Sunday, February 12, 2012

Calorie Counter

I am always in a constant state of struggling with my weight.  I started out at 151 a couple of years ago.  I noticed that one of my favorite people had lost a lot of weight and that motivated me to start watching what I eat.  I started trying to eat more healthy and started walking.  I started walking two miles about 3 - 4 times a week.  Over the last two years, I increased to a little over four miles a day.  Weekends I try to do 5 - 6 miles.  At this point, I weigh between 127 - 131.  I've maintained that weight for about the last year or two.  At one point I was 125, but people started saying I was too thin.  I really think that had to do with the fact that I didn't have clothes that really fit me.  I've finally caught my wardrobe up to my weight loss.

Recently, a friend of mine told me that he lost weight by counting calories.  He talked me in to using the Livestrong Calorie counter to stay on track. He said that eating too little is almost as bad as eating too much.  The biggest thing I've struggled with on calorie counting is that I haven't been able to figure out how to count my calories when my husband makes the food.  Well all that is OVER!! My friend at http://definitelyleopard.blogspot.com/ found a calorie calculator online!!  When you make something, all you have to do is add all the ingredients to their page and they will do the calculating for you!!  Recipe calculator is the way to go.  It is amazing what all you can find on the web!  I've slacked on counting calories because we've been trying to cook, but that all comes to an end today!!


I like the Livestrong calorie counter because it tracks the calorie intake in conjunction with the exercise that you do.  I use the endomondo app to count the calories I burn when I'm out walking.  I set up challenges every month for my friends and me to see how much we exercise.  It really keeps me motivated to be in a challenge with someone.  I also have my exercise posted automatically to my Facebook page, so it keeps me accountable.  On the days I don't work out, I've had people comment to me to find out what happened.

Overall, I've mostly limited  my exercise to walking, but I'm trying to add strength training also. I got the multi-rep app on my phone, so every other day I do pushups, squats, triceps dips and sit ups. Every day the app adds to the amount I did the time before, so it is really starting to get harder.  I've only been using this a little while and my husband said he can already notice the difference, so I think I'll keep this up.  I'm sure this will help me tone up.  I'm not as motivated to do strength training activities, so we'll see how this goes.


4 comments:

Hilary said...

I'm the opposite. I don't mind strength training but I hate cardio.

Beth Roan said...

I am going to use the app religiously this week (starting tomorrow) :) I'm hoping it makes a difference. Funny - our weight is exactly the same and someone told me I had gotten way too skinny at 126. I just want to get to a point where I easily stay at 128.

CT said...

That's my goal too!!!

hundt1 said...

Interesting calorie counter page. I have tried many different things to lose weight or increase tone and though I have lost a total of about 25 pounds overall, I have a tendancy to slack off after I achieve a goal and then the challenge is back on. I am starting to work on my caloric intake, my protein intake, my low sodium intake and increased exercise. I just have to ignore the pain that exercise causes me because I am so out of shape and just continue to move forward. I am trying Insanity, but am thinking I should have done P90X first. Insanity is really for those that are in better shape than me but want to get more shapely and toned.

I applaude your dedication and determination to walking and exercise. I unfortunately am not that motivated, though I need to get busy since I am running in the Warrior Dash again this year. I have a time to beat, I just hope that my body will see it the same way!

Thanks for the blog.