[Greenleaves]

I want to eat healthier and also lose a few pounds. I'm going to count calories. I'm hoping to lose 25 pounds in 8 months and then go on a maintainence plan.

Here is my meal plan for the week: (1200-1300 kcal)

Breakfast:
Oatmeal with 2 Splenda
1 cup skim milk

Lunch:
Lean Cuisine Ravioli

Snack:
Mixed salad greens with 3 T Peppercorn Ranch dressing

Dinner
Lean Cuisine Lasagna with meat sauce

Snack
1 cup Lipton chicken noodle soup

Additional Snacks for whenever:
1 cup Silouette yogurt
1 nectarine
1 Special K cereal bar

[Maven]

Do you mean you're going to eat the same thing every day? I can't plan meals like that, even if I eat different things every day. I don't know what I'll be in the mood for at a given time, and I'm not eating something I don't want.

I'm trying to eat every couple of hours or so, small meals. Sometimes it's some veggies, sometimes nuts, and sometimes (around dinnertime, usually), something a little heavier, like a sandwich or whatever. I'm still consuming too much sugar, but less than I was.

[MyBestKids2]

I don't think I can count that high

Good for you for trying to be healthier!

[asylumgardens]

I'm trying to lose some weight, too. In the past I've done really well with calorie counting, so I'm going back to that. What I do is vary my calories per day, though. I read a book that gave a formula on how many calories you need to eat in 1 week to lose 1-2 (or however many) pounds a week, and then I just divided that up between 7 days. I heard varying like that is better for your metabolism because it keeps it guessing. I can look up the formula later if you want. I'd also recommend not eating the same thing everyday.. maybe you can plan several meals that you know work and just mix those up instead? Good luck, though. I'm on vacation now, so it's tough.. I'm just trying to not go crazy, but once I'm back at school I'll be back on the calorie counting full blast.

[eccentricmind76]

Here is a great site that I use to keep track of what I am eating: http://www.fitday.com/WebFit/Index.html

The best thing about it is that it is free, too! Enjoy!

[(JD)]

Make sure you drink lots of water! The stomach doesn't know the difference between hunger and thirst, and often you are only thirsty, not hungry. 8 glasses of water a day minimum. I wouldn't do the soup, as it's full of salt and also MSG which isn't good for you. When I first had my jaw trouble (from accident) I was on liquids only and I gained 50lbs!!! (That was from mainly soups. )

Good wishes on your weight loss goal!

[Greenleaves]

Yeah, I was going to eat the same thing everyday, but it didn't work out, I'll post more about this tomorrow. I have to go to bed right now, but I haven't forgotten about this thread! I'll reply!

[mel4]

green, ive been calorie counting for about 6 weeks now. ive lost roughly 13lbs, and am planning to lose at least another 15 over the next few months. if ya have any thoughts, questions, concerns, or just wanna chat about it, im here! i shoot for about 1100-1200 calories a day, but most importantly, regardless of what ive ate, i write EVERYTHING down in a journal...it really makes a differance.

mel

[bebop]

maybe this will work. I know there are other threads where people were going to try to lose weight together. I sure need to lose alot of weight myself. good luck

[Perna]

This is a good, free site too: http://www.calorie-count.com/

I kind of do things backwards; I like to figure out how much I want to weigh in the end and then eat that many calories now (the maintenance/goal amount http://www.calorie-count.com/calories/calories-goal.php :-) on the theory that I'm obviously eating more than that or I'd weight that amount now? So, I don't feel as deprived as I would if I go on a "diet" and suddenly start eating 1,000+ calories less than I have been.

[Greenleaves]

I'm going to start tomorrow. I mess up today and this weekend. I went on a trip on the weekend and didn't follow any diet.