I really dont think you are eating enough - are you only eating 2 big salads...that isnt enough and you do need healthy lower cal carbs...I jsut dont wanna see ya crash and burn...

How many calories are ENOUGH???

How much do you weigh?

I was doing 1000-1200 calories and was able to lose weight, but I think there are smarter ways of doing it.

There's a host of reasons why eating too few calories is not a good idea - this is the one that got me...
...If my body got USED to having 1000-1200 calories a day (and walking 5 miles a day at the time) it would become my *maintenance* level.

Could I live with that being where I had to be just to maintain???

No....I couldn't!

Slowly (since January) I have upped my calories. Yes, it meant a stall in my weightloss - I've only lost 10-12 pounds since the beginning of January - but I am eating almost twice as much and excercising less. I think I'm now at a point where my body is responding well and the losing will continue - but it was a hard road to fix.

I had to slowly raise my calories until I started to gain weight, in order to find out what my BMR was.

A complex carb/carbohydrate is what you get from foods made from seeds, like wholegrain products - bread, rice, pasta, oats and things like potatoes which are starchy but still contain a lot of fibre if the skin is left on them. Corn, beans and peas can also be considered complex carbs. The thing is that they provide a source of blood sugar for energy but take a long time to digest because of their high fibre content. They help keep blood sugar levels stable and that helps minimize cravings. Most vegetables don't have a lot of carbohydrate in them, even though they have a lot of fibre.

A lot of people here say that women should get at least 1200 calories a day. It's possible that otherwise they may get a quick weight loss but then their bodies start to cut back energy directed to some of the everyday metabolic processes. It goes into a starvation mode to conserve energy because there doesn't seem to be enough calories coming in.

The amount that individuals need varies. I believe FitDay - Free Weight Loss and Diet Journal and sparkpeople.com both have calculators that may help. Wishes has a link in her signature to her site and explains the process nicely and how you can work out the right amount for you. Free Weight Loss :: Free Simple Easy Weight Loss - click on "The Basics and BMR".

I just love your positive attitude and vigorous exercise program.

thanx M2M...I really need to read more I guess...Ignorance is not bliss here


I am just trying to drop a good bit before june, but I dont want to do it the wrong way...I am a little over 200 today, how many calories would you suggest?

I really thought 1200 was alot...I guess not

Thanx felici! I need more knowledge to go with my ummmph I will check it out!

I love that oomph!!!

Keep in touch with M2M also. She has practical experience in this.

I just have a balanced food plan I use, which lets me get a bit of everything and sort of keeps me in a decent calorie range.

I woke up at 5:30am...actually slept last night! And started with a short walk to loosen up my sore mucles. Then I got on you tube and made myself a playlist of cardio clips ect...and another of my fav. music videos...then I did a little over an hour of some seriouse cardio to my new playlists...After that I spent an hour in the garden watering and clipping ect.Now I think I will take my little girl to the playground and chase her around...I know that burns some calories...
Im gonna add some raw peanuts and tofu to my intake today
All in all I am feeling good...day 10 and I just feel better...regardless of how I look I'm not generally a perky person...my hubby wants to know whats wrong with me, Im smiling!

You are probably busting out a phenomenal endorphin high from all that exercise!!!

Isn't it the best!! And guilt free!!

With 27 pounds lost...you are getting to be an expert yourself!
Cant wait till I am down 27...

M2M is wlf ICON.... or DIVA....maybe both!

About M2M totally.

I love that I have lost that weight. I had no kick start and it was hard to be patient with a slow loss to start with. I felt like my numbers qualified me as up to about week 2 compared to most here when actually I was in my second month!

Regardless of how we start, I totally agree with M2M that being able to keep going is what matters. We all have to find a way to eat that is sustainable in the long term.

Just to add to what others have said, I too upped my cals. I was looking for more protein and iron while reducing cholesterol intake. My low cal levels were never something I thought I could do for the rest of my life either.

It did a great jump start for me but prolonged levels of low cal isn't good for my next level of increased activity. This game takes lots of research, trail and error and good 'ol fashion smarts.

As active as you are, I think you could go far with a decent (sensible) amount of calories providing you stay away from bad foods.

M2M is pure Diva

This is true...But lately I am the kinda person who either eats too little or too much never in the middle...Either I have the double cheesebuger and the fries or I'm just not hungry...So I am just trying to get controll of myself
However I dont wanna be the person who can only eat salad or I will explode!

Thanx T2...I have always been very active in sports and hard work...but also at the fast food joints! I see your avitar says youve been a long time without it! Thats awsome...Ive only been 10 days without it, but I know enough now that I dont think I will crave to be supersized anymore

I've done that. I am over it!!

Complex carbs, and lean proteins of all kinds are good healthy foods that will help you get and retain control of your eating. They just need to be eaten in controlled portions.

Do you eat breakfast? Eating a healthy breakfast is another way to get control over your eating in general.