Counting Calories
The only thing that has helped me lose weight is counting calories. If you’ve been reading the blog for a while, you know that I started my healthy eating and exercise plan back in May, and it’s really been working. I’ve lost over 30 lbs, wear a smaller size in clothing than I ever have, and got my blood pressure in check. I’ve also been feeling more toned up, and better about my body than I have in a long, long time.
Obviously, exercise has helped with the toning up part, but the weight loss has really come down to counting calories.
I started by using a calorie counter I found Online, but now, I just read labels and calculate my food intake throughout the day. I eat 3 meals a day, with 2 snacks in between. Honestly, I eat a lot of the same things on a daily basis, but I realized I do need variety in my diet too. I also want to be able to eat dinner with my family, so I’ve come up with some tips that allow you to keep eating with your family, even when you want to lose or maintain your weight.
Tips for Eating together as a Family
#1 Make a slightly different version for yourself
While it may take a little work, there are easy substitutions and changes you can make to your own meal, so it is close to what your family is eating. Swapping low fat cheese, the type of bread/bun, or using a meatless option are just a few examples.
My little ones, especially my oldest need full fat cheese, butter, and calorie dense foods because they are on the small side and it’s what their doctor recommends. I, however, do not.
#2 Have everyone eat healthier
Just because you’re the only one counting calories, it doesn’t mean everyone shouldn’t be eating healthy.
We all eat whole grain foods, eat veggie burgers and zoodles (zucchini noodles,) and use the turkey and nitrate free versions if we eat processed meat.
#3 Eat less
I definitely control my portions. I don’t make my plate overflow or go back for seconds, unless it’s for the salad or vegetables. Using a smaller plate for yourself also helps. Heck, you could even use one of the kid’s plates!
#4 Don’t make a huge deal about your meal
I don’t ever want my boys to have issues with food or their bodies because of me. I want them to be healthy, and realize that is why I am eating like I am, but I don’t need to draw attention to my meal if it isn’t exactly like theirs. Most of the time they don’t even notice.
Example
Here’s a real life example.
We had a make your own pizza night. My kids made pizza’s on individual whole wheat crusts with lots of sauce, regular cheese, turkey pepperoni, and olives.
I also made my own pizza. Here were my changes:
Instead of the pizza crust they used, I used 100 calorie flat breads, and toasted them. I then used less than a serving of sauce (because of my acid reflux, not calories,) a serving of low-fat cheese, and half a serving of the turkey pepperoni (a serving was 17 pepperoni!) and then toasted it all in the oven after theirs had finished cooking.
We all then had our own individual pizzas, and no one was the wiser.
So, with a few small changes, you can still enjoy dinner and meals together, even if one of you is trying to lose/maintain weight.
Are you watching your weight while trying to feed your family? Are there other changes or suggestions I may have missed?
I agree the only time I was successful at losing weight was counting calories. I have hard time sticking to it, but once I have this baby I’m going back to counting calories.
Yes, you definitely can’t do it while you’re pregnant 🙂
These are great tips! My boyfriend is a super picky eater, but wants/needs to lose a little weight. I’ve been struggling to figure out how I can alter both of our eating habits while not totally depriving ourselves of the things we love. I’ll definitely by using your suggestions.
Great!
Good for you mama! Having your spouse and family on board is already half the battle! It’s tough when you’re eating a salad and they’re chowing down on pizza and chips, right? Well, I just had my 2nd baby a few weeks ago and have been really diligent about eating right and eating often so I can lose this preggo weight. When I was really strict with my diet (before my pregnancy), I counted calories too. It’s tedious, but I love tracking my input vs output and it helped me visually see my progress. Keep it up! 🙂
-Linh
Thank you! Sounds like you’re doing an awesome job too!
Great tips! I try to make sure I make healthy balanced meals for everyone, but for me portion is the biggest thing! Really enjoyed reading this – loved your pizza story 🙂
Thank you so much!
nice tips..only I need to follow them 🙂
I make a large portion of healthy food that I can have available if I’m serving less healthy dinners to the family. I track my intake through myfitnesspal
I love your tips! My husband is a diabetic and so we are very careful about what we eat but he can’t just eat a salad or veggies. It’s all about finding a balance I guess.
I really only make food for me, or me and my fiance… But even that’s difficult cause I am a HUGE EATER – ha ha ah! I know that when/if I ever have an expanded family, it will be tough for me to figure out how much food to make for everyone because I alone can eat, oh enough for 5 people! LOL!
Ha ha! I used to be able to eat like that…then my metabolism caught up with me. Darn getting older.
Love these tips Shann! Congrats on losing 30 lbs. I would love to lose about 15-20. I am currently working on that now. I have been eating less but snacking more in between meals with healthy foods. I have never counted calories before but it may be something I need to look into.
I don’t have a fam but I have been eating healthier since the new year began.
xoxo, Jenny
Loved the way you made changes. This definitely has helped my map out a plan for me while eating with my family. Thanks so much.
Great tips! I’ve found that counting calories is the best way for me to loose weight also. Good luck with your journey!
Great tips! I think it is so important that a child sees their parent eating the same thing they are eating. It shows them that you can eat healthy and enjoy it! And who wants to spend time making two meals every night? Not me!
Even if youa re not counting calories I love the feel of how intentional you are getting with your eating. These are some really good ideas!
Thank you!
These are excellent points! I am on the Paleo lifestyle and there are some things my boys will eat that I eat and some they don’t. I agree about not making a big deal about the body image. My son overheard me saying I felt fat and a few days later I heard him say he was feeling fat. I felt so horrible. Lesson learned.
http://www.writingmotherfashionista.com
Awe. I’m sure I’ve said things like that before too. Luckily, they are young and mostly won’t remember 😉
Great post Shann.
It is hard to count calories when the fam isn’t. My problem is by the time I ready to cook for myself I’m too tired so I just have what they’re having but I watch my serving.
It has been easier now the the fam has decided to eat healthier too but every now and then they want a burger and I cave :).
Thanks for the tips!
Cori
Every once in a while is totally fine 🙂
<3 the healthy changes you made to your pizza. Sometimes it really is the little changes in lifestyle and heating that can have the biggest effect. And holy cow–you are rocking it, momma! 30 lbs?! GO YOU!!!
Thank you! 🙂
Eating, not heating. LOL, whoops! Also wanted to say that I really admire that you are bringing a more healthful mindset to your family too. Have a great weekend, my sweet!
Ha ha! No worries…I got it. You too Charlotte 🙂
These are great ideas! When my husband and I have lost weight and gotten in shape in the past, we’ve found that counting calories is very helpful. I love that you mentioned the fact that you don’t want your food choices to affect your kids–my husband and I are the same way when we’re eating healthier! 99% of the time, my daughter doesn’t even notice.
Exactly. Thank you!
I have tried about 10 different “diets” since baby 2 was born- I agree counting calories is the way to go! “Eat less” has been the biggest thing for me- like you suggested, I always find making a big salad to have in the fridge helps so that I can fill up on a low calorie option if I’m still hungry.
Yes! I usually snack on carrots. 🙂
Great tips! I especially love number 2. I try to make everyone’s meal healthier, and offer as many fruits and veggies as I can. Plus you’re setting a good example for your kids. I know my toddler is always interested in what I’m eating!
30 pounds?! You go momma! So impressive! I love what you do during pizza night – I do the same thing. Actually I bulk make cauliflower or sweet potato crusts and freeze them. So when it’s time for pizza, all I need to do is throw on the sauce and ingredients. So easy!
I need to learn to make those kind of crusts!
Great tips! I don’t have a family to feed, but was interested in seeing what you do anyway. 🙂
Thank you!
These are great tips. We all try to eat healthier but there are nights when we all eat something different. My hubby and I have decide that, that is OK for us in this season of life!
Understandable.
I try to make slightly healthier versions for myself when I can too. It can be expensive though having to buy both. It is a great way to eat better though.
Great tips! It takes a little more effort, but as you’ve proved, you can totally stay on your diet while feeding the rest of the family. 🙂
Great tips!! I know that when I’m counting calories, my meals are often lighter versions of what my husband is having.
I think I just need to cut out all
The desserts! Those are the majority of my calories right there!
I’m all about saving time, so everyone just eats healthier!
Gosh your boys are cute! Good for you for making changes for a healthier you! I know it’s not easy. Isn’t it shocking how small servings of junk food really are? But when we start eating the right foods, we can eat so much more. I’m all about that!
Exactly!
These are all wonderful ideas! I am going to try and lose weight after my surgery for endometriosis, I love the idea of the flatbread pizza!
It was really yummy 🙂