https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 21 Apr 2026 02:58:53 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-calorie-counting#post-2630549 Sun, 02 Oct 2016 07:36:48 +0000 gotkimchi 2630549@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Pen: I would love her contact info so I walked you! Just wanted to make sure you saw :) thanks </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-calorie-counting#post-2628661 Wed, 28 Sep 2016 14:22:06 +0000 arosebyany 2628661@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JennyPenny: this sounds awesome! I'm gonna look into it!<br /> @tofuwad: no problems! I think the real concern with starvation mode, is that should a person ever go back to eating the way they were before having such a deficit , is that thier body will attempt to store more fat, like when people take prescription diet pills, and then stop taking them. I don't think it's the deficit that truly hurts, but more or less when it's time for matinence if that makes sense? Thanks for the links!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-calorie-counting#post-2628634 Wed, 28 Sep 2016 14:03:59 +0000 JennyPenny 2628634@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Jackiedavis87: Sure, I have the Aria from fitbit, so that would likely be a nice option for you too since you said you already had a fitbit, so it all works nicely together. But basically, its connected through your home wifi so whenever you weigh yourself the measurement gets synced up. No writing it down/tracking it yourself. The website I mentioned can also pull this data, and will create a trend which helps makes more sense of the bouncing numbers. I've attached my graph as an example. You can see my weight bouncing around but mostly going down. I've got one giant peak (in fact the highest objective weight on there!) after getting back from vacation. Normally, that 8ish lb jump after a vacation would just wreck my motivation. "It took me 2.5 months to lose that much, I can't do it again!" but you the trend weight only went up just a bit, and you can see 3 days after returning to normal habits, the weight fell right back off, because it wasn't *really* there. But if I kept feeling defeated/sorry for myself, who knows if I would have come back. Anyway, just one example of a satisfied customer :)</p> <p>ETA: photo didn't upload first time </p> [attach=2543/16/oe8abb.565x235.TW.PNG] https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-calorie-counting#post-2628633 Wed, 28 Sep 2016 14:03:41 +0000 tofuwad 2628633@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I haven't read all the responses but I will say this: I believe that starvation mode is a myth (I actually haven't ever seen any studies showing this effect in people who aren't legitimately starving to death), you should buy a food scale and weigh all your food to ensure accuracy for MFP, and exercise calories are generally overestimated. </p> <p>There is absolutely nothing wrong with slow and sustainable weight loss! If you're hungry you should eat! I've lost 40lbs by weighing my food and eating back 50% of my exercise calories (my sedentary calorie goal is 1300). </p> <p>One thing that helped me tremendously is this subreddit called LoseIt and its FAQ: <a href="https://m.reddit.com/r/loseit/wiki/quick_start_guide?utm_source=mweb_redirect&#038;compact=true" rel="nofollow">https://m.reddit.com/r/loseit/wiki/quick_start_guide?utm_source=mweb_redirect&#038;compact=true</a></p> <p><a href="https://m.reddit.com/r/loseit" rel="nofollow">https://m.reddit.com/r/loseit</a></p> <p>ETA: sorry if this came off curt! I'm sitting in a dr's office after too much coffee and I'm eagerly awaiting my appointment. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-calorie-counting#post-2628621 Wed, 28 Sep 2016 13:54:44 +0000 arosebyany 2628621@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@irene: sorry I forgot to add the 1540 is a 750 calorie deficit so 1.5lbs a week lost. According to 3 sources my body would need 2290 hold my weight. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-calorie-counting#post-2628614 Wed, 28 Sep 2016 13:48:39 +0000 arosebyany 2628614@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JennyPenny: tell me more about this wifi scale? I guess I'm not hip, I've never heard about this? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-calorie-counting#post-2628612 Wed, 28 Sep 2016 13:46:56 +0000 arosebyany 2628612@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@junebugsmama: I love being inspirational! :heart:<br /> @irene: honestly, I'm thinking I was probably over estimating some days and then under estimating others. After counting for the last 3 days I'm starting to wonder it some days I was probably in the 1800 range and then other days in the 1300 and the differential is what's causeing problems. So my goal now is going to be to work on consistently staying around the 1500 by keeping a log on MFP also I've decided to cut in half the calories from my Fitbit workout. So today it said my workout burnt 345 calories so I'm only going to log 172 on MFP as my workout for the day. I'm excited to have this plan in place and hopeful this is what I need to finally start seeing a difference on the scale! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-calorie-counting#post-2628545 Wed, 28 Sep 2016 12:24:38 +0000 JennyPenny 2628545@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Jackiedavis87: Oh, I thought of 2 other things that were majorly helpful for me:</p> <p>1) Always having a snack if I was going to go 5+ hrs between meals. That snack was between 100-200 calories and was always a produce+protein. e.g carrots and turkey slices, grapes and cheese stick, apple and peanut butter, yogurt and banana, etc. Really, really helped keep me full and satisfied.</p> <p>2) I got a wifi scale. It keeps me honest. And I use the website trendweight.com to see how my weight is really trending so I don't get discouraged by the daily dips and rises. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-calorie-counting#post-2628511 Wed, 28 Sep 2016 11:50:25 +0000 irene 2628511@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Jackiedavis87: hahaha. I just saw your fitbit error and now you should consume 1540 instead of 1200 :) I also read your earlier posts where you said you used to eat 1500-1600 and it didn't help lose much. I remember back then, I just did a 250 cal deficiency. so 1540 is 250 or 500 cal deficiency for you?</p> <p>I am thinking would it be possible if you count the calories wrong? I read somewhere a lot of people tend to count 15% less than what they actually have eaten. </p> <p>Some other things I've learned during my journey which you may already know but thought I'd write them out too:</p> <p>1. Forget about eating out, ever (well at least for the next couple of months). haha. Make your own food . you can't trust what other people put in your food. Some salads can be 1000 calories if you eat it in a restaurant!</p> <p>2. cook with coconut oil</p> <p>3. ditch sugar and use honey instead for sweetener. People use stevia but I can not get over that taste.</p> <p>My daily meal plan back then was something like this:</p> <p>Water, sparkling water, and green tea as beverage throughout the day.</p> <p>Breakfast - a protein shake (1 scoop, around 90-100 cal) or an oatmeal made with hot water (100 cal) with half a banana and some blueberries {120-180 cal}</p> <p>Morning snack - 80 cal greek yogurt (I do dannon light and fit, vanilla flavor) and add some blueberries to it. {110 cal}<br /> Now I am in maintanence mode I add almonds too, and some go lean cereal (* some people said go lean is not particular great for weight loss because of a lot of junk soy protein, but I crave some cereal!)</p> <p>Lunch - {350-450 cal} lunch like i described before :) and maybe I'd have a piece or two of dark chocolate (higher than 75%) as dessert but that counts into my lunch :) </p> <p>Afternoon snack - I've been doing {100 cal} bags of popcorn and it's been fine (even popcorn is considered carb ;-)). I've also tried adding almond butter onto celery, or a great suggestion I learned is eating celery or any other kind of vegetables with salsa. Salsa is only 10 calories per 2 tablespoons or something. </p> <p>Dinner - usually 4-5 oz of protein and a steamed veggie, such as broccoli, beans...etc. {500 cal}</p> <p>I do sometimes have an after dinner snack because I eat dinner really early with DS and I sleep late. When I was dieting to lose weight i'd eat a plum or two, or a piece of light mozarella 50 calories cheese (those round individually packaged things). {50-80 cal}</p> <p>So a day I'd be eating between 1250 cal - 1420 cal. Then of course I'd fine tune it depending on the calories I burned that day. I love fitbit because someday I'd burn 2000 calories, then I can go out and eat, and count to 1800 and I'd still know I am meeting my goal. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-calorie-counting#post-2628457 Wed, 28 Sep 2016 10:41:30 +0000 arosebyany 2628457@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@irene: I do have a Fitbit! Thank you for your suggestions, and that egg salad sound delicious, I have the ingredients for it so I may make that today! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-calorie-counting#post-2628456 Wed, 28 Sep 2016 10:40:08 +0000 mrsbubbletea 2628456@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Jackiedavis87: You just inspired me (well, last night) to download MFP and when I was setting it up I was wondering if you had the activity level wrong! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-calorie-counting#post-2628444 Wed, 28 Sep 2016 10:30:42 +0000 arosebyany 2628444@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So funny story..turns out I had set my activity to sedentary hahaha and my Fitbit shows that I'm at the moderately activity level which is why MFP had me on 1200 calories. I fixed it and now it's giving me 1540 calories for the day. Hahaha I was like "dang I feel like I'm starving" </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-calorie-counting#post-2628404 Wed, 28 Sep 2016 10:05:20 +0000 irene 2628404@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I haven't read everyone's suggestions but here are my thoughts:</p> <p>1. get a fitbit. Really. That was life changing for me. You learn how much calories you really burn, and you just do your deficit calculation there. </p> <p>2. 1200 a day for your current weight is a bit too much. I was 125-130 lbs, 5'3" when I started, i can not survive 1200 a day. I think I up it to something like 1300 cal and I was still able to reach my goal, just a bit slower. I am now 105-110 lbs usually and I am happy. I just get so mad and hungry and not be able to function if I even attempt to do 1200 cal a day.</p> <p>3. I promise you, you can not survive eating 1200 a day. You will reach your goal and you will have to eat more after that to maintain your ideal weight. if you plan to eat 1200 cal for the rest of your life you will be considered having eating disorder ;)</p> <p>4. Here is my usual around 300 cal lunch: I would do my own egg salad (1.5 eggs with 1/4 avocado, mixed with paprika, some salt and a dash of lemon juice), and I put it on lettuce leaves and make an egg salad lettuce sandwich. Many times I add a ton of almonds to it. There was a very long time I ate smoke salmon with a large salad as lunch. Do not use dressing at all, use lemon juice, balsamic vinegrette intead. </p> <p>5. Avoid carbs like the plague when you are on this journey. Well. A little would be ok but just avoid it if you can. Eat a ton of protein and veggies instead. I would avoid any processed carbs like bread, cake, rice, noodles.</p> <p>6. Remember sometimes working out and sweating like a pig for 30 minutes may only burn you 150 calories, so don't splurge and over eat because you thought you put in the work!</p> <p>7. Things to eat to lose weight naturally: almonds, cayenne pepper, green tea, then of course most green leaf veggies. Avoid starchy vegetables like corn and potatoes. sweet potatoes is said to be a great carb source, so do eat that (not a lot lol)if you miss carbs and/or maintain a balanced diet. Focus on good proteins like chicken breast, fish, certain cuts of beef...etc. People say don't overdo soy as your protein because it messes with your hormones and you may not get an ideal result. Fish is great because it is low cal and high protein.</p> <p>8. look into protein shakes!</p> <p>9. "calorie free fruits" such as mandarin oranges and celery. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-calorie-counting#post-2628392 Wed, 28 Sep 2016 09:51:31 +0000 hummusgirl 2628392@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Well this goes against all the advice you've been given, but... I've found that strenuous workouts make me way too hungry to lose weight. I'm trying to lose ~10lbs right now and I'm focusing exclusively on food instead. I still do a few arm/ab exercises (like 5 minutes) and take walks with the kids on weekends. </p> <p>Also it's maybe not the healthiest, but I've been eating very little for the past week and have lost ~5lbs. Granted I've been hungry a lot of the time, but I think it's decreased my stomach capacity and I get full faster. I went to a fancy work dinner a couple days ago and ordered fried chicken but could only eat a few bites before I was too full. (I'm trying not to be too dogmatic about "good/bad" foods.)</p> <p>I've been liking Clean Food Crush on FB for food ideas. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-calorie-counting#post-2628363 Wed, 28 Sep 2016 09:27:28 +0000 LBee 2628363@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Jackiedavis87: I don't eat beef or pork so I'm no help there. Look specifically at your lunch and breakfast, that's where I usually have trouble. You should have a section in MFP where you can see your historical breakdown of the food you have entered -- how much is the % percent typically? I usually strive for 35% to 40%. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-calorie-counting#post-2628355 Wed, 28 Sep 2016 09:22:32 +0000 arosebyany 2628355@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LBee: maybe it is my macros in regards to protein. I've cut out most beef and pork, and have been sticking with chicken, turkey and fish. Maybe I just need the beef back?</p> <p>@looch: I tried weight watchers before and didn't care for it, but maybe I'll give it another try. It's awesome that it worked for you! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-calorie-counting#post-2628329 Wed, 28 Sep 2016 09:01:49 +0000 looch 2628329@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Jackiedavis87: What about trying weight watchers?</p> <p>I started at 159 pounds at your same height and I am down 11 pounds since June. It isn't a huge loss, but I haven't yo-yo'd and gained it back. I do the online tracking and I have to say, it's not what I eat, but the quantity in which I was eating that was causing me to not lose. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-calorie-counting#post-2628324 Wed, 28 Sep 2016 08:58:08 +0000 LBee 2628324@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Jackiedavis87: I've been following this thread silently and want to comment not to be discouraged if everything is 100% normal. I went through the same thing - I couldn't lose the last 10 lbs and I was doing the EXACT same thing I did pre pregnancy. I got everything checked and I was perfectly normal. It forced me to step back and realize that my body had changed (beyond just the outward appearance) and that what I did pre-baby wasn't going to work. Along with the hormone impact, your metabolism slows down (it's actually significantly different than it was 5 years ago when you lost all that weight) and that I wasn't in my mid-20's anymore. Weight wasn't just going to fall off because I was dieting. I needed to address *what* I was eating and be diligent. I couldn't diet all week and then splurge all weekend anymore. </p> <p>@JennyPenny: Agree on the over estimating calories burnt. I always just record the bare minimum to get me back to zero if I over ate a little and worked out - i.e. if I have 1300 calories and I walked 3 miles but also 1350 calories, I record that I walked to burn 50 calories.</p> <p>ETA: I can very comfortably eat 1300 calories and feel full (for reference I'm 5'8). I think you might need to look into the macros regarding what you are eating. I would guess you need more protein (which makes you feel full) and that you are having too much carbs / fat. I've found that in my 30's that protein is KEY to losing weight. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-calorie-counting#post-2628321 Wed, 28 Sep 2016 08:56:55 +0000 arosebyany 2628321@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JennyPenny: oh yea I've heard it over estimates! I go by what my Fitbit tells me my workout was and the cut it by a third. @tigger223: thank you I hope so too! I just feel like I'm fighting an uphill battle. </p> <p>So after 2 days of eating 1280 calories I felt like I was starving, so I'm going to wall @mrs.pen and get me a consult! Until then I'm going back up to 1500-1600, thanks for all the advice everyone. Hopefully if nothing else my doctor can rule out an underlying medical condition. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-calorie-counting#post-2628317 Wed, 28 Sep 2016 08:50:08 +0000 arosebyany 2628317@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Pen: I may need this, I'm definitly going to wall you.! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-calorie-counting#post-2628315 Wed, 28 Sep 2016 08:47:59 +0000 arosebyany 2628315@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Kemma: i actually have an apt. On Monday to have my thyroid and hormones checked, because I lost 60lbs 5 years ago and kept it off for 4 years(until I got pregnant). I was eating and working out the same way I am now. I did the c25k app and during the 11 weeks I did it (I repeated some twice) I lost 20lbs, this time 5lbs! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-calorie-counting#post-2628242 Wed, 28 Sep 2016 06:55:46 +0000 JennyPenny 2628242@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've lost weight with MFP a few times and what works for me is setting it at a 250 cal deficit (.5 lbs a week) but aiming for a 500 cal deficit. Something about that just works for me mentally. I'd rather see 200 cals left than "oops you went over by 50" </p> <p>Also, I found that MFP would super overestimate my cals burned during exercise. If I ate back everything it gave me then I wouldn't lose weight. So I usually enter in about 1/2 my exercise duration.</p> <p>Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-calorie-counting#post-2628237 Wed, 28 Sep 2016 06:38:21 +0000 tigger223 2628237@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hi, I have used MFP for about 13 months and have lost 60 lbs. I'm the same height as you. The reason there is only an 80 cal. difference between losing 1.5 lbs. a week and 2 is because MFP will not let you go lower than 1200 calories, so you shouldn't actually expect to lose 2 lbs. a week, it would have to go down 250 cals a day from 1.5 lbs. to 2 lbs. You are very close to a healthy bmi, it would probably be best to set it to 1 lb. a week.<br /> I don't know how fitbits work so I can't speak to using that to keep track of calories, but if you don't have a food scale I would get one of those. A lot of times we think we are eating one serving of things, but more food and calories are sneaking in. Even measuring cups can be inaccurate, so the scale is really the best way to go, so you truly know how much you are eating.<br /> I hope you figure out what works for you! Good luck </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-calorie-counting#post-2628215 Wed, 28 Sep 2016 03:24:12 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2628215@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Also you may want to consider tracking for a little bit to get the hang of it and the counts and then see how to get down to 1200 calories. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-calorie-counting#post-2628167 Tue, 27 Sep 2016 21:04:48 +0000 Mrs. Pen 2628167@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh man, 1200 calories? I think that's way too low. I love using MFP to track my days, but I'd personally never use it to figure out my specific macros/calorie needs. </p> <p>I've lost a significant amount of weight and toned up a lot in the past year. Late spring I actually sought a consult from an IIFYM coach. Based on my body stats, goals, how often I work out, what a typical day looks like, what types of workouts I do, etc. then she calculated a caloric need with specific macro breakdown. I was shocked that for a slightly overweight woman who works out 5-6x a week (weights, circuit training, HIIT, and running), she put me at 1,950 calories with high protein, high carb, medium fat.<br /> I followed that for 6 weeks and lost more weight in those six weeks than I had in awhile, plus I felt great and had more energy. I would have kept up with it if I hadn't gotten pregnant ;) </p> <p>So, in my "research" I found anecdotally that eating more tended to allow women to lose more. Yeah there's such a thing as overeating, but I don't think it sounds like you are. If you're active, I really think you're not getting enough to fuel your body and that's why it's holding onto weight.<br /> I'm not associated with the consultant or anything and make nothing off referring her, but it was only $30 for a custom consult and she provided sooo much wonderful information. If you're interested, wall me :) and good luck! </p> <p>Generally if you hit a plateau, changing up your workouts and diet is the best thing! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-calorie-counting#post-2628164 Tue, 27 Sep 2016 20:59:02 +0000 Kemma 2628164@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Jackiedavis87: have you thought about going to see a nutritionist to get some professional advice? Or maybe completely changing up your workouts and diet? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-calorie-counting#post-2628160 Tue, 27 Sep 2016 20:50:57 +0000 arosebyany 2628160@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Kemma: I'm all cellulite though, so I know it can't be that lol. Before pregnant I was 138, and honestly could still of lost 10 lbs. I should also mention that I have a Fitbit so that how inkers track of stuff, but the 1500 calories a day wasn't losing me any weight. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-calorie-counting#post-2628154 Tue, 27 Sep 2016 20:45:27 +0000 Kemma 2628154@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Jackiedavis87: it might sound backwards but maybe you're not eating enough calories so your body is holding on to everything you eat? Or perhaps you might just be at your natural weight for your frame? I'm a similar height and even when I lose weight due to bf'ing I can never get under 67kg, it just seems to be my set point. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-calorie-counting#post-2628153 Tue, 27 Sep 2016 20:44:25 +0000 arosebyany 2628153@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sandy: I've been loving me some fitness blender! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-calorie-counting#post-2628152 Tue, 27 Sep 2016 20:43:40 +0000 arosebyany 2628152@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JennyD: I know it's a lot, and normally I would start out at the 1 week, but since I've already been at this for 5 months, and already have a good excersize plan I figured I could handle the deficit. I'm more or less worried what it will do once I have 10 pounds left to lose, I don't any more steps to go down, but at the same time I'm not losing weight now. </p>