Dr. Sent me here

wenperk15

Hello, my doctor sent me here to keep a food journal. I have had stage 4 breast cancer for 13 yrs. I am newly diagnosed with diabetes due to meds I take. I could stand to lose 80 pounds though not sure it's feasible. Alot of the time I just don't care what I eat. I know I need to do small things for exercise at home; it helps with energy. I could stand to eat better snacks. I usually don't eat lunch which tanks my blood sugar so have been more mindful of eating something by 1 or 2pm. Anyways, waving hi to all.

queenliz99

Hi and welcome!!

Read this

http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10257474/starting-out-restarting-basics-inside/p1

Best wishes

wenperk15

Queenliz99, thanks for the link and speedy reply

rankinsect

80 pounds is definitely feasible. I'm down 55 so far, about 90 left, and it's not actually been that hard at all.

Some tips from someone who has been there and is doing that:

1. Accuracy, accuracy, accuracy - Get a food scale, and weigh everything. Estimating portion sizes tends to be ridiculously hard.

2. Pre-logging makes things so much easier. I plan everything the night before, and then use the log like a recipe to put together the meal

3. But don't go crazy on accuracy. When I make the food I pre-logged, I use the scale to measure the portion I selected, but I don't go back and correct the log unless it's significantly off. A few grams here and there aren't a big deal.

4. Pay attention to what meals make you full, and what leave you hungry again soon after. In general, most people find the following types of foods to be very filling:
a. Foods higher in protein
b. Foods higher in fiber
c. Foods lower in calorie density (foods that have fewer calories per 100g)
d. Foods lower in fat
But a lot of it is personal, too, some people find certain foods more filling than others. I find pasta extremely filling but not everyone does.

5. Don't go crazy on speed. People often want to lose overnight, but it's hard on your body to do that. Slow and steady wins the race.

6. Don't go crazy on restrictions. You can work any food you enjoy into your diet in proper portions, you don't have to forever give up everything you love.

7. Measure your weight, but don't obsess. The scale will go up and down a lot due to water fluctuations - weight loss isn't fat loss, and weight gain isn't fat gain. You care about a long term trend, not a single daily change.

Hearts_2015

@wenperk15
Welcome to the site I think it's great when Dentists (a member shared her dentist sent her here ), Docs, co-workers.... whomever it might be shares this site!

You've got some great tips already to get you started. Great to have you!

wenperk15

Thank you folks for the welcome. Several years ago I spent some time on Sparkpeople and the tools were helpful. I look forward to my time here.