The retrospective: 'I can't believe I used to eat that'

For me it was half a cheesecake, Never saw the point in keeping any for the next day! (oops)

for example
Asda lemon cheesecake - half
920 cals
20g fat
98 carbs


this was not unusual - nor ward half a cake and custard or whatever.. My food portions have decreased dramatically and I no longer get 'starving' half an hour later either. something to do with sugar rushes I'm sure.

no going back!

I was worst for alcohol. I would easily drink 3 hard ciders a night - around 220 cals per bottle, so I was drinking almost 700 cals per day without any food on top. I might have one every 2-3 days now. I also switched to lighter wine or wine and soda when I go out - better for waistline and liver.

Food wise, I was terrible for eating a lot of cheese. Like, hacking bits off the block whilst cooking dinner (whilst inevitably drinking alcohol as well). I would always sit with my BF and eat chocolate after dinner as well. I have both now, but I use lower fat cheeses and limit how much chocolate I have. Measure out the portion and stick the bar/bag back in the fridge. And it's clearly treat food, not everyday food.

I still eat at the dreaded McDonald's - just not nearly as often. I set my own damn calorie goal on here, lower than what it told me to - and I exercise and eat healthy enough to stay under it. So far, seems to be working.

Dieting is all about what you do with it.

I got to McD's occasionally still. About once every couple of months.
I have a veggie wrap with choc milkshake and fries.. but as you say.. it's all about what you do with it.. it is a 'treat' in that I love choc milkshake and that is the ONLY time I have one... and the wrap is better than I used to eat.. also leave half the bread. I no longer eat TWO apple pies anymore (can't remember the last time I had one to be honest) but I don't feel ashamed, I am not there as often, and certainly my kids don't ask to go anymore either.

Diet.. is not a word I use now, my lifestyle has change - I eat what I want.. but in moderation and knowing I must EARN it in burning it if it's naughty. lol

A large order of Singapore Rice Noodles and a whole order of Crab Rangoon from my favorite Chinese restaurant.

or

An entire medium veggie pizza from Papa John's or Dominoes.

or

An entire box of instant Mac and Cheese.

There's more, but I won't list it all. This wasn't an every day occurance, but at least once a week I'd binge on one of these things. I ate out alot, too. It's disgusting and embarrassing. I remember doing it, but it's like I don't know that person anymore. It's hard for me to imagine eating that much now.

Thinking about Mcdonalds sort of disgusts me when I truly think about it (or even exam it for too long before eating), but I still eat it actually. In the past I'd probably get a dinner of:

Double Cheeseburger or Fish Filet with a Large Fry and Diet Coke. Maybe a 3 pack of cookies as well. For breakfast, I love their Bacon, Egg & cheese bagels. This was rare though and not something I did regularly, but if I did end up going with friends or my mom or something (for some reason I never really craved it on my own), then that is what I'd get.

Now when I eat at McDonalds, for breakfast I have a canadian bacon, egg and cheese mcmuffin which is only 360 calories compared to the previous bagel I would have had for 560 calories. For lunch or dinner I'll have a McChicken sandwich for 360 with a small fry or skip the fries totally.

I am happy for those folks who can eat completely clean, non fast food and totally disregard any premade stuff. Its a nice aspiration I have for most of the time, but real life creeps up sometimes. In those cases, I want to be informed to make the smartest choice I can.

I used to split two packs of those instant ramen noodles with my mom often for lunch.
Rice cakes, eugh. I don't know why I ever ate those.
My regular order at mcdonald's years ago (this would happen like 1-3x a week, it varied) was large fries, large coke and a crispy chicken burger plain.

Somehow I find this thread super motivating, so I feel compelled to spill my guts about my past guilty pleasure. My favorite meal out was this one at Olive Garden:

Salad
3 Breadsticks
Lasagna
White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake

Calories = 2,310
Fat = 125
Sodium = 5,190

This meal alone is only 90 calories short of my total calorie goal for TWO days! Ugh! I still eat at Olive Garden, but now I share a plate of ravioli with marinara sauce with my daughter, limit the breadsticks, and skip the dessert. I've also swapped out soup for the salad, as the salad dressing has crazy high calories. All things in moderation is my new mantra, and fortunately it's working!

I was worst for alcohol. I would easily drink 3 hard ciders a night - around 220 cals per bottle, so I was drinking almost 700 cals per day without any food on top. I might have one every 2-3 days now. I also switched to lighter wine or wine and soda when I go out - better for waistline and liver.

I used to have Kahlua and Coke whenever I drank. Would have had at least 2 cans worth, plus the sugary Kahlua. Even the thought of it makes me feel nauseous! I've switched to Vodka and Sodawater now. Much better for hangover as well

I went to college at a Big 10 school where there was a 'main street' with a TON of restaurants, and I lived on that main street. Almost daily, I would eat something disgusting. There was a place I *LOVED* called "FAT SANDWICH" and the sandwich I ate was called a "FAT F". It contained CHEESESTEAK, MOZZARELLA STICKS, CHICKEN FINGERS, MAYONAISE KETCHUP AND FRIES. I believe it was 1300 calories.

OK.. I use to eat at Chipotle or Five Guy, those were my two favorite places to eat... so here is my breakdown:

Chipoltle chicken Burrito w/veggies black beans, cheese, sour cream and Guacamole

TOTALS
Calories: 1045
Total Fat (g): 51.5
Saturated Fat (g): 20
Trans Fat: 0
Cholesterol Fat (mg): 185
Sodium (mg): 1810
Carbohydrates (g): 91
Dietary Fiber (g): 10
Sugars (g): 6
Protien (g): 54.5
Vitamine A (%DV): 44%
Vitamine C %DV): 56%
Calcium (%DV): 52%
Iron (%DV): 29%

Five Guys Little CB w/lettuce, mushrooms, green peppers, onions, mayo and A1 sauce

Calories: 774
Cal from Fat: 450
Total Fat (g): 50
Sat Fat (g): 20
Cholesterol (mg) 110
Sodium (mg): 1,760
Carbs (g): 58.5
Fiber (g): 2
Sugars (g): 11.5
Protien (g): 27

YIKES... WOW, now I can't even think about eating at any one these places. To think I use to wonder why I wasn't shedding the pounds but was working out.

Cheeseburger with BBQ sauce on it, green beans(which had been cooked in butter), fries..with BBQ sauce poured on the fries and a big cup of cola.


That had to be about 1000 calories right there lol

I was never that into fast food either. I love things like pasta and bread. Naturally, I LOVE olive garden.

Here is what I would get ( no, not an "everyday" kinda thing, but on weekends and such):

salad (probably two servings): 300 20 3 1520 22 4 4
AT LEAST 2 Breadsticks with garlic-butter spread 280 4 0 740 52 4 10
steak gorgonzola 1310 73 41 2190 82 9 81

All in all, that comes to: 1890 calories...plus all the other stuff.
yuck.

If you truly love pasta & bread, you're doing a disservice to yourself by going to Olive Garden anyway

KFC....It's so bad but soooo good!! Haha

I would have a wicked zinger tower burger meal (tower burger, 2 hot wings, beans, and fries) then I'd stop at mcDonalds for a McFlurry afterwards!! I'm guessing around 1500cals for the KFC and 400for the ice-cream...yea MFP soon put a stop to that one!!

We also regularly had Pizza, I'd have a dominos medium classic crust chicken and jalepeno pizza to myself with a side of chicken kickers - I'd feel good about myself if I "only" are 3/4 of the pizza :blushing: I cant even bring myself to calulate how many calories in that!! Oh and 2 pots of the garlic dip that is over 100cals a pot!!!!

Wow reading that back I'm surprised I'm not even bigger...I would have one of those probably once a week at least...

1 Double Quarter Pounder with Cheese
1 10 piece chicken nugget


Calories 1220
Cholesterol 225mg (74%)
Protein 70g
Calories from Fat 650
Sodium 2260mg (94%)
Vitamin A 550IU (10%)
Total Fat 72g (111%)
Total Carbs 72g (24%)
Vitamin C 4mg (6%)
Saturated Fat 24g (120%)
Dietary Fiber 4g (17%)
Calcium 330mg (35%)
Trans Fat 3g
Sugars 10g
Iron 7.5mg (40%)

Haven't done that for a year, thank goodness. Now My favorite meal is Chipotle. Steak bowl, no rice, cheese or sour cream. Only 510 calories and I don't feel like I have to go lay down and take a nap after I eat it! :laugh:

I loved my Timmies! (Tim Horton's - Canada's favorite doughnut shop)

Every morning XL coffee with 4 cream + 2 sugar ( 450 cal. 28g fat ) Sometimes I'd drink 2 or 3 a day. Then I'd add a Blueberry muffin or a breakfast sandwich. Needless to say it isn't out of the ordinary to have had 1000 calories before I even got to work in the mornings.

I now drink my coffee black and don't eat any muffins that I did not bake myself.