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've let things slip a bit over the last few days and haven't been especially mindful of what I've been eating. Had some quite heavy lunches too which isn't great cal wise but also puts me in such a slump in the afternoon. So I might weigh in early tomorrow and go back to counting properly for a little while. I'm not sure what my number will be, I'll figure it out once I know the damage.
I found a tin of protein shake powder- still in date- so might have one of those for lunch instead and see if it helps with the sluggish feeling.
Hope you have a fantastic hol @WeirdPookah and well done for a great Tues @LeefPeeper, hope today went to plan too.
@CrispyTofu welcome, have you got a plan?
@thenewaveragebear1983 I probably drink a bit too much/frequently too and wouldn't fancy a dry month!

@Summerscomin yes, another good day for me, 1060 cals, low carb.

we all have days where we go off track, so don’t feel bad ☺️ defo give your protein shake a try, I sometimes have them for breakfast, and they fill me up ages. I hope the scales are kind to you tomorrow!

Thanks @LeefPeeper and great job on another successful day!
Today I had beans and scrambled eggs on "tiny toast" with some ham for lunch, and a big chicken and veggie curry for dinner with a chapati instead of rice. I made a yoghurt/mint sauce with half a little pot of greek yoghurt- full fat mind- and finished off with a little chocolate bar.
So not terrible, especially as I'm maintaining rather than losing, but in my mission to increase protein I think I might be a bit high on cals. No excuse for the choc though. The afternoon crash is getting really debilitating so hoping the shake helps in that respect.
Will see the verdict in the morning and take it from there.
I've also had to put myself on a bit of a food shop ban, except for fresh bits. My cupboards and freezer are absolutely packed and it's getting ridiculous, so it'll be an interesting (and hopefully cheap!) few weeks while I try and use stuff up.

@Summerscomin ah, we all have days like that. Weigh tomorrow and draw a line, move on! I like protein shakes but I find them way too sweet for the morning, they fire up my sugar cravings terribly. I do sometimes have one in the afternoon when I hit the slump and they keep me going til dinner.

I had a good day today, ending on 1527 cals. I ran 5km this morning and went for a quick walk with dh at lunchtime. My food has been good, lots of salad, made some burgers with half beef mince and half ‘this isn’t beef’ mince, as I had a sample from hello fresh, I just mixed the two minces and added a tbsp pesto and salt, shaped into burgers and oven baked- they were delicious.

tomorrow, again I plan to run in the morning, then will fast in the morning and eat a big salad at lunch, probably with one of my leftover burgers. Dinner, I have chicken breasts and I need to use up lots of veg and other bits before we go on holiday. I need to keep my momentum up, I feel like I’ve gone really wobbly and doughy feeling which is weird as I’m Also at my lightest weight that I’ve been for a while, maybe it’s loose skin or maybe I’m retaining water? Anyway, my tummy feels really squishy! So despite eating well etc, I am going to be packing dog our holiday feeling less than great, unfortunately. Ho hum.

• Packing FOR our holiday, not dog. There’s no dog!

Thank you @Summerscomin yes, I'm doing 1,200 calories a day and I also do a fair bit of exercise. Today is my day off exercise so just a walk this afternoon. Yesterday I did a walk, aerobics class and gym workout. I'll run tomorrow then a weights based class followed by Cardio on Friday. I average 17,000 - 22,000 steps a day. It's working and I've dropped a dress size already, but would like to drop one more.

Have a great holiday @thenewaveragebear1983 with or without a dog 😂 it's a shame you're not feeling your best- I felt like this before the wedding I went to a few weeks ago. As it was too late to drop a dress size/tone up, I put a couple of hours aside the night before to pamper a bit, could you do that?
I think I did a hair mask, shaved/exfoliated, body butter, mani/pedi. I thought about dabbling with some fake tan but it felt too risky the night before!
I think I'd have the shake for lunch with a bit of fruit, I can't face anything but coffee before at least 11.
Sounds great @CrispyTofu and wow at your step count! Toying with the idea of just a basic Fitbit myself, it might help motivate me to move a bit more.
I'm still within my 10st2-5lb range (just!). A few stricter days coming up to get a handle on it.

I use a Fitbit, I find it makes me quite competitive with myself! My step count has definitely improved since I've had it. I also feel more confident in calories burnt each day

I weighed in today, about 1.5lbs down.

Which takes my rounded total to 49lbs total down since January.

To be honest, thinking it over, I'm kinda glad I didn't hit 50lbs down, as I am bound to put something on over holiday, now I won't have hit a "milestone" and then lost it again. It's just still waiting for me!

Today:
B: Kidney bean burrito with seed/chili paste
L: eggs with peppers and onions
D: Roast vegetables, vegan not-chicken

No idea what lunch is tomorrow, really running out of things to eat! Had black coffee at breakfast today, have a little oatmilk for my after lunch coffee.

@WeirdPookah well done on 49lbs, that’s amazing. Completely agree with you on the psychological feeling of losing 50 and then going backwards again, makes perfect sense!

Today I've been for 2 x 20min walks, a 3K Run, did a weights based exercise class then to the gym. Feeling really good now it's all done!

B: Fruit Salad and coffee with Oat Milk
L: Soup with 2 Oatcakes
D: Noodle stir fry
Supper: nuts and rasins with a square of dark chocolate and peppermint tea
Snacks: boiled egg, lentil chips and Diet Coke

MFP tells me that if every day was like today, I'd be 2kg under my goal weight in 5 weeks - very happy with that.

@CrispyTofu yours days worth of food sounds delicious, and 5 weeks will be here in the blink of an eye!

Half a pound off for me this week, not too bothered, they all add up! 1st 8 til target.

low carb day for me today, and lots of DIY planned so should burn off a few calories 😀

hope everyone has a good day.

It's gone very quiet on here! Hope those having holidays are enjoying themselves!
I'm maintaining (just!) in range but feeling so bloody fed up of thinking about, and cooking, food. Any food, not even trying to fit within a calorie limit/nutrition goal. I just can't be bothered, it's taking up so much brain space.
I've decided to sit down this eve, when I'm not starving, and plan out some easy, no effort but balanced meals. I've realised my brain goes blank when I'm starting to get hungry so I go for easy ie processed stuff. Also trying to clear the freezer out so I should be able to factor this in to the plan.
How's everyone doing?

I’ve fallen off the wagon a bit the last week or two. I blame the sun combined with bank holiday….BBQ and alcohol in the garden made sticking to calories hard!!
I haven’t gained though, so that’s a plus. I’m gonna try get back on with the healthy eating this week. To be fair I didn’t go too silly. Also think I just needed a break from recording every bastard thing I eat.

@Summerscomin prep helps for sure. I also naturally go for the processed u healthy crap. I’ve tried to be more mindful of not letting myself get to the hunger stage.

I have started trying to do some weights to tone up the arms and belly…so not sure how/if that will affect what happens with the scales? Is the old thing about muscle weighing more than fat true?

I was starting to think i had killed the thread 😂

another good day for me today, lower carb day, ending on just over 1000. Tues and Weds will be about 1500, and another low day on Thursday.

lots of painting and decorating done today, so that must have burnt a few calories off

hope everyone has a good week

I've had a good day today, been out all day with my DH and DS then to an evening exercise class and the gym.

B - fruit salad and coffee
L - soup and oat cakes
D - Smoked Tofu stir fry
Supper - nuts, Rasins and a square of dark chocolate
Snacks - celery, Apple, lentil chips, choc rice cake, boiled egg and slice of malt loaf.

MFP tells me that if everyday where like today I would be 1kg under my goal weight in 5 weeks. I've ended the day on just over 1,200 Cal and burned just shy of 450 in the gym and my exercise class. Only
17,000 steps today but I've been in the car for 3hrs so to be expected really.

How is everyone else doing?

I'm not really sure @Weallgottachangesometime I gather you retain more water when your muscles are repairing and it's good to have something high in protein after workouts but I'm afraid that's about the extent of my exercise knowledge!
@LeefPeeper I'm hoping everyone's just a bit busy and the thread will pick up again soon, I'm going majorly off without it 😳 I've eaten well the last two days, but just far too much. I'm sitting here now feeling uncomfortably full and I rarely do when I'm counting properly.
That would be fab wouldn't it @CrispyTofu? 5 weeks is no time at all!
I have weekend plans which are calorie heavy (cheese & wine eve essentially) but I'll try and make better choices before/after. I daren't weigh, I think I'll skip this week and try for an on-plan (and fully counted!) week next week. I'd just got into a decent groove but I haven't really pulled it back since I went off the rails at the end of April. It's a miracle I haven't piled more on!

@Summerscomin evening 😀 is it still half term, I have no idea I don’t have kids so don’t take much notice, maybe that’s why it’s quiet?

I’ve been good the last couple of days, bang on with the calories, I had 2 1500 cal days, and will be having a low day tomorrow and maybe Friday too, not sure yet. I have foodie plans on Saturday too, which I won’t be counting. Going for a long time planned in meal with friends to a chinese restaurant. Won’t be weighing myself on Sunday morning, that’s for sure!

@Summerscomin it’s so hard getting back on plan after coming off isn’t it. Harder than first starting I think. I’m back at it today as I’ve noticed I’ve gained. Only 1lb but I’m lucky it’s not more with how I’ve eaten.

Id slipped with meal prep so sorted that and hoping that will help stay on track!!

@LeefPeeper enjoy your Chinese. I had a Frankie and bennies a few days ago. Tried to choose a lower calorie option but to be honest I don’t believe the calorie amount they wrote on the menu..must have been higher. I felt a bit cheated and wished I just eaten what I wanted for that meal!

Another good day for me, lower carb day, I finished on 906 which is right in the middle of my 800-1000 aim.

husband came back from the shop with a box of magnums, I didn’t have one!! 😧

I know what you mean, about feeling cheated! I think as long as you are good for the rest of the week, one meal you can just have what you want. You feel more satisfied, and less likely go off the rails later on I think 🤔

I'm back from holiday and urgh, we ALL felt ill eating so richly and off normal eating! I made a point of telling my children to take note of how they felt, and realise how much better we feel when we eat food that does our bodies good, not just chips, icecream and pizza!

I am very glad to be back in my own kitchen!

Starting my plan again properly Monday, as my Mum was super kind and left us some pasties for breakfast tomorrow after our long drive home, then I need to go shopping and do vast amounts of washing, so not planning on a lot of effort with food. Hummus and salad for lunch and spanikopita and salad for dinner I think.

We all are craving vegetables!

We had a lovely time, the wedding was so personal, the Bride had made such an effort, and another day we enjoyed a meal out after the little ceremony we had to spread the ashes of my husband's Nanny and Grandad at the cliffs there.

Had a pretty wild weekend with takeaways, dinner parties and lots of leftovers to get through today- I'm never sure whether to try and pig it all, ration it for the next few days or bin in! The bin is the least appealing - I loathe food waste. But then, I should not be a food bin!
Also craving vegetables @WeirdPookah and just homemade food in smaller portions in general. Glad to hear you've had a nice holiday!
@LeefPeeper it has indeed been half term, where I am at least, and an inset day tomorrow so not quite back to normal yet but getting there.
I have a whole week of only feeding myself and DD so should be able to pull it back a bit this week if I can get my head in the game.
How is everyone doing? Any inspiring meals coming up?

Well yesterday went to pot after not being able to go shopping after spending nearly 3 hours at the walk in centre with my youngest, she got a splinter in her leg on holiday, went to minor injuries on holiday, they gave her magnesium paste, but still in there, so ended up in walk in for ages, then they can't fix it, and have to go to hospital on Tuesday instead!

Been shopping this morning and bought LOADS of fruit and vegetables!!

Breakfast: Blackbean burrito
Lunch: salad and hummus
Dinner: minestrone, chicken and pesto
Snack: Strawberries

Oh no that sounds stressful, and very sore @WeirdPookah I hope it's not too uncomfortable for her!
Love your fresh food photo, I find it quite inspiring when the fridge is full of fresh veg. What have you got planned for it? Mine is full of odds and soggy ends! Should probably make soup or something.
Today's been alright- not great but not awful. I had ham salad for lunch and me & DD made chicken tikka masala for dinner. I used low fat creme fraiche instead of cream. I'd quite like a bit of chocolate but I've got horrid indigestion this eve- think all the rich foods are catching up with me, my tummy is not at all happy (thank god for dungarees).