If You Eat Cookies, Cakes, Ice Cream Daily Do You Consider Yourself Dieting?
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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.
Congratulations on your success so far and your healthy mental perspective on food!
Like you said, it's a work in progress:)10 -
WinoGelato 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!
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?
This.
Perhaps instead of practicing extremes and judgment, the OP would have better sustainable success if she learned moderation.12 -
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.
OTOH, at least now you know some people’s true colors, right?
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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.
Good for you!
Honesty with yourself is important. If you mess up, log it, own it, learn from it and move on. But don't forget to thoroughly enjoy the fact that you chose to have ice cream for lunch today! You're definitely doing it right. Don't let anyone judge you otherwise.25 -
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'm sorry if this thread has made you feel bad. You shouldn't. You are keeping yourself accountable by logging it. It fit your day. As several of us have pointed out, there is too much guilt and shame around dieting and weight loss. It doesn't have to be that way. Maybe look for some friends who are less judgmental.
Was the sunday good? It sounds good. I love my ice cream.
Congratulations on your success to this point. All the best as you continue to be successful.
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My dinner was Cheez ITs and Peanut M&Ms because I’m stuck at work and so hungry for dinner with only a vending machine for options. I still have 218 more calories I can enjoy and be in a deficit. I’m not even hungry for them. No reason to blow off my entire day because I had to eat junk for dinner. I can still lose weight if I account for what I eat.29
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TavistockToad wrote: »People are eating in a calorie deficit... you can do that and still eat whatever you want...
This.
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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.
Sounds like you have a decent attitude. Good for you for logging honestly!
Your food diary is a tool to help you reach your goals how and when you choose. There is no perfect dieter award for getting to your goal without eating sweets.
I traditionally have pie for breakfast following Thanksgiving and if someday I decided I wanted ice cream for lunch I'd do it too because I can. I wouldn't do these things every day but once in awhile wouldn't be a big deal to me.14 -
To me if I'm tracking calories with a goal in mind then I'm dieting...doesn't matter what I'm eating.14
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Just want to remind you that I started this to better understand the reason why people log dessert or refined carb/sugar foods - were they trying to lose weight or track intake or what. It wasn't a thinly veiled hateful statement - it was a question to better understand. I didn't pass judgement on others and even stated that while I eat mostly lean protein and produce I'm not adverse to eating desserts, etc. as long as it doesn't start a binge for me. Thanks to those who shared their logic/goals in logging food. And for those who think I'm judgmental I feel for you - not my intention - I hope that whatever is causing you to make that assumption passes.42
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lantana411 wrote: »Just want to remind you that I started this to better understand the reason why people log dessert or refined carb/sugar foods - were they trying to lose weight or track intake or what. It wasn't a thinly veiled hateful statement - it was a question to better understand. I didn't pass judgement on others and even stated that while I eat mostly lean protein and produce I'm not adverse to eating desserts, etc. as long as it doesn't start a binge for me. Thanks to those who shared their logic/goals in logging food. And for those who think I'm judgmental I feel for you - not my intention - I hope that whatever is causing you to make that assumption passes.
Why would you not log those foods? They arent magical unicorns with no calories. If you didn't log them you wouldn't be being honest with yourself, and you probably wouldn't be completely focused on achieving your goals.29 -
lantana411 wrote: »Just want to remind you that I started this to better understand the reason why people log dessert or refined carb/sugar foods - were they trying to lose weight or track intake or what. It wasn't a thinly veiled hateful statement - it was a question to better understand. I didn't pass judgement on others and even stated that while I eat mostly lean protein and produce I'm not adverse to eating desserts, etc. as long as it doesn't start a binge for me. Thanks to those who shared their logic/goals in logging food. And for those who think I'm judgmental I feel for you - not my intention - I hope that whatever is causing you to make that assumption passes.
So... When you eat dessert, do you not log it?
I dont understand why it's a difficult concept that people log the food they eat--and sometimes they eat dessert... and log it.26 -
TavistockToad wrote: »People are eating in a calorie deficit... you can do that and still eat whatever you want...
This.
I had ice cream (100 calories, measured cup) and 3 fish tacos today.
Still under 2k calories for the day.
I also did 50 minutes of Spin Class, so I still have over 500 calories, theoretically, that I could eat before I was no longer in a deficit.
Losing weight is about being in a caloric deficit. Some days, you can have fish tacos and ice cream.10 -
lantana411 wrote: »Just want to remind you that I started this to better understand the reason why people log dessert or refined carb/sugar foods - were they trying to lose weight or track intake or what. It wasn't a thinly veiled hateful statement - it was a question to better understand. I didn't pass judgement on others and even stated that while I eat mostly lean protein and produce I'm not adverse to eating desserts, etc. as long as it doesn't start a binge for me. Thanks to those who shared their logic/goals in logging food. And for those who think I'm judgmental I feel for you - not my intention - I hope that whatever is causing you to make that assumption passes.
No need to feel sorry for me. It's the way you phrased your questions in the OP and then your choice of words in the follow-up. If it's not your intention to be judgmental, then so be it. That doesn't mean there's anything wrong with me.
ETA: Well, anything beyond what I'm willing to admit. :laugh:24 -
lantana411 wrote: »Just want to remind you that I started this to better understand the reason why people log dessert or refined carb/sugar foods - were they trying to lose weight or track intake or what. It wasn't a thinly veiled hateful statement - it was a question to better understand. I didn't pass judgement on others and even stated that while I eat mostly lean protein and produce I'm not adverse to eating desserts, etc. as long as it doesn't start a binge for me. Thanks to those who shared their logic/goals in logging food. And for those who think I'm judgmental I feel for you - not my intention - I hope that whatever is causing you to make that assumption passes.
I may be misunderstanding you, but I am pretty sure most of us here try to log everything we eat and drink, and many of us don’t exclude any food, so why wouldn’t we include desserts? Losing weight is about eating less calories than your body burns.18 -
missysippy930 wrote: »lantana411 wrote: »Just want to remind you that I started this to better understand the reason why people log dessert or refined carb/sugar foods - were they trying to lose weight or track intake or what. It wasn't a thinly veiled hateful statement - it was a question to better understand. I didn't pass judgement on others and even stated that while I eat mostly lean protein and produce I'm not adverse to eating desserts, etc. as long as it doesn't start a binge for me. Thanks to those who shared their logic/goals in logging food. And for those who think I'm judgmental I feel for you - not my intention - I hope that whatever is causing you to make that assumption passes.
I may be misunderstanding you, but I am pretty sure most of us here try to log everything we eat and drink, and many of us don’t exclude any food, so why wouldn’t we include desserts? Losing weight is about eating less calories than your body burns.
The impression I got (the quite obvious one to everybody, I think) is that if you're eating such things, why bother logging anything at all. In her opinion.12 -
just because food is delicious and satisfying and "crappy" doesnt make it not food. Moderation. Of course you can eat it, And of course you log it. Not eating it/not logging is just cheating yourself in different ways. Middle ground.13
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lantana411 wrote: »Just want to remind you that I started this to better understand the reason why people log dessert or refined carb/sugar foods - were they trying to lose weight or track intake or what. It wasn't a thinly veiled hateful statement - it was a question to better understand. I didn't pass judgement on others and even stated that while I eat mostly lean protein and produce I'm not adverse to eating desserts, etc. as long as it doesn't start a binge for me. Thanks to those who shared their logic/goals in logging food. And for those who think I'm judgmental I feel for you - not my intention - I hope that whatever is causing you to make that assumption passes.
But if we're logging everything we eat... why wouldn't we log desserts, etc? I don't understand. Are we meant to be "naughty" or "cheating" when we indulge? Why shouldn't we track higher calorie foods if we've made room for them?17 -
JaydedMiss wrote: »just because food is delicious and satisfying and "crappy" doesnt make it not food. Moderation. Of course you can eat it, And of course you log it. Not eating it/not logging is just cheating yourself in different ways. Middle ground.
Early on in my logging days (2020 day streak over here) I read, "Even if you're not keeping track, your body still is." Sadly, I forget who on here said it. ... But it's so true!18 -
estherdragonbat wrote: »lantana411 wrote: »Just want to remind you that I started this to better understand the reason why people log dessert or refined carb/sugar foods - were they trying to lose weight or track intake or what. It wasn't a thinly veiled hateful statement - it was a question to better understand. I didn't pass judgement on others and even stated that while I eat mostly lean protein and produce I'm not adverse to eating desserts, etc. as long as it doesn't start a binge for me. Thanks to those who shared their logic/goals in logging food. And for those who think I'm judgmental I feel for you - not my intention - I hope that whatever is causing you to make that assumption passes.
But if we're logging everything we eat... why wouldn't we log desserts, etc? I don't understand. Are we meant to be "naughty" or "cheating" when we indulge? Why shouldn't we track higher calorie foods if we've made room for them?
even if we didnt make room for them....for knowledges sake. Weight loss is one big math problem lol. Leaving bits out of the math problem simply makes it harder/more likely youll take longer to get to the end result trying to figure your *kitten* out. Food is food. Your body counts it whether you log it or not...why wouldnt you. I mean if you choose not to thats fine to but you cant just pretend it doesnt exist because you classified it as a bad food right OP14
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