Disturbing trend on MFP….
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TheOwlhouseDesigns wrote: »lol yeps i did good today it seems In my 8 months on here just a couple of flags and now 3 flags in just a few minutes.....
Seems like an upward trend isnt it?
The truth hurts indeed
well I have 610 total ….
Dang lol
I have lots to learn i see
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So I agree about not letting eating at a restaurant cripple you with anxiety... However, I do think if someone knows where they are going ahead of time, looking at the menu, or even looking on the website for nutritional info can help plan the meal, the day, even the week.
Personally I love getting excited about my meal, especially at a great restaurant, so I may take a gander at whether the chicken saltimbocca or the seafood cannelloni is a better option for my day (and by better option I mean, which one might enable me to have wine AND tiramisu). That doesn't mean that when I get there and the server says the chef's special is lobster risotto that I wouldn't go with that choice...
The thing that kills me is when people don't even want to go to restaurants because they are so concerned it will ruin their progress...
pretty much that.
I eat out at least one to two times a week and it has not ruined my progress. I usually guestimate the portion and what it is and go from there..if the restaurant menu is online even better..but if go over by 200 calories I am not going to meltdown….
but if you think about it ..one should not have a hard time know if something is caloric dense or not….if you are getting chicken with a cream sauce more than likely you are having a 700 + calorie meal ..if you are getting a 6 oz filet and vegetables you are probably closer to 500 calories….
Oh agreed. There are a few surprises now and again when you go to log something, especially when first starting, but for the most part if you keep the same rules in mind that you use at home, and assume that every dish starts and ends with at least an extra tablespoon of butter, then it is possible to be reasonably accurate with logging restaurant meals.
i always assume my guestimate is probably off by 200 calories on the high side….but again, that does not bother me…I can either bank calories for the weekend or make up for them on sunday by coming in lower..if I want to.0 -
I just find it strange..
are people really this helpless???
No, they're not helpless, they're learning. We all know that people come here with varying beliefs about nutrition, food, and weight loss.
So new users join the site, they learn about calorie deficits and weighing food, and start losing weight. Everything is going great, they're seeing losses on the scales, and they're happy. They've probably got some niche meals that they eat regularly because they know the calories and macros for those meals, and have gotten comfortable with their routine.
Then the inevitable night out/party/event arrives, and they're not sure what to do. They don't want to slow their progress, but they want to have fun. So they come here asking the usual questions - what do I order? How do I figure out portion sizes by eyeballing? Should I exercise more that day? What about other foods, should I not eat other meals just in case? We've all seen questions like that, and some of us may have even asked them ourselves.
Then the night comes, they have a good time, get on the scale, and find out that everything's ok. That one night didn't derail their progress, and it's what they do the majority of the time that matters.
Everyone on this site has had to figure something out during this process; some people are still figuring things out as they go. That's not a character flaw, it's part of being human, and the entire point of these forums is for people to interact, support, and learn from one another. There's no shame in asking questions of others to help you reach your goals, and if someone finds another user's question to be a bother…they don't have to respond.0 -
For Mexican food, can't you just drink the water and then end up with no calories?0
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I just find it strange..
are people really this helpless???
No, they're not helpless, they're learning. We all know that people come here with varying beliefs about nutrition, food, and weight loss.
So new users join the site, they learn about calorie deficits and weighing food, and start losing weight. Everything is going great, they're seeing losses on the scales, and they're happy. They've probably got some niche meals that they eat regularly because they know the calories and macros for those meals, and have gotten comfortable with their routine.
Then the inevitable night out/party/event arrives, and they're not sure what to do. They don't want to slow their progress, but they want to have fun. So they come here asking the usual questions - what do I order? How do I figure out portion sizes by eyeballing? Should I exercise more that day? What about other foods, should I not eat other meals just in case? We've all seen questions like that, and some of us may have even asked them ourselves.
Then the night comes, they have a good time, get on the scale, and find out that everything's ok. That one night didn't derail their progress, and it's what they do the majority of the time that matters.
Everyone on this site has had to figure something out during this process; some people are still figuring things out as they go. That's not a character flaw, it's part of being human, and the entire point of these forums is for people to interact, support, and learn from one another. There's no shame in asking questions of others to help you reach your goals, and if someone finds another user's question to be a bother…they don't have to respond.
Thank you
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I just find it strange..
are people really this helpless???
No, they're not helpless, they're learning. We all know that people come here with varying beliefs about nutrition, food, and weight loss.
So new users join the site, they learn about calorie deficits and weighing food, and start losing weight. Everything is going great, they're seeing losses on the scales, and they're happy. They've probably got some niche meals that they eat regularly because they know the calories and macros for those meals, and have gotten comfortable with their routine.
Then the inevitable night out/party/event arrives, and they're not sure what to do. They don't want to slow their progress, but they want to have fun. So they come here asking the usual questions - what do I order? How do I figure out portion sizes by eyeballing? Should I exercise more that day? What about other foods, should I not eat other meals just in case? We've all seen questions like that, and some of us may have even asked them ourselves.
Then the night comes, they have a good time, get on the scale, and find out that everything's ok. That one night didn't derail their progress, and it's what they do the majority of the time that matters.
Everyone on this site has had to figure something out during this process; some people are still figuring things out as they go. That's not a character flaw, it's part of being human, and the entire point of these forums is for people to interact, support, and learn from one another. There's no shame in asking questions of others to help you reach your goals, and if someone finds another user's question to be a bother…they don't have to respond.
interesting ….even when I first started losng I never feared going out, I figured I had done well during the week and if I had a "cheat meal" (yes, I believed in those back then) that it would be ok as long as I got back on track the next day …
I guess having a restaurant background I pretty much always knew the calorie dense dishes from the not so calorie dense dishes…
the plethora of "can I eat this on my birthday" or "help, going out tonight" just seem to be increasing in volume…
but hopefully my nine point plan helps!0 -
I actually dissected a kebab today to figure out the calorie content. lol0
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I just find it strange..
are people really this helpless???
No, they're not helpless, they're learning. We all know that people come here with varying beliefs about nutrition, food, and weight loss.
So new users join the site, they learn about calorie deficits and weighing food, and start losing weight. Everything is going great, they're seeing losses on the scales, and they're happy. They've probably got some niche meals that they eat regularly because they know the calories and macros for those meals, and have gotten comfortable with their routine.
Then the inevitable night out/party/event arrives, and they're not sure what to do. They don't want to slow their progress, but they want to have fun. So they come here asking the usual questions - what do I order? How do I figure out portion sizes by eyeballing? Should I exercise more that day? What about other foods, should I not eat other meals just in case? We've all seen questions like that, and some of us may have even asked them ourselves.
Then the night comes, they have a good time, get on the scale, and find out that everything's ok. That one night didn't derail their progress, and it's what they do the majority of the time that matters.
Everyone on this site has had to figure something out during this process; some people are still figuring things out as they go. That's not a character flaw, it's part of being human, and the entire point of these forums is for people to interact, support, and learn from one another. There's no shame in asking questions of others to help you reach your goals, and if someone finds another user's question to be a bother…they don't have to respond.
Well my thoughts and feelings are a bit different about the whole issue of "what must i eat, and help i am going out"
Its like people lose there total self thinking and figuring something out.
What did they do before MFP... go to a support group? Phone 911 to inform what they must eat?
And sure you can ask questions and learn...but the last postings were even from people who lost 40 pound of weight. so pretty much know how it works.
So yeah to me it is really silly to come up with these kinda questions.
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I think the issue for me is that when someone asks a question about a restaurant people jump to the assumption they are stressing, giving themselves an ulcer or freaking out to the point of a panic attack.
But say your are going to dinner somewhere, and there is no details on calories etc available.
Is it really inconceivable that you might asks for help or suggestions on mfp with out having to freak out over the food choices.
Maybe others have been to the same restaurant or a similiar one and can suggest a good healthy option.
Maybe everyone goes on about recording accurately so seems reasonable to me to want to record your meal out accurately too.
All of these questions and more can be asked with out anyone freaking out or stressing can't they?
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I just find it strange..
are people really this helpless???
No, they're not helpless, they're learning. We all know that people come here with varying beliefs about nutrition, food, and weight loss.
So new users join the site, they learn about calorie deficits and weighing food, and start losing weight. Everything is going great, they're seeing losses on the scales, and they're happy. They've probably got some niche meals that they eat regularly because they know the calories and macros for those meals, and have gotten comfortable with their routine.
Then the inevitable night out/party/event arrives, and they're not sure what to do. They don't want to slow their progress, but they want to have fun. So they come here asking the usual questions - what do I order? How do I figure out portion sizes by eyeballing? Should I exercise more that day? What about other foods, should I not eat other meals just in case? We've all seen questions like that, and some of us may have even asked them ourselves.
Then the night comes, they have a good time, get on the scale, and find out that everything's ok. That one night didn't derail their progress, and it's what they do the majority of the time that matters.
Everyone on this site has had to figure something out during this process; some people are still figuring things out as they go. That's not a character flaw, it's part of being human, and the entire point of these forums is for people to interact, support, and learn from one another. There's no shame in asking questions of others to help you reach your goals, and if someone finds another user's question to be a bother…they don't have to respond.
interesting ….even when I first started losng I never feared going out, I figured I had done well during the week and if I had a "cheat meal" (yes, I believed in those back then) that it would be ok as long as I got back on track the next day …
I guess having a restaurant background I pretty much always knew the calorie dense dishes from the not so calorie dense dishes…
the plethora of "can I eat this on my birthday" or "help, going out tonight" just seem to be increasing in volume…
but hopefully my nine point plan helps!
Ok, but that's your experience. Some people are more comfortable with the process than others, and as you stated, you worked in a restaurant and had experience with dishes and portion sizes. Lots of people can't do that - there are even experienced users who have weighed food for a long time who still have trouble eyeballing portion sizes.
One person's easy is another person's hard.0 -
I just find it strange..
are people really this helpless???
No, they're not helpless, they're learning. We all know that people come here with varying beliefs about nutrition, food, and weight loss.
So new users join the site, they learn about calorie deficits and weighing food, and start losing weight. Everything is going great, they're seeing losses on the scales, and they're happy. They've probably got some niche meals that they eat regularly because they know the calories and macros for those meals, and have gotten comfortable with their routine.
Then the inevitable night out/party/event arrives, and they're not sure what to do. They don't want to slow their progress, but they want to have fun. So they come here asking the usual questions - what do I order? How do I figure out portion sizes by eyeballing? Should I exercise more that day? What about other foods, should I not eat other meals just in case? We've all seen questions like that, and some of us may have even asked them ourselves.
Then the night comes, they have a good time, get on the scale, and find out that everything's ok. That one night didn't derail their progress, and it's what they do the majority of the time that matters.
Everyone on this site has had to figure something out during this process; some people are still figuring things out as they go. That's not a character flaw, it's part of being human, and the entire point of these forums is for people to interact, support, and learn from one another. There's no shame in asking questions of others to help you reach your goals, and if someone finds another user's question to be a bother…they don't have to respond.
interesting ….even when I first started losng I never feared going out, I figured I had done well during the week and if I had a "cheat meal" (yes, I believed in those back then) that it would be ok as long as I got back on track the next day …
I guess having a restaurant background I pretty much always knew the calorie dense dishes from the not so calorie dense dishes…
the plethora of "can I eat this on my birthday" or "help, going out tonight" just seem to be increasing in volume…
but hopefully my nine point plan helps!
Ok, but that's your experience. Some people are more comfortable with the process than others, and as you stated, you worked in a restaurant and had experience with dishes and portion sizes. Lots of people can't do that - there are even experienced users who have weighed food for a long time who still have trouble eyeballing portion sizes.
One person's easy is another person's hard.
any opinion on the flagging of my OP…?
since you are, you know, an expert on the subject… LOL
I see your point…but it just comes off as silly to me sometimes...0 -
Oh, and please knock off the flagging, none of posts here qualify as Spam or Abuse. The appropriate response is to use the Report option, otherwise you are violating the community guidelines.0
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I just find it strange..
are people really this helpless???
A quick perusal of page one will tell you this is affirmative. I mean how many times a week does someone start a thread asking how often they should weigh themselves - there are many more examples. People like this must really struggle with life's simple problems.0 -
ncboiler89 wrote: »I just find it strange..
are people really this helpless???
A quick perusal of page one will tell you this is affirmative. I mean how many times a week does someone start a thread asking how often they should weigh themselves - there are many more examples. People like this must really struggle with life's simple problems.
ohhhh thats not nice to say...i bet you get flagged to
roflllll
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I just find it strange..
are people really this helpless???
No, they're not helpless, they're learning. We all know that people come here with varying beliefs about nutrition, food, and weight loss.
So new users join the site, they learn about calorie deficits and weighing food, and start losing weight. Everything is going great, they're seeing losses on the scales, and they're happy. They've probably got some niche meals that they eat regularly because they know the calories and macros for those meals, and have gotten comfortable with their routine.
Then the inevitable night out/party/event arrives, and they're not sure what to do. They don't want to slow their progress, but they want to have fun. So they come here asking the usual questions - what do I order? How do I figure out portion sizes by eyeballing? Should I exercise more that day? What about other foods, should I not eat other meals just in case? We've all seen questions like that, and some of us may have even asked them ourselves.
Then the night comes, they have a good time, get on the scale, and find out that everything's ok. That one night didn't derail their progress, and it's what they do the majority of the time that matters.
Everyone on this site has had to figure something out during this process; some people are still figuring things out as they go. That's not a character flaw, it's part of being human, and the entire point of these forums is for people to interact, support, and learn from one another. There's no shame in asking questions of others to help you reach your goals, and if someone finds another user's question to be a bother…they don't have to respond.
Good points. I've been here for 2 years, and I think I'm pretty easygoing and rational about this process, but even I sometimes cringe a little when plans change and I end up going out to eat when I hadn't planned on it so I know I'm going to be over that day or that week.
So I can see how people who are newer to the process can really be concerned about things, but I just wish everyone could understand that ALL of this is estimation. No one is going to know exactly how many calories are in a restaurant meal, there is so much variability. All you can do is be directionally correct and not beat yourself up too much for living and enjoying life.
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1. Select restaurant and determine if you are going for a blow out "I don't give a damn about calories type night", or just a "I want to stay within my calorie target night."
2. order drink
3. review menu
4. While reviewing menu if you selected blow out option in step 1 then just get whatever you want to eat; however, if you went with stay within calorie option then you should probably go with the the lighter fair such as grilled chicken and vegetables or something similar.
5. make dinner selection
6. eat dinner and have some more drinks
7. enjoy the evening
8. pay
9. leave the restaurant
This nine step plan can be used at any eating establishment and is even transferable to cookouts.
Good luck, and remember it is just a restaurant not complex physics….
I cosign all of this.
I do however agree with @kgeyser that people new to the forums who ask these questions could use a snark free response. Maybe we need a sticky restaurant pointers thread.
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But what will I worry and complain about before, during, and after my restaurant experience?0
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bookworm_847 wrote: »But what will I worry and complain about before, during, and after my restaurant experience?
that is what the drinking is for.0 -
1. Select restaurant and determine if you are going for a blow out "I don't give a damn about calories type night", or just a "I want to stay within my calorie target night."
2. order drink
3. review menu
4. While reviewing menu if you selected blow out option in step 1 then just get whatever you want to eat; however, if you went with stay within calorie option then you should probably go with the the lighter fair such as grilled chicken and vegetables or something similar.
5. make dinner selection
6. eat dinner and have some more drinks
7. enjoy the evening
8. pay
9. leave the restaurant
This nine step plan can be used at any eating establishment and is even transferable to cookouts.
Good luck, and remember it is just a restaurant not complex physics….
I cosign all of this.
I do however agree with @kgeyser that people new to the forums who ask these questions could use a snark free response. Maybe we need a sticky restaurant pointers thread.
I agree with KG too, to a certain point…
I think some of the "help, is this bad" or "is this OK" threads are a little ridiculous, but I should be used to that by now...0 -
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Flags cleaned up as well as associated post referencing the flags. Oh and other over the top post cleaned.0
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BTW, that All American Thickburger at Carls Jr....I'm totally gonna make that puppy fit my macros this weekend.0
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Also, keep in mind that at some point you and i were complete noobs and we were all probably pretty damn dumb. So asking others for strategies to get lower calorie meals or find ways to calories to increase tdee or another way to not affect progress is not a bad question. And honestly, if providing a response is so difficult then just dont answer.
But i do like the first post. Its after that you guys are slowly killing me, lol.0 -
Good luck, and remember it is just a restaurant not complex physics….
People need to remember that counting calories isn't an exact science (in this particular case at least). The end goal should be to become more aware of what and how much you are consuming. Wholly agree with you.0
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