Why didn't anyone warn me!!!

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spackham
spackham Posts: 252 Member
in Food and Nutrition
When I joined MFP all I was interested in was counting calories and glasses of water to help me lose weight- a LOT of weight. Never counting calories before, it's been like a strategic game for me hitting my caloric goals. And I've been doing great. Then, a MFP friend who has HBP, so she watches her sodium, mentioned to me about my sodium intake one day. I thought, "Wow, gee, that is high; I should keep an eye on that." So without any intention of focusing on sodium, I was doing much better with minimal efforts like using a little less in cooking, not adding more at the table, checking packages and buying the best cal/sodium choice and rinsing beans like I read in a forum once. And I sort of watch my sugar intake too, not that I make changes to avoid being in the red, I just watch it for educational reasons.

Then something happened to me. I don't remember bumping my head or anything lately and I have not taken any medications but today I have not been my typical self. For example, I had a TON of calories left for dinner so I decided it would be a great day to eat out. I was checking out yummy options online and nothing was off limits because I exercised for TWO hours today. Since I had a high sodium yesterday, I thought I'd take that into consideration because I do not feel like gaining a pound or two of water weight tomorrow. I just didn't want to see it go up even knowing it woudl be just water. As some of you may already know, the sodium level can be astronomically high when dining out. The more I looked, the more the calories were insignificant because I would have no trouble staying in my limit. Sodium was another story. It made me so sick inside, I didn't even want to go out. Yes, you are talking to the girl who could eat out 4-5 times a week before MFP and even 2 times a week now. But I just couldn't do it. We ended up cooking roasted pepper and guacamole hamburgers tonight and I LOVED it.

That is not all that has happened to me either. Everything tastes so salty and sugary to me now. I use to LOVE salt and sugar and could never get enough. Someone must have hit me on the head while I was sleeping last night because I woke up a different person, a person who brushes the salt off a chip and thinks the "no sugar added" juice is super sweet. I never thought something like this would happen to me. My life has changed. I don't want to eat out willy-nilly any more. I prefer home-cooked meals. I feel compelled to start cooking my own beans. Why didn't anyone warn me?! I thought all this talk about "not a diet, a lifestyle change" is something that would take months and months of discipline. It's been just over 3 months and I am a different person on the outside and the inside. THANKS MFP and friends!
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Replies

  • mandijo
    mandijo Posts: 618 Member
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    Like!
  • arw3b3
    arw3b3 Posts: 52
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    That is awesome:) I am trying to watch my sodium levels too but am finding it very difficult. All the healthy low calorie foods seem to be loaded with sodium.

    Keep up the good work!!!!
  • sarahsedaii
    sarahsedaii Posts: 39 Member
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    Same thing happened to me and Soda. Now it just tastes like sugary syrup.
  • ChelseyGray
    ChelseyGray Posts: 37
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    Good job! =D
  • LadyT02182011
    LadyT02182011 Posts: 113
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    i agree with you 100% Sandra! It makes a huge difference on the taste buds once you refrain from eating so much sodium! It is absolutely absurd the way the restaurants use so much sodium to cover up the true taste of foods. I have found that most things taste either too salty or sugary to me as well. It was a learning experience that I most greatly appreciate. Now I see what my grandmother means when she says she doesn't want any salt in her food and only wants to actually taste the food. That sodium is no joke!
  • jenilla1
    jenilla1 Posts: 11,118 Member
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    I agree! Eating out is totally gross to me. I don't consider it a treat at all. It's all so greasy and salty and I always feel ill after eating out. And I have to pay to eat nasty food that makes me feel sick? I prefer home cooking any day. And I enjoy grocery shopping for healthy ingredients so much more than I do desperately scanning a menu for the least disgusting option. Warning: If you start cooking your own beans you might get hooked. Canned beans are totally disappointing once you taste home-cooked dry beans!
  • Mundy86
    Mundy86 Posts: 167 Member
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    Congrats!!!

    Today I put down my fork before my plate was cleaned off becasue I was full.

    I'm getting there but its still tough at times. I'm considering looking into a nutrition class. Grew up on box and processed foods and continued with it on my own plus eatting out frequently. Looking at lables is a daily occurance now but learning how to cook from scratch might help to.
  • melpalmer7
    melpalmer7 Posts: 35
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    what a great post !!!! Somebody else posted an article the other day about the salt in most restaurant food and, I agree, it's completely shocking because until you educate yourself, and when you're consuming it on a regular basis, you really have no idea. I ate a slice of pizza tonight with my kids and I could taste it, which I never would have noticed before. Of course, now I feel like I need to drink water.... it's crazy how quickly your body adapts (to the lower and healthier intake) and rejects the higher quantities. I agree too that MFP rocks and has been just an amazing tool to educate myself on what I'm consuming. I hope when enough consumers start demanding healthier options, restaurants get with the program and cut back on unnecessary salt and fat !
  • yepratt
    yepratt Posts: 26
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    wow what an amazing story!! keep up the good work.
  • chattygirl2
    chattygirl2 Posts: 103
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    When I joined MFP all I was interested in was counting calories and glasses of water to help me lose weight- a LOT of weight. Never counting calories before, it's been like a strategic game for me hitting my caloric goals. And I've been doing great. Then, a MFP friends who has HBP, so she watches her sodium, mentioned to me about my sodium intake one day. I thought, "Wow, gee, that is high; I should keep an eye on that." So without any intention of focusing on sodium, I was doing much better with minimal efforts like using a little less in cooking, not adding more at the table, checking packages and buying the best cal/sodium choice and rinsing beans like I read in a forum once. And I sort of watch my sugar intake too, not that I make changes to avoid being in the red, I just watch it for educational reasons.

    Then something happened to me. I don't remember bumping my head or anything lately and I have not taken any medications but today I have not been my typical self. For example, I had a TON of calories left for dinner so I decided it would be a great day to eat out. I was checking out yummy options online and nothing was off limits because I exercised for TWO hours today. Since I had a high sodium yesterday, I thought I'd take that into consideration because I do not feel like gaining a pound or two of water weight tomorrow. I just didn't want to see it go up even knowing it woudl be just water. As some of you may already know, the sodium level can be astronomically high when dining out. The more I looked, the more the calories were insignificant because I would have no trouble staying in my limit. Sodium was another story. It made me so sick inside, I didn't even want to go out. Yes, you are talking to the girl who could eat out 4-5 times a week before MFP and even 2 times a week now. But I just couldn't do it. We ended up cooking roasted pepper and guacamole hamburgers tonight and I LOVED it.

    That is not all that has happened to me either. Everything tastes so salty and sugary to me now. I use to LOVE salt and sugar and could never get enough. Someone must have hit me on the head while I was sleeping last night because I woke up a different person, a person who brushes the salt off a chip and thinks the "no sugar added" juice is super sweet. I never thought something like this would happen to me. My life has changed. I don't want to eat out willy-nilly any more. I prefer home-cooked meals. I feel compelled to start cooking my own beans. Why didn't anyone warn me?! I thought all this talk about "not a diet, a lifestyle change" is something that would take months and months of discipline. It's been just over 3 months and I am a different person on the outside and the inside. THANKS MFP and friends!
    I totally agree! Learning to cook healthy for yourself is very rewarding and who wants to pay for a $12 salad?? lol I was never a big fan of salt and now that I am checking labels... I was shocked at how much sodium was in boxed or processed food!! Even eggs have natural salt in them!! I love looking at it as a lifestyle change and not a diet!!
    Congrats to finding your path!! :)
  • bettertracie
    bettertracie Posts: 196 Member
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    My boyfriend even notices how much more yucky we both feel if I decide we're going to have an "off" weekend ( mind you, he is NOT trying to lose or gain weight, just enjoys now feeling better) that we just regret it, we had a BAD weekend last weekend and OMG I think I finally snapped back to life on like Tuesday... WOW, how amazing the difference eating 'cleaner" I've decided to call it, the better... It's a blessing and a curse!!
  • ShellyMacchi
    ShellyMacchi Posts: 975 Member
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    i swear you have been peeking inside my head... cause everything you just said.. i could have said myself *L*
    great isn't it?
  • melpalmer7
    melpalmer7 Posts: 35
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    Hi all

    Here's the webpage that was posted the other day, I warn you though, it's pretty scary. The restaurants listed are the worst offenders but I imagine lots are just or almost as bad and you might not even know it....

    http://health.yahoo.net/experts/eatthis/saltiest-foods-2011
  • spackham
    spackham Posts: 252 Member
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    Thanks, everyone! I have changed so much. I am not only eating better, I am happier, stronger, thinner and have more energy. It may take a while for my body to catch up with the changed person I have become and whether it is sooner or later, it does not matter because it will happen when it happens.
  • Kebennett1
    Kebennett1 Posts: 72
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    It's a healthy addictive lifestyle change! Chips, what chips LOL! Wasted Calories! Eating out seriously used to be an every day occurrence for me, and now I only eat out if I am in town (30 miles from my home) and have so many errands I have to do that I have to eat lunch out! I Generally choose grilled fish or grilled chicken (hold any toppings) or a salad with no dressing (Thank the LORD I love the taste of salad and do not need any dressing!) I ask for the steamed vegetables. I won't eat canned! Baked potato NO butter, sour cream, only chives, yes I have learned to like it and I only eat a few bites of it! Water or herbal Caffeine free Tea! Even the lite or healthy eating choices on the menu are soooo high in Calories and Salt that it is ridiculous! I love MFP! It is a motivational wonder!
  • BigBoneSista
    BigBoneSista Posts: 2,389 Member
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    Doesn't it just feel good when your eyes are opened and you are able to make that adjustment with no problems? I love it! Some people don't understand that we only need 1 teaspoon of salt a day. Even those weight watcher meals at Ruby Tuesdays are high in sodium. Its crazy.
  • maryritt529
    maryritt529 Posts: 82
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    :) Good Post!
  • Atlantique
    Atlantique Posts: 2,484 Member
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    It's amazing how your tastes can change, isn't it? That's why it's so frustrating to hear people say that they can't lose weight because they hate the way x, y and z foods taste and they could just NEVER live without a, b and c. If they tried a different way of eating for a few weeks or months, they'd totally change their tastes. You're living proof of it. I am too. the first time I lost the weight, I lost my crazy sweet tooth.

    And once you get over the sugar and salt hurdles, EVERYTHING tastes different because you can actually taste the flavor of the food!

    Good job!
  • MsFitnFabulous
    MsFitnFabulous Posts: 432 Member
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    I've shied away from salt and sugar too. I'm learning how to cook with spices I had never heard of much less actually use. And that yahoo article is horrifying!
  • lodro
    lodro Posts: 982 Member
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    before i knew it i was baking my own bread

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