New here .. good things to come ?

Kevalicious99 · September 2013

I am new here and have been trying to lose a little weight. I am at about 197 lbs now and want to get to my goal weight of 160 lbs. I am on a little diet now ... as follows. Wondering what you guys think about it ?

Breakfast 2 packets of Quaker Plain Oatmeal. Just plain ... yum right.
Lunch A can of flaked tuna and can of green beans (once a week on Wednesdays. Can only do 2 cans of tuna a week due to mercury concerns). On other days .. I am having a Healthy Choice Gourmet Steamer .. are these things really healthy ?
Snack .. smoothie. Usually baby carrots, yogourt, banana and frozen fruit.
Supper Same as lunch. Either tuna and beans or Gourmet Steamer.
Snack another smoothie.

I have these 2.5 hours apart ... so usually 11 am, 1:30 pm, 4 pm, 6:30 pm and 9 pm

So far I have lost 1 lb, though I have been on this diet for 3 days now.

Is is reasonable to expect a 2 lb weight loss per week ? (this is my goal amount of weight loss)

Cranquistador · September 2013

I think the best thing you can do is join this group.
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/10118-eat-train-progress

Start reading here:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/833026-important-posts-to-read

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/819925-the-basics-don-t-complicate-it
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/819055-setting-your-calorie-and-macro-targets

and whatever else you have time for.

A lot of people start a diet program and set calories way low, or expect to lose to quickly, or restrict themselves from what they consider "bad' food and wind up being miserable.

good luck:flowerforyou:

4legsRbetterthan2 · September 2013

2 lbs a week is not unreasonable, but if you don't have alot of weight to lose you might want to aim more for 1lb/week but its up to you. You diet sounds fine, you can hemm and haww all you want over specific foods but if you have found a way of eating that you can continue with and get the results you want then stick with it. The only thing I would say is if you start incorperating exercise make sure you refuel well if you stay at a 2/lb per week deficite so you take care of your muscles.

Ophidion · September 2013

I think the best thing you can do is join this group.
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/10118-eat-train-progress

Start reading here:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/833026-important-posts-to-read

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/819925-the-basics-don-t-complicate-it
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/819055-setting-your-calorie-and-macro-targets

and whatever else you have time for.

A lot of people start a diet program and set calories way low, or expect to lose to quickly, or restrict themselves from what they consider "bad' food and wind up being miserable.

good luck:flowerforyou:

Also meal timing doesn't really have a impact on weight loss, it is more of a preference thing OP (waits for hordes of IF members)...

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/820577-meal-frequency-rev-up-that-furnace-lol

laserturkey · September 2013

Losing weight doesn't mean you have to eat plain oatmeal and tuna all the time! Set your goal to lose 1 pound a week and enjoy the foods you love as long as you can fit them in to your calorie and macro goals. You will probably want to raise your protein goal over what MFP gives you, since they go really low with that for some reason. Do check out the links Cranquistador posted. There's good stuff there.

LishieFruit89 · September 2013

Dude, eat real and varied food.

You can still eat steak & potatoes, chicken & sauteed asparagus, pork chops with onions & apple sauce, etc rather than a tin of tuna with green beans or some frozen meal.

Your life will be far more enjoyable if you eat a variety of food rather than what you've listed.

Plain oatmeal doesn't need to be plain...
Add cinnamon, raisins, maple syrup, apples, brown sugar, etc. (not necessarily all at once - though it could be yummy)

Cranquistador · September 2013

Dude, eat real and varied food.

You can still eat steak & potatoes, chicken & sauteed asparagus, pork chops with onions & apple sauce, etc rather than a tin of tuna with green beans or some frozen meal.

Your life will be far more enjoyable if you eat a variety of food rather than what you've listed.

Plain oatmeal doesn't need to be plain...
Add cinnamon, raisins, maple syrup, apples, brown sugar, etc. (not necessarily all at once - though it could be yummy)

now I am hungry.

LishieFruit89 · September 2013

Dude, eat real and varied food.

You can still eat steak & potatoes, chicken & sauteed asparagus, pork chops with onions & apple sauce, etc rather than a tin of tuna with green beans or some frozen meal.

Your life will be far more enjoyable if you eat a variety of food rather than what you've listed.

Plain oatmeal doesn't need to be plain...
Add cinnamon, raisins, maple syrup, apples, brown sugar, etc. (not necessarily all at once - though it could be yummy)

now I am hungry.

Sorry Cranq!

OP, don't forget the salmon with zucchini & summer squash, turkey with sweet potatoes, BLTs (I'm now just doing this for Cranq lol)

csuson · September 2013

I'm new too. Have had two mini strokes after a lifetime of being heavy. Now I need to get serious about losing. However, I agree with some of the other posts as well. Losing weight shouldn't be about giving up on tasty food. It should be about making good choices and I believe varying your diet will stop you from being tempted as much to cheat. Of course, a big part of it is not just eating but exercise (which is were I often fail). I would think staying with fresh veggies and fruit over canned or processed is good. However, I think one of the things you have to look out for in those prepared meals are stuff like high salt content and whatnot. If you can make the meal yourself from fresh ingredients, you are probably better off.

askeates · September 2013

I think the best thing you can do is join this group.
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/10118-eat-train-progress

Start reading here:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/833026-important-posts-to-read

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/819925-the-basics-don-t-complicate-it
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/819055-setting-your-calorie-and-macro-targets

and whatever else you have time for.

A lot of people start a diet program and set calories way low, or expect to lose to quickly, or restrict themselves from what they consider "bad' food and wind up being miserable.

good luck:flowerforyou:

Also meal timing doesn't really have a impact on weight loss, it is more of a preference thing OP (waits for hordes of IF members)...

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/820577-meal-frequency-rev-up-that-furnace-lol

A couple of things, go to these people they are AWESOME!!!! They lay out some very good guidelines that work, AND if you need help they really and truely help!

Second, you really should try to steer clear of pre-packaged/highly processed foods, they are filled with sodium and that will cause water retention.

Speaking of water, I didn't see any mention of it... you need to make sure you keep your body hydrated, lots of water!

And like the post above, meal timing really isn't majorly important.... except if you have restricted yourself calorie wise so much that you are hungry all the time. If you find this to be the case you need to consider doing something that is more maintainable - this should be a lifestyle change, not a diet - that being said, you want to make this something that will easily be followed.

2 pounds a week initially will be good, but with you not having that much to lose, you will get frustrated very quick if you come to expect that every single week. The closer you get to your goal weight, the more slowly it comes off. But this is not a bad thing.... remember it took time to put the weight on, so to be effective, it will take time to get it to come off. Slow and steady really does win the race in weight loss ! Best of luck :drinker:

EvgeniZyntx · September 2013

Hi OP,

Just saw your post based on another post you placed.

Depending on how much you have to lose - the answer to "is 2lbs per week unreasonable" is yes, no, maybe.
It depends on your goals - weight loss at any price? Maintain LBM? Develop fitness?

If you plan to train, become a strong animal and general kick-ass - defecits should be small and training hard.
If all you care about is losing the weight while health, esthetics and strength matter less then any drastic cut method will work - for a while.

See Cranquistador's post - she has the main of it. Ask any nutrtion/food questions to the boards - you'll get good (and some bad advice.)

But most of all focus on a reasonable deficit that meats your goals, eat variety and meet your macros. Do things for fitness and don't worry about the rest.

Meal timing is not necessary
"Clean" eating is less important than nutritional balance and variety.

The rest, you'll figure it out.

LoraF83 · September 2013

Hi OP,

Just saw your post based on another post you placed.

Depending on how much you have to lose - the answer to "is 2lbs per week unreasonable" is yes, no, maybe.
It depends on your goals - weight loss at any price? Maintain LBM? Develop fitness?

If you plan to train, become a strong animal and general kick-ass - defecits should be small and training hard.
If all you care about is losing the weight while health, esthetics and strength matter less then any drastic cut method will work - for a while.

See Cranquistador's post - she has the main of it. Ask any nutrtion/food questions to the boards - you'll get good (and some bad advice.)

But most of all focus on a reasonable deficit that meats your goals, eat variety and meet your macros. Do things for fitness and don't worry about the rest.

Meal timing is not necessary
"Clean" eating is less important than nutritional balance and variety.

The rest, you'll figure it out.

^What he said (and what Cranquistador said).

Kevalicious99 · September 2013

First of all ... sorry for not getting back here sooner. But being new here I am still trying to figure out how to do things here. Re your comments, they are appreciated.

I should mention .. that I do not cook. Like I just don't cook. So that is a factor in what I eat. I know, processed food is not the best option for me but the "Gourmet Steamers" are reasonably healthy from what I have seen and even though they have some sodium, I am still way below the recommended daily amount allowed.

I really don't mind the food I am eating .. I really only get a home cooked meal when I go to my parents for supper.
I have reduced my goal to 1.5 lbs a week .. as I think that is better for me. It took me 5 years to put it on .. so it will not come off overnight, I am well aware and accepting of this.

Re the exercise .. I am working towards this, but it will take me a little bit to get into it. I am not one who likes to be pushed, as I will just resist. I do things in my own time and I am pretty happy with that.

I wish you all success in your journeys and thanks for the advice.

EvgeniZyntx · September 2013

Welcome!

Here's the shocker - those processed foods are ok (although getting fresh fruit and vegetables is essential ...yada yada, variety is important) and you have really no need to worry about sodium unless you have specific clearance issues.

Small changes that stick are better than going all out and dropping everything.

Best of luck.

Kevalicious99 · September 2013

I have upped my calories to 1440 per day as I was going over (my 2 smoothies are alone about 600 calories). I am not finding things to bad, even my oatmeal in the morning is not too bad. I am getting used to it.

I am a very very motivated person when I set my mind to do something. So I am not worried about having too many problems.

I am not at the point where I want to go out and exercise. I just am not there yet. Baby steps. I figure I have made enough changes for a while. I hate change .. so that part of it is challenging.

I used to be a chronic Diet Pepsi drinker .. and had issues with junk food binges, so I am happy that I am having some better choices in my life now. Sure it maybe isn't what everyone else seems to be doing .. but I am happy with my choices.

I am not worried about the processed food part of it .. as they are apparently not the worst thing I could be doing.

Thanks for all your advice. I am just on the beginning of my journey .. so I still have a long way to go to meeting my goals.

New here .. good things to come ?

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