Friday, February 19, 2010

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?

4 comments:

  1. Yah for My Fitness Pal (both the website and you!). Yes, sometimes I wonder if their database is right...sometimes it seems low and sometimes it seems high. Big Game Night tonight...rematch Boys vs. Girls-girls will dominate!!! A little worried about the food though...have a fabulous weekend!

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  2. Yah, I use FitDay and I go by box caluclations and my recipes because they are sometimes wrong. You definitely can't go by what they say is correct. Go you for counting though, I'm back at it after not losing for two weeks...

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  3. I never realized how fast the calories add up.I used to eat a tablespoon of peanut butter when I make breakfast for my kiddos. I knocked that off really quickly. PB is so tasty but not so good for ya. Darn. Great work on counting the calories.

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  4. Good for you!
    I'm cheering you on!

    Margie:)

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