Bread and older women

You lose weight by eating less than you burn.

I'm less hungry when I use MFP's protein & fiber goals as minimums, and ignore carbs & fats. It will take trial & error to find what works for you.

The Sexypants post should be required reading for all MFPers: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants

Edited to add that I'm 46.

To lose 58 lbs., set your goal no higher than 1.5 lb. per week.

There is just so much confusing information out there. I guess I am just really tired of depriving myself of foods that I have grown up with and rather enjoy. I read somewhere that there is no such things as bad foods just bad portions.

I'm in my late 40s. When I was losing weight, I went through a phase where I absolutely HAD TO have a bigass cookie from Paradise Bakery every day. Another phase where I was hooked on frozen yogurt and ate a big cup of it every day. Another phase where all I wanted for breakfast was sammiches with ham and cheese on sourdough bread. I worked these and other tasty foods into my calories and I kept losing weight.

I've been maintaining my weight for over a year... I regularly enjoy sandwiches, fries, ice cream, cookies, pizza, ribs, and other delicious "forbidden" foods. I just don't have them all at once.

So no, you don't have to deprive yourself of your favorite foods in order to lose weight. Nor do you have to restrict yourself to 1200 calories. Read the sexypants thread... Set a reasonable calorie deficit... Do some resistance training to maintain your lean mass... Choose foods that make you happy while meeting your nutrient needs... Profit.

There is just so much confusing information out there. I guess I am just really tired of depriving myself of foods that I have grown up with and rather enjoy. I read somewhere that there is no such things as bad foods just bad portions.

I think that last is good info. Eat the foods you enjoy, just watch your calorie intake overall. Make them fit. You probably can't eat at your favorite BBQ joint 3 times a week but maybe twice a month, y'know?

Sometimes it's not as hard as you think. I avoided pizza for weeks thinking it was too high calorie. But it's fine if I have one slice and a salad. That's a lot better than having no slice and just salad, for long-term adherence.

Some foods are too hard to stop at a good portion, though, and you should keep those restricted. I don't keep boxes of cookies around. If I want one, I'll buy one good cookie.

You can find new foods that are new favorites that don't cause you to gain easily, too. Try new things. Spend more on food. Tonight I'll treat myself with a slab of fresh sockeye salmon grilled on a cedar plank with specialty seasoning and fresh asparagus with a little hollandaise.

Other good 'treats' are non-food ones-- Reward yourself with perfume, movies, makeup, new pillows, art, books, whatever.

You don't have to give up any foods. I eat bread all the time. The difference is that I don't eat 2 bagels at a time (anymore).

Try counting your calories at a reasonable deficit for a few weeks. See how it goes. You'll find that you can eat all the things you want. You'll also realize you can't eat a ton of calorie dense foods because you'll have no calories left for dinner.

Grain carbs tend to make me more hungry, bloat me, make me retain water and pass lots of gas.....

I haven't cut them out totally, but I do limit them a bit (says the lady, that had pasta with her chicken and veggies for dinner) ;-)

See how you react to potatoes. They don't seem to effect me in a negative manner and the potassium in them help get rid of retained water too.

Thanks editorgrrl. I am just wondering if I need to be at 1200 calories just to make things start moving. It kind of "freaks" me out to go really low-cal.

You'd be surprised what you can do. Here's my diary for yesterday. And, you'll notice I had room for more. It could be cherries, Kozy Shack Tapioca Pudding, or a Starbucks Venti Orange Refresher...all of which would STILL have left a few calories over.

http://www.cafekarina.org/1110.jpg

Thank you so much for all your input. I just enjoyed my favourite bagel but it is almost like a "floodgate" opens and then I want to eat every carby thing in sight.

I believe if you can find bread or bagels with a higher fiber content, this will not happen to you. I have found a bread which is whole grain, 80 cals, 2 gms fiber and 5 gms protein per slice. It is very good toasted with peanutbutter on top. Very filling for 80 cals. If you can make the switch to whole grains - it might help your cal count and stop you from craving more simple carbs.

Nothing wrong with bread. Just don' eat it with pasta, potatoes, rice. Moderation is the key. I am the same age as you.

The carby cravings are hard to fight. Yes, if I eat one slice of bread, I want a whole loaf. But that is a problem with my self-control not a problem with bread. So, right now, I deal with the problem by avoiding bread but I do love it so I am not "giving it up." I'm avoiding it right now while I work on my self control. I'm also learning what foods sate me without causing the munchies. For me, it's sweet tastes and carbs and fat and time of day. After 10 p.m. I could easily scarf a loaf of homemade bread, a stick of butter and 1/2 a jar of marmalade. And in answer to the Lay's Potato Chip ad - no, I can't eat just one.

So, is the problem that bread, butter, and marmelade are BAD? Should I say, "Well, I'll never eat them again!" Heck no. Right now, I'm avoiding them while I learn self control.

You've learned that the bagel sends you over the wall toward a carb binge -- so maybe you avoid bagels for awhile -- or only eat them at a bagel shop where you buy one, eat one, and leave. Maybe you stock the fridge with cheese sticks, like I do, because they tend to sate me more than a carb.

There is scientific evidence that, at least for some of us, carbs and sweet tastes pique our appetites. For us, cutting out artificial sweeteners does make a difference in our cravings.

We each need to figure out how to find an eating behavior that works for us. It ain't easy. And anyone who criticizes you for not choosing their route or says, "just do it," should be ignored. You and I and so many people have a tough row to hoe but at least we are here trying.

So, in the end, I congratulate you for recognizing what the bagel did to your appetite. Now, no guilt, just work on figuring out how to overcome it -- not just for today but for the future.

Thanks again for all the comments. I must agree that I never have problems with pasta, potatoes or rice. It is just the bread that brings out the binge monster in me even if it super high fibre.

I'm like that with bread too - you're not alone!

I've learned its best not to keep a loaf in the house, and just to buy a roll instead, so that when it's gone it's gone. And /Or I have bread on days when I do a serious workout, so have more calories to play with (I'm small, female and almost 50, so have a low calorie goal compared to many).

Plus - when I reach my goal weight, I'll have 500 more calories to play with every day, and can have more bread. So I'm patient ...
Good luck!

Thanks!

I love bread! All bread, any bread, any time of day! Thought I'd just share this with you,absolutely no advice to offer...sorry:blushing: