Doing Things Differently
@just4him (307090)
Green Bay, Wisconsin
April 24, 2024 12:22pm CST
For the past several months I've been working with a food app that is less than ideal. Why? It doesn't give the correct calories for the food I eat.
Before the food app I used Excel to track everything. With the help of a calculator site, I can calculate the number of calories I burn per day with walking and the foot cycle. It also gave me the correct number of calories I should eat per day based on my height and age. The food app had that pretty close. What I won't be doing anymore will be adding in the calorie budget per the exercise.
I have everything on Excel along with my weight goal so I can track everything with the correct numbers from now on. Now, granted when I eat out, if the calories aren't noted on the menu, some have them, then I will calculate per the ingredient, not the meal. Of course, eating out I will have a higher sodium factor.
These are the factors:
Calories per day - 1744
Fiber - 25
Sodium - 2300
Fat - 50
Carbs - 233
Protein - 106
Sugar - <47
Calcium - 1300
Some of these numbers are easy to accomplish, some not so much. I rarely get as much protein or calcium as required. Fiber is usually over, sugar is about accurate or less, and I'm guessing a lot less. My main concern is fiber since my doctor told me I need a high fiber diet. From experience, I can't have more than 1000 sodium. Definitely not the amount mentioned above. I'll blow up like a balloon. I also won't lose weight.
Friday will be the last health report using the food app. I'll still use the pedometer app for my steps. That at least is accurate.
If you're wondering, I've maintained 200 since Monday. Even when I thought I would go up, I didn't. I'm doing something right.
These numbers are all based on my height, current weight, and age.
Are you trying to lose weight as I am? How are you doing? Thanks for reading. Image courtesy of Pixabay.
20 people like this
18 responses
@just4him (307090)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
25 Apr
@NJChicaa When I put in my age, height, and weight, along with the amount of exercise I get each day, these are the numbers it gave me. I don't have nearly that amount of carbs or sodium today. Though my sodium might not be high enough. If I don't have muscle cramps with the low amount of sodium, I'll be happy.
@just4him (307090)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
25 Apr
@MarieCoyle Yes, it is a lot of sodium. I don't usually get that much sodium in a day.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (28969)
•
24 Apr
If I ate that amount of carbs and sodium, I would blow up like a Macy’s Day float!! That’s a lot!
2 people like this
@snowy22315 (170451)
• United States
24 Apr
I guess if you feel more comfortable with this new/old method you should use it. Good on keeping your weight down. Doing OK here shorts are falling down so that is positive. I might have to wear a belt soon.
3 people like this
@snowy22315 (170451)
• United States
25 Apr
@just4him Yeah, some of those calorie counting things don't seem accurate..and you get different numbers for the same foods
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157665)
• United States
24 Apr
I am not trying to lose weight, but I might this summer. I found a bread that has four grams of fiber per slice and that is the one I eat most of the time.
2 people like this
@just4him (307090)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
25 Apr
The bread I eat has 9 grams of fiber and 0 sugar. I really like it. It's under Healthy Life. Keto.
@wolfgirl569 (95676)
• Marion, Ohio
24 Apr
I think you were doing better with the excel method
2 people like this
@2ndchances24 (5020)
• Cloverdale, Indiana
24 Apr
I don't keep up with what I eat or do everyday
I do keep track of what my weight is every
other week to keep it at 160 or less if I can
I also keep a close eye on my sugar level
everyday as well & that keeps me happy.
1 person likes this
@just4him (307090)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
25 Apr
@2ndchances24 I think your sugar needs to come down. Your weight is good.
1 person likes this
@2ndchances24 (5020)
• Cloverdale, Indiana
25 Apr
@just4him I weighed this morning & I'm at 158
& my sugar was at 158.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (459119)
• Switzerland
25 Apr
2300 of sodium is around 1 teaspoon of salt, that is a bit too much. The recommended amount of sodium per day for adults is no more than 2,000. I am only trying to maintain my weight.
I think to remember that the Excel mode worked for you in the past.
1 person likes this
@just4him (307090)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
25 Apr
I don't come close to that much sodium per day unless I eat out. Then it's sodium overload. I don't eat out very often. Two maybe three times a month. One is a given as Writer's Guild meets at a restaurant.
Yes, Excel worked the best for me.
1 person likes this
@Marilynda1225 (79961)
• United States
25 Apr
I try to keep my sodium low but some days it's harder than others. I've been doing Weight Watchers points but sometimes I think even with the point system I should be counting calories, etc. It's like a full time job trying to keep track of everything 
1 person likes this
@Marilynda1225 (79961)
• United States
25 Apr
@just4him I don't think they pay attention to sodium much either. Just an example...canned vegetables are very point friendly BUT the sodium is ridiculous. My doctor wants me to watch my sodium intake and keep it roughly around 1500. Some days that's hard for me but other days I'm way under. I've switched to less processed foods.
Hope you can find some good recipes in that WW cookbook and you can equate it to your calories, etc.
1 person likes this
@just4him (307090)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
25 Apr
@Marilynda1225 The best way I found to do that was to switch to Mrs. Dash. No sodium and food tastes great. Unsalted butter is another great way to get rid of sodium. Get rid of your canned veggies. Go fresh or frozen and make certain the frozen doesn't have sodium. Then you'll only get the sodium that is natural to the food you eat. When I started doing that, I no longer blew up like a balloon in my legs and ankles. I can tell when I've had too much sodium, my legs will be heavy with water weight. The daily requirement for sodium is 500 mg. I tried to keep it at that when I started tracking everything. However, it caused problems with muscle cramps. I find the 1000 range is best. Lower than that causes problems. It was low yesterday, but I must have had enough sodium in my system that it didn't affect me last night. I hate muscle cramps which for me leads to blood clots. I'm on Eliquis because of them.
1 person likes this
@just4him (307090)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
25 Apr
Yes, it is a full-time job to keep track of it.
I found a Weight Watchers cookbook on the table downstairs. It gives all the points for the various foods. I forgot I had it until you mentioned Weight Watchers. I don't think they pay attention to sodium though.
1 person likes this
@sallypup (58094)
• Centralia, Washington
25 Apr
I applaud your success and your efforts. I go nuts when I do all the record keeping that you diligently do. BUT that is me.
I am working on my health. I started eating a vegetarian lifestyle about 3 weeks ago. I believe I have lost 5 to 6 pounds. I believe I am healthier. I keep finding interesting recipes and some emotional support on line plus my husband is in this battle with me. He needs to keep his weight on or even gain a little so I hope I am not causing him to lose weight as I figure what our supper will be.
1 person likes this
@sallypup (58094)
• Centralia, Washington
25 Apr
@just4him Thanks. One trend that has repeated itself over and over in my married life is our need to be hands on with food. I just took another bag of last year's cherries from the freezer. I just found anoher pretty tasty vegetarian recipe. This lifestyle change is actually me going back to an earlier era in our life; a return to playing with the blender etc.
1 person likes this
@kobesbuddy (74740)
• East Tawas, Michigan
24 Apr
Using the Excel system, your weight was down around 170 pounds! It's definitely the better program, because it works:) And they are giving you the accurate number:)
1 person likes this
@just4him (307090)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
24 Apr
You remember that. That's what it was just before my knee surgery. I was stupid when I moved in here. For the holidays two years in a row, I indulged in holiday sweets and gained 20/year. Then my stupid doctor told me to go on the Mediterranean diet and I gained 10 pounds. Up 50. Since I found the blood type diet, I've lost 23 since June of last year.
He's no longer my doctor. Not only because of his suggestion for my weight. Let's just say that was the last straw. I have a new doctor, a Christian, and he listens. 
1 person likes this
@kobesbuddy (74740)
• East Tawas, Michigan
24 Apr
@just4him And I'm so glad you've switched to a new doctor, one who actually knows the Lord! My PA is wonderful, she is a Christian, also:)
1 person likes this
@just4him (307090)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
24 Apr
@kobesbuddy I'm glad she is.
My new doctor reminds me of Pee Wee Herman, not in looks, though he is as skinny, but because he wears a bowtie.
1 person likes this
@aninditasen (15746)
• Raurkela, India
25 Apr
I don't measure my diet intake. My intake is less and I do yoga regularly to control my weight.
1 person likes this
@aninditasen (15746)
• Raurkela, India
28 Apr
@just4him Yes, yoga has some exercises that decreases your weight.
1 person likes this
@MommyOfEli2013 (82112)
• Rupert, Idaho
24 Apr
Sometimes a change is needed. Hopefully it will work for you. That's good you didn't go up when you thought you would. Getting that much protein in would be a lot of work, I can understand
I have been losing a bit even though I have been eating carbs, guessing it is the higher dose of my 1x a week shot. I know I need to do something myself but been off the wagon again.
1 person likes this
@just4him (307090)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
25 Apr
I'm sorry you're off the wagon.
Thank you. It will work. I won't be doing anything different except getting rid of the food app and using Excel to track.
@MommyOfEli2013 (82112)
• Rupert, Idaho
25 Apr
@just4him It is not your fault, only mine.
That's good it will work out then
1 person likes this
@kaylachan (58183)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
24 Apr
I hope this works for you. I've been using an App called Lose it. Given I have to manually add in my meals, that's the only thing. My apple watch tracks calory burn and workouts. It factors those things in. My weight is about the same as it has been. I'm not worried to much about it. My doctors tend to makke a bigger deal about it than I do.
1 person likes this
@just4him (307090)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
25 Apr
I'm glad your Apple watch tracks everything.
Thank you. It should.
@RasmaSandra (73704)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
24 Apr
Keep up the good work, Perhaps this can give you some ideas
https://www.verywellfit.com/ways-to-track-weight-loss-progress-1231581
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (73704)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
25 Apr
@just4him glad it can be of help
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@LindaOHio (157156)
• United States
25 Apr
Good job! I haven't gotten on the scale in a few days. I really need to do that. Good luck with your new system.
1 person likes this
