Calories Per Day

[ihpguy]

I'm kind of wondering if others beside myself count calories on a daily basis? Or nearly? Anyone have a goal as to calories? Me. I try to stay under 2000, closer to 1500-1700 on days when I am not doing much active stuff. Other days go up when I'm very busy away from the house and then there are the binge days.

[OneFinger]

I track everything that goes into my mouth using:

My Fitness Pal

When I was in my weight loss mode, I tried to keep my intake to 1,000 calories per day with at least 80 grams in protein and 64 oz of water per day.

I now reached my goal weight and try to keep my calories to approximately 2,000 per day. So far, I've been able to keep my weight within a couple of pounds of my goal weight of 190 lbs.

[ihpguy]

I've been logging my foods onto CalorieCount, actually. Minimum 80 ounces of water for me. On your program, is there anything about "starvation mode" with too-low caloric intake? 1000 for me and then the next day and I'm aware that the next day I'm going to be skimming 2000. The hunger takes over. And not for peen.

[OneFinger]

...On your program, is there anything about "starvation mode" with too-low caloric intake?

Before I started my program the doctor had me on a 2,000 or less diet to prep for the "starvation mode". During this phase I cut out all soda / carbonation, liquor, caffeinated drinks, sugars, candy, breads, potatoes, pasta, etc.

When starvation mode started my meals consisted of 2 oz of clear liquids (such as broth). But between those "meals" I could sip as much water as I wanted. The clear liquids was for an entire week. Then I went on 2 oz per "meal" of soft foods (cottage cheese, string cheese, sugar free jello, etc). That lasted for a week.

On the third week I could start using protein shakes and similar stuff. But my intake was still way below 1,000 calories. I don't believe I actually started in to taking 1,000 calories until about week 5 or 6. On week 4 I started introducing salads, some roughage, fish, etc. But the portions were still less than 8 oz per meal.

The whole idea behind the doctor's plan I used was to shock the body into ketosis. I had to measure my ketosis level daily and keep it in the moderate range. But, even though I was not taking in a lot of food I was on high vitamin doses and had blood work done regularly.

Four co-workers and one of their children have gone through this program. One guy has lost 150 lbs and was at his goal weight in about 6 months. I've lost 125 lbs and am at my goal weight (in 9 months). A female co-worker started 2 days before me and has lost 120 lbs. She still has 25 more pounds to go. A male co-worker started the day after Christmas and he is down 125 lbs and has another 50 lbs to go. His daughter started a month ago and has lost 25 lbs.

FYI, this is NOT a program I'd recommend without strict supervision of a weight loss doctor and nutritionist. It includes a very strict diet, exercise, vitamins program, group counseling, and similar stuff. My doctors have remarkable success and they are the only ones in the entire state that were covered under my Blue Cross medical plan. There are people in my support group that have 10+ years keeping their weight off.

[lookin]

Nice job, OneFinger! You really stuck with it. It seems like the support group would be a big help. How often do you meet?

[TampaYankee]

Before I started my program the doctor had me on a 2,000 or less diet to prep for the "starvation mode". During this phase I cut out all soda / carbonation, liquor, caffeinated drinks, sugars, candy, breads, potatoes, pasta, etc.

When starvation mode started my meals consisted of 2 oz of clear liquids (such as broth). But between those "meals" I could sip as much water as I wanted. The clear liquids was for an entire week. Then I went on 2 oz per "meal" of soft foods (cottage cheese, string cheese, sugar free jello, etc). That lasted for a week.

On the third week I could start using protein shakes and similar stuff. But my intake was still way below 1,000 calories. I don't believe I actually started in to taking 1,000 calories until about week 5 or 6. On week 4 I started introducing salads, some roughage, fish, etc. But the portions were still less than 8 oz per meal.

The whole idea behind the doctor's plan I used was to shock the body into ketosis. I had to measure my ketosis level daily and keep it in the moderate range. But, even though I was not taking in a lot of food I was on high vitamin doses and had blood work done regularly.

Four co-workers and one of their children have gone through this program. One guy has lost 150 lbs and was at his goal weight in about 6 months. I've lost 125 lbs and am at my goal weight (in 9 months). A female co-worker started 2 days before me and has lost 120 lbs. She still has 25 more pounds to go. A male co-worker started the day after Christmas and he is down 125 lbs and has another 50 lbs to go. His daughter started a month ago and has lost 25 lbs.

FYI, this is NOT a program I'd recommend without strict supervision of a weight loss doctor and nutritionist. It includes a very strict diet, exercise, vitamins program, group counseling, and similar stuff. My doctors have remarkable success and they are the only ones in the entire state that were covered under my Blue Cross medical plan. There are people in my support group that have 10+ years keeping their weight off.

Be aware that you may loose significant muscle mass with this regimen. Under such extreme conditions the body believes it is in starvation mode and summons all hands on deck. Would that the body was smart enough to just burn fat when it is present in abundance. Although it is easier to convert fat to energy, the body looks wherever it can to save itself when in panick mode. You will loose much more fat than muscle but the latter will take a hit too.

[OneFinger]

Nice job, OneFinger! You really stuck with it. It seems like the support group would be a big help. How often do you meet?

My support group meets face-to-face once a month but we have a daily check-in forum (similar to this site). Lots of good exchange and support. Plus, it helps having co-workers on the same program. I'm getting lots of support from work, friends, and family.