LISfifty's Journal, 23 August 2018

It works for me. I know my usual weekly expenditure so when I’m trying to lose I cut 2000-4000 off of that and divide by 7. I can eat 8-10k weekly and lose which is around 1200-1400 daily. I’d messed with my metabolism too much and had stalled at 1200. Now I’m about 1500-1600 trying to maintain for now yet I’m losing slowly (1-2# per month at 135 currently). 

As for planning... I generally make up a weekly meal plan for the family and figure out my portion sizes. Then I round out my protein with shakes and bars of necessary. If I know I’m going to a restaurant that week or another high calorie meal I will have several small meals planned out so that I am 1000-1200 those days. What I save can then be used toward the higher calorie meal. I do occasionally go over if the family insists on a weekend meal and I don’t have calories left. If they let me know a couple days in advance it’s easy for me to plan. Lots of chicken and veggies to stick to the 1200 though. 

Thank you for this. You are saying the things I know to do in theory but it is fantastic to know that you really do them, like planning meals for the week.  

Yw :). It is hard at first. I found recipes that we all like that works for me. Then I put a list on the fridge and every morning I see if I need to lay something out or do any prep. If something comes up I can move a meal to the next day or switch meals if I get home late and need to make one of the quicker meals. I’ve learned to be flexible as there WILL be some nights where it’s ramen or soup from a can and that’s ok. I just try to make up for it over the next few meals. As for lunch I find it’s much easier to cook up chicken(I slice it like fajita meat) ahead of time, taco meat or just have a salad or sandwich. 45 calorie bread, 45 calorie cheese and 30 calorie turkey makes me a meal for less than 200 calories. Two slices of meat usually. I can have half an ounce of chips, an extra snack or even two sandwiches if I’m super hungry and not feel guilty.  

Oh and they have low carb tortillas! Well it’s 6g net carbs because it’s loaded with fiber. Made the mistake of having two and felt sick later and the next day. Half an hour after eating one as a fajita or soft taco and I’m stuffed. If I have it at night I usually have to force the protein shake and I’m full the next morning which is a nice change. A bit pricey as it has half the tortillas per package but I eat half as much so it works out.