July 30
Exercise: Yes
Calories: No
Tracked: Yes

I don't eat back exercise calories, and I try to be generous and overestimate calories when I'm not home and can't measure or don't know the measurement of something. If you're new, it helps to spend some time at home playing with your measuring cups and a food scale if you have one, just so you can get used to estimating quantities when you need to.

My calories were over my daily allowance yesterday. I keep a spreadsheet with my daily calories, daily weight, and some columns to calculate 3-week and 2-week average TDEE. Since I planned to go over calories yesterday, I've been keeping an eye that my calories were lower the previous couple of days, and I'll keep watching the remainder of the week as well.

I pay attention to what I eat at each meal, each day, but I'm playing the long game here.

grebber1 wrote: »

Like I said before I was doing some research on keto and how it works. Then I started looking at my diet. I'm completely going in the wrong direction. When I started trying to change my life style a few weeks ago I thought I was doing a good thing by eating Lean Cuisine and other brands like that for lunch. The calories was great and to be honest most of the food is pretty good. Problem is at the end of the day carbs are like 2 thirds of my diet. Sodium is higher than I like as well but still not bad.
Don't get me wrong, I'm eating better then I usually would but I think it may be time to stop buying the frozen foods that's "healthy" and start making my own. I'm not having any problem with calories now but I seem to have forgotten about everything else that's in the food.
I dunno. What do you guys think?

@grebber1 I think you've absolutely made the right realization, and this could be a big turning point for you. Whether you actually follow the keto diet or not, learning how to cook lean proteins and vegetables for yourself will go a tremendous distance to allowing you to lose weight and develop a sustainable healthy lifestyle.

Hurray for you! I really think this is great news that you've had this insight!

Westray16
Weigh in Monday
Weigh in week 1
Previous weight 196lbs
Weight now 195lbs

eevang wrote: »

@LesIckaBod I buy it as a blend at my local grocery store from the frozen aisle. I'm certain it's probably easy to make at home, but I'm all about super fast, convenient cooking (haha so I'm a lazy cook).

I like regular Riced cauliflower too (when dressed or combined with something--alone is meh to me) but the texture isn't quite as pleasing to me for some reason.

I also cook it way longer than the package usually says to in order to get it closer to the consistency I want.

Also...preserving muscle isn't my area of expertise but maybe your calories are a bit too low to be preserving lean mass? I vote don't worry at all until the real report comes in and then do research if necessary

@eevang You're the voice of reason for my worrywart frustrations. I did run a bit under my target calories based on tracked 3-week TDEE recently (not enough to lose 11 lbs of lean mass, I would think, though!). You know I'll keep you all posted when I get the new Inbody results!

Also, I'm going to take a closer look at the freezer section of my grocery store next time to check for riced cauliflower.

grebber1 wrote: »

Don't get me wrong, I'm eating better then I usually would but I think it may be time to stop buying the frozen foods that's "healthy" and start making my own. I'm not having any problem with calories now but I seem to have forgotten about everything else that's in the food.
I dunno. What do you guys think?

I try to stick with fresh, homemade meals, but I also always keep a couple of frozen meals on hand. I don't always have the time or energy to actually cook something, and a Lean Cuisine pizza is a far cry better than ordering an actual pizza or picking up fast food.

@grebber1 Awesome insight--that kind of insight is what will give you switches and tricks that make long-term loss and maintenance a success.

I had the same insight but it took me a while. I ate lean cuisine all the time at my highest weight and very rarely now. I used to get hungry an hour after eating one and then cave to snacking. I do like to have a couple of the frozen meals on hand if I ever have a zero energy day after work. My rule of thumb is this: less than 400 calories, over (or very close to) 20g of protein. The higher protein content keeps me full.

@eevang You got this!!! I'm so excited for you to be so close to the next mini goal.



I've had a very stressful week. I work full time and then also have (had) a part time job. Both of my jobs are very stressful in themselves. However on Sunday I was at my part time job, two hours until time to go home. Since I'm part time there has been a lot of changes on how things are done. I'm a quick learner and I only recently dropped down to part time after 10 full years on the job. I know what I need to do. I just wanted clarification on one thing and went to speak to the supervisor. In his true fashion when he doesn't know the answer, his response was "well did you read the policy" and I responded "yes". This is where he ALWAYS starts screaming at people so they sit down and drop the question/subject. After said supervisor literally screamed at the top of his lungs as me as the 17 other people watched in horror (and then later sent me texts about how that was NOT appropriate as well as others having a few choice about how they describe him), I decided I was going to quit. I sat there and cried at my desk, wanting to just walk out right then and there. Instead I made it through the rest of the shift and I turned in my notice and will be reporting him to HR. The big bosses are very sad to see me go and even said they weren't going to make it official until Wednesday after I had a few days to think if it's really what I want. And it is. Thankfully I have my full time job that is great and I don't have to put up with him. It'll be rough and I don't know how I'm going to swing bills, but at this point I just don't care if that means I have to donate plasma to make up some money difference. And it made food shopping easier because I was not hungry due to being upset that the chocolate bar in the check out wasn't even a temptation. I don't know if I cried because I'm so embarrassed, or if because I'm so happy I don't have to deal with the stress, or because it's been my job for the last 10 years and I'm leaving behind people who really supported that tonight when I didn't think they really cared that much. Hopefully now the stress is gone, it'll be easier to lose weight. I've been wanting to stress eat but so far I'm handling it well.. sticking to plan. I ate two small fun sized butterfingers... but resisted cake at work for someones retirement party!

hi all, new here, hoping to lose weight soon! lol. thank you

Jaygirl3
Weigh in Sunday
Weigh in at start was 209.6lbs

@WishfulThinning18 Way to go for taking care of yourself by getting out of that abusive-sounding work situation. I hope the relief from stress opens up your life to allowing you to better achieve your health and other goals.

@grebber1 Congrats on breaking under 380! I hope your salad, egg and chicken lunch helps you keep making progress! One tip: since you're a big guy and have a physically strenuous job, really make sure you're getting enough protein and fat in that lunch. Pre-tracking your food for the day on MFP could help, and if you find you need a little more protein or fat, think about adding some nuts into your lunch or packing a protein smoothie in a cooler.

@eevang Way to go on your weight loss! Since I've been in the group, you've been a role model for steady, reasonable weight loss -- and reasonable attitudes toward the ups and downs of weight loss, too. I'm rooting for you to reach your 60 lb milestone!