BuffyBear's Journal, 12 September 2014

What if the 200 calories was protein? You could still eat your 1400 a day but it might rev up your metabolic state.... 

I think what you are doing is great. You have to find what works for you "calorie-wise." 

HCB - Great idea!  

C67241 - I've found as I've progressed through my journey I've had to make several adjustments. Unfortunately, I am a long way off from completion.  

i have been on a 1000 calorie diet. I waver it with 6 days on, 1 day at 1750 calories. And then two weeks later, 5 days on, 2 days "eating up". It makes it easier, I think...you might want to toy with something like this.  

Buffy, I think I'm in the same boat, although I've stopped recording foods. I've been playing with how much it takes to "lose" versus how much it takes to "maintain." I have some general thoughts, but nothing that I'd say is proven, even in my own case. It appears I can have more calories, even a few extra carbs (think small bowl of melon here) as long as I eat them earlier in the day. I've got to keep calories low from maybe 5:00 on but protein snacks seem to be OK. I've been able to eat slightly more carbs than I thought, as long as they're spread throughout the day. All in all, I think that if I did record my foods, I'd see that I'm having more calories than 1200 and still able to lose, albeit slowly. YMMV....gotta keep trying things to see what happens. IMO, while it's OK to cut back a bit temporarily to lose, ultimately, whatever level you eventually settle in on, HAS to be sustainable. :) 

fitat46 - heard lots of people are able to lose more when "mixing it up" but think my poor appetite might get confused - LOL 

I think it's important to log all foods and snacks as accurately as possible. FS set my calorie intake higher than what it takes for me to loose weight. I adjusted it lower and things have been going well. I still have some room to play with and find it better to stay within my mental goal and not feel guilty when I'm at my FS goal for the day.  

Why not plump for a 1300 average...  

Sandy - "Sustainable" has been my goal all along. And I appreciate you sharing your experiments and conclusions, and allowing yourself to be a "Guinea Pig" over the years!  

I KNEW that extra hair was coming from somewhere...:) 

John10251 - Good point - I often get sloppy when logging food. And, of course, accuracy is critical. 

Skinny - Thanks - Will try that. No reason to go to extremes when little changes would work. 

Sandy - at our age extra hair requires a support group of its own.  

I think it's a brilliant idea, Buffy! So many say that diets don't work, but to strive for a new way of eating which is sustainable. I'm so excited you're giving it a try... Wanna borrow my lab coat? It's an experiment and you can try another if you don't get the results you want. Xoxox 

Ewww- that extra hair we get as we get older....hmmm...wonder how much it weighs? 

For me some of the other calculators say 1400 is maintenance. I used 1200 for losing have upped it now to 1400. Depends on what works for you. Lots of veggies make it easy to do the lower amount if that what you need to do.  

My calories go up when I eat meat proteins, maybe more fish?? I know you are low carb.  

I think if its easier for you the easier it will be to make it a permanent life style change. If at first you don't succeed.......