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Now I'm down 80 pounds and it's really starting to show, the biggest question I get is, "What's your secret?"
At first I used to say, "There isn't one. You make up your mind, and that's it." But I'm changing my tune.
Now I say, "The secret is tracking everything you eat, either on paper or with an app, such as FatSecret."
I explain that the process of logging your food makes you realize just how much you have eaten, take ownership/responsibility for it, and be aware of how many calories are in common things (such as 4 oz of wine or that creme brulee that's calling you from the buffet).
The other day, my friend took me to the buffet for my birthday and we both had almost the same thing. I had just downloaded the FS app on her phone and was teaching her how to use it with that meal. We were doing fine with the shrimp cocktail and the lobster tails (it's a great buffet with lobster for under $30!), but then she had the wine and the creme brulee and I had the fruit. Her meal was 550 calories more than mine was. All because of those two simple choices. Once she saw it, she couldn't believe it.
This is truly, in my opinion, THE secret, if there is one. Awareness of how many calories things have and your ability to make better choices. Plus my favorite thing, no more "just one bite" moments with this app. I don't log "bites" because I don't take "bites". It's too much of a pain to put down 1/10 ounce of risotto. I'd rather just skip the risotto.
But because I promised myself to log everything I eat, it deters me from having one bite of anything. So no nibbling, no snacking, no licking the spoon when cooking!
Not sure if anyone else experiences the power of tracking food with the same passion I do, but I have already decided that once I reach my goal weight, I will continue to track my food forever. It's fun and easy now. If I don't do it, I feel like something is missing, like I forgot my car keys or I'm naked. It's a bad, uncomfortable feeling. I don't like it, so I will keep it up. It works, so why not??
How much does tracking your food help you stay on track? I'm curious to know if it makes as much of a difference for others as it does for me.
Diet Calendar Entries for 21 July 2014:
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1228 kcal
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Fat: 20.05g | Prot: 69.64g | Carb: 198.29g.
Breakfast: Great Value In The Bag Steamable Vegetables - Sweet Corn. Lunch: Denny's Egg Whites. Dinner: Del Taco Beans 'n Cheese Cup, Del Taco Half Pound Green Burrito. Snacks/Other: Apples. more...
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2221 kcal
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Activities & Exercise:
Sleeping - 8 hours, Resting - 16 hours. more...
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21 to 40 of 41
 Comments
I miss a day here and there and don't track the tastes when I'm cooking. Most days I come in under my self imposed calorie limit, so I usually have calories to spare. 60 pounds lighter, basically on maintenance except still have a long way to get fit. Will keep tracking as it keeps me aging attention. I'm trying to add a few foods in to hopefully help bring my ldl yo a lower number.
21 Jul 14 by member: wholefoodnut
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Congratulations on the 80 lb loss. I agree with you that logging all food eaten is the secret. The calories add up so fast.
21 Jul 14 by member: MontanasMom
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I first switched to no sugar added ice cream but ate as much as I wanted. When I started tracking my food, I knew that I should only eat one half cup, so I stopped eating it. I would rather have a high fiber snack that would cut my hunger than ice cream that would make me crave more sweets.
21 Jul 14 by member: Deb_N
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It's funny that you posted this today because I was going to do a post in which I asked people's opinions as to whether, once you make it to maintenance mode, you should continue to track EVERY meal or EVERY day. I still may do my post, but you have given me food for thought, lol.
21 Jul 14 by member: gilliansings
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21 Jul 14 by member: ivory23
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Great post. Calories in calories out. Weigh your food.
21 Jul 14 by member: -Diablo
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Oh my I couldn't agree more...very well versed..
21 Jul 14 by member: Re-energize
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good post - tracking my food has been the most helpful and I've lost about 70 lbs with 50 lbs to go - thanks for the reminder
21 Jul 14 by member: dianemillervuoso
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21 Jul 14 by member: Keebzie
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Agreed this app has been great tool for tracking and estimating intake and output, just be honest, and days you fail, record it all, ill look at it at the end of the day of a failure, and get back on the horse, 50 some lbs lost for me and 30 to go. I love this site and app.
21 Jul 14 by member: gswizzle
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Tracking makes me think in trades. How do I want to spend those calories, do I want to spend them on something good for me or on junk food? it helps me see when I have a high fat or calorie day and I will average my calories out for the week. n
21 Jul 14 by member: wholefoodnut
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Tracking makes me think in trades. How do I want to spend those calories, do I want to spend them on something good for me or on junk food? it helps me see when I have a high fat or calorie day and I will average my calories out for the week. n
21 Jul 14 by member: wholefoodnut
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Wow, I'm so glad that so many chimed in. It would appear that for most, tracking works. I'm so happy to see many past the halfway mark with 50 down and 30 to go, etc. I'm 80 down with 50 to go, so that's where I am, as well. I like the analogy of spending, like money. Where do you want to spend it? And each day is a brand new bank account, which I love! Even if you mess up, it's not the end of the world. You can mess up one meal or snack and not ruin the whole day. So glad that so many gave their input. Thank you to all of you, and for all the encouragement!
21 Jul 14 by member: mrsmole
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I do agree with tracking food!! When people would ask me how I lost, I replied with Weight Watchers and a stationary bike. Awesome on your loss!!! :) ♥
21 Jul 14 by member: PinkRose88
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I track for the sodium, I am trying to keep mine under 1500 grams per day, the sugar, and the carbs more then the calories. I also try to keep my fat at less then 70 grams a day and I started the low carb challenge of 20 grams per day, so you for sure have to track your food , to make sure you are right on. I track it the day before to see how it adds up, if it doesnt add up I elminate something and substiture for something else to make it balance. Thank you fat secret for your free site, I am so grateful that I found out about fat secret , my accident one night.
21 Jul 14 by member: karenromiaih2002
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"You can mess up one meal or snack and not ruin the whole day." Thanks for saying that! We need to remember it every day. Keep going!
22 Jul 14 by member: Deb_N
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What a great journal. I track most things, but you have shown a new light on my eating. I do take a bite... and then another... etc... I also give up on tracking in the afternoon.... I'll do better.. {{{BIG HUG]]] thanks, Donna
22 Jul 14 by member: dboza
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Congrats on the 80 pounds, and thanks for the excellent example of the importance of tracking your food. Some people can do it without tracking their food but for me it's made all the difference.
22 Jul 14 by member: jmb3450
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I've tried keeping track in my head, but that doesn't work for me. I'm sure that it might for others, but I have to be honest with myself. At times, I feel weak that I have to mark my food intake, but then I think of the feeling of accomplishment I get when I see a lower number on the scale.
22 Jul 14 by member: electra2
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Electra2, I do not consider it a weakness, but a strength that you track your food. It's the commitment to your journey and the discipline to do it, even when it's not fun or easy. That rocks! I see weakness as eating whatever you "think" is right and never owning it, committing to it, or sharing it with others here, for that matter. I hope you will reinterpret your perceived weakness as the strength that it really is!
22 Jul 14 by member: mrsmole
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