Nutrition, again.....

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Cathlete
I have been struggling with the last 10 lbs., like many FOREVER!!! I have read and read all of your posts lately, and it seems to me the key is to food journal, and fit everything in in it's proper place. Starting Monday, I am going to do this. I do enjoy my food, I try not to look at it like it is the enemy, but sometimes it is hard, I look at hot fudge and gain 2 lbs. on each butt cheek!!! My question is to those of you who food journal, do you measure and weigh all your portions??? I have tried to use FitDay, and could not figure it out. Thanks!!!!
Lori
 
Hi Lori-
I'm just now starting to food journal so I won't know as much as say..Bobbi or someone like that. However, I have found Fit Day to be a WONDERFUL site for tracking what you eat.

I did make up an actual paper sheet with 3 columns to record what I had for Breakast, Lunch , Dinner and Snack. It has room to write down the food item as well as how much. I then plug those figures into Fit Day and have a running total of what I'm eating. And yes, I do measure/weigh what I'm eating to get actual calories.

The question that always stumps me is how many calories should one have to lose weight. I do know that is is based on how much I weigh now vs. how much I want to lose, but there is this belief that one should never go below say 1000 calories and then you read something else that says never go below 1500. It's all so mind boggeling.

But, to get back on topic here, food journaling keeps you honest!

Deb
 
Hi Lori,

Yes, measure &/or weigh your food for a few days. Many people make healthy choices but have a portion control problem. Once you're sure what .5 cup of rice looks like, then go back to eyeballing your servings.

I'm sure a fitday veteran will help you the input problem.
 
Hi Lori! I too couldn't figure out fitday simply because it wouldn't allow me to punch in 3 oz. of chicken. I don't know how many calories this is. I found the site very frustrating. Anyway as far as the food log goes I've been logging in calories, protein, carbs, fat & fiber. This gives you a really good gauge of how your doing. First you need to determine what your caloric intake is. Once you know that you need to also determine how many grams of protein, carbs, fat & fiber you need. And once you know that, the rest is easy. A little tedious but it's been going very well for me this week. Check into the other threads. I think it was Bobbi who gave the website link for caloric intake. Maybe she already answered you. I haven't looked at the other responses. Unfortunately I don't know what the formulas are for the rest. But try it and you'll be surprised how quickly everything you eat and drink adds up. Good luck! Kathy
 
Hi, Kathy, if you go to the ALL FOODS pull down menu at Fitday and click on poultry it will open a window with a complete selection of types of chicken and you should be able to plug in the amount. I actually keep a food journal in my word processing program in my computer and use fitday if I need an idea of calorie contents of foods. Even a written journal is fine! The trick is to know how much to consume. I'll look up some sites and post them. I base my choices on the number of calories I want to consume per day. I do love the way fitday breaks that down. There's a wealth of information on the web and no right or wrong way to do this. Just have to find what works for you! After awhile it's all second nature and you'll find yourself balancing out very naturally.

Bobbi http://www.plauder-smilies.de/chicken.gif Chicks Rule!
 
Hi Lori - I can clarify one thing for you. Dipping below 1200 calories is not a good idea. I did that and started having some serious problems. I am still struggling to regain my apetite.

You are so right about there being tonnes of info out there on how many calories you should be eating and in what ratios. I think it can be used as guidelines, but at the end of the day one has to decide what works for them through trial and error. That is why it helps to measure food. You can track what you are eating and adjust the amounts/ portions depending on how you feel. I find fitday a bit annoying as well but it gives me a rough estimate of what I eat and I find that helpful.

Hang in there and the 10lbs will come off! I think all advanced exercisers have special dietary needs. It is sometimes takes time (I think forever in my case!) to work out how many calories and how much exercise you need to get the results you want. Good luck.
 
Hi Lori,

I journal all the time. Well, sometimes I don't because I'm either really busy and really lazy. Hey, life is a journey.

I use a computer program. But, I do measure. I did that to learn how to estimate my portions. You'd be surprised how big something is and how small something is.

Even now, I still measure from time to time, just to make sure. I also plan my meals for the week too and make sure that I have my choices laid out for the week. I mix and match, but it's still choices that I have available.

Keta. :D

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Thank You so much for all your responses. I really appreciate it. I haven't decided if I am going to count calories, or go back to WW's Points System. Actually, nothing has worked as well for me as WW's. I started back about Thanksgiving, and I lost 5 lbs., and so far, I have kept that off. High fiber, fruit, veggies, and some protein work best for me. I have to weigh and measure with WW's too, and journal. I will most likely go back to this. I checked out the dietician website the other day, and it told me I was overweight. OUCH!!!!!!!! I am 5'4", and about 145. I am pretty solid, but I could drop 10 easy lbs. of fat. I haven't felt good in my bathing suit in the last 3 years. I want to feel confident this year, not ashamed of myself. Thanks for all your help.
Lori
 
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