Shocked by calories

[FasterMichelin]

I haven’t felt body confidence for a few years and have decided to make an attempt to lose a dress size, even if short lived. I’ve reinstalled Myfitness pal and am reducing my calorie consumption to 1200cals a day.

Saying I’m shocked by how much I normally eat is an understatement! For context, pre kids I was a size 10 and found it easy to maintain my weight, post kids im a wobbly 12, predominantly on my tummy. I was convinced until recently that it’s just my “mum-bod” and that having two pregnancies has taken its toll and my metabolism must have slowed.

But with my new found insight, I can honestly say that I have been massively overeating. A few biscuits here, toast every morning, slice of cake there, always accepting any offers of food, regardless whether I was hungry or not. I completely lost sight of how many calories I was eating and it’s shocking how quickly it all adds up.

Its made me realise that I can’t be alone. There must be so many of us who consume way too many calories through mindless eating. Especially when juggling a young family.

Do you calorie count? Do you know how many calories you usually eat everyday?

Fellow short arse, I feel the pain!

Yes!! The die hard millennial cliché that I am, I love an iced latte....I switched to iced americano, drop of DF milk. Saved a million calories, even on the vegan stuff ☕

Oh yes. My shocker moment…basse organic pumpkin seeds.
Those little salty green things, sold at Costco.
Fuck me 300 calories for a tiny palm sized serving.
While prepping supper or mid day I’d snack on these easy 1000 calories.

This is heartening to hear re: your results.

I am totally boring and roughly know the calories, protein, fat and carbs in pretty much everything. It’s horrifying just how many calories are in small amounts of some food (butter, cheese, nuts, pasta). I made my DH weigh the portion of butter he was putting on his toast - he couldn’t believe the calories! We generally eat high volume, high protein, lower carb, non processed and that works very well for us. I’ve maintained my weight for about 25 years. Still have high days and holidays but generally eat very well.

Fuckssake. I did not consider that they had such a high calorie content. Fml

Yes nuts and seeds

They look so tiny in your hand.

I used the Nutricheck app to lose three stone a couple of years ago. Alongside taking up fast long walking. I still use it daily, partly to make sure I get enough protein (I am vegan and need to keep an eye on this) and partly to keep the weight off. I actually really like it. I like feeling in control and knowing I am treating my body well.

The calories in peanut butter and tahini are mind blowing. I still have them just small amounts. Also alcohol. I make my own hummus as that is alarmingly calorific too but it doesn't have to be.

Scales - and using them - are essential, I find.

One trick is to eat a single serving ready meal. As in just a single serving ready mean for dinner. (You can have extra veg - not potato - if you like).

My favourite YouTubers:

@SarahsDay she has three young kids like me and I find her fitness and nutrition/lifestyle so inspiring

@KianaDocherty for interesting videos on the food industry and weight loss

@AlexGamble Aussie fitness coach with loads of good videos on calorie counting, grocery shopping hacks etc. His overnight weetabix is a staple in my house.

@MoveWithNicole My favourite Pilates teacher. I do her workouts 1-2 times per week

@madelainerascan The ultimate combo of food advice and great workouts. I eat 300g of butternut squash per day thanks to her, haha

@MamaTenny She’s 63 is looks amazing, I absolutely love her recipes

@DrStacySims I’m not menopausal yet but her advice has been so helpful, especially regarding weight training and core strength

I’m not in the UK, but I drink the Bulk Powders brand one when in Europe, and The Collagen Co. One when I’m in Australia. I find both really good with a splash of almond milk.

Agree with this actually. We don’t eat many ready meals but I do keep some Cooks ones in for when we are time poor. One of those with a load of frozen veg can be a filling, decentish, high protein, low calorie meal.

I've never eaten big portions but my weakness is chocolate and flapjacks and basically high sugar foods. I've started calorie counting in the last week and have already lost some weight. It is incredible how the calories mount up. Im only 5 ft 1 so I'm aiming for 1200 or 1300 calories a day but no more. I want to lose around 5kg.

Really interesting thread

Which are the simplest calorie counter apps?

And ignore the bullshit screaming about 'competitive undereating'.

I’ve used My Fitness Pal (the free version) for the last 15 years and it’s worked brilliantly for me.

Yep - it’s the calories in granola that really shocked me. I weighed out the suggestion portion size of 45g (190 calories) and it was so small. Probably half the portion size most people would think of as the norm.

I have overhauled my diet and calorie consumption whilst on WLI. I am mostly shocked how I was not bigger than I was with all the stuff I ate.

I am on MJ as I need to loose a significant amount of weight and that helps with not wanting any snacks but it also helped learning about the calorie content.

I am over 50, post menopause and it's a nightmare to think about.

My plan forward is to accept I have to go old fashion and that cake, biscuit and chocolate are not everyday food but something you have at weekends and only eat what you really like, not because it's there.

"Luckily" post-menopause also means I don't tolerate alcohol anymore so the 500-800cl a week are saved now automatically.

For me the biggest change was to accept that certain fats and protein are good and just surviving on vegetables and salads without dressing is not an acceptable way. I eat far healthier on Greek yoghurt, lean protein and small amounts of complex carbs than I did under Weight Watcher 20 years ago.

I wish there was a 😯 reaction button...I'm gonna have to weigh my granola tomorrow 😭

There was me pouring out the granola and chucking on the old pumpkin seeds and having a merry time completely none the wiser. Now I know at least I suppose😭

@muppahuppapuppa nutracheck in the uk or cronometer in north america are both more accurate than the popular but mistake riddled mfp.
nutracheck and cronometer both have free versions.

30g of nuts is depression in a bowl.

A bowl of sadness and neglect.

For nearly 200 cals.

I was just coming on to say about granola. Their portion size barely covers the bottom of the bowl. I’ve gone onto own brand cornflakes and porridge for the duration.

I don't do it right. I'm 66. I try nowadays to stay under 11st. (Used to be 9st). I weigh daily. If it goes over, I fast hard until it goes back down again. 20 years ago, 2lb over would take 24 hours, now it might be 72 with no dinner, yoghurt, fruit and nuts fkr breakfast and a tuna salad for lunch. It sucks.