I found easing in worked for me so not straight away being super strict but I started with making swaps for what I was already eating to lower cal alternatives (eg switched out full sugar sodas for sugar free ones, chose lower fat versions of cheese etc) and gradually made more changes then when I switched to "proper" calorie counting started with a higher amount and as the weight went down gradually reduced (I used nhs bmi calculator to get a rough idea on how many cals I should be having and erred towards lower end of the range given)
A cautionary note on my fitness plan and similar apps - ANYONE can update the databases and the cals aren't always accurate so be wary. Personally I won't use them as that annoys me too much I like accuracy. I've basically ended up creating my own personal database of the items I use via the food diary/tracker I've created on spreadsheet on phone. The items you use the most you get to learn the cals in too I've found.
Todays menu plan is:
Breakfast was - 2 slices wholemeal toast (I use 400g loaves so small slices) with 30g low sugar jam, earl grey tea (which I take black with sweetener - so no cals - but remember to count your drinks folks!)
Lunch - "pizza bagel" - bagel toasted with tomato purée, quorn pepperoni and cheese slices. Yogurt and fruit water to drink
Dinner - ready meal (depends what gets delivered!) approx 300-400 cals can of diet soda
That will leave me approx 200 - 300 cals for a light evening snack if I want one
Bloody hell, there's loads of newbies!!
That was my thought too! Thanks to @TheRealHousewife and @SunshineCake1 for dragging me back to the thread! Agree with op that you sunshine despite an incredibly tough year have not only kept going yourself but also supported and advised and helped so many of the rest of us keep going. Glad you're getting your other health stuff gradually sorted.
@onwardsandupwards22 as well as veggies that are easily steamed use veggies that can be eaten cold/raw - tinned sweetcorn, sweet peppers, celery, onions (I can't eat these raw but some can), spinach, cherry tomatoes, cucumber... you get the idea
A very quick and easy veggie heavy meal is stir fries! (I love stir fries! They're my lazy healthy go to) most veggies work in a stir fry but I especially like sweet peppers, baby corn, mange tout, diced courgette, mushrooms (I love em! But I know they can be "marmite"), celery, onions (I use frozen diced or sliced MUCH easier) thinly sliced carrot, tender stem broccoli and of course bamboo shoots and water chestnuts which are fairly easy to find now tinned. I'll admit I mostly use ready made sauces and straight to wok noodles or microwave rice (I have half a pack just thanks to storage tips from other thread folk) but it's also super easy to make your own sauce if for a whole family (I find it tricky to make small portions of sauce) loads of recipes online or you can simply have soy sauce or sweet chilli sauce mixed in. I use fry light too which cuts the cals way back.
Another quick easy favourite of mine is a cous cous and quorn sliced fillets sort of warm salad - make up the cous cous (I sometimes use stock rather than plain water) chop up some salad type veggies whatever you have in and when the cous cous is ready mix in the fillets, veggies and sweet chilli sauce - done! V tasty and takes less than 10 mins to make. Also great for packed lunches as a change from sandwiches etc (my dd used to have this a lot for packed lunches as she's not keen on bread/rolls etc) although she's omni so it would be real chicken or sometimes tuna or ham.
I've also decided on some New Years resolutions which will indirectly help - partly by giving me less time to eat! Partly by addressing potential nutrition deficits.
So - vitamins daily
B vits as I'm veggie
Vit c and iron for possible anaemia type issues (I don't generally suffer from this but can be on the low side of iron rich foods)
Vit d - I'm mostly housebound so probably low and for both Covid and depression vit d is supposed to be helpful. I had Covid back in sep which was rotten so hoping to avoid getting it again!
Hair - is getting dry and thin I think maybe a pre meno thing so I've got a hair oil i'm applying daily
Skin - got out of the habit of doing a good skincare routine and so I'm trying to get back to a good one. I have eczema and also dermotillomania so hoping this will help with these too and it's a good distraction from eating!
Mh - I suffer from ocd, agoraphobia, depression, anxiety etc so I've started a positivity journal where I am trying to list AT LEAST 3 things a day that are positives for me. I've treated myself to a wee "friends" notebook and a new fountain pen for the purpose.