I didn't realize how many calories I've been eating...

HOly Crap. thats all i can say! its 3:43 and ive eaten about 2300 calories already! no wonder why im 20 pounds overweight? ive never realized how much ive been eating, and what is even more disturbing is the fact that i think this is a normal amount and ive been wondering why i was so chunky! i thought i just had a poor metabolism! WOW what and EYE OPENER. thats all i can say! anyone have any tips for beginners?

That is why people count their calories...some people just are clueless (not you anymore...pat on the back). 

I am posting because no one else has but I am not sure this is what you're looking for...

1. Continue to count your calories. 3500 you don't burn will add a lb to you. If you eat 100 calories (that's one apple) more than you burn everyday for one year you will gain 10 lbs a year. It seems absurd but there is a reason people slowly gain weight throughout their lives and wake up one day wondering "WHAT HAPPENED". Knowledge is power. Find out how much you burn (trial and error is fine) and then stick with eating the right amount of food. I was once under the impression that everyone burned 2000 cals a day and that means that somedays (when I was just lazing around) I could have been eating 400 extra cals without even realizing it. 

2. Fit exercise into your diet so you can eat more without feeling deprived. A normal person my size who doesn't exercise only burns 1600 cals a day. That is why I exercise...so I can enjoy food...if I only ate 1600 cals a day I would feel sad:( If you don't have energy go for a walk...it is not strenuous and you can burn over 100 cals in one hour. 

3. Cut calories out of your meals. If you haven't already give up white flour, change to fat free or reduced fat dairy, cut back on empty cals like sweets, and increase low cal beneficial foods like vegetables (raw is their best form). 

4. Don't be too drastic. Don't go for fad diets. Simply eat well (AND LESS) and exercise. It takes 30 days to form a habit. Stick with it and the results will be 'oh so sweet'. 

I just started using this site about a week ago, and yeah, taking a good hard look at what you eat everyday really makes a difference.  I've lost 3 pounds so far, and I really think its because having to log in everything you eat, it makes you stop and think about what you're eating.

My advice, really look at what you're eating.  What nutritional value does it have, if any?  I have no problem sitting down and stuffing my face with cookies, but then I have to think, what does this do for me?  Yeah, it satisfies my sweet tooth, but then I'm usually hungry again later. 

Just keep going and log everything you eat.  Review each day and try to figure out what could be changed, what could be cut, and what you could add.

Good luck.

Hi,  I just started using this site on the 13th of June. I agree it is a complete eyeopener!  I was shocked to learn how many calories I would consume on a normal day, never mind a weekend!

I am hoping that by being more mindful of my eating habits I can make a substantial change in my weight and my health.

Good Luck in your journey.

C