calories or fat??

[wednesday]

hi all
im a little confused, should i be counting calories or fat, i have been taking zenical for 3 weeks and have lost only 4lb :sigh: but i lost that 4lb in the first week when i was only counting fat, (i was having about 20-25g fat a day) i have no idea how many calories that was, then i read on here somewhere that i needed to be counting calories, so i went on my fitness pal and it said i need to eat 1200 a day, result....weight loss stopped, scales not moved in 2 weeks, and getting very frustrated i honestly feel like im starving myself for nothing so i may as well go out and eat a lot of junk, i drink 2.5 litres, or more of water a day, im quite active so why am i not losing???? someone has said its because im not eating enough, and with 1200 calories my fat intake is about 8 or 10 grams a day, any advice would be really appreciated......

 

[booboocraig]

Hiya Wednesday,

Don't be disheartened, you have done well so far....it takes time for your body to get used to the new ways hun
You must eat your amount of calories (don't eat extra calories my fitness pal gives you for exercise as this is only used to maintain a body weight)
Stay below 45g fat per day....when you look at food packaging under per 100g look at the fat content and don't go above 5g
Drink plenty of water....I drink green tea which is said to help burn fat!!

What you must remember is that for every 1lb of fat it takes 3,500 calories to burn it (exercise wise)
What sort of exercise do you do ??

Taking into account daily chores ect we have to try and burn as many calories as we eat

Can I add you on fitness pal and look at your food diary that way I might be able to see whats happening ??

 

[wednesday]

hi sharon
i never go over 1200 calories last week i was struggling to hit 1100 and my fat intake was between 8 and 10 for the whole day.
i drink 2.5 litres or more a day and about 5 or 6 mugs of green tea (have been drinking that for about 3 years because i find it helps my mood (i'm bipolar)
i walk to collect my son from school which takes about an hour most of it up hill, i also walk the dogs another hour walking, and then im running around the house most of the day after kids.....
i just dont know what im doing wrong :cry:
this always seems to happen with me, i lose for the first couple of weeks, then get stuck on 175lbs and no matter what i do the scales dont shift, which is why i always end up giving up.
the dr has ruled out any medical problem, like thyroid etc im so frustrated and gutted :cry:
i dont tend to use my fitness pal to input food etc but as an example of my diet heres what i had yesterday.....
bowl of rice krispies with skimmed milk 175 cals 0.2 fat
lunch....the same as breakfast because not really that hungry, so 175 cals, 0.2 fat
dinner, 1 small pork chop 60g 110 clories, 3.6 fat, 200g boiled potatoes 150 cals (0.8 fat?)
peas, 50 calories fat unsure but not much....
snack, i activia yog fat free 75 cals, 0.1 fat

i always check the food label and have stayed within the 5g/100g rule

i have lost inchs on my waist and midriff i noticed this morning, 1.5 of my waist and 2 off my midriff so i cant understand why this isnt being reflected on the scales......im sooooo confused and upset today

 

[booboocraig]

What you had yesterday only totals to 735 calories you are very much under your calorie amount so your body will go into camel starvation mode and you won't lose....you need to up your food intake.....between meals have low fat snacks as this keeps your metabolism running on high !!
The tablets don't work if there is no fat in your food ie...your breakfast/lunch yesterday...have a slice of toast with jam or marmalade...
you need to get a set amount of carbs, protein and veg in......

I am so glad your taking measurements the scales cannot tell when you have inchloss.....thats great news that you have lost inches so it is working !!
I input all my foods on my fitness pal as then i have a record of everything.......if you had done the same you would of realised that your calorie intake was under you can then rectify it

Don't get upset Wednesday as its proven to stop you losing weight if you stress,,,,this is a lifestyle change for you and we are here to support you

 

[wednesday]

awww thanks sharon, i feel better already, i will try toast for breakfast instead of the cereal etc and try and get my calorie intake up a bit, im going to try and eat more fruit this week im also going to try and stay off the scales and weigh only on a monday from now on, because that causes me to stress when i dont see them moving.
am i allowed a bit of low fat spread of my toast or just the jam????
i should be happy that ive actually lost 4lb i think i need to adjust my mindset and be more positive, as long as i get the weight off and keep it off i will be happy, and im in no real rush to lose it so i really dont know why i feel so low today....
thanks for your advice youve really helped lift my mood this morning
cathy

 

[booboocraig]

have the cereal and toast Wednesday....I don't use low fat spread but I know you can if you can find it within your 5g rule

I have put some recipes on the site if you look under all diets then other diet options...its under xenical

I would recommend you get the alli diet plan book its filled with great recipes...some of the ingredients go over the 5g rule but as they are such small amounts it doesn't affect you........(alli is orlistat/xenical but only 60mg) it also has a lot of tips and info that really would help you Cathy....
Join the programme on How healthy works | alli there are recipes on there too !!

he xenical site is good also and if you read into it you will understand how it works ....as when we get these tablets given there is no info to go with it

Xenical - Nutrition and Activity Centre - Healthy Eating Tips

example of my food in a day ...I am allowed 1440 cals

breckie......poached egg on toast (1 slice) crunchy nut cornflakes and semi-skimmed milk, green tea
snack.....fruit/snack a jack, green tea
lunch.....tuna sandwich with ainsley harriot cup a soup, baked crisps
snack ....activia no fat yogurt...green tea
dinner....chicken breast wrapped in parma ham stuffed with low fat cheese ....with 150g crushed minty potatoes, broccoli and carrots.....

If im low on calories I will make a low fat pudding or have a glass of wine

Glad your happier ....its important to be positive ...have a good day Cathy x

 

[wednesday]

thanks again
going to check out your recipes and those other links, feeling very positive now, thank you soooooo much, i was about to give up, again!!!

 

[booboocraig]

Don't look at it as a diet Cathy....

a diet it something you come off when you reach your goal......this is a lifestyle change where you need to get the quantities ect right as this is what you will be eating from now on ....with the odd treat
I was on Alli for a month before Xenical and got the diet plan book....my partner eats the same food as me...he says its nice home cooked food and is better than most foods...hence why I recommend the book

On a weekend we sometimes go out like last week we went to Nandos...I know my calories so I know what I can eat.....once you get used to it you don't feel deprived....

your welcome