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.

I would love to join you please. Huge self esteem issues atm and this will help.

5ft 7
11.3 stone (72kg)

aiming for 9.9 stone (63kg) by mid July.

So I think 20lbs, guessing 1400-1500 cals per day.

much as I enjoy carbs (I can do without bread, rice, pasta and other grains tbh, but I do have a sweet tooth and I do like potato) the only thing that ever really works for me is cutting them out. It works two-fold for me, it helps me lose weight from the carbs I would have eaten but it also helps my appetite settle so I don’t graze and snack all day on other stuff either. I’ve cut my calories low this week, it’s actually helped me to keep on track, and I have eaten a few exercise cals back if I’ve needed them but my overall is in deficit every single day..

I like to hear what others eat too, 1300 cals is not much at all and I find there’s not much wiggle room.

today I have had:
3 litres of water, black coffee, 1x tea with milk
B- 125 g greek yog and fruit salad (homemade, it worked out as 44 cal per 100g)
L- half a cucumber stuffed with a tin of tuna and 15g light mayo, 28g cheese, cherry toms, grapes , fruit salad
D- seasoned chicken breast, leftover cauliflower cheese, carrots and a Turkey sausage.
A pear and a satsuma.
I did a hiit class this morning but I haven’t hit my 10k steps today

That’s come in as 1345 cals, 99g carbs, 17 portions of fruit and veg - probably my “worst” day this week in terms of calories in compared with cals out, and quite high carb because of all the fruit. But it’s my busiest day of the week and I’m exhausted tonight so I think that’s ok.

I promised myself a good ten days before Easter and I’m doing ok at that, I will have a choc egg on Sunday but other than that the weekend I should be on track plus I’ll get some running miles in which will help. I weigh on Saturday and weds, and I am actually quite looking forward to the scales tomorrow morning!

I have just restarted, yesterday. I am using Nutracheck.

I did really well with it before, but that was when I was carefree and could get to the gym or stick my headphones on and go for a 3 mile walk every evening- I am now a single parent (hence putting the weight back on in the first place!) so I know it is going to be a LOT tougher! I live in a first floor flat so I can't even jump about to an online workout without really upsetting the neighbours.

It has taken me a long time to be ready to tackle the baby/lockdown weight gain and while on one hand 2 weeks off work might be the worst time to do it with the lack of normal routine, I should at least have time for weighing and tracking and make it a habit before we get back to reality.
I just tweaked my settings to make tomorrow an "easier day" (no meals at home!), which retrospectively put me slightly over yesterday, but I am under tonight so all good on balance.

I have started by only aiming for 0.5lb loss a week while I get used to it again and while I do have a few social lunches planned in over the holiday. I should then be able to reduce calories further when I go back to work... that's the theory anyway!

@Bernadinetta
I am on holidays too - it does make it tricky! Have you done it before? I have just started again yesterday but am using the holidays with an easier calorie target to get back into the habit of tracking and weighing/measuring stuff so it is a bit more second nature again by the 17th. Just a suggestion in case you think it might be useful for you too :)

Yes, I have done it before after my first DD (well when she was about 2yo) and got down to 9 stone, felt great at that weight. Then lockdown…. the baby number 2 and now I’m back up to 12 stone. Would be really happy to get to 10 stone!
I used MFP that time. I would be horrified to track what I’m eating this Easter holidays 😱😭 but could probably use the shock to kick me into gear!
In addition to calorie counting I find limiting carbs really works for me.

Morning all.

I’ve done an online shop to be delivered today. I found an online meal plan for 1400 cals, so am sticking with that for a week.
All the food looks like stuff I already enjoy, plus it’s good for taking to work.

Welcome @PeonyRose80 I have about the same amount to lose as you. Good luck.

@thenewaveragebear1983 your day of eating sounds really good, lots of veggies in there, well done.

@AuntMarch it definitely is harder as a single parent, as you don’t have on the spot childcare in order to exercise, plus you are more tired. But also you don’t have to take into account anyone else’s food preferences.
good luck getting into healthy habits while you’re not at work, I think that’s a great time to start.

@Bernadinetta unfortunately I do find limiting carbs to be helpful with weightloss too. I think I might die if I can’t eat bread though!

I got pregnant with my only about 3 months after hitting my goal... he goes to school in September! Can't keep blaming him lol. Being stuck home with a baby in lockdown really didn't help and I am back up to 12.8 - not my heaviest though so there's that!

I am off for my third "naughty" lunch today - definitely tracking is making me be a bit more sensible with it - but also, another couple of weeks isn't going to make a huge difference I wouldn't have thought.

I am not looking at macros at all yet, I think seeing as I have a bit to lose I am going to see how I go just with the calorie tracking and then refine that side of things when it stalls. Don't know if that's scientifically sound, but feels less daunting that doing it all at once anyway!

@Bookaholic73 I had a PT twice a week before I had my son, and carried on until about 8 months into the pregnancy (then my bump was just too big!)... I miss it so much! But when I would need to find and pay for childcare, on top of the trainer fees, it just isn't doable at the moment.
I am also falling asleep not long after my son lately so even trying to get something done in the evening isn't working lol - hoping an improved diet might help the sleeping pattern and energy levels though.

I am not sure about healthy habits.... third social lunch in a row coming up! But having started tracking did sway my to ordering lasagna rather than a dirty burger Monday lunch time, and I had nuggets instead of a burger from McD's yesterday too.... can I resist a third time though!?! I am lucky with my son being a pretty good eater and he will eat most things, it is just finding things that are quick enough usually. Hopefully I will get a chance to clear out the freezer and then do some batch cooking while we were off which could make a big difference!

Morning everyone, I'm aiming to pre track each day so will post in the morning for accountability

Todays plan...
Breakfast - 2 egg omlette with mushrooms, spinach, 30g cheddar and 4 slices of chorizo (342 cals)

Lunch - Fitzgeralds bagel thin with 30g Philadelphia, handful of rocket, 100g smoked salmon & capers + 200 ml bowl of avonmore feel good Mediterranean veg soup (432 cals)

Dinner - Tesco hearty food co fish steak in butter sauce with 100g strong roots roasted sweet potatoes + roast cauliflower and Broccoli with 10g chilli and garlic oil (379 cals)

Snacks - 0.5 fulfil protein bar, 40 ml whole milk for 2 coffees, muller light Skyr salted caramel protein yogurt with some strawberries and raspberries (246 cals)

Total - 1399 cals/104g protein/5.4 portions of fruit and veg

Activity - semi PT weights class & 15000 steps aim

Good luck with your days today :)

There are definite pros and cons to the whole single parent / losing weight thing. I probably got down to my skinniest as a single parent of a young child a few years ago as he was good for the long buggy walks and we'd get out twice a day usually. Also having full control of what came into the house and what was getting cooked made tracking and avoiding temptation so much easier! If you can nail the walking and calorie counting you definitely don't need to stress about getting loads of additional exercise or gym sessions to lose tons of weight in my experience

I'm a single parent too, but DC does have time with Dad so I have chance to exercise, I just can't seem to be bothered by the time I've finished work/sorted the house/cooked etc. Maybe one day, but it's not forefront of my mind just now.

@AuntMarch I wouldn't worry too much about macros yet either, I think it's runs the risk of overcomplicating things and really, tracking cals can be enough of a faff as it is.

What I will say though, is that after a few days tracking, look at where your calories are being "spent"- especially if you're struggling with hunger. You get so much more for your cals if you use them on vegetables and protein. I try to balance having decent, filling meals with using some on "empty" shit basically, that I know will keep me on plan e.g. crisps/rice cakes/whatever your poison is.

@bella1426 that sounds like a great day of food, did you stick to it? I'm impressed with your protein too, I only managed 60g today and want to double that! Any tips would be appreciated.

Today I have eaten 1332 cals, which gives me some to bank for the weekend.

Breakfast:
1/2 an avocado in a wholemeal pitta with 2 egg whites (411 cals)

Lunch:
Tuna Salad with rice (389 cals)

Dinner:
Ham sandwich & a go-ahead bar (421 cals).

Dinner wasn't the most nutritious, but I didn't eat breakfast til 11am, then lunch at 3.30 pm. So by the time dinner time came around I wasn't even hungry.
It's ok though, at least I stayed within my calorie deficit.
I'm eating for health as well as weight loss, so I'm aiming to make sure that I have a proper meal at dinner time from now on, which means eating earlier in the day for breakfast & lunch.

How did everyone else get on today?

@Bookaholic73 sound like you had a fairly good day healthy food wise.

I need to try and get in to eating breakfast. At moment I’m just not hungry until 10 though so I start the day with a coffee instead.

One thing I am doing well with is switching to fruit teas in the day at work, so less caffeine and more water.

Thanks @Weallgottachangesometime I do think my first 2 meals of the day were good, so that's a positive. Well done on the water and caffeine reduction.

I used to eat breakfast at about 8am every day, but now I start work at 6am and don't get a break til 12, so on the days I'm at work it's a bit difficult to eat breakfast. I generally take a large snack/brunch to eat at work at 12 and then just eat dinner later. And maybe an evening snack too.

I weighed in for my mid week check in today, 3.5lbs down this week, total loss now 12.5lbs this year. I’m really chuffed with that. I do feel hungry today though, and have been craving more unhealthy food, I’m not as well planned today either and I think that’s exacerbated it. Mid afternoon I did have enough calories spare for a small (3 chunks) strip of milky bar chocolate which I ate really really slowly and then gave the rest to ds so I wasn’t tempted so should still come in under target today. Dinner is a thin steak and I will bulk it out with loads of veg and salad as I’m feeling quite hungry.

still though, it’s really positive. It shows though what I actually need to do to lose any weight because I have been bumbling along on a plateau for so long. For my weight and activity levels I should be able to eat much more than 1300 calories a day but unfortunately it just doesn’t work for me.

the bank holiday weekend is looming ahead. Dh breaks up today, me tomorrow- he will absolutely be drinking tomorrow night so I might try and factor in a few glasses of wine so I can still keep on track and not be tempted to have them as extras. I want to do a long run (10+ miles) on Friday and a couple of others over the weekend too to get some miles in, so that should earn me my Easter egg on Sunday, but other than that I intend to stick to my food plans. If I end up in overall deficit (eg food plus exercise coming out in credit) I’ll take that as a win but I’m very determined to protect my weight loss now and not just put it all back on. I also have a pub lunch on Saturday but again, it’s easy enough to have chicken and salad and stick to calories, it’s not going to be anything fancy.

I've managed to stay in my calories today

Breakfast - strawberries, blueberries,blackberries,grapes with Greek yoghurt and a bit of granola - 331 calories

Lunch - white wrap with 2 slices of roast turkey, peppers, sweet corn and mayo with a bag of harvest snaps and a tangerine - 387 calories

Dinner - Tesco hunters chicken with roast sweet potato, peas and broccoli - 611 calories

Snack - 2 biscuits

I managed to do about 5000 steps today which wasn't to bad. I've been absolutely rubbish at drinking water today though so I need to improve that.

I haven't felt hungry today either, well not yet anyway

@thenewaveragebear1983 well done on your loss! I love bulking my meals out with veg and salad, you get so much for such few calories, don't you.

@birdywillow your lunch sounds delicious. And it's great that you've not felt hungry today. Me either, but that is probably because I ate too much yesterday.

The evenings are my worst times for over eating or snacking, so I'm being very mindful this evening not to snack. I want to bank my remaining cals for this weekend, so cant afford to snack in the evenings leading up to it.

Hi can I join in? I desperately need some accountability.

I was doing really well a while ago, exercising every day, eating well, cutting out the booze but I think I'm heading for peri-menopause and I feel so old. I have no energy, even walking the dog (leisurely) is a struggle. I am piling on the weight, my only joys are food and booze as I cant get that high from exercising at the mo.

My big downfall is not planning properly. I need an easy meal plan to make me stick to it. Going to try and find some ideas tonight.
My family love heavy carb laden foods and carbs just don't seem too agree with me. I used to do well on the SW red plan but as soon as they made it so you could have carbs too it stopped working.
Good luck everyone

@Bookaholic73 it was pretty tasty and I really like the harvest snaps, not bad for 75 calories a bag.
Yes evenings are my worst time, especially once DD is asleep. Have to fight the urge to start eating crisps and biscuits

I've been back calorie counting since January, I have lost 34lbs so far.

I use MyNetDiary, I used to use SparkPeople, it had a great community as well, I joined it years ago when I lost a lot of weight. Gained back over 2 difficult pregnancies, and PND, now my youngest is in school and settled it's time to give some focus to myself.

I love seeing what meals everyone is having. Help give some inspiration!!

I’ve started having quinoa and bulgar wheat salads for lunch. I’ve been finding them so filling they stop me wanting other foods! Never really eaten either of them before!

although I’ve only been doing the diet for a week and a bit, I can tell I feel better for eating healthier food.

The Easter chocolate hanging about the house isn’t helping though. I think this weekend might be a tough one!

Welcome @Hermoinestrousers , yes please do join in. Like you, I like my wine. Too much, as it’s one of the main reasons I’m overweight. I’ve not worked out how much I in a glass, but I dread to think!
Carry on doing those walks and over time you’ll be able to get further.

@WeirdPookah wow, 34lbs is a great loss! PND was hellish, are you through it now?

@Weallgottachangesometime I’m lucky in that we don’t buy Easter chocolate here. Never have. I’m not sure why to be honest. My kids get an egg each and that’s it.

But the temptation in the shops is off the charts! Especially with mini eggs!

Whenever I hear quinoa all I can picture is blasted Gillian McKeith, is it better for you than couscous? I love couscous FAR too much.
I'm starting a new job in an office next week after working for myself for over 6 years so need to start thinking about work lunches again. Some kind of salad seems to be the way I am heading so maybe I will try some quinoa or bulgar wheat