Can't tell if im eating too much or finally eating enough

So a few months ago I wasn't eating enough, ill be 7 months out on the 15th of October, and up until a few weeks ago did not feel hunger. Until recently in a day I would eat maybe 3 times, sometimes I would have a snack, I did not get enough protein in daily and I lost a lot of hair. Maybe a week or two ago I started writing down everything I ate again, and realized I was having 2 to 3 snacks a day, and 3 meals. My snacks are usually yogurt, or a few crackers and cheese, sometimes chips and salsa. my meals are mostly protein, with some veggies. If I notice in my food journal that im eating too much of something I try to cut back (Halloween Candy is getting me the past week, I bought some for a party I hosted and planned on using the left overs for trick or treaters, but I keep eating it. Maybe 2 mini's a day) Anyway. I know my faults and what I need to change. Im not concerned with WHAT im eating, im concerned as to wether or not im eating TOO MUCH. I dont usually measure my food but id say I probably average 3/4 - 1 cup of food. I do notice that I can eat more of some things than others. I started at 261, and am now 168.3, I would like to lose another 35 to 40 pounds, but have started slowing down a LOT. Do any of you have any suggestions, or advice. To get out of a stall...and do you think im eating too often?

I will be 6 months on Oct 22.  I have 3 meals a day and 2 snacks. 

B- yogurt, special K protein bar

L- salad with chicken and cheese or turkey pepperoni and some cheese

S- yogurt, grapes or strawberries

D - some type of protein, and veggies

S - Yoplait greek yogurt bar (I'm addicted), maybe some nuts, or fruit

I get almost 1,000 calories a day, and 60-70 proteins. 

somedays I find myself having some peanut butter and low fat wheat thins for snack.  My NUT is fine with all these choices.

I started at 291 and am now at 217.

You have got to measure and weigh everything that goes in your mouth. As you get further along your eyes will tell you one thing but the scale will tell you something else. I am about 1.5 years out and I can tell you that by sight, I always have more on my plate than I think. Once I go over and put it on my little scale or put it in cups it is almost all ways more than I should have. You got to write everything down you eat and count the calories, protein, sugars, carbs and water. Use something like MFP. It is so easy may take 10 minutes out of your day. As time goes buy most people get laxer if that is a word and laxer on their habits. The honeymoon period is when we should be developing life long eating habits and a full bodied menu plan of many foods you can enjoy for the rest of your life. That is what we need to do during this time and it is more important than just losing weight.

On October 1, 2013 at 7:25 PM Pacific Time, Larry Wassmann wrote:

You have got to measure and weigh everything that goes in your mouth. As you get further along your eyes will tell you one thing but the scale will tell you something else. I am about 1.5 years out and I can tell you that by sight, I always have more on my plate than I think. Once I go over and put it on my little scale or put it in cups it is almost all ways more than I should have. You got to write everything down you eat and count the calories, protein, sugars, carbs and water. Use something like MFP. It is so easy may take 10 minutes out of your day. As time goes buy most people get laxer if that is a word and laxer on their habits. The honeymoon period is when we should be developing life long eating habits and a full bodied menu plan of many foods you can enjoy for the rest of your life. That is what we need to do during this time and it is more important than just losing weight.

I agree! I take my scale with me if I am not eating a pre packaged item, like a protein bar, when I am out and about. I use it at home, as well. Sometimes I am dead on, but I have been off by as much as 2 ounces! I estimate and then weigh so I can help train my brain. 

Items in a restaurant are not to be trusted, either. I ordered a 6 oz filet recently and it weighed 7.2 when I got it. Even by cutting in half, I would ave been over, so I weigh anything regardless of what the menu said. 

 

A cup of food isn't bad if you are focusing on your protein first. It's not unusual to slow down on weight loss as you get closer to a normal weight.

If you feel like you are eating too much then measure and log your intake. I don't do it now but occasionally will just as a check point (especially when I feel like I've had a few big eating days). I also weight almost every day. This helps guide me on what choices I'll make when I see the scale up a few lbs.

Larry, I appreciate your post! I do feel like I'm getting laxer, though I sure don't eat much.  But I've always been on the very, very slow side of losing despite lots of exercise.  I need to go back to measuring though, just to see where I am.  I love how it's been working even if it is slow....but I too lost a LOT of my long hair so upped the protein and think it's growing back again now.  Just good to keep in focus, stay off the stuff that's not good and stick to what I know is what I need :)

I eat 3 meals and have 3 snacks a day getting between 100 and 110 grams of protein in per day. At 18 months out I'm eating about a cup of food at meals with snacks more like 1/2 a cup. I am very strict with myself on sugars keeping it under 10 grams of sugar per serving. (That's maybe once every few days that I allow myself that little luxury.) I don't log my food daily anymore, but I do log a few times a month just to double check myself. After 18 months I know what portions I can eat and stay within my doctor's guidelines. My weight loss did slow down around month 7, but I've continued to lose although it's been quite a bit slower. First and foremost, follow your doctor's plan, and protein first! Sounds like you are doing pretty darn good! Keep it up!