Weight loss - calories?

[aek11]

I want to lose about 10 pounds. I am 5'4" and weigh 115 pounds. And I knowthat is okay, but I think I look best at around 105 - 110 pounds. But I'm wondering how many calories I should eat.

Everyone has been telling me that I eat way too much. But for some reason, in my mind, I thought I wasn't eating that much. I thought I had a really slow metabolism because I thought I was eating not that much. My boyfriend was telling me everyday I eat so much. One day, I happened to eat a lot less than I usually eat, and I told my boyfriend "I ate so little today". And he said "No..you still ate way too much". I wanted to prove him wrong, so I looked online to calculate the calories, and it turns out he was right. That day that I ate "very little", I ate about 3000 calories. ANd usually I eat a lot more. My boyfriend thinks I eat about 4000 calories a day. And now I think he's right. So if I maintain about 115 pounds at 3000-4000 calories a day, how many calories should I eat to be about 105 pounds?? (also, I get no exercise..since that's also a factor)

With raw food, can I eat more calories? on the calorie calculator, it said I should eat about 1400 calories, and I tried to do that today, and I don't think I can do it. It's soooo little. But now I feel relieved at least, because at least I know I don't have a slow metabolism anymore. In fact, I'm surprised my weight is so low considering how many calories I consume. But I still want to lose.

ANd how do I make myself eat less and not feel hungry? Is it because my stomach is used to eating so much that it feels that 1400 is too little? I just can't understand how to eat that little. Any tips???

[Zaphirah]

My advice is: don't count calories. all calories are not made equal (some are from healthy sources, some are not). If you eat raw you can eat all you want. I did this a couple of years ago and I lost 30+lbs (I was very overweight) and I ate all the time. That's the beauty of raw. You don't have to worry or think about it.

[Revvell]

Stop concerning yourself with calories. Sounds as though you eat what you need to eat to feel satisfied. Cutting calories in half you'll feel deprived. You may eliminate the weight yet, you'll HAVE to begin eating again because of the feeling of deprivation and then you'll overeat. My advice? Get up and MOVE!!!

[Shels]

With raw food, you will "be able" to consume as much food as frequently as you like, and I seriously doubt you'd be able to reach 4000 calories - wow! :eek: You must have a very fast metabolism to not be overweight. It is a challenge to eat more than 2000 a day on a raw food diet, unless I suppose you're chowing down on dates or fancy recipes.

At any rate, I agree. Try to focus less on the numbers and more on the content. You need to be eating nutrient-dense, healthy fresh food. If you have a problem feeling full, try getting more fiber in your diet. Above all, I'd advise you to try eating only raw foods, and let the experience speak for itself.