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OPINIONS AND EXPERIENCE NEEDED

shabrick00
shabrick00 Posts: 141 Member
edited February 5 in Health and Weight Loss
So I am not doing the whole clean eating thing as of now. Im trying portion control method. It seems like it is something I can do long term. Do you know of any successful people doing portion control and working out?
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Replies

  • teesfood
    teesfood Posts: 77
    Hey Ms. Shabrick! I too am embarking on the portion control and working out journey. I dont have any tips for you yet (I just started Sept 16th) but just came thru to offer encouragement. My eyes have been opened to the wonderful world of roasting veggies (not sure your preference on those) since I started eating better. I work out twice a day - 1/2 hr @ 5:30am and 1/2 hr about 8:30 or 9. I'm a single mom so I'm always pressed for time. Anywho - stay encouraged and remember that slow and steady wins the race boo! Hope to hear about your progession soon! God bless & take care =)
  • Mokey41
    Mokey41 Posts: 5,769 Member
    Pretty much everyone here is doing calorie counting in some form. You don't have to eat "clean" to lose weight. I actually have never figured out what that means. Just stay in your budget and it's all good.
  • Holly_Roman_Empire
    Holly_Roman_Empire Posts: 4,440 Member
    Hello, I am. I think I've eaten pizza 3 days this last week, and I've had Lindor chocolate truffles every day after dinner. Haven't gained anything. :-) To be truthful though, I haven't lost anything either for the last 3 weeks, but I don't have much to lose. I'm meeting fitness goals and my measurements are improving, so I'm satisfied. :-D

    ETA: I should mention I lost 25 pounds just doing portion control, and that was eating pretty much whatever I wanted, just in smaller portions. :-)
  • lucan07
    lucan07 Posts: 509
    I eat normal food, no difference to before joining MFP apart from maybe portion sizes some smaller potatoes bread etc some larger vegetables etc. Since 12 August 2013 I have dropped 10.5kg in weight with no problem, an example today

    Breakfast (2 slices home made bread, 2 rashers bacon, 1 egg, 1/2 tin tomatoes, 2 coffee with skimmed milk total 514cal)
    Lunch (Roast potatoes 100g Yorkshire Puddings 3, Gravy, 200g Roast chicken breast, 200g Green Beans, 160g Peas 700cal)
    total so far 1214 cal,
    Exercise 54 mins = 705 cals

    so only 512 calories up dinner will be (Home made bread, sardines, coffee) and my calories will way be under 1370 allowance.
  • hopefaithlove24
    hopefaithlove24 Posts: 454 Member
    I do the portion control way, am not a great example as I don't have to lose too much, but so far in about 2/3 months I lost 14lbs so ya it works for me:) Def would try to workout with it tho!
  • shabrick00
    shabrick00 Posts: 141 Member
    :happy: :laugh:
    Hey Ms. Shabrick! I too am embarking on the portion control and working out journey. I dont have any tips for you yet (I just started Sept 16th) but just came thru to offer encouragement. My eyes have been opened to the wonderful world of roasting veggies (not sure your preference on those) since I started eating better. I work out twice a day - 1/2 hr @ 5:30am and 1/2 hr about 8:30 or 9. I'm a single mom so I'm always pressed for time. Anywho - stay encouraged and remember that slow and steady wins the race boo! Hope to hear about your progession soon! God bless & take care =)
    Thanks for your encouragement. I started portion control and eating very slow on 09/11 and have lost 7lbs to date with no working out...I will incorporate some excercise starting tonight! I too am thinking about working out twice daily. Zumba in the morning and cardio in the evenings after work.
  • Fitnin6280
    Fitnin6280 Posts: 618 Member
    Yep that really is all it takes!
  • shabrick00
    shabrick00 Posts: 141 Member
    Pretty much everyone here is doing calorie counting in some form. You don't have to eat "clean" to lose weight. I actually have never figured out what that means. Just stay in your budget and it's all good.
    thanks for the information.
  • shabrick00
    shabrick00 Posts: 141 Member
    Hello, I am. I think I've eaten pizza 3 days this last week, and I've had Lindor chocolate truffles every day after dinner. Haven't gained anything. :-) To be truthful though, I haven't lost anything either for the last 3 weeks, but I don't have much to lose. I'm meeting fitness goals and my measurements are improving, so I'm satisfied. :-D

    ETA: I should mention I lost 25 pounds just doing portion control, and that was eating pretty much whatever I wanted, just in smaller portions. :-)
    cool thanks!
  • shabrick00
    shabrick00 Posts: 141 Member
    I do the portion control way, am not a great example as I don't have to lose too much, but so far in about 2/3 months I lost 14lbs so ya it works for me:) Def would try to workout with it tho!
    will do. I joined 24hr fitness last night. meeting with trainer tonight!
  • shabrick00
    shabrick00 Posts: 141 Member
    Yep that really is all it takes!
    Great!
  • bookworm_847
    bookworm_847 Posts: 1,903 Member
    Hello, I am. I think I've eaten pizza 3 days this last week, and I've had Lindor chocolate truffles every day after dinner.

    That sounds delightful. :heart:

    I've lost 30 pounds eating whatever I want, but watching the portion sizes. I've hit some stalls here and there, but you can make little adjustments and get going again.

    Good luck :)
  • gailmelanie
    gailmelanie Posts: 210 Member
    Potion control is something most people should practice. You just need to learn what a portion is for the foods you like, make sure you are measuring your portions correctly and precisely and put them all together to stay within your calorie allowance. The good thing about this is that you can eat anything you want, but the hard part is that if you eat bacon, cookies and ice cream, you don't get to eat very much before you've reached your calorie limit for the day. That's why green vegetables are good for every-day eating. They take up a lot of space in your stomach, don't have many calories, but do have a lot of nutrients. Set aside one meal per week to indulge a little. That will keep you satisfied so you can keep going with limiting your intake. And of course, drink lots of water. It is absolutely true that many people, if not most, will think they are hungry when they are actually thirsty. So, drink water until you know you are really hungry, then have a planned, portion-controlled snack or meal. Good luck on your journey!
  • ReinasWrath
    ReinasWrath Posts: 1,173 Member
    Yes!! Tons of drool worthy people have been wildly successful following that method. I'm not one of those drool worthy, wildly successful people I speak of, BUT I did lose a little under 40lbs by following that method :)
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    Yes. Eating clean is not necessary for weight loss. You just need a calorie deficit.
  • Nikoruo
    Nikoruo Posts: 771 Member
    I've been doing portion control and am doing great. Just eat things you want or crave just have smaller amounts because you'll have to work your day around it. I avoid having stuff that has transfat completely and as for everything else i'm fine as long as i control the amount haha
  • MinnieInMaine
    MinnieInMaine Posts: 6,400 Member
    Right here! Thankfully it hit me early on in this final attempt to lose the weight that portion control is the only way this is going to work for me long term. Every other diet attempt included cutting most of the foods I loved out and that is no bueno.

    I'm not a clean eater by any stretch but I do try to make the healthiest choices I can most of the time - plenty of fruits, veg and whole grains. I have pizza, chinese or thai food at least once a week (it's my night off from cooking) and although I mostly try to make the best choices, there are some things I just won't compromise on. I tried thin crust pizza but it just wasn't filling enough so I stick to regular crust and get veg toppings (most of the time anyway) and only eat a few pieces of a medium pie instead of the half of a large loaded I used to eat. When we get chinese or thai, I try to stick to the veg and chicken dishes, limit my noodle/rice intake and then go ahead and have a crab rangoon or two.

    There are some foods I cut out or at least cut way down on, sure, but it was because they just weren't that worth it to me. I'd rather use my calories for a pizza dinner than a glass of wine or a cookie. For some people, a glass of wine is more priority so they eat light to allow for drinks. Whatever works for you!

    And exercise helps a lot! If you get a good burn in, you earn enough calories to cover it! Definitely a good reward for getting healthy with activity.
  • CyberEd312
    CyberEd312 Posts: 3,536 Member
    I don't believe in putting food into categories of good or bad.... I eat within my Caloric intake and hit my main Macro's (Carbs, Proteins, and Fats) so yes moderation and portion control are a key component and it has served me well...... Best of Luck
  • Swiftdogs
    Swiftdogs Posts: 328 Member
    Portion control is the way to go for long-term success. If you eat processed foods, though, remember to look at your sodium if your weight loss stalls. If your sodium is high (and some processed foods have crazy numbers), you'll retain water. It's temporary, but annoying.
  • shabrick00
    shabrick00 Posts: 141 Member
    Potion control is something most people should practice. You just need to learn what a portion is for the foods you like, make sure you are measuring your portions correctly and precisely and put them all together to stay within your calorie allowance. The good thing about this is that you can eat anything you want, but the hard part is that if you eat bacon, cookies and ice cream, you don't get to eat very much before you've reached your calorie limit for the day. That's why green vegetables are good for every-day eating. They take up a lot of space in your stomach, don't have many calories, but do have a lot of nutrients. Set aside one meal per week to indulge a little. That will keep you satisfied so you can keep going with limiting your intake. And of course, drink lots of water. It is absolutely true that many people, if not most, will think they are hungry when they are actually thirsty. So, drink water until you know you are really hungry, then have a planned, portion-controlled snack or meal. Good luck on your journey!
    Good information! Im on a program called Naturally Slim and it teaches that sometimes we think we are hungry but are actually thirsty and I found that to be true. especially when I wake up in the mornings!
  • icimani
    icimani Posts: 1,454 Member
    I eat cleanER but certainly not clean, by any means. I like wings and pizza too much!

    And I think you're on the right track - it has to be something you can maintain in the long term, both in your diet and the exercising. One of the best investments I made was digital kitchen scale so I could figure out just what a single portion is. It's something that takes a little bit of time initially, but now I don't even think about it.

    And - remember this:

    521475_10151636449745200_1133158168_n.jpg
  • ldrosophila
    ldrosophila Posts: 7,512 Member
    portion control got me pregnant so beware LOL
  • Inshape13
    Inshape13 Posts: 680 Member
    I did Weight Watchers 7 years ago and lost 67lbs with portion control and not really changing what I ate, but just cutting back. It was good as long as I stuck to the smaller portions....then when I hit maintenance I gained it all back plus some because I never learned proper nutrition. If you are trying to lose pounds it will work for you, just keep in mind that cutting back to smaller amounts of junk food is not going to lead to better health if you are losing weight to address medical concerns. I lost weight this time to lower my blood pressure and blood sugar was getting high so I took that into account.

    Personally if it works for you, then go for it. You can always go back and re-assess after you hit some weight loss goals and work on the nutrition side of it and fueling your body with food. Best of luck with your weight loss!
  • shabrick00
    shabrick00 Posts: 141 Member
    This is what my thought process was. I have tried so many things and nothing seems to work. I figure if I do portion control I dont have to be deprived of the foods I love which I believe that I CAN be successful...I am so thankful for this site i could cry. People have so much success and so much encouragement so much inspiration its unbelievable. THANK YOU EVERYONE! :cry:
  • shabrick00
    shabrick00 Posts: 141 Member
    portion control got me pregnant so beware LOL
    OH MY!!
  • shabrick00
    shabrick00 Posts: 141 Member
    I eat cleanER but certainly not clean, by any means. I like wings and pizza too much!

    And I think you're on the right track - it has to be something you can maintain in the long term, both in your diet and the exercising. One of the best investments I made was digital kitchen scale so I could figure out just what a single portion is. It's something that takes a little bit of time initially, but now I don't even think about it.

    And - remember this:

    521475_10151636449745200_1133158168_n.jpg
    THANKS! I have always wanted to get one of those. Will definitely invest in one
  • qtgonewild
    qtgonewild Posts: 1,930 Member
    I do the portion control way, am not a great example as I don't have to lose too much, but so far in about 2/3 months I lost 14lbs so ya it works for me:) Def would try to workout with it tho!
    will do. I joined 24hr fitness last night. meeting with trainer tonight!

    that is so awesome. i havent gotten the balls yet to go to a gym. congratulations.
  • shabrick00
    shabrick00 Posts: 141 Member
    I do the portion control way, am not a great example as I don't have to lose too much, but so far in about 2/3 months I lost 14lbs so ya it works for me:) Def would try to workout with it tho!
    will do. I joined 24hr fitness last night. meeting with trainer tonight!

    that is so awesome. i havent gotten the balls yet to go to a gym. congratulations.
    thank you! I just feel like going to the gym and seeing others workout, it motivates me. I could have easily made the decision to work out in my apt complex but once I go through those gates Im going home. My head is not that strong yet...lol
  • Holly_Roman_Empire
    Holly_Roman_Empire Posts: 4,440 Member
    This is what my thought process was. I have tried so many things and nothing seems to work. I figure if I do portion control I dont have to be deprived of the foods I love which I believe that I CAN be successful...I am so thankful for this site i could cry. People have so much success and so much encouragement so much inspiration its unbelievable. THANK YOU EVERYONE! :cry:

    What no one has mentioned yet though, is that logging EVERYTHING is the key to that success.
  • Holly_Roman_Empire
    Holly_Roman_Empire Posts: 4,440 Member
    I do the portion control way, am not a great example as I don't have to lose too much, but so far in about 2/3 months I lost 14lbs so ya it works for me:) Def would try to workout with it tho!
    will do. I joined 24hr fitness last night. meeting with trainer tonight!

    that is so awesome. i havent gotten the balls yet to go to a gym. congratulations.
    thank you! I just feel like going to the gym and seeing others workout, it motivates me. I could have easily made the decision to work out in my apt complex but once I go through those gates Im going home. My head is not that strong yet...lol

    HA! I get that. Working out at home is worse. That couch just looks so darn comfy when I walk through the door, hehe.
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