Calorie Counts Vary So Much That It's Confusing to Track

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Yes, I do go by the SP caloric info for food I eat, but I have to say that the product count, SP count, and other website counts are oftentimes sooooo far apart for the same item, that it's confusing. At times, I feel that I've added way to many calories for one food, and too few for another, based on another source of information. Maybe I should just pick the one that gives me the fewest calories so I can eat more! (smiling) Okay, just kidding. Have a good day, everyone. We are having a heatwave this week in SoCal. Plus, send some rain our way to help end our drought.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

CYNDYANNE 7/21/2009 10:56PM

I too enter all the information myself because even here on SP some of the food in the database has the incorrect information when I compare it to the actual food's packaging. It's also really hot up here in Central California lately. :( Report Inappropriate Comment

BEFIT013 7/21/2009 7:30PM

I enter the info myself. I've gone into the SP database and I can have the exact product in my hand but the counts are SO different or sometimes there's nothing for sodium, etc.!! By entering the info myself I know it's right. Report Inappropriate Comment

S_HANSEN 7/21/2009 4:53PM

Well, I liked the idea... it is true that there are too many conflicting reports. It is hard to know which is correct. I find that to be true with most things having to do with food, don't you? Hang in there. Sondra Report Inappropriate Comment

Putting My Fat Clothes Out Front for Today's Charity Pickup

Monday, July 20, 2009

I've been in the process of weeding out the clothes that no longer fit. A couple of months ago, when I first started doing this, I was elated by the fact that I am now 3 sizes down from what I was last October. I'd immediately given away SOME of the larger sizes, but kept two large bags. This weekend I moved out of denial. I didn't think that I was saving them "just in case," but deep down - I actually was! But no way will I ever allow myself to be so uncomfortable. So, I went and fetched them for today's pickup to a charity I support. It's funny how we humans hold onto things, even when they are not what we need. Just like my body is currently holding onto this last 20 lbs. and doesn't seem to want to give up the extra weight. The adventure continues. And, like so many of you remind me.... okay, okay, I'll enjoy the journey. (smiling)

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

BEFIT013 7/20/2009 8:24PM

! That is a HUGE step! Report Inappropriate Comment

S_HANSEN 7/20/2009 1:07PM

Good for you!!! Getting rid of those clothes is huge! I am so happy for you. You will now begin to get rid of that last 20#, I can feel it. Have a great week. Sondra Report Inappropriate Comment

CRAZYK8S 7/20/2009 1:04PM

Go you!! :-) I did this a few weekends ago too and it felt great! Report Inappropriate Comment

PATTI24 7/20/2009 11:45AM

That is good. I k now it feels great to do that. I have been able to the same thing myself. Keep up the good work. Report Inappropriate Comment

AMYMLE 7/20/2009 10:32AM

Yea Jesse! I'm sure you'll feel lighter in more ways than one getting rid of your fat clothes. Report Inappropriate Comment

Coming Up on 6-Month Sparkanniversary-Just Because I'm Discouraged Does not Mean That I'll Quit

Sunday, July 19, 2009

I really do try to be as positive as possible on my blogs, although with the current state of dying friends and relatives, it's been difficult. In 5 days, it'll be my 6th month anniversary on SP. Okay, I'll give myself the benefit of the positives first before I hit myself in the gut with a punch of disappointment. I came to SP having lost about 29 lbs on another program. During this 6 months, I have lost only a few more lbs, gone down to a third pant size, and have maintained keeping the weight off. Additionally, with the help of daily log-ins to the website, I have reinforced healthy eating behaviors and the awareness of when not so good in order to quickly get back on-track. Making new friends who've been wonderful is no small gift, and I've appreciated and blogged about that. However, I am a tough taskmaster and had planned to be much further ahead in my loss than this by this date. Much further. Today I feel discouraged and disappointed in myself for not working harder. Yet, in my heart of hearts, I know that amidst all that's been going on, I've done the best I can.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

CAROL_ 7/23/2009 12:45AM

You know what, maintaining weightloss through highly stressful times in one's life, is A LEARNED SKILL. In SP it's called Lifestyle Changes. I think you are forgetting that. You mentioned it, yes, but you're not really getting it. You can't do EVERYTHING at once if you're human. There was only one perfect man that ever lived, and they crucified him. So you have been nailing down in your life, the Lifestyle Change of NOT running to overindulgence in food under extreme duress. PLUS you went down a pant size??! I think you're doing great. I really mean that; lots of people quit FOR NO GOOD REASON. You had MULTIPLE good reasons, and yet you STILL DIDN'T QUIT. Actually, you didn't even backslide a pound, which actually is pretty disgusting to those of us who do backslide. Report Inappropriate Comment

HICALGAL 7/20/2009 8:11AM

we all feel like we could've should've done more, lost more, but in the end, what counts is knowing we did the best with what we had. 6 mos from now you'll look back and feel differently. keep up the good and hard work. Report Inappropriate Comment

S_HANSEN 7/20/2009 7:00AM

I think you should pat yourself on the back for a job well done. You are amazing. You are keeping this up in the face of the life issues you face recently. Be proud of what you have lost and remember that this is a journey and not a destination. We don't know how long this journey will take and where it will take you along the way. Enjoy the journey. Take this one day one step at a time. Don't be to hard on yourself. You are awesome and a great spark friend. Keep up the great work you are doing, and remember you will get there...Have a great week and a happy Spark Versery.... Sondra Report Inappropriate Comment

ARTHURTOM 7/19/2009 10:18PM

Patience grasshopper. Much patience. As you learn about health and nutrition, you learn about your body as well. Have patience...as you travel toward your happiness, joy and your goal...enjoy the journey. On any travel, the joy along the journey makes the destination so much sweeter. I had aspirations when I joined spark people that haven't materialized as of yet, but those things do not depress me. You, as anyone that has been to my spark page on a semi-regular basis would know, that my original goal was to feel good again. I had reached that goal sometime last summer well before I joined spark people. My journey is far from over. My journey will be over when I draw my last breath. Until then I will continue to do the things I need to do to maintain and grow that good feeling I have. When I joined Spark people nearly 8 months ago, the original title of my spark page was what it is today..."Feeling Good Again". Through the ups and downs of the life that I lead, one thing is constant. It is that good feeling that I have from the lifestyle I have chosen to lead. You can't buy this feeling and have it instantly. As you know, it takes dedication and a great deal of effort to maintain and grow the good feeling that being healthy gives us. There are issues that arise in each persons life, such as the personal losses that we experience whether it be a friend or family member or the material things such as the homes we live in are vandalized when we are away (such as what has most recently happened to me). Our good health, patterns of behavior and habits we establish help us to grow that good feeling and when the things around us don't go exactly as we plan, we can draw on our good feeling we have to help pull us through the hard times to maintain our health and continue to grow the good feeling that being healthy will give us. As you know and have written, quitting will not afford us any of this. What quitting would do is to eventually lead us down that road where we started out and back to those feelings we had when those feelings motivated us to do what it is we are doing now. Happy six month anniversary Jessie and keep on sparking! Tim Report Inappropriate Comment

PEDIPOD 7/19/2009 8:55PM

Hang in there -- we have the rest of our lives to get healthy together!! Report Inappropriate Comment

GUISBROGAL 7/19/2009 2:27PM

Keep on fighting those negative thoughts Slimmerjesse! They are sent to try us and drag us down. Do not be beaten! You have done marvellously well and three clothes sizes is no mean feat. I too wanted to weigh a lot less by now but I know I am losing slowly but surely and I know I am doing the right things for my body. Keep fighting girl! Report Inappropriate Comment

DSCHAMBERS 7/19/2009 2:06PM

You have come a long way from where you first started. Yes, you have had some major upsets in your life. Losing a family member and/or friend is devastating. You have always managed to bounce back. Go easy on yourself. You are on the right track and you are going to make that goal. Those are the important things to remember. We will be here for you. Debbie Report Inappropriate Comment

DSCHAMBERS 7/19/2009 2:04PM

You have come a long way from where you first started. Yes, you have had some major upsets in your life. Losing a family member and/or friend is devastating. You have always managed to bounce back. Go easy on yourself. You are on the right track and you are going to make that goal. Those are the important things to remember. Report Inappropriate Comment

RICH530 7/19/2009 1:48PM

You have made great progress!! Don't give up on yourself. You can do this. Take it slow and steady and remember we are all here for you!!!! Lee Report Inappropriate Comment

DAWNFIRE72 7/19/2009 1:42PM

On the progress you've made so far. I think you hit the nail on the head for yourself in recognising that you are a tough taskmaster and perhaps set the bar a little too high. You have gone down another pant size so that means you are dropping inches if not weight and that is something to be proud of, you have done your best and will continue to do your best so don't beat yourself up over it. Keep plugging along and before you know it you will be where you want to be. Report Inappropriate Comment

Beating those Strong Food Associations

Saturday, July 18, 2009

This morning, I had to get something fast, and went back to the grocery store I'd shopped at before starting my new eating lifestyle. As I entered the store, I could feel the automatic pull to all of the items I used to buy out of habit, and also out of ignorance. However, it was just a mental pull, I didn't allow my body to follow my thoughts. I got the one item I'd come for, and then smiled at the register as I remembered what I used to pick up to end my shopping - a bear claw. Oh, those days are gone for good, and although my progress is now very slow, I feel sooooo much better than I did 9 months ago when I started eating healthier. Hooray, hooray for me and for all of us who are making those small but important changes.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

RICH530 7/19/2009 9:46AM

Great job making good decisions!!! You are doing a fantastic job!!! Keep it up!! Lee Report Inappropriate Comment

CAROL_ 7/19/2009 2:43AM

Glad you didn't gain! The old grocery store, old clothes, old photos, sometimes even "old eating friends" from "the life before" really makes a difference; provides a boost to know how much we have changed since those days, from the inside out; our attitudes and thinking have been Spark-washed. Report Inappropriate Comment

HICALGAL 7/18/2009 10:53PM

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JMO070163 7/18/2009 3:03PM

you have good will power I'm can't give up little debbie cakes. ever time I go get grocery 's I get those cakes. Comment edited on: 7/18/2009 3:05:02 PM Report Inappropriate Comment

HOW DO SPARKFRIENDS AFFECT MY LIFE? LET ME COUNT THE WAYS...

Friday, July 17, 2009

I've blogged about this so many times, but never get tired of marveling and giving credit to those who've been with me at different times throughout my last 6 sparkmonths. Honestly, I'll cover a few of the ways, but will undoubtedly forget others. I've had a very sad past month, on top of losing 6 people over the past two years. (and other things that are daily bumps in the road) The number of friends who've been kind, gentle and consoling really is amazing and has helped boost me. Additionally, friends have shared their own stories of success and failures (not failure, just learning experiences) and I have learned a lot. And have been comforted that we are all in this human dilemma together. Friends have sometimes been stern and reminded me to do things that were slipping. (tough love - smiling) They have also shown me how they dealt with a particular problem. They've sometimes been sad, funny, insightful, wise, and just plain human - which is the most lovable of all. We are doing the best we can, and remind each other to just keep on keeping on, no matter what. Once again, thanks to all of you.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

KAYLSLYNN 7/17/2009 10:38PM

VERY WELL SAID. GOD BLESS YOU AND YOURS KAY Report Inappropriate Comment