The Daily Diary Thread

24

Replies

  • j_trea1
    j_trea1 Posts: 20 Member
    I'm fairly new to my fitness pal, and have just started looking through the community pages and find your thread and found it interesting. I have always been into exercising but 5 years ago suffered a neck and back injury so I can relate to the medical issues causing difficulties with weight loss/ control. Some things I noticed reading through the thread there was a mention about the 2000 calorie diet, everyone's needs are absolutely different. The amount of calories required per day actually is affected by age, gender, activity level, body composition, and I'm sure there are others I'm missing but that is just off the top of my head. The other thing I saw I believe it was Bill that brought it up was sodium. You absolutely need sodium in your body as it directly affects nerve impulses and a few other things, but if you take in to much then you wind up retaining more water and as I believe Bill also pointed out is about 1 pound per 16 ounces, it doesn't take much to make the scale go the wrong way. A little more background on me, I'm currently semi-retired in my early 40's going to school to be an x-ray tech, which is where I picked up the insight on sodium and calorie needs. I'm currently trying to find the right weight by how I feel, I haven't been on a scale in over 18 months because I didn't like what it said at 240. I have felt good anywhere between 195 and 210, but that also was more active then I can be with the neck and back injuries so I can't say fit sure what weight I'll feel good at now until I hit it. I know I'm a few days behind where you are with the sodium and calorie thing, but I saw it and wanted to throw in my 2 cents with the information I learned from anatomy and physiology to add a little more understanding to the salt calorie thing.
  • billdwyatt
    billdwyatt Posts: 57 Member
    What are the "certain carbs"?
  • rdevol
    rdevol Posts: 278 Member
    Hello! I've been trying (but not hard enough) to get back on the wagon and truly make some healthy changes in my life. I love that only a few people are posting on this site. Some posts seem to get out of control so quickly with the number of people. I'd like to join your group and try to post daily for accountability and support.
  • j_trea1
    j_trea1 Posts: 20 Member
    Bill are you asking me about the "certain carbs"? If so I'm not sure I follow what you are asking.
  • NoAnalHere
    NoAnalHere Posts: 97 Member
    So I eat 1500 a day or at least that's what it's set to. I go between IF and snacking. I'm not doing IF for the health benefits, just to manage my eating. I just forgo breakfast and continue with my day for IF. If I'm fasting I do 500c lunch, 700c dinner, 300c snacks, when I'm not I just switch the lunch calories for breakfast and don't snack. Seems to be working for me. This morning was one of the those days were I ate breakfast and I ain't even mad lol. I basically had a smaller portion of my dinner last night (chili) minus the rice stuffed into a pita. Super satisfied right now.
  • Nikion901
    Nikion901 Posts: 2,467 Member
    edited March 2017
    billdwyatt wrote: »
    What are the "certain carbs"?

    For me those "certain carbs" are ones with too much starch or sugar in them. Too much fat in a product doesn't seem to trigger it. Too much salt only makes me more thirsty when it comes from an oversalted dish, but if it comes from something like potato chips ... watch out Niki!

    And, it seems like the starchy carbs are wheat based rather than things like squash or potatotes, or other grains like buckwheat, oatmeal, etc. The sugary foods that are easy to overeat on are dried fruits but I have had fresh fruit trigger frequent consumption ... like grapes and cherries, peaches but not nectarines, oranges but not grapefruits. ... weird!

    Then I end up overeating and have both too many calories and too many carbs in a day, which wreacks havoc with fluid retention and additional cravings. ...
  • billdwyatt
    billdwyatt Posts: 57 Member
    I understand. My hematologist tells me to carry a bag of celery with me and munch from it all day. Might give it a try. Finished the day under 1200. I want that pound gone.
  • rdevol
    rdevol Posts: 278 Member
    I wish I could munch on a bag of carrots all day instead of celery - that would work for me! Too many carbs/too much sugar, though. :(
  • Nikion901
    Nikion901 Posts: 2,467 Member
    That's a good idea @billdwyatt ... carry celery around with me. I enjoy a stalk at one time; more than that at one time leaves a bad taste in my mouth. I'm not a muncher though and don't eat between meals in my normal routine. It's more that when I do have the 'certain carbs' I'm hungry much sooner than normal and cannot satisfy the desire to eat more. Thus, instead of eating every 3.5 to 4.5 hours, I'm searching for food every 2 hours. That, and a recent penchant for raisins before bed.
  • billdwyatt
    billdwyatt Posts: 57 Member
    Carrots would work for me too @rdevol ... You know Nikion901, I'm not a muncher either. Don't snack between meals and I'm not hung up on sweets either. Not that I don't enjoy them if I'm offered, but left to myself I don't crave sweets and don't search them out.

    I was 211.0 again this morning. No movement at all. My wife invited me to take her to lunch today. I got the "plate special"... country style steak and gravy, pinto beans, cornbread, mashed potatoes, and black eyed peas. Honey hush. The calculator on here says it was between 800 and 900 calories. Looks like I'm in for a small dinner tonight.
  • billdwyatt
    billdwyatt Posts: 57 Member
    j_trea1 wrote: »
    Bill are you asking me about the "certain carbs"? If so I'm not sure I follow what you are asking.

    No, that was for Nikion901. And welcome to our little group here! Thanks for your posts!
  • billdwyatt
    billdwyatt Posts: 57 Member
    rdevol wrote: »
    Hello! I've been trying (but not hard enough) to get back on the wagon and truly make some healthy changes in my life. I love that only a few people are posting on this site. Some posts seem to get out of control so quickly with the number of people. I'd like to join your group and try to post daily for accountability and support.

    Welcome!
  • j_trea1
    j_trea1 Posts: 20 Member
    Another interesting fact to take into account when you are weighing yourself and all that. When you eat it takes 4 hours for what you have eaten to leave your stomach, and then it is going to be where it is going, either in your cells as energy or expelled from your system with in about 24 hours after eating. So Bill if you ate a big dinner last night that might have still been hanging around a little this morning when you weighed in.
  • Nikion901
    Nikion901 Posts: 2,467 Member
    Did a mental check today because I was feeling low when I compared my progress to those of others. Found 10 positive statements about myself that were sincere and not fluff. Now I feel better ... just need to get the butt in gear today instead of riding the clutch.
  • catmomfat
    catmomfat Posts: 97 Member
    edited March 2017
    I only weigh myself twice a week. Otherwise I get too depressed. I'm trying to loose 20 pounds. I've lost 5 so far over 2.5 weeks. I really think I need to change my goal to 25, but I guess I will get to 20 and see how I look and feel there. Since I started at 160 at 5'6", I've heard it will be harder since I am close to "normal" weight for a woman my height and age.
  • billdwyatt
    billdwyatt Posts: 57 Member
    Nikion901 wrote: »
    Did a mental check today because I was feeling low when I compared my progress to those of others. Found 10 positive statements about myself that were sincere and not fluff. Now I feel better ... just need to get the butt in gear today instead of riding the clutch.

    Amen sister. Let us know how you day went.

  • billdwyatt
    billdwyatt Posts: 57 Member
    catmomfat wrote: »
    I only weigh myself twice a week. Otherwise I get too depressed. I'm trying to loose 20 pounds. I've lost 5 so far over 2.5 weeks. I really think I need to change my goal to 25, but I guess I will get to 20 and see how I look and feel there. Since I started at 160 at 5'6", I've heard it will be harder since I am close to "normal" weight for a woman my height and age.

    Welcome to the group @catmomfat ! "The more you lose, the harder it becomes" is the natural course for everyone. What I'm about to suggest is a general example of how it works. The numbers can vary significantly from one person to the next, but it works the same for all of us...

    If you are completely sedentary (no exercise) figure 10 calories for every pound you weigh. If you're 160, then that's 1600 calories a day. Figure a pound is worth about 3500 calories. So, for the example, let's say you're on a 1200 calorie a day diet. At 160 you'll lose a pound in 8-9 days. At 150 figure 1500 calories a day. Now the 1200 calorie diet is yielding 300 calories a day instead of 400. It will now take 11-12 days to lose a pound. So, the closer you get to your goal, the slower your weight loss becomes.
  • billdwyatt
    billdwyatt Posts: 57 Member
    I blew my 1500 calorie a day diet by 200 calories yesterday. After that "plate special" I had for lunch yesterday, we fixed homestyle chicken and dumplings for dinner last night. I suppose I should be glad it was only 200. Didn't weigh this morning. Back to a light brunch today.
  • j_trea1
    j_trea1 Posts: 20 Member
    @billdwyatt at least it was only 200 calories and as we all know 1day isn't going to make or break you in the long run.

    @Nikion901 it is hard not to compare ourselves to others, but it does any of us any good as we are all different. Great job on finding the positive as that is what is important and keeps us going.
  • catmomfat
    catmomfat Posts: 97 Member
    I walk an average of 6 miles a day at work. I consider that lightly active :)
  • j_trea1
    j_trea1 Posts: 20 Member
    I was just looking back at my calories since I've started taking, which has only been since the 27th last month so a littler over a week. The first 5 days I didn't do well at all. During that time I was been 2200 and 2500 each day and felt hungry. I also started riding my bike 3 days week week at the same time. Since Monday I've stayed right around 1500 with one day being up to 1750. I also started measuring neck and abdomen last week since I don't want to get to what feels good not a number, but at the same time have something objective to measure. This morning was the second measurement and neck went up about a half an inch and abdomen is down a quarter. Good news is I carry most of my fat in my belly so that's going the right way at least. I figure if I can stay around 1500 to 1750 I should be seeing some good results soon.
  • billdwyatt
    billdwyatt Posts: 57 Member
    catmomfat wrote: »
    I walk an average of 6 miles a day at work. I consider that lightly active :)

    6 miles a day? Dang, I'd call that intense training if it were me!

  • billdwyatt
    billdwyatt Posts: 57 Member
    Lunch wasn't light enough. Lol. Dinner was within limits. Another 1700 day. Myfitnesspal says I'll still lose weight at this level but I might not live long enough to reach my goal.
  • Nikion901
    Nikion901 Posts: 2,467 Member
    Can I trust the scale this morning? Yes I can. Can I trust that I will eat today like I did the past 3 days? Not enough to give a promise.
  • catmomfat
    catmomfat Posts: 97 Member
    billdwyatt wrote: »
    catmomfat wrote: »
    I walk an average of 6 miles a day at work. I consider that lightly active :)

    6 miles a day? Dang, I'd call that intense training if it were me!

    proof that my weight gain was caused by what I was eating, not lack of physical activity
  • billdwyatt
    billdwyatt Posts: 57 Member
    At 1700 I'm still supposed to lose weight. Not happening. I'm up another pound today. Back to 212.
  • NoAnalHere
    NoAnalHere Posts: 97 Member
    billdwyatt wrote: »
    At 1700 I'm still supposed to lose weight. Not happening. I'm up another pound today. Back to 212.

    Hey if you're recording your weight every day download a app on Android or ios so you can go by trend weight since there's so many reasons for fluctuations. Don't let it discourage you!

  • j_trea1
    j_trea1 Posts: 20 Member
    I think I am going to go bust on calories for today. The Mrs. just told me she wants to go to Golden Coral. I guess I can just eat light and hope for the best.
  • Carol_
    Carol_ Posts: 469 Member
    Good Monday morning everybody!
    I did not lose anything all week. I was over in cals 2 days but also under 2 days. I am tired of walking the same neighborhood..same places. I was lazy with walking last week. It was like no matter what coat I had on..I was freezing!
    Ok..New week. New Day. My goal for the day is to walk at least 3 miles. Not much..I know..but it's a start. HAPPY MONDAY MORNING! <3
  • Wolfger
    Wolfger Posts: 350 Member
    billdwyatt wrote: »
    It's easy to get discouraged monitoring your day-to-day weight loss.
    Well... I'd say "only if you're easily discouraged!" :lol:
    I weigh in every day that I'm able to, and track my calories every day, and if I have a bad day, I just use that as fuel to do better the next day. Exceeded my calories, but still lost weight? Awesome! Under my limit but gained weight? Probably didn't move my body enough. Or counted wrong. Or retaining water. Or... whatever. Today I'll do a little better, move a little more, eat a little less. Without that daily feedback, how will I know when I go off the rails?

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