Now, I can say I've experienced both (well, the first one only sort of). When I eat very low-carb, my hunger disappears and 1500 calories feels like A LOT of food. I don't have "trouble" getting in calories, because healthy fats are always a way to add calories for little volume. Eating any amount of starchy/sugary foods (even "whole" foods like grains or potato), however turns hunger back on. If I eat refined carbs, the hunger returns, and I don't have hunger, I have HUNGER.
I guess I've learned that weight loss is a lot more complicated than many of us think - especially when we're encountering experiences so far from our own. It's difficult to be sympathetic and impossible to be empathetic to an experience we can't at least imagine being in ourselves. That doesn't mean it's ok to judge people in those situations, but I do think it means that the eyerolling and disparaging comments need to be kept away from people it might hurt.
Morning kaplods and thanks for sharing, I've learn a great deal from your posts. What you said about the "hunger" from carbs could have been me too. I think it's also important to learn that what we eat (carb/pro/fat ratio) is just as important as how much we eat, it can be life changing.
Sorry if it came across that I was judging, I just wanted to see if anyone felt like me and I guess in that I might of hurt others. I've always had a hard time getting my true thoughts out online (I'm not the best writer) so take that in consideration.
OMGOODNESS! Yes, YES, YES. I so completely agree with your post!
I'm sorry but just cannot relate to the inability to muster 1400 calories a day or whatever. I can easily do that in one sitting. Nope, I didn't get to 232 by having difficulty consuming calories.
Last edited by Thighs Be Gone; 06-28-2009 at 08:29 AM.
It seems that lots of people new to calorie counting get to the evening and are hundreds of calories short. Asking "how can I eat more" may be hard to read about, if one is a person like me, who often has to fight off the munchies in the evening after having eaten ALL of my calories!
But here is how I think it happens. People who have never counted calories before tend to just go on "a diet" as they have done in the past, and then count up their calories at the end of the day. That untracked diet of the past always left them running short of what they needed, but only now do they realize that! So suddenly it's like--whoa! how do I do this?
That's why I usually recommend that folks plan their day in advance, not tally it up at the end. That way it's easier to make sure one is getting enough calories throughout the day.
And also, it's completely true that one can skip the posts that are irritating. After having been on 3FC for five years, I can tell you that I have seen many, many topics way too many times! But the people posting do so because they are having difficulties and can use some help.
I love your data too (and your gracious spirit). Fascinating that pattern of peaks and troughs seems to repeat consistently, like floral wall paper.
Hi Ailidh! I had a feeling you would like the graph. Don't ask me how I would hehe As for the bikini, I wore on on vacation in Hawaii. I was scared but my hubby said I looked awesome so what the **** I wore it at the pool tanning & had a tankini for swiming at the beach. Hope you have a good day and your cravings don't get in your way. I have to go shopping as soon as I get of this computer so I feel your pain, grocery shopping is still kind of hard for me (too many yummy food choices).
Hi Cami, OMG so not annoyed with you This is my fav part of your post
Quote:
Originally Posted by CamiToo
In the middle of March I decided that I'd lose the weight. I didn't want a "diet" plan. I wanted a lifestyle change where no foods were forbidden. I wanted an eating plan I could be happy with for the rest of my life.
Personally I think that's key! My feelings 100% And it sounds like you are off to a great start It's exciting when you start to lose and you think okay this feels good, it's not that hard. The weight first melts off but then (at least for me) you can get stuck and if you are already at 1200 cal where do you go from there? This is all personal and you can make a plan that works for you. I guess you'll have to make that decision when or if you get stuck. Don't worry about losing it fast, if you keep doing what you are doing it will come off.
That's why I usually recommend that folks plan their day in advance, not tally it up at the end. That way it's easier to make sure one is getting enough calories throughout the day.
Jay, Thank you for bringing this up! Perfect, what great advice. I forgot to mention that I also plan my day in advance, usually the night before that way I know I'm eating all my calories and the macro ratio I'm shooting for.
Okay now it's time for breakfast, food shopping, and some gardening.
Unlike Robin, I am not a volume eater. And yes, I did not get fat by not eating enough ... but I did get fat by my eating choices. Once you change your eating choices, I can certainly be easier to fall short of target calories. I still fall short some days, even though my meals are planned out in advance, because sometimes I just don't want all that I planned. It tends to even out during the week for me.
I'm positive the chicks that post about not eating enough COULD get extra calories in - in the form of Doritos, ice cream, etc. The "previous" eating habits. I'm of the mindset they are asking for help getting them in in a GOOD way. For someone new to calorie counting, coming off of other "diets", I've noticed the posters are overlooking things that those of us who have been doing this for a while take for granted. Like good fats, nuts and nut butters, seeds, whole grains, etc.
Anyone can max out calories for the day, but some people need steering in the right direction to get there in a productive manner.
well i think this was directed to me. it was not asked to roll over anyone, i guess it was a stupid question but maybe i am stupid about this whole diet thing, i needed help so i asked my question here.. ill refrain next time dont worry
Anyone can max out calories for the day, but some people need steering in the right direction to get there in a productive manner.
That's sometimes my problem exactly, because most days I can't risk filling up with a trigger food like processed carbs ~ either I end up just wanting to dive headfirst into a vat of chocolate or roast pork (chocolate coated pork? I wonder?...) or the processed-ness affects my fluid retention badly. I still need to work on eating 'just a bit' of my triggers. OK, I'd be happy if I didn't but it would please me to be able to.
Take it easy, Emma! There were several posts in the last few weeks with this topic, so you weren't being singled out.
bacilli, of course Doritos to raise calories are not the right approach! Another way would be to increase portion size slightly and make sure there is some protein in each meal or snack. I see lots of 3FC members not getting enough protein and running short on calories. For example--one can have 3 ounces of chicken instead of 2, or 4 ounces instead of 3. Or eat 2 lowfat string cheeses instead of only 1. Like that!
I think it's great to discuss the impact of what we say, but that doesn't mean that it shouldn't be said. We need to be careful about offending others, but we can't be so concerned that we don't bring up the subject.
I think the OP is a valid question/concern, but discussing not only the question, but it's impact on folks (and yes, even if a person finds it offensive). Criticism isn't terrible (though when you get it, constructive or neutral criticism, doesn't feel much different than the destructive kind, especially since it's hard to know the intent behind a critique).
Because talking about weight loss at all can be a loaded subject, it's almost impossible to discuss without hurting or offending someone. We all have to know that ahead of time, and develop a thick skin so that we can discuss what is often considered undiscussable.
There are so many taboos about what can and should be said about weight loss, it's very refreshing to be able to discuss most things here. Even "You're wrong, I wish you wouldn't say that, or I'm offended by that" is a whole lot better than the icy stares and broken friendships you can get in "the real world," if someone thinks you're being rude or off-base.
I don't think weight loss is a topic that you can discuss freely and guarantee inoffensiveness. Although I think that's true of many taboo topics - you can be polite or you can be honest, but you often can't be both. Here, I'd much rather give and receive honesty.
Sometimes that honesty does come at a cost, and the cost has to be figured in before you post, but that doesn't mean it's not a cost worth paying. Considering others feelings has to be considered, but the cost of offending someone is often "worth it." Here, unlike some social situations in the real world, the value of honesty "trumps" social graces.
What I meant by keeping away the comments from the people it could hurt, had more to do with knowing when and where to say some things, not the right to voice them at all. For example, I get really frustrated (often with accompanying eyerolling) when I read "featherweights" obsession over a couple pounds, or isolating themselves or avoiding exercise (especially the "bathing suit" dilemma - if I can swim in public, someone with 5 lbs to lose should), I've talked alot about it here, but never in threads in which someone whined (er, voiced their concern) about not being fit to be seen in pubblic in a bathing suit. I also would avoid voicing my opinions on the subject in the featherweights forum.
So I think care is warranted, but paranoia isn't. Sometimes it's just a matter of wording (starting or ending by saying - I know this could offend or hurt someone, and I know it may even be irrational, but this is how I'm feeling right now).
Rants are legitimate, but you've got to know that it might inspire someone else's rant, sometimes on the opposite side of the argument.
I think it can be like a boxing match here, where the boxers after bloodying each other, go and have a drink together. Or the old sheep dog/ Wiley coyote cartoons, where they're chatting as friends, punch in their timecards, and the coyote goes about trying to hunt the sheep, and the sheep dog tries to stop him, until it's quitting time.
I learn as much, no probably more from people who disagree with me (even passionately, even angrily) as from people who agree with me.
I'm positive the chicks that post about not eating enough COULD get extra calories in - in the form of Doritos, ice cream, etc. The "previous" eating habits. I'm of the mindset they are asking for help getting them in in a GOOD way.
That was my issue exactly. Low by 400 calories? I could go eat junk food and get there no problem... but I didn't WANT to. I sincerely wanted to be healthy, but I quickly discovered that you have to eat a LOT of volume of food to make a lot of healthy calories add up. So I too have been in this boat. A lot of it is determination to stay healthy but not eat too little, I guess.
So I just decided to start this thread on List of Healthy High Calorie Foods: http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/showthread.php?t=173862 and it's helped me a lot get to the number I want by the end of the day... in a HEALTHY way.
Daniela, no worries... I debated even joining this board because I don't have a lot to lose, but went for it anyways. I am in awe at so many here who have made such amazing changes to their lives/bodies!! The weight I have to lose is "baby weight", to be honest, I've never been overweight except from my pregnancies, so most of this is all new to me... *blush* So really, perhaps I should have left well enough alone and just lurked... I joined for friendship & to learn from many of the pro's here.
Kapolds, about the Featherweights, I am now 17lbs from my goal weight and would NOT wear a bikini, or any other bathing suit for that matter! We all have our own issues, and I don't feel that just because we may have less to lose means that our feelings/fears are negated because of it.
Again, not trying to offend anyone, just putting in my 2 cents....
That was my issue exactly. Low by 400 calories? I could go eat junk food and get there no problem... but I didn't WANT to. I sincerely wanted to be healthy, but I quickly discovered that you have to eat a LOT of volume of food to make a lot of healthy calories add up. So I too have been in this boat. A lot of it is determination to stay healthy but not eat too little, I guess.
So I just decided to start this thread on List of Healthy High Calorie Foods: http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/showthread.php?t=173862 and it's helped me a lot get to the number I want by the end of the day... in a HEALTHY way.
But the people posting do so because they are having difficulties and can use some help.
As for the bikini, I wore on on vacation in Hawaii. I was scared but my hubby said I looked awesome so what the **** I wore it at the pool tanning & had a tankini for swiming at the beach. Hope you have a good day and your cravings don't get in your way. I have to go shopping as soon as I get of this computer so I feel your pain, grocery shopping is still kind of hard for me (too many yummy food choices).
This is my fav part of your post
It's exciting when you start to lose and you think okay this feels good, it's not that hard. The weight first melts off but then (at least for me) you can get stuck and if you are already at 1200 cal where do you go from there? This is all personal and you can make a plan that works for you. I guess you'll have to make that decision when or if you get stuck. Don't worry about losing it fast, if you keep doing what you are doing it will come off.
