Measuring vs Estimating.....

gratefuldeb67 · Post by **gratefuldeb67** » Sat May 13, 2006 9:46 pm

Hi all

Well this season I have had some real ups and downs and I feel I need to tweak NoS for me to start losing weight again... It's always been slow, and I'm very much hoping to get into a losing steadilly phase especially because once that Fall/Winter hits again, I am sure that I will just go into hibernation mode and just maintain...

You all know what a total proponent I am of NoS, and I am certainly not going to deviate from the three main rules, but I really feel the need for a way to do a "Diet" version of NoS versus a maintenence version right now..
I do not plan on restricting food groups or suddenly going and getting on board with the Zone or any other horrible plan, but I am finally going to really see how much is on my plates...
As Reinhard said in the homepage, counting calories is a real drag, so I'm not so much going to count calories (shudders at the accountant style of dieting!!! LOL..) but I am going to start measuring with a measuring cup to see what my portion sizes really are...

This is mainly going to be for things like protein, and rice and pastas, sauces.... Not really needed for salad and fruit..

I'll probably do this for a few months and then see if it makes a difference in my rate of loss.. I will develop a nice way to estimate much more accurately by doing this for a while, instead of wondering whether I'm eating for one or two people... LOL..
My personal goal is to drop another 20 lbs by somewhere between August and September...

Wish me luck!
Have a great weekend and Happy Mothers day all you Mommies!

Peace and Love,

Deb

Hunter Gatherer · Post by **Hunter Gatherer** » Sat May 13, 2006 10:47 pm

They do say that the very act of keeping track will make you end up eating less.... (those mysterious they!)

Good luck, I hope it helps you out!

gratefuldeb67 · Post by **gratefuldeb67** » Sun May 14, 2006 6:24 pm

Thanks Hunter!

I appreciate it!

Have a lovely weekend

Peace and Love,

Deb

Jammin' Jan · Post by **Jammin' Jan** » Sun May 14, 2006 7:55 pm

You could serve your food on a divided plate...that would pretty much do the measuring for you, so long as you don't pile. Chinette (sp?) makes disposable ones. Put your fruit, vegetable or salad in the big compartment, and the pasta/other starches and protein in the two smaller spots. If you do this within No-S parameters, I guarantee weight loss.

newday · Post by **newday** » Mon May 15, 2006 3:24 am

hi deb,

i think jan's idea is perfect, i used to be a slave to the measuring cup, it's a drag. i also agree that it will work for you.i think i might do it!
good luck Jan

gratefuldeb67 · Post by **gratefuldeb67** » Mon May 15, 2006 1:43 pm

Hi Jan and Newday..
Well, I think I'm just going to measure..

As I already stated... I'm doing this to gain a realistic idea of what I am consuming.... I won't need to measure for every single meal, but once I know how much 2 cups of pasta looks like in my bowls, versus 3 cups, I will be able to eyeball my portions very accurately... Mainly this is for items like pasta, rice, soup, and sauces... Obviously I can count pieces of chicken and won't be weighing them or anything extreme...

As for disposable plates and divided compartments... 1) I don't believe in using disposable stuff on a regular basis.. It's way too costly and 2) it will also make me feel like I'm eating a tv/or airline dinner, LOL... and 3) I still wouldn't know how much I am consuming and want to make an active choice here...
But thanks for the idea anyway.. I've been estimating for over a year and a half and quite frankly, I just want a true reality check..
Not more estimating....

Newday, don't worry... I never was and am not ever going to be a slave to a measuring cup or a scale or anything!!!

This, as I said, is simply a tweak for a few weeks or months to the already wonderful NoS... It's like weighing myself on the scale... Once in a while, I feel I need to check... Like once every two or three weeks, and sometimes even less, but unless I do, I feel the question nags away at me...

Have a nice day!
Peace and Love,

Deb

Post by **reinhard** » Mon May 15, 2006 3:14 pm

Do be careful though about piling on extra restrictions. You've done great so far, and you don't want to risk that.

Also, from reading your check-ins, it seems like unscheduled eating events are a far bigger issue for you than too large portions. You don't want to divert precious attention from the main problem. Tightening vanilla no-s might be a better next step rather than adding new rules...

But we're with you whatever you decide. Best of luck, and continue to keep us posted.

Reinhard

gratefuldeb67 · Post by **gratefuldeb67** » Mon May 15, 2006 10:22 pm

Hi Reinhard!

Thanks for writing!
You are the best!!!

I'm not really using the measuring as a means of restricting me too much, but more out of curiosity...I mean, if I feel like a large plate of pasta I'll darn well have it! LOL... But I have been a little curious about how much food I'm really consuming.. This is just a little reality check... I do tend to use bowls and a deep dish rather than a plate... So it's really easy to put 3 cups of pasta into it versus 2 and I just want to be clear about how much I'm consuming... I'm not even looking up caloric content or anything that drastic.. LOL...

I do agree that unscheduled eating events aren't too helpful, and those have been getting back under control again, thank goodness

However, something also tells me that for my age, size, metabolism, activity, and my slow weight loss, etc... I may also be having slightly too large portions as well...

I know that the food I'm eating is *maintaining* me very well, but lets face it... I weigh a little over 200 lbs

and I am 5'2"... I could stand to eat a little less and live off my extra fat for a few months...

I promise this isn't a major restriction or anything... Just a little tweak to help optimize my efforts...

Thanks for your support!
Have a great evening!
Peace and Love,

Deb