Diet questions...

Support | Event Directors & Organizers

Search Cool Running Community

Browse Cool Running

CoolRunning.com > Cool Running Community > Carbo Canteen >

synecdoche

8 posts since
Aug 22, 2005

Aug 14, 2006 11:30 PM

Diet questions...

So, I used to weight around 260 pounds. I joined Weight Watchers, and it worked great for me, and I got down to 170. Felt great. At that point, I abandoned Weight Watchers, maintained a while, and then decided I wanted to improve my fitness level. I hadn't exercised too much while doing Weight Watchers, which was, I see now a mistake.

Anyway, since then, I started counting calories, but I'm utterly confused by how many I should be shooting for each day. I've been wildly inconsistent, and end up eating horribly a couple days a week, and then the weight is creeping back up. I want to nip this in the bud, but I get wildly different recommendations depending on the "BMR Calculator" I use. I was hoping somebody here could advise me.

My biggest problem is not what I eat but how much; I have a real problem with binging. I eat healthily for the most part, but every few days for some reason I just go crazy and eat like 5 (natural) peanut butter sandwiches.

Right now, I am about 5'9.5", and weighed (as of this morning) 188. I want to reduce my body fat percentage, more than anything. I think it is around 19% or so right now.

For exercise, I'm running, building up my distances based on a Higdon plan. For example, this week I am doing:

0 / 3.5 / 2 / 3.5 / 0 / 40m cross / 5 (distances in miles)

But, yeah, I don't know. I did great on Weight Watchers, but for some reason I can't seem to work it out when I watch my calories. I log with Fitday, but I feel incredibly confused. I have a couple days where I do really well, and then kablammo, I set myself back, and the weight starts piling on.

So, anyone want to suggest how much I should be eating? The target I had in mind was 2500 + (100 x miles run for the day).

Sorry, I just feel thoroughly confused. There is so much contradictory information out there!

tafkaf

6 posts since
Aug 1, 2006

1. Aug 15, 2006 4:40 AM

in response to: synecdoche

I'm the same height as you & I'm trying hard to get to the weight you're at now! :lol

Are you sure you're not trying to be "too" scientific about this? If you go back to the habits you had on WW & cut out the binging, it will work, no?

I'm doing a little more miles than you and I haven't had to alter my diet significantly to "fuel" the running.

I'm just eating sensibly, smaller portions, fruit, no crappy snacks, no fizzy stuff. One sandwich, instead of five!

marketwatcher

65 posts since
Nov 6, 2007

2. Aug 15, 2006 6:35 AM

in response to: synecdoche

quote:<HR>Originally posted by synecdoche:

Right now, I am about 5'9.5", and weighed (as of this morning) 188. I want to reduce my body fat percentage, more than anything. I think it is around 19% or so right now.

<HR>

I'm not sure how you're measuring your body fat %, but it's probably higher than 19%. The scales or handheld devices aren't very useful.

------------------
See My Profile and Learn More About Me[/URL" target="_blank">

tafkaf

6 posts since
Aug 1, 2006

3. Aug 15, 2006 7:44 AM

in response to: synecdoche

Way to make him feel even worse, mate. lol

goindownsouth

469 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

4. Aug 15, 2006 8:29 AM

in response to: synecdoche

quote:<HR>Originally posted by synecdoche:
So, I used to weight around 260 pounds. I joined Weight Watchers, and it worked great for me, and I got down to 170. Felt great. At that point, I abandoned Weight Watchers, maintained a while, and then decided I wanted to improve my fitness level. I hadn't exercised too much while doing Weight Watchers, which was, I see now a mistake.

Anyway, since then, I started counting calories, but I'm utterly confused by how many I should be shooting for each day. I've been wildly inconsistent, and end up eating horribly a couple days a week, and then the weight is creeping back up. I want to nip this in the bud, but I get wildly different recommendations depending on the "BMR Calculator" I use. I was hoping somebody here could advise me.

My biggest problem is not what I eat but how much; I have a real problem with binging. I eat healthily for the most part, but every few days for some reason I just go crazy and eat like 5 (natural) peanut butter sandwiches.

Right now, I am about 5'9.5", and weighed (as of this morning) 188. I want to reduce my body fat percentage, more than anything. I think it is around 19% or so right now.

For exercise, I'm running, building up my distances based on a Higdon plan. For example, this week I am doing:

0 / 3.5 / 2 / 3.5 / 0 / 40m cross / 5 (distances in miles)

But, yeah, I don't know. I did great on Weight Watchers, but for some reason I can't seem to work it out when I watch my calories. I log with Fitday, but I feel incredibly confused. I have a couple days where I do really well, and then kablammo, I set myself back, and the weight starts piling on.

So, anyone want to suggest how much I should be eating? The target I had in mind was 2500 + (100 x miles run for the day).

Sorry, I just feel thoroughly confused. There is so much contradictory information out there!

<HR>

WW is geared towards folks like us who have issues with volume consumption. I have gone from 335 to 219, so it can be done.

My advice, get back on program...

Feel free to joint the Weight Watchers thread over on the Newbie board. There is a great bunch of folks over there who are always willing to lend an ear and any support you may need.

Lala Running

105 posts since
Jul 6, 2006

5. Aug 15, 2006 11:25 AM

in response to: synecdoche

QUOTEOriginally posted by Flyweight:
[B] I'm not sure how you're measuring your body fat %, but it's probably higher than 19%. The scales or handheld devices aren't very useful.

How would you know that? Many people have more muscle than fat. Being 188 lbs and almost 6 feet tall may be 19%. My husband is 6'1" and weighs 208 lbs, but his body fat is low. I also weigh much more due to muscle mass. I put on muscle very easily and so my weight is higher.

synecdoche

8 posts since
Aug 22, 2005

6. Aug 15, 2006 11:26 AM

in response to: synecdoche

Flyweight, that measurement comes from using multiple measurement methods. Bioelectrical impedence and whatnot actually have me much lower than that.

The trouble with weight watchers is this: I tried doing it yesterday, and after I had used all my points for the day I was at something liek 1500 calories. That's too low, isn't it?

goindownsouth

469 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

7. Aug 15, 2006 11:38 AM

in response to: synecdoche

quote:<HR>Originally posted by synecdoche:
Flyweight, that measurement comes from using multiple measurement methods. Bioelectrical impedence and whatnot actually have me much lower than that.

The trouble with weight watchers is this: I tried doing it yesterday, and after I had used all my points for the day I was at something liek 1500 calories. That's too low, isn't it?<HR>

It depends, but you also earn additional points based on your activity level.

synecdoche

8 posts since
Aug 22, 2005

8. Aug 15, 2006 5:28 PM

in response to: synecdoche

Goindownsouth, yeah, I know about the activity points. But I thought I'd give it another try today, since it is a running day. I calculated my points out for the day, added 5 for my run (high intensity for 35 minutes), and another couple for the moving boxes I did. Even after that, I'm at 1700 calories for the day, with just 2 points left.

That's not using any flex points, mind you, but I know I'm going out for a big dinner this weekend, so I want to save them.

I guess if I used all my flex points, the caloric intake would be okay, but I hate using them all up like that as I generally try to save them in case of an "emergency" or something like that.

I suppose I could go eat a bunch of raw carrots, but I thought that if you ate multiple servings of things that you eventually have to count the points for them, as they do, of course, have calories.

I'll check out the thread, though. I do think WW might be best for me, because I KNOW it works, but I am worried that I won't be eating enough to support my activity. When I followed the program previously I wasn't nearly as active as I am now.

marketwatcher

65 posts since
Nov 6, 2007

9. Aug 15, 2006 5:40 PM

in response to: synecdoche

Have you tried using Fitday to calculate your base calories? I find it's pretty accurate at calculating the base (for me it's 1,200 or so) and then you can add an "activity" factor (mine adds about 300 for office work). So my caloric expenditure before activities is about 1,800 or so.

I find Fitday is wildly inaccurate on its calculations for actual physical activities. I use a heart rate monitor instead to calculate calories.

Try something like Fitday to determine your base calories.

To me it makes more sense to get scientifc and use calories, that's what I do.

changer

71 posts since
Aug 4, 2004

10. Aug 17, 2006 7:59 AM

in response to: synecdoche

I think 3 meals and at least 2 snacks maybe 3. Could you write a food plan out the day before and try to stick to it. If you eat your own meals mostly and then fwhen you do eat out estimate the calorie amount. I have no idea about points or your needs but if you undereat one day then the next you are more likelt to eat 5 sandwiches. So maybe a realistic every day plan for slow weight loss.

Aug 14, 2006 11:30 PM

Diet questions...

New Runners

Training

Competition

Age Groups

Fitness

The Lighter Side

Feedback

Related Links