[carcar05]

So I know this sounds really stupid but hear me out okay?

Since learning more about calories, etc, it became quite apparent that many days I went with too few calories (like, in the 600-800 range!) and then other day's I'd be way over (like... 2000-2500!). So I'm trying to eat more balanced meals, to spread my calories throughout the day. 1400-1600 calories is a great range for me- I feel full but I'm still losing weight.

Well yesterday I had a HUGE day for calories- I ended up having about 1665 calories which I know isn't awful but I felt really bad about it. Today I was really cautious about what I ate so by 4 pm I only had consumed about 600 calories!!! Husband suggested Wendy's for dinner- we are REALLY REALLY busy lately, like insane busy, and it's a fast fill-up that fits into our day. I debated on getting a green salad or the grilled chicken sandwich. I figured I'd go with the grilled chicken, more calories and still healthy. Then, the pressure was on and I heard myself blurt out "AND A MEDIUM FRIES, PLEASE!" ... What?!! What did I just say?! And I consumed every last one... and they were delicious. I am at like 1336 calories for the day now, which is on the low end of my calories (I just edited this if anyone read it previously, I was wrong on how many calories I'd had, I thought it was way higher but thanks to Sparkpeople.com I caught my little mess up)


Anyway... Now my point! I feel good that I wasn't under my calories today. And I wasn't over them, either. But I still feel guilty that I had those fries.

It's not like it's an every day thing, I rarely get fries. It's just been a more-than-usual occurrence these last 2 weeks. Now REALLY, for my point... Can I still see weight loss when I'm under my calories, even if the food I ate was crappy? I am not planning on this being a lifestyle obviously, we've sworn off fastfood for the next couple of weeks just to detox on the grease and grossness... But I just saw my lowest weight in FOREVER this morning and now I'm paranoid that I just ruined everything.

BLAST! Yes, I do realize this is more of a rant than anything. Thank you for reading if you even did... haha!

[Brandyc100]

First of all congratulations on your lowest weight ever Second I would like to say you are going to do fine. You realize that you are not going to eat fries every night and sometimes you just have to splurge. You enjoyed your fries, they were yummy and now you won't have them again for awhile. Even the most nutritious people have something not good for them once in awhile

[Mango683]

This is something I often think about. If I have enough calories left, I will indulge in the "taboo" foods, such as fries or wings, or the like. I'll feel guilty about it though, even though I definitely stayed within my calorie range. It's just that I feel these are the unhealthy, empty calories. However, the difference with me now is I recognize this kind of behavior and it's no longer and every day practice like it was before. I still have to live and I can still enjoy those things that make me happy, just not day in and day out, and with each and every meal! So I think you're just fine..just watch if you start to slip into old, continuous habits..otherwise, savor those fries because you know you've earned them!

Congrats on your hard work so far!

[Thin4Good]

I don't know about feeling guilty. You are following the rules you have set for yourself. -this is why I can not follow a plan like that. It is too tempting for me to use my calories or "points" on crap. I was on WW before and at first I was all about healthy food but eventually it became a game for me to see how elaborate I could make my desserts, yet stay within my points for the day. If you can control it, I don't think occasional FF will hurt you but I'm sure you can find more nutritional, satisfying ways to spend those calories on a regular basis.

[kelli32]

I know that on one hand like on BL, Jillian doesn't care what the people eat as long as they stay under calories, but they are working out like animals. I talked with a nutritionist yesterady, just casually, and she gave me some guidelines. At 170 with an active lifestyle you should consume 305g carbs, 102g protein, and 45g of fat. She said if this is too much then just follow the basic scheme, three times as many carbs as protein and approx half fat as protein. But she said in doing this your calories will fall accordingly and you won't have to worry if you're eating the wrong foods. Oh and this is to lose 2 lbs a week average. Hope that helps! I'm starting today with tracking these three things rather than calories exclusively.

[neeka]

Hey Car,

Thanks for sharing. I was happy to read your post because I do exactly the same thing - some days I go by with >1000, and on others I eat 2300+. It's really frustrating and demotivating. Also, I get the feeling it's unhealthy and destructive for losing weight - don't your body and mind need consistency to function properly?

But yeah, for me it's hard to be balanced too. So I hear you...

[neeka]

ps
Kelly- could you refer me to a place where I can find out more about protein/ carbs etc? I'm embarrassed to admit it but I have no idea which foods contain what nutrients.
Thanks!

[carcar05]

Sparkpeople.com will break everything down for you into nutrients

It gives you a range for calories, fat, protein, and a couple other things as well.

[neeka]

thanks!