Can I really lose weight?

Hello everyone.

I've been a member of calorie-count.com for a few days and have only actively trying to lose weight for about 2 weeks now. I started on my own, watching what I ate and logging my food and exercise and I actually thought I was doing good for those few days before I found calorie-count.com. Then I saw just how many calories I was consuming. EEK!

Here is my problem. I'm a super picky eater. I don't eat most veggies or fruit, I don't even like to cook and tend to grab things I can nuke or eat out of a box. I'm not going to change the FOODS I eat but I am changing the way I eat them, fake butter on baked (nuked actually) potatoes and no salt, for example. Half a serving of pretzels sticks instead of half the giant bag. I've even made an effort with the few healthy foods I do like, baby carrots with a homemade(ish) dip (can't eat em without the dip). The dip is just light mayo and light ranch dressing and I only use a tablespoon of it instead of 2 or 3.

So now I'm eating less at meals and snacking in between. I've yet to hit my personal calorie limit (1500), I'm moving more and I'm actually watching all my numbers and actively trying to make them better, fat/cal/protein and sodium, fiber and cholesterol.

But I'm still eating junk.

So can it work? If I'm still eating white bread, cup-a-soup, french fries, macaroni & cheese and other nutritionally void foods will I lose weight if I eat less of them and exercise more? If I make my fries out of one medium potato, cook it in the oven and sprinkle it with spices instead of deep frying it? Eat two slices of toast instead of 4? Eat a Lean Cuisine pizza instead of 1/2 a Big New Yorker?

Any thoughts? Suggestions? (Just please don't tell me to eat beans :))

This post was removed by the member because the developers of this website practice censorship.  

Bottom line is this... you have to burn more calories than you take in.  If you're keeping accurate track of your food intake and activities done, you should be able to lose wt slow and steady.  It sounds like you're on the right track.  Just make small changes...  a little at a time. 

Calories are calories.

Do you want to keep eating junk, or do you want to make some changes and have healthier choices?  If you start small, say replace the fries with fruit sometimes, you'll start to feel better.  A bonus is that 2 or 3 servings of fruit are a lot bigger than 1 serving of fries for the same amount of calories, so you'll actually be eating more!

I don't like feeling hungry, so my food choices are based on volume - what can I have that is a big serving but still within my allowed calories?  I'll as myself if I want a few potato chips or 3 oranges, etc. 

Good Luck!
Claire

To be honest, you are going to have a really hard time sticking with this I think, especially if you are accurately tracking calories. The foods you seem to like to eat take up less volume in your stomach for the calories they have and therefore you eat more of them to fill you up. I think one problem you may run across is that you get hungry quite often. A few suggestions

Try adding a high fiber cereal to your diet. The bulky fiber will help keep you fuller longer plus it's got lots of nutrients your body needs. It's healthy for your heart by lowering cholesteral plus it reduces your risk of getting colon cancer.

If you've got to eat pre-packaged nukable foods, try to choose something from Healthy Choice, Weight Watchers Smart Ones, Lean Cuisine or even Michelina's Lean Gourmet. There are lots of yummy pasta varieties and most of them are around the 250 - 300 calorie range per meal. They do fill you up. The only drawback is they tend to be high in sodium so you need to drink extra water, which I'd recommend anyway.

And, most importantly, try to avoid Fast Food restaurants as much as you can because you can really pack on the calories if you aren't careful.

Good luck!

Thanks everyone.

ix: chicken and peanut butter are my main sources of protein, no fish for me or egg whites, cottage cheese, lamb, or almonds. (I wasn't kidding about super picky :)) I have been trying to eat more protein but I know p.b. is fat & oil too so I guess I should stock up on chicken. The carbs are definately a problem but I'm not sure I'm ready to deal with that one yet! :) I'm trying to keep my sodium levels down cause they're wavering around that 2400 daily intake mark. I have also begun exercising, just about 20 minutes a day with some walking thrown in when I can manage it. I've set my calories at 1500 but I'm thinking I ought to reduce it to 1300 since my days seem to be ending up closer to 1300 than 1500.

thank you missthang5, I do keep track of everything with the exception of a piece of gum (I read someone did that) and once less than a tablespoon of ketchup. since i've been calorie-count(.com)ing I've been burning more than I've been taking in and it's suprisingly easy!

cekurs & hunny: yes, I do want to just keep eating junk but I am making changes, but the choices ARE only minimally healthier. I wish I could eat fish and salads and fruit and veggies but I just can't choke them down. Some people would climb over their best friend in spiked heels for a cheeseburger, lobster dinner or chocolate bar but I'm not one of them :) I'd rather count out the 40 fries and add the 120 calories than eat a couple of apples. I'm strange I know. That's how I got to be this size :) I also try to make some choices based on volume/calories, which is why I haven't counted out the 40 fries. Yet. But by the time I'm hungry it's time to eat again. I've been thinking that once my body gets used to smaller meals it'll adjust and need less? Am I way off base with that? Fiber is a problem for me as well but I have a harder time finding fiber than protein! I've cruised the Lean Cuisine asile but so far all I've seen to catch my tastebuds is the pizza (much less sodium than the Michelina's btw) I might be willing to try a pasta one though, if I recognize whats in it anyway :)

anyhoo, thanks so much for the advice everyone!

This post was removed by the member because the developers of this website practice censorship.

This post was removed by the member because the developers of this website practice censorship.

It sounds like you're on the right track garnet.  Dieting is never easy, but it does get *easier*.

You mention that you like to eat quick nuked foods rather than cooking.  Since I've started my diet, about 90% of what I eat is frozen dinners or canned soup.  Stuff that has the calories printed right on it for super easy tracking.  I love Michelina's and Banquet frozen dinners and Progresso soups.

I'm not sure how healthy all that insta-food is, but I've been keeping tabs on my blood pressure and cholesterol with my doctor just to make sure.  Now that I've found calorie-count, though, it's so much easier to eat other foods that are in the database.

Good luck.  You've made a great decision to be healthier.  I know you've got the strength to do it!

ah i thought no one could possibly be as picky as me :]

Hey,

I have lost 10 pounds doing exactly the same as you. I just eat less....it's so simple lol. I stay within my calories and eat whatever my little heart desires. I am trying to eat healthy because it makes me more full and I feel better. I love this way of doing things because it is WAY less emotionally tough for me. I used to be an emotional wreck when I dieted, full of guilt and having to make tough decisions all the time. I would always think about food. Now all I do is make sure I stay within my calories. It's all so simple and I can have chocolate if I want. Good luck!

Original Post by jennpz89:

Hey,

I have lost 10 pounds doing exactly the same as you. I just eat less....it's so simple lol. I stay within my calories and eat whatever my little heart desires. I am trying to eat healthy because it makes me more full and I feel better. I love this way of doing things because it is WAY less emotionally tough for me. I used to be an emotional wreck when I dieted, full of guilt and having to make tough decisions all the time. I would always think about food. Now all I do is make sure I stay within my calories. It's all so simple and I can have chocolate if I want. Good luck!

I have an honest question for you... Are you as concerned about your health as you are your weight? The health of your heart and liver and so on?

Sure, it will work no problem. I lost my first 30 pounds doing exactly that.

Make sure you keep the fat/protien/carb ration at least close though, don't eat 50% fat or something.

Watch your vitamin and mineal intake, take a good multi, and don't stay on that course forever.

The reason we finally adjusted our diet a little at a time (other than fried foods, we basically gave those up the first week, but hey, baked french fries are just as good as deep fried ones once you get used to them) was because the healthier foods kept us from being as hungry.

Double post deleted.