Simple Rules of Thumb to help lose weight

Newsordova

Does anyone have simple rules of thumb that they use when trying to figure out what to eat, what not to eat and how much to eat?

Here are three that I use:

1) If I am going to eat deep fried foods, I must make it form scratch at home. No restaurants and no prepackaged. The process required really reduces my consumption.

2) When checking the ingredient list on grocery store items, I try to never buy anything that has "Sugar" or any of the other fancy names for sugar in the first three items of the ingredient list.

3) when reading the nutrition label, I look for foods with single digits besides sugars and fats and double digits besides proteins.

What are your rules?

Lexicpt

I eat less than I burn. That's about it.

Mycophilia

I usually just eat the same thing everyday anyway, so:

1. Eat the same food
2. Make it fit my calorie/macro goal
3. ???
4. Profit.

harpsdesire

Mom advice: If you're not hungry enough to eat something healthy, you're not hungry.

This doesn't mean I don't have treats, but it reminds me that I should eat for fuel, not for entertainment/emotional needs.

SezxyStef

what I want, when I want and how much I want as long as IIFYM...and keeps me in goal...even that doesn't matter sometimes...

ie after a dance couple weeks ago I wanted poutine and a quarter pounder so I got it and ate it all...but I could afford it calorie wise and I was hungry.

TimothyFish

I eat three meals a day that are each about 500 calories. I exercise when I can. Anything left over goes toward snack food.

EmmaFitzwilliam

When I eat energy-dense foods, I don't multi-task. I focus my attention on what I am eating (and, if relevant, the social circumstances). I don't walk, I don't watch television, I don't shop while eating energy dense foods.

I do occasionally choose food for entertainment/emotional needs. I'm honest with myself about having done so, and the consequences and trade-offs of my choice.

jaga13

1) plan the night before (log before I eat, not after, and edit accordingly)
2) stick to similar meals most days to take the guesswork out
3) have a plan before going to a special event (I'll drink two glasses of wine, skip the appetizers, load up on veggies and have a small amount of something I really want)
4) exercise to earn more calories...even if it means pacing or marching in place when I'm doing something with the kids.

NobodyPutsAmyInTheCorner

I don't have rules of thumb. I just eat less than I burn. Pretty much all that matters

David_2015

Lexicpt wrote: »

I eat less than I burn. That's about it.

Ditto!

misskarne

My simple rules:

1. FOOOOOOOOOD.


2. Skating/walking/beginner shred!


That is all.

Christine_72

aimeerace wrote: »

I don't have rules of thumb. I just eat less than I burn. Pretty much all that matters

same here. Too many rules complicate things. ..

DebzNuDa

Sordova wrote: »

Does anyone have simple rules of thumb that they use when trying to figure out what to eat, what not to eat and how much to eat?

Here are three that I use:

1) If I am going to eat deep fried foods, I must make it form scratch at home. No restaurants and no prepackaged. The process required really reduces my consumption.

2) When checking the ingredient list on grocery store items, I try to never buy anything that has "Sugar" or any of the other fancy names for sugar in the first three items of the ingredient list.

3) when reading the nutrition label, I look for foods with single digits besides sugars and fats and double digits besides proteins.

What are your rules?

I real like fried foods and I have a fryer at home but I always worry about how I estimate the calories on it. Any ideas?

Oldbitcollector

Lexicpt wrote: »

I eat less than I burn. That's about it.

^^^ This... It's no more complicated for me than that... (at least for now)

Queenmunchy

General rule is make things at home - secondary rule is to make everything with 50% vegetables incorporated in my meals or serve them with an equal serving of vegetables for every meal.

Liftng4Lis

No rules.. . .

okay, sigh, I log it before I eat it.

Cottonboy17

Lexicpt wrote: »

I eat less than I burn. That's about it.

SteveMFP123

Set your goals on the site and eat the calories you're told while staying within your macros, it's really that simple. There no trick to weight loss, just hard work and determination.

deksgrl

Eat less, move more.

BananaAssassin

1. Eat in a deficit, but eat enough!
2. Drink 2-3 litres of water daily.
3. Workouts should be short & intense.
4. Prepare and store your meals weekly.
5. Don't eat it until it's been logged!
6. Get minimum of 7 hours sleep.
7. Consume enough protein.
8. Lift heavy weights 2-3x weekly.
9. Throw away your scale.
10. Eat carbs on the days you exercise.
11. WEIGH YOUR FOOD.
12. If you can't pronounce the ingredients, don't eat it.
13. Buy a goal outfit and hang it on your bedroom door.
14. Be patient.

ndj1979

Sordova wrote: »

Does anyone have simple rules of thumb that they use when trying to figure out what to eat, what not to eat and how much to eat?

Here are three that I use:

1) If I am going to eat deep fried foods, I must make it form scratch at home. No restaurants and no prepackaged. The process required really reduces my consumption.

2) When checking the ingredient list on grocery store items, I try to never buy anything that has "Sugar" or any of the other fancy names for sugar in the first three items of the ingredient list.

3) when reading the nutrition label, I look for foods with single digits besides sugars and fats and double digits besides proteins.

What are your rules?

to point two, so you buy nothing at the grocery store?

my rules

log everything
hit my micro/macors
no food is off limits
use a food scale
lift heavy

RuNaRoUnDaFiEld

Be honest with what you are eating
Be honest with your burn
If you go over one day don't sweat it, just pull it back over the next 2 days

SergeantSausage

Lexicpt wrote: »

I eat less than I burn. That's about it.

This is the ONLY answer.

ALL roads that lead to losing weight pass through this point.

mcltre36

From Sunday to Friday, I usually plan my meals the night before (enter into MFP to see totals) then pack my lunch and snacks for work. Saturdays I just log as I go and make sure to leave some room for a couple beers!

999tigger

SergeantSausage wrote: »

Lexicpt wrote: »

I eat less than I burn. That's about it.

This is the ONLY answer.

ALL roads that lead to losing weight pass through this point.

Doesnt stop there being other answers/ guidelines that some posters follow to help lose weight, as requested by the OP. So quite clearly not the ONLY answer.