A poll about eating.

[litebright]

I signed up for the myfitnesspal app and it's been eye-opening for sure. I'm working on portion control, which I think is my biggest problem. That, and my addiction to regular soda.

I'd like to lose 5-10 pounds. I'm working out more frequently, and doing a mix of cardio and weights. I can already see a difference in terms of toning, which is great.

I've always told myself that the number doesn't matter, it's how I feel about how I look. But at the same time, it's frustrating to be making an effort and not have the weight just drop off.

[bumppkathleen]

I count calories but it's ingrained in me. I don't think about it, but I know how many calories are in pretty much anything (and I can guess pretty closely if I don't know) and I mentally tabulate throughout the day. It doesn't stop me from eating during the day but at night I won't eat more - desert or bread or a big dinner - if I've already eaten too much during the day.

[cereal K]

i know from last time that if i don't follow SOMETHING i'll put it all back on.

the last time i did WW, i lost a lot and kept it off for a couple of years by following the program's maintenance plans. i started cheating and not really following, and the weight crept back on. then i got preg, said fuck it, and put it ALL back on.

so, yeah. i'm counting and losing. this time i'm really trying to make lifestyle changes too.

also - YAY FRKLS! 25 pounds is amazing! great job no matter the time frame!

[dcannie]

May 12, 2012 8:52:32 GMT -5 @bumppkathleen said:

I count calories but it's ingrained in me. I don't think about it, but I know how many calories are in pretty much anything (and I can guess pretty closely if I don't know) and I mentally tabulate throughout the day. It doesn't stop me from eating during the day but at night I won't eat more - desert or bread or a big dinner - if I've already eaten too much during the day.

after a while i think you will eventually get like this, op. you know roughly how many calories is in a serving of X and what a serving of X should look like. it becomes automatic.

[Deleted]

I need to gain weight but I have thyroid issues that make that hard. The RE wants me to put on 10 lbs and I can't seem to do it. I've added in more carbs to my meals and it's definitely not helping.

I don't count calories for myself but I do help DH because he has struggled with weight since he was a kid. We make meal plans together so he knows exactly what he's getting. We've started eating a lot healthier since we've gotten married because we wanted to have good habits before we had kids.

[dcannie]

May 12, 2012 9:05:49 GMT -5 @griffster said:

I need to gain weight but I have thyroid issues that make that hard. The RE wants me to put on 10 lbs and I can't seem to do it. I've added in more carbs to my meals and it's definitely not helping.

I don't count calories for myself but I do help DH because he has struggled with weight since he was a kid. We make meal plans together so he knows exactly what he's getting. We've started eating a lot healthier since we've gotten married because we wanted to have good habits before we had kids.

obviously do what your dr./nutritionist suggest, but i lost a lot of weight (well, comparable to my starting weight and height) at the end of last year b/c of a health issue and i had success putting it back on w/ protein shakes. it was a quick and easy way to get a lot of good calories quickly and w/o being too filling to the point of making me feel sick.

[Deleted]

May 12, 2012 9:09:07 GMT -5 dcannie said:

May 12, 2012 9:05:49 GMT -5 @griffster said:

I need to gain weight but I have thyroid issues that make that hard. The RE wants me to put on 10 lbs and I can't seem to do it. I've added in more carbs to my meals and it's definitely not helping.

I don't count calories for myself but I do help DH because he has struggled with weight since he was a kid. We make meal plans together so he knows exactly what he's getting. We've started eating a lot healthier since we've gotten married because we wanted to have good habits before we had kids.

obviously do what your dr./nutritionist suggest, but i lost a lot of weight (well, comparable to my starting weight and height) at the end of last year b/c of a health issue and i had success putting it back on w/ protein shakes. it was a quick and easy way to get a lot of good calories quickly and w/o being too filling to the point of making me feel sick.

Thanks! I will have to pick some up to try. My RE kind of sucks but I am stuck there until my DH gets out of the military in August. I am counting down the days...

[broc]

My SS is "No, and I am losing weight." I don't count calories per se. I go for lower cal options where applicable and it's not a huge deal (eg, I don't drink diet soda because it tastes like cancer; I drink one small sugary soda a week and really savor it) and smaller portion sizes, but I'm not adding them up or anything.

I've lost roughly 40 lbs from my pre-pregnancy weight, and 60 if I'm going from my heaviest pregnancy weight (though that seems shady to me, because obviously 3 lbs of placenta is relatively easy to shed, PUN INTENDED).

[angelaa73]

I need to put on a couple of pounds. I never thought going back to work was going to entail having to buy a whole new wardrobe a few mos later due to pant ass-sag. I am definitely not eating enough during the day

[pittsmcgee]

Pant ass sag blows. I suffer from it at least three days out of the work week. I have to keep up with clothing my children, not myself!

[yellowcardigan]

I am not actively trying to lose weight, but have been working out more to tone up. However, I am keeping track of my calories because I have a tendency to "reward" myself with junk food for going to the gym. Self-sabotage party of one right here.

[Deleted]

I'm a special snowflake.

I could calories because I have some pretty major health problems, and I have to be sure that I am getting enough calories in each day. Eating makes me feel so sick that if I stop counting and keeping track, I'll go through phases of not even quite reaching 800-1000 calories per day, which isn't healthy or safe, so I count to know when I need to force myself to eat more.

[iamgrace]

Not counting, but eating mindfully, and have lost weight. I do eat chocolate and drink wine every day- yay breastfeeding. I should stop losing now, though because I have no smaller clothes. And I dont want to spend money right now!

[bunnyninja]

When I first started trying to lose weight I counted calories pretty regularly, but now I just sort of estimate. I think counting calories is really important at the beginning of any diet just in order to show you how much food you should be eating throughout the day. But once I got the right portion size in my head it became a lot easier.

[loveablesarah]

I don't count and I'm relatively happy with my weight. I had weight loss surgery about 4.5 years ago and have been really successful with it. I lost about 130 lbs and have kept it off. But being so far out now, my eating habits are more back to "normal" and I find myself having to be more careful than I did right after surgery. After surgery I couldn't eat a candy bar without getting sick. No, I could, but I have to remind myself I can have a couple bites and be happy with that.I have to remeind myself that I don't need a whole candy bar. For me, it's about not depriving myself but more about using some self control.

[jigsy]

I voted SS. I am not counting calories, but I am losing because I don't eat carbs. I am going by what I have read in "Why we get fat" and "Wheat Belly" and both of the books point out that it isn't so much about calorie in/calorie out as it is what we are eating.

I have lost 15 lbs, and I hope to lose 10 more just by cutting out wheat and starchy carbs. I eat fats like cheese and butter and feel completely satisfied. I won't say it has been super easy, but once I set my mind to it, and say the lbs dropping, and didn't feel the hunger pains or the cravings, it's not so bad.

Now I just need to start working out so that I'm not just smaller, but actually tighter...I'm just mush right now.