I talked to a weight loss counselor today at an LA Weight loss center. I thought that I'd pass on what she shared with me - it may not be new news to anyone, but it helped me.

In order to lose weight, we need to be consuming between 1200-1400 calories per day. Too much and obviously we gain, too little, and our metabolism shuts down a bit to conserve. If we are to lose, we have to stay within this range for at least one week to see a loss of about one pound. So, if we are good on days one through six and then blow it on day seven (which I just did) then we will only achieve maintenance.

Also, if we are exercising and burn 400 calories in a workout but don't add those calories back into our diet, we will again, put our metabolism into conservation mode.

It only takes an extra 3500 calories a week or 500 per day for a week straight to gain one pound.

I think where I am going wrong is that after six or so days of being good, I hop on the scale and see that I am only down .2 or so and then I get frustrated and think "what the heck" and I blow it one day.

I am also going wrong when I exercise and don't add those calories back into the day. Generally I will work out hard one day, rest two, and repeat the process. On the day that I work out, I am just not all that hungry to I don't eat too much.


I picked up a copy of the "Calorie King" and starting tomorrow - yes, Superbowl Sunday - party at my house day - I will start journaling.

It is so easy to mindlessly eat and extra 100-200 calories. I guess I am just going to have to be the calorie vigilante for awhile!



Well, I hope this "food for thought" (pun intended) helps.