The truth is ugly

Vanessa1977
Vanessa1977 Posts: 101
edited September 21 in Health and Weight Loss
I didn't want to finish my food journal tonight. I knew how bad it would look. The truth is ugly. But I finished it anyways and got to see it in black and white (and red) the numbers are red if they are too high. It made it easier finishing the journal knowing no one else can see it, it's bad enough to have to look at it myself but to have others look at it would be just too much. But I guess that is one of the things that will make this weight loss process successful and different from the ones in the past. I am facing the truth, no matter how ugly it is.

I'm not going to beat myself up too much. I know the first week of this for me is just getting an accurate picture at my eating habits. The first week is not necessarily about changes but more about knowledge, recognition and accountability. The change will come later.

By noon time today I had 400 calories left for the day, when my son asked me why I admitted to the few mountain dews I had this morning. Mountain Dew is my biggest vice, my children call it the green monster.
Of course I know Mountain Dew is bad for me in more ways then one, but I always justified it by saying at least it is not drinking, drugs or smoking (the vices my parents had when I was growing up).

But the thing that really struck me today, when looking over my food diary for the day, my recommended calorie intake for the day is 1600, those calories are beginning to look kind of valuable to me. I easily drink a meals worth of calories everyday. Do I really want to waste my precious calories on a drink?

Although I am disappointed by the totals on my food diary today, I am also recognizing that my mentality is beginning to shift and that makes me happy because in the end that is what will help me maintain any weight loss I acheieve.

The truth today is ugly but it is not permenant, tomorrow I have the amazing opportunity to redefine my truth. I am looking forward to it.
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Replies

  • dumb_blondes_rock
    dumb_blondes_rock Posts: 1,568 Member
    a little start you can do is change from regular mt dew to diet.
  • LongMom
    LongMom Posts: 408 Member
    Thank you for sharing! Great insight into how our minds change as we go through the process. You're a great writer :)
  • leakewh
    leakewh Posts: 91 Member
    I agree...that would be a HUGE help....why would you want to waste that many calories on liquids anyway...going diet would open up calories for good food....
  • Aeriel
    Aeriel Posts: 864 Member
    a little start you can do is change from regular mt dew to diet.

    I'd rather have a single regular pop than as many diet ones as I could choose. The artificial sugars are not processed by your body and can be stored as toxins in your fats. Studies have suggested that aspartame can actually trick your body into gaining weight, rather than helping you lose it by reducing calories.

    Enjoy a regular pop now and then. Buy mini cans so it stays fresh and carbonated. And remember, calories from whole foods make you feel full a lot longer than fluid ones.

    Good luck! Here are a few sites to look at, there are hundreds out there!

    http://www.aspartamekills.com/lydon.htm
    http://www.naturalnews.com/001253.html
    http://www.sweetpoison.com/aspartame-side-effects.html
    http://weightloss.suite101.com/article.cfm/the_side_effects_of_aspartame
  • dumb_blondes_rock
    dumb_blondes_rock Posts: 1,568 Member
    I agree...that would be a HUGE help....why would you want to waste that many calories on liquids anyway...going diet would open up calories for good food....

    The REAL trick is to quit all together...i limit myself to 3 cans of diet dr pepper a day, trying to ween myself off lol. I know that sounds like a lot, but i used to drink a whole liter to myself a day, if not more.
  • camaris
    camaris Posts: 36 Member
    Excellent post. I was shocked to see how many calories the foods I love are worth. For example, Coke. I always looked down on Coke Zero etc but now I am drinking it. Why? Because now calories are like money to me and I want to get my money's worth.

    That is the best thing about keeping a food diary (and I have to admit I am obsessive about it). I can see what I am "spending" and "budget". Now I try and get the most bang for my buck and eat foods that have low calorie to how much they filll my stomach ratio.

    A can of real Coke is a poor investment when a can of Coke Zero is 1 calorie. It sucks, but it will be worth it one day I am sure.
  • dumb_blondes_rock
    dumb_blondes_rock Posts: 1,568 Member
    a little start you can do is change from regular mt dew to diet.

    I'd rather have a single regular pop than as many diet ones as I could choose. The artificial sugars are not processed by your body and can be stored as toxins in your fats. Studies have suggested that aspartame can actually trick your body into gaining weight, rather than helping you lose it by reducing calories.

    Enjoy a regular pop now and then. Buy mini cans so it stays fresh and carbonated. And remember, calories from whole foods make you feel full a lot longer than fluid ones.

    Good luck!

    I'm not even kidding if you open me up and took out a fat cell, i'm sure 80% of it would have been aspartame lol...i think soda all together should be a no no, anything that hasn't came from what god made should be a no no, but in the real world we all have our hangups on certain things.
  • jasonweinberg
    jasonweinberg Posts: 270
    quitting soda was easy for me. i never much liked it anyway. lemonade was my vice, and i can live without it.
  • jasonweinberg
    jasonweinberg Posts: 270
    oh, and beer even more so. that has been hard for me to quit, especially when people around me are drinking it. but i have been loving all the water i drink and yes, all the money i save.
  • techiedude811
    techiedude811 Posts: 1
    A little over a month and a half ago I dropped soda completely. No diet mt dew, no jones cream soda, no coca cola. The only coke I have had was with some Jack (my favorite alcoholic drink which I don't have very often either) at a comedy club while on vacation last weekend. I only drink water and a little juice now and then or some almond milk. I found that I was just wasteing too many calories on an empty drink that did nothing for me. It was an easy decision for me just to STOP. I know for others it is harder to do. I wish you luck with the green monster, you can kick him to the side. YOU CAN DO IT!!!
  • txladybug41
    txladybug41 Posts: 105 Member
    I am making many adjustments to the food I eat and buy to eat, based on what I learn from the food diary. It is a real eye opener. I'm trying out better low calorie/low fat/low carb foods. Some take getting use to eating it. Some taste awful. Experiment the different options out there and incorporate that into your diet. For instance, I love eggs and bacon, but until I started jotting it into my food diary and seeing how much fat and calories it was putting into me, I started experimenting with "Real eggs" substitutes and turkey bacon.. and you know what? It isn't bad at all and it's better for me. I hate wheat bread but have found a white-wheat bread that comes close to the real thing. Key is substitution.

    I think if you're compensating your eating part of your diet with better choices and excercising, than having just one real can/bottle of mountain dew can be ok.. but make it just one can/bottle per week!! I love ice cream too, but I know I can't have that every day. And when I splurge on it , I usually buy the low cal,unsweetened versions that I have found to taste just fine.

    Hope this helps. Best of luck. You can add me as a friend for moral support if you wish. :)
  • debhue75
    debhue75 Posts: 21
    Cheers to you for being so honest and open. :flowerforyou: I too have been in the red lately :sad: but if we aren't honest with ourselfs and omit items from our journals how can we expect a difference when it comes time to weigh in, Thats how I see it anyway. Plus we need to hold ourselves accountable for what we put in our mouths.

    Good luck

    Deb
  • Crysta1976
    Crysta1976 Posts: 184 Member
    a little start you can do is change from regular mt dew to diet.

    I'd rather have a single regular pop than as many diet ones as I could choose. The artificial sugars are not processed by your body and can be stored as toxins in your fats. Studies have suggested that aspartame can actually trick your body into gaining weight, rather than helping you lose it by reducing calories.

    Enjoy a regular pop now and then. Buy mini cans so it stays fresh and carbonated. And remember, calories from whole foods make you feel full a lot longer than fluid ones.

    Good luck! Here are a few sites to look at, there are hundreds out there!

    http://www.aspartamekills.com/lydon.htm
    http://www.naturalnews.com/001253.html
    http://www.sweetpoison.com/aspartame-side-effects.html
    http://weightloss.suite101.com/article.cfm/the_side_effects_of_aspartame


    Thank your for sharing all of this! This has been a point I have tried arguing for so long now...and people just don't get. Or more like, don't want to. It is poison...straight up! I would so much rather count the calories, carbs and sugar!!!
  • Precious_Nissa
    Precious_Nissa Posts: 416
    No do not beat yourself up....we all have those days and moment...NEVER be afraid to include your foods and all in your diary....accountability is your best friend and a true supporter will life you up and not make you feel bad about the mess ups....trust me, we've all had them....
  • 4lafz
    4lafz Posts: 1,078 Member
    OK - you admitted to a public audience so now be done with it. Move on and realize we all make mistakes. Vow to do better tomorrow - and you will. Regarding the Mt Dew - I know it is the WORST soda (on many charts). I was a HUGE coke drinker - like 2 six packs a DAY! I now don't drink it AT ALL and I have not for YEARS. Propel is what I found to take it's place. For my sister it is a carbonated, flavored water. So - go to the grocery store EVERY DAY and try one new one! Try all the flavors as we all have or favorites (I HATE grape Propel). You too will find something to take the place of Mt Dew. Best of luck!
  • kelly_a
    kelly_a Posts: 2,010 Member
    a little start you can do is change from regular mt dew to diet.

    I'd rather have a single regular pop than as many diet ones as I could choose. The artificial sugars are not processed by your body and can be stored as toxins in your fats. Studies have suggested that aspartame can actually trick your body into gaining weight, rather than helping you lose it by reducing calories.

    Enjoy a regular pop now and then. Buy mini cans so it stays fresh and carbonated. And remember, calories from whole foods make you feel full a lot longer than fluid ones.

    Good luck! Here are a few sites to look at, there are hundreds out there!

    http://www.aspartamekills.com/lydon.htm
    http://www.naturalnews.com/001253.html
    http://www.sweetpoison.com/aspartame-side-effects.html
    http://weightloss.suite101.com/article.cfm/the_side_effects_of_aspartame

    agree 100 %

    i started eating "clean" last fall.....however, have not been a pop drinker for a few yrs. but if I do have a pop, maybe once a month or so....you can bet it is gonna be a REAL pop....and maybe even only 1/4 - 1/2 can..the sugar about chokes me!
  • natspoiledbrat
    natspoiledbrat Posts: 133
    a little start you can do is change from regular mt dew to diet.

    I'd rather have a single regular pop than as many diet ones as I could choose. The artificial sugars are not processed by your body and can be stored as toxins in your fats. Studies have suggested that aspartame can actually trick your body into gaining weight, rather than helping you lose it by reducing calories.

    Enjoy a regular pop now and then. Buy mini cans so it stays fresh and carbonated. And remember, calories from whole foods make you feel full a lot longer than fluid ones.

    Good luck! Here are a few sites to look at, there are hundreds out there!

    http://www.aspartamekills.com/lydon.htm
    http://www.naturalnews.com/001253.html
    http://www.sweetpoison.com/aspartame-side-effects.html
    http://weightloss.suite101.com/article.cfm/the_side_effects_of_aspartame

    I totally agree. I started drinking Diet Dr. Pepper back around 1999. I drank it everyday for about 3 years. I didn't realize until I had stopped drinking it that I actually gained weight, and more importantly that it was the cause of the migraine headaches that I suffered from for those 3 years. As soon as I stopped drinking Diet DP, I stopped getting headaches.

    I know exactly how you feel. I am totally addicted to Coke. I would rather skip a meal and be able to drink a coke. I have cut back from 7-10 cokes a day to only 1. This has been a huge change for me, and it has been difficult, but I know that if I could do it, you can too! Good luck and way to have such a positive attitude on what is to come!
  • bree5291
    bree5291 Posts: 50
    It's so great you're realizing what will benefit you. Nothing but luck and love to you.
  • lisacarole
    lisacarole Posts: 11
    Water, water, water . . . make it inviting by buying yourself a PUR or BRITA pitcher, and then a cool (BPA free) water jug.
    I can't believe it, but in less than two weeks, I no longer crave the Coke Zero and Diet Coke that I used to have every morning.
    Good Luck!
  • 123nikki123
    123nikki123 Posts: 527
    :drinker: Cheers to you for admitting your bad habits!!! That is the first step :smile: I wish you the best of luck in breaking the habit...remind yourself that you are wasting precious calories, maybe that will help. I wish I got as many as you...I only get 1200 a day :sad:
  • camaris
    camaris Posts: 36 Member
    Yes, I have cut down so much by simply having a jug of water and everytime I would ahve had soft drink or cofeee having a glass of water. Helps with hunger too, I drink about four glasses while eating a meal.
  • marciml
    marciml Posts: 41
    The daily diary is a very helpful tool for realizing exactly what we are doing to ourselves. I just joined yesterday and have been a hard time in the evenings. I went crazy last night and ate anything not nailed down. I logged in every bit of it. WOW! You are so right, seeing those numbers staring back really make you see the power we have to make changes for ourselves. You can substitute something else yummy in place of those mountain dews. Maybe try a flavored tea, or the store brand carbonated waters. They are all super low cals, if they have any at all. They give you the fizzy goodness and provide an excellent water bottle to refill a time or two or three with water. Its easy to count your water intake when its in a measured bottle. Make a goal, perhaps, for every fizzy drink-you drink the same in water. For me, Diet Coke was my vice. I discovered very quickly when I started my weight change, that when I drank that wonderful drink, it made me crave other goodies that I didn't even think about when I didn't drink the Coke. Its just a thought, but maybe if you can kick the Dew right off the bat, you will have easier success for the journey of weight loss.
  • Rmeikel
    Rmeikel Posts: 35
    You have some great insights here. I feel the same way many times. The truth can be ugly, but so are some of my habits. Many of them have become habits, because I have "let go" of the responsibility of tracking. I know I have some very good habits too. I know that my good outweighs my bad.

    I see even days that I don't make my goals as information. If you don't track, the chance that you will mess up more often than not is high.

    What has accelerated my weight loss was the exercise. If you love the mtn. dew, make a deal with yourself to exercise those calories that way. If I want one can, I need to do this much exercise. My vice is slurpees! If I walk my dogs for 30 minutes, I can have my favorite flavor! This way, I can really evaluate if it's something I really want!

    This is just feedback. Those numbers don't define who you are ... they give you information about how you are doing. The fact that you do your journal is a good sign! You are holding yourself accountable. Keep going sista!
  • HealthyChanges2010
    HealthyChanges2010 Posts: 5,831 Member


    I'm not going to beat myself up too much. I know the first week of this for me is just getting an accurate picture at my eating habits. The first week is not necessarily about changes but more about knowledge, recognition and accountability. The change will come later.
    This is the part that shined the brightest for me in your entire post, you're getting it!! The first week and you are SO GETTING IT!!:flowerforyou:

    Becca:drinker:
  • candican
    candican Posts: 96
    You're so right. When you log everything you can sit back and see it in writing...like, OK, I see why I'm not losing weight. You can't get on that poor me attitude anymore and make all these excuses of why your life is so hard and how every body else can lose weight except for you..LOL (that's how I think). Now I can see exactly what I'm doing incorrectly and what I'm doing right. When I mess up, I can say, OK, well I got to accept I'm not losing a 1lB this week cause I ate all that pizza and pasta..LOL. It's such a great tool and you're doing great by reflecting on it!
  • dgroulx
    dgroulx Posts: 159 Member
    You always need to be honest with yourself. There is no sense not recording food or drinks that you consume. I love diet Mountain Dew. I work overnight and my 2 diet dews do a great job of keeping me alert in the hospital (and I need to be!)
  • xarra
    xarra Posts: 128 Member
    In a week I've gone from drinking a 1 litre bottle or more of coke a DAY to drinking tesco basic lemon squash at 3 cal a glass. And I'm not missing it. I can have a 63 cal 150ml can if I REALLY want as a treat...

    I'm already feeling better. :)
  • LotusF1ower
    LotusF1ower Posts: 1,259 Member
    I didn't want to finish my food journal tonight. I knew how bad it would look. The truth is ugly. But I finished it anyways and got to see it in black and white (and red) the numbers are red if they are too high. It made it easier finishing the journal knowing no one else can see it, it's bad enough to have to look at it myself but to have others look at it would be just too much. But I guess that is one of the things that will make this weight loss process successful and different from the ones in the past. I am facing the truth, no matter how ugly it is.

    I'm not going to beat myself up too much. I know the first week of this for me is just getting an accurate picture at my eating habits. The first week is not necessarily about changes but more about knowledge, recognition and accountability. The change will come later.

    By noon time today I had 400 calories left for the day, when my son asked me why I admitted to the few mountain dews I had this morning. Mountain Dew is my biggest vice, my children call it the green monster.
    Of course I know Mountain Dew is bad for me in more ways then one, but I always justified it by saying at least it is not drinking, drugs or smoking (the vices my parents had when I was growing up).

    But the thing that really struck me today, when looking over my food diary for the day, my recommended calorie intake for the day is 1600, those calories are beginning to look kind of valuable to me. I easily drink a meals worth of calories everyday. Do I really want to waste my precious calories on a drink?

    Although I am disappointed by the totals on my food diary today, I am also recognizing that my mentality is beginning to shift and that makes me happy because in the end that is what will help me maintain any weight loss I acheieve.

    The truth today is ugly but it is not permenant, tomorrow I have the amazing opportunity to redefine my truth. I am looking forward to it.

    You are now at your turning point and turning the corner, at last!

    WTG, the best thing that happens is when you finally see the truth and all it entailed - granted it may make you feel sick, but at least now you know and can move onwards!

    I reckon you will be massively successful in your weight loss because you faced up to it all.

    Your posting is an inspiration and totally honest. Never lose your honesty, it will be that that will save you and to make it better, that honesty is the real you.

    The very best in your weight loss programme, if anybody can succeed, I reckon it will be you. :flowerforyou:
  • jasonweinberg
    jasonweinberg Posts: 270
    camaris you might want to experiment with not drinking water during your meals. its obviously great to drink lots of water but during meals really is not the best time. it can stretch your stomach some and while it make make you feel fuller at the time it moves your food out of your stomach more quickly leading to you feeling hungry again more quickly. it can also effect your digestion process by having the food leave your stomach more quickly. i find that by not drinking with my meeals the feeling of fullness stays with me longer. if i have to drink with my meal, i try to keep it to a few small sips. works for me, might work for you.
  • krinio
    krinio Posts: 138 Member
    Regarding fizzy drink addictions:wink: I was completely addicted until recently. I was never a bi coke fan but I LOVED diet coke, I preferred the taste. Anyway, I know it's really bad for you. I've went from a can a day to one a week. You can gradually cut it back until it's completely gone. My next step is to cut it out for good!
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