katsmab's Journal, 21 August 2013

At your current weight, you could probably eat 1500 a day and still lose well. As you lose, you may need to cut calories, so it's always better to start higher. As a rule, I write it before I bite it. You can eat out, but look up the information before you go. I usually get the eggs and snack size yogurt at Mcdonalds (about 350 calories). They also just came out with an egg white mcmuffin. Planning is very important for weight loss. Plan a couple of breakfast and lunches that you can rotate for a couple of weeks to get you going (that you know the caloric value of). Good luck! 

I agree with the planning aspect! I am a big fan of Pasta Queen http://pastaqueen.com/blog/best-entries/ . I can't find the relevant entry but she argues that Americans are not increasingly becoming obese because of a sudden decline in willpower but because of the environment around them i.e. easy access to burritos in the morning! So I do think planning is crucial. I realised this the other day when I came back from a spinning class and stuffed myself full of crap from the fridge. If I had planned and had something healthy to eat prepared that would not have happened. Re: being a 'buddy', my understanding is that we follow each other's journal entries and motivate each other as best we can. I think adding as a buddy also enables us to check out each others food diaries etc. If this seems a bit Big Brother to you we don't have to do it:) Happy just to have folks I can chat with about this journey. Most of my family and friends are slim so I cannot possibly go on about this stuff with them! Good luck for the rest of the day. I started mine with meringues (guess I haven't kicked the sugar addiction just yet) but am hoping to do better as I go along...  

PS I have set my RDI at 1800 but as Suzi161 says above I think you can go as low as 1500 but you will have to adjust downward as you lose weight. 

Thanks msinai, Buddies is fine, I need someone, as you I have no one I can talk with when the need arises. I just totally screwed up today and picked and picked and picked... I will finally be able to go and get some groceries sat and will have a plan to cook sun for the week. Not exactly sure what yet I will let you know. I have not done the benging for a long time... think just stressing about getting all I need and getting started. No sense to go to the food diary until I am "ON" the right track. Have to have this computer worked on so will not be back till sat.. PLAN PLAN PLAN.... I think the 1500 would be good.. Glad to have you as a buddy and be able to read all other feeds.... GOTTA DO THIS... I am pulling for you msinai and on your side... I got a zumba dvd set and am buying new shoes hopefully sat also to get started on that. I work in an elderly mans home and the family is ok w/me doing it there, I am hoping before he gets out of bed and getting a routine going there. Love pasta yet need to eat gluten free (celiac disease), have found some good gf pasta... don't eat it too much now. This evening did make some spegetti w/ turkey, onion, green pepper and little gf pasta, was satisfying.... <3 

Great! I will send a buddy request. I think your plans sound great, esp the daily Zumba! I have started with exercise again and it is amazing how good it makes you feel. Re: food diary, I know it is a bit tedious but I really recommend it, especially on the days when I am off track as it really brings home to me how much I am eating and inspires me to do better the next day. Sometimes I think, I really can't be bothered to write down every little thing I eat but then I tell myself that if I am not prepared to write it down, I shouldn't be eating it. I am also really trying to keep a handle on my stress as it triggers emotional/binge eating but once again, writing it all down helps me to confront it and hopefully stop it from happening next time. Am rooting for you too! Take care and good luck  

Thank you for all the tips....taking them to heart. Now do you do the food diary/journal just on here or in notebook for yourself at home also? I just have to get well organized w/all of this, very hard for me. If you make meals for the week, what kind do you, have you made. Lunches will be easier for me like tuna/cheese/lettuce wraps (no bread). Breakfast I think I will make those muffin tin things, maybe egg whites spinach ect... I am open for suggestions, Mon will be my start date, having all in tact and ready to go.. then I will record ALL and I pray this is gonna help me. Stress is a big one for me and I have worked on elveating a lot of it from my life. I always took care of everyone and not myself.... Like you said obesity is not good AT I am seeing it in my health... WE CAN DO THIS MSINAI, YES WE CAN !! getting excited can ya tell? You have and awesome,productive weekend... Good Luck To YOU, I am thankfull and think this buddy thing will help... ;)  

Hello. I mainly do it on the site but jot things down in a notebook in case I forget. I entire everything! I know that if I let a few things slip here and there that it will be the beginning of the end! I just came back after a kid's party where I had promised myself not to eat anything but of course I just went mad with cakes etc! Still wrote it all down, really helps me to see what triggers my eating. I am not that great on the recipe front and I get bored if I eat the same thing every day so I do not cook food in advance and portion out. maybe I need to check out some of the recipes on this site. Am also thinking of getting a South Beach recipe book, maybe something like that would help you too. YES, we can do this!!!!! I weigh in on Monday!!!!