Bogley

rockgremlin · Joined: 09 Dec 2004 Posts: 3983 Location: Hotel California

Shan wrote: Also, don't think of it as a "diet" but a new way of life. You want something you can keep up with forever. Dieting just sounds bad! And long term success will take time.

Good point!

So what are you doing to help the poor critters affected by Katrina? Are you adopting them?

accadacca · Joined: 02 Dec 2004 Posts: 7659 Location: On Your Screen

Thanks for the good comments.........I have decided to change my diet more than anything. I am going to pick a calorie diet (1700) and stick to it, by eating healthy low carb snacks. Then watch my portions at dinner. I am also trying to drink lots of water, which is supposed to help. I started my "diet" or change in eating habits on Sunday. I weighed in at 193 and I was 190 this morning. I want to get back to 175 and re-assess things at that point.

BTW.....I also started a new job on Monday (Web Developer - www.xango.net). I thought it would be bad timing for the start of a diet. But the new job has actually helped me get a fresh start on my eating as well.

Shan · Joined: 24 Jun 2005 Posts: 794 Location: Cache Valley

I have a question; where did you come up with 1700 calories? That really sounds way too low to me for a man and for your weight. Have you tried any online weight calculators?

http://www.lifeclinic.com/calculators/default.asp

Here's one website I like. I'd figure what you would normally need for your weight/height/activity level - then subtract 500 calories from your diet OR burn 500 calories more with exercise. A 500 calories deficit x 7 days = 3500 calories which is 1 pound of fat. You shouldn't loose more than 2 pounds a week for it to be safe and long term weight loss.

I personally tried to go on an 1800 calorie "plan" to fit into some jeans. I'm 5'5" and 125 pounds. I was STARVING. I defintiely need 2200 at least to avoid headaches and dizziness.

rockgremlin · Joined: 09 Dec 2004 Posts: 3983 Location: Hotel California

Once again I'm siding with Shan here. 1700 calories is VERY low for an adult male. I would suggest something more along the lines of 2200 - 2300.

accadacca · Joined: 02 Dec 2004 Posts: 7659 Location: On Your Screen

Shan wrote: I have a question; where did you come up with 1700 calories?
From the slim fast website. :roll:

Shan wrote: I defintiely need 2200 at least to avoid headaches and dizziness. I was STARVING. Uh yeah I am dieing....I keep trying to fight the pains with pretzels or fruit n stuff. :bs: Thanks for the link Shan. It said 2600-2800 is normal, then subtract from that huh?

rockgremlin · Joined: 09 Dec 2004 Posts: 3983 Location: Hotel California

accadacca wrote: It said 2600-2800 is normal, then subtract from that huh?

Yes. Like Shan said, either eat 500 calories less than normal, or burn 500 extra calories/day through exercise.

Losing more than 2 pounds of fat a week is not very common. When you hear people boast of losing 10 pounds a week, it wasn't fat that they lost. It was more than likely water and/or muscle.

2 pounds/week is a healthy and reasonable goal.

Shan · Joined: 24 Jun 2005 Posts: 794 Location: Cache Valley

Counting calories is a PITA. But if you can do it for 3-4 days just to get a ballpark of what you are currently eating, I think you can go from there. Do you have a Coke and candy bar around 3pm? Just an example, cut that out that that's about 500 calories right there. Pretzels don't do much for you, but maybe combine them with a little light cheese or dip it in some hummus to get a little more protien in there, or 1/2 a wheat bagel with cream cheese. It will hold over the munchies. Hard boiled eggs are a good snack that fills you too.

Quote: It said 2600-2800 is normal, then subtract from that huh?
Yes, that's right. Sounds easy on paper, huh? Use the calorie acitivty counter to see how much you are burning too.

By the way, I've been getting Fitness magazine for 4 years now, and I'm just really regurgitating what I've read.

Good luck to you! You can do it, you have the motivation!

RG - I volunteered at the PetSmart super adoption weekend in SLC where there were 40 dogs or so that were shelter dogs in Louisiana. There were 800 other Utah animals there too all needing homes also. They were trasported up here (part of No More Homeless Pets in Utah) to make room for the rescued pets. I volunteer with the shelter in my town doing adoptions and fundraisers. Other that than I read up on lost of websites about what's going on. That's all, I don't know what else I can besides continue volunteering at this shelter. Oh I met Jamis Jockey during that weekend in SLC!