Eating all wrong...

briocktj
briocktj Posts: 128
edited October 7 in Food and Nutrition
Okay, just looking over my diary entries I have come to the conclusion that I dont eat very healthy food. When my hubby went to the doctor last week, they were talking about me and the doctor asked how I was doing with my weight loss and hubby told him I was starting Sunday. He also told the doctor that I hardly ever eat and I dont eat a lot, but now I see it is WHAT I am eating.... so... I need to really reconsider my food choices and maybe drop the coffee altogether... I am down to one, maybe two caffeinated drinks a day and seeing how I used to down 5-8 a day, I feel good about that. I drink regular pepsi. I just cant seem to stomach any of the diet drinks and I have tried them all. Buying my water tomorrow and will start with at least eight 8 ounces a day.....

Wishing everyone the best!
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Replies

  • Mcgrawhaha
    Mcgrawhaha Posts: 1,596 Member
    good job! yeah, id stay away from the soda!!! that stuff will kill ya! the only diet soda that i think taste ok is diet root beer, but even that is not healthy! what i found that i really like is the crystal light lemonade!!! its so good!!! as for my caffiene headaches, i take a shot or 2 of esspresso every morning, that detours me from going to starbucks and getting a 1500 calorie foofoo drink, or driving through burger king for a king size coke! All im doing is trying to eat and drink as raw as possible, and then adding in some quick frozen lean cuisines... i figure if i can fill up on lettuce, tomatoe, peppers, onion, cucumber, etc, with some oil and vinigar... then it wont leave me with the hunger that will lead to junk
  • Goldenbast
    Goldenbast Posts: 227 Member
    I think the main thing with sodas is they are considered empty calories....the basic premise of losing weight is eating less calories than you expend.....you don't have to give up your Pepsi if you do it in moderation and count the calories toward the total. You can also look at your food diary and try to replace as much as possible with healthy unprocessed foods, and count Pepsi as your 'naughty' food....You can also go look at myplate.gov, they give you very general information on what foods you should be eating to maintain a nutritious diet.

    Maybe allow yourself a pepsi as a reward for doing a set of exercises, or set up a limit of say one every other day....they key to a successful diet in my opinion is not be on a diet at all, but eat healthy foods in ways you like, if you do this then having a few little vice foods won't hurt you overmuch, and you won't feel like you are on a 'diet'.
  • briocktj
    briocktj Posts: 128
    I did lose about 40 pounds in 2002/2003 just by walking on the treadmill 45 minutes a day and drinking water. I didnt watch what I ate... I think that is a huge part of my problem; I dont get enough (any really) exercise. I work from home as a medical transcriptionist and I hardly ever get out of my PJs unless I am going somewhere... LOL... Take a bath, throw on a new pair of PJs and sit at the computer for 10-18 hours a day.... I have thought about getting a job back out in "work force" but I love the transcribing, the flexibilty, the money, etc.... and I REFUSE to buy "fat" clothes. Over the years, I have been a shopaholic, buying all my clothes in smaller sizes because "I WILL LOSE WEIGHT AND GET IN THAT BY SUMMER/WINTER, whenever.." Hubby doesnt want me buying anything now unless I can wear it now and I just refuse to... I am DETERMINED to get this weight off, so why waste money on clothes to wear now.... I have started back doing the little thiings that I enjoy, like tanning and got a hot pink pedicure the other day.
  • Mcgrawhaha
    Mcgrawhaha Posts: 1,596 Member
    youll get there!!!
  • Hang in there it sounds like you are heading the right direction. I could tell you all the whole foods I love but I am guessing you will need to find your own. There is some great stuff out there that is healthy so hang in there.
  • LolaGotThin
    LolaGotThin Posts: 111 Member
    Cut out soda, period. I'm just saying I've seen a big difference in myself since going to just water. If I need something sweet, I add either some Crystal Light (not often, I'm trying to not use anything with aspertame) or I drink fruit juice (real juice).
    For me, it's switching out one thing at a time that's helping! Don't try and do a whole revamp all in one go. It can get really overwhelming.
    Like I switched soda, I also went from whole scrambled eggs to just scrambled egg whites (yummy, btw). A lot of it is also portions. I love love love steak, and can't give it up. So I only eat it a couple times a month and I have the recommended 3-5 ounces, usually I end up at 4 because I have found I can't eat much more. I phased out regular bread in favor of whole grain. Very hearty and it tastes awesome with natural peanut butter.
    I'm rambling now. :> Sorry.
  • briocktj
    briocktj Posts: 128
    I would need to find something I liked to drink as I just cant see drinking water with a meal. I dont like lemons at all, so I couldnt add a lemon to it. I can drink water all day, not saying I like to, but.... what I have been doing is like tonight I drank only half a pepsi with dinner and then drank the other half when I ate my "breakfast" around 1 a.m. LOL
  • logicandlove
    logicandlove Posts: 191 Member
    I'm a huge fan of Mio, which is basically calorie-free and doesn't quite have the awful fake-sweet taste of some things. You add it to water so it's as sweet/strong or not, as you prefer, and it's liquid not powder, so it's even. They have all kinds of flavors, but the peach tea is my favorite.
  • Goldenbast
    Goldenbast Posts: 227 Member
    I hear ya....I was a HUGE soda drinker and I just don't really like the diets and I am not a huge fan of the water packets..I'd rather drink plain water, which I actually like BTW...but even I want variety and want to eat/drink what I like...the key is portions and moderation...I think splitting pepsi in half is a wonderful idea!

    Even the steak poster wrote that they love steak so just eat it in moderation rather than cut it out. :) If you cut out everything you like/love you are just setting yourself up to fail...can you imagine yourself going the rest of your life without soda? I can't. :) It may be bad for you, but a little bit every now and then shouldn't hurt.
  • briocktj
    briocktj Posts: 128
    true.... I like my Pepsis too, used to have to ALWAYS have something to drink at all times.... now I drink coffee when I first get up, a pepsi when I eat dinner and then coffee in the evening. I agree that I am not going to cut out all the things I love... I am just going to do things in moderation and the main thing I need to do is GET UP AND MOVE LOL....
  • "Maybe allow yourself a pepsi as a reward for doing a set of exercises, or set up a limit of say one every other day"

    Hopefully this doesn't sound harsh, but I'd try and build non-food related rewards into your program, like making time for a relaxing bath or something else you enjoy. I used to reward myself for having a good week at the gym with ice cream, but that's like taking 2 steps forward and 1 step back! It's healthier (and more sustainable) to keep your rewards completely separate to your food.

    The danger with soft drinks (even the diet ones) is that there are lots of artificial sweeteners and other stuff in them that isn't good for your body, even if you are sticking to your calorie goal. From the perspective of "getting healthy", I'd be trying to cut down your soft drink intake as much as humanly possible - once you get used to not drinking them all the time you'll realise how sugary they really are!

    I've been scared to comment much on these forums as people seem to shoot others down quickly on some subjects - hopefully this will be taken constructively :-)

    Best of luck!! :-)
  • meggers123
    meggers123 Posts: 711 Member
    I think having one soda a day is no problem, as long as it's not 6-- since those calories really add up. I am personally not a fan of diet or MIO because of the sweeteners they have.

    I like to mix sparkling water with apple juice (or other juices). This mix is sold here (in germany) as an apple soda (apfelschorle) and is super delicious. Maybe give that a try? or even grape or mixed juice?

    Most of all, I think making realistic changes is important, so you can stick to it. :)

    Good Luck!
  • Goldenbast
    Goldenbast Posts: 227 Member
    Hey angela..I totally agree! I was just observing that if one really likes soda then cutting it out completely while healthy really ins't satisfying and if you are not satisfied then you will at some point blow it off. Soda's are horrible for you. I am the first to agree and I stopped drinking a ton of them, but I still allow myself one now and again because while I want to be healthy, I also want to enjoy myself. :) It would be like a chocolate lover not even allowing themselves one single hershey kiss. :) Especially if someone was willing to make very good changes in other things, but want to keep one vice in moderation.
  • briocktj
    briocktj Posts: 128
    thanks for the responses....
  • ratherbeskiing
    ratherbeskiing Posts: 847 Member
    open up your food diary and maybe we can help more- a swap this for that kinda thing. I love it when people help me! :happy:
  • stylistchik
    stylistchik Posts: 1,436 Member
    That's excellent that you've realized that on your own. Don't worry about making huge changes all at once, tackle them one at a time like the soda. There will always be room to improve so you're well on the way to becoming a healthier version of you!
  • muitobem
    muitobem Posts: 436 Member
    In all being said ....portion control is a big thing...
  • I was a soda addict, granted it was diet soda but still. I would wake up at ONE in the afternoon and grab a soda. It was the only thing I drank all day. I now drink 3-4 bottles of water per day and have been doing really well on my soda habit. I'll have one now with a meal instead of one every hour and I only have them maybe twice per week. There's sodium in diet soda too which I never knew and I'm pretty sure I'm going to kick the soda habit for good. Also, get lots of sleep. I read that you were eating at 1am and I sort of cringed. I hope you don't take this the wrong way, I'm really just trying to share my experiences because we're all here to help each other! I want to see you succeed and I know you can do this!
  • yesterday I had a low point in my diet diary. I ate over 900 cal over what I need to be eating. Soda tastesvery good but is very bad for you. I'm sure you know that already lol. I just really got addicted to the taste! I quit it and it was almost like quitting cigarettes. But once I got past the first couple of days it was okay. I still occasionally indulge in pepsi max or coke zero now and then but water is the ultimate go to. It fills me up without any calories and I don't care about water weight; that's lost through sweating and going to the b-room. I know you're struggling a little bit as I am. I'm a stay at home mom and I have a fiance who can literally eat whatever he wants and not gain a lb. My thing is getting rid of the bad ting sI eat and eating alot of healthy things instead of a little bit of not healthy foods. I've also got to get off my butt and work out or no matter what I eat, it's not going anywhere! Good luck to you. Hope you are successful in your ventures!
  • briocktj
    briocktj Posts: 128
    okay, going to open up my diary.... if I can figure out how.... LOL...


    okay, so.... how do I open it up?

    and again... I have it open now....
  • hperowl
    hperowl Posts: 234 Member
    I was a HUGE soda drinker before I started this journey!(4-5 a day). AND I would drink 3-4 coffees a day! Now I have 1-2 cups of coffee in the morning and MAYBE one in the afternoon if I'm really dragging! How I stopped drinking soda is I bought a large insulated cup with straw (holds approximately 3 cups) and I keep that filled with ice water (I hate luke-warm water) and I carry that around with me everywhere I go! It's always within reach! Now I drink 9+ cups of water everyday. I still have the occasional soda when we go out to eat.

    As for eating better, try to ditch all of the junk foods, chips, cookies, etc. And try skinnytaste.com for some great recipes! I love this web sight. She has recipes for everything and they all taste great. Don't rely on prepackaged meals or 'diet' snacks. It's better to learn to prepare your own meals and snacks, that way you know exactly what you're eating!

    My last bit of advice, LOG EVERYTHING!! Even if you have a bad food day, log it! It will remind you to do better tomorrow! I hope this helps! Good luck on your own journey!
  • hperowl
    hperowl Posts: 234 Member
    okay, going to open up my diary.... if I can figure out how.... LOL...


    okay, so.... how do I open it up?

    Go to your home page
    go to settings
    diary settings
    click on 'public'

    :bigsmile: P.S. you can add me as a friend if you want to:flowerforyou:
  • kennedar
    kennedar Posts: 306 Member
    We bought one of those Soda Stream machines (I think thats what its called!!) It can carbonate any drink and is great when I am looking for something sweet. I usually mix half fruit juice and half water and then carbonate it. It tastes like an orange pop but is way less sweet and has way fewer calories than drinking pop. It feels like cheating without actually cheating!!
  • briocktj
    briocktj Posts: 128
    Hubby is bringing me home 2 cases of water! YAY!!! If any of you view my diary (I got it open to the public) you can see what I mean... I eat one meal and drink my coffee and 1 pepsi and BAM.... almost all my calories are gone for the day... Last night we had Mexican food and I did split my meal in half.... ate half for dinner and then the other half for "breakfast" at about 1 a.m. this morning and now with my coffee... I am almost at my calories for the day and it is only 11:22 a.m. here and I will be up working till at least 2 a.m. But I am in the habit of only eating once, maybe twice a day... Is that bad too? Someone told me the other day I needed to eat 6 small meals a day....
  • MinnieInMaine
    MinnieInMaine Posts: 6,400 Member
    This is exactly why I tend to avoid drinking any calories - there are the occassional exceptions, especially for alcohol but otherwise, I've found that it just leaves me hungry and although my calories might look ok, I'm not really feeding my body what it needs. Case in point, last week I decided I just had to try the mint hot chocolate at Dunkin Donuts. Well that was 300 caloires I could've put MUCH better use to.

    OP, I think this is the case for you. If you need energy, try eating a good breakfast with a lot of protein and complex carbs like a couple eggs with 100% whole wheat toast.

    It's a tough habit to break so try not to be to drastic, just take it one day at a time. Good luck!
  • astrampe
    astrampe Posts: 2,169 Member
    I looked at your diary...can you replace the cream and sugar in your coffee with milk (2%) and splenda? Cream adds a LOT to your empty calories...and 192 cal for coffee is huge.....

    I see very little protein, apart from the beans, but that's combined with refried rice and other fattening stuff.... and almost no fruit and vegetables....
    Also, there are only a few high cal items on, nothing in between...
    i need to snack, so I have a lot of lower cal items - fools your brain into thinking you eat constantly....
    Try to add more vegetables, fruit and lean protein.... for 192 cals you can have coffe with skimmed milk, a boiled egg, and a fruit.... Which will fill you up and not have you starved by lunch so you eat 680 cals in one carb and fat filled sitting....
    Good luck!
  • 2dogzrule
    2dogzrule Posts: 245 Member
    Try Polar's flavored seltzer - it is zero calories and bubbly so it will remind you of soda! Cut out the coffee....I know it's hard, but you'll feel better. I do 1 cup from home in the morning and add 1 tbs of flavored creamer, then if I want something hot during the day, I switch to a flavored tea.

    As for food, I see lots of good responses from others and agree that the high calorie items should be replaced with lower calorie items, that you can eat more of throughout the day.
  • ChickaDee2012
    ChickaDee2012 Posts: 49 Member
    Yes, eating 6 smaller meals will help with keeping your insulin levels stable and helps to increase your metabolism. It also means not feeling as hungry. If you ate everything all at once and skipped meals then it throws your system out of whack, and your body won't be in a state that you want it to be to see healthy weight loss results. It's like a fire...fueling it regularly keeps the fire burning, as opposed to fueling it all at the beginning and having nothing else to sustain it for a long time...
  • I viewed your diary. A couple of suggestions. Don't drink your calories. If you must have juice in the morning, invest in a juicer and fresh squeeze (a mix between fruits and veggies such as spinach or kale). The burrito, try putting the ingredients over a bed of leafy greens instead and ditch the tortilla. Those things pack in the calories...and the carbs. Replace the rice with quinoa, its a complete protein and even though it is technically a seed, its placed in the whole grains category. Also you MUST eat breakfast. Replace that juice with a bowl of oatmeal(not the packaged sugary kind- but the old fashioned kind you cook on the stove with some fresh fruit. Cut out all animal products- replace your meats with tofu, tempeh etc. and your dairy with almond, rice or soy milk. Cream and Half and Half also pack in calories (not to mention meat takes days to digest and just sits around in your belly). Try recipes from www.vegangela.com for some REALLY yummy ideas.
  • stylistchik
    stylistchik Posts: 1,436 Member
    Hubby is bringing me home 2 cases of water! YAY!!! If any of you view my diary (I got it open to the public) you can see what I mean... I eat one meal and drink my coffee and 1 pepsi and BAM.... almost all my calories are gone for the day... Last night we had Mexican food and I did split my meal in half.... ate half for dinner and then the other half for "breakfast" at about 1 a.m. this morning and now with my coffee... I am almost at my calories for the day and it is only 11:22 a.m. here and I will be up working till at least 2 a.m. But I am in the habit of only eating once, maybe twice a day... Is that bad too? Someone told me the other day I needed to eat 6 small meals a day....

    smaller snack/meals helps you from ever being stuffed or starving, it works well for a lot of people. You might want to check out hungrygirl.com - or her TV show - they do "lower calorie" versions of everything you can think of. It helped me out a lot when I first started. She also has great tips for reducing sugar, increasing fiber, all things you should get in the habit of. Now I prefer to eat clean but it's all a process and you have to start somewhere. Just logging everything is a great start to realizing what your bad eating habits are and replacing them with better habits.
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