Amy's weight loss diary
- Thread starter amy1985
- Start date
My boyfriend is so cute. I've been thinking about doing something frivolous to make me feel better given the last couple of days. In a very rare thought for me, I decided I wanted flowers (my general feeling is flowers are expensive and die too quickly). I've been texting my boyfriend about this because back at the start of our relationship (I set up ground rules, heh), I said no flowers and told him my feelings on the matter. He would be incredibly hurt if I bought myself flowers given what I've told him, and given he loves himself some cliches (it's very cute and I appreciate it, don't get me wrong here). I have given him permission to buy me flowers. He is thrilled. 
ashy
New member
You're right I didn't read that post, but I will stand that in the posts I have seen since I've returned you have been calm and collective.
And I couldn't agree with you more about the children and nutrition habits comment. That is one of my biggest reasons for change. When my son begins to eat table food I want him to have good habits. My parents were AWFUL about nutrition. Truthfully, we didn't have a lot of money growing up so mom bought cheap and filling meals. And one of the cheapest ways to keep your kid happy is to throw a little soda and candy their way. That was me. I had a high metabolism until puberty and I was one of the first to hit puberty in my class. Fun times! Anyways, I don't want my son to struggle the way I did through school and adulthood. Even though I was pretty average in weight for a female in the US that doesn't mean I was all that healthy. Not to mention all the cavities I have had.
Good job on your workout.
And I couldn't agree with you more about the children and nutrition habits comment. That is one of my biggest reasons for change. When my son begins to eat table food I want him to have good habits. My parents were AWFUL about nutrition. Truthfully, we didn't have a lot of money growing up so mom bought cheap and filling meals. And one of the cheapest ways to keep your kid happy is to throw a little soda and candy their way. That was me. I had a high metabolism until puberty and I was one of the first to hit puberty in my class. Fun times! Anyways, I don't want my son to struggle the way I did through school and adulthood. Even though I was pretty average in weight for a female in the US that doesn't mean I was all that healthy. Not to mention all the cavities I have had.
Good job on your workout.
Thanks, Ashy
Jasper, I'm quite practical when it comes to most things. Flowers to me seem very expensive and they die so quickly so I don't know how they can be worth that much money. 99 times out of 100, I'd rather a pair of earrings (or a couple, depending on the earrings or the flowers) that I can wear for years rather than flowers I can enjoy for days and weeks (and then get really upset when they die and I have to throw them away). Today for once I feel a little bit differently about it. Most of the time, I don't like it at all. I don't think I'd ever buy flowers for myself, I'd feel way too guilty.
Anyway, food diary. And a morning appointment tomorrow so I am going to bed at something approaching a decent hour tonight. Yes, I am.
I was a little over where I wanted to be. Those graze boxes, while an excellent idea and very nice, just don't fit into my calories anymore. I've cancelled my standing order.
I've also adjusted my goals to 23% protein, 55% carbs and 22% fat, see where that gets me. I think I'm still a bit fat-phobic, and I really need to push myself to have more protein.
Thursday 9 June
Breakfast: 30g oats, 253g milk, 80g black forest fruit mix, 93g yoghurt, dash of cinnamon. Two cups of coffee (41ml milk and 210ml coffee, and 48ml milk and 208ml coffee). Subtotal: 333 calories, 21g protein, 50g carbs, 4g fat. 25/63/12
Lunch: 2 lentil patties (use them up), a 78g tomato, 10g sweet chilli sauce, 2 rye crackers (Ryvita dark rye crispbread), 58g cottage cheese, dash of mild chilli powder. Subtotal: 482 calories, 22g protein, 71g carbs, 18g fat. 16/53/31
Post-gym snack: Graze "Swallows and Amazons" mix (dried mango, brazil nuts, and some sort of dried berry- blueberry? raisin? can't remember), and a 97g nectarine. (most of what follows is that tiny 35g punnet). Subtotal: 205 calories, 3g protein, 24g carbs, 11g fat. 7/45/48
Dinner: 238g boiled potato, serve of Italian beef stew. Subtotal: 350 calories, 25g protein, 58g carbs, 3g fat. 28/64/8
After dinner: 67g (1, very small) gala apple, 87g (2, smallish) plum, 90g strawberries, 78g black forest fruit mix, 105g natural yoghurt, dash of cinnamon. Two cups of herbal tea (Twinings echinacea and raspberry- one of the least anaemic herbal teas I've had). Subtotal: 222 calories, 7g protein, 42g carbs, 2g fat. 14/77/9
Total: 1594 calories (91%*), 80g protein (81%*), 247g carbs (93%*), 39g fat (92%*). 3066.8ml water consumption, 797.6mg sodium (53% of allowance). Final day's split: 19/59/22 (protein, carbs, fat)
* These percentages represent what I should be having it I ate my maximum calorie allowance which currently stands at 1745 calories. The first one- if I want to eat 1745 calories I should be eating 1745 calories- is self explanatory, the others maybe not so much.
Must get more protein into my diet
Jasper, I'm quite practical when it comes to most things. Flowers to me seem very expensive and they die so quickly so I don't know how they can be worth that much money. 99 times out of 100, I'd rather a pair of earrings (or a couple, depending on the earrings or the flowers) that I can wear for years rather than flowers I can enjoy for days and weeks (and then get really upset when they die and I have to throw them away). Today for once I feel a little bit differently about it. Most of the time, I don't like it at all. I don't think I'd ever buy flowers for myself, I'd feel way too guilty.
Anyway, food diary. And a morning appointment tomorrow so I am going to bed at something approaching a decent hour tonight. Yes, I am.
I was a little over where I wanted to be. Those graze boxes, while an excellent idea and very nice, just don't fit into my calories anymore. I've cancelled my standing order.
I've also adjusted my goals to 23% protein, 55% carbs and 22% fat, see where that gets me. I think I'm still a bit fat-phobic, and I really need to push myself to have more protein.
Thursday 9 June
Breakfast: 30g oats, 253g milk, 80g black forest fruit mix, 93g yoghurt, dash of cinnamon. Two cups of coffee (41ml milk and 210ml coffee, and 48ml milk and 208ml coffee). Subtotal: 333 calories, 21g protein, 50g carbs, 4g fat. 25/63/12
Lunch: 2 lentil patties (use them up), a 78g tomato, 10g sweet chilli sauce, 2 rye crackers (Ryvita dark rye crispbread), 58g cottage cheese, dash of mild chilli powder. Subtotal: 482 calories, 22g protein, 71g carbs, 18g fat. 16/53/31
Post-gym snack: Graze "Swallows and Amazons" mix (dried mango, brazil nuts, and some sort of dried berry- blueberry? raisin? can't remember), and a 97g nectarine. (most of what follows is that tiny 35g punnet). Subtotal: 205 calories, 3g protein, 24g carbs, 11g fat. 7/45/48
Dinner: 238g boiled potato, serve of Italian beef stew. Subtotal: 350 calories, 25g protein, 58g carbs, 3g fat. 28/64/8
After dinner: 67g (1, very small) gala apple, 87g (2, smallish) plum, 90g strawberries, 78g black forest fruit mix, 105g natural yoghurt, dash of cinnamon. Two cups of herbal tea (Twinings echinacea and raspberry- one of the least anaemic herbal teas I've had). Subtotal: 222 calories, 7g protein, 42g carbs, 2g fat. 14/77/9
Total: 1594 calories (91%*), 80g protein (81%*), 247g carbs (93%*), 39g fat (92%*). 3066.8ml water consumption, 797.6mg sodium (53% of allowance). Final day's split: 19/59/22 (protein, carbs, fat)
* These percentages represent what I should be having it I ate my maximum calorie allowance which currently stands at 1745 calories. The first one- if I want to eat 1745 calories I should be eating 1745 calories- is self explanatory, the others maybe not so much.
Must get more protein into my diet
C
caffeinehigh
Guest
Aw your boyfriend was allowed to by your flowerrrrs. So cute ))
))
decisionmaker
New member
mmm your lunch sounds to die for...
I gotta say, it's not all your mum's doing - it's also yours. So take some credit too! I also grew up in an exceedingly healthy household - everything was organic and local, and our occasional treats were those yummy sesame snap bar things. I never really understood my friends who had nutella all the time, ice cream in the freezer, loads of bread (we only had spelt flour or sprouted rye) and soda or cordial.
BUT when I moved out of home, it's like this whole world of other foods opened up to me, and there was no one there monitoring it for me anymore. So I discovered the world of fast food, bread and chocolate. SURE, I've always been big on my veggies, but that's the exception.
I still know I have a lot to learn from my parents, but I don't know why it didnt automatically rub off on me like it did on my sister. Some kind of rebellion perhaps?
So take some credit yourself too! You are a healthy person, yes, because you were taught good habits, but you have also stuck with them!
I gotta say, it's not all your mum's doing - it's also yours. So take some credit too! I also grew up in an exceedingly healthy household - everything was organic and local, and our occasional treats were those yummy sesame snap bar things. I never really understood my friends who had nutella all the time, ice cream in the freezer, loads of bread (we only had spelt flour or sprouted rye) and soda or cordial.
BUT when I moved out of home, it's like this whole world of other foods opened up to me, and there was no one there monitoring it for me anymore. So I discovered the world of fast food, bread and chocolate. SURE, I've always been big on my veggies, but that's the exception.
I still know I have a lot to learn from my parents, but I don't know why it didnt automatically rub off on me like it did on my sister. Some kind of rebellion perhaps?
So take some credit yourself too! You are a healthy person, yes, because you were taught good habits, but you have also stuck with them!
overtherainbow
New member
I always try to have flowers in my front room Glad you've given your bf permission to romance you with them a bit
I agree amy, take some credit yourself for doing well!!!!! My mother is and was massively overweight, at least 470 pounds. In fact, every single person in my family is overweight. We had no money (she was a single mum, on benefits in the thatcher era, and smoked 60 a day), and whilst she didn't overfeed me, my dinner every night was toast. I sometimes ate chips as well from the chip shop. I think the result of this is that I only liked a very limited amount of food, because I didn't have any variety. As for my kids- they have always eaten veggies with their dinner, and raisins in their breakfast, but their diet could have been better in the past. I make a HUGE variety of dinners now, all superhealthy, so hopefully that will rub off on them in the future. They both like helping me cook, and I really hope this will give them a love of cooking in the future as well.
Glad you've given your bf permission to romance you with them a bit I agree amy, take some credit yourself for doing well!!!!! My mother is and was massively overweight, at least 470 pounds. In fact, every single person in my family is overweight. We had no money (she was a single mum, on benefits in the thatcher era, and smoked 60 a day), and whilst she didn't overfeed me, my dinner every night was toast. I sometimes ate chips as well from the chip shop. I think the result of this is that I only liked a very limited amount of food, because I didn't have any variety. As for my kids- they have always eaten veggies with their dinner, and raisins in their breakfast, but their diet could have been better in the past. I make a HUGE variety of dinners now, all superhealthy, so hopefully that will rub off on them in the future. They both like helping me cook, and I really hope this will give them a love of cooking in the future as well.
Azara
New member
Hey Amy!
I've been following you around for some time now (don't wory, I'm not a stalker ) and in a post (I can't recall where right atm) I found your links for the BMI calculator and the need of calories calculator. Thanks so much for that! I'm a complete newb at nutrition and diets, but this is a great start I think! It's unbelievable how much calories I actually need, I couldn't believe it. I also wanted to ask you, do you know of any guides for calories, protein, carbs and fat counting? I'm still very confused, I've been searching around the net, but I never got the clearest picture.
Sorry to be such a bother, haven't realised that I've written so many questions only until I finished the post :/
Lot's of love, enjoy the flowery week!
I've been following you around for some time now (don't wory, I'm not a stalker
) and in a post (I can't recall where right atm) I found your links for the BMI calculator and the need of calories calculator. Thanks so much for that! I'm a complete newb at nutrition and diets, but this is a great start I think! It's unbelievable how much calories I actually need, I couldn't believe it. I also wanted to ask you, do you know of any guides for calories, protein, carbs and fat counting? I'm still very confused, I've been searching around the net, but I never got the clearest picture.Sorry to be such a bother, haven't realised that I've written so many questions only until I finished the post :/
Lot's of love, enjoy the flowery week!
overtherainbow
New member
Ps.... An alternative to a bunch of flowers are orchids. They are SO beautiful, and as they are growing in a pot they last almost forever! M and S do a double stem of orchids in a lovely embossed white pot for £12. I have them in my kitchen and bedroom.
Thanks guys I do know some of it is down to me (and I didn't have a bad-food-free existence, my mum just cultivated a good relationship with food in me and my siblings), but I can't imagine how hard it must be for some people who've barely experienced carrots (or similar), have a visceral disgust response, etc, to be told that they have to eat several serves of these things. I know I have trouble trying things that I wasn't introduced to as a kid- I can't even imagine missing out (or almost) on an entire food group as I know some of my peers have. Or seeing any kind of food as "punishment".
I'm certainly not perfect when it comes to food either- what you're seeing here is me actively trying to be virtuous. I've done the whole chips and pies and chocolate oh my routine as well (less when I moved out of home, more when I had access to my own money for the first time). But as I said before, I pay for it in terms of my health and it's not worth it (beyond what I already do or maybe the rare meal out- which I still plan to do at some stage).
It's been a long day so far. Had to be up early (for me) to get to an appointment to help me sort out some of my problems (which I think went well, depends on some other things which I won't know until mid next week). Then I decided to go looking for caffeine free tea, because I want a pick-me-up during the day and for me that's always been in the form of a caffeinated beverage. Looked in a lot of places (some of the things I saw were outrageous! What kind of fool pays 27 quid for 20 teabags?!!!- this was in Harvey Nichols, which probably explains things) and ended up getting some teabags of flavours I hadn't tried before from Marks and Spencer. Hopefully it'll be a psychological boost without the caffeine to keep me awake. But I ate breakfast at about 9 (hence "early for me") and I walked in the door just before 4. Had nothing to eat in all that time, only a low cal sparkling flavoured water (as I was beginning to feel quite rough). Have just had a small version of lunch and am waiting to see how I feel before eating again, I'm quite tempted to binge at the moment because I feel rotten. Did very well in the centre of town resisting a whole lot of really nice things though (even thought about going back to Eat where they calorie count, but what they had on offer today was too high calorie).
Also looked into the big international- standard pool near me. They have an awesome offer going on at the moment if you pay upfront for 6 months' membership- something like 2/3 a month of what I'm paying at my current gym, with access to a gym at least 5x the size (with much more and much better equipment), a 50m pool, and fitness classes. And the guy I spoke to today said I could start and pause whenever I wanted to, so my timeframe's no problem. It's also slightly more convenient for university (although a little further from home). Need to think on it.
I do know some of it is down to me (and I didn't have a bad-food-free existence, my mum just cultivated a good relationship with food in me and my siblings), but I can't imagine how hard it must be for some people who've barely experienced carrots (or similar), have a visceral disgust response, etc, to be told that they have to eat several serves of these things. I know I have trouble trying things that I wasn't introduced to as a kid- I can't even imagine missing out (or almost) on an entire food group as I know some of my peers have. Or seeing any kind of food as "punishment".I'm certainly not perfect when it comes to food either- what you're seeing here is me actively trying to be virtuous. I've done the whole chips and pies and chocolate oh my routine as well (less when I moved out of home, more when I had access to my own money for the first time). But as I said before, I pay for it in terms of my health and it's not worth it (beyond what I already do or maybe the rare meal out- which I still plan to do at some stage).
It's been a long day so far. Had to be up early (for me) to get to an appointment to help me sort out some of my problems (which I think went well, depends on some other things which I won't know until mid next week). Then I decided to go looking for caffeine free tea, because I want a pick-me-up during the day and for me that's always been in the form of a caffeinated beverage. Looked in a lot of places (some of the things I saw were outrageous! What kind of fool pays 27 quid for 20 teabags?!!!- this was in Harvey Nichols, which probably explains things) and ended up getting some teabags of flavours I hadn't tried before from Marks and Spencer. Hopefully it'll be a psychological boost without the caffeine to keep me awake. But I ate breakfast at about 9 (hence "early for me") and I walked in the door just before 4. Had nothing to eat in all that time, only a low cal sparkling flavoured water (as I was beginning to feel quite rough). Have just had a small version of lunch and am waiting to see how I feel before eating again, I'm quite tempted to binge at the moment because I feel rotten. Did very well in the centre of town resisting a whole lot of really nice things though (even thought about going back to Eat where they calorie count, but what they had on offer today was too high calorie).
Also looked into the big international- standard pool near me. They have an awesome offer going on at the moment if you pay upfront for 6 months' membership- something like 2/3 a month of what I'm paying at my current gym, with access to a gym at least 5x the size (with much more and much better equipment), a 50m pool, and fitness classes. And the guy I spoke to today said I could start and pause whenever I wanted to, so my timeframe's no problem. It's also slightly more convenient for university (although a little further from home). Need to think on it.
ashy
New member
Sorry you're feeling rotten today. Maybe a nap or caffeine will help. I hope your appointment went the way you wanted it to.
Sounds like a good deal about the pool. I want to find a pool myself. I've got a lot of other things financially I have to do first. Swimming can be so zen.
Sounds like a good deal about the pool. I want to find a pool myself. I've got a lot of other things financially I have to do first. Swimming can be so zen.
Thanks for the message. I appreciate that what I write is appreciated, so stalk me here all you want 
And your post isn't that question laden at all!
For the calories, I've just used that and other BMR calculators (it's not perfect, but it's a start) and adjusted from there (I work within maintenance -500 to maintenance -1000, as I want to lose a noticeable amount of weight per week but not drop my metabolism too hard/ fast). I don't have any professional knowledge/ advice on the subject, I just did a bit of reading and used my bullshit detector before deciding what kind of diet was right for me. (I don't want to mess up my heath)
For protein-carbs-fat and what you should be aiming at, this is a good place to start: I'm not entirely clear where I should pitch myself, and for the most part don't actively plan things. The only thing I do try to do is get a good amount of protein, as I lift weights (Trusylver recommended 90g a day, so that's what I do). Apart from that, protein should help keep you full, carbs aren't the enemy (it only depends on what type they are), and some level of fat is essential in your diet.
To count, I use a program called cron-o-meter, which I downloaded here: If you put the nutritional information of a product into it (from a packet, for example), it'll remember it, and when you enter it it'll tell you the calories, protein, carbs, fat, sodium, and water content (and anything else you could think of but I stick with what I can enter from nutritional information- I disabled a lot of the features when I first got this). It also tells you percentages. (What I do is very little more than enter my food, and at the end of the day, tell you what my calorie calculator says about it. To get subtotals I select the food I want to tell you about)
In general, my main priority is trying to have a healthy diet of things I enjoy and fill me up. I'd recommend looking at the nutritional guidelines of Slovenia (if you don't know where they are or how to find them I can guide you to the UK or Australian guidelines) and going from there.
Hope this helps
And your post isn't that question laden at all!For the calories, I've just used that and other BMR calculators (it's not perfect, but it's a start) and adjusted from there (I work within maintenance -500 to maintenance -1000, as I want to lose a noticeable amount of weight per week but not drop my metabolism too hard/ fast). I don't have any professional knowledge/ advice on the subject, I just did a bit of reading and used my bullshit detector before deciding what kind of diet was right for me. (I don't want to mess up my heath)
For protein-carbs-fat and what you should be aiming at, this is a good place to start: I'm not entirely clear where I should pitch myself, and for the most part don't actively plan things. The only thing I do try to do is get a good amount of protein, as I lift weights (Trusylver recommended 90g a day, so that's what I do). Apart from that, protein should help keep you full, carbs aren't the enemy (it only depends on what type they are), and some level of fat is essential in your diet.
To count, I use a program called cron-o-meter, which I downloaded here: If you put the nutritional information of a product into it (from a packet, for example), it'll remember it, and when you enter it it'll tell you the calories, protein, carbs, fat, sodium, and water content (and anything else you could think of but I stick with what I can enter from nutritional information- I disabled a lot of the features when I first got this). It also tells you percentages. (What I do is very little more than enter my food, and at the end of the day, tell you what my calorie calculator says about it. To get subtotals I select the food I want to tell you about)
In general, my main priority is trying to have a healthy diet of things I enjoy and fill me up. I'd recommend looking at the nutritional guidelines of Slovenia (if you don't know where they are or how to find them I can guide you to the UK or Australian guidelines) and going from there.
Hope this helps
Thanks Ashy It was ok- as good as could reasonably be expected. Will wait to see what happens when the serious stuff starts to happen on Monday and again Wednesday.
I'm not having caffeine- trying really hard to be strict with myself here- and have just opened up the first of my new caffeine free tea. It's white tea and raspberry, and I like it a lot (and it was 99p for 20 bags, which isn't too bad). It's got no kick but I don't know how you get that without the caffeine. I suspect I'll just have to ride out the rough evening and hope I sleep well tonight.
The whole thing looks very exciting. The pool and complex is apparently unique in my region and it's so much better than what I'm going to now. They also have a service (don't know if it costs extra, will investigate) where they can look into your body fat and such- if I can get that looked into that'd be excellent, I'm aware I know little/ nothing about that. I want to be as healthy as possible.
It was ok- as good as could reasonably be expected. Will wait to see what happens when the serious stuff starts to happen on Monday and again Wednesday.I'm not having caffeine- trying really hard to be strict with myself here- and have just opened up the first of my new caffeine free tea. It's white tea and raspberry, and I like it a lot (and it was 99p for 20 bags, which isn't too bad). It's got no kick but I don't know how you get that without the caffeine. I suspect I'll just have to ride out the rough evening and hope I sleep well tonight.
The whole thing looks very exciting. The pool and complex is apparently unique in my region and it's so much better than what I'm going to now. They also have a service (don't know if it costs extra, will investigate) where they can look into your body fat and such- if I can get that looked into that'd be excellent, I'm aware I know little/ nothing about that. I want to be as healthy as possible.
I forgot, I was going to make this:
Saw the steak in the fridge so I got the ingredients and made it. Forgot the lime juice and left some stuff out, and probably underdid the soy and fish sauce. Slightly overdid the noodles because the pack was a little more than the recipe calls for. The steak (after I hacked all the fat off) came to way less than the recipe called for, so I substituted with some capsicum ((bell) pepper). Probably a little underflavoured if anything, but lovely- crunchy vegetables and probably the right amount of meat, and hitting any noodle craving before it hits. Meat was lovely and tender, too, unlike the first time I made this when I tried to use really cheap steak and it was as tough as old boots. Came out at 258.8 calories.
Hilariously, I've eaten dinner and I've only just busted 1000 calories (well, 1088, but I'm usually at 1200 by now). That's not supposed to happen. Hmm. I've been good all day. It's been a hard day. What do I want? 
Saw the steak in the fridge so I got the ingredients and made it. Forgot the lime juice and left some stuff out, and probably underdid the soy and fish sauce. Slightly overdid the noodles because the pack was a little more than the recipe calls for. The steak (after I hacked all the fat off) came to way less than the recipe called for, so I substituted with some capsicum ((bell) pepper). Probably a little underflavoured if anything, but lovely- crunchy vegetables and probably the right amount of meat, and hitting any noodle craving before it hits. Meat was lovely and tender, too, unlike the first time I made this when I tried to use really cheap steak and it was as tough as old boots. Came out at 258.8 calories.
Hilariously, I've eaten dinner and I've only just busted 1000 calories (well, 1088, but I'm usually at 1200 by now). That's not supposed to happen. Hmm. I've been good all day. It's been a hard day. What do I want?
overtherainbow
New member
Are you feeling any better yet?
Enjoy your treat
Enjoy your treat