21 day fix
pandabearretherford
Posts: 28 Member
I have the 21 day fix cups and I was wondering if i use that to measure everything now is it the same as weighing your food I don't have a scale but I do have the cups for that
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Replies
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It's not the same. Volume is not the same as weight. If the method makes you consistently eat less than you burn, you lose weight, but you may also be inadvertently eating too little. Weighing food and sticking to your calorie goal guarantees weight loss. (It's not the scale, it's not the pretty containers - it's eating less than you burn that causes weight loss.)4
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Weighing food is 100 times better (opinion). Food scale at walmart is about $20.4
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A food scale is cheap and is way more accurate.1
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People have lost a ton of weight by using the containers and measuring cups. While many on here will suggest that you have to use a scale, I don't think it's necessary. It's one thing if you aren't losing weight and need help, but for many people, using the containers and getting a feel for realistic portion sizes can help a lot.
That being said, I do personally use a scale bc I get annoyed w washing all those containers all the time. But I did just use the purple one to measure grapes and didn't weigh them. Even if I'm off a gram or two for foods like that, it won't have a large impact on my calorie counts.11 -
Portion containers didn't work well for me, so I weigh everything.
I bought my scales from Amazon and they were $10 each. I have one for work and one for home.1 -
It's not the same but will work fine...
until you find you aren't losing the way you want to or should be based on your log you don't have to worry about weighing your food.
and this coming form someone who has a food scale and has since almost the start...
Didn't take me long to figure out that 3/4 cup of cereal was more than 85grams (listed as servings on the box) and get with the program of using a food scale.5 -
I agree with what was said above.... I wasn't loosing on 21 day fix, and I am sure its because I wasn't eating enough. As soon as I stopped using the measuring method and started weighing my food, I starting dropping weight like crazy
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Can you please point out where (in this thread) not eating enough has been mentioned as a possible explanation for not losing weight?AmberSpamber wrote: »I agree with what was said above.... I wasn't loosing on 21 day fix, and I am sure its because I wasn't eating enough. As soon as I stopped using the measuring method and started weighing my food, I starting dropping weight like crazy7 -
AmberSpamber wrote: »I agree with what was said above.... I wasn't loosing on 21 day fix, and I am sure its because I wasn't eating enough. As soon as I stopped using the measuring method and started weighing my food, I starting dropping weight like crazy
um, that's not how it works - you don't NOT lose weight by not eating enough...1 -
AmberSpamber wrote: »I agree with what was said above.... I wasn't loosing on 21 day fix, and I am sure its because I wasn't eating enough. As soon as I stopped using the measuring method and started weighing my food, I starting dropping weight like crazy
Yah no sorry...not eating enough is never a reason for not losing weight.
Not being able to function maybe...
the measuring method is fine...for some.2 -
How much does it weighs for "one cup"?0
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I've always been told, you can gain weight by not eating enough17
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PTabeling914 wrote: »I've always been told, you can gain weight by not eating enough
You've been told wrong.8 -
PTabeling914 wrote: »I've always been told, you can gain weight by not eating enough
You can gain "weight" by drinking water. Doesn't mean that you will gain fat which requires a calorie surplus.3 -
PennStateChick wrote: »People have lost a ton of weight by using the containers and measuring cups. While many on here will suggest that you have to use a scale, I don't think it's necessary. It's one thing if you aren't losing weight and need help, but for many people, using the containers and getting a feel for realistic portion sizes can help a lot.
That being said, I do personally use a scale bc I get annoyed w washing all those containers all the time. But I did just use the purple one to measure grapes and didn't weigh them. Even if I'm off a gram or two for foods like that, it won't have a large impact on my calorie counts.
When I had 124lbs to lose and was on 1710 calories/day, measuring cups were fine. They weren't as accurate as a scale would have been, but I lost weight steadily. Then, one morning, after having read one two many forum posts about how much more accurate scales were, I took my '1 cup' of seedless grapes that the MFP database told me should be X grams and about 90 calories and threw it on the scale. And discovered that the grapes weighed about 150% of what the database said a cup was, and were about 60 calories higher. And yeah, 60 extra calories in the grand scheme of things? Especially when you've got a lot to go and probably just logging food in a ruled notebook without checking calories would have given results, due to the psychological impact of a written record? Not such a big deal on its own. The problem? I usually had a half a cup of corn for lunch. And 3/4 of a cup of rice with dinner. I made tartar sauce with a tablespoon of mayonnaise. I liked using 1/4 cup of hummus as a dip for raw veggies. And the closer I got to goal, the lower my TDEE got and the more the little extras mattered.
It could well be that the OP will have great initial results with the cups. But over time, the inaccuracies are likely to lead to eating more than they think, and causing a 'plateau' (really, the OP being at maintenance when they think they're in a deficit).
By all means, OP, use the cups if you want. They're more accurate than eyeballing portions. But they aren't as accurate as a scale would be. And if your weightloss slows/stops, using a scale to measure your portions is the first 'fix' you ought to try.6 -
I found I was starving using those cups.0
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I keep reading everywhere about how there is no possible way or not scientifically possible, not lose weight by not eating enough. But I have also read so many people's accounts and even I have noticed a time or three when nit eating enough stalled my weight loss,( cue the woos) and then eating a bit more showed a result. I am just saying, sometimes things just are. Idk. Wheres the delete button lol.8
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Discernible gains and losses don't happen overnight, and low calorie goals encourage people to cheat, and low calorie intakes urge people to overeat. There is no magic.Nykkismommy21 wrote: »I keep reading everywhere about how there is no possible way or not scientifically possible, not lose weight by not eating enough. But I have also read so many people's accounts and even I have noticed a time or three when nit eating enough stalled my weight loss,( cue the woos) and then eating a bit more showed a result. I am just saying, sometimes things just are. Idk. Wheres the delete button lol.5 -
pandabearretherford wrote: »I have the 21 day fix cups and I was wondering if i use that to measure everything now is it the same as weighing your food I don't have a scale but I do have the cups for that
For the 21 day fix program they use the cups as a "measured equivalent"
Weight of food is going to vary from density of foods.
The 21 day fix program cups are "1 cup" and other increments and work as a sufficient substitute for measuring which can be time consuming, frustrating and oftentimes unnecessary.
The sizes are the following:
GREEN = 1 CUP For Vegetables.
PURPLE = 1 CUP For Fruits.
RED = 3/4 CUP For Proteins.
YELLOW = 1/2 CUP For Carbohydrates.
BLUE = 1/3 CUP For Healthy Fats and Cheeses.
ORANGE = 2 T Seeds and dressings.
I have had success in the past prepping using the 21 day fix containers.
Plop your food in - if it fits (lids on) you eat it! nom nom.
Enjoy.
Don't need to over-complicate things with a scale.3 -
ExuberantRose wrote: »pandabearretherford wrote: »I have the 21 day fix cups and I was wondering if i use that to measure everything now is it the same as weighing your food I don't have a scale but I do have the cups for that
For the 21 day fix program they use the cups as a "measured equivalent"
Weight of food is going to vary from density of foods.
The 21 day fix program cups are "1 cup" and other increments and work as a sufficient substitute for measuring which can be time consuming, frustrating and oftentimes unnecessary.
The sizes are the following:
GREEN = 1 CUP For Vegetables.
PURPLE = 1 CUP For Fruits.
RED = 3/4 CUP For Proteins.
YELLOW = 1/2 CUP For Carbohydrates.
BLUE = 1/3 CUP For Healthy Fats and Cheeses.
ORANGE = 2 T Seeds and dressings.
I have had success in the past prepping using the 21 day fix containers.
Plop your food in - if it fits (lids on) you eat it! nom nom.
Enjoy.
Don't need to over-complicate things with a scale.
I find using a scale to be simple and freeing, definitely not over-complicated for me at all.
That being said, it's not a necessity. Some people can reduce portions and lose just fine. I prefer being more accurate with my macros (just to make sure I get enough protein and fat) and to be able to eat as much as possible while still losing. Getting close to maintenance phase (maybe, I keep lowering my target weight) and I plan on continuing to use my scale - forever. I don't consider it a hindrance in any way.3 -
ExuberantRose wrote: »pandabearretherford wrote: »I have the 21 day fix cups and I was wondering if i use that to measure everything now is it the same as weighing your food I don't have a scale but I do have the cups for that
For the 21 day fix program they use the cups as a "measured equivalent"
Weight of food is going to vary from density of foods.
The 21 day fix program cups are "1 cup" and other increments and work as a sufficient substitute for measuring which can be time consuming, frustrating and oftentimes unnecessary.
The sizes are the following:
GREEN = 1 CUP For Vegetables.
PURPLE = 1 CUP For Fruits.
RED = 3/4 CUP For Proteins.
YELLOW = 1/2 CUP For Carbohydrates.
BLUE = 1/3 CUP For Healthy Fats and Cheeses.
ORANGE = 2 T Seeds and dressings.
I have had success in the past prepping using the 21 day fix containers.
Plop your food in - if it fits (lids on) you eat it! nom nom.
Enjoy.
Don't need to over-complicate things with a scale.
it's easier with a scale and less complicated actually.
Less dishes to wash.
Less questions of "what color is this"
The 21 day fix works yes...because it reduces calories...but to what level? VLCD levels? possibly....
and after you are in maintenance I am sure they have something for that as well...but why pay the funds for it really?
MFP is free...a scale is about 20$...batteries 5$ every 6 months...seems like a better way to me.3 -
ExuberantRose wrote: »pandabearretherford wrote: »I have the 21 day fix cups and I was wondering if i use that to measure everything now is it the same as weighing your food I don't have a scale but I do have the cups for that
For the 21 day fix program they use the cups as a "measured equivalent"
Weight of food is going to vary from density of foods.
The 21 day fix program cups are "1 cup" and other increments and work as a sufficient substitute for measuring which can be time consuming, frustrating and oftentimes unnecessary.
The sizes are the following:
GREEN = 1 CUP For Vegetables.
PURPLE = 1 CUP For Fruits.
RED = 3/4 CUP For Proteins.
YELLOW = 1/2 CUP For Carbohydrates.
BLUE = 1/3 CUP For Healthy Fats and Cheeses.
ORANGE = 2 T Seeds and dressings.
I have had success in the past prepping using the 21 day fix containers.
Plop your food in - if it fits (lids on) you eat it! nom nom.
Enjoy.
Don't need to over-complicate things with a scale.
it's easier with a scale and less complicated actually.
Less dishes to wash.
Less questions of "what color is this"
The 21 day fix works yes...because it reduces calories...but to what level? VLCD levels? possibly....
and after you are in maintenance I am sure they have something for that as well...but why pay the funds for it really?
MFP is free...a scale is about 20$...batteries 5$ every 6 months...seems like a better way to me.
This is your opinion -- and that's fine. But I don't know that I feel your opinion is any more valid than anyone elses. You may find the scale less complicated, but I know others that find the container system less complicated.
I had a friend that said the containers took the guilt out of eating for her. When she was measuring and counting calories, she was always aiming for the lowest calories. However, with the containers she stopped 'overthinking it' and just knew what she needed to eat.
As with everything, I think it's what works best for you.5 -
kommodevaran wrote: »
Discernible gains and losses don't happen overnight, and low calorie goals encourage people to cheat, and low calorie intakes urge people to overeat. There is no magic.Nykkismommy21 wrote: »I keep reading everywhere about how there is no possible way or not scientifically possible, not lose weight by not eating enough. But I have also read so many people's accounts and even I have noticed a time or three when nit eating enough stalled my weight loss,( cue the woos) and then eating a bit more showed a result. I am just saying, sometimes things just are. Idk. Wheres the delete button lol.
I believe there is also some evidence that people who aren't eating enough may not move around as much as they would otherwise. CI/CO is simple in general, but complicated in the nitty gritty. Thankfully, the general concept is really all that most people need. Anyone getting too bogged down in the nitty gritty is probably looking for a magic fix or an excuse.1 -
ExuberantRose wrote: »pandabearretherford wrote: »I have the 21 day fix cups and I was wondering if i use that to measure everything now is it the same as weighing your food I don't have a scale but I do have the cups for that
For the 21 day fix program they use the cups as a "measured equivalent"
Weight of food is going to vary from density of foods.
The 21 day fix program cups are "1 cup" and other increments and work as a sufficient substitute for measuring which can be time consuming, frustrating and oftentimes unnecessary.
The sizes are the following:
GREEN = 1 CUP For Vegetables.
PURPLE = 1 CUP For Fruits.
RED = 3/4 CUP For Proteins.
YELLOW = 1/2 CUP For Carbohydrates.
BLUE = 1/3 CUP For Healthy Fats and Cheeses.
ORANGE = 2 T Seeds and dressings.
I have had success in the past prepping using the 21 day fix containers.
Plop your food in - if it fits (lids on) you eat it! nom nom.
Enjoy.
Don't need to over-complicate things with a scale.
how on earth is a scale more complicated than the color coded container system you outlined above??4 -
PennStateChick wrote: »ExuberantRose wrote: »pandabearretherford wrote: »I have the 21 day fix cups and I was wondering if i use that to measure everything now is it the same as weighing your food I don't have a scale but I do have the cups for that
For the 21 day fix program they use the cups as a "measured equivalent"
Weight of food is going to vary from density of foods.
The 21 day fix program cups are "1 cup" and other increments and work as a sufficient substitute for measuring which can be time consuming, frustrating and oftentimes unnecessary.
The sizes are the following:
GREEN = 1 CUP For Vegetables.
PURPLE = 1 CUP For Fruits.
RED = 3/4 CUP For Proteins.
YELLOW = 1/2 CUP For Carbohydrates.
BLUE = 1/3 CUP For Healthy Fats and Cheeses.
ORANGE = 2 T Seeds and dressings.
I have had success in the past prepping using the 21 day fix containers.
Plop your food in - if it fits (lids on) you eat it! nom nom.
Enjoy.
Don't need to over-complicate things with a scale.
it's easier with a scale and less complicated actually.
Less dishes to wash.
Less questions of "what color is this"
The 21 day fix works yes...because it reduces calories...but to what level? VLCD levels? possibly....
and after you are in maintenance I am sure they have something for that as well...but why pay the funds for it really?
MFP is free...a scale is about 20$...batteries 5$ every 6 months...seems like a better way to me.
This is your opinion -- and that's fine. But I don't know that I feel your opinion is any more valid than anyone elses. You may find the scale less complicated, but I know others that find the container system less complicated.
I had a friend that said the containers took the guilt out of eating for her. When she was measuring and counting calories, she was always aiming for the lowest calories. However, with the containers she stopped 'overthinking it' and just knew what she needed to eat.
As with everything, I think it's what works best for you.
talking guilt away does not mean it is less complicated.
To remember what goes in what container for a lot is complicated and that is the fact not an opinion...and there are more dishes to wash...fact not opinion.
And no where did I say that the scale was the only way..as a matter of fact I said 21 day fix works...because it reduces calories...and some people need to be told exactly what to eat...
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