Seeing RED!!! :-/

LJV1031

Okay, today is the FIRST day with a VERY conscious effort that I was able to keep all of my "nutrients" within or below the normal ranges. (Today's personal goal - *YAY*). Problem : I was wayyyyyyyy under my calorie goal, *BOO* (though still over 1200). I'm VERY picky so I'm still working on the "best" foods, plus I need to go grocery shopping *oops*. Any helpful suggestions that will keep me out of the red would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

chasekilgannon

*shrugs* I try to stay out of the red in the sugar and sodium categories. Carbs aren't really a worry for me yet, but I wouldn't want to go over on that either. Even then, I haven't worried unless it's been consistently hitting red (like my stupid sugar intake).

LJV1031

Thanks. I haven't really been making a really big deal out of it either until today. I guess I'll have my good days and my bad ones too!

Atlantique

Okay, today is the FIRST day with a VERY conscious effort that I was able to keep all of my "nutrients" within or below the normal ranges. (Today's personal goal - *YAY*). Problem : I was wayyyyyyyy under my calorie goal, *BOO* (though still over 1200). I'm VERY picky so I'm still working on the "best" foods, plus I need to go grocery shopping *oops*. Any helpful suggestions that will keep me out of the red would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

What nutrients are you tracking, and which ones are in the red?

LJV1031

ALL of them, lol. There are days when maybe just the sugar is high, others when sodium is off the chart, and some days almost the whole row is in the red. :explode:

LJV1031

Just changed my diary to public.

Atlantique

I think it's essential to go OVER the MFP recommendations for Protein and Fiber, as MFP sets them rather low.

Since you do appear to work out regularly, you should be aiming for somewhere between half of your bodyweight to your full bodyweight in protein grams each day so that you can preserve as much muscle mass as possible.

MFP also puts the fiber way too low. women should be getting at least 25 grams of fiber per day and men should be getting at least thirty.

I think the default MFP setting for carbs is really high (55% of your diet). Others do not. But try to get most of your carbs from veggies if you can and reduce the cereals and processed stuff in the carb count.

It's also not a great idea to go over the sodium goal for most people.

Autumn1206

Before you order, be it at a regular restaurant or a fast food place, even before you make a dinner decision when at home, check it against the MFP database and see if it fits within your plan. Personally, I am more likely to make bad choices if I don't plan in advance, sooo go grocery shopping already and be sure to read the labels! There is way to much salt in just about everything that is pre-packaged and processed.

LJV1031

Thank you all for your input, I unfortunately work 12 hours overnight and only have Thursday off this week. *ugh* So I won't get to go shopping until then, (unless I skip the gym). Luckily I just want to drop a couple of pounds and mostly tone up, so I will DEFINITELY take your advice into consideration when shopping. :flowerforyou: My first main goal was getting into a healthy calorie range (check), next goal is actually eating healthy foods.

Thanks again.

Atlantique

Thank you all for your input, I unfortunately work 12 hours overnight and only have Thursday off this week. *ugh* So I won't get to go shopping until then, (unless I skip the gym). Luckily I just want to drop a couple of pounds and mostly tone up, so I will DEFINITELY take your advice into consideration when shopping. :flowerforyou: My first main goal was getting into a healthy calorie range (check), next goal is actually eating healthy foods.

Thanks again.

That's a rough schedule!

I think the way you are doing it is fine! It's a lot easier, I find, to have one or two goals at a time and then build on them as they become habits. Otherwise, it can be completely overwhelming! So I think it's smart to first focus on the calories and then every week focus on tweaking something about your diet. Much easier to build habits that will stick with you that way!

LJV1031

Before you order, be it at a regular restaurant or a fast food place, even before you make a dinner decision when at home, check it against the MFP database and see if it fits within your plan. Personally, I am more likely to make bad choices if I don't plan in advance, sooo go grocery shopping already and be sure to read the labels! There is way to much salt in just about everything that is pre-packaged and processed.

Hey, missed your comment! *oops* :embarassed: That's actually what I did today and THAT is how I managed to keep everything out of the red, thanks, I think it is an EXCELLENT suggestion. You're also sooooo right about sodium... unfortunately some days it is a necessity since my schedule is pretty tight. :ohwell:

LJV1031

Thanks for the support Atlantique... I guess I'm a work in progress. :happy: