September 12
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Mrs_Hoffer
Posts: 5,194 Member
Did I exercise for at least 20 minutes?
Did I stay within my calorie budget for the day?
Did I keep track of everything I ate and drank?
Did I stay within my calorie budget for the day?
Did I keep track of everything I ate and drank?
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Replies
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[posting a little early because I expect to be gone most of Saturday]
Those of us who have been here for a while still have our struggles but those new to UAC can find sticking to the three simple rules challenging. Consequently we lose people after the first week or two. Consider some strategies to stay the course.
Which rule is the hardest for you?
For me it was exercise. It took me about five months before I became consistent with it every single day.5 -
I suppose the hardest one for me is tracking every bite, not because I don't do it but just because it's the most work. Sometimes all the weighing and logging can feel like a huge effort. Also, it's all fine and dandy when you're home in your own environment, but the effort gets much harder when you're out and about. I have gotten better at this, but it's still the hardest to manage. But, it's what makes me feel like I'm in the driver's seat, so it's worth it!7
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Keeping calories where I want them is definitely the hardest for me.4
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Keeping calories within limits is hardest. And then it gets frustrating because I’m hungry but there’s no calories left. That said, I have learned what foods trigger a desire to eat more, and I have discovered how rewarding it is to be able to take a pass on a perceived hunger.
And to anyone who may be frustrated and thinking about quitting, please don’t! It’s difficult to keep plugging along when you think you’re not making progress, but in 6 months, will there be progress because you quit? Of course not! But if you keep working on the 3 UAC goals, eventually it falls into place. You might only be 5 or 10 pounds lighter in 6 months, but isn’t that better than the alternative? Don’t give up on yourself. I nearly did that back in May and I’m so glad I didn’t.11 -
For logging I find it helpful to create recipes for the things I make regularly and then use the copy function to create variations as needed. I tend to eat a lot of the same foods (though in different combinations) so usually I can find the prior entry within the first page or two of my recent food. I wish MFP let you do a search within your own foods, recipes, etc as I sometimes have to page through to find stuff I haven't eaten in the last couple of weeks. I always use the serving size on the package so I'm confident in reusing the entries.
Because we nearly always have dinner leftovers for lunch the next day I find logging the meal easier than trying to add all of the food again even if it is in my recent section. Once entry vs many.
As far as weighing food I've been doing it for so long (even when not logging) that it's become second nature. I've found it useful to pay attention to the volume of food I'm weighing so as to make it easier to better estimate restaurant food or meals I eat at the home of friends/relatives.5 -
12 Sept
Did I exercise for at least 20 minutes? yes (easiest rule)
Did I stay within my calorie budget for the day? yes (hardest rule)
Did I keep track of everything I ate and drank? yes
pass days used :0
My pass days are usually around rule #2.
I hope all the folks who are new this month stick around because coming up this week is a SPECIAL treat. The 15th is always my favorite of all the days in the UAC....8 -
Which rule is the hardest for you?
Exercise. But having the cutest, cuddliest, most energetic puppy in the world helps motivate me.
I struggle with fatigue (RA and my current drugs that help manage it actually worsen this aspect). And chronic pain — which is actually improved by regular exercise. It is really the first few minutes of moving (or re-starting movement) that are the worst.
So, on that note, I am heading out with Beauregard (and his new halter harness which completely stops his pulling now).
Julie7 -
SEP 12
Exercise ✅ [2:25 h walk]3 -
Yes x3 although I dipped quite firmly into my exercise calories (running) to make it work.
I find the tracking the hardest. It's a bit boring and my natural inclination is to just very loosely track. I think that's what makes it the most important. Whenever I've had a plateau it's been because I've stopped tracking as diligently.5 -
September 12, 2021
Did I exercise for at least 20 minutes? Yes
Did I stay within my calorie budget for the day? Yes
Did I keep track of everything I ate and drank? Yes
Kitchen Closed? Yes
Did you go "nuts" with nuts today? No (11 days-free )
(I go "nuts" with nuts most times, trying to continue a good habit this month. Counting the number of "nuts" free days.) I am still learning a lot about myself in this area!
Pass day 0/3 (this is for accountability to myself and my records).
Did I stay within my calorie budget for the day? This is the hardest rule because sometimes I am not where I need to be with my macros.
Newbies, please hang on! Do not go. You will glad you did not go because you need these 3 UAC rules for maintenance. We also have a treat for you in 3 days time - on the 15th
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12 Sept
✅✅✅ Today's exercise was my 11-mile #icecreamwalk !! They were out of my Rebel brand, but I was able to find another keto brand (Halo Top) that was actually half the calories of my Rebel!
Pass Days Used: 1/3 (10Sep)
Did I exercise for at least 20 minutes? yes (easiest rule)
Did I stay within my calorie budget for the day? yes (hardest rule)
Did I keep track of everything I ate and drank? yes
I'm like SummerSkier in that my pass days are usually around rule #2.
@jamcnewman your Beauregard is adorable! Thanks for sharing your pictures!4 -
Did I exercise for at least 20 minutes? Yes, Launchpad 1:6 for 25 minutes, 10 sit/stands, 40 mini-crunches
Did I stay within my calorie budget for the day? Yes
Did I keep track of everything I ate and drank? Yes, in fact, over-guesstimated and had enough calories left to enjoy a scoop of ice cream.
For me the hardest challenge is always the exercise. Not because I don't enjoy it, I do, very much. My fibromyalgia determines what level of exercise I can do. Some days all I can do is shuffle around the house for 20 minutes, but by doing the challenge at least I do that
! But I am one of those weirdos that actually enjoy meticulously tracking every nibble and sip, in fact, I get a bit obsessive about it. DH actually gets irritated with me when I change from ounces to grams on my food scale, then take stuff off to get the exact grams per ounce. 
@LazyBlondeChef Great topic. Staying power isn't will power or even motivation; it is based on HABITS like the ones we develop here on the UAC. As an aside, I am always amazed by the folks on the boards that do ONE post asking for motivation and encouragement and friends . . . only to disappear, never to be heard from again!
"If it weren't for the fact that the TV set and the refrigerator are so far apart, some of us wouldn't get any exercise at all." ~ Joey Adams7 -
Staying within calorie budget is hard for me. I have an enormous appetite and I've never really developed listening to when my tummy says its full. Now I try to eat what is a reasonable portion and make myself wait 20 minutes to see if I still am feeling like I am hungry. When I do this, most times I don't need to eat more.
Yes x 3.5 -
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For me staying under calories is definitely the hardest!
Exercise:✅
Tracked:✅
Under:✅5 -
From my hike today8 -
My biggest problem when I started the UAC was staying under my calorie count, it has taken me some time to make adjustments that allow me to usually stay under, I am human after all like everyone else and have not so good days. But being consistent and weighing out by scale or measuring cup and spoons has made life so much easier. Our family does not eat out very often as no one really likes fast food or restaurant foods, home is so much better and I control what goes into my food. So this is not a concern, when I am in the office I always pack my lunch and do my very best to steer clear of extras that others bring in. It has been difficult at first but don’t give up every habit takes time to develop and make work.
Today I tracked logged and stayed under, I even did some meditation this morning it was relaxing for a Sunday. Later this afternoon a nice brisk 3.1 mph walk fought a good headwind coming home but it was warm. Then sat in the backyard wit hubby and the golden.4 -
✅ - Exercise 20+ Minutes (Fitbit said 89 minutes)
✅ - Calories within budget (only just under maintenance calories)
✅ - Tracked everything
3️⃣ Pass Days Remaining
Since I've been in maintenance I don't often take pass days. When I do, they are usually because of family celebration when I have chosen not to stay within calories.
Today I was planning a pass day because the family were celebrating DH's 75th birthday, but when I tracked, I discovered that I was still in the green. Probably because I had a light breakfast, and wasn't hungry tonight, so didn't eat a big Sunday dinner.3 -
I don't think my honest reply to the topic reflects reality, strangely enough. Since finding UAC in May, all of my pass days were days I could not get exercise in (one of those I did not track either but was pretty sure I would have been within calories). So while it would appear my answer is clearly "exercise", I feel the more appropriate answer given my history prior to this year, and also the most likely challenging one in future maintenance will be staying within calories. This "phase" where calories and tracking seem easier is just a phase, with a lot of credit to being keto and so overweight. I can eat keto to satiety and lose quite easily...for now. At some point (perhaps already starting based on some recent hungry feelings) I will not remain satisfied at my current calorie deficit.3
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@LazyBlondeChef Here is a “rule within a rule” that is the hardest for me: Track right away after any calorie intake.
Today’s report…
Exercise: more than 4 hours of walking ( but I only count 3 hours for calories output)
Tracking: really good
Calories: under my limit7
