Counting Calorie Burn...

[aaron]

For all of those following Ellis's diet plan, or any diet in which you are counting calories, how are you keeping track of the calories you burn throughout the day? I know there are calorie monitors out there but how many of you actually use these? Without there use, how can one tell how many calories are burned compared to ingested?

Thanks in advance.

I posted this over at the Dragondoor forums too, trying to get as many answers as possible.

Aaron,

The easiest way to do this is to pick a few favorite foods, learn there caloric value, and go from there. I know me, Steve Maxwell, DC Maxwell eat pretty boring menus, which is not necessary but makes it easier - especially if your counting.

You want to try to get away from literal counting as soon as you can. Better to just keep track of what your eating, if your getting results - you're good to go. If not, you can look at your dairy and cut something. After a while you can just go by feel.

Bill

[aaron]

All right, thanks...I've been counting what I'm eating and my meals are pretty basic. It is kind of tough to count because I'm eating college food and I have to guess on portion size and what not.

Eggs, chicken, steak, banana, and peanut butter is pretty much it. I do not eat dairy anyway, so can't cut that.

I'm going to try to calculate my resting metabolic rate and keep my calories around that...That way, any additional exersize puts me in caloric defecit.

[sin_goodfellow]

http://www.foodcomputer.com/FoodCalorieValues.asp

Aaron,

The above link is one of first links I found on the net that lists the calorie values of different foods. Just remember that in general a serving is about the size of your hand.

I know I achieved great results in cutting pounds by limiting my calories to 1700, 500 less than my resting metabolic rate. One day a week, eat something you've normally restricted yourself from. Any other time you feel that voice in your head telling you, "just eat that cookie, it won't have that much of an effect..." Squash it.

Jesse Wells

[aaron]

Thanks sin, so far so good. I'm 7 days into the diet and I've dropped 5 pounds, mostly water, but I have started to notice more definition.

I do not have much trouble with self discipline when eating except when drunk, but I haven't been while on the diet yet. I have to get some vodka to avoid the carbs...not drinking is hardly na option in college. :D

I'm 5'10" and I weigh 150.5 as of yesterday. I'm looking to get down to 7-8% body fat by Thanksgiving (I'm guessing I'm at 10-12% now) as well as working up to a 405lbs. deadlift. So I do not want to lose much muscle so I'm adjusting the calories regularly. I think they are very achievable goals. My leg strength must be improved and I'm currently working on that. One month to go.