Calories...

[Snuggles11]

I know that we're not supposed to watch our calories on this diet, and that's part of the liberation of Atkins, but when I see on fit day that I have eaten 2000 calories I feel disgusted with myself. I know that my rate burned per day at rest is 1600 so eating anything above that makes me feel like I'm eating too much, or that I'm not going to make enough progress. Does anyone else feel this way? Does anyone else watch their calorie intake?

[julirama723]

Re: Calories...

The first question is: "Were you eating to feed your hunger?"

The second question is: "Did you eat until satisfied, BUT NOT until stuffed?"

If you are hungry, then your body needs fuel. I have normal days, not hungry days, starving days, etc. It depends on how much physical activity I've done that day or the previous day. If I am hungry, I eat and don't feel guilty, because my body needs fuel. If you are hungry, you need to eat. PLEASE MAKE SURE you are not feeding boredom, anger, sadness, or any other emotions. Eat to feed hunger only.

Make sure that when you eat you're making healthy choices. Eat your induction menu and foods from your rungs (if you're past induction) but don't overdo it with one food group, like eating 7 ounces of cheese or 5 servings of nuts.

If your BMR is 1600 and you exercise regularly, you should be fine with 2000 calories.

I do watch my calories, but only to make sure I'm eating ENOUGH. With the amount of physical activity I do, I need to make sure I eat enough calories to fuel my body. For me, 2000 calories is usually what I eat on a daily basis. But remember, everyone is built differently.

[adreliluc]

Re: Calories...

Julie petty much said it all.

Make sure you're only feeding your hunger. Sometimes your cravings will get the better of you but eat when you're hungry and stop when your statisfied. lol of course that's easier said than done sometimes.
When I first started I was eating around 2000 calories a day w/ no problem. I lost most of my weight the first 4 months or so... Now I HAVE to watch my calorie intake to lose, when I don't I pretty much just maintain if I'm eating right.
Everybody is different, but if you're losing w/ out watching the cals then take advantage of it!!
You'll do great, just stick to the plan and don't worry so much about caloires... worry about listening to your body and developing good habits.
xo

[Snuggles11]

Re: Calories...

I'm finding it really hard to stay low on calories eating burgers and meat. To get in the proper amount of fat I have to add in mayo, butter, cheese, etc. That raises the calories pretty high.

This entire diet seems so counter intuitive.

[Lyssie]

Re: Calories...

Exactly what Julie said... I only track mine to try and keep them somewhere between 1600-1800 instead of 900-1000 like they were before.

[Casey999]

Re: Calories...

I track calories but just for the information. Some days I am WAY low, but not at all hungry, and other days I am way high.

Try eating some of the Quiche for breakfast. It's filling and not all that high in calories. Also, if you need the extra, there's always a little extra dressing for your salad.

I can't quite seem to get the mix right, it's either too high in fat or too high in protien. I don't seem to have a problem with the carbs, as a matter of fact I have to try to get them up a bit.

[WarOnTypeII]

Re: Calories...

This entire diet seems so counter intuitive.

Good my "intuitive" diet got me real fat.


I"m like George Costanza in that one episode of Seinfeld. If I eat the opposite of .... what I would eat .... I'm going to be successful.

[mitzimarie]

Re: Calories...

Good my "intuitive" diet got me real fat.


I"m like George Costanza in that one episode of Seinfeld. If I eat the opposite of .... what I would eat .... I'm going to be successful.

ROTFLMAO!!!

[Elizellen]

Re: Calories...

I'm finding it really hard to stay low on calories eating burgers and meat. To get in the proper amount of fat I have to add in mayo, butter, cheese, etc. That raises the calories pretty high.

So stop counting your calories!!

From DANDR Chapter 11, Section titled 'A Frequently Asked Question (or two)'

There is no need to count calories. The Atkins Nutritional Approach counts grams of carbohydrates instead of calories. At the beginning of Induction you are allowed 20 grams of carbohydrates, gradually adding them in 5-gram increments as you progress from Ongoing Weight Loss to PreMaintenance, and finally to the Lifetime Maintenance phase of Atkins.

and

Research has shown that on a controlled carbohydrate program, more calories are burned than in a low-fat/high-carb diet, so there is a certain metabolic advantage to the controlled carb approach. But understand that this does not give you a license to gorge.

So concentrate on eating the right foods until you are not hungry and you will do fine

[Elizellen]

Re: Calories...

when I see on fit day that I have eaten 2000 calories I feel disgusted with myself.

I sympathise with this feeling, Snuggles and had to fight against it myself when I started using fitday.
I often wish fitday didnt show the calories at all!! It is a pity we cant customise our accounts there to only show carbs, it would save many mental struggles for those of us who have been brainwashed all our lives into thinking it is all about calories

[higgies]

Re: Calories...

As Elizellen said, don't count them...

As you said, you are still trying to add fat. With things like burgers, they should have enough fat to get you where you need to be without adding much. If you are really concerned about it...just try cutting some portions. As I moved through OWL I started reducing things here and there and didn't miss it. For example, I would go from 3 eggs to 2 for breakfast, from 14oz steaks to 8-10oz., etc.

[gimast]

Re: Calories...

Elizellen, you hit it right on the nose! i find it difficult thinking its "okay to eat more than 1200 calories a day." i'm in my third week of induction and have lost 14 lbs but i'm still obsessed with my calorie intake. fitday is great for me because it keeps track of my carbs...but the calorie column kills me everyday.

this may sound strange but my struggle with eating is knowing when i'm satified...for me there is a fine line between satisfied, being full and feeling stuffed. i have to teach myself that i don't have to eat everything on my plate....seems my stomach takes a long time to signal my brain that i've had enough....so, i've decided to take it one day at a time.

[higgies]

Re: Calories...

It has been battered into our heads since we were children that the only way to lose weight is to cut calories, cut calories. This tends to lead to an unhealthy reduction in those calories and unsuccessful dieting since it's so difficult and tedious to watch those things. I find this so freeing and not at all like a diet. I consider it more like a lifestyle, as many of us do. It's like being vegetarian, but with all the meat!

[sallyseachange]

Re: Calories...

this may sound strange but my struggle with eating is knowing when i'm satified...for me there is a fine line between satisfied, being full and feeling stuffed. i have to teach myself that i don't have to eat everything on my plate....seems my stomach takes a long time to signal my brain that i've had enough....so, i've decided to take it one day at a time.

I hear you on this. I have the same problem and have to use Fitday to help me keep myself in line. You hit the nail on the head when you say it seems to take a long time for the "no longer hungry" signal to get from stomach to brain. Takes me at least an hour. But... keep practicing, because it does get easier the more you concentrate on how you feel. I notice a definite improvement... even though I don't reckon I've got it beat yet. Slow and steady... you can do this.

[MMKH]

Re: Calories...

Help! I am on day 5 and have been extremley strict! I am averaging 1800- 2000 cal a day and no more than 20 carbs. I used to drink alchohol almost daily before atkins and to be honest I thought just cutting out the beer would help me loose weight alone. But I am really shocked I have not lost a pound. I have an injury and have not been working out which I normally did right before I began on Monday, I just don't get why the scale is not moving down. Any ideas out there? One thing I have been eating up to 2 atkins bars a day with 2 carbs a piece.....

Thanks

Molly