I'd set aside 800 for dinner. 1000 is too much. You're far more like to overeat is you don't eat all day.
Have a very light soup like miso soup or chicken broth and hot tea for lunch. Have fruit or veggie and hummus for a snack. Or do a salad with just veggies and olive oil and vinegar.
Post by stingsharkruns on Nov 14, 2012 14:43:29 GMT -5
I try to be nice on the boards - and i'm not trying to be mean now - but I think it's really interesting that you asked this question on the MM board when you are a semi-regular on the H&F board. You have no problem asking questions about training schedules, shoes, etc - but when it comes to a nutrition question you came to MM? Is it bc you knew that the H&F board would tell you the same thing that MM is telling you - you aren't eating enough.
but in response to your question - just eat whatever you want to eat. One meal isn't going to wreck whatever you are trying to achieve.
Sometimes it's easier to lose weight when you eat more food. True story.
I found Myfitnesspal.com really helpful for figuring this out. I knew it but needed the visual to really get it. Also it was great for figuring out how and when I could "cheat" on my eating and how it impacted me.
It is called a cheat day. I always assumed that everyone had those occasionally......whoops.
I thought that's what Halloween was for. And thanksgiving. Ditto Christmas, NYE... See why I need to count calories?
And I think this is the problem. I'm like you, I can't really say "it's a cheat day! I can eat whatever I want!" because I have too many cheat days. One cheeseburger and large popcorn won't hurt you, but one every week will, along with the cookie on Wednesday and the extra snack on Monday and the lunch out on Thursday. At least that's how it is in my life. Most of the stuff I eat is actually really healthy and good for me, but I continually go over my calories or whatever I happen to be tracking because I think I deserve a cheat.
If I was being good, I'd say to choose popcorn OR the splurge dinner but don't have both. Decide which is more important to you and which will bring the most satisfaction, and go with that. Eat plenty all day but try to stick to lower calorie options, like a big green salad with a smaller amount of protein for lunch. Fruit for snacks. Etc. Don't starve yourself or you'll be more likely to cave at dinner, but try to save as many calories as possible for the evening.
It's really hard. Dieting ruins going out to eat IMO and that's part of the reason I've had so much trouble getting back on the tracking wagon. I hate spending good money on eating out for dinner and then ending up with the last thing on the menu I want to eat. Another option would be to cut it in half and save the rest or throw it out, but I'm not good at doing that either.
Good luck and try not to worry about it too much. If you've been doing well otherwise Friday probably won't hurt you one bit.
1200-1300 is excessively low. it's the lowest amount recommened for weight loss and if your active, you may get to a point where your body is going to start thinking it's starving and you'll end up lowering your metabolism. There's a minimum amount of calories you body needs just for basic functions.
I'll be honest with you, the best shape I've been in was when I was eating a lot and working out a lot. When I was cutting calories and working out, I was not losing weight or fat. I also was making myself sick since my body wasn't getting enough calories to function.
I wouldn't get wrapped around a number but just have portion control, make healthy choices and don't get upset when you decide to have the bacon cheese burger and fries.
Post by juliahenry on Nov 14, 2012 14:56:09 GMT -5
Ok, I think this is a wee bit of an overreaction. I'm not looking for calorie suggestions or lifestyle advice. I posted here because I wanted suggestions about one meal and because I'm on my phone and kinda lazy.
I do balance what I eat with how active I am. I'm pleased with how it all works out, and lately I've adjusted slightly because eating more was not working as well. I just didn't want to get a ton of "go exercise so you can eat a lot" posts, especially in a week when work, kids, life and my ongoing cold were throwing off my usual routine.
I'm happy with my calorie goals and overall lifestyle. I wanted opinions on how to strategize for one day that isn't typical for me.
I don't see anything wrong with 12-1300 calories. Do you LOVE buttered popcorn? I don't really like it so I wouldn't have a problem skipping the butter. But if you LOVE it and don't go to the movies often, get a smaller one. I used to get a burger, take the top bun off and eat it with a knife and fork.
Um, yeah. This. It's one night. Even a cheeseburger, shake, fries and large popcorn won't have a lasting impact. And enjoy it. You'll get back on track the next morning.
If you really want, skip the popcorn. Too much salt. Bloating. No bueno.
I'm short and small framed and 1200 - 1300 is right about where I need to be when I want to lose a little weight. It's not that shocking.
OP, part of losing weight is learning how to balance this kind of thing for basically the rest of your life. Unfortunately there's no magic solution, but you do have options that aren't as drastic as you're making it sound in your OP. You can eat lighter that day and the next day and eat a splurge-ish but not balls-out-unhealthy dinner, and no movie snack. Or eat light and order a healthy dinner, and get a movie snack. Or only eat half of your dinner and take the rest home. Or eat what you want all night and accept that you might gain back a half pound that you'll have to take off again. I've done all of these things, and it all works out in the end.
Just freakin eat whatever you want for one day. Do you really need to come here and ask for advice?
This isn't really about one day, it's about how to balance healthy eating vs. restaurant meals, weddings, holidays, etc. for the rest of your life. OP is trying to learn how to eat well and find that balance, and came here for advice. It's not that outrageous. And people have asked *way* dumber shit on here than this.
Just freakin eat whatever you want for one day. Do you really need to come here and ask for advice?
This isn't really about one day, it's about how to balance healthy eating vs. restaurant meals, weddings, holidays, etc. for the rest of your life. OP is trying to learn how to eat well and find that balance, and came here for advice. It's not that outrageous. And people have asked *way* dumber shit on here than this.
OP has said over and over in this post that she wants advice about this one day which yah is eye roll worthy.
Just freakin eat whatever you want for one day. Do you really need to come here and ask for advice?
This isn't really about one day, it's about how to balance healthy eating vs. restaurant meals, weddings, holidays, etc. for the rest of your life. OP is trying to learn how to eat well and find that balance, and came here for advice. It's not that outrageous. And people have asked *way* dumber shit on here than this.
I am going to assume there is some backstory here, because I think this was a totally reasonable question and something I always find difficult myself!
Also, depending on the OP's height and weight the calorie amount isn't too crazy. It would be too little for me, but I'm tall and overweight. I also find that running and otherwise exercising has zero effect on my weight loss, although I'd probably pass out from hunger on 1200 calories a day since I'm always ravenous after exercise.
I'm short and small framed and 1200 - 1300 is right about where I need to be when I want to lose a little weight. It's not that shocking.
OP, part of losing weight is learning how to balance this kind of thing for basically the rest of your life. Unfortunately there's no magic solution, but you do have options that aren't as drastic as you're making it sound in your OP. You can eat lighter that day and the next day and eat a splurge-ish but not balls-out-unhealthy dinner, and no movie snack. Or eat light and order a healthy dinner, and get a movie snack. Or only eat half of your dinner and take the rest home. Or eat what you want all night and accept that you might gain back a half pound that you'll have to take off again. I've done all of these things, and it all works out in the end.
The problem is she's running! If she's running 3 miles, she's burning 300 calories. If she's running 6 miles, she's burning roughly 600 calories! If she's regularly eating 1200 which is the bare minimum recommended for any woman who does nothing but lays in bed all day, she is NOT eating enough and is NOT being healthy about it.
This isn't really about one day, it's about how to balance healthy eating vs. restaurant meals, weddings, holidays, etc. for the rest of your life. OP is trying to learn how to eat well and find that balance, and came here for advice. It's not that outrageous. And people have asked *way* dumber shit on here than this.
OP has said over and over in this post that she wants advice about this one day which yah is eye roll worthy.
Yes, I was under the impression from the OP and follow ups that she was asking specifically about dinner and popcorn. One day.
OP has said over and over in this post that she wants advice about this one day which yah is eye roll worthy.
Yes, I was under the impression from the OP and follow ups that she was asking specifically about dinner and popcorn. One day.
Yeah, actually I think you guys are correct. I was presuming that this one day was an example of the kind of thing the OP is trying to learn how to balance, because that would be the most reasonable situation. Not "this is the last restaurant meal of my life." And if OP wants to maintain a healthy lifestyle from here on out, her question *shouldn't* be just about this one day. I posted above asking her to clarify, so hopefully she will.
I presumed she meant "one-off days like this," not that this is the only time in her life she'll ever go to a restaurant.
OP, now I'm curious - do you never go out to dinner, or a wedding, or a Christmas party? I don't understand how this is a one-time life event for you.
I am not speaking for the OP, nor am I touching teh 1200 calorie issue with a ten-foot pole, but I think the whole point of needing advice for "one day" is precisely because it is truly NOT one day, ever. It's all well and good to say, oh it's just one day, have the burger AND the popcorn and it will be fine. And if it really were only one day, it would be fine. But, especially at this time of year, it is not just one day. It's one of many. If I learned anything while losing weight, it's this. There's no reason to overload on treat foods unless they are truly a treat. But a cheeseburger and popcorn can be had pretty much anytime. There's no need to get both if you are watching your weight. Get one on Friday and get the other next time you go out. It's not as though she's pondering skipping a course at French Laundry, for god's sake.
OP has said over and over in this post that she wants advice about this one day which yah is eye roll worthy.
Yes, I was under the impression from the OP and follow ups that she was asking specifically about dinner and popcorn. One day.
I was. It turned into a crazy shitstorm. Yeah, dumb question. It's the first time I've dealt with this particular scenario and, as I've mentioned several times, I'm still learning how to be flexible about this stuff.
Sigh. I've been flamed in every way possible when all I wanted was advice on dinner and movie snacks.
Fwiw, I'm fine with my day-to-day lifestyle. I'm pretty happy with the way stuff is working and it feels healthy for me. It's not the way I've always done stuff, but there are times in all our lives when we need to change things up and focus in a new way.
You can flame me for asking a dumb question about how to manage a simple dinner and snack. But I don't think anyone knows enough about me or my particular circumstances to flame me for choices that are working for me for now.
You can flame me for asking a dumb question about how to manage a simple dinner and snack.
But you have to realize that you'll go to restaurants, and parties, and other occasions where this situation will arise again and again. It really isn't a one time thing. So learning to manage it as part of your ongoing lifestyle instead of looking at is "just this one time" will benefit your efforts at weight loss and keeping it off. Good luck and have fun on Friday!
Well, I won't touch the 1200 calorie while running issue.
If I restricted myself too much during the day, I would binge when I went out to eat. It's not like you'll never go out to eat again just because you are dieting. You need to be able to balance those days while still being healthy. I would eat a little bit lighter during the day and try to pick a healthier choice while eating out.
I eat 1200 cal/day and exercise 4-6x/week. I eat a little more on exercise days (depending upon what I'm doing), never more than 200 extra calories.
I also eat whatever the F I want for dinner on Friday nights after eating my normal daily caloric load (650-800 cal). I have wine and eat pasta and live it up. It's a way of keeping your metabolism in check. Using this method, with doc supervision, etc, I have lost 42lbs this year.
Post by juliahenry on Nov 14, 2012 16:49:51 GMT -5
Ugh. So here's the thing: the last time we went to dinner and a movie was over a year ago. I go to dinner often, and to movies a couple of times a year. I can eat a generous, pleasant, balanced meal at almost any restaurant and still feel on track. Or I can eat in moderation and then enjoy fun movie snacks. I don't really have a strategy for doing both. Which is why I asked in the first place.
Obviously the answer is to make choices (as many helpfully pointed out). But I'm heavier than i should be and am trying to lose weight. This means 1) I have a proven track record of not making the best food choices and 2) I don't get to eat whatever I want whenever I want, not if I expect anything to change.
So I'm working on balance. I'm not eating too little (at least, not according to the loseit app that I use every day).
And honestly, I kind of think this whole thread shows EVERYONE's food/weight/calorie issues.
I eat 1200 cal/day and exercise 4-6x/week. I eat a little more on exercise days (depending upon what I'm doing), never more than 200 extra calories.
I also eat whatever the F I want for dinner on Friday nights after eating my normal daily caloric load (650-800 cal). I have wine and eat pasta and live it up. It's a way of keeping your metabolism in check. Using this method, with doc supervision, etc, I have lost 42lbs this year.
Go to town on Friday, and enjoy it.
Thanks, Sessalee. I think you get it. I'm not a whole lot taller than you, and I do have a weekly couple of hours of extra grazing that I think keeps things going.
Wow, I was not expecting this much, uh..feedback because of my personal calorie allowance.
Ugh. So here's the thing: the last time we went to dinner and a movie was over a year ago. I go to dinner often, and to movies a couple of times a year. I can eat a generous, pleasant, balanced meal at almost any restaurant and still feel on track. Or I can eat in moderation and then enjoy fun movie snacks. I don't really have a strategy for doing both.
I have never found a way to fit in restaurant dinner AND movie popcorn without going over. But I'm rarely hungry for popcorn after a restaurant dinner anyway. If you want to do both, just eat a small portion of your dinner and then get the smallest popcorn they sell. Or take a sandwich bag from home and fill it from your DH's popcorn. I bet that little bit will be enough to satisfy the popcorn craving.
Just out of curiousity, I looked up the calorie count for movie theater popcorn. (used MFP)
At Regal Cinemas, a small buttered popcorn comes in at 670 calories. A large is almost 2000 calories. Not having butter helps a little: 485 for small, and almost 1200 for large.
Honestly, I'm boggled that you can manage to eat popcorn at a movie, eat out for supper (regardless of what you order), and stick to your nominal 1200 calories/day.
Regardless of that, this might be a day to consider having a "cheat day", particularly if it is for a special occassion. Otherwise, I'd pick one or the other - nice meal, or popcorn/snacks.
I'm short and small framed and 1200 - 1300 is right about where I need to be when I want to lose a little weight. It's not that shocking.
I'm short and small framed as well. I am trying to lose weight and I am on a 1100 calorie per day plan per a nutritionist. I am also weight training 3 days a week and doing cardio 3 days. It is working for me and I don't feel deprived.
Anyway OP, eat what you want, but get back on track on Saturday. What I would do is eat half the entree I love and get a small snack (like a small popcorn with no butter). I can't go crazy because it sets off the cravings for me and I will binge on food and gain weight like crazy.