Newcomer... AGAIN

F

FaNgUrL

New member
Hi, again. I'm not new to the site but I might as well be because my weight loss program has been in shambles from the beginning.

I started to diet in early June and since then I have lost about 20lbs. 315 to 286. The first month I did so good, nothing but healthy eating. (Although I did not exercise.) The first 10 lbs in two weeks.

After the first 10lbs, the next two weeks.... nothing. Thats when everything went south. I would get discouraged, stop for days, then get inspired and try for a couple of days. Its not that I ate a lot but I just mostly ate fast food. Sometimes twice per day: lunch and dinner. It was fast and it fit into my schedule.

Well, on 10/12/2009 I decided I really need to stay with it. I know its only been a couple of days but I'm trying to take it a day at a time. I've actually began to exercise also. I exercise twice per day for 20-30 minutes each time. I do cardio and strength videos that are free with my cable service or ones that I find online.

I'm eating healthier and more frequent since my calorie needs are high but sometimes I fall below. I have to force myself to eat more because I read that if you eat too little then your body will shut down. Sometimes I don't eat everything on my meal plan, but its something like this (in no particular order):

-High Fiber cereal w/ 2% milk 400 calories
-Turkey or chicken sandwich 140-calories (90cal 2 slices of bread and 50 for meat)
-Yougurt 170 calories
-Baby Carrots 35 calories
-Apple 100 calories
-Banana 185 calories (says the internet)
-Lean cuisine 330 calories
-6" subway sub 360

total calories= 1720

I try to eat every 2-3 hours because I was told that was best. Is the amount of calories right that I'm eating? Every website gives me a different number so I picked the lowest one which was about 1800. If anyone has advice it would be appreciate. Am I on the right path? Do I need to change something with the diet and exercise? I'm looking to lose inches, lbs don't really matter.

One more thing, is it true that you can eat whatever you want as long as you stay within your calories?

I know this is a lot to take in but I really need the help or even just motivation. I really want to do this.... this time...lol
 
It sounds like you have a fairly good handle on things. I'm going to address some of what I think are the more important parts ... keep in mind that you don't have to change everything at once. That can be too overwhelming and cause you to give up. Just make changes slowly and steadily and you'll be fine.

Let's start with food. :) And I'm going to answer your last question first. You asked: is it true that you can eat whatever you want as long as you stay within your calories.

NO! :)

At it's most basic, it boils down to calories in vs. calories out, it's true. If you eat fewer calories than you burn, you'll lose weight. To a point. But your body needs nutrition. If you eat 1500 calories of crap and junk, eventually you'll stop losing weight because you're starving your body. It doesn't matter that you're getting energy, you aren't getting nutrition. Right now it probably doesn't matter too much for you - the heavier you are, the more you can get away with a calorie deficit w/out worrying about nutrition. But as you lose more weight and as your body becomes accustomed to fewer calories, the more important it becomes to eat the RIGHT KIND of food, not just the right amounts.

Aside from that, is the issue of satisfaction. If you eat 1500 calories of junk, you're actually not eating very much food and the food you are eating is the kind that doesn't stay in your stomach or your system. You chow down on 1500 calories of candy not only is it not very much, it is quickly processed through your system, leaving you empty and hungry again a few hours later. Any sugary, starchy, simple carb food is going to have that effect.

So ... as you can see, WHAT you eat is very important, both for nourishing your body and for making sure you can actually stick to a diet.

The diet you described is not bad, but it's pretty high in carbs and I don't see ANY veggies. Fruit is good, but it's high in sugar. You do need some veggies in your diet to balance out the nutrition. Try to cut back on the bread and carbs some (cereal, sandwich at lunch, fruit, and sub for dinner) and add in more veg.

Also I would try to start weaning yourself off the packaged meals like Lean Cuisine. While they're not too high in calories, they're full of preservatives and chemicals and some of them are very high in sodium.

What worked for me, to be honest, was starting to pay attention to what I ate and to start tryign to avoid packaged foods as much as possible. I started cutting back foods with preservatives, added sugars, chemicals, etc. That limited what I ate to real foods - which is automatically healthier than processed stuff. :)

From there I counted calories and began managing nutrients.

Like I said, I think you're on the right track ... just tweak a few things, and take it slow. You'll get there. :)
 
Welcome Fangurl!
From what you say you are still below where you started back in June? If so then give yourself credit for that!! If not then give yourself credit for what you did lose and knowing that you can do it again.

You said , "The first month I did so good, nothing but healthy eating. "
Maybe you are trying to be to strict on yourself?
In the past if I had lost a few pounds then I'd reward myself with a really nice meal of whatever I felt like having. Then I'd get back on my regular eating routine.
For example, on Thursday night I see I'm doing pretty good for that week, so on Friday I purposely eat a smaller breakfast and lunch and then Friday night I go to a nice buffet. I try to follow up Saturday by eating a little less and exercising a bit more.
I try to think of it as a credit system or saving money in the bank. When I build up my credit or savings then I can splurge a little.

In any case I think everyone needs rewards and treats:driving:
 
KaraCooks said:
It sounds like you have a fairly good handle on things. I'm going to address some of what I think are the more important parts ... keep in mind that you don't have to change everything at once. That can be too overwhelming and cause you to give up. Just make changes slowly and steadily and you'll be fine.

Let's start with food. :) And I'm going to answer your last question first. You asked: is it true that you can eat whatever you want as long as you stay within your calories.

NO! :)

At it's most basic, it boils down to calories in vs. calories out, it's true. If you eat fewer calories than you burn, you'll lose weight. To a point. But your body needs nutrition. If you eat 1500 calories of crap and junk, eventually you'll stop losing weight because you're starving your body. It doesn't matter that you're getting energy, you aren't getting nutrition. Right now it probably doesn't matter too much for you - the heavier you are, the more you can get away with a calorie deficit w/out worrying about nutrition. But as you lose more weight and as your body becomes accustomed to fewer calories, the more important it becomes to eat the RIGHT KIND of food, not just the right amounts.

Aside from that, is the issue of satisfaction. If you eat 1500 calories of junk, you're actually not eating very much food and the food you are eating is the kind that doesn't stay in your stomach or your system. You chow down on 1500 calories of candy not only is it not very much, it is quickly processed through your system, leaving you empty and hungry again a few hours later. Any sugary, starchy, simple carb food is going to have that effect.

So ... as you can see, WHAT you eat is very important, both for nourishing your body and for making sure you can actually stick to a diet.

The diet you described is not bad, but it's pretty high in carbs and I don't see ANY veggies. Fruit is good, but it's high in sugar. You do need some veggies in your diet to balance out the nutrition. Try to cut back on the bread and carbs some (cereal, sandwich at lunch, fruit, and sub for dinner) and add in more veg.

Also I would try to start weaning yourself off the packaged meals like Lean Cuisine. While they're not too high in calories, they're full of preservatives and chemicals and some of them are very high in sodium.

What worked for me, to be honest, was starting to pay attention to what I ate and to start tryign to avoid packaged foods as much as possible. I started cutting back foods with preservatives, added sugars, chemicals, etc. That limited what I ate to real foods - which is automatically healthier than processed stuff. :)

From there I counted calories and began managing nutrients.

Like I said, I think you're on the right track ... just tweak a few things, and take it slow. You'll get there. :)
Click to expand...


Thanks so much for your advise. Actually I have seen all your great advise all over this site and was hoping that you would respond to my post...lol.

My girlfriend's mom is giving me some weight watcher's recipe books so hopefully the pre packaged meals will be out the window pretty soon. Healthy eating is something I know little about. All that I've learned have been from stickys on this forum. I was raised on soulfood, which I don't like very much, so I would eat fast food instead. Both are equally bad for you when eaten everyday so hopefully this recipe book will help out alot.

But am I consuming the proper amount of calories? Could I go lower?

Thanks again!
 
Sarge said:
Welcome Fangurl!
From what you say you are still below where you started back in June? If so then give yourself credit for that!! If not then give yourself credit for what you did lose and knowing that you can do it again.

You said , "The first month I did so good, nothing but healthy eating. "
Maybe you are trying to be to strict on yourself?
In the past if I had lost a few pounds then I'd reward myself with a really nice meal of whatever I felt like having. Then I'd get back on my regular eating routine.
For example, on Thursday night I see I'm doing pretty good for that week, so on Friday I purposely eat a smaller breakfast and lunch and then Friday night I go to a nice buffet. I try to follow up Saturday by eating a little less and exercising a bit more.
I try to think of it as a credit system or saving money in the bank. When I build up my credit or savings then I can splurge a little.

In any case I think everyone needs rewards and treats:driving:
Click to expand...

Thanks for the motivation and the helpful advise. I know this is going to be a long hard road, and this time, I'm up for the challenge. This site is inspiring.
 
Hi Fangurl, welcome back to the forum, I am just back from being absent for a while as well. I had gotten of my path too and have come back to get things back on track. It looks like you have already gotten some great advice. I have a couple weight watchers books and they do have some tasty recipes, you can also go on line and look up recipes or lighter versions of food you may love. I know for me that has worked in the past when I have been stuck for what to make myself.
Michelle
 
brazenlysasse said:
Hi Fangurl, welcome back to the forum, I am just back from being absent for a while as well. I had gotten of my path too and have come back to get things back on track. It looks like you have already gotten some great advice. I have a couple weight watchers books and they do have some tasty recipes, you can also go on line and look up recipes or lighter versions of food you may love. I know for me that has worked in the past when I have been stuck for what to make myself.
Michelle
Click to expand...

Thanks a lots for the encouragement Michelle! If you did it, I know I can do it too! And if you did it before, you can do it again! I hope we're both successful.
 
HiFangurl, i have not lost all my weight before *50lbs was my highest weight loss* but each time i do come, i take away more knowledge and focus. Right now im in a place in my life where weigh loss has become life and death, so i definitely have a brand new focus. It is great that you are trying to take control at a young age, so that you can be healthy later in your adult years.
you CAN do it!
 
Update

I have been doing P90 and Walking. Down 15 pounds in a month and 4 days. I really think I can do this.
 
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