Zee48 Posts: 789 Member
    Pam sometimes when we start a new weight loss plan we tend to lose larger amounts the first week or two – water mostly. And on the same train of thought we also gain weight when we start a new exercise program – water mostly. Watch closely what foods you are getting your calories in. Make sure you get the required protein, carbs, fats (in good oils), etc as indicated on the MFP daily entry page and be as active as possible with your schedule, trying for 3 – 5 days per week. Our bodies have certain requirements to operate just like our automobiles and unless we give it the fuel it needs it cannot perform properly.

    Like Leslie, I too followed WW and am still following what I learned with WW but have started counting the calories to kick start myself again. I had calculated how many points per calorie so I pretty much knew what I was doing. Starting June 2008 – June 2009 I actually lost 45# + on WW and made Lifetime Goal but then in 2010 I let myself slip and added 25# back. I am an emotional eater and after my DH & DSIS passed away within 4 months of each other I just blew it. I am doing both right now. What that means is I am using the principals I learned with WW but I am counting calories and have very slowly lost 6# since June. I should have lost more but again got sidetracked and have stayed stationary since the end of September.

    I enjoyed WW because I never felt like it was on a ‘diet’ but was incorporating a lifestyle change and I am using that philosophy here. Dieting does us absolutely no good unless we change our outlook on food and exercise – for a lifetime. Allowing yourself to have your favorite foods. Be sure to weigh & measure every thing and by using portion control will get you where you want to be.
  • SandraM329
    SandraM329 Posts: 6 Member
    Hello, I was confused when I first started. I was eating to my net calories, which is 1200. I don't know why but I didn't realize I was supposed to eat more, based on my activity level. Now I am in the 1600-1700 calorie range and I am actually really comfortable with that. I am wondering if you may be in the same situation I was in. I know that I haven't been hungry on this plan at all.

    Another thing that helped me alot was buying heart rate monitor. It helped me to get a tur picture of my calorie burn.

    Good luck...
  • pdworkman
    pdworkman Posts: 1,342 Member
    Thanks all. I am eating lots of fruits and veggies, and make my own lunches (and in fact all of my meals) from scratch. I suspect that MFP is overestimating the calorie content of some of my foods, since I am too lazy to enter recipes (and usually don't follow a recipe) for the foods I am eating. I haven't drastically changed my diet, just the amount I am eating.

    I have multiple allergies and am vegetarian, grain-free, and dairy-free.

    I was wondering if it could be water weight. Certainly some of it must be!
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