Calories in, Calories out; Advice?

>I love this thread! What I don't understand is..how do you
>accurately count the calories in the food you're eating? For
>instance, tonight I made a huge pot of turkey soup with barley
>and tons of vegetables. I had two medium size bowls but I
>have no exact idea how much turkey, barley, and vegetables I
>really ate. I just don't know how to count calories unless
>it's a simple yogurt with the counts on the package, or
>measuring out a l/2 cup of cottage cheese or something.
>
>Thanks for the help! :)

I have been counting calories and "zigzagging" for about 4 months now and have seen excellent results. When I make a pot of soup or stew or anything with several ingreadients, I calculate all the calories in the whole pot, then measure exactley how much it makes (8 cups, etc.), then I calculate calories per cup or 2 cups, depending on how big my expected "serving" size will be. It is a lot of work, but it is the only way I know of getting accurate calorie counts.

Hope that helps!:)
 
Laura,

Under Calorie Calculator, after you fill out the info, it shows 3 calorie counts for maintenance, fat loss, and extreme fat loss..under that there is a small link that says "show 7 day calorie cycle (zig zag)".

-Kathleen-
 
Nancy,

I have heard this also. I thought it was something like, muscle only burns a "few" more calories. I can't remember the number off the top of my head, but it was an astonishingly SMALL amount.

I'd be interested in hearing if anyone else has heard this.

Chrissy
 
Chrissy, I think there was an article in the New York Times and a few other places. We had a discussion about it here. I was sooooo bummed. I think we all were. It was a nice fantasy while it lasted. :(
 
My local Y had a guy from a local college talk to the personal trainers periodically, and on one of his visits he told us that very thing - that muscle mass does not add that much as a calorie burner. It sure burst a lot of bubbles in that room! From me own personal experience, I believe it. Cardio is the only activity that ever made a difference for weight control for me, but weight training improves your appearance more so I'm not about to stop it!
Just Do It! :)
 
Nancy, No, I have not heard that! That blows!! Can you help me find the thread where ya'll were discussing the article? I'd love (I think ;) ) to learn more!! What a bummer! Regardless, I won't be selling my iron just yet:7 !
 
Here you go Sarah. Read it and weep. It was in July and I'm still bummed out.

http://69.0.137.118/dc/dcboard.php?...ic_id=52357&mesg_id=52357&listing_type=search

Not that weight-lifting isn't good for you. Just that it doesn't help much in burning calories. Here's the bottom line:

"Given that one pound of muscle burns between 7 to 13 calories a day (as determined by studies that measured oxygen and blood flow to tissues), that means the average boost in metabolism is only 14 to 52 calories a day, said Dympna Gallagher, the director of the body composition unit at the New York Obesity Research Center in Manhattan.

The effect of weight lifting "on metabolism is minor and certainly not the savior of dieters," said William Kraemer, a professor of physiology and neurobiology at the University of Connecticut."
 
I went on that web site and it said I needed 1900+ calories just to maintain my weight. It zig zagged my calories anywhere from 1200 to 2300 cal. I dont know if i should first reduce my calories and see what happens and then zig zag them or just start zig zagging them now. I am hoping to lose 10lbs. usually when i cut back i see a few pds come off quickly thats why i thought maybe try the zig zagging after it starts to slow down. for those of you who do that did you try cutting back first then changed up; your calories later after you hit a platuea?
 
If you decide to zig zag, you WILL be cutting calories but only for 3 consecutive days, the 1 maintenance day, then cut calories for 3 more days, repeat. You will be cutting calories, just at a rate that is healthy. You should not cut more than 30% of your calories...it's too much. That should allow for a 1-2 pound weight loss per week which is the healthiest way to go. Also, it increases the likely hood that those pounds will stay of.

That my opinion...do what you feel suits you best. Good Luck to you.
 
I think i will try the zig zagging. as someone posted above,you are really good at helping them with this. will following this method for a long term still produce results? or do you eventually platuea with the zig zagging also? sorry for so many questions but eating seems to be my problem as far as getting the results I want. I love exercise but I have no will power when it comes to food but I am trying to work on that.
 
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