Taking it slowly

The lightbulb just went on.

I am beginning to realize that at my ideal weight (158) and activity level (5 mile hikes daily), my calorie limit will be @ 2000 calories. I figured it out this way: 1580 (10xideal weight)+158 = 1738 + 350 (activity level...anywhere from 300 to 400) = 2088

I weigh @190 now. In order to maintain my weight @ 190, I would consume somewhere close to 2500 calories.

***So, if I eat only to my 2000 calorie maximum (rather than a reduced diet of 1700 or 1200, etc) I will accomplish these things:***

1. I will reduce my current limit by 500 calories/day and lose @ 1# per week which CC says is healthiest.

2. I will have a much longer period of time to making healthful changes and this will help ensure that I don't gain the weight back (yo-yo!).

3. The weight will come off w/a lot less effort than eating a reduced diet and I really don't want to struggle with my weight. 

I'm going to really think about this awhile and welcome any input!

       &nb sp;              

ryttt

so if i want to be 110 lbs i eat 1210 + cals burnt?

im doing that neway but still not losing! in fact sometimes i gain!

grrrr! life is hard lol!

good way to calculate tho

tina! what do you weigh now?

Hi Sharon
That's pretty much what I do.  I average about 2000 cals per day and aim for a 500 cal deficit.  It takes a little longer but you're headed in the right direction and like you mentioned hopefully it will result in long-term weight loss.  I lost about 45 lbs. this year and would like to lose another 27 or so.  (I've had many days above 2000, but due try to workout 5+ days per week) As I get closer to goal I will likely have to cut calories a bit to continue to see results but I see no reason to drastically reduce calories when I can lose without doing so.  I've had to make a few lifestyle changes like eating out less frequently.  I also really have to log my foods even when I  have very high days.  This forces me to be honest with myself.  Good luck to you

i weigh 118/119 lbs

not a lot i guess but i have horrible pockets of fat on my outer hips - saddlebags. they make me look a lot bigger than i am so im figuring 110 is about right.

I'm not sure I understand how to calculate this...I weigh 140 and want to be 130. I am 5 foot 4 and I burn 300-500 calories 5 days a week. Am I just confused? Interested, please assist me :)

Tina, you may just need to exercise!

Luzd how cool! That's the attitude I have now, do it gradually but learn how it's done. I've lost @ 20 and need to lose @ 33 more. Congrats on your loss and you are my hero! I'm going to put you on my friends list and watch for your success. I want this to be the year I lose 33 slowly, too!  

Okay, lovepink,

you weigh 140: 1400 + 140 = 1540 calories allowed then you add in your exercise (anywhere from 300 to 400 burned). I am light to moderate activity so I add in 350. 1540 + 300 = 1840 calories you would be allowed if you want to maintain your weight. BUT, you want to lose, so CC recommends that you knock 500 calories/day off that in order to lose 3500 calories/wk or 1#/wk. So, you would consume 1340 calories/day.

I could never live off the 1340...too restrictive for me. SO, what I was talking about is that if your goal weight is 130#, 1300 + 130 = 1430 + 300 (exercise calories) = 1730 calories allowed at your goal weight, you may want to learn to eat no more than 1730 calories/day. THAT way, 1. you will lose the weight BUT you will lose the weight more gradually and at the same time learn to live within your 1730 calorie limit...really important.

The problem is that everyone wants to lose that weight quickly, so we deprive our bodies but we don't learn anything along the way. What we really have to do is educate ourselves to learn our triggers and how to overcome our behaviors. Weight loss is scientifically about expending more calories than one consumes but in reality, we are all so impacted by the world around us that unless we recreate that world and learn our triggers/how to handle them, we can lose as much weight as we want, it's all going to come back!

So, lovepink, if you want to do the slow route, I'd like to add you to my friends list, too. maybe when we all hit an emotional slump, etc, we can boost eachother up. I hope this helped!