What is moderation?

jrbb0309
jrbb0309 Posts: 55
edited September 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
Last fall, I gave up potato chips and french fries and all pop (including diet) and since Christmas, I have given up all chocolate (with one exception) and Smartfood (white cheddar cheese popcorn - my downfall), modified my portions, started working out an hour a day, stopped adding salt to my food, etc. I cook dinner six nights a week - from scratch - and I am so on program it's not even funny. Oh, and I eat nothing but high fibre whole grains etc and little red meat (chicken and pork otherwise) and lots of vegetarian, etc. And I'm loving it.

BUT

once a week we go out to dinner and often it's to our favourite wing place. I used to get really insanely hot wings (10) and onion rings and drink a whole (small) pitcher of diet coke and then go for a *huge* bowl of gelato.

Now I get the saucy chicken finger meal (white meat, made on the premises, 3 fingers) and a house salad with lettuce, green peppers, cucumber, tomato etc and a poppyseed vinaigrette that I dip my fork in. I have a small chocolate milk so I can handle the insanely hot sauce and water over and above that. And after we go for low-fat frozen yogurt but it's one of those add toppings places and I add some chocolate chips and sprinkles and put some chocolate sauce on it (maybe a 1/2 cup of vanilla frozen yogurt). (This and the chocolate milk count as my one chocolate exception)

Anyway... my husband and I were "debating" over whether doing this once a week constituted "in moderation".

I say it does because honestly if I have to make even more changes right now I might cry. He says once a month would be in moderation. Help?

Replies

  • karenmi
    karenmi Posts: 242 Member
    Sounds like moderation to me, but then I'm not a fanatic about this whole process. I've lost 45 lbs being "moderate" and am thrilled with that result.

    Focus on all the new lifestyle changes you have made, which, from what you write here, are significant!
  • juliec0619
    juliec0619 Posts: 20 Member
    Don't cry!!! I think that as long as you are counting the calories you are fine. it sounds like you really have made some good choices in changing what you order, so I don't think there is anything wrong with it. It would be unrealistic to cut it out totally. If it is your weekly treat, ENJOY! Just count the calories and maybe excersize a little more that day if it puts you over.
  • LindaSueBakk
    LindaSueBakk Posts: 145 Member
    Have you ever tried figuring the calories? I think moderation is staying at least close to maintenance calories for the day.
  • superwmn
    superwmn Posts: 936
    I take one to two free meals each week (depending on how many social obligations we have that particular week). I consider this moderation because I'm not feeling deprived yet am still losing weight.

    Charmagne
  • JeanK56
    JeanK56 Posts: 76
    I believe in having what you want when you want it. Now I haven't lost a ton of weight, but I know I am eating a lot less of unhealthy foods this way. For instance, if I want a glass of wine or two, I have it. I log it and count the calories for that day.

    I think you are not overindulging in your one day out. You sound like you are happy with what you are doing. Enjoy yourself and don't make yourself miserable.
  • ErrataCorrige
    ErrataCorrige Posts: 649 Member
    I think it is great. I have one cheat meal every Friday night (and I don't even restrict it like you have, good for you). It is what keeps me on track all those other days of being good. If I had to wait 30 days instead of 6 for a treat I don't think I would be able to stick it out and watch what I eat all the rest of the time.
  • MSDRIZZ
    MSDRIZZ Posts: 246
    Are you still losing weight at the rate you want to? I think if you feel good and are losing weight the way you want then don't stress it. It sounds like you modified your meal to be reasonable. You seem to enjoy this time with your husband and that is important. Food should feed your soul as well as your body. Go once a week and count the calories. If you go over a bit once a week it will be O.K. Enjoy your hubby and your night out.
  • backinthenines
    backinthenines Posts: 1,083 Member
    Sounds pretty moderate to me.

    Some days I'm under, some days I'm a bit over. *shrugs shoulders*

    If you're that worried, add up any "over" calories and train them off. Simple.
  • dlaplume2
    dlaplume2 Posts: 1,658 Member
    I think as long as you are losing weight you are fine. When you get to the point were you stop losing, and I mean for several weeks, not just a plateau, then you will need to reevaluate and make that a once a month treat. Don't worry about having give up all that other stuff, maybe by then you can treat yourself once a week to one of them instead. This is a lifestyle change, if you can't live with it forever then why bother.

    Keep up the good work. It sound like you have made a lot of changes.
  • BigBoneSista
    BigBoneSista Posts: 2,389 Member
    I think you made the adjustments to the meal and if you are still losing then its ok. Make sure you are accurately counting those calories and drinking alot of water on that day for the rise in sodium count.

    Also I saw on Dr. Oz that if you drink 8 oz of grapefruit juice within 30 minutes of a meal the fat you eat will be used by your muscles instead of stored by your body.
  • Kate_UK
    Kate_UK Posts: 1,299 Member
    Sounds like moderation to me!

    Also I saw on Dr. Oz that if you drink 8 oz of grapefruit juice within 30 minutes of a meal the fat you eat will be used by your muscles instead of stored by your body.


    Is that really true? I may need to stock up on grapefruit juice if thats the case!
  • LorinaLynn
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    I still eat everything I love, but I don't eat it to the point of bursting. To me, that's moderation. I'm not going to give up soda or ice cream or pizza or cake. But I'm going to make it fit in my food budget.

    For instance, I love frozen pizzas like DiGiorno or Freschetta. For about $5 it's a cheap meal for my husband and I, and they taste wonderful. Normally, we'd each eat about half the pizza, or four slices each. But two slices fills me up just fine, and I can pop the other two in the fridge for breakfast or lunch the next day. (However, the sodium content in them makes me want to cry. But we both have good blood pressure & cholesterol & stuff, so going over once in a while isn't among my top concerns.)

    But sometimes... a splurge is just what I need. :love:
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