Biggest lesson learned by tracking calories?

jandsstevenson887

It has been eye opening for me just seeing how much I can eat and stay within my allowed calorie budget. One of the biggest things I have realized is that there really isn't room for soda. I'm not a huge soda drinker but I can see how easily it is to drink 150-200 calories worth of nothing. It doesn't feel worth it anymore. I've also seen that I almost have to do some kind of exercise every day or I have to really watch what I eat. Very motivating!

KristenNagle1

I've learned how much things like extra cheese, sour cream and not measuring portions can add up

scolaris

Yep,that was it for me too. Once you've 'seen' the whole notion of energy balance you can't un-see it. LOL

quiksylver296

I was bummed by what a 1/2 cup serving of ice cream really was.

Gamliela

I THINK I eat less than I really do.

T0M_K

that you can eat quite a bit of boneless skinless chicken breast which i love.

JenHuedy

How much all those little bites and nibbles add up.

dino1147

soda is definitely not worth it, cheese was my biggest eye opener! Dangit!

KimmyJaneTD

*how to find lower calorie substitutes in my favorite meals that would normally be high calorie meals. I can still eat things that taste great and lose weight. I just have to substitute ground turkey for hamburger. or low-calorie sour cream... or whatever it may be.
*I can still have soda, just coke zero and really only 1 per day. It hasn't hurt my weight loss at all.
*I can still eat ice cream and sweets, just a lot less!
*I've learned what serving sizes of things are. Just because I feel like it should only be 200 calories of something.. doesn't mean the food scale agrees with me!
*learning to include more fitness in my life without making it a chore. Maybe walking to the ice cream shop instead of driving. Or parking in the last spot in the parking lot.
*learning to adjust to high calorie days without feeling defeated. I can eat out once in awhile and get back on the journey the next meal. Instead of feeling like I've failed a diet.

and many many more things.

jandsstevenson887

JenHuedy wrote: »

How much all those little bites and nibbles add up.

This is why I chew gum while I cook dinner. I tend to eat the end of the cheese I just shredded or nibble on the heel of the bread I'm slicing, etc.

dustedwithsugar

I realised how much I was eating before.
And how amazing is eating anything you want, in moderation, and still losing weight.
Also drinking calories in soda, juices etc is such a waste (unless it's alcohol lol)

wizzybeth

I was sadz to see how much a "serving" of pasta really amounts to. That may be a serving for a 3 year old, but not me!
I can do some lower cal substitutions but for some things, there is just no substitution. Ground turkey - the mere sight of it in the package makes me ill. I can't stand the smell of it cooking. I've tried it all sorts of ways - in spaghetti (meatballs or just ground), meatloaf, chili - etc. Just. Can't. Stomach. It.

When I want a soda I am usually content with an ice cold seltzer/club soda with a splash of lemon / lime / cranberry juice. Or Sprite Zero. Sprite Zero is the only "diet" soda I can stand the taste of.

I have learned that I can enjoy smaller portions of favorite things - I actually enjoy it more when I have to savor it. So I cut my servings of hard cheese up into tiny bite size pieces, instead of a giant chunk. I get a lot more "flavor bites" that way.

I've learned that sometimes, it's perfectly OK to have Hawaiian Punch and 2 Krispy Kreme donuts for supper - just not on a regular basis.

WickedPineapple

In general, that some things just aren't worth the calories. This is usually for calorie dense foods that don't taste good enough and/or aren't filling enough. Like if I'm going to eat a 500 calorie cookie, it better be an awesome freakin' cookie.

22Brentwoodgirl

I realized how frequently I just ate "a little something" without thinking about it - or enjoying it!!! Those little bits really add up. Now I think about spending my calories like I think about spending my money. I ask myself if something is really worth it. So, yes, I do splurge sometimes - but mostly I've just stopped frittering calories away.

Hornsby

Serving sizes for cereal are BS.

wizzybeth

WickedPineapple wrote: »

In general, that some things just aren't worth the calories. This is usually for calorie dense foods that don't taste good enough and/or aren't filling enough. Like if I'm going to eat a 500 calorie cookie, it better be an awesome freakin' cookie.

Exactly!!!! For me - a lot of things truly are not worth it. I can bypass most bread, because to me, most bread is meh. I will have a yummy juicy cheeseburger wrapped in lettuce, or just eat it with a knife and fork - and save the 200+ calories for the bun unless it's an amazing bun. I won't throw calories away on grocery store OR Dunkin Donuts donuts - they suck. Only Krispy Kremes are worth the calories, IMHO.

I refuse to eat "just to eat." I have to really love it or I'm not going to spend my calories on it.

vivmom2014

Serving sizes for tortilla chips and ice cream are a joke.

Francl27

Everything has too many calories.

chiptease

Francl27 wrote: »

Everything has too many calories.

So true!! That's it, let's wrap up the discussion.

shrinkingletters

I learned I can eat plenty of meat to keep me full on fewer calories than I initially expected! That was my happiest moment.

"I can eat that much grilled chicken?!"
"I can have more salmon?!"
"I will have all this asada!"

shrinkingletters

Oh. Then I learned that the amount of calories in a bottle of wine are a cruel joke.

kedrel

Believe me @shrinkingletters I hear you on that one. And Don't get me started on how much are in my favorite Stout Beers .... sad panda!

JeepHair77

Hornsby wrote: »

Serving sizes for cereal are BS.

Serving sizes for LOTS of things are BS.

chunky_pinup

I learned how important owning a good food scale really was...and to actually use it instead of letting it sit in the corner of a shelf.

lostgoals

I think the best thing I learned was an entire bag of steamed veggies and 4oz of haddock satisfied my hunger and was very low calorie dinner. The worst thing I learned is one peanut butter and jelly sandwich has even more calories than that dinner.

ASKyle

I've learned that IT WORKS!!! Tracking calories is the only thing that works, no matter what diet you're on or how you slice and dice it.

Balance. I knew I had a big dinner last night, so the day before and day of I saved up calories for it. You've gotta enjoy yourself to make it a lifestyle change.

kaylajane11

Hornsby wrote: »

Serving sizes for cereal are BS.

So much this. The first time I weighed out a serving of cereal I was surprised. I have never eaten a single serving of cereal in my life.

Francl27

Hornsby wrote: »

Serving sizes for cereal are BS.

Very much.

And packages lie - most things are heavier than one serving.

sylkates

I learned the difference between being hungry and being bored.
Oh, and how to ignore hunger!

I also learned that Pop Tarts simply don't fit into my life anymore. (It's the 2 per package thing! I normally don't compulsively eat but they package twice the amount I should have at one time in a way that only eating one makes the other go stale. So I just don't buy them anymore!)

I also learned how much of my hunger is psychological. For instance, typing about pop tarts just made me hungry. Time to drink some water.

Cindy01Louisiana

22Brentwoodgirl wrote: »

I realized how frequently I just ate "a little something" without thinking about it - or enjoying it!!! Those little bits really add up. Now I think about spending my calories like I think about spending my money. I ask myself if something is really worth it. So, yes, I do splurge sometimes - but mostly I've just stopped frittering calories away.

Ha! This reminds me of "dinner" last night. I had a caloric choice between a piece of pizza and a 1/2 slice of razzleberry pie -- or just a full slice of razzleberry pie with a quarter cup of ice cream.

Pie for the win!

Cindy01Louisiana

vivmom2014 wrote: »

Serving sizes for tortilla chips and ice cream are a joke.

I agree.....However, since I started weighing my tortilla chips -- 1 ounce or 2 ounces depending on my hunger and number of calories left for the day -- I find that whatever I put in the bowl actually satiates me and I don't clamor for more. Before, I'd keep the bag with me and just keep going and going and going....