Quesiton about eating habits....

gudiiya

I have a question about eating habits. I usually plan my day and try to do the best that I could but lately, I have been questioning myself. I plan to have my oatmeal in the morning and then at lunch I will have my veggie sandwich but indulge in fig newtons and tea. I try to have protein shakes throughout the day because I am a vegetarian and I don’t get enough.

Before Jan, I used to eat whatever I want and think that doing exercise would help. Well it did but it just made me maintain my weight. Since January, I have started to exercise 6 times a week doing various things like, lifting weights (alternating between upper and lower body), Zumba, Hip Hop Class, interval training on treadmill and elliptical. I have tried to make healthier decisions and have learned a lot in the past 4 months, but I know I have to learn more.

Does anyone have a set rule on how many times they will eat out or how many times they will indulge in a certain time frame and has resulted in losing weight? For example, till now I have been having what I have planned to eat, but will indulge in Jalapeno poppers full serving. Mid Feb, I decided to make that ½ order and these days I have only 1. Now, I debating if I should just cut out all fried foods all together? Limit pizza to only once a month?

Sorry for the rambling but I am just curious what “rule” people have. I know this is a lifestyle change so I indulge in just 1 popper, but maybe I have to bump it up a notch. Weekends are hard for me still but I am trying to work on it. Emotional eating is also a problem but I am getting better with that as well…

leslisa

I have a cheat day once a week. I still log my calories, but I add 600 that day. 600 is a lot of calories for me. I don't count sodium or fat that day either. Also, I have learned to eat modified versions of what I love throughout the week.

No more stuffed crust pizza, now it's thin crust chicken margarita (240 cals for 1/3 pizza and others are lower).

No more ice cream, now it's low-fat Rediwhip canned whipped cream between cinnamon graham crackers and frozen (yummy - 75 cals).

Can't get into a veggie sandwich thing, cause I love the whole wheat bread I eat (2 slices = 100 cals) with sliced Turkey (50 cals), tomato (12 cals), lettuce (10 cals), and Helmann's low-fat mayo (15 cal).

Check out the recipe area of MFP. It's awesome for finding rewarding food that tastes great, too.

lmelangley

I eat what I want when I want it, but work to fit the calories within my goals for the day. So, if I want extra calories at lunch, I have to eat a smaller dinner. If I want cheese on my hamburger, I'll forego something else. It's all a give and take and as long as I "own" the calories, I don't consider anything off limits. What's interesting is that although I could eat nothing but junk food, I find myself eating healthier and healthier because healthier food has fewer calories, which means I can eat more of it- especially things like roasted vegetables. Plus, I find the healthier I eat, the better I feel and the healthier my skin looks.

leslisa

I eat what I want when I want it, but work to fit the calories within my goals for the day. So, if I want extra calories at lunch, I have to eat a smaller dinner. If I want cheese on my hamburger, I'll forego something else. It's all a give and take and as long as I "own" the calories, I don't consider anything off limits. What's interesting is that although I could eat nothing but junk food, I find myself eating healthier and healthier because healthier food has fewer calories, which means I can eat more of it- especially things like roasted vegetables. Plus, I find the healthier I eat, the better I feel and the healthier my skin looks.

I love roasted zucchini or yellow squash with chili pepper or hot sauce. It is "da bomb".

rjt1000

as long as you are hitting your calorie goals, you should be fine. Are you losing weight? based on your diary, you should be as you are 500+ calories under almost every day. If you aren't losing weight (pound a week or more) then maybe you're underestimating the calories you're really eating.

I eat random stuff all the time. I go on streaks, eat same items day after day for 3 or 4 weeks. Mostly healthy stuff but every week or so I go off reservation and eat 500-800 calories over my goal. Oh well, the next day is the first day of the rest of my life so why kick myself, right?