Setting a Caloric Goal

I've certainly posted on this topic before, but it's what I'm thinking about and reviewing for myself right now.  Most people approach caloric intake in one of two ways:  They pick a number for any number of reasons; this number is usually a very low number like 1000 or 1200 calories.  Others do what I call "backward math."  They calculate the number of calories needed to maintain their current weight (basically, your BMR), and then subtract from that the caloric deficit needed to affect a pound (or two) a week weight loss.

The first idea is just a bad one.  It's arbitrary, does not account for height or weight or age or activity and just plain is a set-up for yo-yo dieting.  Some people can maintain very low calorie diets but they use special supplements designed to keep them feeling full.

The second idea is better than the first, for sure, but still leaves something to acknowledge.  If you have 100 pounds to lose, you can sure lose a pound or two a week but if you have 10 pounds to lose, maybe not. In addition, it's a bit arbitrary; why would the calendar dictate a choice about the number of calories you need to sustain you?

Many years ago on Fat2Fit Radio, I heard that the best way to set your caloric goal is to set it at the weight you need to maintain your goal weight.  For example, I am 5'11" and 53 years old.  A healthy weight for me would be 155.  Using the BMR math, that puts my maintenance calories at 1660.  Therefore, if I eat only 1660 calories a day, I will lose weight and when I get to my goal weight, I will already be used to maintaining.  It makes so much sense, doesn't it?

Using "goal weight math," I have set my daily caloric range at 1500-1660 calories.  I like to have a range because it keeps me from eating one more thing to make my goal if I'm not really hungry.  It also gives me a little wiggle room for any BLTS (bites, licks or tastes) I may forget to record.

I have been eating at this range for about 3 weeks (with a couple of exceptions) and I have not really been hungry.  I'm eating very well out of my "box" and that is certainly helping me feel full. I have had more bread recently than my plan calls for but will just forgo it in the coming weeks.

There have been two side benefits to this out of the box eating:  First, I am not having those insulin spikes I get when I eat a lot of refined carbs or sugar.  No more post-dessert nap taking!  Secondly, I notice that my personal focus on fruit and vegetables has rubbed off on the older girls and they are snacking more on these items as well.  Have you built your box yet?

Try setting your calorie range from your goal weight maintenance calories and let me know how it works out for you!

Building my Box

I admit it, I haven't been active here because sometimes I get tired of thinking/talking/writing about weight loss. But then I decide to pull on my big girl pants, stop whining, and think about what really fuels me in my weight loss journey. So with new computer in hand (or on lap, technically) and the holidays behind me, I am back to blogging! For the next couple of installments, I'll be writing about my favorite tools and maybe while I'm re-motivating myself, I'll inspire you, too!

A while back, I decided to stop focusing on what I "couldn't" or "shouldn't" or "did not choose to" eat and changed the way I framed it.  Instead, I now make a comprehensive list of what I do choose to eat and I focus on these foods.  This works because regardless of what plan or method I'm using to lose weight, I can "build my box" and fill it with the foods that support me.  

Can I eat foods that are "out of the box?"  Yes, of course, I can (and apparently do).  Yet if I choose the foods in my box, I'm going to get a lot better results, faster, never be hungry and most importantly, feel happy with myself.  That matters the most to me because if I make too many rules or set it up to be an all or nothing situation, then I am sure to go right out and shoot myself in the foot.  I'm just that way.

So without further ado, here is my box to start the new year. These are foods I like. I don't put anything in I don't like (or that doesn't sit well). I have it in layers (modeled after Michi's ladder) but focusing on my personal "super foods."  The layers make my choices easy.  

Free, free, free - Any amount, any time (emphasize*):

Vegetables:  asparagus*, beets, Brussels sprouts, bok choy, green cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, chili peppers, cucumbers, garlic, ginger, lettuce, kale*, papayas, parsley, spinach* and zucchini. salsa

Fruits: apples, cranberries, grapefruit, lemons, oranges, pineapple, raspberries, strawberries* and tangerines.

Eat every day* or most days number or servings determined by calorie guidelines):

Grains: Oatmeal, brown rice, black beans (any bean),
Dairy:  Non-fat yogurt, fat-free milk, Greek yogurt
Protein:  Turkey, white fish, 

Fruits and Vegetables: Blueberries, pumpkin, tomatoes, kiwi, blackberries, (starred* items above), broccoli sprouts, mushrooms, pears, peppers, tomato sauce, string beans, peas, cherries

Fats (carefully portioned): Walnuts, Olive oil, canola oil

Eat two or three times per week:

Grains: Barley, whole grain bread, cous-cous (whole-wheat), chicken, humus
Dairy:  Low-fat cottage cheese
Protein: Eggs, Scallops, non-fat refried beans, tuna

Fruits and Vegetables: Edamame, bananas, baked potatoes, sweet potatoes, squash, corn, pineapple, peaches, watermelon

Fats (carefully portioned): nuts 

Other:  soy sauce, honey, mustard

Eat once a week:

Grains: whole-wheat pasta, whole grain cereal
Dairy:  good cheese
Protein: Salmon, beef (London broil, round steak, eye of round)

Fruits and Vegetables: 

Fatty foods and fats:  Avocado, olives, sunflower seeds

Eat rarely (perhaps once a month):

Grains: Popcorn, pancakes, white rice
Dairy:  cheesy foods,
Protein: Salmon, pork tenderloin, lean steak, 

Fatty foods and fats:  Avocado, olives, sunflower seeds, mayonnaise

Other:  Ketchup, sweets of any kind, wine

What's in your box?