If you count calories, do you spread them throughout the day, trying to balance each meal and/or snack?

Also, if you want to comment, do you think you lose weight faster or more steadily if you spread the calories throughout the day?

I didn't start counting calories until recently when I purchased Fitday PC and discovered that I wasn't getting any where near my BMR. I am worried about going into starvation mode so I have upped them and since then I have been battling the same 1.5lbs for 9 days. I hope that things will resume soon or I will probably become a basket case. I *think* that I read somewhere on this forum that people with a lot of weight to lose don't really need to worry about too little calories or starvation mode.. is this true?

I distribute them through the day, but not exactly evenly. Dinner is larger than breakfast and lunch, but I do watch to make sure that things are spread out in general.

There have been discussions about this. I think members of the TDC won't go into starvation mode unless you are below 1000 to 1200 or so. There are differing opinions on the exact number with some folks thinking it's 700-900 or so. I would find it hard to eat that few of calories.

I have just recently started counting calories because my weight loss had slowed a lot so I started tracking the calories, fat, protein, and carbs that I was taking in to make sure I hadn't gotten too loosey goosey with stuff. It helped me see where my portions had gotten a little off. Also made me realize how many "little" snacks I was having and how fast they can add up
I do try to spread my calories and carb intake throughout the day. For me, having the majority of my carbs and calories at one time does not work.
Marie

I try to stay at around 1500 calories which does not leave me hungry at all. I don't consciously spread them around and I always eat 3 meals a day, rarely any snacks. I found that my weight loss stabilized very much when I started using fitday -- I am loathe to record all sorts of junk so I just don't eat it! I too think my portions got a little off - that happens sooooo easily!

I have the reverse problem I have to force my calories up lol I don't eat red meats or pork (which add up calories pretty quick) and I love my veggies without anything on them

I don't count total calories for the day, but I limit myself to no more than 200 calories after dinner in order to keep from nibbling all evening. I try only to eat after 6:00 o'clock if I am actually feeling hungry.

I count carbs -- or at least, I sort of count them. I know I am still keeping them below 20 or 25 each day. Other than that, I eat if I'm hungry, and don't measure or weigh what I eat, so it would be difficult to count calaries. As long as I'm losing weight -- however slowly -- I don't think I'll start dounting them. (Even the carbs are often a guess, but I think I'm pretty close.)

Marie H

Well, I try to avoid binging at a meal, or eating meals that are too large because I find I will eat less if I eat several smaller meals instead of 3 large ones.

However I mainly focus on total caloric intake since that is what is important.

G'day!

I use fitday just to see where I am at each day, and since I don't weigh my food it is just a close approximation. I basically just eat if I am hungry, and try not to stuff myself when I do eat.

I think the fitday is good, because you can really see where you maybe had too much to eat, or too many calories in a day.

'Yes, I count calories, but I just total them for the day, not worrying about how many at each meal or snack'

I use fitday - it counts them - I have to concentrate to ensure that I have enough calories in a day! I don't distribute them but that is an idea I should maybe persue.

I count calories to try and stop me from eating too much. I can easily eat 2500+ calories a day. In the beginning (the first 30 pounds or so) I could eat any amount and still lose, but now I don't think I lose unless I'm under 1500 calories. Really sucks because then I'm hungry.

I count calories and try my best to stay at or under 1200, but it isn't easy. Lunch is my lightest meal.

I count everything with fitday-- about 1700 cals, 60% fat. 15% carb, 25% protein-- I eat about 1000 in the morning to lunch. Sometimes I have a small snack or 2. I don't eat carbs without something else. I eat "good carbs".