Do I eat too much?

I’ve gained 10 lbs since my wedding last year but not much has changed with my habits since that time – I would say I still work out as much and still eat relatively the same. There was a small lapse after the wedding where I ate whatever I felt like, mostly for the 2 weeks we were on our honeymoon and our diet consisted mostly of wine, cheese, and pasta (we were in Italy, sue me) and I just haven’t bounced back since then . . . anyway, I started to think that maybe I eat too much and started keeping track of my diet this week. Also, I turned 30, so my metabolism must be slowing down too . . . any suggestions how to fix this? I know on WW fruit and veggies are free, right? I think my diet is pretty good, so does it really matter that I eat a lot? I’m so confused. I want to lose those 10 lbs – please help. I’m guessing that right off the bat I should get rid of the cup of OJ in the morning and the wine at night. Also, I’m hungry all the time. I weigh about 135 lbs now, but before my wedding I was around 125. I work out about 3x a week. TIA ladies, I’m desperate for advice.

This week I’ve eaten:
Monday:
1 cup orange juice
special K with skim milk
2 regular coffees with skim milk and equal
1 banana
Bunch of grapes
A piece of rice casserole (skinnytaste recipe)
Small salad without dressing
1 cup of la crème yogurt
Chicken breast with peppers and cous cous with lemon
2 pieces of watermelon
1 glass of white wine

Tuesday:
1 cup of orange juice
Special K with skim milk
2 regular coffees with skim milk and equal
1 tall skim latte (Sbucks)
1 banana
Bunch Strawberries
Leftovers of chicken breast with peppers and cous cous
1 cup of la crème yogurt
1 light babybell cheese
1 small bag of air popped popcorn
Piece of rice casserole (skinnytaste recipe)
Salad
Grilled asparagus
1 glass of white wine

Weds:
2 eggo waffles with 1 tbs of low-fat cream cheese
1 cup orange juice
Blueberries
2 regular coffees with skim milk and equal
1 Banana
Chobani 0% pomegranate yougurt
“Light summer salad” from Pret a Manger with dressing, approx. 400 calories
Edamame
Watermelon
Baked chicken cutlets with whole wheat bread crumbs
Salad
Mashed sweet potato with fresh rosemary
1 glass of red wine

Message edited 6/9/2011 1:44:38 PM.

Re: Do I eat too much?

Your diet is high in carbohydrates. I would increase your protein intake (especially at breakfast and lunch) and decrease some of the food higher in sugar content such as the OJ, la creme yogurt and the watermelon. In addition to just keeping track of what you are eating I would suggest tracking your calories and macronutrients- I really like fitday.com for this (It is FREE). I would also be consious of portion size. A bunch of grapes could have a lot of sugar- a serving size is one cup and that has approximately one serving (15g) of carbohydrates.
Personally I do not think turning 30 or 2 weeks in Italy a year ago are the cause of your weight gain. There is no magic switch that slows your metabolism at 30. If you are concerned that your metabloic rate is decreasing consider strenght training it will help increase your resting energy expenditure. Good Luck!

Re: Do I eat too much?

I wouldn't say you eat too much at all. Based on what you posted, it sounds like you're eating a good amount, and mostly healthy foods too.

I think you're right about the OJ and wine - you can always reintroduce them after you reach your weight goal, but for now, if you really want to lose, those are two basic ways to get rid of some extra calories.

Also, protein - I'm seeing one or two servings of protein a day (unless there's chicken or something in your salad or rice casserole that just wasn't pointed out)... you may find that if you add some more protein (i.e. have eggs for breakfast instead of cereal, or put chicken in your salad if it isn't there already), that could help too.

Good luck

Re: Do I eat too much?

I also gained 10 pounds on my honeymoon and have been working to take it off since... I am still not back at my wedding weight a year later... and I now workout 5-7 days a week when before I barely ever worked out. I also eat healthier now and cook my own meals, where before the wedding I ate out at restaurants all the time. It is soooo confusing.

But what you have been eating looks good so far, I say keep tracking for two full weeks and then decide what you should tweak. I would cut down on the coffee if you can - when my husband stops drinking it for awhile his weight goes down.

Re: Do I eat too much?

I really appreciate the insight - I guess I really do love carbs. I will try to modify my diet as you suggest though - maybe egg whites for breakfast instead of cereal? I guess I feel like since I'm not eating candy or cookies that weight gain should not be an issue, but it really does feel like I woke up one day not too long ago 10 lbs heavier. I don't know how I got here and didn't realize how hard it would be on me emotionally. It's a struggle every day when I get up in the morning, to try and find something to wear. Everything is tight on me and all I really want is for my clothes to fit. I feel like going out and spending money on new clothes is acceptance of my new size. I don't think I'm fat, exactly, but I just am not comfortable with all the new curves.

I do weight train, and I prefer it to cardio, but I think I have to up both. Any other advice is appreciated too.

Message edited 6/9/2011 2:57:45 PM.

Re: Do I eat too much?

Egg whites are good. Canadian bacon is a good source of protein in the morning.

I agree with what every one else said and would add that if you aren't measuring your cous cous, then it is easy to add extra calories that way.

You also wrote that you do weight training...try adding in a cardio interval to get your heart rate up to burn more calories.

Re: Do I eat too much?

Go to a site (I like The Daily Plate) and see how many calories you burn daily - then to lose 1lb per week you need to create a caloric deficit of 500 calories per day.

I went from 130 to 120 last year and all I did was count calories (weighed and measured pretty much everything, save for the occasional cheat meal).

I did not watch my carbs - I eat plenty - for me it really is about calories in vs. calories out.

If you drop your OJ daily thats at least 100 cals a day - I would swap the Special K for oatmeal or another whole grain that has more staying power - oatmeal keeps me full for hours. Also just weigh your chicken, etc to get a sense for what portions you should be eating. Since you have good habits for the most part, perhaps cutting back one snack a day and not drinking many calories will make a difference!

Re: Do I eat too much?