Fit moms - how many calories do you eat per day?

[Anonymous]

I have 50 lbs to lose and am finally on a program that works (with a doctor.)
But at 1500 calories a day, I am so surprised that people eat like this every day for their entire lives. 2 glasses of wine or one dessert and you have eaten so many of your calories already!!
If you are a normal weight, moderately fit person, do you eat 1500 a day?
What do you do at a big fancy restaurant meal or some other special event?
Do you never eat pancakes or a bagel? Or a big bowl of pasta at a delicious Italian restaurant?
I need to reset my entire approach to portions, etc.
I'm not that hungry on the 1500 cause it's high protein. I'm just wondering how it's sustainable.

[Anonymous]

500

[Anonymous]

Dunno.

I eyeball my portions and eat in moderation.
Hard cardio daily.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have 50 lbs to lose and am finally on a program that works (with a doctor.)
But at 1500 calories a day, I am so surprised that people eat like this every day for their entire lives. 2 glasses of wine or one dessert and you have eaten so many of your calories already!!
If you are a normal weight, moderately fit person, do you eat 1500 a day?
What do you do at a big fancy restaurant meal or some other special event?
Do you never eat pancakes or a bagel? Or a big bowl of pasta at a delicious Italian restaurant?
I need to reset my entire approach to portions, etc.
I'm not that hungry on the 1500 cause it's high protein. I'm just wondering how it's sustainable.

To address each of your questions -

I eat more than 1500 calories a day - probably closer to 2000 or even 2200

I eat what I want at restaurants and other special events. However, I compensate for that in the days surrounding that event - it's not an everyday thing.

I love pancakes and bagels, but don't eat them often. Yes, absolutely pasta at Italian restaurants.

It's sustainable because it's a change in your overall mindset and way of thinking about food.

BTW, I'm a registered dietitian so if you have any specific questions, I'm happy to try to help. Kudos for taking the first steps!

[Anonymous]

2,000 on a low day, 2,500 on harder days. But I exercise daily (cardio, weights, a few different things).

I lost 60lbs so I get the difficulty of how impossible it seems, but slow and steady weightloss is the key. Eat everything in moderation, cook and don't eat out frequently, and move more.

I definitely eat pancakes, bagels, pasta, chocolate, ice cream, etc. Just not every day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:2,000 on a low day, 2,500 on harder days. But I exercise daily (cardio, weights, a few different things).

I lost 60lbs so I get the difficulty of how impossible it seems, but slow and steady weightloss is the key. Eat everything in moderation, cook and don't eat out frequently, and move more.

I definitely eat pancakes, bagels, pasta, chocolate, ice cream, etc. Just not every day.

Impressive. When did you lose the 60? Do you find it hard to keep off - like having to maintain constant vigilance?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:2,000 on a low day, 2,500 on harder days. But I exercise daily (cardio, weights, a few different things).

I lost 60lbs so I get the difficulty of how impossible it seems, but slow and steady weightloss is the key. Eat everything in moderation, cook and don't eat out frequently, and move more.

I definitely eat pancakes, bagels, pasta, chocolate, ice cream, etc. Just not every day.

Impressive. When did you lose the 60? Do you find it hard to keep off - like having to maintain constant vigilance?

About 6 years ago. I have not found it hard to keep off, though I gain about 5lbs back seasonally. I've continued the exercise, which I'm positive has raised my metabolism, in addition to giving me new confidence. It's therapy for me, and thus build into my life. Also eat lots of fruits and vegetables daily, and cook more. So if I want to have some ice cream, it's not a big deal from time to time - I've worked out, I've eaten my vegetables. It evens out.

[Anonymous]

About 1500, sometimes more, sometimes less. I.lost 30# years ago and kept it off even after two kids.

5 foot.one and a,bit under 120# and.47, so my needs are less..

I drink wine, eat cheese, and carbs (but like 1-2 servings of bread or pasta stuff not 5) but eat desserts maybe once a month? I have a square of chocolate other times. I exercise 5x/ week, eat two moderate size meals and one light meak or snack. I do not snack otherwise and I just don't eat huge portions. I don't starve or restrict greatly.

[Anonymous]

Pp here. I learned after years of dieting, restricting etc that it not only didn't work but messed up.my ability to eat intuitively. So I make good choices but don't overear because it's there. If I have a blowout dinner, I usually eat very little the next day because I'm not hungry. It's taken a long time to learn to eat well but also eat only for hunger and not boredom, anxiety, social reasons, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have 50 lbs to lose and am finally on a program that works (with a doctor.)
But at 1500 calories a day, I am so surprised that people eat like this every day for their entire lives. 2 glasses of wine or one dessert and you have eaten so many of your calories already!!
If you are a normal weight, moderately fit person, do you eat 1500 a day?
What do you do at a big fancy restaurant meal or some other special event?
Do you never eat pancakes or a bagel? Or a big bowl of pasta at a delicious Italian restaurant?
I need to reset my entire approach to portions, etc.
I'm not that hungry on the 1500 cause it's high protein. I'm just wondering how it's sustainable.

Stop drinking and you'll lose weight and bloat easily. Unless you can't stop drinking.

[Anonymous]

Depends on how old I was. Until 35 I ate just about all I wanted but I tried to avoid carbs, I don't like bread and sweets. And I was active, gym, tennis, horseback riding. Now in mid 40s I eat around 1500 per day. I just watched a documentary that said person who never had extra weight, can in fact have more calories per day than person who lost a lot of weight.

[Anonymous]

Pre-pregnancy about 2,500 calories a day to maintain weight of 115. Pregnant, probably 3,000. At 30 weeks with weight gain of around 10 lbs.

[Anonymous]

Watch The Weight of the Nation documentary. It is eye opening.

[Anonymous]

2000 prob.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have 50 lbs to lose and am finally on a program that works (with a doctor.)
But at 1500 calories a day, I am so surprised that people eat like this every day for their entire lives. 2 glasses of wine or one dessert and you have eaten so many of your calories already!!
If you are a normal weight, moderately fit person, do you eat 1500 a day?
What do you do at a big fancy restaurant meal or some other special event?
Do you never eat pancakes or a bagel? Or a big bowl of pasta at a delicious Italian restaurant?
I need to reset my entire approach to portions, etc.
I'm not that hungry on the 1500 cause it's high protein. I'm just wondering how it's sustainable.

Stop drinking and you'll lose weight and bloat easily. Unless you can't stop drinking.

NP. Depends on how much you drink. I have completely cut out alcohol before and it hasn't done a thing for me. Why? Because I'm not an habitual daily drinker. Usually I'll have wine on one weekend night. So completely cutting it out makes little difference in the grand scheme of things.