Okay, so I'm trying to figure out if I wanna do 2000, then 1800 then maybe drop down to a steady 1600 calories a day or just go with 1800 for the duration.
Then I'm trying to figure out which of these formulas I want to use to break down where I'm getting my calories from: the "recommended" 50% carbs, 20% protein, 30% fat or my preferred 45% carbs, 35% protein, 20% fat.
However, with that above system, whichever I chose, neither adds up to what the mypyramid.gov charts for a 2000 cal diet recommends after I've calculated how many calories, grams, then ounces are in each group..namely the protein (meats and beans) and carbs (grains). Plus I don't know how to count my vegetables. I know they have calories I mean, most are under 100 per serving of a whole veg (the leafy greens or nonstarchy vegs) but they still have calories.
Sooooo yeah, I might just go back to this plan I used back in 97 and did well on...see if it's breakdown sort of matches what the usda recommended for either 2000 or 2005 (new charts come out next year). Or I might just go ahead and follow what the usda recommends for the 2000, 1800, and 1600 calorie diets.
Any recommendations? Anyone out there breaking up where their calories are going? Carbs and starchies here, meats and beans here, fat here if any extra other than what's in your lean meats???
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So far today I've had 1c. of special k, one cup of skimmed milk, and one banana. Just had about a cup of wheat elbow macaroni and chicken cacciatore, that had perhaps about 1 1/2 cups of chicken and the rest was like tomato sauce with some pepper and onion slices.
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I MUST be putting too much into this. But I figure, those calculations are out there for a reason....not just to make nutritionist and dietitians some income....hmmm.
if nothing else, it's been interesting to search the net for all this stuff. right now..my brain hurts. and since my son is napping, i probably should too.
The latest i've heard is to find out how many calories you need to maintain once your at your goal and use that as the number to use to get there :)
ReplyDeletePersonally i try to not eat too many carbs as they bring on cravings, i don't worry too much about fat as i'm only using olive oil, nuts, avocado and i don't tend to use too many!
Find out exactly what works for you and what your body likes and go with the flow. I'll be interested to see how your journey goes.
Yeah, 2112.9 is what one site said I'd need to consume to maintain 175. That's still about 25lbs over what my "healthy weight" but..well..where I am NOW...I'll be flipping when I get to 300 then 250. So I have a calculation for 2000 cals a day and that's still supposed to have me losing 1-2 pounds a week.
ReplyDeleteI was just wondering what percentage I should be aiming to go towards the big 3 of carbs, fat, and protein. I like meat and carbs, like you, get my cravings motor going a bit in overdrive so I'd like to limit those, even the complex carbs.
I have a cupboard full of beans, lentil, and brown rice in the freezer and fridge!! I just need to COOK AND EAT THEM!!
What I really need to do is plan my meals. I mean, I have a 30-day menu plan printed from Million-Pound-Challenge but I'd like to have a say in it before I just go with what someone else has planned out.
I just have to make sure I only make enough beans to eat for one or two days and 2 people. My son doesn't much care for beans so I have to count out the 1/2 person (food speaking only...he's A WHOLE LIL MAN!) portions I make for him.
hmmm, welp, I really need to try and ...do something else!
I just went to check and see what percentages i'd set mine at and it's 40% carbs, 30% fat and 30% protein. It seems to be working for me :)
ReplyDeleteI eat 1500 a day. But I eat whatever I want so I'm probably the last person to get advice from! It works for me though. Maybe things will change the further in I go, but right now, give me pizza!
ReplyDeleteheheeh, well, if you're eating only 1500 calories worth of food then ...well....
ReplyDeleteI started out 5 weeks ago weighing 272 lbs. I had 92 lbs to lose...I've lost 18 lbs so far. I do 1550 calories a day and the only fast food I'll allow myself is Subway. I'd say, since you have a good bit to lose, don't worry about the breakdown of nutrients now. That will come later as you learn more and more. Concentrate on staying under 1550 calories, eating healthy fats such as olive oil, avocado, etc. and complex carbs sparingly...leave the simple carbs alone as much as you can. Go with egg whites instead of whole eggs...that kind of thing. A large whole egg has 75 calories, an egg white has 17. Learn to love egg whites, lol.
ReplyDeleteAlways drink at least 8 glasses of water a day, and never skip breakfast...that's what gets your metabolism revved up for your day.
I hope this helps. :)