Wait? Am I Really Eating That?

Not overly, except things like dips and sauces really surprised me. The amount of fat in some!

When I was gaining weight, I didn't believe I was eating as much as I was. I just wasn't conscious of it. But when I got close to 200, I *realized* just how big my portions were.
I now have 3 food scales in my house so I have no excuse not to use one. Best thing I ever invested in.

StealthHealth wrote: »

I remember the first time I logged a mince pie.

HoHoHo-No!

No wonder Santa is fat.

I didn't eat much, but a lot of high calorie things too.

Amusingly... I did the math since and I was maintaining my 205lbs eating less than I eat now to maintain my 140lbs... but I would be hungry all the time with my old diet! Activity is everything.

For years I attributed the slow but steady weight gain to menopause. I would halfheartedly track on MFP but didn't seem to get anywhere - in fact, gained!!!
Then, in January of this year, I got fed up with myself and started weighing, measuring, and seriously logging food and beverages. HOLY CRAP - no wonder the weight was creeping on. The food was healthy but it was the quantities. And the wine. And the mindless munching. And so on!

estherdragonbat wrote: »

livingleanlivingclean wrote: »

Alatariel75 wrote: »

Muffins. They're like delicious cakey TARDIS's for calories.

There's a fancy supermarket here that sells amazing muffins.... They are stuffed full of choc and raspberries or blueberries... Delicious Crusty tops, soft fluffy middles and nearly the size of my head. No nutritional info, but I'd hate to imagine - I think even sharing would put me over my cals for a day

Back when I was doing Weight Watchers, I was told to use 'each oz of muffin=100 calories' as a rule of thumb. Most of those huge muffins? 6-8 oz minimum.

These would be 12-15 oz on guesstimation hence why I don't eat them...

Logging really made me realize what foods were just not worth the calories to me. Pre-packaged baked goods/cookies, creamy sauces and soups, fast food, etc. When I really looked at the calorie count, I decided I didn't really like these things enough to continue mindlessly eating them. I was shocked by the calories in most bread and pasta though. But I still eat both...gotta have my sandwiches and no way I'm giving up pasta.

estherdragonbat wrote: »

livingleanlivingclean wrote: »

Alatariel75 wrote: »

Muffins. They're like delicious cakey TARDIS's for calories.

There's a fancy supermarket here that sells amazing muffins.... They are stuffed full of choc and raspberries or blueberries... Delicious Crusty tops, soft fluffy middles and nearly the size of my head. No nutritional info, but I'd hate to imagine - I think even sharing would put me over my cals for a day

Back when I was doing Weight Watchers, I was told to use 'each oz of muffin=100 calories' as a rule of thumb. Most of those huge muffins? 6-8 oz minimum.

That is a great rule! I'm going to have to start using that if I get a muffin from a local bakery. I stay away from the muffins the size of my head, and generally only eat 1/2 muffin in a sitting, so I can usually squeeze it in for the day if I REALLY want one.

lucypstacy wrote: »

Before I started on my journey, I would say that I didn't know why I had such issues with weight because I "...didn't eat much." I always thought I was some sort of big exception to the rules.

I was wrong.

Once I really started looking, I had to realize just what I was putting into my body. While I didn't eat much quantity wise, the foods I did eat added up quickly in terms of calories. Because I favored foods greasy and friend (raised on them!) I was getting a lot more calories than I had ever guessed. Plus, my love of Dr Pepper certainly wasn't helping matters.

So, being aware helped me to fix those trouble areas in my diet. Anyone else have the same issue? Was anyone else shocked by what they were actually eating?

I think you just described 90 percent of the population

I find that being 'real' with myself helps. Instead of "I'm going to that party and I won't even LOOK at the baked goods. I'm sticking to fruit and raw veggies... no dip!" it's more "There is going to be a lot of stuff you love there and rarely eat. You are going to want it. So before you start telling yourself you can't have any or you'll put all the weight back on... let's reassess. What would you say it'll 'take' for you to not feel miserable and deprived while everyone around you is eating the good stuff and you're nibbling carrots and looking longingly at cake? How much do you think you need to be emotionally satisfied? Let's look up the calories now." And then it becomes, "you know... that's probably 400 calories. You can actually work that in. It might mean taking a longer walk/making sure you get on the fitness glider. Or you can have lighter meals. But yes. If you really want a piece of cake and a handful of jellybeans... that's doable."

And I'll log it ahead of time. Sometimes I'll think, "You know, I don't think I want a 400-calorie indulgence. How about I skip the jellybeans? That'll take it down to 350 and I'll have room for a healthy snack later."

Food is still a comfort for me. But it's not a mindless one. And another benefit to pre-logging? It's giving myself permission to have a treat. And since I can recognize for myself that it fits my daily calories, when I have the treat, I have it without the free helpings of guilt and negativity that always used to plague me in earlier weight-loss attempts. Because I know I haven't gone off the rails and I know that the indulgence isn't going to set me back.

I wasn't took shocked. I didn't eat much either but I knew I put away a lot of calories because I like junk food when I'm stressed and I like stuff I don't have to cook. My biggest addiction is chicken strips. Going to grilled and baked chicken is just bleh to me. Makes me so sad.

Quantity wise I ate a lot of volume...I also ate a lot of higher calorie foods. I'd often go down the street to this little taqueria and get a double order for lunch...so like 8 tacos. I drank a ton of soda. Most evenings ended with me eating 1/4 Lb of cheese and washing it down with a pint of whole milk...

bertygriffith wrote: »

Was a sad day for me when I weighed out a serving size of my favorite cereal. I was easily eating 4 servings of that stuff every morning! Now I pass on the stuff because 54 grams of frosted mini wheats is pathetic. I may as well just eat a bowl of my tears.

Cereal makes me sad.