Surprises and lessons learnt
Palmeralex
Posts: 40 Member
What surprised you when you started MFP? Me:
1. Bread has loads of calories! If you have a takeaway curry and order a naan bread then you can only have the naan bread and a piece of cucumber
2. It's very difficult to be a drunk and stick to a calorie limit. You would have to just consume wine and kale which isn't balanced lifestyle
3. Pastry is the devil
4. Sweet potatoes are like little gifts from God. Low in calories, fill you up and the only thing which gets the stupid little potassium meter filled up.
How about you?
1. Bread has loads of calories! If you have a takeaway curry and order a naan bread then you can only have the naan bread and a piece of cucumber
2. It's very difficult to be a drunk and stick to a calorie limit. You would have to just consume wine and kale which isn't balanced lifestyle
3. Pastry is the devil
4. Sweet potatoes are like little gifts from God. Low in calories, fill you up and the only thing which gets the stupid little potassium meter filled up.
How about you?
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Replies
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Losing weight is easy. And good for my wallet. Who knew lol.0
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I was surprised at how is it is for me to eat at a deficit and not feel hungry when I increased protein, veggies, and fiber and decreased carbs.
Also surprised at what a HUGE improvement a digital scale is over a spring scale. Logging is much less of a PITA now.0 -
Using a food scale, big for me.0
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LOL at #2.
Butter was my single biggest shocker. I knew it was high, but didn't know it was that high.
Rice cakes, too. I don't know why, but I always thought they were like single-digit calories or something. It only makes sense that there would be more, when you think about it, but I was surprised.
I kind of knew with everything else what was and wasn't high in calories.0 -
Definitely agree about the bread, I was shocked to find out that there's near enough 200 calories in one tortilla - I don't even like tortillas all that much but I'd have them because I thought they were better than normal bread but actually one tortilla is only something like 10 calories less than 2 slices of normal bread and way less filling
Also was surprised to find that there's near enough the same number of calories in brown bread as there is in white bread.0 -
1/ Logging is a PITA!!!! but does get easier.
2/I have the magical ability to eat a week's worth of calories in a single day!
3/Who knew I would have to choose between chips and guac? (kept guac, now eat with cucumber slices)0 -
How easy it is to consume thousands of calories at a Mexican restaurant. Between chips, queso, and margaritas, it is shockingly simple to put away 3 days worth of calories!
Also, it surprised me how many calories there are in nuts. I always figured since they are healthy, I could eat more. Wrong!0 -
-I was surprised at how full I could be with eating an actual serving (not two or three) and a glass of water.
-Also, I'm just as happy with 1tbsp of Peanut butter on my rice cake, not the usual "what I think is 1 tbsp and is actually 2.5tbsp)
- Bananas have become a treat. high in calories and sugar0 -
ci<co works so exactly when you measure everything accurately and honestly. Food scale, FitBit, & MFP make it so simple. I have never lost weight so consistently. No magic and no mystery just accuracy.0
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My only real surprises were that it is cheaper to calorie count then just eat willy nilly. I don't buy groceries I don't need and I don't go out to eat unless it is planned. Also the amount of dishes I have to wash now is ridiculous! I hate dishes but, it is really the only annoying thing about Calorie counting. Everything else to me is easy.0
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I'm kind of glad I don't drink. It would make things complicated aha.
I was surprised how easy it is when you get into the rhythem of things.0 -
LOL at #2.
Butter was my single biggest shocker. I knew it was high, but didn't know it was that high.
Rice cakes, too. I don't know why, but I always thought they were like single-digit calories or something. It only makes sense that there would be more, when you think about it, but I was surprised.
I kind of knew with everything else what was and wasn't high in calories.
For me, I was surprised at how much butter I could use. 2-4g is plenty when I fry an egg and not too calorific!0 -
how much longer food lasts when I portion it out... instead of just eating all of it... grocery bill has gone down since starting all this.0
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SparklySarah412 wrote: »Definitely agree about the bread, I was shocked to find out that there's near enough 200 calories in one tortilla - I don't even like tortillas all that much but I'd have them because I thought they were better than normal bread but actually one tortilla is only something like 10 calories less than 2 slices of normal bread and way less filling
Also was surprised to find that there's near enough the same number of calories in brown bread as there is in white bread.
I found low-carb tortillas that are also low in calories...70 calories per flour tortilla (6-inch). La Tortilla brand. Got them at Safeway/Vons.0 -
Queenmunchy wrote: »LOL at #2.
Butter was my single biggest shocker. I knew it was high, but didn't know it was that high.
Rice cakes, too. I don't know why, but I always thought they were like single-digit calories or something. It only makes sense that there would be more, when you think about it, but I was surprised.
I kind of knew with everything else what was and wasn't high in calories.
For me, I was surprised at how much butter I could use. 2-4g is plenty when I fry an egg and not too calorific!
seriously? You can fry an egg in 2 grams of butter? I'm impressed0 -
I didn't used to eat cereal everyday but now it just isn't worth it for the amount of calories that come along with it.0
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1. I was drinking a lot of calories!
2. Eggs are awesome.
3. Bread, pasta, and rice had way more calories than I thought.
4. Being short means I can't eat as much as bigger people.0 -
I'm surprised how easy it was to lose the weight initially (I was super motivated last summer) and how easily it came back (15 of the 20 pounds I lost) and how little motivation I have the 2nd time around. It's like--NO--not this again!!!!! It turns out I am terrible at the maintenance part! And I am surprised how many of my daily activities include food. A shockingly high number of of places I go and things I do are linked to eating/treats--like, the doctor is by that bakery that has the terrific scones! or if we go to the museum, that great cupcake place is right there too!!! that kind of thing. in my own head I have to unhook that food goes with activities. I am also shocked by how many of those pounds I gained back were for nothing--wasted on garbage that I should have had the self control to pass up.
Lessons--stick to what works--log consistently, eat lots of fresh fruits and veggies and drink tons of water. Working out is good for not only physical health but mental health too. At age 45, being healthy isn't about vanity any more--it's about long term health and vitality. Sleep is more important to weight loss and making healthy decisions than I thought--when I am tired the healthy eating and working out thing goes to hell. Lessons--you reap what you sow--at some point, lousy habits/decisions/choices will come back to bite you.0 -
So you realized carbs are basically causing you to overeat; wow, if only someone had told us.0
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You eating too many carbs while not moving around is causing you to over-eat.So you realized carbs are basically causing you to overeat; wow, if only someone had told us.
Once you realize that you can either do something about it, or blame your easy access to carbs for your predicament.
Like, dude(dette), seriously, WTF? You figure the carbs are out to get you, stay away from them! You have my permission.
M-kay, now?
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1. Home-made soup is a dieter's best friend
2. My coffee is now a strategic decision - all black nespresso or soy latte? Depends on my plan for the day. I remember when I could knock back 4 of the latter without so much as a thought.
3. Eating out is hard
4. Logging is worth it0 -
Palmeralex wrote: »What surprised you when you started MFP? Me:
1. Bread has loads of calories! If you have a takeaway curry and order a naan bread then you can only have the naan bread and a piece of cucumber
2. It's very difficult to be a drunk and stick to a calorie limit. You would have to just consume wine and kale which isn't balanced lifestyle
3. Pastry is the devil
4. Sweet potatoes are like little gifts from God. Low in calories, fill you up and the only thing which gets the stupid little potassium meter filled up.
How about you?
I can def relate to NUMBER 2 and 4!!!!! Every time I drink, I can't ever stick to my goal but the alcohol alone are high in calories so that's the major issue with that lol and I just recently discovered how healthy sweet potatoes are and I couldn't believe it!0 -
You eating too many carbs while not moving around is causing you to over-eat.So you realized carbs are basically causing you to overeat; wow, if only someone had told us.
Once you realize that you can either do something about it, or blame your easy access to carbs for your predicament.
Like, dude(dette), seriously, WTF? You figure the carbs are out to get you, stay away from them! You have my permission.
M-kay, now?
What predicament?
What on earth are you talking about?
Eating too many simple carbs is bad for satiation. No one even argues against that anymore.
Time to come into this century....0 -
daniwilford wrote: »ci<co works so exactly when you measure everything accurately and honestly. Food scale, FitBit, & MFP make it so simple. I have never lost weight so consistently. No magic and no mystery just accuracy.
Spot on, as always, @daniwilford !
Yep, and no deprivation of favourite foods or food groups, either!
Just eating in moderation, spending a bit more time on MFP and a bit less time on Facebook, and the pounds are disappearing week by week!0 -
#1: I have to watch my sodium due to HBP and I was shocked at how much salt is in cottage cheese..and it's a PITA to find the low sodium version near me. I always have to juggle my macros whenever I want to enjoy a bowl of it.
#2: I was also shocked to see how many calories I was consuming on a typical day before I started counting. I'm surprised I'm not twice as big. I ate fast food alot, sometime twice a day, now I see that one meal I used to eat would be as much...if not more...than my daily limit. I still eat out alot but I've switched to the kids meals so bonus toys.
#3: Just because food has "veggie" in it's name, doesn't mean it's even close to the actual vegetable it may contain.
#4: A child with Aspergers does not care if you are eating healthy and will know the difference if you change brands of food on him. My god have mercy on you when you try to convince him a turkey dog is just as good as a hot dog.0 -
Ok. I may be jaded since I've only been on it 6 days. I've made minor changes, adjusting my day as I track, purposely not putting 'finishes' on my food such as sugar or olive oil or handfuls of dried cherries or nuts. One day I did break off the white rice from my tv dinner and trashed it. I made a super panama pork stew for 125 cals per cup. I have lost 4.4 lbs in 6 days and go around with a song on my lips, dancing through the day. No deprevation. No starvation. No weird dieting. Just paying attention and tracking. It's been a surprise to me that a post menopausal woman can actually lose weight.0
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Ok. I may be jaded since I've only been on it 6 days. I've made minor changes, adjusting my day as I track, purposely not putting 'finishes' on my food such as sugar or olive oil or handfuls of dried cherries or nuts. One day I did break off the white rice from my tv dinner and trashed it. I made a super panama pork stew for 125 cals per cup. I have lost 4.4 lbs in 6 days and go around with a song on my lips, dancing through the day. No deprevation. No starvation. No weird dieting. Just paying attention and tracking. It's been a surprise to me that a post menopausal woman can actually lose weight.
Congratulations, great loss0 -
Queenmunchy wrote: »LOL at #2.
Butter was my single biggest shocker. I knew it was high, but didn't know it was that high.
Rice cakes, too. I don't know why, but I always thought they were like single-digit calories or something. It only makes sense that there would be more, when you think about it, but I was surprised.
I kind of knew with everything else what was and wasn't high in calories.
For me, I was surprised at how much butter I could use. 2-4g is plenty when I fry an egg and not too calorific!
seriously? You can fry an egg in 2 grams of butter? I'm impressed
Yep - my pans are also those "green" pans and they're super non-stick. That may be the reason.
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So you realized carbs are basically causing you to overeat; wow, if only someone had told us.
Carbs don't cause me to do anything. Carbs are just foods or, really, part of the chemical make up of food. They have no agency, I do.
Also, fat has always been my main weakness. ;-) For example, regular bread is boring, I would never overeat it, and can take or leave it. Naan is amazing, because it includes some fat. And it's more amazing because it usually comes with curry (involving ghee or the like) that you can dip it in. Mmm.
Anyway, fat also doesn't cause me to do anything, because, again, I have agency and it's just food.0 -
Another one - if you add a vitamin pill to your snacks and it says "frequently paired food - pint of guinness", its time to reassess your lifestyle.
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