Forever Fat Foodie Focusing on Fitness

TedBrindle
TedBrindle Posts: 4 Member
edited November 23 in Introduce Yourself
I love food, but I'm starting to find it difficult to move let along go out to eat. I need to eat better, lose weight and enjoy life. I'm not willing to give up the foods I like or the places I like to eat, but there's got to be a balance. Today I am struggling.

Replies

  • JustSomeEm
    JustSomeEm Posts: 20,289 MFP Moderator
    You've got this. I started my 'journey' (hate that word in reference to weight) simply by logging every single bite/drink I was eating. I did NOT at first attempt to lose any weight. I just committed to being honest with myself and logged everything. It was eye-opening to say the least. No WONDER I was overweight. After a few weeks, I began making different choices. I did NOT give up eating out/chips/cookies/ice cream/beer/fettuccine alfredo. I didn't give up anything, I just used moderation. Today I am more than 70 pounds lighter, wearing a size 4 jeans, and training for a half marathon. You CAN get healthier and lose weight without giving anything up.
  • ohmscheeks
    ohmscheeks Posts: 840 Member
    What are these foods and places? What calorie limit did MFP give you? Pull some nutrition facts and create a few daily menus from the things you like (without going over the cal limit). The daily choice is going to be between eating more (low cal stuff) or eating less (high cal stuff). If you have mobility issues, check with your doctor before picking an exercise program.
  • AndreasEvans
    AndreasEvans Posts: 35 Member
    TedBrindle wrote: »
    ...there's got to be a balance.

    You've hit the proverbial nail on the head and with that desire to find your "balance" comes success.

    Davis_em has given you a superb "path to follow", one he knows can work. Why not start there...give nothing up but let nothing escape your attention.

    Let's face it if you truly enjoy the food why not give it the honour of receiving your FULL attention? Note it down and return to experience it again and again, the flavours, the texture, the satisfaction, the constituent parts and of course the nutrition and calorific value.

    Here's hoping you find the balance you clearly seek.
  • christopherblack33
    christopherblack33 Posts: 2 Member
    That's the first step! You're going to have to give up the frequency that you eat certain foods you love. That's the sad truth. Good news is; you can find so many healthy alternatives. If I could do it, you certainly can. Best of luck in your new journey!
  • TedBrindle
    TedBrindle Posts: 4 Member
    I've been at this for almost a month. I lost more weight than what I set as a goal, but I am ok with that. This is the first day I exceeded my calories. It was 150 calories over. I have to do better tomorrow.
  • TedBrindle
    TedBrindle Posts: 4 Member
    ohmscheeks wrote: »
    What are these foods and places? What calorie limit did MFP give you? Pull some nutrition facts and create a few daily menus from the things you like (without going over the cal limit). The daily choice is going to be between eating more (low cal stuff) or eating less (high cal stuff). If you have mobility issues, check with your doctor before picking an exercise program.

    I eat out less often, but we have been going to Wendy's on Tuesday. Two Chili's for the price of one. The chili is not bad and with a potato and grilled chicken with no mayo it is a good meal I can live with.

    We went to a Styx concert and I had a beer. Just one and not three, the beer was about 200 calories.

    I have not been a fan of the chain restaurants, but their portions are more consistent and it is easier to look of nutritional information. I have found that Applebee's is a good place to go.
  • PinkPixiexox
    PinkPixiexox Posts: 4,142 Member
    I love food - always have done and always will. I've struggled with my weight since I was around 3 years old. Trust me, I know how you feel. The key word here is "Moderation". No way should you deny yourself things you enjoy. If food is your 'thing', then limit it. For a few days, track every thing that you eat and educate yourself as to how many calories you are usually consuming - i think you'll surprise yourself. After that, it's down to you to make the changes. MFP is an amazing tool that will help you along the way. You can do this.
  • TedBrindle
    TedBrindle Posts: 4 Member
    I've also struggled with weight all my life. Do you remember the days when they put the child's weight on the report card? Mine said 95 pounds. Clearly that is not the child's fault. I continued to be overweight until my last year of high school whenI became a fitness nut. I had moved away from my family living with a family that lived and celebrated differently. During that time I attained a "normal" weight and exercised at least an hour a day. I continued in this lifestyle through my first year of college.

    At fifty I have no one to blame, but myself. I know what I need to do. Now I have to do it.
    Logging everything I consume helps all by itself. When I reach my calorie goal, I usually stop. For more than thirty days I have been under my calorie count. Yesterday was the first day I went over. The difference here is that I know I did it. I know how much over and I know how to fix it today.

    Good luck on your journey. We can do this together.
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