Yesterday I had 41 points. Which is nearly twice the daily point total of my daily 23 allotted points. By last night Tuesday, I’d already been through all my weeklies plus some (and a reminder that these points are all food – no alcohol). If this were me last week I would have said “fuck it” and considered the week a wash because why bother when I’ve already “ruined” the week.
The good news is that I know I am not alone in this mentality. I think I’ve always had it, but when you are young and super athletic, you can eat whatever you want and stay slim. Hell, when I finished my freshman year of college I got “up to” 125 pounds and I couldn’t believe I’d gotten that heavy. Mind you, I was also strength training because of field hockey, so I now know that was a lot of muscle weight.
But here’s the thing. After entering my 41 points worth of food into My Fitness Pal, I only at 1,376 calories yesterday, which included 6 smart points or 140 calories worth of coffee creamer – I can’t help it – I love my hazelnut creamer!
So I am totally fine being in the negative weeklies by Tuesday. I don’t have to “throw the week away” so to speak, because I have not been off the rails. But if I were only counting points I’d have a completely different mindset. Does this make any sense??
My macros for the day, even though I am not tracking them, it’s interesting to me.
Yesterday was a busy work day. While I made vanilla bean scones for my roommates (you can find that recipe here), I still had some of my oatmeal crunch apple scones, so I ate that with a hard boiled egg, ounce of ham, and some grapes – 9 points or 399 calories.
I worked through most of my lunch, but finally heated up my spaghetti squash chicken sausage lunch. This was super tasty, although I wish I would have brought about 1/2 cup more sauce. 6 smart points or 256 calories. I forget how much I like spaghetti squash – but I never think to eat it in the spring or summer.
My new friend from Weight Watchers, Jen, who finally got the nerve up to day hello to me at our Weight Watchers meeting over the summer, met me for dinner last night with her husband Bill. He had to meet this person “Biz” who his wife talks about all the time. You see, Jen isn’t much of a cook. Baking – that’s her jam. But coming up with daily meals doesn’t come naturally to her.
When we first went to the meat bin together I was like “oh, I could make x, y and z with this protein” she was like a deer caught in the headlights. I realized I had to show her my ways, so to speak, and said to take baby steps and why not just try one or two new recipes a week and build on that.
Our local restaurant has $2 burgers on Tuesday nights. I got a side salad and opted for their homemade chips instead of fries. Of course, if tots were an option, I would have gotten those – duh. The purple onions and tomatoes are just a show for the picture, and I immediately removed them from my salad – ew.
The burger was good, but not anything like their gourmet burgers they normally sell. I think these were just frozen patties, but hey, for $2 bucks, you can’t beat it.
Bill wanted to thank me because since I’ve known Jen she’s cooked more in the last couple months than she has in the last. . . 27 years they have been married. Not kidding about that. It makes my heart happy that I can get someone else Bizzy in their Kitchen – and Bill said not only is he having home cooked meals for dinner but he even has leftovers to bring to work the next day – #winning!
It was a fun night out on a weekday, and turns out I can go out and not order a beer or a wine – and this place has my favorite beer Fat Tire on tap! #dryseptember is more than half way over! Not that I am counting down the days until October 1 or anything like that. 😀
Rummy was so happy to see me, she nearly fell asleep in my arms, and it was only 8! But she would like to remind you the order of your side dish choice – tots are #1, then homemade chips, then fries are last.
I should have a productive day because it’s a Jewish holiday and two of my bosses are out today. I am definitely walking with my sister today no matter what! I’ve had to blow her off the last two days because of work. I’ve still managed about 12,000 steps a day, even without my lunch time walk.
I’d love to hear your thoughts on the calories vs. points debate.
Happy Wednesday friends – make it a great day!
So rude what you said about “your friend” Jen. How she got up the nerve to say hi and that you had to show her your ways on how to cook since she was a deer in the headlights – okay then (eye roll).
I think you misread my intention. Just so you know, Jen is one of my dearest friends, and I cook at her and her husband’s house at least twice a month. She was requesting my help to make her a better cook in the kitchen, and about how she got up the nerve to say hi to me is exactly what she told me.
Happy New Year!
Have you ever tried sugar free powdered coffee creamer. In southern California you can get hazelnut flavored creamer at Stater Bros. markets.
I always say we fail in execution, we all know what to do.
#truth 😀
Neither calories nor points matter at all if your head isn’t in the game. It’s never been about which diet “works” or which doesn’t. They all work: if you stick to them. So that’s the trick, then isn’t it? It’s not all the planning and tracking and counting. It’s whether we WANT it or not.
Success is defined by: we want the weight loss goal more than the donut
Failure is: no, we want that damned donut right now
And no “program” will make that choice for you. We all KNOW the right choice, 10 out of 10 times. We all know how many points, or calories, or joules it is. But all of that goes out the window when the donut seizes the brain.
Oh, and if I had the answer, I’d be a bajillionaire.
But I do like to write about it. Here’s one such post: http://www.backtothefridge.com/do-you-want-what-you-want/
I agree Charlie – its the proverbial switch we talk about – but I deal with the “good food bad food” complex – if I think the gummy bears are throwing me off plan, I want ALL the gummy bears – damned the points. But this week I bought 4 small peach gummies out of the bulk bin – cost .16 cents – 6 smart points, but only 93 calories – and I was totally fine with it – I didn’t think “well shit, that 6 points was nearly 1/3 of my daily point allotment.” Make sense?
Hope you guys had a great getaway!
I kind of wish I had known the WW program before freestyle. I do know when I compare points vs calories I can some days be way under in calories. I do know when I stay away from processed foods, sugars and eat lean proteins it really makes a big difference. I also feel so much healthier and not so bloated. I think if we all really listen to what our bodies are telling us we eventually get a feel for what is best. It is hard when your taste buds and head are yelling at you that those french fries are not that bad for you, your head even rationalizes they are a vegetable and with the perfect seasoning… they are my kryptonite can you tell.
Don’t get me started about tater tots 😀
I agree that protein keeps me fuller longer – even if its just a couple ounces of steak with some eggs in the morning.
I think to a degree calories are important but the type of calories is more important. That is what I think the points were getting at. It looks like stuff with lots of sugar/more processed were higher points even if they were low calorie. I think that is really important. It’s not just about losing weight it’s about improving overall health as well. Eating a bunch of low calorie but sugary or processed foods is not good. There’s added sugar everywhere in condiments and creamer etc… I found limiting these and trying to eat low/lower carb with lots of protein and veggies and fruit has been optimal for me. I’ve lost weight and kept it off this way and you don’t have to be a calorie nazi. Added benefits of healthy skin and hair also 🙂
Now with that said I do eat pizza twice a month because ya gotta live life!
That’s true Amanda – and I agree that the “type” of calorie counts – I mean, I think you could eat 23 points of a snickers bars and still not go over your points, but that’s not healthy. Thanks for you input – and hooray for pizza!!
I used to be old school and think a calorie is a calorie is a calorie but I notice now that I am in my ummm 40s that the type of calories really matter. I do best staying between 1300-1500 calories per day with lots of fruit and healthy proteins.
I upped my fitness pal to 1300 calories – but it adds calories if I work out – so far eating “regular” foods that I normally eat on program haven’t been more than 1400 calories. 😀
Points are just an easier way to count calories. You body doesn’t know points – it only knows calories. If you need to “see” the calories by counting them, and that helps a person stay on track, that that’s great. I vote for points-math over calories-math. Let an app track calories. LOL!
Thanks Lara! With apps these days, it’s no harder to track calories than the points – just interesting for this week – it’s a while mindset thing for me – I’ll let you know how it goes at WI on Saturday. 😀
You sound like an ass making others feel inferior. “She finally got the courage to say hi” “she looked like a deer in the headlights so I had to show her the ropes” “her husband credits me with saving theor marriage because she’s cooking and now I have food to take for lunch” hahaha. What a savior you are. Condescending jerk.
Hi Sarah! Unfortunately I think you read my blog post incorrectly. I’ve never tried to make people feel inferior, and in fact, the couple that I mention in the blog post from nearly four years ago are my dear friends. We get together at least a couple of weeks and cook a meal together. My friend has blossomed as a cook and she’s more comfortable in the kitchen, which is my whole goal in life – to get people bizzy in their kitchen.
I hope you have an amazing day!