I never knew...

jedibunny
jedibunny Posts: 321
edited November 9 in Food and Nutrition
Talk about a surprise. After joining and tracking my food intake honestly today (my first day!), AND feeling like I was keeping myself from eating what I would normally eat, I'm a whopping 290 calories over what MFP recommended my intake should be as well as 30 or so extra carbs... and that was without adding the toasted baguette I ate my veggie dog on, and a few sweet potato fries I "borrowed" from a friend's plate at lunch. I still feel the urge to run to the kitchen and snack, and I'm really, truly in shock. I must have normally been taking in somewhere around 1800 calories (MFP wants me to ingest 1330 cals/day). Now, I know exercise can negate some of my food intake, but I don't normally make the time to exercise. I work as a data manager (read: I sit at a desk) and my time after work is spent teaching (online) and/or playing MMORPGs with my significant other (read: I sit at a desk).

How do you guys stay within your limits? Granted, some of my heaviest-intake items were "fluff" like a chai latte or a Red Bull... can removing those really keep me within bounds? (And more importantly, can I stay awake? I cut out a LOT of my normal sugars today and I'm exhausted.) I'd have thought since I was eating vegetarian I'd have far fewer calories, but apparently not.

I'm looking for some suggestions to help my energy level and make room for more filling foods while staying under 1330. Any and all expertise would be welcome.

Replies

  • jbootman
    jbootman Posts: 145 Member
    give yourself a kiss,

    the first few days and weeks are the worst,

    you are on a new road,

    I spent months eating apples, oh I loved the crunch, certainly better than the candy bars before,

    but I counted an apple is an apple, wrong, my costco apples were more than twice the size if the average apple on the list,

    now I weigh everything down to the last gram,

    and I plan every meal,

    really plan,

    I do not just log what I ate, I plan what I will eat, very different,

    good luck
  • FarmerNikki
    FarmerNikki Posts: 19
    It's tough in the beginning, after realizing what a portion size actually is and cutting back I've started making small changes. I now limit my fast food to 2-3 times a month compared to 1-2 times a week, and I've started using honey as a sweetener, extra virgin olive oil in place of vegetable oil or butter, and I now make all our breads replacing at least half the flour with freshly ground wheat. You could start by replacing your chai with plain black tea (or sweetened with honey) just as much energy and it's filling and look at the other foods you eat to see what little changes you can make.
  • lmelangley
    lmelangley Posts: 1,039 Member
    I think a lot of us felt the same way when we joined. I remember my shock that a serving of mac & cheese was 1/2 cup, not 2 full cups! My advice is to take the first few weeks to get used to calories and portion controls. Eventually, your eating patterns will emerge (I eat a small breakfast, just a tad larger lunch, and a much larger dinner), and that will help you plan.

    Although I think it's a good idea to cut out a lot of your caloric drinks - humans tend to be the only animals who take in calories through liquid after being weened- I also don't believe that it's necessary to entirely cut everything out. You just need to plan those calories so they don't sneak up on you. And, if you're dependent on sugar and caffeine to get through the day, it's time to reassess. It's never good to be dependent on those things. (Says the girl who loves her coffee....)

    You'll learn to stay within your limits by making yummy substitutions. Eating sandwiches on a Deli Slim roll will save about 100 calories over regular bread. Filling up on vegetables instead of starches like potatoes will save gobs of calories and give you tons of fiber- very important. Try to avoid processed foods and restaurants. Make every food a choice. If the cheese on your sandwich is worth the calories to you (about 100), go for it. Savor it and never feel guilty about it. But, if you'd rather use that 100 calories on something else, that's ok, too.

    I agree with jbootman- plan as much as possible and log in advance, if you can. I promise you it will get easier in just a few short weeks.
  • jedibunny
    jedibunny Posts: 321
    Thank you all. This morning I avoided the temptation to get Starbucks or Dunkin' coffee or tea and instead drank some water and ate fresh strawberries... I still think I'm going to make a cup of black tea, but it felt good knowing I was making a much better choice and saving a few dollars. :)

    My portions have never been that big, but I also never tended to stick to the 3-meal schedule either what with grad school and/or work. I'd snack, have smaller meals, snack some more, etc. I thought I was healthier for it, but I probably ended up eating more.

    Definitely reassessing and it's the strangest feeling - knowing what you've done most of your adult life was exactly wrong.
  • jbootman
    jbootman Posts: 145 Member
    one thing that has made this time different for me was my personal commitment to myself that this was the last diet I would be on, the vow that I would be mindful of my choices going forward,

    now thats not to say I have been perfect, far from it, last year I lost 75 pounds and then went to rome, egypt and for 6 months to montreal where I stayed at a house full of the most extraordinary food---all organic, owner of 2 restaurants, all free, and a very french attitude, thats all they think or talk about is food, while eating breakfast they are talking about what to make for the next meals, aaaahhh,

    gained back 35 organic pounds,

    so back home now, bit the bullet, weighed in, logged on and I am back,

    being truthful, fighting the hard fight,

    I am old, have raised my children, am grandmother,

    some parts of my road are easier than yours, I have others doing cooking etc, I can just concentrate on myself,

    I am not hormonal,

    I would encourage you to think of this site and your decision as the very best choice,

    you can treat yourself first,

    make your own best choices
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