Confession: I am a blockhead

misterscott

Like many blockheads, I assumed it was possible to control my weight through magical thinking, underestimating calories consumed, ignoring snacks and overcounting the contribution of my workouts.

Well, those days are over. I am now counting calories with MFP.

So if you're feeling dumb for falling into the same trap, I'm starting a club, feel free to join. But I'm the President, ok? No muscling in on my title.

HHdeern66

I'm right there with you. Let me add that I know so much about losing weight that I think that I can " wing it". I think that I don't have to count anything bacause I'm above that. Also, calories fom foods that are from my home country ( Germany) don't count. Funny, how we can fool ourself. Recently saw a picture somebody else took and didn't recognize myself. It's time to face the music and start tracking. El Presidente....I want to take this jurney with you.

xbowhunter

Welcome!

kshama2001

Food that I eat while putting leftovers away doesn't count

springlering62

Don’t forget pantry cleaning.

AnnPT77

Heh. Yup.

My biggie was thinking that because I'd become active (though overweight/obese), that was enough to "be healthy". Also, since I honestly was really more active than others my age (but fat), I thought I must have a "slow metabolism". Um, nope.

Once I started counting calories, it was clear that I was overeating. Many people don't realize that eating a mere 100 calories over what we need daily on average - half a serving of peanut butter, or a blop of creamy salad dressing - is around 10 pounds of gain in a year. It's easy to eat that much surplus, and more. Those calories may creep in that way, or as one restaurant meal in a week (or two) that has apps and drinks and rich food and desserts. It adds up. It's sneaky.

This may be discouraging, and it won't be needful for everyone, but 8 years later, I'm still logging and counting calories most days. For 7+ of those years, I've been at a healthy weight. That few minutes daily of logging is a small price to pay for all the benefits - many of them unexpected - of being at a healthy weight.

Best wishes: I send blessings to your club, President @misterscott!

cyndiemi

I guess I am not the only one with magical thinking.

My bugaboo is that I have taken quite a few nutrition courses in college and feel that I can do this without counting. NOT! It is almost insulting to me that I am not smart enough to guesstimate how many calories are in something. Well, maybe not insulting; but, it is humbling.

I am logging/counting because I cannot magically think myself thin. Nor can I guesstimate the calories needed nor the calories expended when I take the dogs out for a walk.

President misterscott--I need this group as I am a blockhead also.

oneyeartodoit221

I would like to join the club!
Everyone's responses resonate with me for sure. Too many years of ignoring the obvious, that an extra serving of dessert, extra muffin with breakfast, etc would add to weight gain.
Well where I am now is looking back at 'fat' photos of myself from years past and thinking oh my god that would be an 'after' photo for me as of right now!
But, there's no time like the present. So, a few days ago I committed to changing my behaviour, changing my lifestyle, changing my future. I long to be healthy, fit, trim, living life much more fully than I am able to now.
Cheers everyone!

227jdh7v9j

Hi I would also like to join the club, I have been using the MFP for 380 plus day and found that I was a complete Muppet when it came to thinking how many calories I was actually eating. This app has totally changed my way of thinking , and eating in such a positive way and I have found the app such a simple way of life to help me with reaching my weight goal and well being

kshama2001

More blockhead thinking: after 45 minutes of lifting weights I deserve a 310 calorie donut.