Good thing there was a hair in my soup!

julsofdenial
julsofdenial Posts: 225 Member
edited September 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
Ate out for lunch, got grilled chicken sandwich with no mayo. With a cup of their homemade chicken noodle soup. There was a hair in it (proof it was homemade I guess??) so I didn't eat it. Luckily.. I'd probably be over cals already.
I did guess at 0.4 serving of a small mcd's fries because I caved into having 8 thin fries of my co-worker's.
So after my oatmeal, this and some nuts/dried fruit for a snack it's only 4 pm and I only have 161 calories left. Scared to think what I'll have to eat for dinner!
Not sure I'll ever get the hang of this.. I feel like I'm trying hard, but must be delusional.

Replies

  • jamie1888
    jamie1888 Posts: 1,704 Member
    Eating out is going to kill you when it comes to counting calories! As much as possible, prepare all your own foods. You'll be surprised how much you can eat when you prepare it yourself!

    I use only 1/4 cup of oats when I have oatmeal for breakfast; along with a lean protein and a little fruit, it's super filling!
  • kao708
    kao708 Posts: 813 Member
    Can you squeeze in a short walk tonight? That would earn you a couple hundred calories so you can eat a little more for dinner. Of course, if you go over a bit once in a while it won't kill you!
  • tdjones00
    tdjones00 Posts: 68
    You will get the hang of it. Don't beat yourself up about it. Eat a chicken salad made from home. Yes, you will probably be over your calories, but it is vegetables and chicken. I'm sure that it is way better than the alternative.
  • luppic8
    luppic8 Posts: 580 Member
    Exercise before your last meal and you will gain calories from exercising :wink:
  • jabbogurl
    jabbogurl Posts: 193
    Eating out is going to kill you when it comes to counting calories! As much as possible, prepare all your own foods. You'll be surprised how much you can eat when you prepare it yourself!

    I use only 1/4 cup of oats when I have oatmeal for breakfast; along with a lean protein and a little fruit, it's super filling!

    agreed with the oatmeal. I looked at your food journal and the starbucks oatmeal was almost 400 calories! ouch! prepare it at home and add fruit to add bulk.
  • julsofdenial
    julsofdenial Posts: 225 Member
    Thanks all.. I will keep trying!
    Oh, and yes, I shouldn't have had that "Skinny" latte this AM. I used to have a tall caramel latte several times a week.. and hadn't had one at all lately. Not a good idea, I could have used that cal/carb space much more wisely.
  • jesseBYAH
    jesseBYAH Posts: 446 Member
    I see that your daily goal is only set at 1200- is this a goal you set for yourself, or one that MFP calculated for you? 1200 is tough to hit, especially if you just started calorie counting. I dont know what your situation is personally so I am not trying to judge, I just think it might be easier on you if you start with a higher daily goal and then worked your way down. Just a suggestion! Good luck!
    And I agree, getting a short walk or other type of workout in at the end of the day always helps earn extra calories!
  • julsofdenial
    julsofdenial Posts: 225 Member
    Eating out is going to kill you when it comes to counting calories! As much as possible, prepare all your own foods. You'll be surprised how much you can eat when you prepare it yourself!

    I use only 1/4 cup of oats when I have oatmeal for breakfast; along with a lean protein and a little fruit, it's super filling!

    agreed with the oatmeal. I looked at your food journal and the starbucks oatmeal was almost 400 calories! ouch! prepare it at home and add fruit to add bulk.
    Yes, it is 390. But it is there no such thing as something that although seemingly has a lot of calories, it is still great for you? Oatmeal, some slivered almonds, pecan, and dried fruit/raisin? I have looked at other's diarys and many seem to be over 300 for breakfast, so if this is 390 but filling it seemed like it should be okay. I have been not eating late at night so when I wake up and I starving and I guess I feel like I need a "heavier" breakfast.
  • julsofdenial
    julsofdenial Posts: 225 Member
    I see that your daily goal is only set at 1200- is this a goal you set for yourself, or one that MFP calculated for you? 1200 is tough to hit, especially if you just started calorie counting. I dont know what your situation is personally so I am not trying to judge, I just think it might be easier on you if you start with a higher daily goal and then worked your way down. Just a suggestion! Good luck!
    And I agree, getting a short walk or other type of workout in at the end of the day always helps earn extra calories!
    MFP set the calories, because I was hoping to lose 1.5-2.0 a week. Course that hasn't happened. And since I usually go over I guess I am not quite restrained enough to hit that consistently. So if I eat 1400 or so I am still not losing. I have technically lost 2 or so pounds, but most was the first week, then gaining/losing that same weight since then.

    I will try to walk. Won't get home until 6:30 and then have to make dinner for family, so buy the time that is done and kids are tucked in it will be 8 or so. Wish it was still light out for a nice walk! Last night I did about 15 minutes of cardio while watching tv but when it's so late at night, I don't last long. Hopefully I will get more energys soon!
  • annameeks00
    annameeks00 Posts: 46
    I eat 2 eggs every morning along with an apple and orange. The eggs keep me full till lunch although i snack on grapes. The eggs are only 140 calories and do the trick for me.. I agree on a good breakfast though. For a while I was eating 2 eggs, 2 pieces of toast and sometimes 1 serving of lean turkey breakfast sausage.. i am trying to increase my weight loss so i have dropped the toast and sausage, but the eggs seem to keep me just as full.
  • Sasha_Bear
    Sasha_Bear Posts: 625 Member
    It's hard when your first started you have to play with the calories until you get it just try. You'll be surprised how many calories you can save just buy cutting down on small things. You made a great choice in skipping the mayo next time try to skip the bun also. I use to love Starbucks now I just settle for a nice home brewed cup of coffee with splenda instead of sugar. Just remember every little thing counts. You'll get the hang of this just stick with it!
  • Sasha_Bear
    Sasha_Bear Posts: 625 Member
    I eat 2 eggs every morning along with an apple and orange. The eggs keep me full till lunch although i snack on grapes. The eggs are only 140 calories and do the trick for me.. I agree on a good breakfast though. For a while I was eating 2 eggs, 2 pieces of toast and sometimes 1 serving of lean turkey breakfast sausage.. i am trying to increase my weight loss so i have dropped the toast and sausage, but the eggs seem to keep me just as full.



    I agree a good source of protein usually does the trick!
  • zeeeb
    zeeeb Posts: 805 Member
    i find eating 1200 calories is impossible, 1500 is fine, but 1200 is just horrid for me, thats why i exercise every day, because i'd always be over 1200.
  • jamie1888
    jamie1888 Posts: 1,704 Member
    There's nothing wrong with eating a heavier breakfast! If you like a big breakfast, go for it! These are your calories and you choose to spend them however you want! However, if you are looking for ideas to help you stay within your calorie budget for the day, preparing your own meals allows you to tweak and make adjustments that allow you to do that.

    Example:
    Carbs have more calories than lean proteins. So, if I'm going to have something that is carb heavy (oatmeal, bread, etc) I will opt for adding less "goodies" in it to keep the calories within my budget.

    Eating lean protein with your carbs will help you feel and stay full longer. So, instead of loading up the oatmeal carb fest, reduce some of those goodies and add a lean protein to the meal (eggs, egg whites, non-fat greek yogurt, yogurt).

    Using artificial sweeteners is a hot topic here. But, I opt for using one in my yogurts and oatmeal to save some calories. A packet of Truvia or Splenda adds lots of sweet for ZERO calories. 50 calories saved on the brown sugar gives you 50 calories you can "spend" elsewhere.... adding that extra dried fruit or sliced almonds that you want.

    Just some suggestions!
  • Aprilstar480
    Aprilstar480 Posts: 2,803 Member
    I'm doing 1200 cals too and man it's hard but I found that 1) 100 calories snack packs or any snacks portioned out to 100 or less cals are my best friend! 2) I have to make a master plan... 2 meals at around 250 cals, 3 -100 cal snacks, then a good dinner with around 400 cals. Eating more often during the day keeps me from getting super hungry and bindge eating. Oh also try homebrewed coffee with non-fat coffeemate flavored creamer instead of the latte ;)
  • julsofdenial
    julsofdenial Posts: 225 Member
    Thanks everyone..I really appreciate the help and advice. I have learned a lot in 3 weeks and hope to keep doing so.
This discussion has been closed.

Categories