Calorie help! I need ideas.

My caloric intake is less than yours but here is what I did when I changed mine. I began at losing 1.5 a week, which gave me like 1690 calories a day plus all the workout calories I was getting. I only lost like half a pound my first week. So I upped it to 2 lbs a week and now I get 1300 calories a day. I was like OMG thats 300+less a day! So what I did was up my workouts a bit and then had more calories to play with. I try to stick to lots of fruits and veggies when it comes to snacky food. I do have the occasional 100 calorie bar when I need some chocolate (which is often lately lol) but for the most part I have apples, oranges, fat free milk, grapefruits, and such when I want to snack and keep my portions less with my other meals, which also cuts calories. Drink lots of water or ice tea and that can keep you filled too!

Good luck and I know you can do it! I'm still on my 2lbs calorie intake, so when I weigh in next Wed, I'll let ya know if it worked!

I've recently moved my weight loss goal on MFP to 1.5 pounds a week. So far it's been kinda of.. different.. but do-able. Today is actually the first day, LOL. I went from 1,990 calories to 1,750. I know it's only a little over 200 calories, but it seems like a world of difference.

I'm wondering if any of you have around the same calorie count? If so, can you shine some light into what typcial days look like food wise? I'd really like some ideas as to what kind of foods to eat.

:flowerforyou:

Thanks.

Boy, wouldn't I LOVE to have THOSE numbers! I only get like 1320 a day! I have to exercise my butt off every day to up my numbers so that I can eat! :laugh: With the exercise, I get anywhere from 1500 to 1600 or so. I generally eat oatmeal with frozen blueberries for breakfast, then salad with no fat cheddar cheese and a low cal dressing for lunch, (or a 35 cal. piece of light oatmeal bread with 2 tbls. peanut butter and light chips, or left over chicken) for lunch, and then a supper of some sort of meat, veggies, and potatoes or rice. For snacks, I have fruit, Special K bars, and at night, if I still have enough numbers left (which I ALWAYS try to do!) I have Edy's slow churned, no sugar added cookie dough icecream. YUM!
Hope those give you some ideas!

I also find buying lower calorie foods helpful. Like eating some kind of lean cuisine or Smart frozen meal for dinner, buying fat free cheese which was like 80 calories less per slice than I was using before. I buy egg substitute instead of real eggs, the packaged 100 calories snacks are helpful because it fulfills the craving but then stops you after 100 calories. I am allowed only 1200 calories which is hard so I have to work out. You can also look at what people eat by clicking on their name and then when their profile comes up click diary. Looking at other's succesful diaries may help.

A lot of those prepared foods are really high in sodium, you might want to be careful of that, since it'll retain water and make it harder to lose weight.

Are you certain those are the right calorie numbers for you? You must be very active. Most of us don't get to eat nearly so many...legally, any way.:laugh:

Feel free to look at mine

My calorie intake is 1200/day and I'm walking everyday for at least 40 min to increase my calorie intake.

Some things I've done to help are:
1) Eat on a smaller plate so it looks fuller with smaller portions

2) I've switched to healthier varieties of food: more fiber, less sugar, less calories: for exp I switched to Minute Maid Light OJ which has only 50 cal and 10 grs of sugar plus a good source of calcium & Vt D

3) I eat Thomas Better Start Light Multigrain English Muffin which only has 100 calories plus 8 grs of Fiber/muffin and it tastes great. I prefer this over my high fiber sandwich bread because one slice of sandwich bread has 100 calories and 4 grs of fiber - so I get 1/2 the calories with the english muffin and it works great for ham and cheese sandwiches.

4) I've been buying Walmart brand (Great Value) 97% fat free Sliced Turkey = 20 cal/slice and the slices are a decent size for a sandwich. I've also been buying the GV Sliced low moisture part skim mozarella cheese = 50 cal/slice.
I put a slice of turkey and a slice of mozarella in an english muffin and toast it open face so the cheese melts and it's very tasty and satisfying and it's only 170 cal/sandwich. You can also add sliced tomatoes for a pizza flavor effect (and you're eating some veggies). With sucha a low cal/ good tasting sandwich you can afford ot eat more than one

5) I've consciously increased my fruit intake specially for breakfast and have bought fruits that I normally don't buy like blueberries, blackberries...- and it's been great because my oldest son has followed me in this without me asking. For exp he saw me cutting up some fruit for breakfast today and he asked me to slice up some fruit for him as well(if only I could convince my youngest one to do the same)

6) I've been eating more salads and have tried to eat less carbs: rice, potatoes, pasta. However I must say that I have not deprived myself of ANYTHING! We go out to eat at least twice a week and I've eaten healthier dishes but I've also allowed myself to eat things that I really like - like pasta dishes but I've been bringing home 1/2 of what they serve.

7) I drink A LOT of water through out the day and I do not drink sodas - I don't want to drink my calories y prefer to chew them

8) I tend to have Light yogurts for snack = 100 cal. The Laughing cow Cheese wedges are also great for a snack = = 50 cal/wedge and with one wedge I have enough to spread on 5 ritz crackers = 80 cal. I love the Nabisco Triscuit (low Sodium) = 120 cal in 6 crackers (I don't remember the amount of fiber)
The 100 calories snack bags are also great for when you crave cookies or chips

I know it's not easy - it's a big effort to make changes but you can do it. I've been surprised how making small changes has helped me loose weight . So far I've lost about 1 lb/week - and the 2 weeks I was on vacation I didn't loose any weight because I wasn't depriving myself of eating anything but I didn't gain any weight either and I think it was mainly because I was careful about portion sizes and I tried to walk when possible.

I hope this helps :happy:

I up'ed my amount of exercise!

I have mine set to 2 pounds per week, and my count is about 1250 a day.

I found if I bike for an hour and go for a walk and throw in some strength training, it gives me plenty of wiggle room.