Total frustration......need you caloric opinion

[moredisneyplease]

I'm an on or off type of gal and when I'm on, I'm on fire and I drop the weight no problem. When I'm off, I tend to blow it and (of course) gain. Anyways, i'm "on" right now and have been since August 15th. I've been following WW and exercising regularly (mixing cardio, weights, pilates) and just am not seeing results. Of course its frustrating and making me want to go "off" but for some reason I'm still in control and ready to refocus. I think this time around (2nd kid 8 months ago) my body just doesnt want to let go and I need to obviously adjust what i'm doing.

As of today I'm going to count calories and think that maybe I should be aiming for about 1500 calories a day but I need some assistance from those of you who count calories:

1) Does 1500 a day seem right for a gal who's 31, 197lbs, 5'4", not nursing, and active?
2) What calorie counting websites do you recomend?

Thanks for your support WISHers!

 

[3DisneyKids]

I would say that 1500 is on the high end of a range. I would say 1200-1500 is a good range to shoot for.

SparkPeople and FitDay are two very good sites. I like Spark better...and we have a DIS team on there, so come join us!

 

[tiggerlover]

I didn't know the answer to this so I did a search and came up with the following:

http://www.cancer.org/docroot/PED/content/PED_6_1x_Calorie_Calculator.asp

http://www.caloriecheckbook.com/?gclid=CKOq8enAw5UCFQJHxwodfxNlig

This one was very interesting if you go all the way through and pick your goal weight it will tell you how many calories you need to consume to reach your goal.

Hope this helps.

 

[moredisneyplease]

thanks for the links! i really like them and was able to find out all kinds of great info!

 

[NY Disney fan]

I would say that 1500 is on the high end of a range. I would say 1200-1500 is a good range to shoot for.

If you're completely sedentary, I'd say this is a good calorie range. For weight loss though, I think the # needs to be much higher. People should be eating about every 3 hours to keep the metabolism high. Also, the kind of food you eat really matters. If you're eating 100 calorie packs all day, your weight loss will stall. The diet should be as pure as possible without any packaged goods. If you're eating fruits and vegetables, whole grain and lean meats, then you could eat 2000 calories a day and drop weight. (assuming you are exercising). Even if you aren't exercising, you can still drop the weight with a good nutritious diet.


If you are eating 1500 calories a day for 2 weeks straight and see no results, bump it up to 2000 for a few days and you are GUARANTEED a few pounds lost. Why? Because if your body thinks its only going to get a measly 1200 or 1300 calories a day then its going to hold on to the fat because it thinks you're starving. IF the body gets more calories, then it can afford to lose a few pounds because it knows its getting more food as fuel.

Trust me, when you reach your goal you will have to cut those calories to maintain it. Now is not the time to maintain. Now is the time to lose.

 

[Rachlynn]

It is not just about calories... we women tend to think it is... and it is also imporrant on the frequency of meals...

I have followed the Curves Nutritional Plan... and exercise program... amazing... life changing...

1st... it is a lifestyle change... the rest of your life...
2nd... it is not about what you ate to let yourself down... it is about balance... you can eat anything if it is in balance.... one donut never killed any one it is sitting and eating 1 everyday...
3rd... 5 meals a day... protein over carbs...
4th... EXERCISE.... strength... cardio perfect mix... will firm and tone!
5th... DO OR DO NOT....(DON'T TRY)commit to what you are doing... trying is failure everytime... how bad do you want this... 1-10... if it is a 7,8,9,10 you will succeed...

I lost 95 pounds... went from a size 20 to a size 4/6 but it isn't about the number... it is about the health... I fight with food choices everyday... but I know how great I feel and how I don't want to know the person that was high on stress and lack of energy... I love passing on the gifts of a strong woman to my children and loved ones... it is empowering...

I did for the first phase of the "diet" 1200 calories and no more then 90 carbs... (one week) then for the rest of my 11 months I did no more then 1600 calories no more then 120 carbs... guess what that is a lot of healthy foods and that is what I now maintain on....I journal EVERYTHING that goes into my mouth... staying accountable and responsible is very important...

you can do it....

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

thanks for the links! i really like them and was able to find out all kinds of great info!

Yay! You can do this and this time you can STICK WITH IT for life!

You go!

 

[Dr Pepsi]

When I lost a ton of weight a few years ago, I'd hit a plateau now and then. When I did, I'd go back to weighing and measuring (weighing is really the best, though, it's more accurate) all of my food. That would usually break me out of a plateau. I think one of the biggest problems with dieting is that it's so easy to eat more than you think you are eating.

I don't know about 2000 calories for weight loss. I couldn't eat that many and still loose, and I don't eat that many now to maintain, despite the fact that I am active. I ate around 1300 when loosing and now am up to 1800 to maintain. I am about the OP's height (5'5) and I usually exercise 45-60 minutes 6 days/week.

OP, if you continue to be unable to loose, you might see a nutritionist so s/he can help you come up with a good meal plan for yourself.