Chunkahlunkah Member

I don't currently earn enough calories through exercise to feel comfortable with eating them back. I think of them as my buffer for logging inaccuracies and days when I go over on calories. If I were burning, say, 1500+ calories a week, then I'd start eating a portion of them back.

1300 is what MFP gives me for losing 0.5 pound/week. I find it easiest to stay in a 1200s groove with a combination of high protein and high-fiber volume eating. For example, I'll make a soup that can give a huge *kitten* serving for 400-500 calories whose flavor I really love (very important, that!), and I'll eat that for…

Brownies made from a mix. The serving size is so small. It ruins the enjoyment for me to eat such a small brownie! So I just rarely ever have them and when I do cut a piece that's 2 or 3 servings. :blush:

I don't really snack, but sometimes one of my meals will end up being really small and what others might consider a snack. The lowest calorie foods that fill me up for a long time are: ~ fage 2% plain greek yogurt, 7 oz (150 calories) ~ 2-3 oz of chicken breast with either guac or hummus or ranch/hot sauce (varies, about…

Knowing what foods satiate me best was another *major* hack for me. Food, though, really isn't my problem weight-wise. As long as I'm reasonably active, adhering to my most satiating diet just makes the difference between my normal weight and about 10-15 vanity pounds. My problem is too easily falling into a slothful life.…

I felt a lot more informed when I learned about TDEE and how small differences can make the difference between an ideal weight (for me) and carrying extra pounds. I've known about CICO since I was a kid, but I didn't learn the specifics about TDEE until my 20's. For most of my life, I've been at my normal/ideal weight.…

Yes. My first meal of the day is when the macro makeup of what I'm eating has the largest impact on my appetite afterwards. A high carb, low to moderate fiber breakfast leaves me with a bigger appetite for the whole day. It easily adds ~500 calories to my day when eating according to hunger cues. I can do well with a large…

Yes. When I had problems with IBS, I stopped eating the skin for a while bc it bothered my stomach, but I'm fine with it now.

It's a horrible name, but I get great results from Beachbody's Brazil Butt Lift. I'm an hourglass to start with, but it can round and plump the booty more while slimming the thighs, making the butt look even more pronounced. Individual results may vary. ;) I've been using this program off and on for about 7 years. Every…

Sorry, OP, I hope you don't mind if I jump in and tag on another question. @chornak05 @katnadreau @cwolfman13 Which Fitbit do you have?

I'm glad you shared that bc I've been wondering how the equipment readings would compare with a heart rate monitor. I'm encouraged that it's not off all that much! About 10% isn't bad. I'd been thinking it was worse than that. Good link, @PAV8888 , thanks!

Thanks @Tacklewasher!

Hey @SkimpyMrsCarter I googled accuracy of calorie burn estimate for cardio equipment, and I saw an estimate that it can be off by 10-15%. I wanted to update bc that's significantly better than being off by up to 50%! A quick google isn't much research though ;) so if anyone has more info about how to generally regard the…

My advice for not going off the rails would be to listen to your fullness cues. I say that hesitantly though bc I know some people don't have reliable cues there. I went on vacation last fall and my plans were largely centered around foods I wanted to try in that city. :) I indulged freely but, except for one meal, avoided…

For most people, it might not matter. I personally find it infinitely easier to eat at a lower calorie level if I low-carb it for my first meal of the day. My appetite then stays much lower throughout day. Experiment and find what works for you. It may have no impact on your hunger levels or it may feel like a hunger hack.…

Yup. Or another way of putting it, a 1000 calorie deficit for the day.

2 pounds a week = a deficit of 7,000 calories for that week

@leahdp68 You've inspired me to walk more! :)

No problem! Be aware, though, that tools which measure calories burned are notorious for inflating the number. So if you're on a treadmill or whatever at the gym and it says you burned 500 calories, you likely burned less than that (maybe even only half). So to be on the safe side, you don't usually want to take that…

Are you asking if, for example, 100 calories eaten = 100 calories burned through exercise? If so, then yes, calories are measuring same amount whether they're eaten or burned.

Ha, I agree! Revolting. I should've returned it. I also loathed Halo Top ice cream, tried two flavors. Not for me. Read some more posts and was reminded of coconut water. :s

The summer before college I worked full-time at McDonald's. I had a double cheeseburger for lunch every day. I was a normal weight (around a size 4) and not trying to lose anything. I still ended up dropping 10 pounds by the end of the summer due to how active the job was. As others have said, if you're eating at a…

I'm just not that into soda. I first quit it when I was 12 yrs old. I was drinking it one day and thinking how I didn't even like it. So just for fun I decided to see how long I could go without having it again. Waited until 14! I generally have it about 4 or 5 times a year now. I like some craft sodas. Maine Root, for…

Is she worrying about it to a level that's causing her major distress? Can she raise her calories while still harboring her "sugar is toxic" belief? Everyone needs a hobby. I think, in a way, that it's a positive that as an 80 year old she has a topic that keeps her engaged and learning (even if the material she's learning…

Ah, just saw you mention that you do have IBS. IME, bloating alone can be a symptom of a flare up. I hope you feel better soon. I know how uncomfortable that bloating is.

When I had IBS, that would happen to me. I had it pretty bad for a couple years, but thanks to a restricted diet for a few months plus probiotics, I'm much better now. You may just have a stomach bug if it's only been for a week.

:D I don't formally practice IF, but I do tend to fall into a "feeding window" WOE. Just the way my appetite works on most days, so long as my schedule allows for it.

For me, being "calorie aware" (rather than closely tracking) is enough to lose when I'm eating primarily a whole foods diet and also getting in about 3-4 hours of moderate exercise a week.

Thanks all, it helps hearing from others in the same boat and picking up ideas from you.

@Scotty2HotPie So true about making it a priority. @DancingMoosie I used to have Beachbody on Demand but to cut costs I didn't renew. I really miss it though, so I'm going to get it again. Much respect for those of you getting ready for work at the gym!