Discussion
The obsession with carbs is probably a bit of a red herring for losing weight initially. I'd save close macro checking for later on, when you're used to tracking how many calories you're eating
Keep the amount of energy going in lower than the amount of energy going out and you'll lose weight.
In terms of body composition then I agree, keeping track of various macros is important. However, if you want to lose some weight and not have to get yourself a PhD in biochemistry first, then keep it simple and make sure energy in is less than energy out and you'll get thinner. The body is pretty clever at maintaining homeostasis, but it can't beat thermodynamics.
Tracking macros and limiting carbs will get you there quicker and it will probably limit muscle loss, I guess it comes down to how much you want this to intrude on your life. Personally I'd sooner have a calorie budget to work through and be reasonably free on what I eat, rather than agonising of which root vegetable has the least carbs.
The best diet is one you stick to
Keep the amount of energy going in lower than the amount of energy going out and you'll lose weight.
In terms of body composition then I agree, keeping track of various macros is important. However, if you want to lose some weight and not have to get yourself a PhD in biochemistry first, then keep it simple and make sure energy in is less than energy out and you'll get thinner. The body is pretty clever at maintaining homeostasis, but it can't beat thermodynamics.
Tracking macros and limiting carbs will get you there quicker and it will probably limit muscle loss, I guess it comes down to how much you want this to intrude on your life. Personally I'd sooner have a calorie budget to work through and be reasonably free on what I eat, rather than agonising of which root vegetable has the least carbs.
The best diet is one you stick to
RTB said:
The obsession with carbs is probably a bit of a red herring for losing weight initially. I'd save close macro checking for later on, when you're used to tracking how many calories you're eating
However, if you want to lose some weight and not have to get yourself a PhD in biochemistry first
I don't agree (wouldn't PH be boring if we all agreed!!)However, if you want to lose some weight and not have to get yourself a PhD in biochemistry first
The hardest thing I have found in the past is counting calories and trying to track everything that I put in my mouth. Especially when regularly traveling and not having the facilities to cook, trying to either make sure I'm eating the right weight of food was really hard. Because I didn't have that PhD in biochemistry, I also had no idea what was going in some of the stuff that I was eating (e.g. porridge - I don't eat it, but I wouldn't have a clue of it's nutritional information at a hotel breakfast, for example).
If you go down the route of cutting carbs out of your diet as much as possible, things become a lot easier.
When you're buying stuff at the store, look at the nutritional information per 100g. It the carb content is less than 5g then eat as much as you like. If it's between 5g and 10g then have very limited quantities. If it's over 10g, leave it in the store. My only exception to this was something like a BBQ sauce to add in very small quantities to bland meat such as Chicken.
Yes, you will initially find yourself picking stuff up you like and putting it back, as well as being that weirdo who reads the back of every item in the store, however with time you will understand what you can have and what you can't.
When dining out, meats and cheeses and some vegetables are easy go tos. You can even eat at McDonalds (double 1/4 pounder with cheese) - just don't eat the bun - as for knife and fork and they will give you plastic cutlery. It's obviously not fine dining, but it is sticking to the diet. I also managed to eat out at some Michelin starred restaurants with this thought process.
I know the above is not perfect, and no doubt some nutritionist on here will tell me how I'm going to get cancer of the ear or some such, however it worked for me - it was a few years ago now, but in about 8 months I lost just under 30kg.
I'm going to see a nutritionist next week and hoping to get some pointers there.
Today I have only had porridge, some homemade vegetable soup and an apple, so would like to think I could have a small plate of curry and rice for dinner? I've also taken the dogs out on a good walk, so am pretty confident I have burned more calories than I have eaten?
My bicycle arrived about 20 minutes ago, so will be unwrapping that shortly.
Today I have only had porridge, some homemade vegetable soup and an apple, so would like to think I could have a small plate of curry and rice for dinner? I've also taken the dogs out on a good walk, so am pretty confident I have burned more calories than I have eaten?
My bicycle arrived about 20 minutes ago, so will be unwrapping that shortly.
e30m3Mark said:
Daily goal is 2,140.
Glad to hear you're seeing a nutrition I expect they will tell you this is far too low. Apologies if you've already said but have you had any medical advice before setting out on this?You've a lot to loose so a big change e.g. getting to a healthy weight will take time. Is the 2140 a figure MFP spat out for you?
Not suggesting you do it but there was a documentary on recently on a severely calorie restricted diet of 800 Kcal per day from soups and shakes. The results were impressive, reversed one guys type two diabetes.
e30m3Mark said:
I saw my GP and told him what I was doing. If honest he wasn't overly concerned. Yes, that goal was from MFP and so far it's been easily achievable.
I know it's only been a week or so but have noticed I am feeling full far sooner. Hopefully I can increase the exercise from tomorrow.
OP, I'm sorry to say this fella but if you are getting to a point where you are feeling full, then you are eating far too much., Small portions and fewer carbs. 2 oz of carbs only (bread, rice, pasta, potatoes - or derivatives thereof). If you are having bread with a meal then two slices only and try to avoid the white stuff. Drink loads of water (2 litres a day). Drink water before you eat as this will stave off hunger.I know it's only been a week or so but have noticed I am feeling full far sooner. Hopefully I can increase the exercise from tomorrow.
Johnniem said:
e30m3Mark said:
I saw my GP and told him what I was doing. If honest he wasn't overly concerned. Yes, that goal was from MFP and so far it's been easily achievable.
I know it's only been a week or so but have noticed I am feeling full far sooner. Hopefully I can increase the exercise from tomorrow.
OP, I'm sorry to say this fella but if you are getting to a point where you are feeling full, then you are eating far too much., Small portions and fewer carbs. 2 oz of carbs only (bread, rice, pasta, potatoes - or derivatives thereof). If you are having bread with a meal then two slices only and try to avoid the white stuff. Drink loads of water (2 litres a day). Drink water before you eat as this will stave off hunger.I know it's only been a week or so but have noticed I am feeling full far sooner. Hopefully I can increase the exercise from tomorrow.
At the moment I am concentrating on eating smaller portions of more healthy foods, whilst reducing the sugary stuff. I've stopped taking sugar in coffee all together. I'm also trying to eat throughout the day, as opposed to having breakfast and nothing more till a large evening meal. I'm also trying to get into the habit of drinking more water. Eventually I hope it will all become second nature but right now I feel OK with the progress I have made and will continue to make. That said, I do appreciate all of you that have commented and this thread has definitely helped me remain focussed. The next 2 nights are the times I find hard, as I work till 5am and invariably crave snacks. I used to eat fruit but now I need to find something less sugary.
The Moose said:
Try cocktail sausages (check nutritional info first, but most are ok)
60% fat content in most of these. Aren't they basically the sweepings from the floor of a slaughterhouse? Clearly I am using irony to make a point so please don't think that I am really meaning 'the sweepings from the floor...'
Johnniem said:
The Moose said:
Try cocktail sausages (check nutritional info first, but most are ok)
60% fat content in most of these. Aren't they basically the sweepings from the floor of a slaughterhouse? Clearly I am using irony to make a point so please don't think that I am really meaning 'the sweepings from the floor...'The Moose said:
Johnniem said:
The Moose said:
Try cocktail sausages (check nutritional info first, but most are ok)
60% fat content in most of these. Aren't they basically the sweepings from the floor of a slaughterhouse? Clearly I am using irony to make a point so please don't think that I am really meaning 'the sweepings from the floor...'Today's
I know the slice of wholemeal with light butter type stuff isn't great.
This was dinner. No pudding!
I'm at work now so might have a 140 calorie bag of popcorn as it's a Friday night!
Looks good OP I love prawns and they're low cal. I tend to have a load of chicken breasts in and have some cooked and in the fridge for a snack. Muscle food is worth a look for a range of lean meats I've been using my local butcher so not used for a bit.
Careful with butter/spreads etc. If you weigh it before you spread this will give you a good idea how easy it is to go overboard if you're not careful, same goes for cooking oils the fry light stuff is good at 1 Kcal per spray.
Careful with butter/spreads etc. If you weigh it before you spread this will give you a good idea how easy it is to go overboard if you're not careful, same goes for cooking oils the fry light stuff is good at 1 Kcal per spray.
The food side of things seems to be going well. Well done! How is the 'moving about more' going? If you are losing inches around the waist you will notice it in your clothing first. At that point you'll know that it is working. I have no doubt that the changes you have made already will be making a difference. Once you see change in yourself there will be a massive incentive to keep it up. Very few see the small changes made as an excuse to treat themselves to a curry/carbs/chinese/sugar fest. Don't do that!
Again, well done!
JM
Again, well done!
JM
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