Some of these posts and my first time on fitday got me thinking (darn thats scary.. lol) what is the average LC persons calorie count per day? Today my total calories is about 2300 with about 135 g of fat and 38 g carbs (I'm on OWL). I'm thinking I'm fine but if the ones who know what their calorie intake is, then maybe it will put some newbies at ease?

Susan

LC and feeling better every day!

Atkins since 7/18/03
210/190/140

Hey I in the same boat, I had 2277 cals and 177 g of fat but only 19 carbs (induction) so I am guessing that fat doesn't matter too much (since we are allowed to fry in butter afterall!) Great job on your weight loss, you must be so happy!

~Steph

When you're starting, don't worry about calories.

I repeat; WHEN YOU'RE STARTING, DON'T WORRY ABOUT CALORIES.

Here's why: what you're doing in the beginning of an LC WOE is retraining your body to get its nutrients and its 'full' feeling from different foods. You're removing the catalysts for fat production. As a result, what's left to eat is naturally higher in fat, and fat has more calories.

For quite some time, I maintained about 2200-2400 calories per day.

At some point, LATER in your OWL, you will find that calories matter, but for MOST of us, your caloric intake naturally goes down as you get more used to feeling full from fats and complex carbs (veggies).

RIGHT NOW: You should only be concerned with your carb intake - make sure that no matter how many carbs you're taking in, that they are complex and healthy!

Emelia

"We can only learn to love by loving." - Iris Murdoch, Irish writer
294/208/174 since 25-Nov-01

Susan (BTW, I love your name ), I found that I had to start watching my calories AFTER INDUCTION. I was not losing doing what I had been doing so I adjusted my calorie range. It was really no big deal. I just cut out some of the butter and the little extras. I can still eat around 1800 calories, my count varies. If you are stalled, you may want to consider this, but if you are still losing just keep doing what you are doing.

Steph, do not worry about calories on induction. Listen to Emelia's advise. She knows what she is talking about .

Susan ( AKA Northwest)
207/178.5/160

hmmmm i couldnt even tell you what my calorie count is for a single day, simply because ive never measured calories =)

how much we can eat on a daily basis is so individualized, just like our weight loss. there isnt much value in comparing specific counts.

Erin
atkins since 12/2/02
preggo and lcing!

Don't worry about calories if you don't have to, LOL!

After people get closer to their goal weight, they may stall at higher levels of calories. If you go into a stall that lasts longer than 3 or 4 weeks, you may want to tweak your food program a bit.

Until then, if you are losing weight and feel good, it's likely that you are eating the right amount of calories for your situation.

But, to answer your question - as an older, shorter, and somewhat sedentary* person with a good BMI**, I'm finding I need to keep my carbs down around 30 and my calories below 1300 to lose weight - and lose slowly at that.

Remember, everyone's required calorie level will be vary widely based on their sex, weight, height, age, and activity level.

*I do try to walk at least 30 minutes or do other exercise daily, but I spend ~way~ too much time in front of a computer, otherwise, LOL!

**My Body Mass Index (BMI) is currently 23, which is considered good. A BMI of 25 or higher is considered to be overweight.

~~~Teelbee

174 (Mar. 2002, highest weight), 164 (Jan. 2003, begin LC)
164/135/137-134
remember, amateurs built the Ark, professionals built the Titanic

[This message was edited by Teelbee on 09-06-03 at 11:56 AM.]

Susan
while everyone's advice above is good, I can understand your curiosity on this. I find I needed to limit my calories somewhat but only to keep myself honed to lose 2 pounds a week, give or take. My calories necessary to do that with a ccl of 40 to 45 is 2000 (give or take a couple hundred). I think I need to be more conscious of calories because this is my second round with low carbing. in 1998 i started protein power and lost over 80 pounds. Then I put back 70 and started in again in feb of this year and have lost 53 pounds.
But as others have stated don't worry about calories until you have to.
HTH
Rob

Thanks for replying everyone! What I was really looking for here was something for those who are worried about fat and calories so they could have some reassurance. I'm not worried about myself, as I'm continuing to lose weight. Just registered on fitday yesterday, out of curiosity and saw someone asking questions about calories and fat.

Thanks again

Susan

LC and feeling better every day!

Atkins since 7/18/03
210/190/140