SparkPoints

Healthy Eating, Gone Overboard

Friday, July 27, 2012

Today was Day 10 of keeping a written food journal and also calculating the calories on Spark. I'm eating enough fruits, veggies, protein and whole grains, but I just seem to be eating too much and too often. This happens usually after I wake up (from a nap, or in the middle of the night). If I can't sleep, I seem to migrate towards the frig, like a child for milk or something.

On my nutrition tracker, I have five categories: Breakfast, Snack, Lunch, Dinner, Snack 2. That's supposed to be five small meals a day. Lately I feel like I should make some new categories like: pre-workout snack, post-workout snack, and possibly a section for cheat meals. Trouble is I feel like I'm cheating all the time! I'm running out of categories, as well as patience for myself.

My hope is that I'm eating healthier than I used to eat. However, when I look at all the food I have been consuming, I can't help but think I'm doing something wrong. I've been going over in calories on my spark suggested calorie intake limit. Sometimes by 30 calories, sometimes by 400.

Something has to change. I'm trying not to feel discouraged, except that I am. I just really don't want to weigh myself on Monday and see the five pounds I just lost, packed back on. I want to change. Am I stressed? Mindlessly eating?

I'm trying my best and I feel like I'm getting nowhere. Plus I think I'm getting bored with my healthy choices in meals that are available to me. And I'm not a good cook. I hate to be "Debbie Downer" I just feel pretty disenchanted with myself at the moment. And it seems like such a long road ahead.

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KNEWMETODAY
While blogging is not the only sign of being active on the site, it is one sign. I see where I visited this blog quite a while back, and I trust that you have found some peace with your journey by now. The journey is different for each of us, yet some of the elements are the same. Just don't give up.

Kathy
3006 days ago
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KNEWMETODAY
I know that everyone probably has a "different take" on just about everything. My first efforts on Spark were controlled by the tracker. Ultimately, it helps me make smarter choices, but that's not where I started. I rarely went over my calorie limit, although the protein, fat, carb was not where it needed to be.

Drinking plenty of water, day in and day out, helps me enormously. If I find myself opening the refrigerator door frequently, I find the container with the celery, cucumber, or bell pepper.

Do what you need to get results. Most of the time we've already discovered what doesn't work, so there's no reason to keep trying to get a different result.

Kathy
3092 days ago
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MISSYGEEN
I am probably in you position at this moment so my suggestion is something that I myself am trying at the moment. I try and find recipes with 5 to 6 ingredients. If you are not used to cooking or on a fixed income(which I happen to be at the moment) healthy cooking can be daunting, so I figure if the recipes cause for less ingredients I will be more likely to make them. I hope this is helpful.

Good luck and cheer up
3099 days ago
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_RAMONA
So here's where you get to decide if you're glad you friended me, LOL!

First of all (I peeked at your food tracker), while you may be eating better than you were, I think you still have a long way to go before you can claim that you're eating 'healthy' (my bias). If I read this correctly, your concerns are being hungry, eating continuously, and not getting great results.

The things that are contributing to this are, in my opinion, eating a fairly high percentage of processed food, not eating enough protein (especially at breakfast), not eating enough good/healthy fat, and eating too many carbs. Calories are not all created equal... your body is smarter than that... it can recognise whether or not you've consumed enough nutrients no matter how many calories you've consumed, and if you haven't it will drive you to eat more... food that is high in calories and low in nutrition leaves you hungry, and vulnerable to gaining weight.

Additionally, not eating enough fat and too many carbs actually MAKES you hungrier, because your body needs fuel to burn (carbs burn out quick, fat not so much). Protein is also satiating and blood sugar stablizing.

My first suggestion would be simply eating whatever you want and however much of it you want as long as it's NOT processed in any way, with no added sugar... can't come out of a package, box or can. Eat real food you have cut, peel, cook, and season yourself... and see if you notice any difference... and add in some really good fats... full fat greek yogurt, avocadoes, coconut oil, olive oil.

Then, if you're open to some amazing change, and feel you're worth a month, I'd suggest the Whole30 program. You can read about it here:

http://whole9life.com/
2012/01/whole-30-v2012/

If you're open, it can literally change your life.

The thing is, you're beating yourself up for what you think are behavioural choices ("I seem to migrate towards the frig, like a child for milk or something" "I feel like I'm cheating all the time! I'm running out of... patience for myself" "I can't help but think I'm doing something wrong" "I'm trying my best and I feel like I'm getting nowhere.")... and I would suggest that the problem isn't you or your character, but is your body screaming at you for some solid nutrition... for what it's worth. You shouldn't have to go hungry to lose weight.

I also have a lot of resources listed in my photo gallery... just click on a picture... most have a resources list in the comments section. Help yourself! :) Same goes for my Spark Favourites (top right corner pulldown under 'more')... I've collected a pretty good library.

SparkMail me if you think I can be of help, or if you have questions! Don't give up... you CAN do this!

3102 days ago

Comment edited on: 7/27/2012 9:42:08 PM
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CAKEMAKERMOM
I find that it helps to ask when you're standing in front of the fridge "Am I hungry or am I bored?" It may be some other thing too, but if I stop to ask why I'm at the fridge, then I'm more likely to be aware of why I'm eating.

If I'm eating because I'm bored, I find something else to do, like go for a walk or play with the kids. If I'm eating because I'm tired, then I take a nap. If I'm eating because I'm upset, I find other ways to cope like, yes once again, taking a walk or blogging for the second time that day (2 blogs in one day is very rare for me, but it helps).

Once you know why you're eating, it's easier to find other things to occupy that time of the day and only eat when you're truly hungry.
3102 days ago
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WOMANATWORK1
Jackie -- One thing I've noticed as I've read all the blogs is that everybody will have to come to terms with some weight loss variations while on their Spark journey. I think it's ok to acknowledge the disappointment, but I wonder if you might also be able to put it in perspective. Your weight will likely fluctuate in response to changes in your eating plan and exercise. If you track them, perhaps you'll be able to see where changes need to be made. Also, there are all those experts on the Message Boards who have really helped me when I had a question or concern I just couldn't figure out. (I actually thought if I consumed only 1200 calories and worked out a ton, it was a good thing! Then I got a red flag and it explained why this was a bad idea...ok, go figure!)

I believe your goal is possible and I wish you the best on your Spark journey!!

3103 days ago