Eating much better and till ganing weight - HELP!?
Replies
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I've even emailed restaurants ahead of time to ask them how many ounces the chicken is.
I'm not the only one who emails restaurants for nutritional info?? lol... I am currently boycotting Cane's (I love Cane's) because they are still "working on it" when it comes to posting their nutritional info. Same thing they told me a year ago when I contacted them. I could guess-timate, but I refuse when they could and should have their numbers up.
A couple weekends ago, I contacted a local restaurant to ask how many ounces the fish serving was.
It's your body. You are responsible for it.0 -
EveryBODY is different. I am almost 49 so what works for me won't work for anyone else.
Some people drop pounds by adding fruits and veggies alone! Some just have to pound water and they'll lose.
One thing is for certain, portion control is KEY.
If I can't log in the exact item I'm eating from a restaurant, I really spend the time to get it as close as possible. If you DO have nutritional info from another restaurant, just try and order the same sort of thing there. Poor planning means poor results for me.
If you use a smartphone, use the scanner to add foods you can't find on here (shocking because they have sooo many). If you are at home, use the measuring cup!
But yeah, pad thai is one of the greasiest things ever, albeit wonderful.
Try for one day or two days and log in EXACTLY what you had for that day (restaurant or at home).0 -
Simply weigh your food and eat more home cooked meals.0
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Quoted from earlier comment: "A Calorie is a Calorie doesn't matter if you eat Mickey D's or a Vegan Diet from a loss standpoint (nutritional balance is a separate thing)"
I totally agree with this statement, especially after viewing so many food diaries on MFP of folks who are losing weight. Sure, you may not get to eat as much food in a day if you choose a lot of empty calories (i.e. a handful of french fries vs. a bag of carrots) but the actual calorie - the unit of energy - is exactly the same. I personally want ALL THE FOODS so I try to make calorie-smart decisions all day so that I can eat six times between when I wake up and when I go to bed, but it reminds me of the old riddle, "What is heavier, a pound of feathers or a pound of rocks?"
I definitely think you've come to the right place, and you are taking the first BIG STEP towards your goal by trying to sort all of this out, so good for you. You CAN do it!0 -
Try eating protein and fiber with every meal and snack. Best to eat protein first thing in the morning so that you won't feel hungry in the afternoon. You can boost your metabolism by lifting weights (or resistance exercise.) Stay away from dairy if you can - it slows metabolism.0
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I eat pure junk all day but in smaller calorie sections . 500 breakfast, 500 lunch & 500 dinner..... Maybe I'll have a candy bar & yogurt for breakfastm A Whopper no pickle& onion & no mayo dinner taco bell grilled stuffed burrito with cinnamon twists & a diet coke. Wa-la!!!:drinker:0
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Um, your body doesn't recognize a calorie, it recognizes nutrition. We are made up of 70 - 100 trillion cells. They are duplicating every minute by the billions. In order to make a healthy new cell you need essential nutrients. When the nutrients are not provided the body will steal from within - protein by breaking down muscle, calcium by breaking down bone cells, etc. Healthy new cells help to flush out toxins, which are protected with a layer of fat and stored away from the major organs. And then there are hormones which dictate all chemical processes. It's not just about calories.0
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So I used to eat fast food three times a day plus huge snacks (basically extra meals). Probably 4000+ calories a day. Normal day consisted of:
Breakfast burrito + two donuts
Candy bar
Medium Italian sub + small BLT sub + cookie
snack bars
Two plates of spaghetti with 8 meatballs + salad with ranch
Cookies or ice cream bar, candy
Now as you can see in my diary I have cut most of that out and cut way back to around 2000 calories per day. I do falter occasionally but not often and typically am right around my calorie goal.
HOWEVER I AM GAINING WEIGHT INSTEAD OF LOSING IT. Two questions:
1.) Is it better to eat a big breakfast to get metabolism going and smaller lunch and dinner?
2.) What am I doing wrong?
3.) Would it be worth getting tested to see if I have hyperthyroid or something that causing me to not lose weight?
Lots and lots of simple carbs, which could be at least partially replaced by complex carbs like vegetables and fruit. They are next to nonexistent in your diet. Also I suspect that your logging is off and that you eat more calories than you think. Two cups of Oreida Hashbrowns have more than 112 calories ( there are btw. more than a dozen of different hashbrowns by Oreida and you have to make sure that you are logging the right ones). Also, three Shrimp Rangoon have more than 210 calories. Also logging food as " a plate full " is almost never accurate. There is a lot of space for error in your food diary and I would guess that the error is not in your favor. I would start weighing my food, log it accurately and I am sure, you will see success !
Good Luck !0 -
Um, your body doesn't recognize a calorie, it recognizes nutrition. We are made up of 70 - 100 trillion cells. They are duplicating every minute by the billions. In order to make a healthy new cell you need essential nutrients. When the nutrients are not provided the body will steal from within - protein by breaking down muscle, calcium by breaking down bone cells, etc. Healthy new cells help to flush out toxins, which are protected with a layer of fat and stored away from the major organs. And then there are hormones which dictate all chemical processes. It's not just about calories.
Um no. The body runs on calories. Cells are made primarily of proteins and fats BTW.
But your body burns around 2000 calories of energy a day. If you consume more calories than that from any source the body will store the extra calories as body mass.
But thanks for the impromptu and very misinformed biology lesson.0 -
Try eating protein and fiber with every meal and snack. Best to eat protein first thing in the morning so that you won't feel hungry in the afternoon. You can boost your metabolism by lifting weights (or resistance exercise.) Stay away from dairy if you can - it slows metabolism.
OH! now i know why your advice is garbage. It must be how you hook people and get them to fall into the Isagenix pyramid scheme since you seem to be someone using it every day as your main source of "healthy foods".
Should probably make your diary private next time....0 -
Try eating protein and fiber with every meal and snack. Best to eat protein first thing in the morning so that you won't feel hungry in the afternoon. You can boost your metabolism by lifting weights (or resistance exercise.) Stay away from dairy if you can - it slows metabolism.
OH! now i know why your advice is garbage. It must be how you hook people and get them to call into the Isagenix pyramid scheme since you seem to be someone using it every day as your main source of "healthy foods".
Shots fired.0 -
It really helps me to plan out what I'm going to eat at restaurants BEFORE I get there. Most restaurants have their menus online and if the menu is vague about the preparation (sautéed in what?) you can call ahead and ask, so you can make the best possible choice. This takes a little time, but is worth it if you're committed to losing weight and enjoy eating out.
Someone made reference to not eating restaurant salads. I've noticed that most restaurant salads are chock full of extra fat & protein, but what really puts you over the top is the amount of sodium and fat in the restaurant prepared dressings! So, ask about the dressing calories and make a decision to a) bring your own; b) ask for a low fat vinaigrette instead of the dressing that usually comes with the salad; c) have the dressing on the side and just dip into it occasionally. You'll probably only use 1/2 the amount that you normally would.
Another person mentioned that your sodium intake may be significantly higher than you realize, which could be causing you to retain water. I noticed that I only have a problem with taking in too much sodium when I eat processed foods. So, avoid them at all costs.
If possible, since I don't know where you live, try to frequent restaurants with more healthy options. I live in the SF Bay Area where healthy eating is almost a religion, so it's pretty easy to stay within my calorie goals while going out. And, the big chain restaurants are getting more and more health conscious. They usually have a few healthy options.
Best of Luck! Feel free to add me for extra support:)0 -
I don;t think the problem is that you're eating too much, but the quality of what you are eating could be better. It seems you are eating a lot of animal products and SIMPLE carbs. Try eating less fat and more complex carbs, like fruits, veggies, potatoes and rice. Also are you exercising? That will speed up the losing weight process.0
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Stating 'a calorie is a calorie' oversimplifies reality.
Different calorie sources cause varied release of insulin from the body. If you're eating 1200 calories from carbs, 300 calories from protein, 300 calories from fat, you're consuming an 1800 calorie diet to which your body responds differently from consuming 600 calories from carbs, 600 calories from protein, and 600 calories from fat. over time, the carb heavy diet will predispose you to insulin resistance (aka --> greater insulin secretion). keep in mind that a hormone like insulin is a growth factor implicated with greater fat retention AND resistance to insulin plays a pivotal role in the pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes. there are interesting studies out regarding this... please feel free to pubmed ;]
also, whenever you see calorie estimates on food labels... those labels have to be within 20% +/- off the mark. for panera to market a sandwich as 400 calories means that the food can actually be 320 calories or 480 calories. if you eat foods that consist of healthier prep/ingredients, you're making a safer bet... also! whenever you eat fibrous foods like nuts, though it may be labeled as 180 cal for 1 oz of almonds, it's more likely that your body is absorbing less than the 180 cal.0 -
"2 cups of hash browns" as 112 calories? Probably more like 600 calories. 3 slices of bread is probably closer to 270-330 calories than 149; more if buttered. 6 links of sausage from a buffet probably more like 600 than 360 calories. "Heaping plate" of buffet food probably more than 1000 calories. "20 oz of pad thai" from a restaurant is probably more like 1200+ calories than 860. 3 crab rangoons closer to 300 than 200. 4 slices of cheese pizza probably more like 1000 than 580, depending.
Etc etc. I see a lot of what looks like rather extreme underestimating in your diary. I also see a lot of quick add calories.
In other words, you seem to be consuming quite a bit more than you think you are. You seem to be eating out at places that don't publish nutrition info pretty much every day, and massively underestimating calories consumed while doing so. And the stuff you're eating at home you don't seem to be weighing or measuring at all.
this sounds spot on to me ..
OP - you really need to avoid the buffets and what not ..if you want to eat out, then eat once a week and use it as a treat/cheat whatever..
More than likely you are eating at maintenance and not realizing it..
and a calorie is a calorie...0 -
You are eating too much, simple as. You cannot guess at the numbers in restaurant meals and presume you are correct. Pad thai is very calorie dense, as are many of the other meals you are eating. You will not lose weight if you do not invest in it fully and make more changes.0
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Ask for a to-go container when you have a restaurant meal, and put 1/3 to 1/2 of the food into the to-go container before you even start eating. Win-win; you have an extra meal for the next day (lunch?), and you cut the calories of the current meal.
I agree with most. You are underestimating the calories.0 -
Stating 'a calorie is a calorie' oversimplifies reality.
Different calorie sources cause varied release of insulin from the body. If you're eating 1200 calories from carbs, 300 calories from protein, 300 calories from fat, you're consuming an 1800 calorie diet to which your body responds differently from consuming 600 calories from carbs, 600 calories from protein, and 600 calories from fat. over time, the carb heavy diet will predispose you to insulin resistance (aka --> greater insulin secretion). keep in mind that a hormone like insulin is a growth factor implicated with greater fat retention AND resistance to insulin plays a pivotal role in the pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes. there are interesting studies out regarding this... please feel free to pubmed ;]
also, whenever you see calorie estimates on food labels... those labels have to be within 20% +/- off the mark. for panera to market a sandwich as 400 calories means that the food can actually be 320 calories or 480 calories. if you eat foods that consist of healthier prep/ingredients, you're making a safer bet... also! whenever you eat fibrous foods like nuts, though it may be labeled as 180 cal for 1 oz of almonds, it's more likely that your body is absorbing less than the 180 cal.
wait, so if I eat 1200 calories the macro breakdown actually says I ate 1800????? Please explain the magical process of how my body process 1200 calories and then turns it into 1800….0 -
Try eating protein and fiber with every meal and snack. Best to eat protein first thing in the morning so that you won't feel hungry in the afternoon. You can boost your metabolism by lifting weights (or resistance exercise.) Stay away from dairy if you can - it slows metabolism.
OH! now i know why your advice is garbage. It must be how you hook people and get them to call into the Isagenix pyramid scheme since you seem to be someone using it every day as your main source of "healthy foods".
Shots fired.
I would say howitzers fired….0 -
Your logging is pretty patchy looking back over the last couple of months.
Take a few weeks to make sure you are logging everything - weigh your food where possible. Then assess.0 -
Try eating protein and fiber with every meal and snack. Best to eat protein first thing in the morning so that you won't feel hungry in the afternoon. You can boost your metabolism by lifting weights (or resistance exercise.) Stay away from dairy if you can - it slows metabolism.
How so?
I would be obese if that were the case.0 -
I don;t think the problem is that you're eating too much, but the quality of what you are eating could be better. It seems you are eating a lot of animal products and SIMPLE carbs. Try eating less fat and more complex carbs, like fruits, veggies, potatoes and rice. Also are you exercising? That will speed up the losing weight process.
Oh. Darn all those animal products, mucking up weight loss.
*polishes off protein shake and turkey sammich*0 -
Um, your body doesn't recognize a calorie, it recognizes nutrition. We are made up of 70 - 100 trillion cells. They are duplicating every minute by the billions. In order to make a healthy new cell you need essential nutrients. When the nutrients are not provided the body will steal from within - protein by breaking down muscle, calcium by breaking down bone cells, etc. Healthy new cells help to flush out toxins, which are protected with a layer of fat and stored away from the major organs. And then there are hormones which dictate all chemical processes. It's not just about calories.
How does milk impact this miracle of life? Last time I looked EAAs were, well essential as the name suggests. You know what one of the best sources and EAAs is? Milk....0 -
I don;t think the problem is that you're eating too much, but the quality of what you are eating could be better. It seems you are eating a lot of animal products and SIMPLE carbs. Try eating less fat and more complex carbs, like fruits, veggies, potatoes and rice. Also are you exercising? That will speed up the losing weight process.
Oh. Darn all those animal products, mucking up weight loss.
*polishes off protein shake and turkey sammich*
so are simple carbs just for simple people?0 -
Stating 'a calorie is a calorie' oversimplifies reality.
Different calorie sources cause varied release of insulin from the body. If you're eating 1200 calories from carbs, 300 calories from protein, 300 calories from fat, you're consuming an 1800 calorie diet to which your body responds differently from consuming 600 calories from carbs, 600 calories from protein, and 600 calories from fat. over time, the carb heavy diet will predispose you to insulin resistance (aka --> greater insulin secretion). keep in mind that a hormone like insulin is a growth factor implicated with greater fat retention AND resistance to insulin plays a pivotal role in the pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes. there are interesting studies out regarding this... please feel free to pubmed ;]
also, whenever you see calorie estimates on food labels... those labels have to be within 20% +/- off the mark. for panera to market a sandwich as 400 calories means that the food can actually be 320 calories or 480 calories. if you eat foods that consist of healthier prep/ingredients, you're making a safer bet... also! whenever you eat fibrous foods like nuts, though it may be labeled as 180 cal for 1 oz of almonds, it's more likely that your body is absorbing less than the 180 cal.
wait, so if I eat 1200 calories the macro breakdown actually says I ate 1800????? Please explain the magical process of how my body process 1200 calories and then turns it into 1800….
i debated whether i should respond to your question lest i sound catty, but since you asked...
1200 cal from carbs + 300 cal from protein + 300 cal from fat = 1800 cal
it's quite magical.0 -
I don;t think the problem is that you're eating too much, but the quality of what you are eating could be better. It seems you are eating a lot of animal products and SIMPLE carbs. Try eating less fat and more complex carbs, like fruits, veggies, potatoes and rice. Also are you exercising? That will speed up the losing weight process.
Oh. Darn all those animal products, mucking up weight loss.
*polishes off protein shake and turkey sammich*
so are simple carbs just for simple people?
Unsure.
I do know a lot of people use the phrase 'simple carbs' incorrectly though. Let me tell you about fruit...0 -
Stating 'a calorie is a calorie' oversimplifies reality.
Different calorie sources cause varied release of insulin from the body. If you're eating 1200 calories from carbs, 300 calories from protein, 300 calories from fat, you're consuming an 1800 calorie diet to which your body responds differently from consuming 600 calories from carbs, 600 calories from protein, and 600 calories from fat. over time, the carb heavy diet will predispose you to insulin resistance (aka --> greater insulin secretion). keep in mind that a hormone like insulin is a growth factor implicated with greater fat retention AND resistance to insulin plays a pivotal role in the pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes. there are interesting studies out regarding this... please feel free to pubmed ;]
also, whenever you see calorie estimates on food labels... those labels have to be within 20% +/- off the mark. for panera to market a sandwich as 400 calories means that the food can actually be 320 calories or 480 calories. if you eat foods that consist of healthier prep/ingredients, you're making a safer bet... also! whenever you eat fibrous foods like nuts, though it may be labeled as 180 cal for 1 oz of almonds, it's more likely that your body is absorbing less than the 180 cal.
wait, so if I eat 1200 calories the macro breakdown actually says I ate 1800????? Please explain the magical process of how my body process 1200 calories and then turns it into 1800….
i debated whether i should respond to your question lest i sound catty, but since you asked...
1200 cal from carbs + 300 cal from protein + 300 cal from fat = 1800 cal
it's quite magical.
i read that wrong…my bad..
I still disagree with your premise…a calorie is a calorie and a deficit is what makes you lose...0 -
I don;t think the problem is that you're eating too much, but the quality of what you are eating could be better. It seems you are eating a lot of animal products and SIMPLE carbs. Try eating less fat and more complex carbs, like fruits, veggies, potatoes and rice. Also are you exercising? That will speed up the losing weight process.
Oh. Darn all those animal products, mucking up weight loss.
*polishes off protein shake and turkey sammich*
so are simple carbs just for simple people?
Unsure.
I do know a lot of people use the phrase 'simple carbs' incorrectly though. Let me tell you about fruit...
groans…not fruit sugar aggggggaaaaiiiiiiiinnnnnn0 -
I don;t think the problem is that you're eating too much, but the quality of what you are eating could be better. It seems you are eating a lot of animal products and SIMPLE carbs. Try eating less fat and more complex carbs, like fruits, veggies, potatoes and rice. Also are you exercising? That will speed up the losing weight process.
Oh. Darn all those animal products, mucking up weight loss.
*polishes off protein shake and turkey sammich*
so are simple carbs just for simple people?
Unsure.
I do know a lot of people use the phrase 'simple carbs' incorrectly though. Let me tell you about fruit...
The other day someone was arguing that sweet potatoes are complex and white potatoes are simple. :huh:0 -
Stating 'a calorie is a calorie' oversimplifies reality.
Different calorie sources cause varied release of insulin from the body. If you're eating 1200 calories from carbs, 300 calories from protein, 300 calories from fat, you're consuming an 1800 calorie diet to which your body responds differently from consuming 600 calories from carbs, 600 calories from protein, and 600 calories from fat. over time, the carb heavy diet will predispose you to insulin resistance (aka --> greater insulin secretion). keep in mind that a hormone like insulin is a growth factor implicated with greater fat retention AND resistance to insulin plays a pivotal role in the pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes. there are interesting studies out regarding this... please feel free to pubmed ;]
also, whenever you see calorie estimates on food labels... those labels have to be within 20% +/- off the mark. for panera to market a sandwich as 400 calories means that the food can actually be 320 calories or 480 calories. if you eat foods that consist of healthier prep/ingredients, you're making a safer bet... also! whenever you eat fibrous foods like nuts, though it may be labeled as 180 cal for 1 oz of almonds, it's more likely that your body is absorbing less than the 180 cal.
wait, so if I eat 1200 calories the macro breakdown actually says I ate 1800????? Please explain the magical process of how my body process 1200 calories and then turns it into 1800….
i debated whether i should respond to your question lest i sound catty, but since you asked...
1200 cal from carbs + 300 cal from protein + 300 cal from fat = 1800 cal
it's quite magical.
Yeah I followed you.
You're wrong but I got your math. Just having a relatively carb-heavy diet doesn't mean insulin resistance. BTW look at how protein influences insulin response for some laughs.0
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