If You Eat Cookies, Cakes, Ice Cream Daily Do You Consider Yourself Dieting?
Replies
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I have lost 16 stone eating chocolate, biscuits, ice cream etc on a daily basis. In quantities that fitted within my calorie limit, alongside other more nutrient-dense foods.
I am now tracking my food in order to maintain my goal weight, which includes eating more chocolate, cakes and pastries BECAUSE I CAN.
Which part of this, exactly, do you find surprising, OP?20 -
P.S. I also never dropped below 1400 calories/day and most of the time I stayed around 1700 cals/day for weight loss. Since the OP seems to be staying under 1100 calories a day I can see why she might not feel there's room for snacks or sweets in a diet. There isn't much room for anything on so few calories.19
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Sweets are a part of my diet, and I lost 65 lbs and I’m maintaining that weight loss for over a year now!6
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lantana411 wrote: »I'm surprised at how many people eat cookies, croissants, ice cream, cake, chips, etc. on a daily or near-daily basis BUT LOG THEIR FOOD!
2) Logging these items is valuable because they tend to be more calorie dense than some foods, so logging keeps people aware of their total calorie intake, which is a requirement for calorie counting.I want to know - is it because they consider themselves dieting or getting ready to diet?Is this why people who diet are considered 'eating cleanly'?What do you do and what do you consider it?If you stay within your calories but drink/snack them away instead of eating meals is it dieting?
ETA: under the second last quote: meeting my needs while not depriving myself of delicious foods and occasional treats.10 -
I’m not dieting, I’m managing my weight.
And yes, I eat all those things within my calorie and nutritional goals.15 -
I'm counting calories in order to lose weight. I'm not concerned if anyone thinks it's a "diet" or not.9
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if I had to be strict and cut out things that are considered "junk" or not clean I would have never made it as long as I have. I would gain weight back because I would have given up. eating things I like keeps me on track for the most part. I do have a day here and there where for some reason I want those things in excess,not sure why but sometimes I do indulge but get back on track asap. hasnt hindered me in any way.10
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i dont 'diet'.
i eat within m calories.
that includes sweets on occasion.
if you omit everything good and fun to eat ... you'll burn ou VERY quickly and end up binging on them, losing motivation, and gaining back lost weight plus, usually, more.
ive lost 100 pounds and never had a birthday or holiday or gathering with friends or fun weekend where i deprived myself of anything i wanted.
that homemade cinnamon roll i had yesterday as a snack sure was good!
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I don't believe in dieting because diets don't work long term. What I'm doing is restricting my calorie budget to lose weight - and I eat everything I'll eat when I'm back in maintenance again, just less of it. I'll have a dish of ice cream maybe twice a month - it becomes a special treat for me rather than a daily thing. Same thing for items like candy bars. And when I do have ice cream or chocolate, I have something full fat and good tasting - no Halo Top or "ice milk" (shudder) for me.
Dividing your life into "Dieting" and "Not Dieting" sections is in my experience a recipe for long-term failure. What works is permanent lifestyle changes. Otherwise, you return to what you've labeled "normal eating" - which is likely what got you in trouble in the first place. And you'll resent the artificial restrictions you've imposed on yourself by banning certain foods from your diet.
Eating "clean" means something different to different people, and it has nothing to do with losing weight. There are "clean" diet programs out there, but they still depend on restricting calories for success.8 -
Is this going to be one of those threads where OP makes a provocative statement/inquiry, then everyone chimes in to refute it or provide clarity and the OP never returns but we all still go on agreeing with each other?
Ok just checking. Carry on with all these examples of being able to eat delicious foods AND achieve our goals.48 -
WinoGelato wrote: »Is this going to be one of those threads where OP makes a provocative statement/inquiry, then everyone chimes in to refute it or provide clarity and the OP never returns but we all still go on agreeing with each other?
Ok just checking. Carry on with all these examples of being able to eat delicious foods AND achieve our goals.
Is it a day that ends in y?24 -
WinoGelato wrote: »Is this going to be one of those threads where OP makes a provocative statement/inquiry, then everyone chimes in to refute it or provide clarity and the OP never returns but we all still go on agreeing with each other?
Ok just checking. Carry on with all these examples of being able to eat delicious foods AND achieve our goals.
It should be in success stories.6 -
I used the term 'diet' to identify the goal of losing weight. I spend my calories on mostly lean protein and produce but have no issue with eating whatever I want on occasion. I've lost and gained a lot of weight in my life - currently I'm enjoying an 80 pound weight loss (I started 'this time' on 1/2/16). I became curious about how people view MFP and the point of tracking their daily food when I started reading 'meals' of ice cream sundaes - which I did today, it was someone's 600+ calorie lunch - no food just the sundae. I wondered what the point was in tracking the food - was it with the goal of losing weight or just keeping track of food intake.
Everyone picks their food plan and food they enjoy. But some people seem to eat dessert every day. They may not have any produce but they are certain to eat refined sugar/carbs. Some of them seem defensive of their food choices, almost like they want to lose weight but not if they have to back away from sweets. To me, it's a balance. I don't want dessert daily but I would eat it every once in a while IF I believe I can have it once and be done with it. NOT if I think it'll start me in a spiral of binge eating. That's why I was so curious about the mindset of others on MFP. And I'm glad for your answers - truly!
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I never deprive myself of the things I really want to have , I love what @CoGypsy said! I try to stay within my calories and enjoy some treats too!4
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Some people have ice cream sundaes occasionally for lunch. Tracking our food is a mechanism that can help us be aware of our choices. Not everyone logging their food is subscribing to some kind of "clean eating" plan.
For me, I am really focused on trying to be more mindful about what I eat. I'm also trying to work on incorporating those kind of foods into my life in a healthy way. I'm more focused on my way of eating being healthy and sustainable over time, not just for a quick weight loss, and this means not eating in a black and white way.
Maybe the person eating a sundae for lunch used to eat two sundaes for lunch. You never know where someone has been or what they are doing on their journey. Maybe for you it triggers binge eating, maybe for them they wanted to have a sundae for lunch and that's the end of it.
This whole discussion is making me want to have a sundae for lunch sometime.20 -
lantana411 wrote: »I used the term 'diet' to identify the goal of losing weight. I spend my calories on mostly lean protein and produce but have no issue with eating whatever I want on occasion. I've lost and gained a lot of weight in my life - currently I'm enjoying an 80 pound weight loss (I started 'this time' on 1/2/16). I became curious about how people view MFP and the point of tracking their daily food when I started reading 'meals' of ice cream sundaes - which I did today, it was someone's 600+ calorie lunch - no food just the sundae. I wondered what the point was in tracking the food - was it with the goal of losing weight or just keeping track of food intake.
Everyone picks their food plan and food they enjoy. But some people seem to eat dessert every day. They may not have any produce but they are certain to eat refined sugar/carbs. Some of them seem defensive of their food choices, almost like they want to lose weight but not if they have to back away from sweets. To me, it's a balance. I don't want dessert daily but I would eat it every once in a while IF I believe I can have it once and be done with it. NOT if I think it'll start me in a spiral of binge eating. That's why I was so curious about the mindset of others on MFP. And I'm glad for your answers - truly!
You could always ask that specific person, but you'll likely be told it's none of your business because it isn't. You seem to think that someone can't lose weight while eating a 600 calorie sunday for lunch. Why not? It's not necessary to give up these things. Many health markers are improved just through weight loss alone, so if someone wants to eat nothing but ice cream, as long as they are under their calories, they can still lose weight. Not that I'm advocating for that. There is a strong undercurrent of judgment in your posts, like you think that these people are somehow delusional for not doing things the way you are doing them.26 -
lantana411 wrote: »I used the term 'diet' to identify the goal of losing weight. I spend my calories on mostly lean protein and produce but have no issue with eating whatever I want on occasion. I've lost and gained a lot of weight in my life - currently I'm enjoying an 80 pound weight loss (I started 'this time' on 1/2/16). I became curious about how people view MFP and the point of tracking their daily food when I started reading 'meals' of ice cream sundaes - which I did today, it was someone's 600+ calorie lunch - no food just the sundae. I wondered what the point was in tracking the food - was it with the goal of losing weight or just keeping track of food intake.
Everyone picks their food plan and food they enjoy. But some people seem to eat dessert every day. They may not have any produce but they are certain to eat refined sugar/carbs. Some of them seem defensive of their food choices, almost like they want to lose weight but not if they have to back away from sweets. To me, it's a balance. I don't want dessert daily but I would eat it every once in a while IF I believe I can have it once and be done with it. NOT if I think it'll start me in a spiral of binge eating. That's why I was so curious about the mindset of others on MFP. And I'm glad for your answers - truly!
You don't have to eschew sweets to lose weight. As someone who doesn't log a lot of produce (because I don't eat much of it) but does log a lot of sweets (because I eat a lot of those), I do want dessert daily. Sometimes multiple times, daily, in fact. (And before anyone gets all... weird... I have excellent health markers across the board. I get a physical which includes blood work about once a year, and I get compliments from my doctor on it.)
... And I can do that and still meet my nutrition goals and my weight goals--including weight loss.15 -
Hmmm your suprise people log Thier food? That's the whole point of mfp..... To track calories consumed
Do you think weight loss would happen if people chose to pretend the doughnut didn't happen?
I don't "eat clean" I've no time to wash all my food in washing up liquid before I consume it
What I prefer to do is weigh and accurately log everything that passes my lips to make sure I'm in a calorie deficit so I can lose fat
I also keep an eye on my macros so that I'm getting enough protein and fats. Once those are reached if I still have calories left I'll have a little ice cream or some chocolate because there are no prizes in life for eating bowls and bowls of broccoli and a little of what I fancy will stop me binging on supposed "forbidden foods" when I reach breaking point23 -
nutmegoreo wrote: »lantana411 wrote: »I used the term 'diet' to identify the goal of losing weight. I spend my calories on mostly lean protein and produce but have no issue with eating whatever I want on occasion. I've lost and gained a lot of weight in my life - currently I'm enjoying an 80 pound weight loss (I started 'this time' on 1/2/16). I became curious about how people view MFP and the point of tracking their daily food when I started reading 'meals' of ice cream sundaes - which I did today, it was someone's 600+ calorie lunch - no food just the sundae. I wondered what the point was in tracking the food - was it with the goal of losing weight or just keeping track of food intake.
Everyone picks their food plan and food they enjoy. But some people seem to eat dessert every day. They may not have any produce but they are certain to eat refined sugar/carbs. Some of them seem defensive of their food choices, almost like they want to lose weight but not if they have to back away from sweets. To me, it's a balance. I don't want dessert daily but I would eat it every once in a while IF I believe I can have it once and be done with it. NOT if I think it'll start me in a spiral of binge eating. That's why I was so curious about the mindset of others on MFP. And I'm glad for your answers - truly!
You could always ask that specific person, but you'll likely be told it's none of your business because it isn't. You seem to think that someone can't lose weight while eating a 600 calorie sunday for lunch. Why not? It's not necessary to give up these things. Many health markers are improved just through weight loss alone, so if someone wants to eat nothing but ice cream, as long as they are under their calories, they can still lose weight. Not that I'm advocating for that. There is a strong undercurrent of judgment in your posts, like you think that these people are somehow delusional for not doing things the way you are doing them.
If I limited myself to 1100 calories/day of "clean" food, I would have a mental breakdown...
... I know because I did. Good times. Now I eat what I want, log it, and meet my macro and calorie targets as best as I can.
I logged the scotch I drank last night, too.
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lantana411 wrote: »I'm surprised at how many people eat cookies, croissants, ice cream, cake, chips, etc. on a daily or near-daily basis BUT LOG THEIR FOOD! I want to know - is it because they consider themselves dieting or getting ready to diet? Is this why people who diet are considered 'eating cleanly'? What do you do and what do you consider it? If you stay within your calories but drink/snack them away instead of eating meals is it dieting?
I fit treat into my calories. Many of them have nutrients. Why shouldn't I eat food I like while losing weight, so long as my nutrition is good and my energy level is high?
P.S. I don't eat clean, but I do eat healthy. Mostly.6 -
Interestingly enough, I'm already anticipating an all ice cream meal of frozen hot chocolate when I'm in NYC next spring!5
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lantana411 wrote: »I used the term 'diet' to identify the goal of losing weight. I spend my calories on mostly lean protein and produce but have no issue with eating whatever I want on occasion. I've lost and gained a lot of weight in my life - currently I'm enjoying an 80 pound weight loss (I started 'this time' on 1/2/16). I became curious about how people view MFP and the point of tracking their daily food when I started reading 'meals' of ice cream sundaes - which I did today, it was someone's 600+ calorie lunch - no food just the sundae. I wondered what the point was in tracking the food - was it with the goal of losing weight or just keeping track of food intake.
Everyone picks their food plan and food they enjoy. But some people seem to eat dessert every day. They may not have any produce but they are certain to eat refined sugar/carbs. Some of them seem defensive of their food choices, almost like they want to lose weight but not if they have to back away from sweets. To me, it's a balance. I don't want dessert daily but I would eat it every once in a while IF I believe I can have it once and be done with it. NOT if I think it'll start me in a spiral of binge eating. That's why I was so curious about the mindset of others on MFP. And I'm glad for your answers - truly!
Maybe the reason you’ve lost and gained so many times is that you are stuck in this pattern of yo-yoing between extremes? Many of the phrases you use “dieting” “clean eating” and the thinly veiled judgement toward those who choose to indulge seems to suggest that you’ve yet to accept that there can be a very comfortable middle ground. Maybe if you spent a little more time there you’d find the long term success you’ve failed to achieve up to this point?42 -
nutmegoreo wrote: »lantana411 wrote: »I used the term 'diet' to identify the goal of losing weight. I spend my calories on mostly lean protein and produce but have no issue with eating whatever I want on occasion. I've lost and gained a lot of weight in my life - currently I'm enjoying an 80 pound weight loss (I started 'this time' on 1/2/16). I became curious about how people view MFP and the point of tracking their daily food when I started reading 'meals' of ice cream sundaes - which I did today, it was someone's 600+ calorie lunch - no food just the sundae. I wondered what the point was in tracking the food - was it with the goal of losing weight or just keeping track of food intake.
Everyone picks their food plan and food they enjoy. But some people seem to eat dessert every day. They may not have any produce but they are certain to eat refined sugar/carbs. Some of them seem defensive of their food choices, almost like they want to lose weight but not if they have to back away from sweets. To me, it's a balance. I don't want dessert daily but I would eat it every once in a while IF I believe I can have it once and be done with it. NOT if I think it'll start me in a spiral of binge eating. That's why I was so curious about the mindset of others on MFP. And I'm glad for your answers - truly!
You could always ask that specific person, but you'll likely be told it's none of your business because it isn't. You seem to think that someone can't lose weight while eating a 600 calorie sunday for lunch. Why not? It's not necessary to give up these things. Many health markers are improved just through weight loss alone, so if someone wants to eat nothing but ice cream, as long as they are under their calories, they can still lose weight. Not that I'm advocating for that. There is a strong undercurrent of judgment in your posts, like you think that these people are somehow delusional for not doing things the way you are doing them.
If I limited myself to 1100 calories/day of "clean" food, I would have a mental breakdown...
... I know because I did. Good times. Now I eat what I want, log it, and meet my macro and calorie targets as best as I can.
I logged the scotch I drank last night, too.
Anytime I've tried a restrictive diet where I had a list of things that were "bad" or "off limits" I would lose it. Eat everything in site, and then feel horrible about myself. I agree that treats keep a person sane, and makes this long process tolerable. How many treats is an individual choice.8 -
It's interesting that ice cream is the example being given because I've used it to hit my macros plenty of times. It has fat and protein plus many micro-nutrients. Yes, it's easy to over eat but that's what food scales and logging are for.19
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lantana411 wrote: »I used the term 'diet' to identify the goal of losing weight. I spend my calories on mostly lean protein and produce but have no issue with eating whatever I want on occasion. I've lost and gained a lot of weight in my life - currently I'm enjoying an 80 pound weight loss (I started 'this time' on 1/2/16). I became curious about how people view MFP and the point of tracking their daily food when I started reading 'meals' of ice cream sundaes - which I did today, it was someone's 600+ calorie lunch - no food just the sundae. I wondered what the point was in tracking the food - was it with the goal of losing weight or just keeping track of food intake.
Everyone picks their food plan and food they enjoy. But some people seem to eat dessert every day. They may not have any produce but they are certain to eat refined sugar/carbs. Some of them seem defensive of their food choices, almost like they want to lose weight but not if they have to back away from sweets. To me, it's a balance. I don't want dessert daily but I would eat it every once in a while IF I believe I can have it once and be done with it. NOT if I think it'll start me in a spiral of binge eating. That's why I was so curious about the mindset of others on MFP. And I'm glad for your answers - truly!
I don't understand. What's wrong with eating dessert every day? I deliberately make sweets that come in at 200 calories or fewer per serving.
Your body treats refined and unrefined sugars the same way. If you aren't diabetic, the main issue with too much sugar is that the calories can crowd out more nutritious options. I make sure I hit my protein and iron and let the rest fall where it falls. And if it falls on farina-pineapple pudding (150 calories/serving) or a chocolate macadamia truffle (99 calories), and doesn't take me off-program, that's great.
I don't buy or make desserts I can't keep out of unless it's a single serving that fits my calories.
Nothing wrong with refined carbs either, so long as your overall nutrition is good.15 -
nutmegoreo wrote: »nutmegoreo wrote: »lantana411 wrote: »I used the term 'diet' to identify the goal of losing weight. I spend my calories on mostly lean protein and produce but have no issue with eating whatever I want on occasion. I've lost and gained a lot of weight in my life - currently I'm enjoying an 80 pound weight loss (I started 'this time' on 1/2/16). I became curious about how people view MFP and the point of tracking their daily food when I started reading 'meals' of ice cream sundaes - which I did today, it was someone's 600+ calorie lunch - no food just the sundae. I wondered what the point was in tracking the food - was it with the goal of losing weight or just keeping track of food intake.
Everyone picks their food plan and food they enjoy. But some people seem to eat dessert every day. They may not have any produce but they are certain to eat refined sugar/carbs. Some of them seem defensive of their food choices, almost like they want to lose weight but not if they have to back away from sweets. To me, it's a balance. I don't want dessert daily but I would eat it every once in a while IF I believe I can have it once and be done with it. NOT if I think it'll start me in a spiral of binge eating. That's why I was so curious about the mindset of others on MFP. And I'm glad for your answers - truly!
You could always ask that specific person, but you'll likely be told it's none of your business because it isn't. You seem to think that someone can't lose weight while eating a 600 calorie sunday for lunch. Why not? It's not necessary to give up these things. Many health markers are improved just through weight loss alone, so if someone wants to eat nothing but ice cream, as long as they are under their calories, they can still lose weight. Not that I'm advocating for that. There is a strong undercurrent of judgment in your posts, like you think that these people are somehow delusional for not doing things the way you are doing them.
If I limited myself to 1100 calories/day of "clean" food, I would have a mental breakdown...
... I know because I did. Good times. Now I eat what I want, log it, and meet my macro and calorie targets as best as I can.
I logged the scotch I drank last night, too.
Anytime I've tried a restrictive diet where I had a list of things that were "bad" or "off limits" I would lose it. Eat everything in site, and then feel horrible about myself. I agree that treats keep a person sane, and makes this long process tolerable. How many treats is an individual choice.
Same. The second you tell me I can't have XYZ, I must--and in spades. Then the wallowing and the guilt, followed by a renewed sense of diligence/unkindness towards myself. "This time... this restrictive, wrong-headed 'diet' will work for me. This time. It's my fault this bologna mentality around food isn't working for me. Maybe I just need to also cut out ABC in addition to XYZ. Yeah, that's the problem. I'll eliminate another perfectly reasonable food group because that's the problem here."8 -
I do not eliminate anything, I eat what I want BUT I log everything that I eat so I stay in the calorie range.4
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lantana411 wrote: »I used the term 'diet' to identify the goal of losing weight. I spend my calories on mostly lean protein and produce but have no issue with eating whatever I want on occasion. I've lost and gained a lot of weight in my life - currently I'm enjoying an 80 pound weight loss (I started 'this time' on 1/2/16). I became curious about how people view MFP and the point of tracking their daily food when I started reading 'meals' of ice cream sundaes - which I did today, it was someone's 600+ calorie lunch - no food just the sundae. I wondered what the point was in tracking the food - was it with the goal of losing weight or just keeping track of food intake.
Everyone picks their food plan and food they enjoy. But some people seem to eat dessert every day. They may not have any produce but they are certain to eat refined sugar/carbs. Some of them seem defensive of their food choices, almost like they want to lose weight but not if they have to back away from sweets. To me, it's a balance. I don't want dessert daily but I would eat it every once in a while IF I believe I can have it once and be done with it. NOT if I think it'll start me in a spiral of binge eating. That's why I was so curious about the mindset of others on MFP. And I'm glad for your answers - truly!
This post was about me. I'm a "friend" of Lantana's (maybe not for long, LOL).
To date, I've lost 61 pounds. At 4'9", I need to lose more, but I'm happy with what I've done so far. I weigh myself daily to keep track of things.
I log to be honest, accountable, and so that I can identify "patterns" and determine where I might need to make changes. I try to be honest and put a note in my diary (as I did today) or post a comment. It is extremely rare that I only have something sweet for a meal; it happened twice this week (I honestly can't recall ever doing this before, but it's possible). The first day was Monday, when I was under by a few hundred calories for the day. I didn't have time for lunch and ended up eating four Hershey's Miniatures. At the end of the day, I noted on my feed that I had completed my diary (which didn't post since I was under 1000 calories), but that I was embarrassed. I knew I had not made good choices that day and that I hadn't planned well.
Today I had other (healthier) plans for lunch, but as I wrote in my diary, I couldn't find parking. I made a conscious decision to have that ice cream sundae. I was under my calorie goal a number of times within the last week. I ordered a small, and some of the ice cream is still in the freezer (I ate all the whipped cream and hot fudge), but I didn't want to underestimate the calories.
I'm far from perfect. I'm a work-in-progress. Like many of us, I think, I have a lot of "issues", which I won't go into. Honestly, I'm "happy" that I'm still trying and haven't given up.78 -
lantana411 wrote: »I used the term 'diet' to identify the goal of losing weight. I spend my calories on mostly lean protein and produce but have no issue with eating whatever I want on occasion. I've lost and gained a lot of weight in my life - currently I'm enjoying an 80 pound weight loss (I started 'this time' on 1/2/16). I became curious about how people view MFP and the point of tracking their daily food when I started reading 'meals' of ice cream sundaes - which I did today, it was someone's 600+ calorie lunch - no food just the sundae. I wondered what the point was in tracking the food - was it with the goal of losing weight or just keeping track of food intake.
Everyone picks their food plan and food they enjoy. But some people seem to eat dessert every day. They may not have any produce but they are certain to eat refined sugar/carbs. Some of them seem defensive of their food choices, almost like they want to lose weight but not if they have to back away from sweets. To me, it's a balance. I don't want dessert daily but I would eat it every once in a while IF I believe I can have it once and be done with it. NOT if I think it'll start me in a spiral of binge eating. That's why I was so curious about the mindset of others on MFP. And I'm glad for your answers - truly!
This post was about me. I'm a "friend" of Lantana's (maybe not for long, LOL).
To date, I've lost 61 pounds. At 4'9", I need to lose more, but I'm happy with what I've done so far. I weigh myself daily to keep track of things.
I log to be honest, accountable, and so that I can identify "patterns" and determine where I might need to make changes. I try to be honest and put a note in my diary (as I did today) or post a comment. It is extremely rare that I only have something sweet for a meal; it happened twice this week (I honestly can't recall ever doing this before, but it's possible). The first day was Monday, when I was under by a few hundred calories for the day. I didn't have time for lunch and ended up eating four Hershey's Miniatures. At the end of the day, I noted on my feed that I had completed my diary (which didn't post since I was under 1000 calories), but that I was embarrassed. I knew I had not made good choices that day and that I hadn't planned well.
Today I had other (healthier) plans for lunch, but as I wrote in my diary, I couldn't find parking. I made a conscious decision to have that ice cream sundae. I was under my calorie goal a number of times within the last week. I ordered a small, and some of the ice cream is still in the freezer (I ate all the whipped cream and hot fudge), but I didn't want to underestimate the calories.
I'm far from perfect. I'm a work-in-progress. Like many of us, I think, I have a lot of "issues", which I won't go into. Honestly, I'm "happy" that I'm still trying and haven't given up.
Hey, congrats on what you accomplished! You made informed choices and acknowledge what you learned from them. It sounds like you're well on your way.
We're all works in progress. Every day that we keep trying is a victory in my opinion. Good job :drinker:26 -
lantana411 wrote: »I used the term 'diet' to identify the goal of losing weight. I spend my calories on mostly lean protein and produce but have no issue with eating whatever I want on occasion. I've lost and gained a lot of weight in my life - currently I'm enjoying an 80 pound weight loss (I started 'this time' on 1/2/16). I became curious about how people view MFP and the point of tracking their daily food when I started reading 'meals' of ice cream sundaes - which I did today, it was someone's 600+ calorie lunch - no food just the sundae. I wondered what the point was in tracking the food - was it with the goal of losing weight or just keeping track of food intake.
Everyone picks their food plan and food they enjoy. But some people seem to eat dessert every day. They may not have any produce but they are certain to eat refined sugar/carbs. Some of them seem defensive of their food choices, almost like they want to lose weight but not if they have to back away from sweets. To me, it's a balance. I don't want dessert daily but I would eat it every once in a while IF I believe I can have it once and be done with it. NOT if I think it'll start me in a spiral of binge eating. That's why I was so curious about the mindset of others on MFP. And I'm glad for your answers - truly!
This post was about me. I'm a "friend" of Lantana's (maybe not for long, LOL).
To date, I've lost 61 pounds. At 4'9", I need to lose more, but I'm happy with what I've done so far. I weigh myself daily to keep track of things.
I log to be honest, accountable, and so that I can identify "patterns" and determine where I might need to make changes. I try to be honest and put a note in my diary (as I did today) or post a comment. It is extremely rare that I only have something sweet for a meal; it happened twice this week (I honestly can't recall ever doing this before, but it's possible). The first day was Monday, when I was under by a few hundred calories for the day. I didn't have time for lunch and ended up eating four Hershey's Miniatures. At the end of the day, I noted on my feed that I had completed my diary (which didn't post since I was under 1000 calories), but that I was embarrassed. I knew I had not made good choices that day and that I hadn't planned well.
Today I had other (healthier) plans for lunch, but as I wrote in my diary, I couldn't find parking. I made a conscious decision to have that ice cream sundae. I was under my calorie goal a number of times within the last week. I ordered a small, and some of the ice cream is still in the freezer (I ate all the whipped cream and hot fudge), but I didn't want to underestimate the calories.
I'm far from perfect. I'm a work-in-progress. Like many of us, I think, I have a lot of "issues", which I won't go into. Honestly, I'm "happy" that I'm still trying and haven't given up.
I don't think you need to explain or justify to anyone why you ate what you ate - I think your accuracy and honesty in logging is far more important than eating "diet" food and is a strategy that will bring you greater long term success - navigating through the ups and downs of life but still sticking to your calorie goal sounds like a win to me! Congrats on the weight loss38
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