BIGGEST thing you have learned since tracking calories?
VanillaSmile427
Posts: 45
Okay so I have been at this counting calories thing for about 20 days... a noob compared to some of you on here, yet I have already learned so much about my eating/excercise habits... whether trying to loose/gain weight, what is the biggest thing you have learned/taken away?
I'll go first.. I realized I never really was an unhealthy eater, in fact I eat healthier than most of my family and my friends. I love (and eat) plenty of veggies, fruits, chicken, fish, healthy fats and whatnot. I don't drink sodas or juices really. I juice, make green smoothies. I exercise 3-5 days a week... but I learned that my portions were out of control.. lol.. so for me I've had to learn what a good portion size is. I'm 4' 11" so I needed to eat small portions. Now that I actually started tracking I realized how much I was eatinng.. too much for me... so now although I haven't changed my diet (the foods i eat) I've learned PORTION CONTROL... because even if one eats healthy and exercises, you can still be overweight.. it really is calories in vs. calories out for a healthy weight...
I remember I used to eat until I was STUFFED.. but now I eat until I'm not hungry and just satisfied...
Now your turn...
I'll go first.. I realized I never really was an unhealthy eater, in fact I eat healthier than most of my family and my friends. I love (and eat) plenty of veggies, fruits, chicken, fish, healthy fats and whatnot. I don't drink sodas or juices really. I juice, make green smoothies. I exercise 3-5 days a week... but I learned that my portions were out of control.. lol.. so for me I've had to learn what a good portion size is. I'm 4' 11" so I needed to eat small portions. Now that I actually started tracking I realized how much I was eatinng.. too much for me... so now although I haven't changed my diet (the foods i eat) I've learned PORTION CONTROL... because even if one eats healthy and exercises, you can still be overweight.. it really is calories in vs. calories out for a healthy weight...
I remember I used to eat until I was STUFFED.. but now I eat until I'm not hungry and just satisfied...
Now your turn...
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Replies
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Using a digital food scale to weigh everything in grams is a real eye opener. Measuring spoons and cups are VERY deceitful.
Two of my staple foods are oats and peanut butter. One serving of oats is 40 grams which according to the label is 1/2 cup. No way. Weigh 40 grams using a food scale and you'll be shocked at how empty the measuring cup is. Same with peanut butter...a tablespoon holds A LOT more than the grams stated on the label.
If you're not using a digital food scale, you're eating way more than you think. It adds up quickly.0 -
I've learned that just because a package says 1/2 c (125g) is 100 calories that if you weight it <>1/2c
I've learned I can eat the food I want and not feel guilty
I've learned it's not about what you eat but about how much you eat.0 -
-I can eat foods that I like, not foods that are "low carb" "low fat" low..blah blah blah. As long as it fits my macros.
-I learned my eating habits, I like a big breakfast, lunch and a smaller dinner. It's just how I like to eat.
-I learned what an actual serving is...what a quarter cup of shredded cheese looks like versus what I thought it was before I measured. Yikes, I was thinking more along the lines of 3/4 cup.0 -
I learned that one serving of cereal is measly and pathetic! Amongst other things. Also I learned that fruits and vegetables do indeed "count", and I can't just write the calories off because they're healthy.0
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I've learned that I can eat a lot of food and still be at a deficit. It is about making the right choices at the right time.
Also, MODERATION! is my slogan.
I am never giving up alcohol, pizza, chinese food ... I am just NOT eating as much or as often.0 -
Tracking and logging food has helped me realize that I can eat carbs more than I every thought I could because I can eat different vegetables, fruits etc and don't have to focus on grain/rice/pasta.
It is the greatest of freedom, being a diabetic realizing the options to eat better, without extreme measures.0 -
I've learned that there are good days and bad and most important is not giving up!! Its okay to go over your calorie count. That doesn't mean we are failures but we just need to refocus or have a splurge day.
I eat what I want and cook with different oils and such to make meals healthier and above all portion control
I feel its important to have encouragement and also to be the role model for friends/family. We all have a different lifestyle. There are some who are loosing 5 lbs to 50+ , but we all have a common goal "healthier lifestyle".0 -
When I exercise I CAN EAT MORE !!!!!0
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When I exercise I CAN EAT MORE !!!!!0
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Don't creep on girls in the gym.0
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My sugar intake......
Still trying to be "normal" but always in the -15 or more.
:ohwell:0 -
I've learned how much food I was eating!! I always thought I wasn't eating too badly, but once I learned what a serving of food was (as compared to what I THOUGHT it was) I was floored!!
I've learned that I need a lot less food to be full than I thought I did, and that the bursting at the seams feeling that I once aimed for does not equate to fullness and satisfaction.
I've learned that I don't have to follow a restrictive diet to lose, and I can eat food that I love in moderation and be happy and not miserable and hangry!0 -
Using a digital food scale to weigh everything in grams is a real eye opener. Measuring spoons and cups are VERY deceitful.
Two of my staple foods are oats and peanut butter. One serving of oats is 40 grams which according to the label is 1/2 cup. No way. Weigh 40 grams using a food scale and you'll be shocked at how empty the measuring cup is. Same with peanut butter...a tablespoon holds A LOT more than the grams stated on the label.
If you're not using a digital food scale, you're eating way more than you think. It adds up quickly.
+1 :happy:0 -
I learned portion control !!!
Like you i was eating fairly healthy foods just way to much of them...LOL
So now that i have learned what a true portion looks like, i am well on my way to shrinking back down to my original size. :drinker:0 -
I've learned that I know how to eat well and enjoy eating well, but that my portions are absolutely insane! It's still my biggest learning curve at the moment.
Oh, and that my digital scale was THE BEST £11.99 purchase I could have ever made...EVER.0 -
I wasn't eating enough. And when I was, I was eating crap.0
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I learned that one serving of cereal is measly and pathetic! Amongst other things. Also I learned that fruits and vegetables do indeed "count", and I can't just write the calories off because they're healthy.
This. I recently changed my serving size because it occurred to me that I definitely wasn't only eating 3/4 cup of cereal.0 -
That my downfall was soda and left overs.0
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I have learned that an online calorie tracker is only as accurate as the people who are entering the data, so if you want be exact get a scale.0
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Same as you portions! I have always been a very healthy eater, I love fruit, veggies and chicken/fish I just ate too much.
I have lost most of my weight by actually weighing and measuring out my food. Its crazy to me how I ate so much before, now I am so used to eating until I just feel satisfied is so nice. I used to do the whole eat till I was stuffed thing and dont miss that feeling at all.0 -
I learned how much of my eating is due to boredom rather than actual hunger. I also learned eating to finish your meal even when you're stuffed is NOT a good thing.
Additional things I've learned,
-there is no magic weight loss pill
-counting calories works even if it isn't "hip"
-you can't do it for anyone besides yourself
-dieting isn't all or nothing0 -
I was eating way too many Meal replacement Bars0
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I have learned that the biggest key to success is being honest with myself.0
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OMG! I feel exactly the same way as you. I am your height (4'10.5") and also eat pretty healthy. However, just like you I had to learn that I couldn't eat the same amounts as my taller/bigger friends and family.
The other thing I learned is that little cheats add up, and I can't cheat (even something small) more than once or twice a week.0 -
Serving sizes by far the most important thing I have learned!0
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I've learnt to.. Eat the food. (https://gokaleo.com/stop-dieting/)
I've learned that it's easy to eat too little. I got overweight by eating too much, but it is important to calculate your TDEE for example on a site like: http://www.health-calc.com/body-composition/ideal-body-weight or http://scoobysworkshop.com/calorie-calculator/
Then eat enough. Don't be hungry. But eat healthy stuffs.
ADDITION: Yes, a scale really helps. No matter how healthy you eat if you think you're eating your TDEE, and you're doing twice that, it's not helping.0 -
I've learned I eat a lot of fat. I've never tried for a low fat diet, but I had no idea I ate so much!
I've also learned that tracking calories is way too time consuming for me to do long term. Even without weighing or measuring, the time to find the correct entry for every ingredient in every meal is just too much.0 -
How completely SMALL the portions that normal BMI sized person eats. It at least feel like I was eating 4x the food when I started.
Not tracking food and eating whatever I wanted was glorious, but the health consequences ended up just being too high.0 -
How high alcohol calories are and realized why I wasnt losing weight when dieting LOL0
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OMG! I feel exactly the same way as you. I am your height (4'10.5") and also eat pretty healthy. However, just like you I had to learn that I couldn't eat the same amounts as my taller/bigger friends and family.
The other thing I learned is that little cheats add up, and I can't cheat (even something small) more than once or twice a week.
Yep! As a short/small person I try and keep up with my friends and I just can't do that! I just eat little meals now and the weight is slowly coming off! It will take time but it's gonna be worth it!
I am going to look into buying a scale that way I can weigh my food and my calorie counting can be more accurate! Thanks for the tips everyone!0
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