I did incredible well today with my eating. We went to my dh's company picnic at a ball game. I had a bad feeling there would be nothing healthy so I had a great spinach salad at home before we left. Sure enough, we got to the picnic and there was nothing that would have been even sightly worth the calories.

I ended up eating a couple of potato chips (less than 1/2 an oz of a 1 oz bag) and diet Pepsi.

I had lots of water and then they ran out so I had another diet Pepsi. It was 95 degrees out on the field and we were sitting in direct sun and it was HOT.

I ended up with a very bad headache (possible from the aspartane but could have also been the heat).

We had a discussion coming home about whether or not to stop for ice cream and decided not (which although I REALLY wanted the ice cream, was happy to have had the resolve to skip it).

For the h*ll of it, I stepped on the scale when I got home. I gained 4 pounds at the game!

It totally ruined my day. I got sulky and almost burst into tears.

Then I counted up my calories for the day which came out to under 1300.

I definitely let the scale ruin all my feelings of mastery and satisfaction about making good food choices today even despite knowing that this must all be water retention.

It just got me thinking of this week's earlier scale discussion and that maybe weighing in daily isn't such a good thing for me, especially when I know that I'm sticking to my plan.

Thanks for "listening", I feel better now and a bit ridciculous for letting that stupid number ruin my day despite knowing better!

PS I also found out today that my favorite ice cream from our local creamery has 300 calories for the kid size scoop - with the fixings it's over 400 : ( That really put a damper on my day too!

quote:

Originally posted by jillybean:
The lowest amt was 130 and the highest I could find was 431...

A large carrot muffin, according to fitday would be 216.

I don't know 'bout that...

According to Fitday, an extra large muffin is 3.5 inches in diameter (and they don’t give a weight) but the extra large muffins I see… are more like 5 inches across. The small ones I make at home are about 3.5 inches across.

I went poking around on Diet Facts

Half of a low fat (Atlanta Bread Co.) pumpkin muffin weighs 4 oz and has 320 calories. They say one serving is half a muffin… so a whole muffin would be 8 oz and be 640 calories. And that is a “healthy, low fat” muffin.

One (not low fat) zucchini muffin is 4 oz and is 480 calories.

I had some sour dough sandwich rolls and the label said something like:
Serving size: one roll, 2 oz
130 calories.

That is all fine and good… except the rolls weighed 6 oz. So, we are really talking about a 390 calorie roll.

If I were eating store/bakery bought muffins on a regular basis. I’d weigh them. I wouldn’t trust the calorie info. And in my experience… the organic, healthy muffins are often very dense and PACKED with calories. And weigh more than 4 oz. And have more than 400 calories.

quote:

Originally posted by Bee:
Denise,
I chuckled to myself when I read your description of your brother's party because that's what meals at my parents house are like most of the time....

At home, I drink like 2 oz of wine. So when you say two glasses of wine, I picture 4-6 oz.

I think that these glasses held 3 cups. I'm not even sure, but they were huge. And they were filled up about a third of the way. I think maybe I had 2 or 3 glasses... but I don't even know because every time I drank an inch... more was poured in... I literally couldn't even begin to guess at the calories, just in wine.

And then there is the tipsy factor. We ate lunch at 11am. Dh and I shared a 1 oz bag of chips from Subway (leftover from lunch) at 5pm in the car. And then we started drinking at 6:30... and they didn't bring any appetizers out until about 7:15pm.

dh was our designated driver... and I know that I was not sober because at one point fil was double dipping bread in the olive oil and I didn't care. And normally that would sort of gross me out.

I'm not sure how to calc. calories because it isn't like I had a scale with me... and wasn't doing a real good job of keeping track of the loaves of bread I was eating... although I know that I did exhibit SOME restraint with the appetizers and bread and it could have been worse.

quote:

I think part of the problem is when I was comfortably in maintenance, I could blow it on the weekend and get back on plan Monday and have it gone by Friday.

Yup. Yup. Yup.

It is HARD to create that 3500 calorie deficit week after week.

Sending you hugs and I know you can do it.

Brie, just wanted to post and say I'm sorry that you're struggling. I have the same problem you describe at my parents' house, minus the wine. It's great to be so close to my family, though, so I try to appreciate that.

quote:

Originally posted by GoingSkiing:
I'd also be suspect of a carrot muffin that claims to be only 400 calories. Have you weighed it? A 1 oz plain old piece of whole wheat bread is 100 calories. I bet it weighs 6 oz and is more like 600 calories. You just don't see 400 calorie muffins very often...

I checked out a couple sites to see some different carrot muffin calories. The lowest amt was 130 and the highest I could find was 431. I'm sure a muffin from Dunkin Donuts or some other fast food place would be far greater. A large carrot muffin, according to fitday would be 216.

Jill

Denise,
I chuckled to myself when I read your description of your brother's party because that's what meals at my parents house are like most of the time. Huge pours of wine, lots of hors d'ourves, dessert, etc... I've done a crappy job lately with any kind of self control over there and unfortunately, we see them weekly.

It's those types of things that I need to get a handle on again.

I think part of the problem is when I was comfortably in maintenance, I could blow it on the weekend and get back on plan Monday and have it gone by Friday. Now that I'm heavier, and wanting to lose, it just doesn't work that way. I just maintain at the current weight and any progress I make during the week is eliminated. This was the first weekend that didn't happen (the extra water retention weight left today). I just need to keep the momentum going without getting resentful or feeling deprived.

quote:

Originally posted by Bee:
I respectfully disagree Denise.

I know what works for me and I just need to do it consistently.

It's not about eating perfectly, it's about not having the kind of weekend you described for yourself yesterday on a weekly basis, or going out for 400 calorie ice cream twice/week or eating key lime pie on vacation every single night.

It's about moderation and I have lost that for the time being and am working on getting it back.

Oh OK. In that case I disagree with myself, too.


edit: If you are are eating and drinking like I did on Sat. night... you are not eating as little as I think you are.


I'd also be suspect of a carrot muffin that claims to be only 400 calories. Have you weighed it? A 1 oz plain old piece of whole wheat bread is 100 calories. I bet it weighs 6 oz and is more like 600 calories. You just don't see 400 calorie muffins very often...

This message has been edited. Last edited by: GoingSkiing,

I respectfully disagree Denise.

I know what works for me and I just need to do it consistently.

It's not about eating perfectly, it's about not having the kind of weekend you described for yourself yesterday on a weekly basis, or going out for 400 calorie ice cream twice/week or eating key lime pie on vacation every single night.

It's about moderation and I have lost that for the time being and am working on getting it back.

quote:

Originally posted by Bee:
I think that's why I've been reluctant to get myself to an RD.

If I can have a consistent month, then I can really gauge if I need to go. So far, I've been far from consistent.

In my opinion (which we all know is NOT humble) THAT is why you should go.

It is like the person who belongs to WW and says, I'll go back to a meeting after I've lost some weight. No. When you are struggling is when you NEED to go.

I think that a lot of the reason you ARE struggling and are not able to be consistant is because, for YOU, "consistant" equals pretty darn close to perfect and NOBODY can keep that lifestyle up and you have to figure out WHY you have to eat so little and so clean to maintain. Or even IF you are eating too little.

I think you have to see an RD no matter what... if only for your own piece of mind.

But you have to eat SOOOOOO clean that I really worry that it is not sustainable for the long term by any normal human being... which is practically everybody. And the fact that you are creeping up is sort of a red flag.

No. You don't say, "I'll see somebody once I figure out this problem." That is not right. You go see somebody, especially if they can help you figure out IF there is a problem and recommend solutions you may not have thought of.

Thanks for being responsive and hearing me out. I know it isn't always fun to post something like this and then get a bunch of questions but I hope you know it's because we care. No doubt that you can do whatever you set your mind to. Hope you find a fun and effective reward that makes the journey a little easier for a while. Hugs!

Peg

quote:

Originally posted by GoingSkiing:
But if you are struggling and what you are doing isn't working for you any more, then it is time to get help and figure out why and how to change it.

That's the thing Denise - when I eat clean, I lose weight. Yes it needs to be lower than most people think it should be but I know what works for me. Unfortunately, for the past 8 months, I haven't been consistent enough for the weight to stay off and I've been gaining and losing the same 4 -5 pounds.

I think that's why I've been reluctant to get myself to an RD.

If I can have a consistent month, then I can really gauge if I need to go. So far, I've been far from consistent.

Even with the challenge, the first week was a wash as I was in FL and not cooking for myself. The second week ended with my birthday splurge. Last week was the first week that I was consistent in being and staying on plan and I am down with my weight.

I think that part of the struggle for me is that this year has been tough - emotional stuff with the illnesses in the family, my own health at the beginning of the year and re-starting medication, the stress of moving (even though it's mostly good stress), my injury, etc....

I fell back to old eating patterns more than I should have and I think that's part of the reason I've been feeling down on myself.

In any case, I feel like I'm back on the wagon, back in control and can do this.

Believe me, I certainly have not done it alone! I've had trainers along the way (still use my bosses at work to kick my butt every now and again), access to a nutritionist (one at work and my best friend here) plus all of you guys. Alone I have not been : )

PS The macrobiotic muffin is just shy of 400 calories. Those are not the muffins I refer to that I eat most days. I do 1/2 a sprouted grain english muffin in the mornings which are 150 calories for a whole muffin with 1 T of lite cream cheese (I measure) and then a piece of fruit. That's enough to get me through my workouts (but not too much so I feel sick) and get me through until I get home (I eat an early lunch most days).

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Brie,

I was up consistently 2 lbs from January to May. I was right on the verge of declaring that I had put on two lbs of muscle and of moving my range up 2 lbs.

I decided that before I did that, I would go back on plan "perfectly". I decided that if it was a "struggle" to take the 2 lbs off (like somehow my body wanted to be 2 lbs heavier)... then I would raise my goal.

But basically, they came right off in 10 days and I had no trouble at all maintaining back in my old range.

Sometimes you just gotta do what you gotta do.


But I still think you should have your metabolism checked.

There is some reason for the weight creep... Either portion creep. Or calorie miscalculations. Or krappy metabolism. Or a new scale. There is some reason for it.

American are VERY big on self reliance. I've noticed that people who lose weight on their own are often VERY proud of that fact... that they didn't need help or a program to lose it. People get a lot of self satisfaction from having done it “on their own”.

But that self reliance hinders people, too, and prevents them from seeking help. I think that being a wellness coach holds you back from seeking help, because people make appointments with YOU to figure this stuff out.

Sometimes, you got to make an appointment with somebody and either have them say, "OK... there is NO way that your half a muffin is 150 calories because NOBODY sells a 3 oz 300 calorie muffin anymore... macrobiotic... organic... doesn't matter... the 300 calorie muffin does not exist in 2006" or you have to blow in a tube and have somebody say, "Oh WOW!! Your metabolism is totally in the krapper!"

But if you are struggling and what you are doing isn't working for you any more, then it is time to get help and figure out why and how to change it.

quote:

Originally posted by p7eggyc:

Is it maybe time to take a look at some other rewards? [QUOTE]

I haven't done any rewards in quite some time. I'll have to set a goal and then come up with a reward that will work for me right now (my usual rewards just wouldn't cut it right now.


[QUOTE] I think you are maintaining your weight (even if it is x pounds over your ideal range). You are not doing a steady climb. A weekly or twice weekly weigh in would verify that you were either still in the 'new' range or losing or gaining beyond that. Maybe this simply isn't the time in your life that you will be able to maintain that lower range. Would you be able to consider 'resetting' to this range that you have indeed been maintaining for 7 mos and revisit the issue of whether you want to get back to the 'old' range at a time when you are not facing as much stress and life upheaval as you are now? Peg

Yes, I have pretty much been maintaining at this higher range since x-mas. I do recognize that this has been a very challenging year but I also really want to get back to my old weight. I'm just not comfortable where I am now.

I decided when we started this challenge that there will always be stress in my life and that I may as well figure out a way to be at my real maintenance range now.

It is worth it to me to focus in on this now despite the upcoming move.

quote:

I sort of disagree. The scale does reflect calories in, calories out. I know that there are many variations around water retention and more in the short term, but in general, I have found it to be a true gague of how I am doing over the long haul.

I agree that it is a good tool over the long haul but I think that it is very fickle in terms of being a mechanism to give reward for good behavior. It will indeed give you a number you like eventually after a period of good behavior but in terms of relative immediate reflection of/reward for good behavior it is not.

Peg

...and I agree with the metabolism testing...

quote:

Originally posted by p7eggyc:
[We both know that the scale is a fickle master at best so looking there for reward is definitely a futile exercise.
Peg

I sort of disagree. The scale does reflect calories in, calories out. I know that there are many variations around water retention and more in the short term, but in general, I have found it to be a true gague of how I am doing over the long haul.

This is why I weigh almost daily- I stay accountable and can't pretend that I am eating well is the scale keeps creeping up.

I know that in Bee's case yesterday, this was water/heat/salt, but I am sure that generally the scale reflects her daily habits and routines over time.

quote:

Bing, bing, bing - we have a winner! I really, really thought that I would get on that scale and see that I did the right thing. Clearly I should have just stuck to writing it down in my journal and knowing that I did the right thing!

We both know that the scale is a fickle master at best so looking there for reward is definitely a futile exercise. Is it maybe time to take a look at some other rewards? I haven't heard you mention any in a while (again realizing the summer has been fraught with lots of other priorities) so maybe it is time to get back to those a little bit.

quote:

And yes, I have been basically maintaining for 3 years + now but I've also been above my usual range since x-mas time which has me worried.

I had to sign off and don't think I really finished that thought. I think you are maintaining your weight (even if it is x pounds over your ideal range). You are not doing a steady climb. A weekly or twice weekly weigh in would verify that you were either still in the 'new' range or losing or gaining beyond that. Maybe this simply isn't the time in your life that you will be able to maintain that lower range. Would you be able to consider 'resetting' to this range that you have indeed been maintaining for 7 mos and revisit the issue of whether you want to get back to the 'old' range at a time when you are not facing as much stress and life upheaval as you are now? I know we have talked about this before and you feel you've already reset once so you might not be willing to but you do seem to be struggling an awful lot when life is busy handing you plenty of other balls to keep in the air.

I also strongly encourage you to follow up on the metabolism study.

Hang in there!

Peg

You are right Denise. I need to make the time to get it done.

quote:

Originally posted by Bee:
And yes, I have been basically maintaining for 3 years + now but I've also been above my usual range since x-mas time which has me worried.

I really think that you should go in and get that resting metabolsim test and talk to a dietician about how you can eat more.

I know that you are busy with the house and all... but there is never really a good time... and you just have to carve out some time and do it.

I also think that 1300 calories are not enough on the days you exercise for 2 hours and it could possibly damage your metabolism further. That is why WW built Activity Points into their system... because when people are more active, they need more fuel.

But I really wish you would make the appt and go in and get your metabolism checked.

quote:

Originally posted by p7eggyc:
Were you looking for reinforcement/reward from the scale for you good behavior? Were you resenting the fact that you had foregone ice cream you really wanted and thought this would give you some sort of reward for that?

Peg

Bing, bing, bing - we have a winner! I really, really thought that I would get on that scale and see that I did the right thing. Clearly I should have just stuck to writing it down in my journal and knowing that I did the right thing!

And yes, I have been basically maintaining for 3 years + now but I've also been above my usual range since x-mas time which has me worried.