Calorie Counting App

[irvinehomeowner]

I would rather exercise and sweat than "diet".

I can cut calories all I want but I find the activity makes me feel better.

Plus... muscles are more manly than calorie counting.

 

[socal78]

Iho, can you all go for a bike ride together as a family? That might be something that doesn't cut into family time, the kids would like it, and you don't have to get up early for on the weekends. It's a good low/no impact exercise. I know your knees are sensitive, but hopefully peddling is not as painful as, say, jogging.

 

[cubiczirconia]

I totally agree with you. That's why I find it easier to cut back on consumption rather than to burn the extra calories through exercise. Fact: It's easier to do nothing than something.  I usually run a 500+ calorie deficit per day just living a normal life. I could never find the time or energy to burn 500 calories at the gym every day. It's so much easier just to do nothing. There is nothing to schedule, get up early or stay up late for. In fact, sleeping more helps me cut back on consumption even more easily, so it's a good thing. But, more power to the people who are motivated to sweat it out every day.

from just a caloric intake this is true, however, the person who runs/workouts would probably generally be healthier due to the workouts.

Will agree with Qwerty here. I would rather be strong than drop a size.
IHO, have a big post coming up for you tomorrow
Dinner : native foods, BBQ lover. Ha! Homer, it's not all tofu and beans

 

[socal78]

Iho,

Can you post your daily menu here so we can get an idea? Pretty please? I want to see what your usual eating patterns are. You have me so curious.

If you can't do a whole day, then just pretend you're going out to lunch at... I'll say Outback. Tell me what you order. Let me guess -- you wouldn't be CAUGHT DEAD ordering a salad. That's "so girly"! 

Please tell me you're not one of those people who goes to a drive-through at Wendy's, orders 3 baconators, 2 fries, a chili cheese fry, two frosties - one in each flavor, and a loaded potato - BUT TWO DRINKS or more to make it look like it's for you and "someone else" just to save a lil' face at the register. I'm not making this up, by the way. I actually saw a morbidly obese person on TV do this.

 

[irvinehomeowner]

Since we've started this thread I've been changing my eating patterns (stupid Homer) out of guilt.

Breakfast is usually some "healthier" cereal or instant oatmeal and non fat milk (switched to non fat many years ago).

Lunch is where it gets dicey... usually I hope for a sandwich place (Subway 6" flat bread sandwich) but depending on how much time I have, sometimes it will be fast food (but nothing like your Wendy's example... I can't eat that much... last time I ate there... it's been a while, I had a small chili and the value chicken sandwich no mayo (I hate mayo)) or asian food depending on who I go to lunch with.

Dinner varies too... sometimes I skip it, share something with the wife or lately... soup and salad (there's a small Italian place where they have this great vegetable Minestrone). Not a big meat eater... usually prefer chicken.

An afternoon snack will either be a granola bar or a small bag of Baked Lays... depending if I'm in the mood for sweet or salty.

I usually drink iced tea or water... and have been cutting out the diet soda (although for some reason I crave the carbonation every once in a while). At night, I'll drink cranberry or orange juice.

So it's not like I'm eating a ton of food... I just think my metabolism has really slowed down... so not only do I need to reduce my calorie intake... but I need to engage in more exercise... which is where my lifestyle has changed the most. I used to play ball almost every day... but now it's only on the weekends and lately, because of so many things going on... sometimes not at all.

We just watched this show on Netflix... Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead and it almost makes me want to try that juice detox reboot to see what happens. If anything I want to increase my raw fruits and veggies intake.

 

[cubiczirconia]

IHO- Good morning

Yesterday you mentioned that there won't be time when school starts.

Guess what, I am looking forward to school so that there is some calm, some structure to this madness. I am a Consultant. A perfect job to have with children around, but the most overwhelming arrangement ever. When we have vacation, I don't know how needs me more- kids or work, and as it turns out, both need me more than ever. I wake up at 4 am to complete my work, and be ready to assume the role of Irvine mommy come afternoon, shuttling them home from school, feed them, help with homework and shuttle them to their scheduled activity. Even taking time off to read a magazine is guilt ridden. There is always something to be taken care of, and never a dull moment with two girls!

These exactly were the reasons I stopped hitting the gym after I had CZ Jr.2. It felt too selfish to take time off from a life that needed my constant attention. Women suffer from guilt more than men, but you seem to be one of those involved fathers who share the same feeling.

Even as I stopped working out, Mr.CZ continued to visit the gym at least 2-3 times a week after work. I gave him a lot of guilt for that, and did everything I could to stop him from working out. It felt unfair to me that I struggled while he thought about himself. Then he came up with creative ways to add exercise to his routine. He would bike to wherever we were going, while I drove with the kids, even if it was just a visit to Costco. On one such adventures, he had an accident and injured his knee, and ended up with an ACL surgery.

The day that I brought him home after surgery, it was a little traumatic and I needed my space, so told everyone that I would call if needed. Long story short, he is a heavy man, and as I helped him to the bathroom, I think I didn't help enough, he slipped between the sofa and coffee table. He was still reeling under the effect of anesthesia and heavy pain killers. He fell and hurt his knee, it started bleeding. I had no clue on what to do. Two of us, daughter and I couldn't help him up. I wanted to call 911, but called the neighbor instead.  Mr.CZ, just with the upper body strength, pulled himself up with the neighbor's help. Without those chin-ups and dips, I don't think it would have been possible. He has fully recovered now, but for six weeks that he was semi-mobile with crutches and other gear on his knee, it was his training at the gym (though he got there only 2-3 days a week)that helped a lot!

That's when I had to reconsider my options, and wonder what if something like that happened to me. I clearly had no energy anywhere in my body to channel to the injured part. Also, after/during his surgery, I ate a lot because of the stress. Hurts to acknowledge, but I have finished half a box of Costco cupcakes on days when things were overwhelming, and I don't even like the chocolate chip variety. Gained a good twenty pounds in couple of weeks, went from shapely to curvy to just plain stuffing the clothes wherever there was space. As soon as Mr.CZ got on his feet, he hit the gym- this time I didn't try to guilt him into spending time with us. I joined him, and started working out. The dishes aren't done some nights, the laundry doesn't make it out of the dryer, and the to-do list grows like a monster. But, I am happy, I am taking care of me. Fitting into the wedding dress is a temporary goal, this is a life style change now. I might stop eating those peanut butter cookies I make and switch to sugar bowl stuff very soon, but I will never stop working out.

This summer, we were both on crazy work schedules and couldn't take a vacation. But every weekend we took the kids to hiking- Irvine is beautiful- explore it with the kids I don't know how old your kids are, but my younger one is 5.5 and she can do a 5 mile hike with a Cliff bar and a bottle of ecodrink. Mr. CZ's knee hurts every now and then, he can never jog, play ball of any kind, but he has become stronger, and lost some more weight to make life easier for him.

Stay healthy IHO- I know, you think it takes time off the kids and the wife, but those are the people who will need you strong and healthy the most..Good luck!

 

[homer_simpson]

Good job IHO!! I can honestly say that 80% of dieting is based on eating and 20% exercise.  Use a diet macro calculator to see what works best for you.  Eat lean and eat clean

CZ- Great motivation!

 

[socal78]

So it's not like I'm eating a ton of food... I just think my metabolism has really slowed down...

This menu is an example of a current typical day for you, but not a day prior to this thread beginning, correct? So, this is not an example of how the current weight was reached.

As far as the new menu, my comment may shock you. Are you sitting down?... You're not eating enough!  ???

While I do not know the portion sizes, types and number of beverages, and condiments, we can make an educated guess. Correct anything you see that needs fixing:

Breakfast: Instant Oatmeal, 1 pouch (150 cal.) + 1/2 C. Nonfat milk (40 cal.) = 190 calories

Lunch: 6" Flat bread Sub, type unknown, I'm ordering you a Buffalo Chicken (370 cal.) + drink, water? (0 cal.) =  370 calories

Snack: Single serving bag, Baked Lay's = 120 calories

Subtotal: 680 calories

Dinner:

Scenario A - Dinner skipped. Daily calories consumed = 680!!
Scenario B - Pick off wife's plate. Food, amount unknown. Allow generous 300 calorie estimate. 300 + 680. Daily calories consumed = 980 calories!
Scenario C - Vegetable minestrone soup & salad from Italian restaurant. Amount unknown. Restaurant unknown. Example: Olive Garden's Minestrone = 100 cal. per cup. Allow 2 cups consumed = 200 calories. Salad dressing unknown. Croutons unknown. Example: Olive Garden's salad tossed w/ dressing = 150 cal. per serving. 200 + 150 + 680. Daily calorie consumed =  1,030!

At this rate, you would burn a significant number of calories per day but it's not enough to maintain a healthy weight. These calorie ranges are at anorexic levels. It is thought that "a thousand calorie diet" puts the body in starvation mode, making it difficult to lose. If you do not already, you may feel weak, have irregular heart beats, or bruise easily.

It is possible the menu includes unforeseen calories such as a high fat dressing on the salad, two or more packets of oatmeal. However, given the nature of the rest of the menu, I highly doubt that kind of splurge is happening. You mentioned drinking tea. Sweetened or unsweetened? Several glasses of sweetened tea would add up, but again, given the extreme nature of cutting back, I doubt much Sweet Tea is being consumed.

This is an extreme diet. I would highly encourage you to cut back more slowly and increase the deficit as your weight decreases, keeping it sustainable.

 

[homer_simpson]

Checking in again, if you guys are tired of seeing me post just ignore my post or ban me 

Breakfast: 3 strips of Turkey Bacon, 1 slice of whole wheat toast, half of an avocado and 4 scrambled egg whites.

Snack: Protein Bar (Chocolate Deluxe)

Lunch: Grilled Chicken breast seasoned with Costco's organic no salt seasoning (8oz) and a side of mashed sweet potatoes.

Snack: 17 pieces of Almonds and 1/2 cup of fat free cottage cheese.

Dinner: 2 Bison Patties, Fat free cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, onions and 1/2 cup of brown rice.

Dessert: Breath Mint LOL

 

[socal78]

Are you kidding me? We could never get tired of seeing yo' mug around this place, Homer. Keep 'em coming!

I really want to know what you think of the Bison patties. I've never had one. I hear conflicting reviews from friends. Where did you buy them?

LOL at the breath mint comment!

This has been my "dessert" for the last few days:

I just hate it when the package says one mint is "<5 calories".

Okayyyyy. Let's define "<5 calories" 'cause I ate like a dozen of them last night.  ??? That could be 0 calories or that could be 50 calories. 

 

[irvinehomeowner]

@SoCal:

I don't think it's that low... maybe double or triple.

I'm less concerned about the calorie "score" than the fat content and carb intake.

I love cheese... so I need to figure out ways to not indulge in that. It's more about what I eat rather than how much.

I think I should get my recumbent bike back from my parents... we bought an elliptical but it's hard to read a book when on that thing.

@CZ:

I was in much better shape when I was a contractor... desk jobs just aren't mobile enough.

 

[socal78]

half of an avocado and 4 scrambled egg whites.

Half an avocado ... that reminds me.

Wholly Guacamole! Guess what I found at the store! 

Now, I don't have to buy a lot of avocados and throw away half. These are little 100 calorie snack pack pouches, two ounces each. The ingredients are Hass avocados, jalapeno puree (white vinegar, jalapenos, salt), dehydrated onion, salt, and garlic. That's it.

 

[homer_simpson]

Are you kidding me? We could never get tired of seeing yo' mug around this place, Homer. Keep 'em coming!

I really want to know what you think of the Bison patties. I've never had one. I hear conflicting reviews from friends. Where did you buy them?

LOL at the breath mint comment!

This has been my "dessert" for the last few days:

I just hate it when the package says one mint is "<5 calories".

Okayyyyy. Let's define "<5 calories" 'cause I ate like a dozen of them last night.  ??? That could be 0 calories or that could be 50 calories. 

This will be my first time eating the bison patties.  Got them from Costco in the frozen section with all the buger/turkey patties 

 

[homer_simpson]

half of an avocado and 4 scrambled egg whites.

Half an avocado ... that reminds me.

Wholly Guacamole! Guess what I found at the store! 

Now, I don't have to buy a lot of avocados and throw away half. These are little 100 calorie snack pack pouches, two ounces each. The ingredients are Hass avocados, jalapeno puree (white vinegar, jalapenos, salt), dehydrated onion, salt, and garlic. That's it.

Gonna look into that.  My diet is going to cost more than the baby stuff 

 

[socal78]

@SoCal:

I don't think it's that low... maybe double or triple.

I'm less concerned about the calorie "score" than the fat content and carb intake.

I love cheese... so I need to figure out ways to not indulge in that. It's more about what I eat rather than how much.

I would love it if you'd fix the calculation to make it 2 or 3x that. I don't see how that's possible. I pulled the numbers directly from Subway, directly from Quaker, and from Lay's. They are factual. If my math is wrong, please correct me. The only way it could be that far off is if the menu example is missing a lot of information we're not accounting for. I do hope it is.

Are you saying you're switching to low carb? If so, why give up cheese? Most cheese is a low carb food.

 

[irvinehomeowner]

Cheese is high fat (started buying the low fat string cheese for a snack).

And remember... I'm not trying to diet diet... I'm just trying to watch what I eat, do smaller portions and make sensible food choices.

It's tough though... I also like cake (forgot to mention that on that dinner of soup and salad, had 1/3 a slice of cake shared with wife and kids). I don't always have dessert... maybe twice a week.

 

[cubiczirconia]

SoCal, try chunky guac from Costco. Opens up the taste buds unlike wholly
Homer, good job! Planning a whole day helps stay the course.

Breakfast : Coffee flavored protein + whole wheat toast with olive spread
Lunch : stir fry veggies with beef less beef + babybel light
60 gms protein in, 60 more by the end of the day. So far so good. Bit a little cookie from jr's hand, that's all!

 

[socal78]

Confession:

I had a really crappy night. Everything was looking great until dinner was served. That Creamy Pesto Pasta recipe I posted is my most favorite dish ever! I'm not normally a big pasta fan, but I seem to have no control when it comes to that one. I measured out a cup as planned. Then another! This is not a low fat, low calorie meal, People! I was already feeling sick and regretful shortly after I ate it. I skipped the apple and anything else I was planning on eating later such as frozen Greek yogurt. I did feel guilty about it this time, because according to my app, I did not run a deficit. Then again, I didn't go much over what I burned that day, so I didn't gain weight. But I didn't lose either. One meal can ruin your whole day. It ruined mine.

I'm putting it behind me today. I'm moving forward! There are going to be times we fall on our asses. Just start fresh the next day and keep going!

Today is going great. I've been too busy to snack or think about food. I've had my usual low-fat, low-cal food. Items that are heavier, I'm eating small amounts of. Everything is well within my range so far. Breakfasts and lunches are so much easier than dinner because I make separate things for myself.

For dinner, I am making Spicy Hoisin Asian Drumsticks because my husband likes hot wings. I don't. No problem with restraining myself there. Might eat one. I'm making him cheese toast. I'll have half a slice and some fruit. I'm putting white corn with butter & garlic in the slow cooker now. (Shuck the corn. Snap the cobs in half. Melt some butter or I Can't Believe It's Not Butter - Light spread and combine with minced garlic. Paint it onto the corn. Season with salt. Wrap in foil. Put in crock pot on Low for 3-4 hours. Do not use High or frozen corn. It will come out tough.) The corn comes out very juicy and delicious. Has so much more flavor than boiling in water 8 minutes as usual.

 

[socal78]

Another trick I'm using to help myself:

Try making dinners your husband loves.

My husband LOVES my cooking in general but there are some recipes he moans when he eats because he loves it so much. I try to repeat those dishes he loves because he eats it at dinner time and takes left-overs to work for lunch the next day. That way, if I'm lucky, I'm not tempted by anything delicious lingering around!! There are a few I like but aren't his taste. I try not to make those as often. Like last night. I was just asking for trouble there!

 

[homer_simpson]

Another trick I'm using to help myself:

Try making dinners your husband loves.

My husband LOVES my cooking in general but there are some recipes he moans when he eats because he loves it so much. I try to repeat those dishes he loves because he eats it at dinner time and takes left-overs to work for lunch the next day. That way, if I'm lucky, I'm not tempted by anything delicious lingering around!! There are a few I like but aren't his taste. I try not to make those as often. Like last night. I was just asking for trouble there!

Want to hosta TI Cooking class? Marge and I would be there!