How many calories do you eat a day?

[HilaryInRC 116]

Reading through forum posts, I have seen such variance about how many calories people eat a day. Some eat 600, others 1300. I had one doctor recommend 900, and another 1100. Myfitnesspal says eat no less than 1200! Who is a girl to believe?

1) So, how many calories do you aim for a day? Why?

2) Do you watch your carbs in addition to Protein?

3) Do you do a special diet (low-carb, Paleo, Zone, WW)?

4) Do you eat your earned exercise calories?

5) Do you eat at scheduled times of the day or only when hungry?

[Maddysgram 6,159]

1. I eat 1000 calories a day,approx.a) its what works best for me I can stay full on 1000 cal.

2. Don't worry about carbs, other than if they're good carbs.

watch Protein at every meal and snack

3. no special diet. I follow Drs instructions

4. I don't eat exercise calories b/c right now I do not exercise that much. Waiting on knee replacement

5.Only eat when I'm hungry, approved by Dr.

6. I make sure to drink a minimum of 64 oz daily.

You didn't ask that, but I feel its just as important

[Maddysgram 6,159]

LOL, where the heck did come from. I typed a b

[♥LovetheNewMe♥ 1,216]

While trying to lose weight I aimed at 1240 calories aday. I did balance my carbs, sugars, Proteins and fats. I ate around 90-120 gms of Protein, around 75-100gms carbs, less than 40 gms of sugar and less than 30gms of fat. I used to set up MFP to these standards. The hardest for me to hit was the fats. I was always eating nuts and they are very high in fat content. The diet I followed for over a year was a healthy diet, eating 3 balanced meals a day and 2-3 high protein Snacks between meals. I rarely eat back my exercise points, why because I was trying to lose weight. I do planned meals, I eat within an hour of rising in the morning, a mid morning snack around 10 am, lunch around 12 noon, Mid afternoon snack 3 pm and than dinner and snack before bed if hungy, I also drink lots of Water. This method worked for me but each of us are individual in our journey. Good luck!

[str1349 37]

1) So, how many calories do you aim for a day? Why? I try not to eat more than 1500/day because according to MFP - that's what i coud have and still loose 2 lbs p/wk

2) Do you watch your carbs in addition to Protein? - yes, but not insanely strict

3) Do you do a special diet (low-carb, Paleo, Zone, WW)? - no, jus try to make healthier choices

4) Do you eat your earned exercise calories? no

5) Do you eat at scheduled times of the day or only when hungry? a little of both - still trying to determine 'head hunger' from true hunger!!!!

i recomitted in the past 6-7 weeks, so i'm kinda a newbie again, but hope this helps. so far its working for me. lost 4.2lbs last month!!!

[2muchfun 8,928]

What works for you may not work for someone else? Most of us try to find a happy medium where we don't feel deprived/starved. That could be 800 or 1200 calories. Guys need more it seems.

This journey will be a daily math quiz for you. Burn more calories than you consume. Now, somedays that may be only 300 and others 1000 depending on how active you are. Burn 3500 more than you consume and you can lose about 1 lb of fat. Get to know your body and listen to it. Your body will tell you what's right for you.

tmf

[catfish87 3,471]

I posted this a few days ago...this is what I tracked.

Since Jan 14th, I have been using the LoseIT app to give me an idea where I am.

These daily avg's from Jan 14th through March 20th.

food calories = 1776

Exercise Calories = 512

Net Calories = 1264

LoseIt Target = 2174

Over/under target = Under target by 910 calories per day.

During this timeframe, I'm down from 252 to 227, so 25#'s.

I don't eat extra calories on purpose because I have exercised that day.

I will exercise more if I ate too may calories though.

I don't limit carbs.

I aim for at least 80grams of Protein.

I try and eat only when hungry...although I still have weak moments!

[HilaryInRC 116]

I have had my band for approaching the 5 year mark. I've had successful years and unsuccessful years. I can get weight off to a certain point, but keeping it off is a struggle for me. In fact, I've gained it all back not once, but twice!

I lose steadily if I eat 1100 calories a day, every day, with hardly any deviation and a sedentary lifestyle. When I hit about 175 lbs, the weight no longer comes off.

This time around, I'm trying for a more permanent loss and to incorporate regular exercise. I'm doing things differently and trying to equip myself with knowledge! Hence the question. Plus, I'm a curious gal. I like to know what everybody else is doing!

Please, more people post your answers!

Hilary

[SkinnyBitch6684 0]

I'm 5 days post op!!! Any ideas on what I can eat????

[HilaryInRC 116]

I'm 5 days post op!!! Any ideas on what I can eat????

No eating at 5 days post-op! You need to be on liquids (juice, broth, low-fat milk, sugar free Jello and popsicles, and Protein shakes) for a minimum of 14 days. Possibly even 21 days.

[B-52 7,113]

I have not the slightest idea......I stopped counting about 4 months after my surgery...as per my Dr.'s advice...he stressed the lifestyle approach, living with the band....

all I can say is most days it is low, some days I imagine it is high.....but it all pans out in the end...

It's a new lifestyle, I just make the wisest food choices I can....don't eat certain foods anymore such as red meat, and exercise every day I can.....

I don't feel deprived, I eat what I want when I want....it's just that I don't want to that much anymore, and I have become a picky eater....

[☠carolinagirl☠ 18,722]

Reading through forum posts, I have seen such variance about how many calories people eat a day. Some eat 600, others 1300. I had one doctor recommend 900, and another 1100. Myfitnesspal says eat no less than 1200! Who is a girl to believe?

1) So, how many calories do you aim for a day? Why?

2) Do you watch your carbs in addition to Protein?

3) Do you do a special diet (low-carb, Paleo, Zone, WW)?

4) Do you eat your earned exercise calories?

5) Do you eat at scheduled times of the day or only when hungry?

i eat when i am hungry (and make sure its Protein first)

i eat what i want pretty much and drink alot

i dont focus on (counting cals/carbs/fats) i know that 3500 calories is a pound and if i eat more cals than i burn off, i will gain. b52 is right, we are not dieting and i have done enough of that in my past that i dont have to do that now. the band is helping me eat less and i just have to make the right decisions to eat better foods. (not processed/high fat/high calorie)... its pretty simple....

[☠carolinagirl☠ 18,722]

I'm 5 days post op!!! Any ideas on what I can eat????

didnt your doctor give you a handout on what to eat or drink or not to during your post op phase? if not, call and ask your doctor about that. each of us doctors are different and they may want you to do what they require. what works for cindy loo who may not work for you...just my thoughts.

[Terry Poperszky 2,784]

Reading through forum posts, I have seen such variance about how many calories people eat a day. Some eat 600, others 1300. I had one doctor recommend 900, and another 1100. Myfitnesspal says eat no less than 1200! Who is a girl to believe?

1) So, how many calories do you aim for a day? Why?

2) Do you watch your carbs in addition to Protein?

3) Do you do a special diet (low-carb, Paleo, Zone, WW)?

4) Do you eat your earned exercise calories?

5) Do you eat at scheduled times of the day or only when hungry?

1. 1300ish - NUT recommended 13-1500 because of my height.

2. I don't watch them, but I have cut out most refined carbs.

3. Nope

4. Usually eat some, but only if I am hungry

5. Scheduled times of day

[Kimbergro 16]

1. I don't really count calories. You pretty much know if something is really high calorie and avoid it, mostly! That's not to say I never eat something that is high calorie, just not the whole thing anymore!

2. Protein is the only thing I try to watch, to make sure I'm getting enough.

3. No special diet. Not a fan of the protein shakes....I like to eat too much!

4. No, I don't eat exercise calories. I lost a lot of weight in the 90's and I look back and realized I was basically an exercise bulimic! Every time I ate something, I worked it off. It worked for me, but I also gained all that weight and more back. I don't think it's a good habit to get into.

5. Do I eat at scheduled times? Yes. I am married to a farmer. We have meal times when he comes into the house. Breakfast is usually just Cereal or something, so that's not scheduled. lunch is always at noon, and supper at 6:00. We also have a snack at 3:00 if he's around the farm.

Keep in mind that you will only be eating 1 cup of food at meals. I use a small plate and have gotten used to eating this amount for a meal. I think that alone has really helped with my weight loss. Some days I want to snack more than others. But try to keep healthy ones around.