Stop Focusing on a *Number* (My advice -- I have been super

LeggyKettleBabe
LeggyKettleBabe Posts: 300 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I see this a lot in forum posts. Everyone is focusing on some magical number be it calories or minutes exercised. I think this why so many overweight people give up so early in the game. You have to change your mindset. Its not a diet its a lifestyle change. You get out of it what you put into it.

Its not the calories you take in. ITS WHAT YOU TAKE IN. I don't think anyone can truly eat healthy consuming 2000+ calories a day. Fresh fruit / veggies are very low calorie. Lean meats are not high calories either. Hell bread isn't that high either. Its prepared food.

Look at it this way, if you put bad fuel in your car, yes it will run, however, it wont run as designed or as efficiently and eventually you will be at mechanic fixing the engine you have worn out with bad fuel. Same with your body and food. Food is designed to fuel your body. You can limit your intake just by eating natural foods, not Schwanns, not frozen food, not take out. In fact if you eat fresh natural foods you could eat all day and be full and be under your calories if that's your goal.

Exercise. Again don't focus on that magical number like 30 minutes on a machine. Focus on form and intensity. You will have better results if you put a higher intensity into every workout for a shorter period of time. For example I can gain more strength, endurance and calorie burn doing 15 minutes high intensity (bust your *kitten*, sweating hardcore) on an elliptical (I use an AMT at my gym) then running on a treadmill for twice the time.

If you are truly trying to lose fat you need to exert maximum power in short burst unless you have 1 hour to just waste on a machine at the gym.

The results you get are a direct result of what you put into. If you just focus on numbers you are doing yourself and your body a disservice.

Results are bred from pushing yourself to your limits. When I started 6 weeks ago i could only walk 2.2mph and now im walking 5.4mph and I walk 30 miles a week. I went from eating out everyday i guess bout 2500 calories to now Im eating fresh natural all day and im around 1500 calories. Im not killing myself or starving either. Some days I have to force myself to eat.

The body will adjust and you will be amazed what you can acheive.

So focus on your effort not a number :bigsmile:
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Replies

  • thepetiterunner
    thepetiterunner Posts: 1,238 Member
    I think it's all just a part of the journey. Some people aren't ready to accept this as a lifestyle change, they're still fixated on numbers. It's all a process.

    I'm glad you've gotten there yourself :) Congrats.
  • christyd4
    christyd4 Posts: 191
    great post! I find that I struggle with this daily, oh i HAVE to get 45 mins of cardio in. When I know that if I go and give 110 percent for 20 minutes it's just as effective. I have seen the results :)
  • awidener86
    awidener86 Posts: 247 Member
    Great post!!!! I struggle with the gym part I always say I'm gonna do this for XX amount of minutes every day and then end up getting bored with it and not want to do it cause its the same thing every single day.
  • SilentRenegade
    SilentRenegade Posts: 243 Member
    This is great advice, and I have developed this mindset over time. I never care how many minutes I spend working out, I care about how I feel afterwards and if I gave it the right level of intensity. Calories, I float around, sometimes way over, and it has not hindered my weight loss. Why? Well, I think it's because mentally I've told myself I can do it. I never get upset if I gain a few water weight pounds, especially after a "salty" weekend, and every night when I go to bed I picture my future self in sexy clothes and laying on the beach with my slender new body. It not only keeps me sane, it keeps me motivated to keep pushing for the goal. I also have accepted that this takes time, and quick fixes are a mistake that I have made in the past.
  • lizard053
    lizard053 Posts: 2,344 Member
    D*%$ straight! There is no magic number for weight loss. It all depends on YOU! Nice post!
  • hypallage
    hypallage Posts: 624 Member
    I can agree with what you are saying but for me it is all about the numbers. I love calorie counting and logging everything, (Having said that I don't log at weekends)I'm not totally obsessive about staying within my daily amounts but do like to see the numbers of everything. I find it motivating having these sort of goals - being part of a recent elimination challenge with goals such as 90minutes exercise 3 times a week has made me far more active and has really helped keep my motivation. I can see that it wouldn't work for everyone but it does for some.
  • brandylina
    brandylina Posts: 23 Member
    great post - i tend to focus too much on the numbers and get frustrated and "stop"
  • LeggyKettleBabe
    LeggyKettleBabe Posts: 300 Member
    I can agree with what you are saying but for me it is all about the numbers. I love calorie counting and logging everything, (Having said that I don't log at weekends)I'm not totally obsessive about staying within my daily amounts but do like to see the numbers of everything. I find it motivating having these sort of goals - being part of a recent elimination challenge with goals such as 90minutes exercise 3 times a week has made me far more active and has really helped keep my motivation. I can see that it wouldn't work for everyone but it does for some.

    I totally get your point. My point is quality over quantity. Use what works for you. Most starting out on weight loss don't have a clue. Its not bout numbers or hitting your marks. I see people eating the "goal" calories and doing the hard workouts and no results. Whats important is INTENSITY or what you put in it. Is your calories junk food? then you prolly wont lose weight.
  • darkmouzy
    darkmouzy Posts: 227 Member
    I love this post. I agree with you 100% It is a lifestyle change and for my situation I'm totally clueless about numbers but for me I'm using the calorie counter to reteach me how to eat and to eat enough for my body :)

    But for work outs I agree Intensity is key!

    Great post!
  • LeggyKettleBabe
    LeggyKettleBabe Posts: 300 Member
    great post - i tend to focus too much on the numbers and get frustrated and "stop"

    Girl, me too!!! Until you realize every day just push a little harder. My first 3 weeks all i did was worry bout numbers and then I said F$$k this. I just eat natural now, some days is so low i will eat out to get some calories. My workouts were 30 minutes here or 60 minutes there. Now my goals are hard and fast as a can. You want to burn calories you have to work HARD not long.
  • Malaika946
    Malaika946 Posts: 107 Member
    Thanks for the advice!!
  • LeggyKettleBabe
    LeggyKettleBabe Posts: 300 Member
    Thanks for the advice!!

    You are welcome, now go out there and kick some butt !! :)
  • Shayztar
    Shayztar Posts: 415 Member
    I'm so glad that there are people out there who want to motivate other people to be successful. But what works for one might not work for another. The world is not full of absolutes. Do what works best for you.

    Your brand of working out would injure me. Badly. I know. I've tried. Your way of eating is great, but isn't constantly possible for someone with a large family. Just saying...


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  • AbiNichole
    AbiNichole Posts: 300 Member
    Great post. It illustrates the golden ticket- that to truly changing your relationship with food and your health- focusing on quality over quantity. I'm not quite there yet. There are some days that I eat super duper clean. And other days I eat sorta clean but really just try not to go over my calories.

    And I will admit- I have a goal to exercise 5 hours a week and some days I get on the elliptical and work out till I reach that 800 calorie burn then step off it. Sometimes I just want to zone out, get in the work and not worry about how engaged my core is or how hard I'm pumping my arms.

    I know- from yo yo dieting experience that you can't just focus on the numbers becuz if you stop counting the numbers... you lose control. I know what's healthy and what isn't. I'm still learning what my body likes and doesn't like. I made a commitment to myself to log for a year but once that year is up- I want to make sure I'm thinking like you.

    Thanks for sharing! :flowerforyou:
  • NatashaK29
    NatashaK29 Posts: 137
    So true, I agree completely!
  • LeggyKettleBabe
    LeggyKettleBabe Posts: 300 Member
    I'm so glad that there are people out there who want to motivate other people to be successful. But what works for one might not work for another. The world is not full of absolutes. Do what works best for you.

    Your brand of working out would injure me. Badly. I know. I've tried. Your way of eating is great, but isn't constantly possible for someone with a large family. Just saying...


    14839892.png

    I'm a mother of three, its all bout effort. I pack my daily food the nite before in a insulated lunch kit. I make time to exercise every day and having little ones makes it challenging for sure. I make the time i have to workout count. Like on my breaks I walk but i dont just stroll i push myself to 4mph for 15 minutes. That is not a hardcore it just a little effort.

    My point is: its all about effort. you can say "cant" or you can just do it!! A little effort goes a LONG WAY
  • LeggyKettleBabe
    LeggyKettleBabe Posts: 300 Member
    Great post. It illustrates the golden ticket- that to truly changing your relationship with food and your health- focusing on quality over quantity. I'm not quite there yet. There are some days that I eat super duper clean. And other days I eat sorta clean but really just try not to go over my calories.

    And I will admit- I have a goal to exercise 5 hours a week and some days I get on the elliptical and work out till I reach that 800 calorie burn then step off it. Sometimes I just want to zone out, get in the work and not worry about how engaged my core is or how hard I'm pumping my arms.

    I know- from yo yo dieting experience that you can't just focus on the numbers becuz if you stop counting the numbers... you lose control. I know what's healthy and what isn't. I'm still learning what my body likes and doesn't like. I made a commitment to myself to log for a year but once that year is up- I want to make sure I'm thinking like you.

    Thanks for sharing! :flowerforyou:

    Thanks girl!! We just need to be each others cheerleaders and motivate each other.
  • ncqueenbee
    ncqueenbee Posts: 147 Member
    You make a valid point, but what works for you may not work for everyone. I decided months ago to stop weighing myself because it really played with my emotions when the scale didn't move from week to week. That worked for me, now my main focus is on how I look and feel, but I would never advise someone else to do the same. As far as exercise and numbers go, try telling that to the math majors, the engineers and the accoutants....those who live by numbers. Some people live there lives going by numbers, there is no other way for them to reason. Keep up the good work and I'm glad you found a system that works for you.
  • dobenjam
    dobenjam Posts: 232 Member
    I completely agree, but I find that the numbers gives me something to shoot for. Little goals that help me improve until this is part of my life. I am, unfortunately, rather large and some things are more of an effort than they should be and it can get discouraging. So some of these numbers help me to realize that I am improving and make me feel empowered by achieving little goals.

    I think the problem comes when it becomes all about the numbers. Thanks for your post and reminding us that there is much more to it and to enjoy the journey.
  • boggsmeister
    boggsmeister Posts: 292 Member

    I don't think anyone can truly eat healthy consuming 2000+ calories a day. Fresh fruit / veggies are very low calorie. Lean meats are not high calories either. Hell bread isn't that high either. Its prepared food.


    There are hundreds of thousands of athletes that would entirely disagree with you.
  • Dare2Believe
    Dare2Believe Posts: 140 Member
    I agree with your post. However , for me, I have found that I have to focus on a "number" in some form or another. Whether it is counting calories, points, carbs, whatever, I know for me that I do not lose unless I pay close attention to this. I agree 100% we have to put good fuel in our bodies, but you need to watch how much you're putting in as well (at least I do.)

    That is what has finally worked for me this time. I decided that all though this is a lifestyle change for me instead of a diet I am going to have to count the calories I put into my body and I am going to have to move my body as well. When I was on WW I always felt obsessed with the "numbers" how many points is this, how many points have I eaten today, how many points do I have left. I hated it and, whether someone wants to admit it or not I heard many times at meetings of how someone ate almost their entire points eating a piece of cheesecake, etc. I knew I didn't want to count points the rest of my life, it just made more sense to me to count calories, enjoy the foods I love in moderation, and quit obsessing. For some people that will always be a way of life for them to see lasting results.
  • chevy88grl
    chevy88grl Posts: 3,937 Member
    Everyone's body is a little bit different. And everyone makes decisions for their bodies based on what they want to achieve. For me, this IS a lifestyle change and not a diet. I flatly refuse to give up some of the foods that I love - because I've done that in the past and you know what? I turn very resentful and I binge eat on them. So, I will continue eating some cookies or a Reese's or whatever each and everyday. I won't feel guilty for it and I won't berate myself for it. It is a choice *I* am making for MY body and MY life. If you can go all or nothing and sustain that for the rest of your life, I commend you. I can not. That is why losing weight has failed in the past for me. I DO consume 2300 or so net calories a day and 80% of it IS good for me. The other 20% is me remembering to live a little and enjoy life.

    I have a couple different injuries or illnesses that keep me from going to the gym as often as I'd like to go. They are a permanant part of my life now and something I just have to accept. I go when I can go, I push as hard as my body will allow while I'm there. I do the best I can. It may not be what someone else thinks I should do, but I'm proud of what I'm accomplishing with all things considered.

    There is no right or wrong way to travel down the weight loss path. What works for me, may or may not work for you. I will tell you "My way is RIGHT! Your way is WRONG!". I will simply tell you "It works for me and I will continue doing it".

    I've lost nearly 60lbs and I've kept it off for the last 18+ months. So, what I'm doing? It is clearly working for ME.
  • sjohnny
    sjohnny Posts: 56,142 Member
    I don't think anyone can truly eat healthy consuming 2000+ calories a day.

    Sure you can. I usually eat more than 2000 calories a day, especially on days that I run longer. I eat lots of chicken, fruit, vegetables, whole wheat bread, yogurt, etc. 2000 is where my calories are set before I workout to lose a pound a week.

    I often workout for close to an hour at a time but I'm trying to increase the distance I can run. I don't consider an hour on the running trail "wasted", I consider it an important part of reaching my goal. I also do shorter workouts as well.

    You seem to be preaching a way to do things that has worked for you and your goals and your lifestyle and saying that it's "the" way rather than "a" way.

    My way is working for me. I don't assume it will work for everyone else.
  • LeggyKettleBabe
    LeggyKettleBabe Posts: 300 Member

    I don't think anyone can truly eat healthy consuming 2000+ calories a day. Fresh fruit / veggies are very low calorie. Lean meats are not high calories either. Hell bread isn't that high either. Its prepared food.


    There are hundreds of thousands of athletes that would entirely disagree with you.

    Seriously, most people on this forum are not "athletes". Athletes work out way more than you and I and need more calories. I'm talking the average person here.

    My point: You should focus on what the quality you are putting in and not the count. I am learning to eat right I dont plan on logging my every meal for the rest of my life. Im not using this a a DIET its lifestyle change. That is why most people gain back more than they lost. They didnt get the point which is to retrain your body and mind to eat the right stuff so you dont gain back.
  • missrhondalynn
    missrhondalynn Posts: 1 Member
    I totally agree! Most men actually need to eat at least 2000 calories. Heck, if I eat my exercise calories back, sometimes I have to go over 2000. I just eat nuts and things like that that are high in calories. My friend is a rugby player and is all muscle. He has to eat over 5000 calories just to maintain his weight. I do agree with everything else about putting in more effort, though! Great job!
  • ladyfingers39
    ladyfingers39 Posts: 335
    I already knew this, but thanks for the reminder. A kick in the pants is always good. :)
  • Shayztar
    Shayztar Posts: 415 Member
    I'm so glad that there are people out there who want to motivate other people to be successful. But what works for one might not work for another. The world is not full of absolutes. Do what works best for you.

    Your brand of working out would injure me. Badly. I know. I've tried. Your way of eating is great, but isn't constantly possible for someone with a large family. Just saying...


    14839892.png

    I'm a mother of three, its all bout effort. I pack my daily food the nite before in a insulated lunch kit. I make time to exercise every day and having little ones makes it challenging for sure. I make the time i have to workout count. Like on my breaks I walk but i dont just stroll i push myself to 4mph for 15 minutes. That is not a hardcore it just a little effort.

    My point is: its all about effort. you can say "cant" or you can just do it!! A little effort goes a LONG WAY


    Funny, cause that's not really what you said. You said that the hour I spend on the treadmill is not going to give the same results as the 15 minutes you spend on an elliptical. You also said that no one can eat 2000 calories in a healthy way. That's not true either. Some people, like me, are goal oriented, and NSV aren't going to always cut it. Call me a type A personality. What I'm trying to say is that your way is better than some, but it is not the best way. Some people come to the forums looking for advice, and take what some people say to heart. I just wanted to make sure that that person knows there is another way of doing things. Any change for the better is effort for some people.

    Don't minimize the guy who walks slowly on the treadmill for an hour and is only eating at McDonald's once a week now. That's all.


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  • chevy88grl
    chevy88grl Posts: 3,937 Member

    I don't think anyone can truly eat healthy consuming 2000+ calories a day. Fresh fruit / veggies are very low calorie. Lean meats are not high calories either. Hell bread isn't that high either. Its prepared food.


    There are hundreds of thousands of athletes that would entirely disagree with you.

    Seriously, most people on this forum are not "athletes". Athletes work out way more than you and I and need more calories. I'm talking the average person here.

    My point: You should focus on what the quality you are putting in and not the count. I am learning to eat right I dont plan on logging my every meal for the rest of my life. Im not using this a a DIET its lifestyle change. That is why most people gain back more than they lost. They didnt get the point which is to retrain your body and mind to eat the right stuff so you dont gain back.

    Have you seen the women who consistently eat over 2000+ calories group or the thread that was around for awhile? You might be shocked to know how many people can and do eat over 2000 calories a day and either a) lose weight (I can lose weight while consuming 2100-2200 NET calories in a day!) b) maintain their weight (I can easily maintain consuming 2300-2500 NET calories in a day). Depending on your activity level, you may NEED more calories in a day. I've tried low calorie and it doesn't work for me. I NEED more calories. I work on my feet and am in constant motion at work - while it doesn't count as my exercise, it still burns a ton of calories while I do it. According to everything I've found, my TDEE is nearly 2500. So, don't assume that everyone needs low calories to lose or maintain their weight. It all depends on your lifestyle.
  • DaveRCF
    DaveRCF Posts: 266
    I consistently eat well over 2,000 calories daily and I'm a middle-aged but fit desk jockey. Many men would be in the same boat as long as they exercise regularly. This is just to maintain current weight.

    I don't think anyone can truly eat healthy consuming 2000+ calories a day. Fresh fruit / veggies are very low calorie. Lean meats are not high calories either. Hell bread isn't that high either. Its prepared food.


    There are hundreds of thousands of athletes that would entirely disagree with you.

    Seriously, most people on this forum are not "athletes". Athletes work out way more than you and I and need more calories. I'm talking the average person here.

    My point: You should focus on what the quality you are putting in and not the count. I am learning to eat right I dont plan on logging my every meal for the rest of my life. Im not using this a a DIET its lifestyle change. That is why most people gain back more than they lost. They didnt get the point which is to retrain your body and mind to eat the right stuff so you dont gain back.
  • cnsmith2
    cnsmith2 Posts: 539 Member
    Love your post, and needed this today really.

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