rate my diet

I've been at it for a few weeks and am seeing some results, but more importantly tracking has opened my eyes to calories and carb/protein/fat ratios. After starting out with the "1200 mistake" which my own body told me was not sustainable, I cranked up the app's activity level and now aim for 1500.

I have a scale, measure everything (it's weird being snack-accountable to my phone...) and enjoy tracking in detail because I'm a dork, especially using the barcode scanner. I'm still trying to massage my existing diet into a healthy calorie/nutrient balance, instead of building a balanced diet from scratch. My kitchen skills and motivation is limited, so this seemed like an easier way to start, however I'm finding it hard to maintain proper daily carb/protein/fat ratios. The MFP interface on Android doesn't help much either, as it's hard to see the ratios on the fly.

Booze isn't a huge part of my life (especially after seeing the nutrient non-content, yikes) but some springtime BBQs and camping recently happened. After cutting out the large bricks of medium cheddar cheese (a huge part of my life *sniff*) and recently buying Philly no-fat cream cheese, I think I'm doing alright. I have a dozen eggs in the fridge that I'm not sure what to do with; toss out the yokes and scramble up some egg whites only?? I love vegetables, fruit, chicken, etc. so lucky in that sense I guess. I do not have a set schedule, so sometimes "breakfast" happens at 4pm and other times at 10am; shame that MFP doesn't timestamp entries. Anyway, any ingredients stand out in the diary that I should replace, or other feedback?

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/food/diary/Graaawwwrrrr
key is 8675309

Replies

  • gypsy_spirit
    gypsy_spirit Posts: 2,107 Member
    Are you staying within your calorie deficit without problems?
    Are you meeting your macros/micros for nutrition?
    Are you feeling good during your work outs?
    Are you losing weight at a sustainable pace?

    If you answered yes to these questions, then you don't need people to critique your diary. Carry on.
  • LazSommer
    LazSommer Posts: 1,851 Member
    Eat the yolks.
  • LazSommer
    LazSommer Posts: 1,851 Member
    Also, MFP default carb/fat/protein ratio blows. Look into a different one.
  • _Terrapin_
    _Terrapin_ Posts: 4,301 Member
    bump
  • ChrisM8971
    ChrisM8971 Posts: 1,067 Member
    You are a 32 year old male with less than 50 lbs to lose and you have a calorie limit of 1,500 (up from 1,200)? I am 47, 169 lbs and do some exercise but not a great deal compared with others and am losing an average of 0.75 lbs per week on 1950 calories per day

    For the amount of weight you are looking to shed you shouldn't really be looking for more than 1 lb per week

    I would play around with your macro settings to find something that is sustainable for you and fits with the eating plan you have set yourself but definitely try and reduce the sodium a little and make sure you drink lots of water

    Remember that fat is not bad and everything is ok in moderation (I still enjoy cheese and alcohol)

    I see you are also eating back your exercise calories, many would suggest only eating 50-75% of these because MFP estimations tend to be a bit on the high side
  • melaniecheeks
    melaniecheeks Posts: 6,349 Member
    Why on earth do you feel you need to chuck the yolks?
  • Are you staying within your calorie deficit without problems?
    Are you meeting your macros/micros for nutrition?
    Are you feeling good during your work outs?
    Are you losing weight at a sustainable pace?

    If you answered yes to these questions, then you don't need people to critique your diary. Carry on.

    Calorie deficit is fine, got an HRM band on the way for more accurate workout calorie tracking too
    Macros/micros are difficult to do on the fly ie. without structured diet, need help picking/replacing ingredients. I'm not very food-knowledgeable.
    Yes, when I remember to eat properly before them...
    Yes, about 1kg/week
    You are a 32 year old male with less than 50 lbs to lose and you have a calorie limit of 1,500 (up from 1,200)? I am 47, 169 lbs and do some exercise but not a great deal compared with others and am losing an average of 0.75 lbs per week on 1950 calories per day

    For the amount of weight you are looking to shed you shouldn't really be looking for more than 1 lb per week

    I would play around with your macro settings to find something that is sustainable for you and fits with the eating plan you have set yourself but definitely try and reduce the sodium a little and make sure you drink lots of water

    Remember that fat is not bad and everything is ok in moderation (I still enjoy cheese and alcohol)

    I see you are also eating back your exercise calories, many would suggest only eating 50-75% of these because MFP estimations tend to be a bit on the high side

    Thanks Chris! I'll look through "sexypants" and other threads again, check out the links and recalculate. Honestly my current diet "feels" sustainable; unlike the 1200 starvation, with 1500 and proper meal distribution I never feel famished or weak. I'm pretty flexible as to the actual food, seems like convenience and knowledge are the limitations. Cheese and alcohol are self-control issues, easier to just mark them as "bad" and work around them.

    I'll be honest, exercise isn't a huge part of my life, just some biking and yoga. I cannot stand the gym but am getting a chin-up bar and will try to put together an enjoyable bodyweight training routine. Indeed MFPs exercise calorie estimates seem way off compared to Strava and other sources; I tend to eat some amount of those calories back "by feel". I've got a HRM on the way which should help.
    Why on earth do you feel you need to chuck the yolks?

    Because that's where the fat/cholesterol is hiding! I had a couple eggs for breakfast and some of the big numbers scared me, so I tried adding whites only and it seemed more reasonable.
  • ChrisM8971
    ChrisM8971 Posts: 1,067 Member
    Have a read through this link for Macro settings

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/819055-setting-your-calorie-and-macro-targets

    The recommendations are in grams per lb so you have to choose the MFP % setting that gets you closest to those goals

    Eat all of your eggs, don't be concerned about the fat and cholesterol in the yolks unless you have a medical condition then its best to check current advice. The yolks are packed with nutrients

    What you will find using the "everything in moderation" method is that most of your calories will come from wholesome ingredients to keep you feeling satiated and only small amounts of treats