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.

Thanks @Bookaholic73 do you use protein powder in your pancakes? I’ve been debating buying some to add to my yogurt in the morning, but looked at the myprotein and was overwhelmed by the choice and the flavours looked quite sickly.

@ForSaleChesterDraws earlier in the thread I recommended their unflavoured protein. I tried a couple of flavours, but the chocolate nut one especially was so cloying, I never bought another flavoured one. Unflavoured means you can do anything you want, might add a few calories, but not much.

I have the protein works one, it is chocolate flavour and it’s nice but it is VERY sweet considering it is sugar free 🤷‍♀️

Please can I join you? I've got 1st 4lb to lose. I seem to be able to stick to it and lose weight Mon to Thurs, but then I've put it all back on by Monday. I'm going out on Thursday evening and I just need some motivation to carry on and not see that one day as a set back.

@ForSaleChesterDraws welcome!
Can you share your recipe for chicken Kiev? How do you manage that meal for 600 cal?

@ForSaleChesterDraws i buy the my protein vanilla flavoured protein powder. To be honest, I only use it for my pancakes am I’m not sure what else to use it for!

Hi @Loopzy welcome. I feel the same in regards to weekends being more difficult to stick to our calories.

I find the best way to keep within calories at weekends is to have a nice long lie in so you miss breakfast. Win Win 😆

Can anyone advise of the easiest and healthiest way to increase protein? I'm averaging about 75g and ideally want to be at 100g. Is it just a question of increasing meat/fish portions?

M&S chicken Kievs are lovely and around 350cal. I cook most things from scratch but chicken Kiev is one of those that are easier and just as nice to buy in imo

@Sisisimone I make sure I have 1 protein drink a day, 1 protein-based snack a day ( a bar or similar) and each meal is based on protein so I eat a pretty meat and fish heavy diet.
Now I've quit sugar it's a little harder, as I don't have protein puddings or bars, so I'll have a babybel or hard-boiled egg. I think i am going to bring back the protein bars once a day and see how it goes.

@Sisisimone aldi do some good pre cooked prawns and delicious smoked salmon and gravalax. Could you try a protein powder too? I think you can make pancakes with them etc x

Thanks both. I'll look into the protein powder. Babybel is a great shout too

Those are the ones I’m using. Serving with a load of vegetables and some air fried chips (150g of uncooked potatoes are 112).

@Sisisimone and @Bookaholic73 i was looking at babybel light or the pepparami chicken bites but was worried about the salt content.

Ah, I'm so annoyed, I typed a long message and for some reason, it just disappeared!

Anyway, what I was saying is that I think I'm going to reduce my carb intake with my evening meal. I'm not going to do low carbs in general, but I'm wondering if lower carbs in my evening meal will help to reduce the evening cravings.

I've heard that lower carbs help with sugar cravings, does anyone know from experience if this is true?

It definitely helps. I've eaten very low carb for prolonged periods and you completely lose any sugar cravings. Sugary things you previously enjoyed taste disgustingly sweet and you can detect any added sugar in things you don't expect, i.e. pate or tinned soup and it tastes unpleasant. It completely reset my body as far as sugar goes and ive never gone back to eating it. My problem is with portion size so calorie counting has really helped me in that respect.

Thank you @Sisisimone . My worry is that just reducing carbs from 1 meal won't give me the same benefits. But it's worth a try anyway.

Hello @Bookaholic73 OP, I’m here! I said way back at the start of the thread I’d be here 17th April for the start of the new school term! Weighed in this morning at 12 stone 10lbs and am horrified with that! Makes the journey to 10 stone even further… but the only way is down now!

Today I have had:
Breakfast- banana
Snack- sugar snap peas
Lunch- mixed salad with Caesar dressing, watermelon wedges
Snack- light babybel, 25g mixed nuts
Tea- Tomato and red pepper soup with some grated cheese in and a slice of toast.
Snack- Two mini peanut butter chocolate eggs

(I’m a vegetarian)

Hi @Bernadinetta well done on joining us and weighing in. You're right, the only way is down now. Your tea sounds delicious!

@ForSaleChesterDraws @Sisisimone thanks for this. I will have a look at ready made ones then.
Today I am not sure about my counting. My homemade carrot soup I input it as shop bought one but I have the feeling that mine had less cals (no oil in it) also dinner has been gousto recipe made by OH and I am not sure either as my portion looked tiny.
So I probably overestimated.
B. Weetabix with semiskimmed milk. Tea
L. Carrot soup.
S. Lemon muller light yogurt
D. Chicken curry with spinach and brown rice
1650 cal.

I'm no expert @Lalanbaba but unless they were all pretty huge portions I can't see 1600 cals there?!
It was lovely to read your goals 😊nothing wrong with a bit of vanity, my BMI is fine but I don't feel confident in my own skin.
I'm feeling "heavy" today but I did this last week and still had a good loss, I need to stay focused. Today I've had:
Chicken, ham and cheese salad (it was a "massive salad"- I had one of those big bowls you get for BBQs and thought I'd use it up!). 300cals.
Spicy pulled chicken with stir fried veggies, mexican rice and cheese/nachos. 700 cals(!).
A few more on sugar for coffee- I ran out of sweeteners- so I think I'll leave it there and finish off just under my 1100 target.

Ending today on 1500 (ish) cals, 100g carbs, 113g protein. I ate a bit too much fruit in addition to a higher carb lunch and dinner so it sent me a bit higher than I’d have liked.
ran 5.5km and went for a short walk after logging off from work.

tomorrow is my office day so I have prepped my lunch already: big salad with roast pork and avocado and light sweet chilli sauce (low sugar and only 15 cals per spoonful), then some full fat Greek yog and berries. Breakfast will be a protein shake after the gym. Dinner will be heck chicken sausages, eggs and grilled tomatoes.

Hi everyone,
I haven't been on over the weekend but just skimmed through, looks like everyone is doing pretty well. I managed to average 1600ish last week which was good considering I had another boozy day at the weekend. That was the last definite one for a few weeks now though, will have to find something else to spend the calories on next weekend!

I cooked up some chilli and Bolognese at the weekend so I've got those in the freezer which is reassuring, as well as some chicken to make salad with for work lunches today and tomorrow. Felt very organised and pleased with myself for once!

Was under calories this evening so treated myself to some crunchy peanut butter on toast and haven't stopped hiccuping since!

Since I started writing this I've forgotten who asked about our "why's", I do apologise (I also don't want to lose my post going back to have a look though!).
I mostly want to have the energy to run around with my son more, and not feel self conscious about it. I was much fitter before he came along and I want to be that version of me again. I don't want him looking back one day and remembering a fat frumpy mum that was knackered all the time!

Ending today well but struggling now to to get a piece of toast and butter or a packet of crisps! Well done everyone for doing so well! I had a salad with avocado and blue cheese for dinner xxx

Egg whites.