Do Your Research

As someone who has struggled with their weight for a long time now I have heard, "log what you eat" a lot.  Actually probably every time the topic comes up.  To this I would roll my eyes thinking - right I can't even keep track of my keys, sunglasses and phone - but a food diary no problem.  Recently Alyssa over at My Husband's Watching TV got me hooked on My Fitness Pal.  I really enjoy the site but even more so I have enjoyed the friendship with Alyssa.  It really helps keep me motivated.  I want to see what she has done and she is usually checking on what I have done.  It is a lot of fun.

The one part I did not find fun was blowing through my calories.  Wednesday I was 310 calories over my target.  So I did what any normal OCD person would do and thought about it day and night, until I figured it out. 

Here is what I came up with: 1) I depended on their food database when logging items so I logged the fudgesicles I have eaten and I kept thinking "geez 110 calories seems like more than I remember them being".  So on my way out the door this morning I looked in the freezer - sure enough they are only 40 calories per pop (I only eat 1 a day). 2) I logged in my Taco Bell Soft Tacos, I ate 3 of them.  I know that sounds like a lot but I scrape the meat onto a bed of romaine lettuce and throw out the shell.  It did not cross my mind about how many calories those shells cost me.  So I did the math and than I went to the Taco Bell site and they have a nutrition calculator that allows you to customize the item including taking the shell off and guess what?  Instead of 630 calories originally calculated it was 330 calories without the shell.  That I can live with!

I have found many restaurant  chains offer these nutrition calculators.  Use them if you can.  It is worth the extra effort.  Dieting should be an educational experience so doing a little research is great knowledge for later.

Have a great weekend everyone!!  Anybody have big plans?