Do you all watch what you eat?

darine

darine

Cathlete
Hello

I love working out and it' sno problem for me. But I feel I am not getting the right results and my body doesn't show all my hard work because I don't always eat clean. I am very aware of health and I won't say I eat bad. I love healthy food. I am vegetarian (not vegan, I eat dairy). But I love cheese, butter and fat food LOL.... And in the morning if I don't have a heavy breakfast (bread, yogourt, cheese or peanut butter), I am hungry all day. I eat salads and fruits but I have to admit, sometimes, I simply forget. So I remind myself. And I love them. We just need to change our shoping habbit. And focus on healthy food.

Do you all eat clean? Do you never eat butter, fat? I always eat brown bread and cook somehow healthy but I don't necessary always cook low fat.

I want to see if I am alone. Since I know my body doesn't show my hard work :(
 
I watch it 6 days a week

I'm real strict 6 days a week, and I mean I NEVER cheat, but I allow myself a cheat day on the 7th day. If you do that, it makes it a LOT easier. Exercise alone is not gonna do it. I've seen the equation anywhere from nutrition 70% - exercise 30% to nutrition 80% - exercise 20% as far as what gets results.
 
wow!!! I wish I can do that. that's impressive. I should try that. But I feel I need bread. Do you eat rice and bread? Brown off course?
 
ABSOLUTELY. If I don't eat clean I don't see results.

I eat starchy carbs only after my workout. I eat 20 to 30 grams of protein and 2 to 3 servings (1 cup to 1.5 cups cooked) of veggies, or 2 to 3 servings of fruit at each meal. I eat every 2 to 3 hours. I eat "good" fats with my meals. My daily protein intake is about 40%, fats about 30%, and carbs are about 30%. I drink a protein powder (whey) shake with flax meal during my workouts - they help with endurance. I used to workout on an empty stomach, and wondered why I had no strength or endurance gains. I take fish oil with my meals.

In nine weeks I've lost 12 pounds on the scale, two jeans sizes, 20 inches overall, and 4 percent bodyfat, measured by calipers which I feel are much more accurate than the scales. I feel great, I don't feel deprived, I have no cravings, and I feel better eating from all three major food groups. My endurance and strength gains are better now than when I was 20 years younger and eating whatever I wanted.

I've tried just about every "diet" out there, and nothing has stuck long enough to make me feel I could stay with a particular way of eating for the rest of my life. Some of you may remember when I lost 60 pounds in a short time with Weight Watchers about five years ago. As soon as I stopped "counting", I put it all back on in less than half the time it took me to lose it. It has to be a lifestyle change to make it stick. And of course I need to keep working out. My body responds best to both clean eating AND working out. I just didn't have the energy to do the workouts I wanted to - no wonder!! I didn't have the right nutrition. :)

Sorry for the long-winded post, but I hope it helps others. And, I hope I've found a lifestyle I can stick with!! :)

Carol
:)
 
I'm like CakeBaker: Behave for 6, Cheat Day on 7.

I eat a lot of dairy...yogurt, cheese, milk. I don't consciously restrict rice or bread, but I count calories. This means I'll size up a portion of rice vs. a portion of roasted veggies, and I'll usually end up eating the veggies because I can have a bigger portion for the same amount of calories.

I'm not opposed to white bread or homemade French bread (I like to bake), but again, if I'm trying to get in a certain number of nutrients within a certain amount of calories, that will force me to make a better choice...like Flax Bread or something like that.

The first couple weeks of eating like this was hard. I don't feel deprived anymore though, and I've come to enjoy many of the healthier alternatives. Two of my favorite meals now are my Goat Cheese & Cranberry salad and my Caprese Salad.

Mind you, this was a gradual shift. And I'm far from super clean, meaning I'll still get a good craving for taco chips. I'll go ahead and eat them, but I watch the portion carefully.
 
You mention fruit and salads but where is your protein? A few chick peas won't cut it, you need something to fill your gut before you become Starvin' Marvin' and hit the heavy bread and butter;) Eat some dang protein for breakfast too! Kashi makes a nice protein/fiber cereal. You need to stack up your day with the appropriate foods that fill you so that you don't bottom out at the end of the day.


I don't believe in the concept of "cheat" meals. I make my best effort to choose natural foods wisely most of the time. Butter is natural, and I use it sparingly (I also use hummus, avacado, and Veganaise). I go for lean proteins from a variety of sources (animal and plant based), complex carbs (I much prefer brown rice and pasta to the white tasteless stuff), veggies, and fruit and I eat small meals throughout the day (this might not work for people who can' eat in the privacy of their office like I can!). If you make your best effort to make wise choices you won't need to "watch" what you eat. I know.....I'm a reluctant convert. :p
 
cakebaker said:
I'm real strict 6 days a week, and I mean I NEVER cheat, but I allow myself a cheat day on the 7th day. If you do that, it makes it a LOT easier. Exercise alone is not gonna do it. I've seen the equation anywhere from nutrition 70% - exercise 30% to nutrition 80% - exercise 20% as far as what gets results.
Click to expand...

I do this as well. 6 days a week I am strict and document everything I eat. I know exactly how many calories, carbs, protein and fats I eat each and every day. Saturday's are my days to kick back and enjoy good junk food. :D
 
Since I've been using the nutrition software and tracking my food, I'm making more informed choices. I don't think I'm eating too much differently, just proportioning it differently based on what I've eaten through the day. I've lost 3 lbs this past week using the nutrition software (I never used anything like that before), whereas I was losing only 1 lb a week before tracking. It has been very motivating for me.
 
I eat very healthy 85% of the time. I don't count calories but I am aware and think about everything I put in my mouth. I eat 6 small meals a day and try to have protein with everyone of them. I try to stay away from anything white (white bread, pasta, rice, etc.). I do eat brown rice and whole wheat bread. I rarely eat pasta or potatoes. I eat fish, chicken and will have some red meat every once in a while. I eat lots of eggs. I'm not a salad person but try to get in my required veggies and fruits. I rarely eat fried foods, don't go to fast food places or eat out frequently.

I do indulge but I don't have a cheat day per se. Usually I will allow myself a goodie on the weekend but not all day. I eat terribly bad on vacations but after a couple of days I'm ready for my usual diet.
 
You guys have encouraged me. Thank you

I think my main problem is my portion. I eat twice a day but big portions and I know it's bad for my stomac.

Today I ate well so far since it was on my mind. I will focus more on beans, tofu, and veggie slices with veggies and I will still have my brown bread in the morning after workout since I really feel I need it but with yogourt (Labneh, very good and comes from yogourt).

thank you all. I feel the only one that workout so hard and ruin it with food LOL

I really workout hard! I need to watch what I eat. I know I can since I've done before. Just have to get back. I lost track with stress about preparation for my wedding, moving out and few family problems and I feel fat now. I lost my abs, that's for sure :(

thank you all
 
Yep!

I have to watch what I eat. It doesn't matter how much I exercise, if I'm not eating well then I gain and feel yucky! I make healthier choices like lean proteins (which I agree w/ Beavs, you need more protein!), good carbs (oatmeal, brown rice, quinoa, whole grain bread and tortillas, beans, high fiber cereals like Kashi), and good fats (Naturally More PB, nuts, olive oil, avocado, hummus). Try cottage cheese (80 cals/ 13g protein in 1/2 cup!) or a protein shake. There are lots of good tasting protein powders out there, you can toss in some fruit also for a more filling meal/ snack!

I just can't seem to do cheat days, I will pick a meal once in while when we go out to eat, but even then I make pretty good choices. It's about 80% diet for me.
 
darine said:
You guys have encouraged me. Thank you

I think my main problem is my portion. I eat twice a day but big portions and I know it's bad for my stomac.
Click to expand...

TWICE A DAY!!! that is no good for your insulin levels. i would be tired,worn out, and over emotional. even if you got all your daily calories in those meals they won't sustain you through the day. as others have said try for smaller meals. i know thats hard b/c sometimes i have a big lunch and eat nothing until dinner(b/c of my job i usually have to go from 10:30am-1:30pm without anything to eat,trying to fight that so we can at least have drinks with us b/c that is an absurd amount of time to go without water too) but usually i eat something like fruit,my coffee and maybe a piece of toast with peanut butter(i do measure everything b/c i am one of those that if i see it i will eat it). do my workout then have a little more something with protien and a carb. sometimes just a protien shake, bowl of cereal, or oatmeal mixed with protien powder(i don't use that instant stuff,its the stuff you have to cook).

lunch i make sure i have a protien and a veggie. at work we serve meals on wheat bread so i usually partake in a small portion myself or i will just have extra veggies. preferably salad(i make the salads for our high school YUM!!)

after work i have protien shake and piece of fruit or a Clif bar and a piece of fruit.sometimes when i remember i keep portioned out boxes of raisins in the car that way if i am really hungry(and believe me i am and i feel that haven't ate anything in a while headache coming on) i have something while on the way home.

dinner is usually no later then 5:30, i eat a little more b/c i know i will be going without anything through the night while i sleep. nice portion of protein(chicken,fish, and pork loin are my favs), LOTS of veggies(about half my plate of veggies) and a carb like brown rice,a small potato(don't care they are my friend not my enemy :p )or some nights i serve the family TWO veggies instead.

i do delve into pasta, but not the wheat stuff. i just waste it when i buy it b/c dh and dd will not eat it at all. i just measure my portions(and i don't eat everything on my plate either i throw it in tupperware with leftovers and a few days a week i will bring it for my lunch at work).

i eat junk too i just watch my portions. i also don't go into detail about my food journal but i do try to write my times,what and how much i ate. this will keep me from saying eating more junk in one day b/c i "forgot" about the couple of cookies i had at work earlier and then later in the evening if dh brings home ice cream i pass and just go do yoga or something to get my mind off it.

sorry this is getting long winded but i am a struggling person with food. i would eat anything put in front of me and even if said i was full and i was just sitting at the table with everybody else i would just start picking at food. i have to keep things out of site and out of mind. i don't like ppl getting a plate for me b/c they will overload food and i tend to eat more. when i get it myself i can measure out(i am good at eyeing things now that i have done it so long). i also try to eat slower and pay attention to when i feel satisfied. i carry my own snacks so i also don't get tempted over other ppl's homes when they have stuff that i don't like or know is not really healthy for me. also a big time label reader.

kassia
 
YES for sure i watch what I eat, absolutely!!! In order to see progress you MUST watch what you eat. I work in cheats about once per week.
 
I need to do better, but I try!

I try to watch what I eat and what my family eats. It is so hard sometimes though :(

I KNOW I could lose more weight and get my abs and arms looking more like I want them too, if I ate better, or should I say Less!

I am a stay at home mom and I do control the junk in the house and I try to make healthy meals as much as possible, but being home a lot, I sometimes eat too much. My problem is portions, or even eating just too much good stuff. I try not to stess to much, I don't want to live worrying and tracking everything passing my lips, but I also get irritated with my bulges :mad:

Just take each day as it comes. Some aren't going to be what you want them to be, and others will.

Best of luck to you :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Our Newsletter

Get awesome content delivered straight to your inbox.

Top