Why do people jump to the conclusion you are on a diet if you refuse chips with a meal, or volunteer calorie information? I had three people ask if I was on a diet Wednesday, just because of those two things.
First Case: I had made popcorn Tuesday afternoon and the other woman who works in my area, said how good it smelled. I let her have a handful and she brought some pack of popcorn in on Wednesday, offering to share it. I asked if she got the 100 calorie pack, and she said it was the snack size - and what, "are you on a diet?" No, I just try to be aware of what I am eating. Although popcorn can be a somewhat healthy snack, most people buy the regular bags of popcorn and eat most of it. Well, those bags can be up to 500 colories (and be meant as 5-6 servings). I get the 100 calorie pack as it makes sure I don't mindlessly overeat.
Second Case: A former co-worker took me to lunch at a well known sandwich chain, and I had pre-scouted the offerings online. I had decided what I wanted, and looked at the nutritional information. It hit me that the bread, for that particular sandwich was loaded with 1200 mg sodium (that is 1/2 recommended salt for a day - and that was only the bread). I don't like a lot of salt, so looked at the bread substitutions I could make. The whole grain bread was only at 360 mg and as a bonus, it cut off 200 calories.
So, when we got there, I ordered the sandwich with the substitution. The former co-worker asked about the bread, and I explained about the sodium and calorie difference. Then I was asked if I wanted chips. No, thanks. The cashier said oh, you are on a diet and want an apple. Yes, I would like the apple, no, I'm not on a diet. Geeze, I just don't really like chips all that much, and they usually have too much salt for my tastes.
When we got to the table, my former co-worker said that I didn't need to be on a diet. Once again I explained that I'm not on a diet, I just like to make informed choices. I've been trying to eat fairly healthily for the last 10 years. I don't do diets very well because I like food, and I don't do well with deprivation. If I gain weight (more accurately, if my clothes get tight), I move more, I don't go on a diet.
Which, by the way, I have been - moving more that is. I work out with weights for half an hour or so in the morning before getting ready for work (I've been doing this for about 15 years). I don't really have anyplace to walk at lunch, expecially this time of year, so the weight I gained during the holidays was just staying put - and to be honest, there are a few more pounds, than just those that I gained this season, that I could stand to lose. A national chain was advertising a deal for a year membership for $99. On December 30th I signed up; A couple of days later the trainer helped develop a plan, showed my how to use the machines, and now I'm a non-lunky gym rat.
Several times a week during lunch, I go across the street and do some cardio (eliptical or arc trainer) and more weight training for another 30 minutes of exercise. Wednesday nights I have designated as my late night, and go to the gym after work. I have really enjoyed getting away at lunch and it is very handy being across the street. The machines they have are really cool, and a great rotation from my freeweights and Weider machine I have at home.
So, no, I'm not on a damn diet. For all those that say I don't need to be on a diet (or watch what I eat) - if I just ate anything I wanted, or that was put in front of me, I would definitely need to be on a diet. And, looking at the gym goers, at least 70% are those that are much like me, in decent (or better) shape, just trying to stay healthy.
You're not on a diet, you're trying to avoid being on one!
Posted by: Ruth | January 29, 2012 at 09:24 AM
Bogie--Gee, I don't think you need to diet! (Sorry! I'm just fulfilling a mother's duty to tick off her offspring.)
I'm like you (well...I do need to diet, even if I won't do it...so, we're certainly not alike in many ways!) in pre-planning my snacking. I get the full-sized popcorn bags; but, the bags I get are 140 calories per bag (if I can read correctly). Sodium...well...it's not so great on that. When I'm lucky, your dad will share the bag with me so that my sodium intake is "only" 190 mg.
I have noticed that, for the same weight snack pack of the same "stuff", calorie counts have increased over the past year. One year ago, the small package of "Original" potato chips that I would have on occasion was 140 calories. About six months ago, I noted that the same pack was labeled as 150 calories. Currently, the labeling is 160 calories. I'm not much on chips, so that put them out of my eating plan. When I get bagged chips, or cookies, as part of a meal, etc, I save them for your dad!
I'm amazed that the service person at a restaurant would even mention what you are ordering. Around here they just ask, "Would you like chips or whatever or an apple with that?" I take the apple (and 1/2 of the sandwich, usually) home with me.
I do appreciate the machines at the gym. I generally spend 10-15 minutes on the machines after my 45-minute swim, three times each week. That should be five times each week, but I really hate the drive! Today, I walk.
Posted by: Cop Car | January 29, 2012 at 09:57 AM
Correction: My popcorn (Pop Secret Homestyle) has 170 calories/bag.
Posted by: Cop Car | January 30, 2012 at 12:22 AM
"You're not on a diet, you're trying to avoid being on one!"
Exactly!
Posted by: bogie | February 03, 2012 at 07:54 PM
CC - I really enjoy when we go to the gym (when I am in town), for the variety of machines. Next time I'm there, I will have more of an idea what to do with some of the one's I've avoided, for fear of using them incorrectly.
As for calorie claims, I have found that many items I have bought in the past would boast of 80-90 calories. In the last 6 months, I have noticed that the amount has shrunk quite a bit. I do take into account that they are allowed something like a 20% "error" on their claims.
Posted by: bogie | February 03, 2012 at 07:59 PM