I’m starting to calorie count. Anyone want to join me?

[Bookaholic73]

I’m going to be starting calorie counting from tomorrow, with the aim of losing around 2st (28lbs).

Would anyone else like to join me and hold each other accountable here on this thread?

I’ve tried so many ways of losing weight (Keto, Vegan, Low Carb etc) and none of it works long term.
So I’m quitting the fad diets and starting something that I can stick to.

I’m 5,5 and 12st. My aim is 10st, and I’ll be eating 1600 cals a day.

Evening all.

I’ve been really good today, but evenings are always a struggle. I’ve had a cup of tea after dinner and am determined I’m not going to eat any food.
I’ve eaten my calories for the day and REALLY want to stick to them. I don’t know why evenings are so difficult for me!

@bella1426 and @Summerscomin well done on the losses this week, you’re doing great.

Evening All,
Feeling a bit better today but still lots of chesty cough.
B. Toast and tea
S. Banana
L. The last homemade empanada
D. Greek meatball traybake

1342 cal so far.
Mr lala wants to watch a movie, ergo snacks. I must resist!
No weigh here yet, as only been a handful of days. First weigh in next Friday, hopefully will be a better confidence boost.

I've finished the day with 3 cals to spare
I've had a ham roll and crisps (350ish)
Nachos with pulled chicken, mixed peppers and mozzarella cheese and a gf pitta (700ish). I'd normally have had a lot more nachos but it still hit the spot.
Then my weigh day treat chocolate bar which was 225 cals. Almost the same values as the easter egg I had but much much tastier.
I'm out for dinner tomorrow eve so planning a light day if I can.

Thank you for the welcome. I’ve downloaded two apps and loving exercising but calorie count has been up and down. My arms are looking more toned though

I find days where I am out of the house I don’t eat much and don’t feel hungry. So I should probably go out more!

@Summerscomin those nachos sound great! Do you have a recipe please?

I’m so pleased with myself this evening. I’ve not eaten any junk food or drank any wine. I’ve come in just under my daily calorie allowance.
I also went out for a run this morning and a nice long walk after work.

I am exhausted this evening though!

@Bookaholic73 I vaguely used this recipe, and her recipe for BBQ sauce which is linked in the article, but tweaked the amounts. I think I halved the BBQ sauce recipe and used 3 chicken breasts to make 4 portions:
https://natashaskitchen.com/slow-cooker-bbq-chicken-recipe/
I just put all the ingredients I used in to MFP and it came out at approx 200 cals per serving.
(Anyone else feel like every day is a bloody maths lesson?!).
I had it with nachos today but it'd be great with rice/veggies, in a burrito or sandwich, or even a pasta bake. Saved to my recipes as I'm sure I'll make it again (was a hit with DC too!).

@Summerscomin thank you, that looks so good. I want to try making more new recipes instead of eating the same thing all the time. But putting all the ingredients into MFP puts me off sometimes!

You're welcome @Bookaholic73 and apologies, I meant to add on well done on such a clean day yesterday! Hopefully you'll wake up feeling bright this morning after no sugar/booze.
I know what you mean, putting all the ingredients in can be such hard work. I think I mentioned I often scribble the ingredients down and input it all when I can be arsed get a minute.
A lower calorie/less ingredient alternative would be to use a BBQ seasoning spice mix in the little jar and a tin of chopped tomatoes or passata, but when I did this last week it wasn't as sweet or delicious. Worth the effort imo!
I can't remember if I've shared this here or in my GF group but I've just received an order from this company: https://jdseasonings.com/?page=2
It's just spice mixes and blends so no cals, hoping it gives me a bit of cooking inspiration! There's usually a discount code kicking about too.
Does anyone have any nice plans today? I'm taking DC to the theatre then we're going for pizza!

Thank you @Summerscomin it was a real struggle last night, but I'm so glad I didn't drink alcohol or eat rubbish.

I woke up feeling STARVING this morning! I will have a cup of tea and then make some breakfast. I think I'll make some toast and eggs.

I will sort of join please?
Not even sure what to write exactly.

I could do with losing about 1 stone, but dont want to put pressure on myself about it.
I have been trying for about 1 month, but lots of family celebrations have sort of got in the way.

I have sort of realised I need to eat something sweet after or end of a meal, to sort of finish me off. To stop snacking in between meals.
Even like 3 after eigth mints can be enough.

I dont know really. I am in the midst of trying to crack things so to speak.

I have learnt previously, that bread and butter is a weakness of mine, calorie counting wise.

@lightand welcome. I'm the same in regards to needing something sweet at the end of a meal. To help with that, I make sure I have some extra calories left at the end of the day so I can have something sweet.

Welcome! I have a small packet of buttons for this! Three of four buttons isn’t many calories but satisfies that craving.

Morning everyone.

last night was great but I drank too much on an empty stomach (and I did succumb to the gassy cider at the gig, a bloody 2pint jug of it as well 🤦‍♀️) and this morning I feel a bit delicate. But I danced all night and did 18k steps.

my plan is to stick to my plan - easy huh? The sun is shining and I’m going to blitz my housework and garden. Food shop coming tomorrow and I have really streamlined my menu this week, I’m going to really focus on protein and cut the carbs out. I’ve ordered some protein shakes (was it this thread where we were discussing these?) and actually bought a weight loss bundle with shakes, snacks and meal replacements which I will use for my breakfasts or lunches. I’ve ordered some Gym Kitchen ready meals as well, just a couple to try as they were on offer in Asda.

5 weeks until we go away with skinny people - this has to be my motivation! I could lose 10lbs in that time if i actually focus myself, and that will make a noticeable difference to my body, so I am really determined to stick to it now. No social plans to derail me either.

I’m going to do a home workout with dumbbells today and then tomorrow I want to run long, maybe 10 miles if I can.

have a great weekend everyone.

@thenewaveragebear1983 I would have struggled to avoid the drink at a gig. Maybe it’s one of those things worth splurging on and balancing out on another day?!

@lightand I 100% need something sweet at the end of the day. I have noticed the cravings reduce over the last couple of weeks though. I’ve managed it by allowing myself a small amount of chocolate. Literally like 4 galaxy enhchaned eggs, and then having a bowl of strawberries with it.

I'm pondering on oils. What oil does everyone use for cooking? I’m looking for a healthy oil…not necessarily the lowest calorie wise as health aspect is more important than calories. What do you all use? My standard is olive oil and veg oil?

@lightand I do have a sweet tooth. You can count your sweet snacks into the calorie count.
I like individual packaging for this, so I don't get tempted by an open box/bar of chocolate specially.
@Bookaholic73 well done resisting the junk food!
Rubbish day here raining and gray. Hope that will improve a bit so we can do some work in the garden.
I'm planning carrot and coriander soup for lunch, with toasted sandwiches for the kid and Mr. And some ham and garlic mushrooms for me.
Dinner will be one of the gousto meals I have (small portion with a bulk of salad on the side for me)

@Weallgottachangesometime extra virgin olive oil for me in about 99% of my cooking.
I have also coconut and sesame but only use in certain recipes.
Tbh I consider more the flavours than the "healthiness" of it and I am spanish, so I am a bit biased. 😁

I use blended olive oil, EV is too strong a taste for me.

i don’t use veg oil/canola oil- I actually think it irritates my stomach and if I eat food with a lot of it in I really notice it. I never knew this until recently but the seed oils like sunflower and rapeseed (which is vegetable oil/canola oil) are chemically extracted and a lot of people are affected by the chemical residue in it. it’s one of the most common inflammatory foods and if you suffer with any autoimmune or inflammatory conditions it’s one if the first things to try to cut out- difficult because it’s literally in everything. They sound healthy(ish) don’t they, but they are quite toxic!

I rarely use any oil in cooking though, I prefer a dry fry and we bought decent pans a while ago which cuts down the need for any oil.

@thenewaveragebear1983 ah that’s all very interesting. I watched a TT recently where someone was saying which food to avoid because of the sunflower oil being “inflammatory” I guess that is what they meant.
interesting. My son has always had an odd belly. Might try him without some of those oils for a while!

might just stick to my olive oil then- thought it’s breaking the bank at the mo!

Same as @thenewaveragebear1983 I don't tend to use oil in cooking- I don't really need it for a lot of dishes, a little bit of stock works a treat in sauce based food or soup and a good non-stick pan is worth buying. I'd really like some of those hex pans but they're an absolute fortune!
When I do use it though it's just basic olive oil.

I've got a potato and bacon frittata with salad for lunch, a shop bought one from Lidl. It'll be an easy win if it tastes good!

After an epic weekend of eating at the in laws over Easter and a family birthday this week I am back on the wagon today. Weight around the same. So not too bad overall. Find it difficult when anxiety is high, which it was yesterday. My coping strategy is to eat everything in sight!

I use EVOO in salad dressings and OO for frying. I do have that fry light spray oil but absolutely hate it for anything other than roast potatoes.

@Tobermoryeveryday welcome back on board. Anxiety always makes me eat too.

I also agree on the dry frying and non stick pan, great for things like scrambled eggs and Omlettes. For frying mushrooms I add them to a hot dry pan and keep adding water until they have soaked them up and are cooked. Mushrooms are a bugger for absorbing butter and oil and can easily add to your calorie count by a lot! With the water I add spices like smoked paprika, aromat or Cajun to stop them being too meh. I love the taste of EV olive oil so will add it to a salad sometimes but feels like a waste of calories if I can't taste it! Tesco finest do a gorgeous chilli and garlic oil that I roast cauliflower florets in. Again loads of flavour so it feels worth the calories!

On the sweet tooth - I would recommend protein bars, can you get fulfil ones in the uk? The dark chocolate and salted caramel one is AMAZING and half is only around 100cals, worth ordering online . I find that with a Nescafé decaf cappuccino sachet in the afternoon satisfies my afternoon sweet tooth and then for the evening I usually have a protein yogurt or Lidl do a protein chocolate pudding which works out about 180cals and 20g protein, nice with some chopped up strawberries and both are good options for getting your protein in so don't feel sinful at all :) I am also partial to a cup of options hot chocolate of an evening too, definitely can hit the spot

Woke up this morning fancying something sweet actually and had a lovely brekkie - alpro do a chocolate almond milk that I used with porridge oats, threw in some protein powder, mixed berries and crushed walnuts, it was delicious, felt like desert for breakfast :)