Unless you were really measuring what you were eating - and recording everything - more than likely you were getting more than 3-4000 calories a day -most people underestimate the amount of calories they consume...
I was guilty of it for years - I got to almost 400lbs swearing that I ate healthily... I never ate fast food, never ate fried food, never ate anything heavily sauced... It was an excess of calories of good foods... Get yourself a food scale and write down everything that goes into your mouth... it is a little obsessive at first but it really helps with accountability.
And as for doctor's and weight loss - I don't have a lot of faith in the medical profession when it comes to nutrition - most doctors will suggest 12-1500 calories a day and walk for 30 minutes... that's a diet - not a long term lifestyle change... YOu need a lifestyle change... I'd also steer clear of any type of weight loss pills that might be suggested.. but that's me..
Go with the estimates you've found and pay attention to yur body -there is no one size fits all number - you will have to play with it - BUT you really should start higher than lower becuase after you've lost 50-75lbs and mor eyou will ahve to adjust that caloric intake... and if you're too low calorie wise already -you've got no wiggle room
Thank you for the tips
I dont really trust the doctors eithers and trust me - I will never take weight loss pills, I dont like taking pills, especially since they mess with your heart rate and I have heard weight loss pills dont even work anyways.
Before, im pretty sure that was the amount I was taking in, I added it up on the Burger King, Mcdonalds, and Taco Bell websites...because thats literally all I used to eat day-to-day. I would usually only eat once or twice a day and I would eat from either of those places once a day and then later in the day If I was hungry I would eat a box of macaroni and cheese.
my totals:
BK- 2250 cal
173 carbs
TB- 2860 calories
176 carbs
MD-2030 calories
197 carbs
plus the mac n cheese some days: 1073 calories
141 carbs
Along with a whole 2 liter of soda everyday it added up to about 3000-4000 everyday....I only ate different once in awhile..and then it was pizza, thai food, or chicken strips and chili cheese fries...
Right now as far as measuring my calories I have signed up on fitday and have been using calorie king aswell.
Thanks again - I wanna up my calories now, I just need to know how many carbs I can have per day so I dont go overboard.
trynagetskinny,
Having that hungry feeling is the worst. It only leads to binge eating. (at least it does with me). Therefore, i am eating small meals every few hours. Great advise from Mal to measure EVERYTHING and journal EVERYTHING.
I did attend a doctor's weightloss class. I clicked with my nutrionist and found a good balance of calories/day. Calculate your calories using the Harris Benidict formula and the subtract 500-1000 claories. Most will say 500 but YOUR number could be a little higher. Just find that balance and you should be OK. There is no exact science with this and you will find many different opinions. Try different things till you find what works. If possible post a day's eating, i would like to see what you are eating and the time you are eating.
Stay focused and you will see the results.
Matt
Yeah man, I feel you, i'm hating the hungry feeling, I am still very motivated though and know I can get past everything. I just cant wait to up this calorie intake.
Heres what I was eating the first few days of my diet and the calories next to them:
Breakfast:
1 bowl of oatmeal (2 packs) 200
Half banana cut up 40
tbsp. Splenda
Snack:
1 Light string cheese 80
Lunch:
2 peices of whole wheat bread, 220
4 slices of fat-free/ lean sliced turkey, 200
2 tbsp of fat free miracle whip 30
lettuce 1
onions 20
with a sugar-free jello 10
Snack:
1 cup plain popcorn 31
with i can't believe its not butter spray 0
Dinner:
grilled marinated chicken breast 200
with 1 cup brown rice 218
onions. 20
I couldnt handle it so now I have been eating basically the same things as before except for dinner i've been having a subway footlong chicken terriyaki sub on wheat because it actually keeps me full. I plan to change my whole plan around in a few days, Im just still looking around trying to make a list for grocery shopping.
Thanks for your tips too, I appreciate the help alot.
I calculate my calorie needs by multiplying my ideal weight (not where I am now but where I want to be) by 10. That gives me 1500-1600 calories to eat every day. If I go up to 1800 on a weekend I don't sweat it as that is still fewer calories than I need to live in a day. I hope this helps you!
Thats sounds like a pretty good idea...I may do something like that, I will definitley keep it in mind. Thank you for your help
