The colored container method for food.
peppermintmama
Posts: 30 Member
So I'm using the 21 day fix nutrition plan, the containers mostly, I was wondering if anyone else has used this plan and if so do you log what you are eating on mfp? The plan tells you not to pay attention to calories and gives you a rough estimate of how many you are ingesting a day based on how many of each container you are filling and eating.
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whut?1
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You don't need plastic containers. Inaccurate and a pain to clean up.
To make this place rock get a digital food scale from walmart for less than $20.3 -
Step 1: Return 21 day fix
Step 2: Buy a food scale for $15-20.
Stuff like this or Weight Watchers is just another system to do portion control/calorie counting. Except they make you pay extra for it.7 -
Just like the WW point system and the card system of another program, they all boil down to a slightly different system of calorie counting and weight loss in the wallet area. It may be helpful for learning portion control (as long as you are not stuffing the containers) but you are trading calorie counting for container counting.2
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Save money by not worry about a 21 day 'fix' and just eat better and exercise. You don't need a book/newsletter/dvd/pamphlet/webinar to let you know how to eat food that's better for you, and you don't need strangers on the internet to tell you that losing 21 pounds in 21 days is unrealistic. If you do, you won't keep it off. If you want to lose 20 pounds in 10 minutes, chop off a leg. (That will be 3 easy payments of $19.99 please!)
I applaud any attempts to get better, but don't fall for snake oil. CICO is what works. Log your food, exercise, and have patience. All of that is free.7 -
Well I used the containers along with measuring just to see how accurate they are. I have to say that they are a good way for people to learn what a serving size should look like. I just wanted the workout but since it came with the containers I have to say they do come in handy. Like when I pack a salad for work, but I want my ingredients to stay separate until lunch time so the lettuce doesn't get all slimy. They are useful for things like that.0
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peppermintmama wrote: »So I'm using the 21 day fix nutrition plan, the containers mostly, I was wondering if anyone else has used this plan and if so do you log what you are eating on mfp? The plan tells you not to pay attention to calories and gives you a rough estimate of how many you are ingesting a day based on how many of each container you are filling and eating.
If you want to use 21 DF and log figure out your container sizes (look this up on Pinterest). Then log 1&1/4 cups green beans, 1/2 cup brown rice, etc.
Not a lot of long term 21 DF'ers here. Kind of gimmicky & very inflexible.
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/103806-21-day-fixers
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Well if you're using tupperware to measure your food your calories will likely be way off anyway - so I'm not sure how helpful it would be to log. A food scale would be a much better investment.1
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Ready2Rock206 wrote: »Well if you're using tupperware to measure your food your calories will likely be way off anyway - so I'm not sure how helpful it would be to log. A food scale would be a much better investment.
It would be only slightly helpful (pineapple is higher calorie than strawberries for example)...... but yes a scale is much more helpful.
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I adore my containers. I've used them for 5.5 months. To me, counting calories is a pain. Before too long, you can easily eyeball Portions!2
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I adore my containers. I've used them for 5.5 months. To me, counting calories is a pain. Before too long, you can easily eyeball Portions!
No I cant - I dont have that ability - I cant judge distance either. Just one of my many idiosyncrasies!! Thats why a food scale has been the best thing since sliced bread for me, and counting calories and using it has become second nature.4 -
I adore my containers. I've used them for 5.5 months. To me, counting calories is a pain. Before too long, you can easily eyeball Portions!
This may work for awhile, and for some people. Keep going back to your containers from time to time to refresh your recollection. Not everyone is going to be equally good at this.1 -
The scale is my friend in the kitchen. It's so helpful
I weigh my food, put it in my already over 5 years old Rubbermaid containers and go on my merry weigh.
These "fixes" and "shakes" and "body wraps"...all a bunch of hoo ha. I have learned my lesson over the years because I actually thought those things worked. All in my head.
I eat well, exercise regularly and live a happy life. That is what works for me 4 -
This is a system that can really work for a lot of people. Just because some people need the accuracy of a scale, doesn't mean everyone does. I managed to lose over 1/2 of my current body weight and have kept it off for over 2-1/2 years now, just by eye balling my portion sizes. I bought a scale early on here and used it maybe twice. For me it was more work than it was worth. We are all different, and what works for some people, will not work for others. I saw the container system on tv. I can definitely see where it could work. It is basically calorie counting, as are all weight loss diets. Nothing is written in stone for what works. Whatever works for each of us, is the way to go. If it isn't working, then it may be time to reevaluate, and may need the very strict structure of accurately weighing everything.
If it is working for you OP, go for it.
The best of luck to everyone, no matter how you achieve success!5 -
Save money by not worry about a 21 day 'fix' and just eat better and exercise. You don't need a book/newsletter/dvd/pamphlet/webinar to let you know how to eat food that's better for you, and you don't need strangers on the internet to tell you that losing 21 pounds in 21 days is unrealistic. If you do, you won't keep it off. If you want to lose 20 pounds in 10 minutes, chop off a leg. (That will be 3 easy payments of $19.99 please!)
I applaud any attempts to get better, but don't fall for snake oil. CICO is what works. Log your food, exercise, and have patience. All of that is free.
^^the statistics are pretty clear, over 80% of the people that lose the weight gain it back within 5 years, and a lot of people gain even more back. This is no matter how the weight is lost. There are multiple threads here everyday from people that are back on MFP after gaining weight back.
Do what works best for each of us. Be diligent and never become complacent. Most of us here want to lose weight and become healthier and it is ok if what it takes is not the same as how someone else achieves their goals.
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I knew a friend that did it with the workout and all. Lost weight. Portion control. If its easier for you to manage than counting why not? Counting is so tedious! But keeping those containers clean all the time would seem to be as well. I say, to each his or her own.0
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I use a virtual color coded container system, works great with my own nutrition plan, and no extra dishwashing
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Hm. The whole point of MFP is to take the tedium out of counting calories. Whatever works. But then I have to wonder, what are you doing on MFP? It seems that container-ing and logging at the same time would be a bit of a chore.1
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Hm. The whole point of MFP is to take the tedium out of counting calories. Whatever works. But then I have to wonder, what are you doing on MFP? It seems that container-ing and logging at the same time would be a bit of a chore.
It is what you are doing on MFP anyway, at least I am.
For example,I make a batch of steel cut oatmeal and freeze it in individual containers. I do prep work for a whole week and put it in individual snack bags or containers.I don't weigh anything, I just eyeball it and log it. And it is no different from using measuring cups and spoons. I lost over 1/2 of my current body weight doing this on MFP and logging. How is it different. It sure works for me.
What do you do with everything after you weigh it? Put it in a container and bring it to work for your breakfast and lunch and snacks. How is the 21 day fix different. I am pretty sure that those containers were designed to hold a certain amount of food.
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As long as you are aware you are getting an approximation. People better not ask for colour coded entries either.1
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As long as you are aware you are getting an approximation. People better not ask for colour coded entries either.
Some people do not have a problem with not having precise amounts.
I know I didn't, don't.
Numbers are general.
Scales can be inaccurate also.
How each of us burns calories is not the same.
If you are losing weight, no matter how you measure, it is working.
Whatever works for each of us.
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snowflake930 wrote: »Save money by not worry about a 21 day 'fix' and just eat better and exercise. You don't need a book/newsletter/dvd/pamphlet/webinar to let you know how to eat food that's better for you, and you don't need strangers on the internet to tell you that losing 21 pounds in 21 days is unrealistic. If you do, you won't keep it off. If you want to lose 20 pounds in 10 minutes, chop off a leg. (That will be 3 easy payments of $19.99 please!)
I applaud any attempts to get better, but don't fall for snake oil. CICO is what works. Log your food, exercise, and have patience. All of that is free.
^^the statistics are pretty clear, over 80% of the people that lose the weight gain it back within 5 years, and a lot of people gain even more back. This is no matter how the weight is lost. There are multiple threads here everyday from people that are back on MFP after gaining weight back.
Do what works best for each of us. Be diligent and never become complacent. Most of us here want to lose weight and become healthier and it is ok if what it takes is not the same as how someone else achieves their goals.
Maybe that's because they don't learn what a correct portion looks like. I actually think the container thing could be very beneficial because you pay more attention to the size of the portion.
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snowflake930 wrote: »Save money by not worry about a 21 day 'fix' and just eat better and exercise. You don't need a book/newsletter/dvd/pamphlet/webinar to let you know how to eat food that's better for you, and you don't need strangers on the internet to tell you that losing 21 pounds in 21 days is unrealistic. If you do, you won't keep it off. If you want to lose 20 pounds in 10 minutes, chop off a leg. (That will be 3 easy payments of $19.99 please!)
I applaud any attempts to get better, but don't fall for snake oil. CICO is what works. Log your food, exercise, and have patience. All of that is free.
^^the statistics are pretty clear, over 80% of the people that lose the weight gain it back within 5 years, and a lot of people gain even more back. This is no matter how the weight is lost. There are multiple threads here everyday from people that are back on MFP after gaining weight back.
Do what works best for each of us. Be diligent and never become complacent. Most of us here want to lose weight and become healthier and it is ok if what it takes is not the same as how someone else achieves their goals.
Maybe that's because they don't learn what a correct portion looks like. I actually think the container thing could be very beneficial because you pay more attention to the size of the portion.
I agree. I said that above.
But that is not why people gain back the weight. It is because they go back to overeating.
My point is people have to do what works for them, and I think the container method would work for many people.
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Hm. The whole point of MFP is to take the tedium out of counting calories. Whatever works. But then I have to wonder, what are you doing on MFP? It seems that container-ing and logging at the same time would be a bit of a chore.
I'm actually on MFP because I am new to weight lifting and I needed help with my form and technique, I live in the country so finding a personal trainer is difficult also finding a gym that has weights around here within an hour is also difficult. I also have a five year old who is off school for the summer and a 9 month old so that limits me as well.
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Save money by not worry about a 21 day 'fix' and just eat better and exercise. You don't need a book/newsletter/dvd/pamphlet/webinar to let you know how to eat food that's better for you, and you don't need strangers on the internet to tell you that losing 21 pounds in 21 days is unrealistic. If you do, you won't keep it off. If you want to lose 20 pounds in 10 minutes, chop off a leg. (That will be 3 easy payments of $19.99 please!)
I applaud any attempts to get better, but don't fall for snake oil. CICO is what works. Log your food, exercise, and have patience. All of that is free.
Well when I became pregnant and gained 80 pounds I wanted the 21 day fix meal plan to help me learn how to eat properly again since for over a year I had been eating terribly. I was still very active during my pregnancy but I managed to over eat everything, the meal plan came with a list of super healthy foods and recipes I did not have the time to look up on the internet since I had a newborn that was sick with jaundice and battled numerous other crap from breastfeeding and a five year old just starting school. Basically life happened and I didn't have time to research as I had before I became pregnant I was not using it as a IT works wrap or a Herbalife shake crutch I was using it to regain the muscle memory and to simplify my eating and relearn portion control.
I lost 10 pounds in a month and I was able to keep up my breastfeeding because I was able to add the calories to the containers instead of trying to write down what I ate and how many calories was in each thing with a newborn baby hanging off my boob. I know CICO works, I've been here before but I lost all knowledge of portion control the containers easily help me with that until I can find the time to break out my food scale and get back into being serious. thankyou for taking the time to give me your advice. 1
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