Hi Abz,
yes apparently I need around 2200 cals to 'tick over'! So based on that I am getting a daily deficit of around a 1000 which should give me approx a 2lb weekly loss. I guess it really depends how busy/lazy I am.
Last night I nearly came unstuck. I'd had a mega stresssful day, hurt my back lifting shopping and was generally feeling really sorry for myself. DH promptly suggests a Thai take-away. This is my fave so i was sorely tempted, not least cos I'm sick of cooking.
Normally a Thai meal would be; spicy prawn crackers, prawn 'toasts', mixed mains and egg fried rice, all washed down with a bottle or two of wine.
Last night I decided it didn't have to be like that. I could make sensible choices, still have a treat and not wreck my diet! So I did. We skipped the crackers and the starter. I had steamed rice (half a portion) and chilli prawns (no batter or sticky sauce) done in a very lively soy sauce. 2 small glasses of wine and I was done.
I am so pleased with myself - I ended the day on a max of 1506 cals ( I estimated high on the prawns etc.., so it could well have been less) and this morning there is no guilt to contend with. No feeling of having to be incredibly good to make up for it. Just a normal day, counting my cals and getting on with my plan. GO ME!!!!!!!!