Living the lifestyle (LTL) - Wednesday, 6/20/18

minimyzeme
minimyzeme Posts: 2,708 Member
edited November 27 in Social Groups
We meet here to explore, share, celebrate, and (sometimes) agonize over how we do (or don’t) incorporate weight loss guidelines into our daily lives. “ It’s a lifestyle, not a diet" is easily and often said, but sometimes not so simply put into practice.

This is a thread for everyone. If you're new to GoaD, or to weight loss, your questions and comments are always welcome. If you're maintaining, or a long-term loser, your thoughts on the topic may be just what someone else needs to hear. If you're reading this, join in the discussion!

Each weekday, a new topic is offered up for discussion. Thread starters for June are:

Monday - whathapnd (Emmie)
Tuesday - calvin2008brian (Brian)
Wednesday - minimyzeme (Kim)
Thursday - 88olds (George)
Friday - Al_Howard

Today's Topic: "Free foods" that aren't free for you

This one is a little WW-centric but since that's where most of us got our start, hopefully it works. In the four years I've been on WW, there have been so-called "free foods"--fruits and veggies for which no points are assigned. Have you had any challenges or difficulties eating those "free foods" only to find you've gained weight largely as a result of them? If so, how did you modify your intake?

Replies

  • minimyzeme
    minimyzeme Posts: 2,708 Member
    I thought of this eating my (small) bowl of watermelon this morning.

    It's one of my favorite summer fruits but I found I overdid it a couple years ago. While eating normally and on-plan, but with a significant amount of watermelon, I gained weight over a couple / few weeks. While I couldn't absolutely attribute it to only the watermelon, it seemed to be the likely culprit. I was eating way too much of it and it caught up with me. My WW receptionists still kid me about to this day a couple years later. And to top it off, I had a four-pound weight increase earlier this week. I suspect part of it was watermelon related. (I sometimes have to learn my lessons a few times.)

    I've scaled back how much watermelon I eat. I won't stop eating it but I know I have to take it easy. I use a small bowl and make sure it's not heaping / mounded ("no hat" as my WW leader calls it). Enjoy in moderation. I could easily eat a whole lot more of it and tell myself 'go ahead--it's free', but I guess there's really no such thing as free...
  • jasper60103
    jasper60103 Posts: 222 Member
    Personally, I haven't struggled with "free" foods.
    But I have to wonder if someone would attempt to do a Cool Hand Luke on boiled eggs?
  • steve0mania
    steve0mania Posts: 3,132 Member
    I can't say I've had this problem, but I remember people going crazy about how bananas were going to make everyone fat (when bananas became a zero-point food). To be honest, it's hard to imagine, but clearly if one blends these things up into a smoothie you can cram a lot of calories into a small volume!

    I just quit WW and switched to tracking on MFP (I've been working to take a few extra pounds off). Just yesterday I was lamenting the fact that veggies now "cost" calories (versus being zero-points on WW). At the same time, I also recognized that nearly 2/3rd of my lunch calories were contributed by fruit and vegetables (my lunch was 6 oz of mixed grilled vegetables [72 cal], 3 oz of baked boneless skinless chicken breast [75 cal], and a medium apple [90 cal]).

    I specifically changed back to MFP to have a more "honest" linkage between food intake and calories. It's easier for me to follow the "spirit" of a straight calorie-counting program. I was struggling to really buy into the latest WW iteration.
  • Jimb376mfp
    Jimb376mfp Posts: 6,236 Member
    My Challenge with Taco Turkey chili after WW went to Freestyle with Zero Points. Went way overboard on quantity and had a four pound weight gain!

    Cindy pointed out the sodium in all The canned ingredients and I think that was part of the problem.

    No matter what I eat I know that limiting the quantity is just as important to remember the quality.

    The “limit” to use the FREE food must realize that no matter what you eat HAS CALORIES!

  • Al_Howard
    Al_Howard Posts: 8,823 Member
    Ain't nothing free. LOL
  • Calvin2008Brian
    Calvin2008Brian Posts: 1,024 Member
    If my boy says he can eat 50 eggs, he can eat 50 eggs.

    Apparently, we can all eat 50 eggs. #science

    Getting back on topic, I haven't felt the need to rein in my consumption of zero point foods. I guess it's possible, but I don't feel there's anything on that list I'm very likely to go overboard for.
  • myallforjcbill
    myallforjcbill Posts: 5,756 Member
    I learned quickly that it is Zero Point foods not Free Foods. Portion control and eating to be satisfied turnout to be even more important.
  • Jimb376mfp
    Jimb376mfp Posts: 6,236 Member
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    If my boy says he can eat 50 eggs, he can eat 50 eggs.

    Apparently, we can all eat 50 eggs. #science

    Getting back on topic, I haven't felt the need to rein in my consumption of zero point foods. I guess it's possible, but I don't feel there's anything on that list I'm very likely to go overboard for.

  • 88olds
    88olds Posts: 4,538 Member
    Grapes. I used to get scale creep when the only thing different was grapes. Lots and lots of grapes.
  • Jerdtrmndone
    Jerdtrmndone Posts: 5,868 Member
    When I lost my weight on WW no foods were 0 pts. ( free foods ) When they made fruit free 0 pts. I started gaining and that's were my struggles began and my ML kept telling me to stick with it.
    Even though I do WW online I am now adding the calories also just to keep in check and get on track.
This discussion has been closed.