How many calories?

[Jill2]

Hi, I'm a newbie, Just bought some scales and horrified to learn I'm over 10st. - I'm only 5 ft . Always thought of myself as slim but it's crept up on me! I'm 66 years old with a BMI of 27.6 and advised to lose 2st 2lbs. I have an underactive thyroid and havebeen taking 75 mg thyroxine for a number of years - the level was OK a few months ago. I'm just starting the diet - is 1400 calories the correct level for me? Inspired by the web site and stories. ! Thanks Jill

[moreless Administrator 7 stone]

Hi and welcome, Jill

Take a look at the Pinned posts section to the right of your screen (bottom if you're using a mobile), or in the drop down on the 'Posts' page (it says 'arrange by'). Read the Welcome Newbie thread, then move through to the challenges, where we hope you'll find at least one that will appeal to you.

Move down to the Topics, to find a variety of threads, collated into specific topics for ease of access and we ask that you also 'file' your own threads, so that others won't miss your important news.

Take a look at the NHS 12 week plan, as a lot of people have been successful with it, making sure to enter your details into the NHS BMI calculator, to get a calorie allowance tailored to your personal requirements. Don't forget to take your starting measurements and a 'before' picture, as they can be very motivating on days that the scales refuse to co-operate.

To the right of the HOME page (bottom on a mobile), you'll find Events. In there, you'll find links to our daily Weigh-in's (you will choose just one day per week), our Daily Diary, where we post our menu and exercise plans, for accountability, advice and support and our “What's happening today” thread, where we pop in for a chat.

Be aware, that the HU app doesn't give you access to all of our important features, so we advise that you use the full website page.

We've found that to get the best out of this community, we need to be active on the forum, as it's where we exchange information, get motivation and inspiration and make friends. We hope that you'll join us here, regularly, too.

It's only left for me to wish you well on your journey

[RG07 Maintainer]

Hi you can either stick to the 1400/day but if you find you are hungry all the time then go on the NHS BMI calculator and it will give you the upper & lower range of calories to loose weight. I used to stick to the 1400 and if I ate over- we all have blips- as long as it was under the lower limit then I was ok with it.

[HubbysMissMouse]

Do make sure you follow somewhere between the two amounts you are advised by the NHS bmi calculator as this give you personal amounts. You should not eat lower than these two amounts advised by this as your body will think you are starving it and will turn what you eat into body fat and this weighs more than eating the extra calories does so it stops you from losing weight and sometimes puts weight on instead. I used to eat lower than these amounts as I only used to eat around 1000 Cals and always struggled to lose weight. I was advised by someone on here to up my calories because of the body fat as I have explained to you and since I upped my calories to the right amounts I have managed to lose 2 1/2st. Good luck with your journey.

[Girlyghosthunter]

I too am 5 ft and didn't have scales. That was my mistake because I knew I had put some of my weight loss back on but hadn't realised how much. I try and stick to the middle of my range but I had a big loss first week, none last week but have lost inch from my waist. The scales may throw a wobble but I wore trousers today for a job interview that two weeks ago I would have felt too uncomfortable in. So trying on something that was a little tight and realising it feels better is still a good incentive.