Restaurants are killer for weight loss!
juanwilly
Posts: 100 Member
OMG Here we go again! Back to where I started more or less--212.6 and I was down to 207 just 14 days ago! When will I learn to STOP eating out at restaurants!! The sodium is killer! And with my heart I should know better!!
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Replies
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or just drink a bit more water...4
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Just keep the salt down and drink some water and most of it will probably come off in the next week or so. I didn't weigh myself today because I had lots of pizza yesterday and new I'd be up a few pounds just from water weight.1
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TavistockToad wrote: »or just drink a bit more water...
I drink almost 5000 ml (170 ounces) (1.4 gal +/-) daily--you mean more than that?
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TavistockToad wrote: »or just drink a bit more water...
I drink almost 5000 ml (170 ounces) (1.4 gal +/-) daily--you mean more than that?
and sodium still affects your weight loss?0 -
Absolutely, that's my story and I am sticking to it! At least for a day or two until I cleanse! How do you lose your weight, friend? You don't think restaurants load our food with salt and more? They readily admit that they do!0
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RelCanonical wrote: »Just keep the salt down and drink some water and most of it will probably come off in the next week or so. I didn't weigh myself today because I had lots of pizza yesterday and new I'd be up a few pounds just from water weight.
I agree! But I can't help but weigh in every day! My bad....
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Absolutely, that's my story and I am sticking to it! At least for a day or two until I cleanse! How do you lose your weight, friend? You don't think restaurants load our food with salt and more? They readily admit that they do!
Cleanse?
I lose weight by eating less calories than my body needs. I salt everything because I like salt. I lose just fine. Make better choices at the restaurants, don't make them your excuse for not getting the results you want, you choose what to put in your mouth.2 -
livingleanlivingclean wrote: »Absolutely, that's my story and I am sticking to it! At least for a day or two until I cleanse! How do you lose your weight, friend? You don't think restaurants load our food with salt and more? They readily admit that they do!
Cleanse?
I lose weight by eating less calories than my body needs. I salt everything because I like salt. I lose just fine. Make better choices at the restaurants, don't make them your excuse for not getting the results you want, you choose what to put in your mouth.
Cleanse as in sweating during today's run and drinking my daily water allotment to flush out the bad stuff!! Not my only excuse but one of them is sodium added for certain! Where is your pic to evaluate your weight loss?
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My issue with restaurants isn't the sodium, it is more about having a harder time counting my calories because I don't feel like I am getting an accurate count (even when the menu states calories). Plus, I can usually make a similar menu item at home for less calories and I have more control over the ingredients.
I have found it much easier to just make my own meals and reduce how often I eat at restaurants. I went from eating out nearly everyday to eating out maybe once every week or two weeks. Sometimes, DH and I even "challenge" each other to not eat out for extended periods of time (like a month). Those challenges are eye opening because it forces us to get more creative at home and it REALLY helps our budget. So, win-win.
Also, OP, what are you "cleansing" from exactly? Don't buy into the "cleanse" hype, just stay hydrated and get back on track with your goals.
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livingleanlivingclean wrote: »Absolutely, that's my story and I am sticking to it! At least for a day or two until I cleanse! How do you lose your weight, friend? You don't think restaurants load our food with salt and more? They readily admit that they do!
Cleanse?
I lose weight by eating less calories than my body needs. I salt everything because I like salt. I lose just fine. Make better choices at the restaurants, don't make them your excuse for not getting the results you want, you choose what to put in your mouth.
Cleanse as in sweating during today's run and drinking my daily water allotment to flush out the bad stuff!! Not my only excuse but one of them is sodium added for certain! Where is your pic to evaluate your weight loss?
You need to evaluate my weight loss? How about 3 state titles in bodybuilding, and placing at national competition.... Good enough for you?4 -
Very true and I concur! I explained my "cleanse" method above! Thanks for input!My issue with restaurants isn't the sodium, it is more about having a harder time counting my calories because I don't feel like I am getting an accurate count (even when the menu states calories). Plus, I can usually make a similar menu item at home for less calories and I have more control over the ingredients.
I have found it much easier to just make my own meals and reduce how often I eat at restaurants. I went from eating out nearly everyday to eating out maybe once every week or two weeks. Sometimes, DH and I even "challenge" each other to not eat out for extended periods of time (like a month). Those challenges are eye opening because it forces us to get more creative at home and it REALLY helps our budget. So, win-win.
Also, OP, what are you "cleansing" from exactly? Don't buy into the "cleanse" hype, just stay hydrated and get back on track with your goals.
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Just curious, what are you eating at restaurants? If I make good selections I can do okay but if I start eating the calorie full salads, bread and fries its game over.2
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There is a limit to the amount of water you should drink, unless you are extremely active outdoors and sweat a lot. I bicycle a lot and drink about 1/2 gallon a day. I average about 1,800mg salt daily/week with a max of 2,300 daily.0
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Very true and I concur! I explained my "cleanse" method above! Thanks for input!My issue with restaurants isn't the sodium, it is more about having a harder time counting my calories because I don't feel like I am getting an accurate count (even when the menu states calories). Plus, I can usually make a similar menu item at home for less calories and I have more control over the ingredients.
I have found it much easier to just make my own meals and reduce how often I eat at restaurants. I went from eating out nearly everyday to eating out maybe once every week or two weeks. Sometimes, DH and I even "challenge" each other to not eat out for extended periods of time (like a month). Those challenges are eye opening because it forces us to get more creative at home and it REALLY helps our budget. So, win-win.
Also, OP, what are you "cleansing" from exactly? Don't buy into the "cleanse" hype, just stay hydrated and get back on track with your goals.
Gotcha....when I saw cleanse, my first thought was some kind of pills, woo or magic concoction that doesn't really do much.0 -
I must admit that yesterday I made some bad choices. I opted for the grilled tenderloin sand plus fries, not good! But today I start anew! It I hard to make good choices when dining out--not much on the menu. What do you recommend choosing?Just curious, what are you eating at restaurants? If I make good selections I can do okay but if I start eating the calorie full salads, bread and fries its game over.
BTW, your weight loss is impressive as per your photos!
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Focus on fat loss rather than water weight. Water weight means nothing to the long term process unless you have a medical condition that requires monitoring of water weight.0
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Rather just eat at home. After buying a akorn kamado I find I much prefer the flavor of the food that comes off it. Plus easier to log my meal when I'm making it.1
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Restaurants CAN be killer IF you cannot control yourself. I will agree with that.
But it's not impossible.
Since last Saturday, I've eaten 5 restaurant meals. Even with all that, I've lost a pound and a half this week.2 -
If you are careful at restaurants and you account for it in your logging you can make it work. No Fettuccine Alfredo from Olive Garden. I went to Wendy's Wednesday and it worked out well.1
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It depends where you live and where you can eat, though.
Laughing Planet cafe, Freshii, Applebees, Ice Age meals, Cultured Caveman, pretty much any Mediterranean/Thai/Cuban/Japanese restaurant have great options if you know what to get.
I usually look for paleo restaurants or veggie heavy "bowl" type meals. And while traveling, even a place like panda express has pretty budget-able options if you opt for a less sauce-y protein over veggies instead of rice.1 -
Meh. I lost the weight I set out to lose and have been in maintenance for a few years while eating in restaurants a few times a week. Any impact on the scale is temporary as long as you stay within your calorie goal.
I eat at fast casual places once or twice a week for lunch at work, fast food maybe once a week when running around with kids, and a family meal at a local pizza, Mexican, or Italian restaurant about once a week as well. I enjoy eating in restaurants and am not going to give that up, better to figure out how to make it work while still achieving my goals.1 -
I eat at a restaurant at least once per day. I lose just fine. Just saying...1
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I eat out 5-8 times a month. I lose weight just fine. Calories are calories. Maybe pick the less calorie dense options.1
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Just pick healthier options at the restaurants, assuming all the food isn't the type of place that covers everything with an inch thick of grease. The more plain it sounds (and shorter ingredient list), the healthier, and by healthy I mean lower calories. For tracking sodium intake, if it's a chain restaurant, you could look at the nutrition menu before you leave. Sodium is a preservative so it's in many different foods, especially fast foods. It sounds like you're more focused on sodium. I assume you were told by a doctor to watch your sodium intake...1
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My problem with eating out multiple times a week is the sodium and resulting water weight as well. It takes me 2 days to drop back to normal weight from a day of high sodium. If I have a lot of sodium the day after having a lot of sodium it just makes my weight go up even more and takes even longer for it to fall off. Yes, it's only water weight and it probably wouldn't bother me as much if I was in maintenance instead of trying to lose, but when I'm trying to lose...yeah, I don't like seeing the number on the scale go up even if I know it's from water weight and it'll be gone soon.
Don't get me started on the calories in most restaurant foods, the lack of nutritional information in a lot of the places I frequent, or the cost. . .
It's nice to do once in a while, but I can't see it being more than a once a week (if that) thing for me now and going forward.2 -
My problem with eating out multiple times a week is the sodium and resulting water weight as well. It takes me 2 days to drop back to normal weight from a day of high sodium. If I have a lot of sodium the day after having a lot of sodium it just makes my weight go up even more and takes even longer for it to fall off. Yes, it's only water weight and it probably wouldn't bother me as much if I was in maintenance instead of trying to lose, but when I'm trying to lose...yeah, I don't like seeing the number on the scale go up even if I know it's from water weight and it'll be gone soon.
Don't get me started on the calories in most restaurant foods, the lack of nutritional information in a lot of the places I frequent, or the cost. . .
It's nice to do once in a while, but I can't see it being more than a once a week (if that) thing for me now and going forward.
Exactly what you said!! Everyone seems so pompous about their restaurant choices/food selections but common knowledge and what every MD states is that preparing your food at home is far superior to eating out!
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My problem with eating out multiple times a week is the sodium and resulting water weight as well. It takes me 2 days to drop back to normal weight from a day of high sodium. If I have a lot of sodium the day after having a lot of sodium it just makes my weight go up even more and takes even longer for it to fall off. Yes, it's only water weight and it probably wouldn't bother me as much if I was in maintenance instead of trying to lose, but when I'm trying to lose...yeah, I don't like seeing the number on the scale go up even if I know it's from water weight and it'll be gone soon.
Don't get me started on the calories in most restaurant foods, the lack of nutritional information in a lot of the places I frequent, or the cost. . .
It's nice to do once in a while, but I can't see it being more than a once a week (if that) thing for me now and going forward.
Exactly what you said!! Everyone seems so pompous about their restaurant choices/food selections but common knowledge and what every MD states is that preparing your food at home is far superior to eating out!
Asking for things to be modified isn't difficult. I often ask for things to be prepared without oil, or steamed/grilled without seasonings/sauces, or have the sauces on the side. Swap chips/mash for salad or steamed vegies. Ask for no salt to be added if you're worried about sodium. If eating out is the only option you have, there are easy ways to make the food more "diet friendly".2 -
My problem with eating out multiple times a week is the sodium and resulting water weight as well. It takes me 2 days to drop back to normal weight from a day of high sodium. If I have a lot of sodium the day after having a lot of sodium it just makes my weight go up even more and takes even longer for it to fall off. Yes, it's only water weight and it probably wouldn't bother me as much if I was in maintenance instead of trying to lose, but when I'm trying to lose...yeah, I don't like seeing the number on the scale go up even if I know it's from water weight and it'll be gone soon.
Don't get me started on the calories in most restaurant foods, the lack of nutritional information in a lot of the places I frequent, or the cost. . .
It's nice to do once in a while, but I can't see it being more than a once a week (if that) thing for me now and going forward.
Exactly what you said!! Everyone seems so pompous about their restaurant choices/food selections but common knowledge and what every MD states is that preparing your food at home is far superior to eating out!
Superior in what way?0 -
I usually eat out one meal a week and don't see a big spike in my weight from it. I guess I do track my sodium intake and looking at the whole day try not to go too far over the suggested intake.
You can eat a lot of sodium at home too if you are not careful.
If you aren't tracking sodium you can go to your diary settings and add it under nutrients tracked.
If you prelog some or all of your food you might make better choices for you.0 -
How do consumer choices differ in restaurants versus the supermarket? Consumers cite that they are choosing less fried, more vegetables, more salads, more water, more grilled, and less dessert most often in restaurants, versus shopping in the supermarket for more vegetables, more fruit, less fat, less HFCS, less sodium, less fried, and less sugar. Single ingredients and foods to limit, (i.e. less fat, sodium, and sugar) seem to be on the minds of shoppers rather than restaurant patrons who generally try to limit unhealthy cooking methods or increase healthy items on their plates.
I eat healthier at home with total control over portion sizes and nutritional content. I control salt, fat…where the ingredients come from.0
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