Calorie counting for 2026 🎉

[Bookaholic73]

I have totally fallen off the calorie counting bandwagon for the last half of 2025, and will be starting again on Jan 1st 2026.

My goal is to reach 64kg, I am currently 77kg.

Is anyone else starting in Jan and would like to join me?

Oh I hear you on over-complicating things! Cutting out certain foods is the one thing I know I don't have to do while calorie counting, but when people start going on about low carb, low sugar, keto, UPF, etc, it panics me into thinking I must only eat ultra healthy food and I give up. This time round I'm following 80:20 and aiming for a well balanced mix of everything. My weakness is crisps – there isn't a flavour or type in the world I would turn down! – and booze, so I'm having both still and just factoring them into my total. Yes, it might mean my weight loss is slower, but I don't feel deprived and that's what keeps me going.

And if weighing daily is what you need to do to stay on track, absolutely do it. This is your diet, your body, your approach. You've got this!

Have you tried Snack a Jacks? They are a revelation to me and only 80 calories a bag. You get quite a lot in the bag too. Perfect when you are desperate for a little crunch.

I weighed myself this morning after my naughty week last week with my partner, where I consumed more cocktails daily than anyone has a right to consume on a week night. Luckily I only gained a pound - so I still feel motivated for the new week ahead.

I do like Snack-a-Jacks but they are a poor substitute for crisps according to my palate and cravings! I just end up eating the crisps as well.

Thank you so much, you're so kind.
Overcomplicating things is my forte, and it makes things so much harder than they need to be.

Weighing in today at 76.9, so a very slight increase from yesterday. Not a problem, it's just a daily fluctuation.

Todays food is all tracked and within my cal allowance, with 120g protein too.
Tonight i will meal prep for work tomorrow, and pre track tomorrows food too.

It’s taken nearly 2 weeks of bouncing around the 12st 10 mark but today finally saw 12st 9 on the scales. I have officially lost half a stone since January 12th.

Next milestone is to get under 12 and a half stone! Only another 2lbs off, I’m coming for you!!!!

Been super quiet after lots going on. Been fully back counting for about 1.5 weeks now. Since the beginning of Jan I have lost around 1 stone 2 ish pounds. Give or take a few. Really motivated now.

I’ve been AWOL. I did get down to 12st 3 🥳. But I’ve been SO ill and even spent some time in hospital.

I have had to focus on getting better as opposed to dieting.

But feeling stronger and ready to get back to it on Monday, easing myself in slowly.

How is everyone else getting on?

I need motivation

I've gotten down to 12st and now as per I'm struggling to get under it. I'm starting to wonder if that's actually the weight I'm meant to be and I should accept it.

I've managed to lose 10Ibs now which is great. I don't care how long it takes me to lose weight. Being menopausal, new to HRT and gaining over a stone in 6 months ... I'm just gobsmacked that I'm losing at all to be fair. Slow and steady wins the race.

I use a calorie counter app and when I started on 5th January it asked me what weight I was aiming for. I had no idea. I was 14 stone 8Ib and I just plucked out of the air 13 stone by the 1st July as a goal. It was so it could calculate my calorie intake. It popped up a message the other day saying 'would you like to rethink your goal'. Cheeky bitch 😅

I’m back down to 12 stone 7. Can’t wait to see the 11 stone bracket!

@CleanQueen123how are you getting on with getting under 12 stone? That’s my next target.

Last week I did manage to get down to 11st 12 so we'll see if I can keep it going in that direction.

That’s fantastic @CleanQueen123, keep pushing! I want to be where you are soon!!!!

You'll get there. I need to get back in the exercise groove. I gave myself a week off to recover from a 13 mile hike but it's turned into a recovery fortnight which won't help the weight loss!

12 stone 6 then a couple of days off plan for Easter. Back to it tomorrow!

Can I join in please? I’ve put my health on the back burner for too long and need to get some weight off to ease the pain I’m in and stop feeling like the marshmallow man!

Hi, I just wanted to pop in here and tell you how much I want to eat the everything.

And you can absolutely laugh me out of the room.

I’m 4 days into an attempted recomp (trying to reduce body fat %) so calorie restricting a bit and an increased effort with exercise. And it’s been ok until today. I cannot stop thinking about food!

Honestly, people do harder things! I’m being a wet blanket.

Thanks, I feel better for sharing that!

I’m still here!
I have had to pause and stick to maintaining due to some recurring health issues.

Welcome new people, it gets easier after a few days I promise!

How many calories are you on?

1600 is the target

Glad to hear it!
I have a history of flaking out after a day or two. Hoping to make it into a second week this time!

I'm hanging on in there. Most days managing 1200 but sometimes closer to 1400. Finally below 12st so I'm now at my usual sticking point. I really struggle to get below about 11st 10lbs. My goal weight is 11st. Any tips greatly appreciated!

1200 is intense! Really impressive.

So far, my snacks of choice are mini babybel light (42 cal according to MFP) and satsumas (28 cal). And 70% dark choc 10g is 58 cal (and 10g is enough to satisfy my chocolate cravings!).

What are your snacks of choice? The little things that keep you going till the next real meal?

It used to be standard for 1000 calories a day. I did this a few times when younger and lost 2 lbs a week

There’s losing weight and there’s losing the will to live. 100 calories 🤯

I’m middle aged. I’m also not wanting to do anything that’ll negatively impact my bone or muscle mass and come back to bite me in 20 years.