It seems too easy on "paper"

keobooks

I had no idea, but I've been eating a sleeve of crackers every day. That's 2000 extra calories every single day. After I take out the crackers, I discovered that I have a fairly healthy diet underneath -- about 1500 calories a day. But I'm supposed to be getting 1900 a day. Should I eat more food to make up for losing the crackers? For the past two days, I just drank a LOT of water to get rid of my cracker craving.

I eat fairly healthy except for lunch. I eat a meal replacement -- not so much to lose weight, but because for some reason I just don't get hungry in the afternoon and thought I needed some vitamins so I added the shake. I'm wondering if after I detox from the cracker binges if I'll start getting hungry at lunch again.I cook healthy dinners with all fresh food and lean meats if any. My breakfast is boring, but fairly healthy.

I just have been working on fixing my snacks -- basically ANYTHING else besides crackers. I've been eating mostly nuts and fruit. My snacks end up being more calories than a single meal -- probably because I've had years of snacking all day on crackers so I have grazing habits.

This seems too easy. Really? Just take out the crackers? That's it? I can lose weight after that?

hummingbrdhrt

Congrats on the realization the impact the crackers is having on your weight! Eliminating the crackers will give you a good start. On top of the excess calories, I imagine you'll be reducing your sodium intake. Excess sodium leads to excess water retention. You should lose some "water weight" the first week or two. After that, it may be less easy, but you should see a continued drop either in weight or inches. You may want to consider doing body measurements now so you have a second gauge of how your program is working. As you lose weight, MFP will acknowledge that and recommend reduced calorie intake based on your new weight. If you hit plateaus or stall in your weight loss, you'll want to re-evaluate what you're eating and make other changes.

I don't know that I'd go so far as to say it will be "easy." It will take persistence and you'll probably find you want to start throwing in some physical activity during the week. Being aware of what you eat and how it impacts you is a great first step, however. Best of luck to you!

thavoice

I had no idea, but I've been eating a sleeve of crackers every day. That's 2000 extra calories every single day. After I take out the crackers, I discovered that I have a fairly healthy diet underneath -- about 1500 calories a day. But I'm supposed to be getting 1900 a day. Should I eat more food to make up for losing the crackers? For the past two days, I just drank a LOT of water to get rid of my cracker craving.

I eat fairly healthy except for lunch. I eat a meal replacement -- not so much to lose weight, but because for some reason I just don't get hungry in the afternoon and thought I needed some vitamins so I added the shake. I'm wondering if after I detox from the cracker binges if I'll start getting hungry at lunch again.I cook healthy dinners with all fresh food and lean meats if any. My breakfast is boring, but fairly healthy.

I just have been working on fixing my snacks -- basically ANYTHING else besides crackers. I've been eating mostly nuts and fruit. My snacks end up being more calories than a single meal -- probably because I've had years of snacking all day on crackers so I have grazing habits.

This seems too easy. Really? Just take out the crackers? That's it? I can lose weight after that?

It does seem easy when you break down all the barriers, excuses and look at it as a simple math equation.

Eat less calories than you need to maintain your weight.

Can be easier said than done but when you break it all down that is all it comes down to. Some make it very difficult and it can make it seem so overwhelming.

I use the KISS method. Keep It Simple, Stupid.

pseudomuffin

Just take out the crackers 2000 calories is quite a lot for something so small! But that's an extra 14000 calories every week, taking them out makes a pretty significant difference.

If you need a crunchy/salty alternative, try "Just the Cheese" popped cheddar snacks, 70 calories a serving and they're pretty satisfying. Sometimes using substitutes makes the transition less painful :flowerforyou:

MinnieInMaine

If your goal is to eat 1900 calories per day, it's best to try to come close to that. Even if you feel like you're eating enough, at some point it will catch up to you. You need to give your body the proper amount of fuel. It's hard to give specific advice without being able to see your diary but one common thing is to stop eating any light/diet food and go with the regular versions. Or add more calorie dense foods like whole eggs, meats, cheese, nuts, seeds and nut butters.

Heck, eat whathever you want really because, yes, it's true, if you eat within your calorie allowance, you will lose. What you eat matters less than how much you eat. That said, you'll probably feel better if you choose healthier options.

You also need to be realistic. Can you live without crackers long term? How about portioning them out so you still eat some every day, just not the whole sleeve? When I was in Weight Watchers, someone shared a wonderful tip of taking big bags of potato chips, crackers or popcorn and portioning them out into snack bags as soon as they got home (weigh to get the right portion size). While I've never done that specifically, I will buy 100 cal packs of treats, crackers, almonds, popcorn and the same rule applies. You can still get your snack but with it being portioned out, there's no worry of overeating.

loubidy

Time.

It will take time for your body to adjust, then you can change again and it will readjust. Give everything a month before you worry. Be realistic about your goals. It all takes so much TIME!!

Good luck!

StaciMarie1974

Losing weight doesn't have to be hard.

We've all had our 'aha' moments. For me, it was seeing a real-life tv show (one of the cable channels that shows a lot of documentary type stuff) about a man who weighed 600 pounds and was being treated at a special weight-loss clinic. They happened to mention the bit about 3500 calories = 1 pound. For me, that was it. I'm a logical, mathematical person. So all of a sudden, the topic of weight loss became took on definition for me and was no longer vague and complicated.

keobooks

I think for me NO crackers will be better than some. Once I have a few, I get desperate and crave them all day. That's how I end up eating a sleeve. I had five for breakfast this morning and when I put them down in my calorie diary -- that's where I found out how toxic they are. It still took a lot of willpower not to eat another 5 crackers. I really wanted them. But yesterday, I just happened to eat no crackers at all (we were out of them) and I didn't miss them.

I have other "bad" foods that I think also add to my calories.. Boxed cereal-- I'm sure most people can eat a bowl and be fine. If I don't eat any cereal I am OK. But if I have one bowl, I have to have four bowls. No idea why.

I guess there are certain starchy carby foods that are like booze for a drunk for me. "One is too many and a thousand are never enough."