Quality of food

[petekottke]

Quality of food.

I’m new to fitbit and I really like it. I’m using it to lose weight.

My activity usually come to 15000 steps – sometimes just under 20,000 steps, so I always have a considerable calorie deficit. Since I am significantly lower, I eat things like pizza, alcohol, kid snacks, or others things to boost my calories to get to the desired 1000 calorie deficit, but my number at the scale is usually the same or has been increasing.

If I want to lose weight, then I need to have a calorie deficit. So, I’m a little confused with the concept of calorie in calorie out concept in relation to weight loss. Does the quality of food really effect the calorie in?

[jwishart86]

Sometimes have too big of a deficite can cause you to gain weight. Try adding high caloric but healthy things to your day such as nuts. 

[petekottke]

Finding the healthy balance seems to be a tough one for me. Now it's time to pick up some nuts and granola to balance out my rythym of eating and moving.

[WendyB]

Avacado is also good. Make sure to add some good fats. Like Nuts, Olive oil Etc.

You can lose weight eating anything. But Picking better foods than Pizza and Kids snacks really isnt healthy eating. You could also be counting the calories wrong in them as well.

Make sure you measure things at first. You could be over eating the snacks. Once you get a feel for what a portion size is then you wont have to measure

[Colinm39]

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@petekottke wrote:

Quality of food.

I’m new to fitbit and I really like it. I’m using it to lose weight.

My activity usually come to 15000 steps – sometimes just under 20,000 steps, so I always have a considerable calorie deficit. Since I am significantly lower, I eat things like pizza, alcohol, kid snacks, or others things to boost my calories to get to the desired 1000 calorie deficit, but my number at the scale is usually the same or has been increasing.

If I want to lose weight, then I need to have a calorie deficit. So, I’m a little confused with the concept of calorie in calorie out concept in relation to weight loss. Does the quality of food really effect the calorie in?

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@petekottkeQuality food is the secret and yesterday one of our older Fitbitters posted "if it won't rot, don't eat it". I follow Jonathan Bailor's " The Calorie Myth" which comes close to Paleo diet but it is all about eating better, losing weight and less exercise. An excellent read. My snacks are Chobani high protein No Fat Greek Yogurt with Frozen Blueberries, Nuts and Green tea. Never get hungry and my weight is stable and I have had to cut my activity by 50% because of back issues.

You should not fall for the trap of "eating to get to your deficit". I have seen many over the years fall for that. Keep in mind that Fitbit will adjust your calories needed because it keeps an eye on your health and the extra exertion and replacing what you have burned.

Many say it is expensive to eat quality and it is a tradeoff for your health in the future.

Good to see you posting

[leear]

Quality is critical, but subjective, so choose wisely.

Try to balance variety with healthier options.

I suggest you quantified the quantity, so you have a vision of a portion size.

Remember a deficit of calories does not need to be eradicated, unless you want to put on or maintain  weight.

[SunsetRunner]

I definitely agree with weighing out your portion sizes. Before I started weighing every food I ate, I always underestimated my calorie intake - especially with regards to carbs and other energy dense foods. I only began losing weight after I started doing this. Also your body processes fats, carbs and proteins differently e.g. it will take more energy to digest proteins. Therefore, it will be worthwhile to eat more wholesome and protein-rich foods.

[petekottke]

Thank you my friends, you have presented me great information. I am beginning to create a game plan. One thing that I need to do is the accessibility of food in my fridge and pantry. Right now I just see the kid snacks, and that needs to change. I sure can’t get to my food choices if they are tucked away.

As for the extra reading, I see that Bailor has a podcast, and that has to work for me until I can make more time to read a book.

All of you have been so grateful with advice. I have a lot to digest

[leear]

Mmm... The kids snacks 🙂

Surely, tucking the kids snacks away, out of sight, is not removing them from the equasion (unless you're a goldfish or have a very short-term memory). Do the kids have healthy snacks? If so, don't play mind games with yourself. If the kids snacks are not healthy, do they really need them and are you helping them to make healthy informed choices?

This brings me on to control. You control your kids nutrition, until they make their own informed choices.

You also control your own consumption, so be strong and focused. Get a strategy and a target and go for it.