Dieting is getting too complicated....

[Angelkae]

Hey everyone,

I'm eating at maintenance right now (for 2 weeks) because other than during my 3 pregnancies I have been on a diet of some sort since 13 (I'm almost 24 now).

When I am done eating at maintenance (in a little over a week), I'll be starting on a diet again. If you've read my journal, you know that I tried carb cycling. That was hard for me because of many reasons, but one big one was that my low days (and days off from the gym) were Saturday and Sunday, which is when we are with friends and family, and everyone was pushing carbs and junk at me and questioning my eating habits, and I was grumpy anyway from the low carbs missing the gym and... well, it just didn't work. I did carb cycling for about 2 weeks, I think, and then tried a steady high-protein diet, and like I said now I'm at maintenance.

Anyway, I have been on the internet trying to find a good diet and there is just too much conflicting information. I feel even more lost than before. I feel like the only thing I know for sure is that I need my protein and EFA's. lol. I thought about PSMF but now I'm not sure...

Does anyone have a book recommendations or something that could set me straight? I feel so totally lost right now... lol.

[Erik]

It sounds like you're overcomplicating it.

1. Set your protein intake
2. Set your calories
3. Get your fish oils
4. Divide up the remaining calories b/w carbs and fats

Other options

5. More carbs on training days than non training days
6. Carbs taken in during periods of heightened 'uptake' (ie around workouts, in the AM, etc.)

Points 1-4 are the most important ones.

[musclema]

There are lots of books but it is probably best to pick one and stick with it. Or have someone make a plan for you and stick with it.

How old are your kids???

[Meliska]

Thunder,

I love your simplistic approach! It makes it so much easier when you break it down to the basics!

Guess, I just wanted to say Thanks :clap: for all the great advice that you give time and time again!

"Success, it's a mind game."

M

[Angelkae]

Originally posted by musclema@Jun 12 2006, 11:20 AM
There are lots of books but it is probably best to pick one and stick with it. Or have someone make a plan for you and stick with it.

How old are your kids???
Thanks for the advice. I'm just having trouble picking one because I'm so afraid that I'm picking the wrong one or getting caught up in another fad diet! I wish I could have someone do one for me, but the money just isn't there. lol!

I have 2 boys: a 3 1/2 year old, and a 10 month old.

[Angelkae]

Originally posted by Thunder@Jun 12 2006, 11:18 AM
It sounds like you're overcomplicating it.

1. Set your protein intake
2. Set your calories
3. Get your fish oils
4. Divide up the remaining calories b/w carbs and fats

Other options

5. More carbs on training days than non training days
6. Carbs taken in during periods of heightened 'uptake' (ie around workouts, in the AM, etc.)

Points 1-4 are the most important ones.
Thanks for setting me straight. :) I really do appreciate it. I don't know why, but I often do overcomplicate things...

[Erik]

Originally posted by Angelkae+Jun 12 2006, 01:14 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Angelkae &#064; Jun 12 2006, 01:14 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-musclema@Jun 12 2006, 11:20 AM
There are lots of books but it is probably best to pick one and stick with it. Or have someone make a plan for you and stick with it.

How old are your kids???
Thanks for the advice. I&#39;m just having trouble picking one because I&#39;m so afraid that I&#39;m picking the wrong one or getting caught up in another fad diet&#33; I wish I could have someone do one for me, but the money just isn&#39;t there. lol&#33;

I have 2 boys: a 3 1/2 year old, and a 10 month old. [/b][/quote]
So why not just take my advice? Not complicated enough? :lol:

[Erik]

Originally posted by Thunder+Jun 12 2006, 01:17 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Thunder @ Jun 12 2006, 01:17 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>
Originally posted by Angelkae@Jun 12 2006, 01:14 PM
<!--QuoteBegin-musclema@Jun 12 2006, 11:20 AM
There are lots of books but it is probably best to pick one and stick with it. Or have someone make a plan for you and stick with it.

How old are your kids???
Thanks for the advice. I&#39;m just having trouble picking one because I&#39;m so afraid that I&#39;m picking the wrong one or getting caught up in another fad diet&#33; I wish I could have someone do one for me, but the money just isn&#39;t there. lol&#33;

I have 2 boys: a 3 1/2 year old, and a 10 month old.
So why not just take my advice? Not complicated enough? :lol: [/b][/quote]
Never mind me. I posted too soon. :thunder: to me.

[Angelkae]

Originally posted by Thunder+Jun 12 2006, 12:17 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Thunder &#064; Jun 12 2006, 12:17 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>
Originally posted by Angelkae@Jun 12 2006, 01:14 PM
<!--QuoteBegin-musclema@Jun 12 2006, 11:20 AM
There are lots of books but it is probably best to pick one and stick with it. Or have someone make a plan for you and stick with it.

How old are your kids???
Thanks for the advice. I&#39;m just having trouble picking one because I&#39;m so afraid that I&#39;m picking the wrong one or getting caught up in another fad diet&#33; I wish I could have someone do one for me, but the money just isn&#39;t there. lol&#33;

I have 2 boys: a 3 1/2 year old, and a 10 month old.
So why not just take my advice? Not complicated enough? :lol: [/b][/quote]
I&#39;m going to take your advice&#33; lol&#33;

You are so :thunder: ned.

[mcv]

Carb cycling was waaaaay to hard for me too. Mentally a high day was translated by my brain into "free-for-all".

[Angelkae]

Originally posted by mcv@Jun 12 2006, 12:21 PM
Carb cycling was waaaaay to hard for me too. Mentally a high day was translated by my brain into "free-for-all".
I just felt like, I can do moderation, but going 2 whole days with no carbs (the first weekend, I had 1227 cals and 12 carbs on Saturday and 1191 cals and 32 carbs on Sunday) is just too hard for me. I can&#39;t do it without being a total biatch. lol... Then, Monday was a high day, and I could have carbs, but no fat, so I spent all day looking for fat-free carbs. I felt better physically that day but I just wanted a moment that I didn&#39;t have to think about food&#33; lol

[amyloo]

Originally posted by mcv@Jun 12 2006, 12:21 PM
Carb cycling was waaaaay to hard for me too. Mentally a high day was translated by my brain into "free-for-all".
This was soooo me.

[Birdie]

Excellent thread. :clap:

This one hit me like a ton of bricks. Thanks T&#33;

[PowerManDL]

Don&#39;t eat so fucking much.

The End.

[jrb1980]

Originally posted by PowerManDL@Jun 12 2006, 09:33 PM
Don&#39;t eat so fucking much.

The End.
Good avice actually.

I would also cinsider reading flexible dieting by Lyle MacDonald. It&#39;s not a diet plan or anything but it has helped me with my all or nothing attitude and makes it easy to stick to me diet.

[Angelkae]

Originally posted by PowerManDL@Jun 12 2006, 04:33 PM
Don&#39;t eat so fucking much.

The End.
Easy for you to say.... you and your freakin&#39; 4000 calorie diet. :thunder:

[JJ29]

Originally posted by mcv@Jun 12 2006, 12:21 PM
Carb cycling was waaaaay to hard for me too. Mentally a high day was translated by my brain into "free-for-all".
I only carb cycled for a little bit, but once I got used to the low days, I really liked it. I felt like every day was different and easier to not feel like i was dieting per se.

[Tearose]

I am kind of in the same boat, carb cycling is just too hard at this time, i have too much going on in my life right now. I just want to have a simple diet and feel like what i am doing is right and working. I don&#39;t even have a bedroom right now&#33; :thunder:

What I am having trouble with is setting my calories.
I usually follow the portion control rules of BFL and have a protein portion the size of my palm, and then a little less carbs then that. My food choices are very clean when I am on my diet. I have been able to lose over 100 lbs this way.

But its been harder this past year, because I basically didn&#39;t go anywhere and have any cheat foods around me the first year, and since I have moved to Australia I have had so many temptations.

I also don&#39;t have starchy carbs with my last 2 meals. I also workout 6 days a week, I have three weight training days and three HIIT days. My weight workouts are basically full body workouts. When I get stressed I get confused so i have just gone back to what I know so well.

I am saving up to start with Thunder, I have had a little setback, and its taken a little longer then i thought, but in 3 weeks I&#39;ll be able to.

Soi my question is:
How many calories should I be eating to maintain my muscle and maybe even build a little, and lose fat?