HELP! - Im in the RED by lunch.

Munchiemooka

Sorry to hear about your health issues but I am happy that you are on the mend.... To your question on lowering your cals I would start with baby steps for the first week by changing your sodas to dite, milk to skimmed and sugar to sweetner... Too many changes it the start will put you off, after all this is a life change.

Feel free to friend me

stanvoodoo

No meal should be more than 600 calories. Just cut the portion in half. Wean yourself off the Coke and move to water drink.

Water can any Non Carbonated, No Cafeine, No Sugar beverage. Just go slow and it can be done.

Don't change eggs for cereal. Protein is SO important. If you want to have cereal, add some protein powder.

Once you have this down, start moving away from the fast food as much as you can. You will feel so much better.

For today, steamed rice no fried and cut portions in half.

For Yesterday, 1 hot dog and skip the fries.

Maybe start by going to diet coke or tea, they may have cafeine, sodium and soda is carbonated but it is a start.

You Can Do It!

MrsJax11

Congrats on taking the first and biggest step -- writing down every thing you eat, and being honest about it! Once you do that you can make your adjustments. I would try logging all of your meals for a whole week, and then seeing what the biggest 'offenders' are. Then, you watch your portion size on those things. For me it was cheese, carbs, booze, and butter....mostly the cheese, though, I think. I measure everything, limit my added fats and sugars, stay within the amount of carbs, and try to go over on my protein, fiber, and calcium.
If you have to eat all meals out, try hitting up the grocery store. You can do sandwiches or wraps with low sodium lunch meat, hummus and crackers, boiled eggs from the deli, salads, yogurt, fruit, veggies and yogurt dip....
If you are at a fast food place look at the nutritional info poster before you order. I realized after the fact that I could have saved 300 calories on my last stop at the Chik-fil-a.
You can try and make some mini goals also, such as only 1 soda a day, or eating a fruit or veggie at every meal.
Exercise is a huge component as well. I would never survive without my exercise calories! They allow me to have treats like red wine, ice cream, and steak with blue cheese...
Feel free to friend me also I keep my food diary open. I mostly pack breakfast and lunch, and we cook at home a lot. However, there are trips to Taco Bell, the pizzaria, Chik-fil-a, and Five Guys Burgers and Fries
The best piece of advice there is, though, is to find what works for you because everyone is different. Every drop in the bucket counts ~ and little changes every day make a great impact a year later!

MrsJax11

I just ate a juicy ham & swiss sandwich & hearty cup of soup for less than 400 calories - super delicious - you can add me & look at my diary if you want.
Just a reminder - purchasing & preparing your own food is healthier and you BURN CALORIES PREPARING it! don't burn as many calories in a drive-thru - I've made a rule NOT to use the drive thru - if I MUST have fast food, get out of the car and walk in (will give me time to change my mind)

I love the walking in idea --- that is great!

MrsJax11

Just a couple quick tips from looking at your diary for the last couple of days. Skip the sugary soda & opt for water or a diet drink.
Go for grilled foods or salads (watch out for the Salad dressings though) when you can. Get a side salad or fruit cup if you can instead of fries. I simply skip the fries most of the time. If nothing else, watch your portions. Eat one hot dog, not two! 1/2 cup of something instead of 1.

Don't worry, with time and practice, you'll get better at it.

Wow! I am really hitting this thread up!

At first, it seems like 1/2 a cup of something won't be enough to fill you up, but after about 3 weeks I think the body adjusts to the portions. I am finding myself satisfied after 3 - 5 ounces of meat, where before I would eat 8-12. I thinking making sure there is a fruit and veggie at every meal is important because they fill you up and (at least for me) my taste buds begin craving more of them!

jmcholden

So great that you are logging what you eat. If you can do that, you can do it all. The logging is the hardest part. The rest is a fun challenge. To find the yummiest low cal thing thing you can have is like a treasure hunt.

My family likes to eat out, and it makes me get more creative. I drink Diet soda because it fills in the empty spots, and fills me up. I know it is not the best idea, but for me it is better than eating what I want to!


Yogurt for breakfast is a must for me. No time to make anything.
Cottage cheese for lunch or dinner is good too.
For a while, I would have a baked potato with fake butter with every dinner, and that made me really full.

Fast food-

Lunch -
Jamba Original size low calorie are only like 200-250 cals and it fills me up.
Subway - 6 inch sub, no mayo or oil. 200-250 cals.


Dinner-
I love the Carls Jr. Low carb turkey burger idea - that will fill you up. and a side salad with low cal dressing, and a diet soda- you would be stuffed.
Ihop- they have some yummy, low cal options.
Grilled chicken sandwich, no mayo is ok almost anywhere.
No fries!(ok I eat like 3 fries off my kids plate)

You can do it. If you can get through what you have so far, you can do this.

dmpizza

In the red on what, calories, or sugar. I go over on sugar very quickly, but not on calories.
What is your typical meal?