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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To think calorie counting can help get some control over my eating?!

31 replies

Eatinghabits86 · 29/04/2025 19:44

I just seem to be out of control at the moment with food. Eating bad foods, binge eating and just not considering what I'm putting in my mouth.

I am about 2 stone heavier than I should be and I'm thinking of starting calorie counting to establish some control. Has anybody had success doing this and been able to be consistent with it?

OP posts:

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User37482 · 30/04/2025 06:07

Snowstorm25 · 29/04/2025 22:48

I’ve lost almost 3 stone since August on 1600 kcals a day and 140g protein goal. That goal is based on 1g protein per lb of your target weight (which I’m now at - yay!) I found it quite easy once I got into it - I use My Fitness Pal and I tend to log a few days in advance so I can fiddle with choices / amounts etc to make the kcals and protein add up to the right numbers! I find that much easier because I just check the app during the day to see what I’m eating next! The protein keeps you pretty full. I eat a lot of chicken and fish, and Greek yoghurt is good (not greek “style” yoghurt - look for one with 10g protein per 100g). I also have a glass of clear whey protein drink which is basically like juice but with 20g protein in.

ive learned so much about what I’m eating, and it’s really made me think about my choices. I still have treats but I know if I’m using up calories I’m going to use them on something that’s worth it - so if I have a donut it’s going to be a bloody lovely one not a half hearted one that I might regret 🤣

I do a couple of strength training classes a week though and I go to a spin class, and I do at least 10,000 steps every day. If I didn’t do the classes I’d probably drop the locals to 1400 to still lose weight.

Can I ask how you managed to get 140g protein into 1600 calories? What was a typical days menu? i’m trying to do this but I find I do need some carbs.

SulkySeagull · 30/04/2025 06:08

It’s really the only sustainable way to lose weight - no elimination of foods or food groups. I’ve lost 30lbs and still eat the foods I enjoy, just in moderation. And if you know you are going to need to eat more I.e have dinner at a restaurant- then you just need to do some exercise to boost your calorie allowance.

I use Noom, but my fitness pal and nutricheck are also good.

Deerrobin · 30/04/2025 06:31

I lost 3 stone last year through calorie counting, and so far am keeping it off. Everyone is different but for me the 'mechanics' of losing weight (counting, weighing etc) is the 'easy' bit but the key to maintaining is around mindset - changing your lifestyle approach rather than seeing it as a standalone diet. I worked with a weightloss coach on this which was the best approach for me/

Snowstorm25 · 30/04/2025 08:49

User37482 · 30/04/2025 06:07

Can I ask how you managed to get 140g protein into 1600 calories? What was a typical days menu? i’m trying to do this but I find I do need some carbs.

Show quote history

Sure 😊 It takes a bit of jiggling around sometimes which is why I do it in advance - if I logged it as go along I’d get to the end of the day and have run out of calories before I could get the macros right. Clear whey drinks help - I used to have milkshakes but the clear ones are fewer kcals. I’ll add screenshots of what I’m having today. This comes to 131g carbs, 45g fat and 146g protein in 1570 kcals.

Hope that helps!

To think calorie counting can help get some control over my eating?!

Original poster

Eatinghabits86 · 30/04/2025 11:29

I've had a 3 egg omelette this morning and done a quick kettle bell work out in the garden. Feeling good!

OP posts:

Candlesandmatches · 30/04/2025 20:59

Lyla82 · 29/04/2025 20:57

@Candlesandmatchesdo you mind if I ask how many calories you are restricted to per day please? I only ask because I'd like to try having your suggestion for breakfast but then I would only have 800 calories left for lunch and dinner, which wouldn't be enough for me, so I've been slipping breakfast entirely. What do you have for lunch/dinner to fill you up but still stay within your calories?

Show quote history

I’m tall so I have 1900 a day. But you could make this but half the amount. It’s a perk of being tall I’m afraid. And I am losing slowly. So I get more calories than if I wanted to lose quicker - but it’s just not sustainable for me to have less calories

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