Calories

Can I ask what most people use to count their calories? And how many calories do you have? Thank you.

[nac150 2 stone]

I use MyFitnessPal it's a great app that keeps track of all you eat- you can scan in branded goods too. It's much easier than writing it all down. I'm following the NHS 12 week plan which recommends 1400 calls a day the BMI checker gives a higher allowance but am managing ok on 1400. Fingers crossed for tomorrow's weigh in.

Good luck.

[Zest Healthy BMI]

Hi Cassy63,

I would recommend using the BMI Calculator to ensure you eat within your recommended range of calories - it will take account of your current stats, and your activity levels, and will give you a really good window of calories - if you eat towards the higher end of the range you lose a bit less weight than if you eat at the lower end, but I would highly recommend using it as a guage for your calories each day:

nhs.uk/Tools/Pages/Healthyw...

That way you ensure you get sufficient nutrients for your body's daily needs. Personally I try to make every calorie count, in terms of trying to make the 'healthiest choices' I can make - and I try to keep my meals balanced as well, as much as I can.

Hope you're enjoying the weekend.

Lowcal

[Hidden in reply to Zest]

Thank you for that. I will have a look. It sounds very sensible to me. C x

[IndigoBlue61]

Hello Hidden

I also eat towards the upper end of my target calories, I don't cope well with hunger or feeling deprived, also I'm in this for the long haul and hope to keep eating this way for life 😊

Good luck

[Hidden in reply to IndigoBlue61]

That is exactly how I feel. This has got to be for life. I have tried to lose quickly before and then felt deprived and a failure too. C x

[IndigoBlue61 in reply to Hidden]

And this time you have everyone on this forum cheering you on! 😊😊😊

[albinohedgehog]

Heya Cassie. I just use pen and A4 hardback notepad atm. I round everything up or down to nearest 5 cals, so its easier to add up. I like having the physical record infront of me, and putting star stickers at the bottom when ive stuck to my cals, and making notes and stuff. I also eat at the higher range of my cals, which is 2600, as i still lose weight on it. When i ate 2200 i was too hungry and knew i couldnt maintain that for long.

Xx

[MrNiceGuy]

Research BMR and TDEE calculators, to gain an idea of how many calories your body needs to maintain existence (BMR) and how many it requires to maintain current weight, based upon activity level (TDEE).

Having obtained both, seek to introduce a daily calorie deficit (preferably 500Kcal) from TDEE, ensuring that the deficit introduced doesn't take you below BMR.

As for calorie intake, it's something that varies between individual, largely based upon measurements (age/weight/height) and activity levels.

For example, in order to satisfy my BMR, I need to consume around 1840 Kcal and 2852Kcal to meet TDEE. Despite being incredibly active, exercising on five occasions a week, I'll always ensure that a slight deficit is maintained from my TDEE, thus, reducing the risk of weight gain, despite my level of activity.

As for Apps to help you manage calorie intake, calorie reduction, etc, take a look at MyNetDiary. The in-app barcode scanning facility of food packaging provides a rating as to how nutritious they are, allowing you to make a decision on whether to consume it.

By setting out goal weight (and the time in which you wish to achieve it), you can allow the app to determine your daily intake, based upon current weight and level of activity, whilst also incorporating calories burned through exercise on a daily basis, for example.

Whilst there's the option to purchase the premium version, the free version is incredibly extensive and equally impressive, providing more than enough information to help you track weight loss progress.

[albinohedgehog in reply to MrNiceGuy]

Thank you for the tip about MyNetDiary, i am giving it a go atm. Although i do like pen and paper, maybe switching to this app will give me a boost. I like the bit that tells you how many cals you have left. I tried myFitnessPal but couldnt get on with it, this seems a little more suited to me.

☺

[Ruby8]

Hi cassy,

The BMI calculator recommends 1794-2307 for me. What I actually eat ranges from 1,500-1,800, it varies a lot from day to day. Sometimes I go up to 2,000. I have been going for 6 weeks and have lost 11 lbs. I only do light exercise, swimming, and I do a lot of walking to get to work etc every day and that seems to help.

I just write things in a journal, but it is a relaxed thing, I keep my 'food diary' with calories in the front, and in the back I write my goals, and achievements. I also doodle in it and write recipes and meal ideas.

I don't focus on the 5-6 stone I need to lose. My goal is always just the next ten pounds, or currently it is to get to 231lbs, which is 16 and a half stone.

Good luck on your weight loss journey!

[Hidden in reply to Ruby8]

Well done you. That sounds fantastic. So happy and focussed. Thank you. C x

[Sonja12]

Hello Cassie,

I've been assessed on the calorie count as needing between 1620 and 2032 ( some difference to the old Weight Watchers plan of 1000 ) I tried 1600 - ish but didn't seem to be shifting anything so now I go between 1400 and 1500. There's a very good book that I bought, ' Carb and Calorie counter ' by Chris Cheyette and Yello Ballolia in Association with Diabetics UK , no, I'm not. The book has lots of useful pictures, plates with weighed portions and knives and forks along side so that you get an idea of portion sizes and scale. The calorie list is comprehensive and easy to follow. I use scraps of old envelopes to jot down everything I eat and keep it on the kitchen counter and tot it all up at the end of the day. You gradually fall into the habit.

[ScarletMissCharlotte]

I don't count calories, I just make sure I eat small meals and when I'm full I stop eating.

[Ava85]

I use Yazio. It's a great tool for keeping track of calories and macros. Really easy to use due to the food database and the barcode scanner. The app currently recommends 1900 calories for me but I started my weight loss journey with about 2300. The amount of calories seems to work great for me and I usually don't feel too hungry.