I'm completely new to dieting and I need some help/advice/answers.

Alright, well I'm never good at planning a diet, but finally I've come to a point where I don't feel comfortable gaining anymore weight and would like to lose a few pounds.

I'm 18 years old, 5'6" and 157 pounds.  I've just decided to try and maintain a certain calorie allowance.

However on some other site i was reading it said you needed to take the amount of fat on the nutrition label and times it by 7, the carbs by 4, and the protein by 4, and then add that to the original calories.  Is this true??  If so I don't htink I'll be able to maintain my calorie allowence I've set as 1400 very easily.

I don't get to exercise every day, but I won't make excuses a lot of the reason is I am lazy.  Today I did a lot of cleaning and sweating and I felt sick so I didn't go on the treadmill.  I'm trying to exercise half an hour every day at least.

I'm going to college soon, and they have a gym there, but I want to lose a few pounds over the summer before I get there.  I don't feel comfortable exercising in front of people, and I have no idea what I'm doing.

So really, I'm looking for an answer to that question 3 breaks up.  Also if you have any helpful advice for a beginner such as myself it would be very much appreciated! <3

Thanks for all your support,
Sarah

PS:  Sorry about the duplicate, thanks for deleting it. <3

You welcome, there will be some glitzes with the new site.

Not sure how to answer your question.  I try to stay way from processed foods, so I do not really read labels anymore.  I used to know all of the tricks, but lately I try to stick as close as possible to natural whole foods.

I am sure that in the morning, when there is more traffic, someone will have the answer.

Welcome aboard, sehmicor

Thanks very much. :)

Yeah, at the moment it is somewhat unavoidable for me.  It's hard to diet as well since my parents are more in charge of what food gets in the house, although I've been making suggestions.  I'll be able to have more of an impact on the food I eat once I go to college in September.

Yeah, hopefully someone will know something about it. :)  Thank you though.  Heh, I should be eating a lot of natural foods.

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