Here is why I have this problem: Let's say you go out to dinner and you have a chicken sandwich as part of your entree. This restaurant doesn't publish their nutrition facts online, so you're left with guesstimating how many Points+ that chicken sandwich was.
Let me interrupt this regularly scheduled programming with this announcement: When I'm doing something I truly care about, I am a perfectionist.
So you go on to E-Tools and you try to figure out what this chicken sandwich cost you. Was it 10 Points+? Was it 14 Points+? Ok, it was grilled with cheese. Was it 17 Points+? I have no idea! Aaahhh! I'm getting so overwhelmed and I want this to be exact! How could I just say: "Yes, I'll go with 17 even though that's the value for a fast food chicken filet sandwich with cheese, so that might not be correct since it was actually grilled. But E-Tools doesn't show an option where it's grilled with cheese. And I don't want to estimate on the high end or I will have no Points+ left the rest of today, but I don't want to estimate on the low end because then I'll over eat." Whoa is me.
Once in a while I realize that guesstimating is fine. "Ok, even if I'm off track at this estimate, it's the only indulgence this week so I should be okay."
But what happens when you have several days in a row like this? You have a work luncheon, then out to dinner with family, then you're going away for the weekend where you'll be eating every meal out.
What ends up happening for me is I have the mentality that if I cannot do this perfectly, then I'm not going to do it. And so I just say screw it and I'll start over again tomorrow or next week.
What do you do in these situations? Can any one even relate to this or am I a crazy maniac?
Help me!
I always estimated high for restaurant foods (even though I don't want to). They tend to put butter on everything -- that's why that basic chicken sandwich tastes so good. They slathered the bun with butter!
ReplyDeleteMy suggestion would be to keep it simple at restaurants. Ask for items you know the points values for, and even further ask for them to prepare it the way you want it. Ask for your chicken sandwich with no mayo, no butter, no oil, etc. Ask how the chicken is prepared -- is it baked? fried? Can they give you a grilled breast instead of a breaded, fried breast? Etc. If you have very basic elements on the plate it is so much easier to estimate later.
Oh, I *so* get what you're talking about! I have the same frustration, but I think Sarah is right: try to keep it as simple as possible. Salads can be good, if you ditch the cheese, croutons and go with fat free dressing on the side. If you can make yourself ditch the bun on a sandwich, or just eat half, that helps me feel like I've indulged without breaking the (Points) bank. And when in doubt, estimate high on the Points values, especially with the new Points + system.
ReplyDeleteAs for the psychological/emotional component, this is the real danger for us. This is exactly what Beck is trying to help us learn: how NOT to give up for the day (week, month) when we have a moment of unplanned or unrestrained eating. I struggle with this myself, but all I can say is to give yourself credit for recognizing what's happening, and then do better on your next meal. Don't write off the day, and be sure to give yourself credit for not writing it off!
You are NOT crazy. Well, maybe I'm crazy... :) I feel the same way. I'd often not record the whole day just because I knew that I wouldn't be able to record correctly for dinner. I've learned to do the best that I can with guessing and then move forward. As you know it's not always calroies in/calories out when it come to weight loss. Long terms success comes from long term good choices. Cut yourself some slack- that's an order. :)
ReplyDeleteThat is so me! I do that all the time! I have been on and off of WW for years. I get so frustrated when I don't know the points value of something. Then I start estimating, then finally give up and start again the next day or week. You are definitely not crazy.
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