Food Diary ... less is NOT more.

funkycamper

I am amazed at the public food diaries I see. I don't understand how my MFP peeps expect to lose weight cramming all their calories in one, maybe two meals.

I'm not so sure it really matters when you eat your calories. There are some days I eat half of mine in one meal, but hasn't hindered me in the slightest. The body doesn't care if you eat three meals, two or seven.

Actually it does. I mean you will see your self lose weight by just counting calories and staying under a certain number, but you would be even more successful by eating more low-calorie meals in a day. The more meals you eat in a day the more "exercise" your metabolism gets. If you eat all your calories in one meal, your metabolism is "turned off" or however you want to put it...So when you start eating, it takes time for your metabolism to catch up to you, not burning off as much as you could if you spread out your calories in your day with more frequent meals. It then doesn't have a chance to completely shut down, allowing for it to be active at the beginning of your meals instead of in the middle of it.

Actually, you're wrong. Scientific studies, many of which have been referenced with links in this discussion already, show that you're wrong.

Now, personally, I prefer eating 4-6 small meals daily because I have never liked the feeling of a full stomach and get filled easily. I also work from home so that's easy for me to do. But I don't for a single second pretend that this is a superior way of eating to rev up my metabolism. (Well, actually, I used to think that until I learned I was wrong.)

Anyway, point is, as long as people are meeting their calorie and macro-/micro-nutrient targets most of the time, they will lose weight and be healthy in the process.

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh, so if I eat Big Mac's and Whopper Combos everyday, but stay in my "macro-/micro-nutrient" I will be healthy? Think you so much for clearing this up for me. And all this time, I thought fat and greasy foods were bad.

Oh, don't be a putz. There is no way that someone can meet their proper macro- or micro-nutrients if they ate that kind of crap every day for most, if not all, of their calorie allotment. However, you can certainly have an occasional splurge like that without damaging your health. Occasional, not frequent.

Now you're just being silly or you have a serious reading comprehension problem.

Edited to add: And, besides, what I was talking about was meal frequency, not the composition of the meals. Another reading comprehension error on your part.

marie_2454

It drives me crazy to hear people say they don't have time to exercise or prepare fresh foods. Seriously people? Do you know how many hours there are in a day? Trade one sedentary activity for an activity of some sort ... trade that sedentary activity in and take care of your body! Mentally AND physically you'll feel better.

Sometimes people really don't have time to exercise. I work full time and am going to 2 colleges full time, and I volunteer. I have days where I literally only get 3-4 hours of sleep and ya, on those days I don't have time to exercise or prepare foods because no way in heck am I going on less than 2 hours of sleep. Luckily this isn't every day, but some people at certain parts in their lives just don't have the time.

Masterchef2000

I think I'll go the opposite of the people who have kids. I have 3 kids, 11 and under, who are in karate, gymnastics and ballet. I still make food at home and I would say that 90% of what I make is very healthy for them. Sometimes I may have to use veggies from the freezer (corn, peas, green beans) but I stay pretty healthy even as busy as we are with their activities and homework and projects. I plan our meals by two weeks at a time. I write down every single meal we will have, go to the store and almost all of it (only the 1st week of fresh veggies, I'll go get the 2nd at the end of the 1st to keep it from going bad) and it keeps us healthy and the cost down! Just something to throw out there. :-)

beskimoosh

I eat most of my calories at dinner. It works for me because I'm a student nurse and don't really have time to eat during the day! (protected breaks don't really happen, I can't tell someone to feel better while I go snack every few hours). I squeeze in what exercise I can, but at the end of a long shift, sometimes I'm just too exhausted. So, sometimes I don't have the time to work out. I'm still losing, thankfully. I get really demoralised when I see posts saying things like that, because the reason I eat a certain way or don't work out so much is because I am working my bum off as a nurse, and doing my best healthwise.

Each to their own is my theory, whatever works for you

BlackRangerX

Thanks for the info buddy. I didn't realize the "big players' were following these guidelines. I'm all set.

I'm only trying to provide you with current information.

I am curious, did you read the information and conclude that you are right and these people are wrong, or did you just not read it? Genuine question.

No, but the time I spent on this thread, I could have been studying for my calc test.
Plus I've realized that I have been going back and forth with people that have random pictures as avatars (ie: a tiger) For all I know, I could have been debating nutritional facts with a 300 pound man or woman behind a computer screen. But I did glance at leangains.com yesterday. It's actually pretty interesting even though I have NO IDEA where he is getting his sources.
The problem is you can go to bodybuilding.com, muscle&fitness.com, healthy-eating.com, beachbody.com, etc and read how a nutritional consultant/magazine writer/personal trainer eats 5-6 meals a day, talk about how to rev up your metabolism, how working out is essential for weight loss, how you should do this and that, blah.... blah.... blah. Every site claims to have found new studies that were not available in the past.... Or after further testing..... OR inconclusive studies have shown... etc

When an overweight person goes to a nutritional consultant, a specialist, or doctor, I bet my bottom dollar that the they will not say, eat one meal a day for the rest of your life. You will be skinny in no time. Eating Big Macs and Double Cheese burgers are extremely healthy as long as you hit your macro/micro-nutrient target.

I have learned several things from this thread. MFP friends are loyal to each other, opinions are like *kitten*, and if an overweight person lost more than 50lbs, he or she obviously has all the answers.

In my spare time, I'm going to finish reading the articles that you sent me.

ShrinkingChelle

I still eat fast food and processed food, sometimes I only eat 2-3 meals a day... there are days that I don't fit in a workout... yet somehow I'm still making progress.

It's nice that you found something that works for you, but maybe it's better to keep your focus on what's working for YOU and not what bothers you about what might or might not be working for others.

Very well said.

HonkyTonks

Thanks for the info buddy. I didn't realize the "big players' were following these guidelines. I'm all set.

I'm only trying to provide you with current information.

I am curious, did you read the information and conclude that you are right and these people are wrong, or did you just not read it? Genuine question.

But I did glance at leangains.com yesterday. It's actually pretty interesting even though I have NO IDEA where he is getting his sources.

If you are reading a blog on LeanGains, he will usually link to his sources as he goes, the text will be yellow/orange.

BlackRangerX

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BlackRangerX

@sidesteal which one do you actually follow?

11.30-12 AM or 5-15 minutes pre-workout: 10 g BCAA
12-1 PM: Training
1 PM: Post-workout meal (largest meal of the day).
4 PM: Second meal.
9 PM: Last meal before the fast.

6 AM: 5-15 minutes pre-workout: 10 g BCAA.
6-7 AM: Training.
8 AM: 10 g BCAA.
10 AM: 10 g BCAA
12-1 PM: The "real" post-workout meal (largest meal of the day). Start of the 8 hour feeding-window.
8-9 PM: Last meal before the fast.

12-1 PM or around lunch/noon: Pre-workout meal. Approximately 20-25% of daily total calorie intake.
3-4 PM: Training should happen a few hours after the pre-workout meal.
4-5 PM: Post-workout meal (largest meal).
8-9 PM: Last meal before the fast.

12-1 PM or around lunch/noon: Meal one. Approximately 20-25% of daily total calorie intake.
4-5 PM: Pre-workout meal. Roughly equal to the first meal.
8-9 PM: Post-workout meal (largest meal).

betsygw

I get what you are saying. I am sorry people are being mean with some of their posts. I do agree with you, I do better when I eat smaller meals, several times a day, and faithfully exercise. The only excuse we have our ouselves, but on the same note......sometimes life is really hard and super chaotic. It prevents smaller meals, and exercise. Not everyone has the same story, and we all do our best or we wouldn't even be on here trying:). Good luck in your weight loss journey!!

betsygw

I think I'll go the opposite of the people who have kids. I have 3 kids, 11 and under, who are in karate, gymnastics and ballet. I still make food at home and I would say that 90% of what I make is very healthy for them. Sometimes I may have to use veggies from the freezer (corn, peas, green beans) but I stay pretty healthy even as busy as we are with their activities and homework and projects. I plan our meals by two weeks at a time. I write down every single meal we will have, go to the store and almost all of it (only the 1st week of fresh veggies, I'll go get the 2nd at the end of the 1st to keep it from going bad) and it keeps us healthy and the cost down! Just something to throw out there. :-)

Hey, this is inspiring. Some light at the end of the tunnel???? My kiddos are all boys, ages 4, 3, 18 months, and 6 months. I am soooooooooo overwhelmed, and up still several times a night between breastfeeding the 6 month old, and the 18 month old crawling out of his crib and wandering the halls with night terrors. My 3 and 4 year olds wake several times a night with bad dreams....needless to say, if I get 3 hrs of un-interrupted sleep I am in HEAVEN! This makes me tired all day, and overwhelmed. I cannot cook meals (chop fresh veggies etc...) that take longer then 10 min, or the 18 month old is getting into something he shouldn't, or the baby is rolling into the play zone of the older boys causing chaos, or they are all doing something so dangerous, I cannot keep my eyes off of them for more than a few minutes. I do throw already pre cut and washed fresh veggies into a steam pot really quick, and run back into the chaos to check on everyone.....I do use a lot of frozen and microwave them, so my kiddos do get veggies. I also keep a large amount of fruit on hand so they get fresh fruit several times a day. But I admit, I just do not have time to cook. I find myself microwaving chicken nuggets with their fruit and veggies, or throwing together pb&j's on whole wheat and calling it a day! What I do not have time for is myself. It is easier to drink a shake and down a banana quick so I can be off caring for the kids in a hurry. I mostly do not have the time to exercise. I am last......my kids come first......and I wouldn't have it any other way. Despite all of this, I do manage to get to the gym for 20-30 min 3 times a week (the longest the two little ones will allow, as the workers always come to get me because they have cried the maximum 20 min they allow). I still have managed to lose 44 lbs that I have carried since having my first one, and have 10 to go. I am trying my best, but my hubby leaves at 6 am, and is home at 9-10 pm every day (including wknds). He only has one afternoon off a week, but is usually doing catch up work. I am really a single mother, who never gets a break from a lot of very little, very needy, very energetic boys, and cannot figure out how to cook full healthy meals and exercise like I should. If you have any advice for some healthy quick meal ideas, I would love to hear about them. They just can't take more then a few min to prepare and cook. Any busy mommy advice is welcome!!! Thanks:):wink::yawn:

betsygw

My mom is visiting, this is the only reason I have time to write this

judypriv

My husband usually eats one huge meal a day. Sometimes he will have lunch or a few handfuls of peanuts. Works for him. Whats the big deal? From reading your reply's it looks like you knew exactly what you were doing when you started this thread. Some people need the attention. I am glad you got it.

^ This. and sorry you didn't like my post. It was a joke to break tension but apparently no one around here is allowed to have something to say besides you. So glad you are not my friend! Judgmental know it alls sound like a load of fun.

redshoeshelley

No, but the time I spent on this thread, I could have been studying for my calc test.
Plus I've realized that I have been going back and forth with people that have random pictures as avatars (ie: a tiger) For all I know, I could have been debating nutritional facts with a 300 pound man or woman behind a computer screen. But I did glance at leangains.com yesterday. It's actually pretty interesting even though I have NO IDEA where he is getting his sources.
The problem is you can go to bodybuilding.com, muscle&fitness.com, healthy-eating.com, beachbody.com, etc and read how a nutritional consultant/magazine writer/personal trainer eats 5-6 meals a day, talk about how to rev up your metabolism, how working out is essential for weight loss, how you should do this and that, blah.... blah.... blah. Every site claims to have found new studies that were not available in the past.... Or after further testing..... OR inconclusive studies have shown... etc

When an overweight person goes to a nutritional consultant, a specialist, or doctor, I bet my bottom dollar that the they will not say, eat one meal a day for the rest of your life. You will be skinny in no time. Eating Big Macs and Double Cheese burgers are extremely healthy as long as you hit your macro/micro-nutrient target.

I have learned several things from this thread. MFP friends are loyal to each other, opinions are like *kitten*, and if an overweight person lost more than 50lbs, he or she obviously has all the answers.

In my spare time, I'm going to finish reading the articles that you sent me.
[/quote]



BlackRangerX:
Apparently as a newbie, I haven't yet mastered "quoting" but I will say this ...
Best reply to this thread, BY FAR !!!
Thanks for your support and encouragement, I'll take your advice and opinion any day!!
Signed,
The "alleged" know-it-all

sarge634

This thread is still going on ? Seriously were not in high school anymore!

skadoosh33

Eating frequent meals will help you in a way since you will be saving more muscle. You can lose weight by the amount of calories you ingest each day, but if you starve yourself for hours and then get the calories all at once your body will be in a catabolic state for that time and will look to take nutrients/calories from your body. This will also come from your existing lean muscle mass. That is the main reason for eating more frequent meals. To maintain muscle. So you will lose weight with calorie deficit either way, but it is better to try and keep the muscle you have already.

tigersword

Eating frequent meals will help you in a way since you will be saving more muscle. You can lose weight by the amount of calories you ingest each day, but if you starve yourself for hours and then get the calories all at once your body will be in a catabolic state for that time and will look to take nutrients/calories from your body. This will also come from your existing lean muscle mass. That is the main reason for eating more frequent meals. To maintain muscle. So you will lose weight with calorie deficit either way, but it is better to try and keep the muscle you have already.

It takes over 72 hours of complete fasting for your body to reach a state where it is catabolizing lean mass for energy. Do you wake up every few hours while you are sleeping to make sure you eat? Because once you eat your final meal for the day, all the way until breakfast the next day, you're "starving yourself" based on your explanation. Your body burns stored fat for energy when you aren't eating. That's why it stores fat in the first place. A regular cycle of eating and fasting is normal.

midnightryder

For once Tiger I will have to agree with you

tigersword

*faints*

BlackRangerX

*faints*

:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: