October Calorie Counters
 

I thought since today is the 1st of October I would start the new monthly thread.

Last night I bought The Biggest Loser Calorie Counting Guide and I highly recommend it to anyway who is counting calories and cannot, for whatever reason, get a copy of the CalorieKing guide.

It is great for checking the calorie counts on so many basic foods. They have one whole page for eggs alone.

I've been sitting looking it over and using my highlighter to highlight the foods I normally eat.

Just thought I'd drop in and say "Hi.":wave:

Welcome to all the new calorie counters!

Hi everyone! I cannot seem to stay up on my forums lately. I bought the book "Best hikes with Kids: Oregon" (they have a best hikes with dogs too!) and the kids and I have been going down the list and having so much fun.

I even bought a small camping trailer so we could get to some of the further trails.

The kids are slow and we can't do more than two miles but its better than what I had been doing...nothing.

Is anyone else annoyed by the jack in the box ads on Fitday?? Those little taco pics make me want one and that is just not right for a weightloss site!

I don't want to buy the program since I like logging on from anywhere.

Hope all is well with everyone. I'm down to 163 and still hoping to see the 150s soon.

Might I suggest you download Modzilla Firefox and use that as your browser instead of Internet Explorer? It's free. They have a great ad blocker feature. In fact, I'd completely forgotten that fitday had ads until you mentioned that. Dh and I have been using Firefox for years. I'm always surprised when I do use another browser at how many ads there are everywhere online. You never see them with Firefox.

I'm not affiliated, btw. I just love the browser.

Get over us, with our shiny new thread. :D

Hello and welcome to the new calorie counters among us. I also want to add that 500 to 700 calories a day isn't doable over the long term. A fast initial weigh loss, followed by a huge crash and rapid re gain with a whole bunch of extra weight tacked on for good measure has always been the result when I attempted to so drastically restrict my calories. So, please, think about it and see if a higher, more healthy target range wouldn't work better for you. :hug:

I hope everyone is having a good day, today. I am on track, got 50 minutes of cardio in and have already gulped my water requirements for the day. I have a bad head today. Really bad. I was seriously considering skipping my exercise and just vegging in a dark room.

Okay, must run. Stuff to do. I'll see you all later. :D

HI and welcome to our new posters.

Zenor, I use Modzilla Firefox and you're right about the ads. Very little advertising on any sites. My sons are computer people and keep me all updated on the "best" internet options.

This plateau I'm on will end someday. I wish someday was today. :D In the meantime I plod on with my exercise and calorie counting. But right now I'm so sleepy I'm ready for bed but have to stay up another little while.

Catch you all later when I'm a bit more lucid and bright-eyed. :lol:

zenor, I use Firefox and I still see them. Hmm. I just downloaded the updated version not too long ago. Maybe I need to download an extra ad blocker? The ads are on the actual page, not pop-ups.

My Dh said it's an extra widget. He says you want AdBlocker Plus on filter set G. Hope that helps. :D

OMG!!! This is awesome! no ads at all! websites look so clean and un-annoying. Zenor thank you and tell dh thank you too. :D

Hi everyone!! Happy October!! The weather is getting crisp and I like that... makes for good weather to walk in. I am trying to step up my walking efforts but that is not working all that well. I have not lost anymore weight although I am eating between 1200 and 1400 calories everyday with my one day off... I am not worried... maybe the scale will surprise me next week and give me 2 or 3 lbs at once...

Adding up the math
 

I'm fooling around with my Biggest Loser calorie counting book and math.

I noticed in the book that the calorie count for a sugar cube is 10 calories. That is one sugar cube folks!:dizzy:

Now if I had 2 cubes per tea and say.....let's throw out a number here.....5 cups of green tea per day....that would be 100 calories in a day. 100 calories that I could spend by eating fruits and veggies instead.

Now I very rarely have 2 sugar cubes in a cup of tea. I normally just drink it unsweetened because I like it that way but seeing 10 calories per sugar cube in the book just got me thinking.

Thge little things certainly can add up, eh. :)

Yes, Miss Canada, it's the little things that really add up. I love little nibbly things to eat and 1 tortilla chip is over 20 calories and who can eat only one. And then of course I need a little bit of cheese with that and by the time I'm finished I'm way over 100 calories and not even full.

Gotta go, mother is calling.

Oh, thanks for that tip on the calorie counting book! I was relying solely on the 3 Fat Chicks link but....lost my Internet access for a few days and was LOST when it came to calorie counting! I've learned from my mistake and will go get that book so I have access to calorie counts no matter whether my Internet is working!

I'm in week 2 of counting calories. I totally did not meet my goals last week, but was spending more time learning than getting it totally right. This week, I have a meal plan, I have my calories spread out over the day in a way that is more realistic, and I'm doing much better getting protein.

I met my goal of 1500 calories on Mon - Wed. but today I lost it a bit when the kids had pizza for dinner...I had a few and blew away the calorie count. But that's ok - just one day out of 4! I'm still working out using The Firm rotations about 4 days a week. Hoping I can keep up the momentum!

I read in the dr office one day that an average bite of snacky food is 25 calories per bite. Wow that was an eye opener!!4 bites and you have 100 calories of food you dont even feel like you had. I set firm rules on only eating at the table. No standing and taking bites of food. No licking my fingers after fixing hubbys lunch..no chips off his plate. I think that has been the biggest change for me..you think..just one chips wont hurt. But it sure adds calories fast!!
scales appear stuck as Tom approaches....

Dgramie ~ That is scary figure and it is probably true, if not more.

Canadianwoman ~ Sounds like you are putting that book to good use. I do like my fruit and I avoid table sugar and any other type of sweet because it causes cravings for me. I do eat my oatmeal with a little stevia or Agava.

Didjaever ~ Its crisp here in my neck of the woods also. It was 33 this morning and only going to get up in the high 50's. BRRR! To cold to fast I think.

I just wanted to stop in and say HI to everyone.

Things are going well for me on the dieting front. I am back to following the program Tinky lost all her weight on and I am hoping to have a nice loss even though TOM is here.

I have to get going but hope you all have a wonderful weekend.

It is amazing how "little things" can add up to a huge calorie load. And counting calories has made me so aware of it. And has helped to really change some of my most destructive habits. I used to like to stand in my open fridge door and have just a few bites of this or that. I don't do that, any more.

I hope that everyone is having a good, on track week. I have been solidly on track since my blow out on Monday. I have been really good about exercise, too. But I am down, today. My stupid knee is trashed, again. I have no choice but to rest it. It sucks... I am working so hard to lose this weight and have a healthier, more active body but I am held back because I am so heavy that even gentle exercise trashes my knees and forces me to stop. Gah! Hopefully I will be able to get back to it, tomorrow.

On plan most of the week and tomorrow is my weigh in. Hope this plateau breaks soon. I'm about ready to eat a large bag of chips. Just dreaming about them now. I need success to breed success. But on the brighter side of things I'm getting loads of compliments these days. I'm also getting in more water. I had to stop drinking today a bit before lunch because I had to go to a funeral and didn't want to go to the washroom in the middle of the eulogy or something like that.

Hope everyone has a good weekend.

I could never eat just one tortilla chip.

The reason I wanted a calorie counting book is because my youngest son and I share my laptop and I can look things up if necessary when he is online.




IMO it is all about trial and error and finding what works for you. I also believe in having a 'free meal' once a week if I want it because you never know what comes up (out with the kids...a date...a wedding, etc, etc, etc)

I am enjoying the book very much and on an even more positive note my sister is going to Las Vegas next week so I asked her if she could bring back a copy of the CalorieKing book for me, provided she finds one.

I also love my fruit as well which is why I cannot stomach being on Atkins anymore. I was even getting to the point where I was missing green peas, parsnips and sweet potatoes and getting very, very sick of salad.

At least with calorie counting I have plenty of variety.:)

I used to do that and I also used to eat my son's leftovers off thier plates when they were younger. No wonder I gained so much weight.:mad: I also used to eat a lot at night and am trying very hard to not do that anymore though sometimes old habits come back ....especially if I settle down to watch a dvd.

Have you tried fish oil caplets for your knee? My left one used to ache all the time before I added fish oil to my diet and now it hardly hurts at all. I just use the brand I bought from Walmart.

Chips are my drug of choice too and twice this past week I have wanted them but never gave in to those cravings.
There are over 1500 calories in one large bag and I would eat the whole bag. Nope..not gonna do it.:carrot:

Living right across the street from a convenience store doesn't help matters either.:mad:

Oh! Kiddo leftovers! I remember those days... A girl can pack on some serious poundage not letting the bits a little one can leave on a plate "go to waste". :o

You know... I haven't tried fish oil. Sounds as if it may help. I was considering trying glucosamine. I have heard that MSM helps, too. Problem is, MSM triggers my headaches. I need something, tho. Stupid knees. :(

Grammy, it is great to see you checking in. :D I'm glad that everything is sailing along for you.

Retiredone, I hope that your plateau breaks soon.

Where is Tinky, anyway?

I am on track and doing okay. Exercise is on hold for a day or three while I rest this stupid knee. Grrr!

I have been eating a little over my normal calorie range. I have been hitting in the 1400 to 1600 range. A part of me is actually a bit happier there. Another is totally panicked and thinking that I am beginning to spiral out of control. I feel much more in control and secure in what I am doing when I shoot for 1200. But, I am often below that and that isn't good. This range is actually better. I think. I will know for sure when I step on my scale on Monday... I do know that I feel smaller. So I know that weight is still coming off.

So... I don't know.

I think I am driving myself bonkers. And maybe over thinking this whole thing too much.

:lol:

Hello fellow calorie counters. I lost 1.5 pounds when I stepped on the scale this morning and I was so happy.

Rain Dancer, just remember what your calories for a day used to be and the 1400-1600 calories are just nothing compared to what you used to eat. I know I could and still could pack it away. Today we had a six layer dessert (commonly known as 'Sex in a Pan") and I could eat 3 servings easily. But today I had one small piece. I wasn't satisfied with that one piece because it's really tasty and gooey and yummy and delicious and...well you get the picture. But I stuck with the one small piece. I was already full enough from dinner and the dessert was my special treat. I'm still feeling full as I type so 2 more pieces would only go to waist. :lol: I purposely cut all the pieces small, served everyone, then put it back in the kitchen and told everyone they could help themselves to seconds themselves. I did lick off the server when I put the dessert away in the frig but that's a far cry from what I really wanted. You have been doing great so don't drive yourself crazy over analyzing everything.

Canadianwoman, I hear you on the chips. I call them my crack cocaine. I did have 2 pringles out of my mother's snack pack but didn't break open a package or bag for myself. I can eat chips until I make myself sick.

I've revved up my exercise a bit to get my heart rate up a bit higher. When I did my circuit workout yesterday I gave myself more resistance on the bands and I started doing jumping jacks for the cardio part. It worked really well but I need a good sports bra for the jumping jacks or I'm going to have trouble explaining the bruises on my face!

Have a good on plan day, everyone.

I am so glad that you are past your plateau. :carrot:

You aren't kidding... When I think about the amount of food, the number of calories I used to put away my mind boggles. My next weigh in should tell me if I am on the right track, here. :D

That "sex in a pan" sounds fabu...

I must confess as confession is good for the soul. I had another piece of dessert but it was for supper. I punched all the ingredients into NutrtionData.com and using the low fat ingredients it wasn't nearly so bad as I thought-only 182 calories per piece. I cut the dessert into 24 pieces so it was based on that. And it is delicious. I'd post it publicly but it's too decadent for a diet site. Ha, ha. If anyone wants the recipe PM me. It's a cream cheese based dessert. It's great for potlucks and large family gatherings and also if you're not getting any/don't want any nookie. :D Fills the gap just fine.

With my 2 boys it was never little 'bits' of food. :o They left quite a lot behind because I never would tell them to clean off thier plates like I was forced to do as a child.

I've tried those other supplements that you mentioned in the past and they never worked for me. The fish oil is the only one that seems to help. I eat a lot of fish as well so that might be helping too.

If you do get fish oil Walmart has a pretty good brand.
When my bottle is finished I am going to get my next one at GNC only because I can get a bottle for half price using my oldest son's GNC gold card. He buys all his protein powders and vitamins there and when he purchased thier gold card he gave me the extra card that fits on my key chain.

Same here. I started thinking about getting some tonight while I was lying in bed and reading my book and promptly told the fat lady inside my head to shut the *bleep* up because it isn't going to happen.

She needs to be shot and killed. LOL.

Personally I prefer sex in a bed but that is just me.:devil:

Opps...did I say that? LOL.

I think I need to get me a boyfriend. :D

What do you say, girls? Shall we get together and get this gal a man? :D

I am seriously considering the fish oil. If I try it, I'll definitely post about how it works.

Retiredone, I am glad that the desert works in your plan. We all need a little something special, now and then. :D

Good morning fellow counters. :D

It is a cool morning, here. The sun is shining and the birdies are singing. I decided to weigh in this morning, rather than tomorrow. I just felt this was the right day. I am down another two pounds. I will admit to wishing it were more. But I am happy with two. :D

Have a great Sunday. :smug:

Rain Dancer, 2 pounds is wonderful. It's that steady weight loss that you can look back on and realize that it all adds up.

Canadianwoman, you might be just as well off with the dessert as a man. :D But if I find a nice, available man preferably with a bit of cash, and good looking on the side I'll send him your way.

It's chilly here today and the sun is only shining between the clouds. We've had the furnace on yesterday and today but it's almost too hot. We burn wood and DH likes to fill the firebox up to the top and then try and put in more wood. When it's -20 C I won't complain though.

My exercise bike handle broke off today but DH welded it back on. So good to have a handyman around the house. I'm going to buy a new one for Christmas but in the meantime I want to use this one. I've told my DSs that's what they're getting me so I'm expecting a bit of money in the cards to go towards the purchase.

Yesterday was one of the few Saturdays that I actually stayed within my calorie range. I usually go over by 200 or 300 every Saturday but not yesterday. I may be getting the hang of this. Ha, ha. Have a great day.

Well Ladies, I weighed in this morning and another 2 lbs gone :carrot::carrot:

I was a tad pit concerned because I took my daughter to the movies to see Beverly Hills Chihuahua (totally cute) and I didn't have my kettlecorn but went for the plain popcorn instead but I did eat a very low cal lunch, just salad so I guess it all worked out swell.

On to week 3 with a bit of attitude :dancer:

I caught my first cold of the school year and I am miserable right now because I can't breathe out of my nose!!! Oh the joy of working with sick teenagers all day ;) LOL

Congrats on the 1.5 lbs... that is awesome!!

Tell me about it... I had a couple of 1800 calorie days last week and thought I had blown it but I didn't gain an ounce. I compare that to my old UGLY 3000-4000 calorie days and I guess my body can take the occasional 1800 days...

Rain Dancer ~ Have you ever thought about just doing exercises you can sit while doing. I did this morning because I overdid it this weekend on my feet. I just did strength training things I could do sitting down.

Yes, every bite does count. It seems also that some of my favs that I would just take a bite or two off are loaded with calories. Its just better to avoid them all together.

It does feel good to be back and active with my friends. Tinky went to see her family in CA. This was when they were going to have their wedding reception I do believe. I know, I miss her also.

Canadianwoman ~ I did Atkins myself and did very well on it until I developed kidney stones. Doc said you want to come see me again stay on that silly plan. I said forget it. At the time I didn’t eat fruit but the program I have been following off and on for the past couple of years you eat at least three servings a day. Now I miss my fruit if I don’t get it and nothing but fresh will do.

Good for you avoiding the cravings. I know how hard it is, I have them all the time but I feel so good the next day when I know I beat them. P.S. I love chips also.

You crack me up about the fat lady inside. My loves food and I try my best to slap her up when I can.

Rain and Canadianwoman ~ I used to pick off my kids plates as I was cleaning the table also. Now I look back and think how gross. I refuse to eat or drink after anyone now days, a phobia I developed.

Retiredone ~ Good job on the dessert. Sweets can also be a big weakness of mine. They never used to be but the older I get the strong the urge is to eat dessert. I started eating fruit instead of other forms of sweets to fulfill that urge.

Congrats on getting past the plateau. They are always really irritating and I usually have them every 5 lbs. Lucky me. LOL!

Ready2lose, Retiredone and Rain ~ Congrats on the losses girl!

Well my weekend was OK on the food front but I could have done better. I am going to mark nuts and beans off the list of foods I can eat. Every time I eat either of these things, doesn't matter type, I gain about 2 to 3 lbs sometimes more the next day. I don't over indulge on them. So out of curiosity I did a google on allergies and weight gain. Food intolerance can cause weight gain through water retention and if you are exposed long enough actual fat gains. I read several different articles and found that interesting. So, even though nuts and beans are considered healthy foods I need to avoid them.

I did manage to get a walk in and use my gazelle but my feet were so sore I wondered if it was worth it. I will stay off the gazelle until they figure out what is wrong with my feet but I do miss going for my walks. I love this time of year when their is a nip in the air and the leaves are turning, I just can't resist.

I also found a used pony cart for my pony. It is like a Cadillac compared to what I had and its much easier only pony's back and its lighter. It has a canopy and it can be adjusted from horse size to large miniature pony size. So as long as I don't get a work horse I will be able to use it for a long time. It was so comfortable and much smoother. My pony even lifts his feet much higher because he doesn't have the weight on him. My pony is a Hackney and they lift their feet way in the air. It is absolutely beautiful and so elegant. So that was a special treat for me. I got my pony out as soon as I got home to go for a drive. DH is happier than I am because this is something we have been looking for for about 3 or 4 years. Could buy new but $$$. I can also buy additional seats that can hook on or get a wagon to hook on the back. Its just really nice.

Well I better get going and eat lunch. I will talk to you all later.

Yay, you! :carrot:

Plain popcorn isn't very high in calories. You would have to eat a lot of it to do any kind of damage. :D


Llara, seated exercises didn't even occur to me... Dork that I am. When I think exercise, I think aerobic, cardio type exercise. Duh. :dizzy:

I love Hackneys. They are so elegant. Could you please post a pic of your Hackney and your new cart, one day? *Certifiable horse nut.* :D

Had a good, on track weekend. It is funny, I really don't have much difficulty with weekends. It is the beginning of the week that gets to me. Monday and Tuesday are my biggest "danger" days. Maybe because I try to set aside all my stresses for the weekend, then they all come back on me, come Monday and I feel the urge to make them go away.

Okay, I really need to get out of my own head. :lol:

Later, gators. I need to get some exercise, my brekkie and a shower. :smug: