Fast food

2

Replies

  • jdog022
    jdog022 Posts: 693 Member
    Semantics. It still makes a point because they list their calories and there is no way theyre accurate. Some of the more global chains may be slighlty more accurate due to more controlled and consistent prep but not accurate enough at 20x a week to wonder why no weight is coming off.
  • happyauntie2015
    happyauntie2015 Posts: 282 Member
    You can definitely loose eating all fast food based off the choices you make. The food is loaded with sodium perhaps that or the newer exercise routine is making you retain water? I use to work FF and so I know not everyone measures the amount of toppings put on a sandwich and depending on where you go salt is added to the patty while on the grill. I actually go through drive thru should I choose to have FF for a Mel and hubby laughs at me as I weigh my portions but hey I was over 300lbs when I started this journey and I AM NOT ever going back to that!

    Sorry I went off on a rant. Yes you can loose on FF maybe become more consistent on your logging. You can do it!
  • vivelajackie
    vivelajackie Posts: 321 Member
    Like everyone is saying, give it some good time. Up the water to balance out the higher sodium in FF. Don't over think it. As an off topic observation, I'd probably go broke doing nothing but fast food. I remember I used to enjoy it. Now that I don't do it as much I feel sick after the occasional splurge. Still, I won't shun your food choices. I'd encourage you to venture out and try simple things to do at home from time to time just so you can learn how to enjoy creating something from time to time (and it's easy to track what's going in that way). Good luck!
  • Bran_mob08
    Bran_mob08 Posts: 29 Member
    Thanks everyone. I really appreciate all of your advice and input. I'll check back in in a week or so and see if I've made any progress and go from there. For now, I'm going to making sure to log this weekend!
  • Packerjohn
    Packerjohn Posts: 4,855 Member
    Bran_mob08 wrote: »
    Packerjohn wrote: »
    Could I ask what sort of workout you're doing to be burning 500-1000 calories a day? 1000 calories would be in the range of a 10 mile run for someone around 180 pounds.


    I do an hour of boxing 3 times a week.
    An hour of orange theory 4-5 times a week
    And yoga.

    I don't track my yoga calories burned
    My heart rate monitor says I burn usually 500-600 in orange theory
    400-500 in boxing.

    I sometimes do boxing and orange theory back to back which is in I get those high 1000 calories day burns

    Thanks, that would be a reasonable ballpark. Often people overestimate workout calories.
  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
    You said you're horrible at logging week ends. That's probably your problem.
  • rileysowner
    rileysowner Posts: 8,331 Member
    jdog022 wrote: »
    Semantics. It still makes a point because they list their calories and there is no way theyre accurate. Some of the more global chains may be slighlty more accurate due to more controlled and consistent prep but not accurate enough at 20x a week to wonder why no weight is coming off.

    They are at least as accurate as the nutritional information which can vary about 20% from what is listed even if you weigh things. That is true even for raw ingredients. For example, the calories for a Tomato will vary depending on the growing environment, the time of year, and other factors. The numbers are averaged out to give a number that will be representative that is close to what most Tomatoes will be at, but it is not exact. Nor do I think it is mere semantics, Five Guys, and other gourmet burger places are not running on a small margin, but are selling based on other factors which will allow for greater variation than global chains. As stated earlier by myself, and by others, there have been a number of people who ate nothing but fast food for 30 day counting calories and have lost weight and improved health markers. The issue with the OP likely has more to do with the admitted lack of consistency on weekends than it does that primarily fast food is being eaten.
  • rileysowner
    rileysowner Posts: 8,331 Member
    Bran_mob08 wrote: »
    Thanks everyone. I really appreciate all of your advice and input. I'll check back in in a week or so and see if I've made any progress and go from there. For now, I'm going to making sure to log this weekend!

    Good for you. Consistent logging is really important. It is very easy of eat through all the calories you have built up as a deficit through the week over the weekend especially if you start Friday evening an don't get back to logging again until Monday. You can do this. Start focusing on consistent logging for the whole week, and yes, do so even if you eat more than your calorie goal as those numbers will potentially help you see if you are destroying your deficit over the weekend.
  • lady_ghost
    lady_ghost Posts: 175 Member
    Cut out the fast food. Buy a food scale and make ur food at home logging in ur own recipes. This is the only way.
  • dlm4mom
    dlm4mom Posts: 251 Member
    I found this thread looking for help with fast food. I love it. I am addicted to it. I saw a post about 30 day no fast food challenge from a few years ago. Does anyone want to try it with me?
  • nefeli89
    nefeli89 Posts: 3 Member
    I was doing the same thing. I am a fast food junkie. I noticed that even when I was eating 2 burgers the day lets say, so I was in my allowed calories/day, I didn't notice any weight loss. I started cooking because of this reason since when you cook you know your ingredients, the amount of oil and fats you use and you have more control.
    Just started and will see how it goes! :)
  • inertiastrength
    inertiastrength Posts: 2,343 Member
    I ate Wendy's every single day in April and lost 1.25lbs/week. If I'm getting something like a McChicken I'll ask for the sauce on the side (those packets of mayo are more accurate than the 15yo kid squirting in on in the kitchen lol) You just need to be mindful and have some common sense but fast food can be a convenient option even when you're cutting.
  • inertiastrength
    inertiastrength Posts: 2,343 Member
    OP's most recent visit was 5 days ago. I dont' think the problem is the mayo on the fast food and it is likely more a case of intermittent logging. RIP with no clue how much you're eating OP
  • CyberTone
    CyberTone Posts: 7,337 Member
    edited May 2017
    OP's most recent visit was 5 days ago. I dont' think the problem is the mayo on the fast food and it is likely more a case of intermittent logging. RIP with no clue how much you're eating OP

    The most recent visit information displayed in a Community usercard is for the MFP Community section of the MFP program only. One should not assume that users are not logging in and using their main MFP account based on that one piece of information.
  • 12by311
    12by311 Posts: 1,716 Member
    Francl27 wrote: »
    You said you're horrible at logging week ends. That's probably your problem.

    Ditto to this. When I don't log weekends, I don't lose weight. And it's not like I'm going crazy with it. I just don't have a lot of margin for error at this point and you may not either.
  • inertiastrength
    inertiastrength Posts: 2,343 Member
    CyberTone wrote: »
    OP's most recent visit was 5 days ago. I dont' think the problem is the mayo on the fast food and it is likely more a case of intermittent logging. RIP with no clue how much you're eating OP

    The most recent visit information displayed in a Community usercard is for the MFP Community section of the MFP program only. One should not assume that users are not logging in and using their main MFP account based on that one piece of information.

    I thought it was mfp in general, my bad. Still think it's a case of IL but I see what you mean.
  • janejellyroll
    janejellyroll Posts: 25,763 Member
    lady_ghost wrote: »
    Cut out the fast food. Buy a food scale and make ur food at home logging in ur own recipes. This is the only way.

    No, it isn't. You need a calorie deficit to lose weight. You can do that cooking your own food at home or you can do it with food prepared by others.
  • malibu927
    malibu927 Posts: 17,562 Member
    lady_ghost wrote: »
    Cut out the fast food. Buy a food scale and make ur food at home logging in ur own recipes. This is the only way.

    Huh. I lost 60+ pounds eating fast food at least once a week.
  • Tacklewasher
    Tacklewasher Posts: 7,122 Member
    lady_ghost wrote: »
    Cut out the fast food. Buy a food scale and make ur food at home logging in ur own recipes. This is the only way.

    I know many others have covered this, but anyone who thinks they have "the only way" to lose weight, are wrong.

    There are many ways to lose weight. There are many ways to lose weight that are perfectly healthy. There is not "one way" to lose weight.

    MFP is primarily a calorie counting site. So the focus here tends to be on calorie counting. But there are loads of other healthy ways to lose weight. This is just the one that works for me, and it include fast food on occasion.

  • LAWoman72
    LAWoman72 Posts: 2,846 Member
    Mmm! Fast food!

    If I get takeout I will usually choose the one thing I know I will really love - say, French fries - weigh it and enter the calories, and then bulk out with veggies and add a protein if I need to.

    If I get 600 calories for dinner and eat a 300 calorie portion of fries, to give an example, that still leaves 300 calories for veggies, chicken, etc. I need bulk so this is how I do it.

    I bake chicken or whatever protein in batches and let it hang out in the fridge during the week for grab and go.
  • lucypstacy
    lucypstacy Posts: 178 Member
    I'm on the road a lot, so I eat out more than I'd like. Still, as of today I've lost 25lbs. I just log everything, and I'm careful.
  • savithny
    savithny Posts: 1,200 Member
    Yeah - if you're going to be eating out a lot? Order takeout at least once and weigh your portions. Compare with the portions on the nutritional information. Do they match? If not, either do the math to figure out how off they might be, or don't eat the whole thing you're given.
  • Hypsibius
    Hypsibius Posts: 207 Member
    I recommend doing something like the Whole30 for a month. Eat lots of whole foods. Salmon, eggs, chicken, pork, brussels sprouts, broccoli -- then add in some quinoa and complex grains. Enjoy good salads, nuts, etc. Use lots of olive oil! Make good, delicious foods and eat until you're satiated.

    You'll lose weight.

    Your body isn't designed to be a calorie garbage disposal, as too many on this forum seem to suggest. Yes, counting can be helpful (I keep a rough daily count, personally -- and use the app on and off to help w/ it). But just trying to "cut calories" by eating just enough fast food to maintain a deficit -- honestly -- sounds really difficult -- it sound awful. As others have said, it'll be difficult to accurately track, you'll likely be hungry a lot and find it difficult to sustain long-term.

    That's not to say that Fast Food is a never! I love a Five Guys meal or a Wendy's Crispy Chicken every month or so -- but find I'd rather use that special occasion meal for something like ribs or a meal out instead.

    Anyway, good luck! That's just my advice.
  • Hypsibius
    Hypsibius Posts: 207 Member
    edited May 2017
    Hypsibius wrote: »
    I recommend doing something like the Whole30 for a month. Eat lots of whole foods. Salmon, eggs, chicken, pork, brussels sprouts, broccoli -- then add in some quinoa and complex grains. Enjoy good salads, nuts, etc. Use lots of olive oil! Make good, delicious foods and eat until you're satiated.

    You'll lose weight.

    Your body isn't designed to be a calorie garbage disposal, as too many on this forum seem to suggest. Yes, counting can be helpful (I keep a rough daily count, personally -- and use the app on and off to help w/ it). But just trying to "cut calories" by eating just enough fast food to maintain a deficit -- honestly -- sounds really difficult -- it sound awful. As others have said, it'll be difficult to accurately track, you'll likely be hungry a lot and find it difficult to sustain long-term.

    That's not to say that Fast Food is a never! I love a Five Guys meal or a Wendy's Crispy Chicken every month or so -- but find I'd rather use that special occasion meal for something like ribs or a meal out instead.

    Anyway, good luck! That's just my advice.

    You know what happens when I eat lots of whole foods, including nuts, grains, and "lots" of olive oil?

    It isn't weight loss.

    I know some people lose weight on Whole30, but others don't.

    A weight loss is created by a calorie deficit. You can do that on Whole30, you can do it without it.

    I'm talking about me personally. Yes, this is anecdotal.

    If I'm on a Standard American Diet -- I'm hungry all the time, digestion is wrecked, my workouts are more difficult (or they don't happen at all) and dieting is a painful, painful chore.

    When I eat whole foods and cook, I feel better -- I'm more motivated to exercise, my skin clears up, I digest food better. I lose weight with sensible portions and I eat until I'm full. It's a good feeling.

    I'm sharing my experience and suggesting folks try it. The defensiveness with which some people here blast clean-eating is seriously bizarre.

  • rileysowner
    rileysowner Posts: 8,331 Member
    Hypsibius wrote: »
    Hypsibius wrote: »
    I recommend doing something like the Whole30 for a month. Eat lots of whole foods. Salmon, eggs, chicken, pork, brussels sprouts, broccoli -- then add in some quinoa and complex grains. Enjoy good salads, nuts, etc. Use lots of olive oil! Make good, delicious foods and eat until you're satiated.

    You'll lose weight.

    Your body isn't designed to be a calorie garbage disposal, as too many on this forum seem to suggest. Yes, counting can be helpful (I keep a rough daily count, personally -- and use the app on and off to help w/ it). But just trying to "cut calories" by eating just enough fast food to maintain a deficit -- honestly -- sounds really difficult -- it sound awful. As others have said, it'll be difficult to accurately track, you'll likely be hungry a lot and find it difficult to sustain long-term.

    That's not to say that Fast Food is a never! I love a Five Guys meal or a Wendy's Crispy Chicken every month or so -- but find I'd rather use that special occasion meal for something like ribs or a meal out instead.

    Anyway, good luck! That's just my advice.

    You know what happens when I eat lots of whole foods, including nuts, grains, and "lots" of olive oil?

    It isn't weight loss.

    I know some people lose weight on Whole30, but others don't.

    A weight loss is created by a calorie deficit. You can do that on Whole30, you can do it without it.

    I'm talking about me personally. Yes, this is anecdotal.

    If I'm on a Standard American Diet -- I'm hungry all the time, digestion is wrecked, my workouts are more difficult (or they don't happen at all) and dieting is a painful, painful chore.

    When I eat whole foods and cook, I feel better -- I'm more motivated to exercise, my skin clears up, I digest food better. I lose weight with sensible portions and I eat until I'm full. It's a good feeling.

    I'm sharing my experience and suggesting folks try it. The defensiveness with which some people here blast clean-eating is seriously bizarre.

    When I am on a diets such as you described, I put weight on because I am never satisfied. Different strokes for different folks. I find the only thing that works for me is establishing a calorie deficit by counting calories. When I stop doing that trying intuitive eating, eating all natural home prepared foods, etc. I get put weight on. I am all for people trying different things. If they work to establish a calorie deficit without counting, all power to them. Sadly, experience tells me they don't work for me.
  • amyepdx
    amyepdx Posts: 750 Member
    Hypsibius wrote: »
    Hypsibius wrote: »
    I recommend doing something like the Whole30 for a month. Eat lots of whole foods. Salmon, eggs, chicken, pork, brussels sprouts, broccoli -- then add in some quinoa and complex grains. Enjoy good salads, nuts, etc. Use lots of olive oil! Make good, delicious foods and eat until you're satiated.

    You'll lose weight.

    Your body isn't designed to be a calorie garbage disposal, as too many on this forum seem to suggest. Yes, counting can be helpful (I keep a rough daily count, personally -- and use the app on and off to help w/ it). But just trying to "cut calories" by eating just enough fast food to maintain a deficit -- honestly -- sounds really difficult -- it sound awful. As others have said, it'll be difficult to accurately track, you'll likely be hungry a lot and find it difficult to sustain long-term.

    That's not to say that Fast Food is a never! I love a Five Guys meal or a Wendy's Crispy Chicken every month or so -- but find I'd rather use that special occasion meal for something like ribs or a meal out instead.

    Anyway, good luck! That's just my advice.

    You know what happens when I eat lots of whole foods, including nuts, grains, and "lots" of olive oil?

    It isn't weight loss.

    I know some people lose weight on Whole30, but others don't.

    A weight loss is created by a calorie deficit. You can do that on Whole30, you can do it without it.

    I'm talking about me personally. Yes, this is anecdotal.

    If I'm on a Standard American Diet -- I'm hungry all the time, digestion is wrecked, my workouts are more difficult (or they don't happen at all) and dieting is a painful, painful chore.

    When I eat whole foods and cook, I feel better -- I'm more motivated to exercise, my skin clears up, I digest food better. I lose weight with sensible portions and I eat until I'm full. It's a good feeling.

    I'm sharing my experience and suggesting folks try it. The defensiveness with which some people here blast clean-eating is seriously bizarre.

    Since when doesn't the standard America diet (whatever that means) include cooking meals out of food?
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