845 replies to this topic

[edicius]

Daily Plate has shown me that I don't eat enough. Seem counter-intuitive to me, since I am at least 20 pounds over what I want to be... but apparently people who have messed up their metabolisms as I have can actually gain weight by eating very little. That's me. Weird, huh?

I'll say one thing about Daily Plate - it's making me pay attention to what I'm actually eating throughout the day. Just grabbed a cookie or two? Mark 'em down. How much water have I been drinking? Remember that cup of coffee DOES have calories! And so on.

I can still snack, but I need to be cognizant of what I'm snacking on and the serving size. And I think that's where the website's helped me. Eventually that may become natural for me. I'm definitely eating less than I have though, but still being able to eat good food (we made some baked ziti the other night and I've been able to balance that with what I've eaten throughout the day, plus exercise). Tonight, we're making chicken parmesan with mostacciolli and I've calculated how that will work for me in terms of what I've eaten for breakfast and what I'm going to eat for lunch. It all fits within my approx. 1,700 cal/day.

I know what you mean about the whole screwed up metabolism, though. I used to be able to lose weight by essentially starving myself, but not anymore.

I've lost about 4 lbs in the past week, so I must be doing something right so far.

[SouthernWingsFan]

Something I'm going to try to consistently incorporate into my workouts when I life weights is doing a few sets of pull-ups. I'm not a big person and my upper body strength is something to probably point and laugh at but even if you just do a set of three pull-ups more/less, you can really feel it on your biceps.

And nobody can say I didn't do my part to be fit today. After lifting weights and the like early this morning for about 45 minutes, running a little over three miles late this afternoon, and working in my yard for close to an hour this evening, I've killed plenty of calories.

Edited by SouthernWingsFan, 23 July 2008 - 08:49 PM.

[wingedwheeler12]

I guess im kinda new in this thread, I dont say much, normally Im just a big time reader, but this thread caught my attention, I have been trying for about six months to lose some weight and well, only ten lbs has came off, I think I just have really bad relapses and I dont come out of it quick enough to realize.

doctor says I have to do something soon, but for being 5'7'' I dont look like i weigh alot, but the scale says otherwise, needless to say if I dont lose something Ill be border line diabetic, which is something I dont want to have to go threw, I could use some support on the whole diet thing, because really I am not good at it. so Ill be in touch, I have calmed the carbs down and have been doing alot of salad, we will see where it goes!

Ill be back with more updates soon!

[edicius]

I guess im kinda new in this thread, I dont say much, normally Im just a big time reader, but this thread caught my attention, I have been trying for about six months to lose some weight and well, only ten lbs has came off, I think I just have really bad relapses and I dont come out of it quick enough to realize.

doctor says I have to do something soon, but for being 5'7'' I dont look like i weigh alot, but the scale says otherwise, needless to say if I dont lose something Ill be border line diabetic, which is something I dont want to have to go threw, I could use some support on the whole diet thing, because really I am not good at it. so Ill be in touch, I have calmed the carbs down and have been doing alot of salad, we will see where it goes!

Ill be back with more updates soon!

Welcome aboard.

As referenced earlier in the thread, TheDailyPlate.com is a fantastic resource for tracking your calorie intake. I started using it about a week and a half ago and, in tandem with regular 5-10 minute daily bouts of aerobics on WiiFit, I've already lost 6 lbs (and yes, I know I'm going to hit a plateau eventually, but I'm hoping that doesn't discourage me). The great thing about it is that you don't necessarily have to stop eating good food - you just end up more aware of what you're eating, the calories of each item and so on. It's stopped me from snacking and it's kept me away from the higher calorie stuff like most fast food (a Wendy's spicy chicken meal is something like 1,200 calories, practically 75% of my daily recommended calorie intake of around 1,700 calories (I have my goal on Daily Plate set to losing 2 lbs a week, so your daily recommended intake will vary based on your individual weight and goals).

[puckloo39]

Does anyone else have trouble coming up with 1400-1600 calories a day of GOOD food? I actually am having trouble meeting all the nutritional requirements, and scrounging up 1500 or so calories a day, without a lot of carbs and fats. I am sitting here right now, coming up with next week's menu, 3 meals and two snacks per day. It's harder than it looks. I read somewhere that when you grocery shop, you should shop for the week and plan everything within reason. It's also a money-saver, according to the article I read, as you're less likely to impulse shop and more likely to stay out of the processed foods.

New development: After six months of working out and dieting, I actually had gained 11 pounds on top of the 18 I had piled on last Fall. It's not muscle from the weights. I am not the Hulk, I am a 5' 6" woman. Beginning to get frightened by this weirdness, I went back to the doctor. She discovered that among other things, I was on the wrong thyroid medication.

Basically, it seems that I have no metabolism without a replacement drug. No amount of exercise will change that fact. So, she changed my meds. I have continued to work out daily, and hope that now I will finally see some results of my dedication. Cross your fingers that the medication was the problem!

BTW, this is not to say that everyone who is stuck at a plateau or having trouble budging extra pounds is hypothyroid. I am, and have the labs to prove it. The meds are not a crutch or drug to lose weight. In my case, they might give me what most people take for granted... the ability to use the food you eat for fuel and not to create more and more fat. I just don't want anyone to think they should run to the doctor for pills, because that is not what I am doing by any stretch. If you do think you have a deficient thyroid, by all means, have it checked. It's a very simple blood test.

I have learned that my prescription meds are sold over the internet, for weight loss. This terrifies me, as people have no idea how powerful these hormones are. They literally can kill, if they are misused.

If this is the answer to my weight gain and frustration, I am thrilled. I was getting tired of doing everything right, being perfect with diet, and militant about exercise (which I love, the gym and weights, etc. so it's not a chore for me) -- but despite all my efforts, I was going the "wrong" way. People had to be thinking that I was in secret a lazy slob... and a liar, to boot. I am neither. Maybe now, all my hard work will show.

Ironically, all the workouts which should have made me feel better, didn't. This sounds odd, but yesterday, day two on the new meds, I had a great workout, compliments from the trainer on my energy, added reps, took on a new task -- intervals on a spin bike, ack! -- and left feeling incredible! I don't think I am imagining that I feel better already. This is powerful stuff, ya'll.

I have hope again. Wish me luck!!

[puckloo39]

I guess im kinda new in this thread, I dont say much, normally Im just a big time reader, but this thread caught my attention, I have been trying for about six months to lose some weight and well, only ten lbs has came off, I think I just have really bad relapses and I dont come out of it quick enough to realize.

doctor says I have to do something soon, but for being 5'7'' I dont look like i weigh alot, but the scale says otherwise, needless to say if I dont lose something Ill be border line diabetic, which is something I dont want to have to go threw, I could use some support on the whole diet thing, because really I am not good at it. so Ill be in touch, I have calmed the carbs down and have been doing alot of salad, we will see where it goes!

Ill be back with more updates soon!

WW12, welcome to the workout room.

You and I are probably what I call "dense" body-types. I think people would be shocked if they saw the number on the scale, even when I am on the thin side. I know you read all the time, don't worry about the number on the scale, but realistically, we have to, don't we?

I am a life-long dieter, laughingly call myself the world's foremost intellectual dieter. There is nothing I don't know, but putting it into practice is more difficult, yes?

You are on the right track. Keeping carbs on the low side (but don't eliminate the good ones, you need them), staying away from high sodium products, and lowering your fat intake is a very good start. If you have a family tendency toward diabetes, then you are very wise to address that now, before you develop a problem.

What kind of exercise do you like? Are you a walker? If you haven't been active, that's a great place to start... check in and tell us what you're doing, OK?

xo, looooo

[betterREDthandead]

Welcome aboard.

As referenced earlier in the thread, TheDailyPlate.com is a fantastic resource for tracking your calorie intake. I started using it about a week and a half ago and, in tandem with regular 5-10 minute daily bouts of aerobics on WiiFit, I've already lost 6 lbs (and yes, I know I'm going to hit a plateau eventually, but I'm hoping that doesn't discourage me). The great thing about it is that you don't necessarily have to stop eating good food - you just end up more aware of what you're eating, the calories of each item and so on. It's stopped me from snacking and it's kept me away from the higher calorie stuff like most fast food (a Wendy's spicy chicken meal is something like 1,200 calories, practically 75% of my daily recommended calorie intake of around 1,700 calories (I have my goal on Daily Plate set to losing 2 lbs a week, so your daily recommended intake will vary based on your individual weight and goals).

WTF man.

Let's recap my mostly fruitless efforts here:

- I haven't gone to a fast food joint in well over a month.
- I've stopped drinking pop almost entirely.
- I don't snack.
- I've cut my breakfast size in half. (One bowl of cereal instead of two.)
- I don't eat a large lunch. Generally a sandwich, milk, and cookie. (Milk replaces the pop I used to drink at lunch.)
- I don't eat a large dinner. More days than not, it's some microwave stuff. Box says like maybe 350 calories.
- I do 40 solid minutes on the treadmill, 4 times a week, and every day 30-45 minutes of various weightlifting, calisthenics, and other such exercises.

On the plus side the weightlifting is paying off in lifting more weight. That's cool and all, but.....in about ten weeks I have not lost a damn pound, nor has there been any long-term noticeable difference in my waist size. It's not like I'm beset with anorexia and have nothing left to lose....when you're 5'7", 190, there is A LOT to lose.

I haven't used the DailyPlate site....maybe I should....but based on the nutrition info, I figure I get about 700 calories each from breakfast and dinner. So, 2100 calories a day, maybe. I should be able to burn that much just sitting on my ass for 24 hours. Take away the 500 or so calories burned on a 40 minute run and, I dunno, another 250-300 on the exercises afterwards? I ought to be losing weight like gangbusters. So either the folks who print up the nutrition info are lying sacks of s***, or that's a 2000 calorie tuna melt I'm eating for lunch.

I swear I'm gonna go on a celery-and-grapefruit diet or something.

[SouthernWingsFan]

I guess im kinda new in this thread, I dont say much, normally Im just a big time reader, but this thread caught my attention, I have been trying for about six months to lose some weight and well, only ten lbs has came off, I think I just have really bad relapses and I dont come out of it quick enough to realize.

doctor says I have to do something soon, but for being 5'7'' I dont look like i weigh alot, but the scale says otherwise, needless to say if I dont lose something Ill be border line diabetic, which is something I dont want to have to go threw, I could use some support on the whole diet thing, because really I am not good at it. so Ill be in touch, I have calmed the carbs down and have been doing alot of salad, we will see where it goes!

Ill be back with more updates soon!

ww12 and to anybody else if this helps...

When I lost a lot of weight about 3 1/2 years ago going down from just under 180 to around 140 (also 5'7" myself) in about a span of 4 monthhs, I didn't follow any formal diet or rules from books, no calorie counting at all. I didn't go in with any specific goals or timetable to lose weight and get more fit, because I knew it would take a long time and a lot of dedication on my part in terms of exercise and dieting. I basically just went in with a general mindset to be patient with this all and lose weight. I don't know if it was just me being disciplined, or because it was my body/everybody's body is different (not trying to brag even though it sounds like I did), but not having any real specific expectations or goals to be a certain weight at a certain time really paid off for me as I didn't really feel much self-pressure and I actually enjoyed shredding pounds during the time.

To sum it up during the time, I rarely ate fast food, I rarely drank beer and started drinking wine which is a slightly healthier option, I ate very little fried food and more grilled sandwiches and salads and the like, didn't snack as much, and completely gave up soft drinks which I rarely touch today. That along with a lot of hard cardio exercising and just being patient did the trick.

Again I don't know if it was just me or my mindset or no formal rules/charts, or if everybody's body is different, but it worked in my instance.

[wingedwheeler12]

thanks for all the tips everyone, im going to use them trust me.. i have had to calm down on alot of the fast food because well, i got depressed.. i know it sucks, but thats what i ate, and realy.. im embarassed now that I did this to myself but im going to do everything in the world to change it.

[puckloo39]

thanks for all the tips everyone, im going to use them trust me.. i have had to calm down on alot of the fast food because well, i got depressed.. i know it sucks, but thats what i ate, and realy.. im embarassed now that I did this to myself but im going to do everything in the world to change it.

Hey, everybody slips sometimes. Don't worry about it and beat yourself up, the important thing is that you are on the right track!

Just one other little bit of advice: don't go after this goal so intensely that you burn yourself out, OK? Make a plan and be diligent (and stay out of the fast food places!!), but don't work too hard to be perfect. No one is.

I am a case in point. My trainer made me leave the gym today. I have a tendency to over-work and do too much, a bit too enthusiastic for my own good, I guess. If three sets of reps is good, then four or five must be better. Right? Wrong.

Be vigilant, add the exercise (if you don't move, you won't lose, and that is just a fact), and be kind to yourself.

Edited by puckloo39, 26 July 2008 - 09:09 PM.

[MSUDoubleJ19]

WTF man.

Let's recap my mostly fruitless efforts here:

- I haven't gone to a fast food joint in well over a month.
- I've stopped drinking pop almost entirely.
- I don't snack.
- I've cut my breakfast size in half. (One bowl of cereal instead of two.)
- I don't eat a large lunch. Generally a sandwich, milk, and cookie. (Milk replaces the pop I used to drink at lunch.)
- I don't eat a large dinner. More days than not, it's some microwave stuff. Box says like maybe 350 calories.
- I do 40 solid minutes on the treadmill, 4 times a week, and every day 30-45 minutes of various weightlifting, calisthenics, and other such exercises.

On the plus side the weightlifting is paying off in lifting more weight. That's cool and all, but.....in about ten weeks I have not lost a damn pound, nor has there been any long-term noticeable difference in my waist size. It's not like I'm beset with anorexia and have nothing left to lose....when you're 5'7", 190, there is A LOT to lose.

I haven't used the DailyPlate site....maybe I should....but based on the nutrition info, I figure I get about 700 calories each from breakfast and dinner. So, 2100 calories a day, maybe. I should be able to burn that much just sitting on my ass for 24 hours. Take away the 500 or so calories burned on a 40 minute run and, I dunno, another 250-300 on the exercises afterwards? I ought to be losing weight like gangbusters. So either the folks who print up the nutrition info are lying sacks of s***, or that's a 2000 calorie tuna melt I'm eating for lunch.

I swear I'm gonna go on a celery-and-grapefruit diet or something.

Hmmm. The dailyplate might help figure out what you should do. Actually, 2100 may not be that much of a calorie cut for you. You may want to aim more for like 1600-1800. If you're doing weight training exercises after your run, remember weight training doesn't burn that many calories. It does seem like you should be losing weight. I'd suggest just tracking your calories on the daily plate for a couple days and make sure that your intake is what you think it is. Keep upping your cardio too.

Also, if possible, cut out the processed foods. The cleaner your diet the easier it is to lose weight - I forget what they say, something like 80% of weight loss is diet, the other 20% is exercise.

[MSUDoubleJ19]

Does anyone else have trouble coming up with 1400-1600 calories a day of GOOD food? I actually am having trouble meeting all the nutritional requirements, and scrounging up 1500 or so calories a day, without a lot of carbs and fats. I am sitting here right now, coming up with next week's menu, 3 meals and two snacks per day. It's harder than it looks. I read somewhere that when you grocery shop, you should shop for the week and plan everything within reason. It's also a money-saver, according to the article I read, as you're less likely to impulse shop and more likely to stay out of the processed foods.

Go for whole grain carbs and you should be able to fill in those calories. Some high calorie foods with "good fat" are:

Yams, granola, yogurt, avacado, olive oil, nuts (unsalted)

Even incorporating a tbsp. more of olive oil in your cooking can add 120 more calories to your diet.

[puckloo39]

Go for whole grain carbs and you should be able to fill in those calories. Some high calorie foods with "good fat" are:

Yams, granola, yogurt, avacado, olive oil, nuts (unsalted)

Even incorporating a tbsp. more of olive oil in your cooking can add 120 more calories to your diet.

how about whole grain rice, like brown rice/texmati, lentils? I love brown rice. I've been using a brand called Royal, with a mix of rice and red lentils, and then add veggies and chicken. So good. I figure a serving is ~ 320 calories. I got some yams yesterday at Whole Foods, just have to figure out what to do with them. I am going to try baking them with spices and just a dribble of olive oil.

Avocados were invented for me. I love them. Good ideas, thanks!!

[MSUDoubleJ19]

how about whole grain rice, like brown rice/texmati, lentils? I love brown rice. I've been using a brand called Royal, with a mix of rice and red lentils, and then add veggies and chicken. So good. I figure a serving is ~ 320 calories. I got some yams yesterday at Whole Foods, just have to figure out what to do with them. I am going to try baking them with spices and just a dribble of olive oil.

Avocados were invented for me. I love them. Good ideas, thanks!!

Yup, brown rice and whole wheat pasta, etc. is good. We shouldn't eat a lot of them, but they are better than the regular white.

Here are two easy recipes with yams I have done. They were both tasty - I think I liked the Cajun style one best.

Cajun Style Baked Sweet Potato

Baked Sweet Potatoes

[puckloo39]

yay, thanks!! That cajun sweet potato recipe is the one I was looking for. My friend in Dallas made them last Thanksgiving, and they were so good.

Gracias!!

[betterREDthandead]

Hmmm. The dailyplate might help figure out what you should do. Actually, 2100 may not be that much of a calorie cut for you. You may want to aim more for like 1600-1800. If you're doing weight training exercises after your run, remember weight training doesn't burn that many calories. It does seem like you should be losing weight. I'd suggest just tracking your calories on the daily plate for a couple days and make sure that your intake is what you think it is. Keep upping your cardio too.

Also, if possible, cut out the processed foods. The cleaner your diet the easier it is to lose weight - I forget what they say, something like 80% of weight loss is diet, the other 20% is exercise.

I'll try the daily plate for a week and see what happens.

The processed foods are gonna have to stay, though. By the time I get home from working out, it's usually at least quarter to six and I don't want to spend a lot of time in the evening cooking. I cook for myself on the weekends and the problem is, the microwave dinners are MUCH easier to control the portions with. For example, last night I cooked up sloppy joes using a little less than a pound and a quarter of beef, and ate at least half of them. (Oops I was hungry.)

[puckloo39]

I'll try the daily plate for a week and see what happens.

The processed foods are gonna have to stay, though. By the time I get home from working out, it's usually at least quarter to six and I don't want to spend a lot of time in the evening cooking. I cook for myself on the weekends and the problem is, the microwave dinners are MUCH easier to control the portions with. For example, last night I cooked up sloppy joes using a little less than a pound and a quarter of beef, and ate at least half of them. (Oops I was hungry.)

hey, Red. I have a suggestion. When you cook for yourself on the weekend, you can try what I do. Make a full recipe of whatever you're making, divide it into portions, and freeze the extras in those ziploc containers. I make enough of each recipe for three or sometimes four servings, and then I have something to grab when I come home late-ish, and also always have something for lunch. Instead of buying Lean Cuisines, make your own meals. It's cheaper, and you can control the sodium and fats, as well.

I have the same time constraints you do (I bet a lot of us do), and don't want to cook in the evening after work. One of my frozen portions, popped in the microwave while I shower after working out or do other chores after a ten hour day in the office + workout... add a little salad or steamed veggies, or a piece of fruit to it, and you're good to go.

Just an idea, it works for me.

Edited by puckloo39, 27 July 2008 - 07:55 PM.

[betterREDthandead]

hey, Red. I have a suggestion. When you cook for yourself on the weekend, you can try what I do. Make a full recipe of whatever you're making, divide it into portions, and freeze the extras in those ziploc containers. I make enough of each recipe for three or sometimes four servings, and then I have something to grab when I come home late-ish, and also always have something for lunch. Instead of buying Lean Cuisines, make your own meals. It's cheaper, and you can control the

sodium and fats, as well.

I have the same time constraints you do (I bet a lot of us do), and don't want to cook in the evening after work. One of my frozen portions, popped in the microwave while I shower after working out or do other chores after a ten hour day in the office + workout... add a little salad or steamed veggies, or a piece of fruit to it, and you're good to go.

Just an idea, it works for me.

Oh, I always have leftovers to pop in the fridge. I certainly don't throw out what I don't eat. They're usually good for a meal or two each. But that doesn't stretch the whole week.

[puckloo39]

Oh, I always have leftovers to pop in the fridge. I certainly don't throw out what I don't eat. They're usually good for a meal or two each. But that doesn't stretch the whole week.

I understand. One more idea, again what I do. Usually Sunday evening, I cook three different "entree" type items, and freeze the extras. Now, the problem with that might be you would get bored with the meals. Fortunately, I love my own cooking and I don't mind eating the same things over and over, I guess. I am a pretty boring eater.

Maybe you could try the cook-at-home, portion control thing and mix in frozen store-bought items? The important thing is probably not so much what you eat, but how much. I know, the hard part - especially when you're alone - is stopping when you know you should.

Two principle ideas I took away from Weight Watchers many years ago: portion control and eat simple. The less processing, the better, in other words. And neither is easy, is it?

[DaKineMaui]

I like to try to spend between 8 or 10 hrs/day in front of the computer.
Nap in between.
Drink a couple dozen beers.
Eat a cookie.
Clean the kitchen.
Nap. 2-3hrs.
(Sorry - I'm extra jaded right now - laid off.......not trying to make fun)