vonnielee's Journal, 28 Apr 08

I don't use the diet calendar, but I know a lot of people customize their meals and add them in. Especially if you make the same things pretty often, then it will be saved in there for next time. But, I don't really know that much about it. I use the dailyplate counter. 

Hi Vonnie, I've gotta tell you, I found myself a lot more accountable when I took the time to use a food calendar/diary. The one here does leave a lot to be desired. But, one of the things I found that helped was to submit my recipes, then you can go to your cookbook (even if it's pending) and select it to add to your calendar. I gotta tell you, you're more careful of your portions if you make yourself count them. It makes you think--"Do I want to write this down?" AND, if you track it during the day, you can see how many calories you have left in the evening. Also, so far as during the day? If you do some prep the evening before, you could pack a little cooler bag to have in the car with you, so you can grab some celery or an apple or tomato...you get the idea. Let's make this OUR YEAR to get where we really deserve to be!!! 

When I make things that are questionably SB Phase 2 appropriate is when I struggle with breaking it all down for the calendar, which should be my first clue that I'm cheating a bit. I'm getting better about taking appropriate snacks with me, or stopping to get a drink and picking up a bag of nuts. When I make something with multiple ingredients I just don't want to guess as to how much assorted foods I put in and then how much I ate of the assorted foods.  

I'm currently obsessed with calories, but many experts advise against counting because in order to build a healthy lifestyle that can be easily maintained long term, ya can't carry around your measuring cup! As long as you eyeball the carb and protein serving-sizes - approx how much pasta..around tennis ball size - half a cup to a cup? And your 4-6 shrimp estimate is fine. You have to find a plan that isn't a hassle to you -- I just started using the diet calendar in the last couple weeks because I was bored - but for the first few months I didn't count calories. Just look at the SB Phase II diet plans and count the servings and sizes -- how many servings of protein, carbs, etc. You're doing fine :D  

I "ACT" as if I'm going to submit a recipe, just to get the caloric and nutritional values...then I copy them into my personalized food database. IT IS A PAIN in the butt at first, but pretty soon you have all the foods you generally eat in there. Try to do the best you can, it really does help. Go get 'em...you are doing awesome!