Saturday, January 22, 2011

Counting calories

Well, it's official. I did really gain those extra ten pounds over the last thirteen months since I was last at the doctor's office. And now that Dr Whitehead has given me a "prescription" to lose the extra weight before I see him next year, I'm thinking about exactly how to do that. Fortunately, I've got new tools on the Internet that were not available to me last time I went through this weight loss thing.

The beautiful 12-oz latte you see in the picture was today's "snack" consisting of skim milk and one shot of espresso (just under 100 calories). I have discovered the espresso is almost calorie free, and the skim milk is high in some nutrients I am just now discovering. After looking for a calorie counter on line that would help me log my food intake, I found an amazing website called Calorie Count. (This link should take you to the main site.) They also have a very interesting blog. If you look at the menu bar at the top of the blog, you'll find links to the food log and calorie counter that are helping me to understand the reason for my weight gain. Who knew that there are so many calories in almonds and walnuts? I realize now that a little handful of these raw nuts contains enough fat to keep my jeans tight all by themselves!

I was in denial about the weight gain at first, since I am pretty much of an obsessive exerciser, so after my workout at the Y yesterday I got on their upright scales. Oh. Although I weighed three pounds less, I was also unclothed. I always figure your regular clothes weigh about that much. I stood there and studied the number but it didn't change. No wonder my cholesterol numbers are high.

After registering on the Calorie Count website and entering my age, weight and activity level, I realized that I maintain my weight at about 1,800 calories a day. That's really not all that much food, and as I began to learn how to use the Food Log, I saw where some extra calories can be shaved off without too much pain or difficulty. That's what I'm telling myself after using the Log for two days now. It was quite a shock to realize that one slice of my favorite Great Harvest Bread (spelt) has 130 calories! Just one, with nothing on it!

The Food Log, once you have entered all the food you've eaten for the day and marked it complete, analyzes the breakdown of your diet, telling you where you are over or under in nutrients. I got an overall "A" for both days, but I discovered I am also low in dietary potassium and don't eat as many carbohydrates as I should. I got into that habit from following low carb diets for years. The problem with those diets is that they don't work if you eat more carbs than allowed. So, here goes an attempt at counting calories. I'll let you know about the results. It does help to have a doctor's "scrip" to lose weight.
:-)

22 comments:

  1. I'm afraid I need more than a calorie counter !
    I have gained over twenty pounds in the past four years, I blame it all on the hormones I have to take, and am now in the process of weaning off them. I'm kidding myself if I blame it all on them.
    I am a chocolate whore, and although I used to walk regularly, it's been a thing of the past for almost a year.
    Yes, it's time for a little effort I'm afraid :)
    Good Luck, I am most surprised you need to lose weight with all the excercising you do.
    Hugs,
    Jo
    x

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  2. I'll take a look at it; but for me to lose weight, I have to go on about 900-1000 calories a day per doing Weight Watchers. I am not in a good mood on that amount of food. I'd much prefer to do a calorie counter as you describe and adjust from there to somewhere around 12-1300 to lose weight at a half pound a week. :D

    Thanks for the info.

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  3. If I can do it you can do it. Also be aware that weight varies from day to day by as much as 1 to 3 pounds. That's why every day. That way I know what my lowest weight actually is. Weighing once a week I don't know if I'm weighing on a heavy or light day. Know you and your determination I have every confidence you'll get that 10 pounds off quickly.

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  4. My sweet tooth is my biggest stumbling block. If he brings it home, I can't resist it! I beg him to stop buying it!

    I've started back to exercising and hope that I'll finally be able to tackle those pounds I've let accumulate.

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  5. In my case, I have to see Dr. L in 3 months and show some progress at that time. I think it will be easy because I am cutting out fast food and limiting the number of servings to one, and limiting portion size, too. Good luck to both of us!

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  6. Wow...! What a great idea. I'm going to check it out.

    My weakness is sweets. Chocolates, cookies, cocoa...

    Of course, sitting in front of a computer at work all day doesn't help either. :-(

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  7. You are an inspiration! My strategy has been to buy larger clothing, but now my doctor is also reminding me to keep an eye on weight and add exercise back into my routine. It's so hard to exercise when it is so cold and gray outside...I long for a warm spring day to ride my bike. Can I put off the exercise until spring?

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  8. Amazing that the site will do all that for you. I discovered how great a food log can be when I got pregnant the last time and wanted to avoid too much weight gain. Knowing I had to actually write down everything I ate kept me from grabbing little bites here and there. Accountability can be such a great motivator.

    Counting calories can be tedious, but after the first bit when you're learning how many calories are in your usual stuff it gets easier. I intend to start counting calories again after I quit breast feeding. I think you'll manage to get the weight off without too much trouble!

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  9. You seem to be a very self disciplined person, so I'm guessing that, while you may not enjoy it, you will manage to meet your weight goal.
    I, on the other hand, will give it another try, but I am not so hopeful. I will check out the web site. Thanks.

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  10. I'm with ya. I joined Weight Watchers only to find that they had changed their website and it was next to impossible to figure out. Now I'll check out this one. Thanks.

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  11. Check out Louise Hay, too. Heal Your Life lays out the emotional causes of every tick and uptick in health. It's not just physical, but emotional, spiritual, and well, in the end, beliefs, too.

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  12. The new Weight Watcher's program is very good. All fruits and most vegetables do not count any points. Believe me it is a most satisfying program. Carbohydrates are what we have to watch. Write down every bit and bite you put in your mouth. That is one of the best way to lose weight.

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  13. The dreaded D (diet) word. It is a real battle. It surprises me how hard it is to avoid those extra pounds as we get older. I suppose its the penalty of having everything slow down - even out metabolism. I just wish it was as easy to lose the pudge as it was when I was much younger

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  14. Yes, calories are what it's all about when it comes to weight loss. But there are much healthier ways to reduce them!

    Please check out some posts on this site for practical, sane, changes you'll be glad to maintain: www.dropitandeat.blogspot.com
    The focus is on internal cues and mindful eating. And I'm not selling anything as a magical fix! Good luck!

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  15. Knowing how much you exercise, I'm surprised you put on the weight, and am very glad you're going to take it off. I'll check out the website as well.

    I was sitting too much - several hours a day on the computer - and was starting to feel achy. Last week I bought a TaskMate device that raises my monitor and keyboard with a switch, so I can stand while typing. I read that standing burns calories. It's a start, anyway.

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  16. I think I will try this site. I need to lose 20 to 30 pounds. Plus I need to start working out. I hate to but have to. It's so hard because I love to eat.

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  17. I wish I could acquire a taste for this kind of drink but the caffeine sends me to the emergency room.

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  18. You can do it DJan, I have no doubts. I don't count calories but I rarely eat bread or nuts and I avoid most dairy foods except yogurt. I keep the weight off by eating lots of fruits and vegetables.

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  19. I signed on to this site, and today I logged all of my food intake. But it's kind of a pain, since I have to list every ingredient of my breakfast shake, for instance, or the taco salads I made for dinner. Quantity units of easurement vary from cups to oz to grams. It took me a long time and I had to list some foods myself because they were not on the selection lists.
    The results are interesting though.

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  20. I'm rooting for you! I know that in your case, it can't be lack of activity so cutting out a few colories will do it for sure.

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  21. Thanks for the calorie count website link. I am keeping it and will use it for sure. I think you will lose these 10 pounds with your commitment. The problem is how not to gain them back. I have lost so much weight in the past – but slowly it came back. But you are on the right track.

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  22. Linda, I just wanted to let you know that once you put the food into your mealtime, it will show up again in the quick links. So getting started is a pain, but after a while it becomes very quick to log your food.

    I've already lost a pound or two! I'm happy it's working for me, and I've also added potassium-rich foods to my everyday diet.

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