Recommendations

[Saffie0408]

Can anyone recommend a good food diary please so I can keep track! X

[BridgeGirl Administrator 2 stone]

Hi, I've just replied to your other post.

What's your plan? Are you going to follow the 12 week plan?

[Saffie0408 in reply to BridgeGirl]

Yes

[BridgeGirl Administrator 2 stone in reply to Saffie0408]

You'll find your way to that via the link I've given you, if you haven't already got it.

You need to get your calorie range from the NHS BMI calculator nhs.uk/Tools/Pages/Healthyw... and start at the upper end. The 1400 figure you'll see is generic and suits very few of us

[Bungiecat]

You might like to try my fitness pal as an alternative to the nhs 12 week plan Gail

[BridgeGirl Administrator 2 stone in reply to Bungiecat]

It's not an alternative to the 12 week plan. It's a tool for keeping count of calories and exercise that many people use while following the 12 week plan. And if you use it, you need to know it gives a very stingy calorie allowance that, sooner or later, people tend to adjust to the one advised by the NHS BMI calculator

[Saffie0408 in reply to BridgeGirl]

Sorry a bit slow at this.. where can I find where to input my food, if there is such a thing 🤔

[BridgeGirl Administrator 2 stone in reply to Saffie0408]

Hi, you don't input your food on the plan. You can print the weeks off and use them to record your daily totals, and also as a guide to healthy eating step by step.

If you want a quick and easy calorie counter, a lot of people use the free MyFitnessPal online. It's pretty comprehensive, including brand name products. You can also use it to record your activity. Just, as I say, don't use their calorie range or you'll probably end up hungry and snacking or going off your plan

I used the very simple method of pen and paper and googling calories for specific items.

As for recording weights and meals here, the link I gave you to the Newbie Club explains about weigh-ins and the Daily Diary. They are both very supportive

[Saffie0408 in reply to BridgeGirl]

Thank you x

[BridgeGirl Administrator 2 stone in reply to Saffie0408]

You're welcome

[RG07 Maintainer]

Hello

I did the 12 week weight loss plan and used the free MyFitnessPal (MFP) app/website to chart my calories. Since the NHS BMI includes exercise levels I didn't bother with recording my exercise on it- I developed my own spread sheet. As BridgeGirl mentioned I changed the calorie total to tally with the BMI calculator. I am maintaining now and have done since May2017 so still use the MFP and adjusted the allowance to maintain rather than loose weight. Good luck- it took me 4-5 months to loose just under 2 stone but it varies- I went by the generic 1400/day for women but did look the range recommended by NHS BMI calculator and if I was hungry and ate over the 1400 I made sure I was still within the recommended range. It was rarely I went over I managed ok with the 1400 but I am not sure whether you plan to stick to 1400/day (I assume you are female) or the BMI range, if you want to try 1400 then that is fine but if you are finding yourself consistently hungry or snacking then I'd recommend basing your daily allowance on the NHS BMI calculator and those that did this suggest aiming for the mid to upper allowance within your range.

Good Luck-

[BridgeGirl Administrator 2 stone in reply to RG07]

For me, giving a generic number, whether 1400 or whatever, is like suggesting the same intake for a Great Dane and a chihuahua. Or a 64 year old, inactive woman with 8 stone to lose and a sporty 26 year old with 2 stone to lose. It's never made sense to me

[Saffie0408 in reply to RG07]

Thank you for all your advice.. yes I’ve used fitness pal before .. will give it ago again ,it’s saying I’m a heathy weight, but need to lose about 10lbs .. clothes feeling about uncomfortable 😣 x

[BridgeGirl Administrator 2 stone in reply to Saffie0408]

Ah right. Well if you're a healthy weight, the NHS BMI calculator won't help so sorry for banging on about it

You're going to have to make your own judgement and see how you go. Maybe there are things that are obvious to you that you could change like snacking or sweets or alcohol. You might like to post your meal plans in the Daily Diary. You can get some feedback as well as pinching ideas from others