Well that's quite the surprise... (weight)

[thistle_chaser]

On my last post, elfy had the good suggestion to record my eating -- to use an app to count calories and track my intake. I knew I should be doing that (everyone underestimates the calories they eat), but I didn't want to... But I buckled down and decided to download an app (MyFitnessPal) and count my calories

Comments

[changeling72]

Sounds like a good exercise for you. Mine would probably tell me I eat 5,000 calories per day.

[thistle_chaser]

5,000 calories a day would be a fun challenge! You could live on steaks and butter. :)

[elfy]

Good you were not overestimating like I did! That makes things easier :D
And don't worry about staying under the 1500, as long as you get your protein and all the nutritens you need, all should be fine. I am often at around 1200-1400 myself (and the lady who wrote this book I mentioned lost the most weight on half a year of 500 calories daily (under a doctors supervision!)).

Which app are you using now? - Ok, just saw I missed this in your post :)

[thistle_chaser]

Yeah, after surgery I slowly went up from 300 calories a day to 1,200 over a year -- I spent more than half of that time under 500! It boggles me that people can live like that, but, well, here I am. :P (Doctor supervision too.)

I need to start counting protein as well -- I was just estimating that, and clearly I estimate poorly!

Thanks for suggesting this!

[bacchuslives]

That's a great discovery! I sort of enjoy tracking things like that too...

[thistle_chaser]

Agreed. It's oddly satisfying to track it so closely.

[gconnor]

I do like MyFitnessPal because it also gives nutrient info. Even if you are not trying to hit specific macro numbers, it is interesting to see the average macros at the end of the week, and take note of how you feel and how well your plan is working.

I do agree that not eating enough calories can cause weight loss to stall. I had a similar issue from restricting calories too low for too long.

If you increase calories, you will probably increase total carbs. This may cause your weight to go up a couple pounds of just water weight. Not a huge deal, just be aware of it. I have found that 200 calories of just carbs will cause my weight to go up 1 pound. If you are just adding fats and protein and keeping carb grams the same you probably won't get water weight gain.
Good luck.

[thistle_chaser]

Thanks for the thoughts! When I'm having a low calorie day, I've been eating an extra protein bar. 20 grams of protein, under 200 calories, and 4 carbs. While it's not "real food", it seems like the best option (plus they taste so good, I never mind eating one).

[thistle_chaser]

I really, really want to try the chocolate peanut butter one! (Though the chocolate peanut butter cup one doesn't work for me... plus it's higher in calories than the others by a good bit.)

Have you tried making quest bar cookies yet? I'm afraid to, I love the bars as-is, I do not need a way to love them even more. WOMAN CANNOT LIVE ON QUEST BARS ALONE! Though it sure would be fun trying.

Lately I have to buy a case of single flavor ones instead of the mixed packages (Amazon = mixed, GNC = single flavor, I no longer have Amazon Prime and GNC's prices are better.) This last shipment I got cookie dough (my favorite chocolate flavor) and apple pie.

HOW IN THE WORLD CAN THESE TASTE SO GOOD AND NOT BE AWFUL FOR YOU?

[thistle_chaser]

I didn't realize that white chocolate raspberry was one of the higher calorie ones! Eeek. I don't like that one much anyway (both because of the flavor and the raspberry seeds in it), but I always seem to get one or more in my mix box.

Next time I have a cinnamon bun, I'll try warming it up! Smore, too. I know I get both of those in my mix boxes, but I've thus far always eaten them cold.

Thanks for the reminder that they make protein powder! I haven't had a shake in forever, but if I go back to them, I'll check it out for sure. I really should look into it though, the calories aren't bad and I can always use more protein.