csplatt Member

You cannot gain muscle on 800-1000 calories per day. So that’s out. A zig zag with a slight downward trend is success. That’s realistic weight loss because our bodies are composed of lots of things that “have weight” and fluctuate (food in our system, water, waste, etc). I also think a peek at your diary could be helpful…

I lose weight at 1350! Foods I like: - two scrambled eggs with cheddar cheese (weigh cheese on food scale) - grapes, cantaloupe, banana (also put on food scale) - zucchini stir fried with onion then add a johnsonville sausage (make sure to count the oil you put in pan) - half a cup of rice with 3 oz shredded chicken from a…

Do you mean a new mother—someone who has just had a baby? Or are you feeding your mother—someone who is aging? Does that person have any specific health goals?

You could move more at maintenance so you can increase those maintenance calories some!

log a tablespoon or two!

I ignore those

This! It took me a long time to figure out that my true maintenance is about 1700 cals. MFP didn’t just spit the number out for me. I also had to get really good and consistent at using that food scale. For bananas, for cheese, for hummus. I add calories for olive oil, etc. Its a lot of work but when consistent becomes…

I agree with what’s above. That said, if you are truly significantly below your goal, you will lose weight more rapidly than is recommended (.5 lb to 2 lb per week). Since none of us are perfect estimators of calories in or out, you can also watch the scale for how concerned to be about this.

Try prelogging for the week in Sunday afternoons. Get a ton of tupperware’s and do a bunch of your slicing and weighing all at once

not a bad plan IF those walks put you in a calorie deficit!

Many of us move less in general in the winter without realizing it. I wonder if that’s making your walks only take you to maintenance? It’s cozy blanket weather!

digital food scale! put everything on it. this morning i weighed my banana and peanut butter. tonight i weighed my beef right at 4 ounces before cooking it (burger).

I’d be careful about trusting the calorie burn posted on the machine. Today a treadmill told me my walk burned 140 calories but my watch said 63! Just a thought. I only say that because 700 calories in under an hour sounds like a lot!

I ignore macros and just aim for balanced intake - veggies, fruits, carbs, fats, proteins - without tracking those percentages

Skip workouts on busy weeks. But pre plan your food and even cook it ahead of time, portioned into baggies and tupperware, so you can keep your calories under control

Cook two meals on Sunday afternoons. Portion them out to be your dinners during the week. Then you can just microwave.

It’s a random estimate. For each of us it doesn’t just depend on accuracy of logging but also body composition and other things inside our body that make the number on the scale fluctuate. These things it cannot know. I ignore those estimates.

I will either do a biscuit with a morning star piece of “sausage” and cheese or a whole wheat waffle with peanut butter and banana.

grab that digital food scale!

We all retain water. We all have things in our body besides fat that changes the number on the scale because these things fluctuate. Sounds to me like you are weighing yourself too often — if you’re getting upset by the number not changing constantly?

How long have you been trying to lose 7 lb?

can you clarify why are you asking “do i need to lose more calories to lose more weight?” how long have you had your 1200 calorie goal and how effective has it been?

i think this will pan out over time. there’s a lot of psychology at play here too regarding your DESIRE to eat less.

I try to eat more at maintenance in winter to allow for comfort foods

1000 calorie limit with a 1.5 hr walk is already setting yourself up to fail and overeat!

You're concerned that you didn't gain in a period of three days?

When I need to cut, it takes about 2 weeks to adjust. If you're still starving at that point, I would add some calories back and see if you can still lose while eating a little more.

Are you sure that 100-200 over will mess up your progress? Or are you assuming? It depends on how early in the game it is. Wait 6-8 weeks before despairing. You may still make progress, just at a tiny bit slower rate than you could have.

Sounds like you need some new hobbies! Too much time on your hands.

Try planning your whole days food by the time you finish breakfast. Maybe the night before. Don’t make food decisions throughout the day when you are hungry. Make them ahead of time so you already know what is for lunch, dinner, snacks. Then no need to be impulsive.