In the EatingWell Diet, "self-monitoring" your calories (or writing down everything you eat and how many calories it contains) is a key to success. Has tracking led to any major epiphanies (e.g., that pre-mixed iced tea has as many calories as an ice cream sandwich)? Share your shocking discoveries here!
I didn't realize all of the "extra" calories that we take in and don't realize it. A few TBL spoons of a condiment added to a sandwich can add up to a couple hundred calories. I've also cut out several calories by buying "light" versions of food. (ie., smart balance light spread, light sour cream, light coffee creamer, light multi-grain english muffins...)
self monitoring has taught me soooo much and has been a real eyeopener!!! I now realize why, although I eat pretty healthy normally, I have gained so much weight in a short period of time. Since the summer began, I have put on weight and it is all due to social occasions for me. I usually disregard calories here and there and never realize how many calories I am truly consumming!! Journaling I really have decided is the biggest key to diet success. I will be changing a lot of things thanks to having the knowlege the diet challenge has presented me.
I agree with everyone on self monitoring. There is so much to learn from habits that you don't realize. To me the dicipline of self monitoring has helped me to keep this challenge "top of mind" so that I am continually cautious. I had a challenge getting the calorie counts on things entered when I'm eating out- unfortunately, I eat out a lot! So...I'm going to have to be particularly careful. Also, I found that the busier I get at work/home the first thing that suffers is my diet/choices and the second is excercise. I have to focus on these as priorities moving forward.
I always resisted doing this for the very reason it works: because you see exactly why you're putting on the pounds! I agree with Becca,this will be the key to success.
It's easy to see where the calories are coming from and how to reduce or eliminate them when they are right in front of you. I think it is an essential component for anyone who is serious about losing weight.
Oct. 30th is the end of my 1st week. Thanks to calorie counting, I can eat enough without going overboard. The extensive planning, shopping and cooking is quite something but really worth it. I work on 3 different shifts and I want to be prepared for my next 7 nights in a row (every 5th week) starting nov. 13th. PLANNING and MONITORING are the key to success I think, so far.
I am in Weight Watchers and have learned 1. Stock up the freezer, fridge and pantry with the healthy foods 2. Keep a daily diary - you bite it you write it 3. Exercise is an essential component. My metabolism took a nosedive when I was told a diagnosis that I thought meant I couldn't exercise until I saw the MD which took too long. 4. Exercise needs to change. 5. Community is so important. In WW it is weekly meeting but also got a lot of help through Bootcamp Buddies online which is a WW support group. 6. I dedicated my compact freezer to WW foods. I buy turkey, chicken, fish and lean meat on sale that I can store there. 7. I need a treat. For me it is gourmet foods and I make them in larger quantities and store in the freezer labeled with the number of points. 8. Plan when you are going out - I routinely review a menu if available or at least make sure there is a broiled fish on menu. 9. Eat your veggies.. Eat your veggies. Eat your fresh fruit. 10. Get your fiber and drink your water.
I personally don't "count" calories. I never write down what i eat. It is more so of just watching what i eat, i always go low-cal and low-fat. Being a previous weight-watcher i also look at the dietary fiber.
That worked for me personally, it made me feel not so restricted as to what i could eat. I always go light and if i don't i just have a smaller portion then i normally would. It makes me feel ALOT less guilty about what im eating and if i wrote it down or not.
I am in no way trying to knock counting calories, it works!! When i was on weight watchers i lost 50 pounds but the thing was i couldn't keep it up. When i stopped weight watchers i gain the 50 back and then some. (how it always works.)
i now just stick to low-cal and low-fat and i walk everyday. i have so far lost 110 pounds and 13 pant sizes, i have 45 more pounds to go to get to my goal weight.
