CrashtestDawnie's Journal, 30 April 2018

I know it can be frustrating, just try and hang in there. You'll get the hang of it 

Finding what works for you is a chore in and of itself. I recommend reading some of the published diets. It will give you a feel for how foods work together and then you can map out a plan that fits your lifestyle. Because that's what this needs to be... Not a diet to shed a few pounds then back to business as usual. True success will come when you change how you think and feel about food. 

it all comes down to calories in/calories out, it's simple but definitely not easy! If you're really struggling go see a certified nutritionist or a registered dietician (absolute must if you have a metabolic condition like diabetes or else). they'll get you on track and then you can use fat secret for the support and the tracking tool 😊 

Logging my food ahead of time each day works like a menu for me and I generally will stick with it. 

It is calories in calories out, but it takes a few days for your body to adjust sometimes. I will eat few calories one day and register a pound of two gain the next. But the day after that or the next one, the weight drop will show up on my scale. Likewise, if I overeat, the gain may not show up until one or two days later. Weight loss and gain happen over time. I don't worry about the small fluctuations, but try to maintain my daily calorie goal and be patient. 

Hard part is figuring the calories from exercise. If you are wearing a fitbit 24 hours a day, then you can put in those calories and not add anything else. You have lost 10 pounds in 2 weeks, so there is that. 

Nothing like a visual ahead of time to give you that added incentive NOT to eat something.  

my body doesn’t just respond to calories but to the kinds of food I eat. I wear a Fitbit and Usually burn 2800cals and consume 1100cals so I should be losing .5 lbs each day, but that doesn’t happen for me. Not unless my 1100cals are veggies and chicken breast. If I eat junk and stay under 1k I will either stay the same or gain. Does anyone else experience this?? 

Planning my food ahead of time is very important but I can’t always do it and I don’t always stick to it. I really do need to break my bad eating habits. I’ll be doomed until I do.  

1100 cals, especially with burning 2800+, is definitely not enough food in a day! Your body will hold onto anything it gets since it is massively underprovided with energy.. Up your calorie intake, it might slow the weight loss a little but it will be a healthier and longer-lasting weightloss. You can eat healthy and feel satisfied with 1800cals and still have a 1000cals deficit which is massive!!! 

CICO is not ALL that matters. I highly recommend the book "The obesity code: unlocking the secrets of weight loss" by Jason Fung. this easy-to-read and understand book explains why all diets work . . . for a while, then we plateau and regain the lost weight. The KINDS of foods we choose, and WHEN we choose to eat them have important effects on our hormones and the weight-regulating chemicals in our body. A single "cheat" day can disrupt our system and have an effect for a number of days. I hope you find the way of eating that works for you and helps you meet your goals. Good luck to us ALL! 

1800 cals is a lot of food! I have trouble eating 1100 sometimes. Unless of course I eat less healthy foods and carbs. Sometimes when I work all day I only end up eating 5-600. I guess I could eat more avocados and pistachios 😍 

Have you checked out the various online calculators to get information on the amount of calories, proteins, fat, and carbs for your body? There is some great info out there that doesn't require a doctor. Any plan with a deficit will help you lose weight if you stick to it. Sometimes you might need to tweak it to get a plan to fit your needs but you need basic information first. Your lifestyle plays a big part in your food choices. If you hate eating veggies, combo or are a vegetarian you should chose something that works for you. CICO is a good starting tool but macros will zero in on what will work for you. Junk food generally doesn't work well with any plan :) Good Luck! 

Atkins, scarsdale, weight watchers, ketogenic, fat fast, the rice diet, the military diet, slimfast, the cookie diet, the oatmeal diet, the do not diet diet, well.... And I don't know what to do. I simply don't know how to diet, or follow any diet out there. That is why I am starting tomorrow with a bariatric doctor, follow her instructions and shut up. Wait every two weeks weight myself by a nurse I should say, and celebrate. As easy as that.