So Many Calories....

Tamz36
Tamz36 Posts: 20
edited November 11 in Food and Nutrition
Today is only my second day of MFP. I have been struggling to lose weight for a while now. I have been regularly excercising now for a few months. I really have never been much of a calorie counter. But after just logging what I have eaten for the last two day....OMG. No wonder I'm not loosing any weight. This is slightly embarrasing to post but I have to start being honest with myslef now that I know how many calories I am actually putting in my mouth. Yesterday I consumed over 3000 calories, and today I have consumed right at 4500. In the last two days I have eaten out almost every meal, and I can easily see how the calories add up for takeout food. I guess this is really a VERY BIG EYEOPENER for me. I am just blown away. Since I have never really counted calories, I had no idea how many calories some of my favorite foods are. Which sucks, but at least i know what I am doing wrong now. And I can adjust to it. That is just crazy though.......

Thanks for listening to my ranting and raving...
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Replies

  • shawnadwyer
    shawnadwyer Posts: 49 Member
    you are very brave for posting.... you are exactly right it is a very big eye open, now all you can do is push forward and i am sure you will be on you way to a healthier life style. Remember one step at a time. You should be proud of yourself for just taking the time to log your food, give yourself a pat on the back fo heading in the right direction.
  • tgmshierry
    tgmshierry Posts: 83 Member
    You know acknowledging is the first step. You are on a life long journey and the first step can be the hardest.
  • nlehmann
    nlehmann Posts: 164 Member
    Welcome - that's why MFP is such a cool tool as long as you use it right and honestly you will do great things!
  • ashiggins
    ashiggins Posts: 144 Member
    I had the same realization when I started logging! I was easily consuming 3000++ calories on a daily basis. It's shocking that I didn't gain more weight than I did. Just keep working at logging and eventually your average calories will come down--your body will adjust. Not sure what you set your calorie goal at, but don't try something drastic like 1200 cals right off the bat. Start at a higher calorie goal first and once you can do that consistently for a week, work your way further down depending on your goals. Good luck!
  • myfriendamy
    myfriendamy Posts: 131 Member
    but hey - you're aware now! I tracked a few "average" days before I started, and like you, I was shocked to see how many calories (not to mention fat, sodium, etc) I ate every day!!

    you have a great tool here with MFP, and you've already seen what you need to change. that was a very brave first step - you're off to a great start!
  • hdlb123
    hdlb123 Posts: 112 Member
    Good for you for being honest with yourself! Its a really good thing to know, how much is actually going into your mouth. Pretty shocking sometimes, but important to realize.
  • Tamz36
    Tamz36 Posts: 20
    I did exactly that at first, I todl MFP I wanted to lose 2 lbs per week and it put my calories SOO low. I was having problems with my diabetes at that low of a cal intake. So I bumped it up to MFP losing 1/2 lb a week, and I think most of those days I was under my cal goal. So after doing it at that cal intake, and staying under, I went to 1 lb a week. And its an adjustment, but most days it is do-able. Thanks,
  • Tamz36
    Tamz36 Posts: 20
    it really is a good tool and you're right, it only works at all if your honest with yourself. ☺
  • aprilgicker
    aprilgicker Posts: 395 Member
    I takes a few weeks to figure out what your are doing but, think about the results. Most of us have been over weight for years, and It only takes months to lose it. It is great that it is possible. 1 year from now you could be 50 lbs lighter. That is what makes it worth it.
  • hiker282
    hiker282 Posts: 983 Member
    So many calories...and only one me! I love eating and I love exercising. and I love the body I'm creating doing both! It's great!
  • delilah47
    delilah47 Posts: 1,658
    Eating healthy is a learning curve.. Keep logging and start doing a little planning ahead. Read labels. Use the MFP database to look up foods before you put them in your menu plan. It's sometimes overwhelming at first, but pretty soon it will be second nature.. just stick with it. After some experience, you will have a good idea of what is healthy and what's not. Planning ahead is the key. I usually fill out most of my daily menu plan early in the morning. If there is something in particular I want to eat that day, like a small steak and some trimmings, I enter that in first and build other meals around it so everything fits in my calorie range.
  • londongirl2012
    londongirl2012 Posts: 149 Member
    I did exactly that at first, I todl MFP I wanted to lose 2 lbs per week and it put my calories SOO low. I was having problems with my diabetes at that low of a cal intake. So I bumped it up to MFP losing 1/2 lb a week, and I think most of those days I was under my cal goal. So after doing it at that cal intake, and staying under, I went to 1 lb a week. And its an adjustment, but most days it is do-able. Thanks,

    That's a good sensible way to do it, as obviously you don't want dieting to affect your health negatively! If you find yourself not having enough calories a bit of exercise always helps to burn some then log it in and it works out how many calories you burn, meaning you can have an extra snack that day, as well as all the other health benefits of it too :)
  • Tamz36
    Tamz36 Posts: 20
    Eating healthy is a learning curve.. Keep logging and start doing a little planning ahead. Read labels. Use the MFP database to look up foods before you put them in your menu plan. It's sometimes overwhelming at first, but pretty soon it will be second nature.. just stick with it. After some experience, you will have a good idea of what is healthy and what's not. Planning ahead is the key. I usually fill out most of my daily menu plan early in the morning. If there is something in particular I want to eat that day, like a small steak and some trimmings, I enter that in first and build other meals around it so everything fits in my calorie range.

    I thought about doing it that way, but doesnt that make you feel like you are "locked in" to have to eat the food you logged?
  • Tamz36
    Tamz36 Posts: 20
    I takes a few weeks to figure out what your are doing but, think about the results. Most of us have been over weight for years, and It only takes months to lose it. It is great that it is possible. 1 year from now you could be 50 lbs lighter. That is what makes it worth it.

    SO TRUE. And that is my motivation. Along with a pic of myself at 140 lbs pinned up on my wall so I see it every morning when I get out of bed..... Every morning I tell myself "you can find that girl again if you just stay on track". I know that prob sounds dorky or maybe just a little creepy, but it works, most days!!
  • AmyRhubarb
    AmyRhubarb Posts: 6,890 Member
    That's awesome and sounds very similar to my experience when I first started logging my foods. I always thought I was eating pretty healthy, but was so surprised when I started seeing my daily totals! Over the past two years (used other sites for logging before I landed here at MFP, which is by far my favorite!) of logging foods, I have changed my eating habits and the foods that I eat on a regular basis, as well as portion sizes. Of the 20lbs I've lost, I think changing my eating habits has made the biggest difference.
  • danihonline
    danihonline Posts: 26
    I have to say, I was completely shocked when I first started logging in my food. I had never been a calorie counter before, but MFP has made it so easy. I love getting recipes here from everyone for good healthy food that really fills you up and keeps me going.

    Good luck!
  • hackett1171
    hackett1171 Posts: 33
    Today is only my second day of MFP. I have been struggling to lose weight for a while now. I have been regularly excercising now for a few months. I really have never been much of a calorie counter. But after just logging what I have eaten for the last two day....OMG. No wonder I'm not loosing any weight. This is slightly embarrasing to post but I have to start being honest with myslef now that I know how many calories I am actually putting in my mouth. Yesterday I consumed over 3000 calories, and today I have consumed right at 4500. In the last two days I have eaten out almost every meal, and I can easily see how the calories add up for takeout food. I guess this is really a VERY BIG EYEOPENER for me. I am just blown away. Since I have never really counted calories, I had no idea how many calories some of my favorite foods are. Which sucks, but at least i know what I am doing wrong now. And I can adjust to it. That is just crazy though.......

    Thanks for listening to my ranting and raving...

    YOU ARE AWESOME! GOOD FOR YOU FOR BEING HONEST.....YOU ARE ON A GREAT ROAD TO BEING HEALTHY
  • KrazyAsianNic
    KrazyAsianNic Posts: 1,227 Member
    It is a reality hit starting to record your food. Even though you have low calories, that's just about how much are suppose to consume. You can eat more, but you would have to make sure you exercise it off. I have my weight loss at one pound a week, leaving me 1850. I like to eat anywhere betwen 1350-1800. (1350 is what my goal would be if I did 2 pounds a week.) You'll get the hang of it. Just hang in there and try your best. And dont kill yourself over one bad day now and then =D
  • suedegagne
    suedegagne Posts: 2 Member
    I thought I was eating really healthy most of the time as well!! Lot's of fruits and veggies, chicken, clean meals!! The first day I listed my food I was shocked. I was eating way to much protein, not enough carbs and I couldn't figure out why I haven't been losing! It's been 5 days and I already feel better! I keep playing around with different foods to get a better balance. Did a great grocery shop today and planned alot of different things for next week! It's always a learning curve.
  • nirebelldandy
    nirebelldandy Posts: 75
    I do this too! I thought I was weird. I usually plan the night before, so in case I want a treat I know what else I can eat. I leave a little wiggle room at the end just in case :) It also helps me eat fruit and veggies before they go bad, and use up leftovers. I used to forget I had things all the time and I was wasting food every week. But I am definitely all for planning ahead of time!
  • journeysover
    journeysover Posts: 31
    You are very brave to post. I had a similar eye opener not only calories but my sugar was off the scale and could have led to diabetes. I am finding it a day by day challenge and am finding( mostly unsuccessfully) trying not to eat what I exercise off.
  • chipaddict
    chipaddict Posts: 53
    Don't be embarrassed, it's the reason most of us are here! Good luck with your weight loss xx
  • marx4
    marx4 Posts: 236 Member
    You are motivated and sincere to lose weight. Counting the calories is an eye opener, agreed. Most everyone loves to eat, it isn't easy, I get so discouraged. But YOU will do it, keep it up and think positive, you're on the right track!!
  • kaetmarie
    kaetmarie Posts: 668 Member
    knowledge is a start! welcome and good luck on your journey!! start small, keep logging (no matter what!), and be patient. you CAN and WILL do this!
  • Hambone23
    Hambone23 Posts: 486 Member
    I think a lot of us start MFP with that really big eye opener. I know I charted a few of my "regular" days before I started to see how many calories I was taking it, and seeing it all listed there and laid out in front of me, well, yeah, eye opener. But that's a fantastic first step--to realize how bad we have been eating. Now we can turn it around. :smile:
  • HonkyTonks
    HonkyTonks Posts: 1,193 Member
    Welcome to MFP :) I am glad to see you are taking the first step on your journey, and you are getting the right idea about taking it slow and not trying to make a drastic change. You will soon start to identify what things you could do without, those big calorie adders that just aren't worth it. The great thing about calorie counting is you can still eat things you enjoy, you don't need to totally cut everything from your diet. You can just make smarter better choices. It's a lifestyle change.

    Good luck!
  • nnylee
    nnylee Posts: 811 Member
    YOU CAN DO IT!!
  • Raina27
    Raina27 Posts: 133
    I agree with everyone! When I first started it was a real eye opener for me seeing how many calories, or sodium and sugar is in everything that I eat! Now I take forever in the grocery store reading labels and finding healthier alternatives for foods that I enjoy!! Glad you were able to catch yourself before it got outta hand!! One thing that helped me is NOT eating out!!! I told my husband that I would rather buy more groceries and cook everyday than to eat out everyday and that has been working for me!! I also plan out my food and log my diary each night for the next day which also helps me to not just eat anything and log it later!!
  • 0EmmeNicole0
    0EmmeNicole0 Posts: 180 Member
    You are very brave to post this! It is a shock how many calories are in a lot of the foods we eat. What's even more crazy are the foods we THINK are healthy so we eat those and really they are full of calories because of all the sugar , carbs, and fats. It's crazy really.
  • C00lCountry
    C00lCountry Posts: 282
    As many have stated before me, many people (including myself) was kind of surprised at some of the foods we ate.
    I kind of figure like this,

    Before MFP

    Breakfast would say that is not so bad
    Lunch would say that is not so bad
    Dinner would say that is not so bad

    After
    End of day
    Holy crap what am I doing!

    Now I see my mistakes and sounds like so do you.
    You can do it.
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