Posts by nosouix

Since you are really wanting to get technical, here is a good way to go.

Set calorie-count activity level at sedentary.  There are several options for occupation so chose the one that closely matches your activity level at work and enter into the program.  Enter your sleep, work, exercise and any other unusual activities.  There are 1,440 minutes in a 24 hour period, account for as many as you can and you will get a more accurate reading of your caloric output.

At the end of each day subtract your intake from your output to get the deficit.  The at the end of the week weigh in and see if it matches.  I have hypothyroidism and it takes a 6,500 calorie deficit for me to lose 1 pound.  Metabolism is a crazy thing.  I had a friend who had a lot of muscle mass and was much more active and she only needed a 1,800 calorie deficit to lose a pound.  It should only take a couple of months to really figure what your metabolism is doing.  After that you calculate your deficit divided by your pound (ie. as mine is 6,500) and you will pretty much know how many pounds you are going to lose this week.  To get your pound, take the deficit and divide by the pounds lost.  If you have a 1000 calorie deficit every day, that would be 7,000 and if you lost 2 pounds, that would equal a 3,500 calorie pound.  In my case if I have a 7,000 calorie deficit I would only lose 1 pound and my friend would lose almost 4 pounds.

It is all in the metabolism.

I agree because you are using your core muscles and that burns more calories.

Hi Nikki,

I have lost 77 pounds and still have more to lose.  I am not really sure how calorie-count determines the caloric intake recommendation even though I have been using it for more than a year.  So here are my suggestions:

1. Find out what your BMR is and never eat below it.  As long as you do not eat below your BMR you will not mess up your metabolism and can lose weight more quickly.

http://www.bmi-calculator.net/bmr-calculator/

2. Join a support group either in person or online.  This one has really helped me stay on track:

http://messageboards.ivillage.com/iv-fbtv

3. To speed up weight loss add activities, do not cut calories below your BMR.

4. The 3,500 calorie pound is only an average.  Because I have hypothyroidism, it takes me a 6,500 calorie deficit to lose a pound.  I track my output as well as my intake and have the records to back up my data.  My doctor checked my data and thinks it is pretty accurate.

Please let me know what your BMR is and I may have some more recommendations for you.

FYI!  You can get Handicap plates if you have a mental illness.  You don't have to have a physical impairment.

All liquid make up your "water" intake for the day.  You might want to check those calories though.

What BMI calculator are you using?  Here is the one I use and it says you have a normal BMI.

http://www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi/

BMI Categories:

• Underweight = <18.5
• Normal weight = 18.5-24.9
• Overweight = 25-29.9
• Obesity = BMI of 30 or greater

Calculate your BMR and never eat below the number of calories it states.  I am not positive the ones calculated on this site are actual BMR calculations.  If you eat less than your BMR you will slow down your metabolism.

http://www.bmi-calculator.net/bmr-calculator/

Try entering all of that into the calorie log and see what grade you get.  If you get a "B" or better then it is find on the nutrition scale.  Also make sure you deficit is going to be in line with the amount of weight you want to lose.  Check your BMR to make sure you are consuming enough calories, if you you will be fine.

http://www.bmi-calculator.net/bmr-calculator/

Some great tips from trainer Bob Harper:

http://officeworkout.msn.com/

Congratulations on the weight loss and NO! 12 pounds is not too much to lose in the first couple of weeks as you will lose water weight first.

I have a lot of excess skin, but I am almost 50 with two pregnancies.  I have researched the surgery and I am not worried about it but not really sure I want to spend the money for it either. 

It is really up to you.  How comfortable will you be with your body if you have excess skin?  Having excess skin depends on how fast you lose and your bodies ability for the skin to shrink.  Exercising will have little effect on the skin as you do not exercise skin. 

Please do not let the possibility of excess skin stop you from getting to a healthy weight. 

I hate this also.  Depending on the brand you can wear 4 different sizes.  Sure wish they would make a national standard.  I guess it would have to be a universal standard.  As European sizes are very different also.

Hi Kris,

Mariyumm gave you some great advice in setting small goals.  My first goal was 20 pounds.  In September 2007 I joined the iVillage Biggest Loser Board.  There is always a "Challenge" going on.  The "Challenge" is not a competition against the other members but against yourself and your goal.   Everyone sets their own goals for the challenges and you weigh in every week to be accountable for your progress.  There is a new challenge starting on Sunday just in time for your start date.   It is a great place for support also.  Follow the link below and read a few post and see if you would like to join us.  It is totally FREE.

Now that said, I am on my own 100 pound weigh loss journey.  I have lost 76 pounds and finally reached a normal BMI last week.  Support is the best weight loss tool.  A gram scale is fantastic for measuring your foods, no more guess work.  Resistance bands and a stability ball are cheap and will give you a great workout.  With your health issues, DON'T let anyone tell you that you can't lose weight unless you exercise.  I have exercised very little due to health issues.

If you have any questions at all that you would like to ask me, please feel free to send me a private message.

http://messageboards.ivillage.com/iv-fbtv

No need to up your calories unless you have a deficit of over 3,000 calories per day.

Here is my suggestion.  It is only  a suggestion and it is what I do.

Start using the CC calorie counter and activity counter.  The program will give you a grade for your eating.  Try to get a "B" or better.  The grade is based on caloric intake, and percentages of fats, carbs and protein.   This will tell you if you are eating the fight ratio of fats, carbs & protein. 

If you are looking to lose weight, subtract your intake from your output (Burn Meter) to see how you are doing.  You need a deficit of 3,500 calories per week to lose 1 pound.  The data from CC can easily be put into an excel spreadsheet to help you keep track.  The 3,500 calories pound is only an estimate because metabolism and muscle mass make a huge difference in how your body uses calories.  But if your track your numbers you will be able to calculate your metabolism into your plan.

GOOD LUCK

The endocrinologist if a fruitcake and a drug pusher!  At 218, you should not need a drug to help you lose weight.  Why take the chance with the side effects if it is not necessary.  I do have hypothyroidism and have lost 76 pounds without drugs.  I made it from Obese to Normal BMI last week.  I am not saying that some people do not need help, but drugs should be a last resort.