Food Diary ... less is NOT more.

Sidesteal

@Sidesteal.. When you tell someone that they can eat 1,150 calories out of 1200 calories in one meal, they will go out and eat 1,150 calories in twinkies. All about a calorie deficit my *kitten*.

Now we're talking about food quality which is an entirely different subject. I am strictly talking about your claim that it's bad to eat large and infrequent meals. If you want to discuss food quality I'm happy to go there as well, but it's a different discussion.

Also, I don't get why you're claiming what you are claiming. Wouldn't the same person, if told "Go eat your 1200 calories in 3 meals", go and eat a bunch of twinkies anyways? Why would telling them they can eat one big meal instead of smaller ones, effect what they choose to eat?

nsblue

Hey, do what ever works for ya...
having been 600 pounds.... and insulin dependant... i had to eat regular meals to keep sugars level for the day. now that i am no longer on insulin n my sugars are normal... i usually have to plan n spread my meals out so my hunger doesnt spike....so balancing my protein/ food though the day helps me.... everyones different.

Sidesteal

Hey, do what ever works for ya...
having been 600 pounds.... and insulin dependant... i had to eat regular meals to keep sugars level for the day. now that i am no longer on insulin n my sugars are normal... i usually have to plan n spread my meals out so my hunger doesnt spike....so balancing my protein/ food though the day helps me.... everyones different.

^ Congrats on your loss! That's awesome work!

strawberrie_milk

Er... meal timing and number of meals per day doesn't matter...
And with respect to weight loss, the quality of food doesn't matter either. You can lose weight eating Twinkies. It's all about calories.

@Sidesteal.. When you tell someone that they can eat 1,150 calories out of 1200 calories in one meal, they will go out and eat 1,150 calories in twinkies. All about a calorie deficit my *kitten*.

I highly doubt many people would go out and eat 1150 calories worth of Twinkies. Yes, they could still lose weight, but they'd lose lean muscle and would probably feel like crap. I was just making a point that, in terms of weight loss ONLY, the quality of food doesn't matter. It's not a smart idea to just eat Twinkies, sheesh.

redshoeshelley

Hey, do what ever works for ya...
having been 600 pounds.... and insulin dependant... i had to eat regular meals to keep sugars level for the day. now that i am no longer on insulin n my sugars are normal... i usually have to plan n spread my meals out so my hunger doesnt spike....so balancing my protein/ food though the day helps me.... everyones different.

What an inspiration you are!!! Congratulations on a job well done :bigsmile:

BlackRangerX

Er... meal timing and number of meals per day doesn't matter...
And with respect to weight loss, the quality of food doesn't matter either. You can lose weight eating Twinkies. It's all about calories.

@Sidesteal.. When you tell someone that they can eat 1,150 calories out of 1200 calories in one meal, they will go out and eat 1,150 calories in twinkies. All about a calorie deficit my *kitten*.

I highly doubt many people would go out and eat 1150 calories worth of Twinkies. Yes, they could still lose weight, but they'd lose lean muscle and would probably feel like crap. I was just making a point that, in terms of weight loss ONLY, the quality of food doesn't matter. It's not a smart idea to just eat Twinkies, sheesh.

Sorry, no offense. I was merely using your comment as an example. :flowerforyou:

BlackRangerX

Hey, do what ever works for ya...
having been 600 pounds.... and insulin dependant... i had to eat regular meals to keep sugars level for the day. now that i am no longer on insulin n my sugars are normal... i usually have to plan n spread my meals out so my hunger doesnt spike....so balancing my protein/ food though the day helps me.... everyones different.

WOW, just went through your pics, amazing.

becoming_a_new_me

redshoeshelley

And, this is EXACTLY why I keep my diary private..

Shame on you..

Shame on me? Oh please ... food diaries are made public for a reason.
Go ahead, criticise mine.
That's precisely what I'm here for ... support and constructive criticism.

velvetkat

I am amazed at the grumbling I read from people who are frustrated with their weight loss journey ... 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. Eating processed crap and frozen meals is okay once in awhile but geez, all the time?

I eat 5 times a day and "try" to make wise choices throughout the day which ultimately lets me eat that much more food. And more wholesome food ... food full of flavour !! It pisses me off to no end when I blow 240 calories on 2 slices of rye bread for pete's sake. I hate it when my Tim Hortons tea costs me 150 calories but there are days when I make the sacrifice. It's not about eliminating the things I love. It's about making better choices. I try and find better alternatives of my favorites by tweaking recipes for healthy options. I still treat myself but know that treating myself means not making a habit out of it ... habits like those turn into bad eating behaviors !

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.

I feel better eating better and although the scale may have gone on strike, I am seeing a big difference in my clothes and how I feel. I log everything I eat, even the days I've eaten deep fried dill pickles. It holds me accountable.
Headaches have subsided, I sleep better, my energy levels are up and I no longer feel lethargic. My workouts are powered better (physically and mentally) and I genuinely feel better knowing I'm taking better care of myself.

If your weight loss journey doesn't challenge you, how does it change you?

..just remember .. those are the people that in a month or 2 will be crying about it not working or they have fallen off the diet wagon they are on. You will still be on the steady road to a healthier you!

SublimelyMe

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.

Wow.

I love to exercise, but sometimes my work doesn't allow time to exercise. I'm a freelance creative practitioner and production manager. Sometimes I'm rigging equipment, climbing up and down 8m for hours every day. Sometimes I'm sat at my desk, at home, researching, coordinating and planning.

Working a 14hr day in theatre isn't unheard of, in fact, plenty of theatre professionals do it. I work anything from an easy 45hrs per week to a horrendous 90hr week. Some weeks I'm doing a lot of hours at home, so I spend time breaking every couple of hours to either do my housework or prepare my meals, from scratch. On 90hr weeks I've got the choice between eating well or not eating and exercising, otherwise I'm cutting into sleep time or the odd hour I get to spend with my partner.

Where I am, the hours I work and the company I keep are all factors that contribute to my food choices. I'm dedicated to losing weight - yes I've had my falls, I've gotten distracted, gained again and lost again, but like everyone else, I learn from these moments and overall I've managed to lose 5st so far (11lb in the last 3wks on here).

Yesterday I wanted to workout - I worked 9am-6pm, took a break from 6pm-9pm (in which time I slept for 40 mins, ate food and dashed around the flat doing housework) I then spent 30mins with my partner then got back to work for 10pm and carried on working until 4am. I slept from 4.30am-7.30am, had breakfast, walked to the gym for 9am, worked out for an hour, walked home and started work again at 1pm...I then worked 9 out of 13 hours, slept for 3 out 13 and the final hour was spent doing...I don't know what. At 7am this morning I was due to work out, but there was no way I could drag myself to the gym, I could barely get myself a cup of tea. Some days I need to rest.

I can't afford to be ruled by diet and exercise (my pockets just aren't that deep), but instead attempt to find balance, and this is the only way I've managed to keep losing weight, without the pitfalls. Telling myself that I can't spend a lazy hour, sitting in front of the lake with my partner because I should spend that sedentary hour exercising some fat off or that we can't share some ice cream whilst watching a film once a month is not going to keep me happy OR healthy.

I guess not everyone works a 9-5.

PS - I know I'm not the only one with a weird routine, I just wanted to point out that most of us with strange routines don't rant about it, we just manage our lives the best we can. Sometimes that means sleep, compassion and money HAVE to come before exercise.

perpetuallyfit

Geez, I'm so tired of all these rants about what other people are doing and not doing. Unless you have a degree in nutrition and exercise, I'm not trying to hear what you have to say. Let people eat and exercise how they want to. How does it hurt you, if someone else isn't eating enough/working out enough IF you are? Worry about yourself and your weight loss and Lead by your ACTIONS NOT YOUR RANTS.
Thank you!

Totally agree with you. Exactly my sentiments!! :laugh:

perpetuallyfit

I am amazed at the grumbling I read from people who are frustrated with their weight loss journey ... 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. Eating processed crap and frozen meals is okay once in awhile but geez, all the time?

I eat 5 times a day and "try" to make wise choices throughout the day which ultimately lets me eat that much more food. And more wholesome food ... food full of flavour !! It pisses me off to no end when I blow 240 calories on 2 slices of rye bread for pete's sake. I hate it when my Tim Hortons tea costs me 150 calories but there are days when I make the sacrifice. It's not about eliminating the things I love. It's about making better choices. I try and find better alternatives of my favorites by tweaking recipes for healthy options. I still treat myself but know that treating myself means not making a habit out of it ... habits like those turn into bad eating behaviors !

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.

I feel better eating better and although the scale may have gone on strike, I am seeing a big difference in my clothes and how I feel. I log everything I eat, even the days I've eaten deep fried dill pickles. It holds me accountable.
Headaches have subsided, I sleep better, my energy levels are up and I no longer feel lethargic. My workouts are powered better (physically and mentally) and I genuinely feel better knowing I'm taking better care of myself.

If your weight loss journey doesn't challenge you, how does it change you?

BlackRangerX

@Sidesteal.. When you tell someone that they can eat 1,150 calories out of 1200 calories in one meal, they will go out and eat 1,150 calories in twinkies. All about a calorie deficit my *kitten*.

Now we're talking about food quality which is an entirely different subject. I am strictly talking about your claim that it's bad to eat large and infrequent meals. If you want to discuss food quality I'm happy to go there as well, but it's a different discussion.

Also, I don't get why you're claiming what you are claiming. Wouldn't the same person, if told "Go eat your 1200 calories in 3 meals", go and eat a bunch of twinkies anyways? Why would telling them they can eat one big meal instead of smaller ones, effect what they choose to eat?

Ahhh bro, don't even worry about it. If you really believe that it's healthy to eat 95 percent of your calories in one sitting, then continue to do so.

PS: I do plan on reading the links you sent. Thanks

perpetuallyfit

Why are you looking at other peoples' diaries anyway? Just keep doing what you are doing and stay happy. Let the others do things the way they find convenient. :indifferent:

I am amazed at the grumbling I read from people who are frustrated with their weight loss journey ... 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. Eating processed crap and frozen meals is okay once in awhile but geez, all the time?

I eat 5 times a day and "try" to make wise choices throughout the day which ultimately lets me eat that much more food. And more wholesome food ... food full of flavour !! It pisses me off to no end when I blow 240 calories on 2 slices of rye bread for pete's sake. I hate it when my Tim Hortons tea costs me 150 calories but there are days when I make the sacrifice. It's not about eliminating the things I love. It's about making better choices. I try and find better alternatives of my favorites by tweaking recipes for healthy options. I still treat myself but know that treating myself means not making a habit out of it ... habits like those turn into bad eating behaviors !

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.

I feel better eating better and although the scale may have gone on strike, I am seeing a big difference in my clothes and how I feel. I log everything I eat, even the days I've eaten deep fried dill pickles. It holds me accountable.
Headaches have subsided, I sleep better, my energy levels are up and I no longer feel lethargic. My workouts are powered better (physically and mentally) and I genuinely feel better knowing I'm taking better care of myself.

If your weight loss journey doesn't challenge you, how does it change you?

nutandbutter

And, this is EXACTLY why I keep my diary private..

Shame on you..

Shame on me? Oh please ... food diaries are made public for a reason.
Go ahead, criticise mine.
That's precisely what I'm here for ... support and constructive criticism.

Actually, your diary isn't open.

SublimelyMe

Love it!

redshoeshelley

And, this is EXACTLY why I keep my diary private..

Shame on you..

Shame on me? Oh please ... food diaries are made public for a reason.
Go ahead, criticise mine.
That's precisely what I'm here for ... support and constructive criticism.

Actually, your diary isn't open.

It most certainly is ...

kaydensmom12

haha usually when people say "no offense" they really mean, to offend you..

If you really want to get in a debate, PM me and we can chat. You may teach me a thing or two.

Soooooo "with all do respect" from looking at your physique, I can tell you that you don't eat all of your calories in one sitting, so why are you evening debating this?

I don't want to take this to PM's because other people can learn from this debate, and taking it to private discussion robs others of that opportunity.

I eat most of my calories in one to two sittings when I am cutting. When I cut from 190 down to 177 and pushing single digit bodyfat%, I was eating two meals and fasting for about 16 hours. (I am bulking now and my current avi is obviously not single digits)

I am not arguing with you for the sake of belittling you, to be clear. Your information, while it makes sense, is outdated and incorrect.

You can find updated nutritional info regarding meal timing and other more modern concepts here:

www.leangains.com
www.alanaragon.com
www.bodyrecomposition.com
www.body-improvements.com

Not all of the above sites advocate things like intermittent fasting, but all of the above sites have CURRENT information and I am willing to bet that, within reason, the above sources would agree that individual meal sizes are nearly, if not completely, irrelevant pertaining to body composition.

Meal size, portion control/etc, are relevant in their contribution to total daily intake , but total daily intake is KING , by a LONGSHOT when it comes to progress.

How those totals are split up in terms of individual meals, outside of medical conditions, will be entirely personal preference and performance based. (I'm rambling here but to be clear, I'm saying there's no physiological concerns about eating all your calories at once. There MAY be behavioral issues or personal preference reasons not to do it).


I am claiming that you can literally focus on total daily intake (of calories and macronutrients), and barring any performance issues or medical conditions, you will make remarkable progress, regardless of how you partition your meals.

Outdated and Incorrect. Go back about 20-30 years ago and review the obesity statistics in America. Now view today's statistics "My information" may be outdated, but incorrect?!? I think not.

Again, we can go back and forth all day about who's right and/or wrong, but I would never tell someone that if they eat 95% of their calories in one meal, they will not only lose weight but also live a healthy lifestyle by doing so.

The guy talking about meal frequency having no effect on metabolism knows what he is talking about. Even if you google meal frequencies effect on metabolism you will not likely see 1 post that agrees with you.

What does the obesity rate 20-30 years ago have to do with the argument, do you have any reviewed journals stating that most people in America eat their meals at one sitting? No, even if you did there would be no way to correlate the information to prove that it was the sole cause of the increased obesity rate in America! Obesity has to do with eating excess calories, not eating excess calories in one meal.

I hope that no one is asking you all for advice on their diaries because you have no idea what you are talking about because this so called "common sense" is something that you are working out in your head without proof!
By the way I have also gone from 34% body fat to 24% and am still going. I usually do not eat breakfast, I often only eat 1-2 times a day and also eat late at night.

nutandbutter

And, this is EXACTLY why I keep my diary private..

Shame on you..

Shame on me? Oh please ... food diaries are made public for a reason.
Go ahead, criticise mine.
That's precisely what I'm here for ... support and constructive criticism.

Actually, your diary isn't open.

It most certainly is ...

Ohhh, you must mean it's open to friends only. Didn't want everyone seeing it and commenting, huh? Gotcha. Mine is friends only too because people make snarky posts about how others eat. :flowerforyou:

BlackRangerX

.

BlackRangerX

The guy talking about meal frequency having no effect on metabolism knows what he is talking about. Even if you google meal frequencies effect on metabolism you will not likely see 1 post that agrees with you.

What does the obesity rate 20-30 years ago have to do with the argument, do you have any reviewed journals stating that most people in America eat their meals at one sitting? No, even if you did there would be no way to correlate the information to prove that it was the sole cause of the increased obesity rate in America! Obesity has to do with eating excess calories, not eating excess calories in one meal.

I hope that no one is asking you all for advice on their diaries because you have no idea what you are talking about because this so called "common sense" is something that you are working out in your head without proof!
By the way I have also gone from 34% body fat to 24% and am still going. I usually do not eat breakfast, I often only eat 1-2 times a day and also eat late at night.

Do me a favor. Go back to page 1 and read everything before getting involved.
[/quote]

kaydensmom12

The guy talking about meal frequency having no effect on metabolism knows what he is talking about. Even if you google meal frequencies effect on metabolism you will not likely see 1 post that agrees with you.

What does the obesity rate 20-30 years ago have to do with the argument, do you have any reviewed journals stating that most people in America eat their meals at one sitting? No, even if you did there would be no way to correlate the information to prove that it was the sole cause of the increased obesity rate in America! Obesity has to do with eating excess calories, not eating excess calories in one meal.

I hope that no one is asking you all for advice on their diaries because you have no idea what you are talking about because this so called "common sense" is something that you are working out in your head without proof!
By the way I have also gone from 34% body fat to 24% and am still going. I usually do not eat breakfast, I often only eat 1-2 times a day and also eat late at night.

Do me a favor. Go back to page 1 and read everything before getting involved.

[/quote]

What makes you think that I didn't? You have been saying the same thing throughout! Am I missing something?

nutandbutter

The guy talking about meal frequency having no effect on metabolism knows what he is talking about. Even if you google meal frequencies effect on metabolism you will not likely see 1 post that agrees with you.

What does the obesity rate 20-30 years ago have to do with the argument, do you have any reviewed journals stating that most people in America eat their meals at one sitting? No, even if you did there would be no way to correlate the information to prove that it was the sole cause of the increased obesity rate in America! Obesity has to do with eating excess calories, not eating excess calories in one meal.

I hope that no one is asking you all for advice on their diaries because you have no idea what you are talking about because this so called "common sense" is something that you are working out in your head without proof!
By the way I have also gone from 34% body fat to 24% and am still going. I usually do not eat breakfast, I often only eat 1-2 times a day and also eat late at night.

Do me a favor. Go back to page 1 and read everything before getting involved.

[/quote]

Do me a favor. Go read the linked sites.

tigersword

Humans evolved eating once every day, sometimes once every few days, depending on availablity of food. They didn't eat 5 or 6 meals a day, and they certainly weren't obese. It's only the last 500 years or so that people have started regularly eating multie meals a day. Certainly nowhere near long enough for us to have evolved any kind of metabolic need for it.

In fact, eating multiple meals a day can cause hormonal imbalances, messing up leptin, insulin, and ghrelin levels.

sunkisses

I've got this same thread filed under "*kitten* Other People Do That Has No Effect on My Life"

future_marathoner

I've lost 70 lbs eating 3 meals a day with occasional snacks. And I eat a a frozen dinner for lunch everyday and sometimes even a frozen smart ones egg scramble for breakfast. Some of us dont have the ability, or have the desire, or have the money to eat non processed food and prepare all of our meals before hand. So I wouldn't pass judgment so quickly. I also think I'm a prime example that its not always when/how/what you eat as long as your under your calories.

ishallnotwant

It pisses me off to no end when I blow 240 calories on 2 slices of rye bread for pete's sake. I hate it when my Tim Hortons tea costs me 150 calories but there are days when I make the sacrifice. It's not about eliminating the things I love. It's about making better choices.

This seems borderline obsessive to me? Freaking out over 240 cals of bread or 150 cals in your coffee? Just go to the gym and work it off.

ETA: I think somebody's a bit grumpypants 'cause others are enjoying junk food and they aren't. Maybe you should go have a burger, fries and a shake. :flowerforyou:

EbbySoo

This thread is like a car accident, I shouldn't watch, but I can't.. stop...

ishallnotwant

I can totally concur with everything you are saying, and I feel that I too am making healthier choices without sacrificing taste or being left feeling hungry. It amazes me everyday the crap I see people putting into their bodies with no remorse for what they are doing. It further amazes me when these same people whine and cry about how they feel bad or have certain health issues. In part, I feel our society is to blame. I am not by any means giving a pass. Just because there is a Krispy Kreme and a McDonald's on every corner doesn't mean you have to stop and feed your inner glutton. Sadly, however, some people will never change and in the end it is and has always been "survival of the fittest". I think Mother Earth rejoices in this fact as she is working ever so hard to support the 6 billion or so people that inhabit her surface. Six billion is triple what she should be able to maintain. So in essence, the gluttonous behavior of the majority of our population is Mother Earth's diet plan to shed a few people.

Be careful, Big Brother is watching you.