Critique my food diary?...And. Book recommendations?

At least it seems like you're logging everything... My advice, though, would be to WEIGH everything solid (including salsa's and condiments) in GRAMS. Weighing in ounces can be inaccurate alot of the time. Weighing in grams will get you a pretty solidly accurate food log. The only thing you should weigh in ounces and/or cups is liquids (like I said, this does not include things like condiments or peanut butter, etc...)

I'd definitely make sure you eat at least 1200 cals a day. Just have a handful of almonds with blueberries and an apple, there ya got 200 more healthy calories But I am so not an expert btw.

Also, I can recommend anything that Jillian Michaels has written!!

emdeesea wrote: »

The first thing I have noticed is that you're apparently not using a food scale. You need to be weighing any food that you can. You'd be surprised at the entries listed for an apple. One small apple listed as something like 50 calories when in reality your apple weighed 130 grams and is more like 120 calories. (That's not what they are - I'm just pulling numbers out of the air for example)

But you get the idea. Get a food scale. Weigh food. It makes an enormous difference.

Exactly... The use of a *digital* food scale was one of my biggest wake up calls. What I thought was 2 tbsp of PB was actually closer to 4. After that, I was convinced that you can't accurately log food without a food scale.

The fact that you are eating minimally processed food (you cook for yourself and it looks super yummy too!) is a huge advantage. Loading up on the veg will give you more bang for your calorie buck any day.
I agree weighing your food instead of using measuring spoons/cups will ensure better accuracy but if you are just starting out and don't want to get crazy obsessed with things right off the bat I would say that you are doing great as is - small steps, small changes they all lead to big things in the end. We don't need to jump to move forward in a positive way.

Salad Samurai is a beautiful book that has some great ideas for fancying up a sometimes boring meal (salad) I just got it and am very impressed with what I have tried so far.

I don't find nutrition-specific books as motivating or helpful as weight loss memoirs--even when they deal with issues that I don't necessarily connect to on the surface (weight loss surgery or being 600lbs), they provide me with an "I can do this too" attitude.

• Half-Assed by Jeanette Fulda
• Moose by Stephanie Klein
• 703 by Nancy Makin
• Stranger Here by Jen Larsen

Just to name a few...others can be hit or miss, but I feel like I always learn something from anyone else's journey.

Tuesday - I see 4 oz fish, 4 eggs, a tablespoon of almonds, and a whole lot of vegetables. Nothing wrong with eating a lot of vegetables, but where's the rest of the food? Protein is looking a little low, but if your only exercise is walking I suppose you don't need a whole lot more. Also, 1200 calories is pretty low.

Wednesday - I'm happy to see more variation on this day with fruit and beans. Still didn't eat enough, and protein is still low.

Thursday - Nearly identical to Wednesday, but there's nothing inherently wrong with that. Same comments apply.

Friday - I assume you haven't finished logging for the day yet, but I like what's logged for lunch and I see you've already got more protein in than the previous days. Good stuff.

Overall, I'd say:

1. If your calorie goal is 1400 calories, eat 1400 calories. If you exercise, eat those calories back on top of the 1400. Eating 1200 calories per day is unnecessary. It's too low for most people, you included.
2. If you like the foods that you're eating, that's fine. However, just know that you don't have to gorge on vegetables all day in order to lose weight. You can eat other foods that you might not consider "healthy" and still lose. It's calories in vs. calories out. Eating "clean" is not necessary.
3. You also don't need to be on a special "plan" or read a diet book to lose weight. Like I said, calories in vs. calories out. Don't make it more complicated than it is.
4. I like that you're planning on doing more strength-driven exercises after you've healed from childbirth. Once you start strength training, up that protein intake.

I would considering buying a food scale and weighing out your portions. For example, what is 1 tablespoon or 1/4 cup of almonds? Not accurate is what it is. You'll be surprised to find out that you're probably eating more than you think because you're relying on measuring cups. Weigh your solids, measure your liquids.

Also, know that most of the 8 lbs you lost this week is water weight. Don't expect your weight loss to continue at this rate. Aim for 1-2 lb loss per week. Once you get within 20 lbs of your goal, aim for 1 lb per week. Once you get within 10 lbs of your goal, aim for .5 lb per week. I'm just saying, don't get discouraged when your weight loss slows down drastically. It doesn't mean you're doing anything wrong. It just means your body shed the water you were retaining.

Good luck!

This book is helpful: Nutrition For Dummies

clean eating might not be necessary but it is better for you. I can lose weight eating junk but I won't get healthy.

kim_m_kk wrote: »

clean eating might not be necessary but it is better for you. I can lose weight eating junk but I won't get healthy.

I agree that eating 'healthily' is best, but there is a lot of disagreement over what that means, even in the scientific community. Consensus is plenty of veg, plenty of protein, limit your added sugar (and some say limit total sugar including natural sugar), limit your salt, and finally have a little treat every day to keep you motivated. Many sources say you need a minimum amount of fat as well although the good fat / bad fat / ugly fat thing is up for debate. Cutting out a whole food group is generally frowned upon unless you have a specific medical condition. Be careful of food additives as some are not very good for you

To keep it simple: make sure you hit your macro and micronutrient goals each day, don't cut out everything you love, eat food you like.

kim_m_kk wrote: »

clean eating might not be necessary but it is better for you. I can lose weight eating junk but I won't get healthy.

Nah all things in moderation. I'm pretty dang healthy and I eat sugar Every. Single. Day. My labs and BP etc are in excellents ranges. If "clean" eating is what you prefer then eat that way but it's not necessary for weight loss.

Another thing that I didn't mention before was to plan your meals the day before. It's easier to stick to a plan if you prelog what you're gonna eat.