The caloric elephant in the room (MSing and weight gain)

@SteveSoCal wrote:


The one assignment I have to praise is The Habit. It's great that there are so many in the L.A. area. You can order whatever you want with no restrictions. Turkey burger on wheat bun with a side salad and just water...no problem!

Veggie burger, no cheese is even better.

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@SoCalMama wrote:

Veggie burger, no cheese is even better.

However:

The Habit Burger Grill - Veggie Burger on Wheat Bun: 470 Cals
The Habit Burger Grill - Charburger on Seeded Bun: 470 Cals

It's just a preference with no particular caloric gain (or loss) if you are counting calories.
@SteveSoCal wrote:

@SoCalMama wrote:

Veggie burger, no cheese is even better.

However:

The Habit Burger Grill - Veggie Burger on Wheat Bun: 470 Cals
The Habit Burger Grill - Charburger on Seeded Bun: 470 Cals

It's just a preference with no particular caloric gain (or loss) if you are counting calories.

Cruelty free ...

But I don't use the honey mustard dressing, so I should be ahead. You aren't eating beef are you? Gross.
PS they should not list it as Vegan, as honey is not Vegan.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/07/2020 05:12AM by SoCalMama.
I avoid calorie counting or other diet methods, I was too good at them in my youth and given the option would go back to bad choices. It's kind of a struggle as I age and need to cut back. I was somewhat glad when I lost the 5 guys jobs around me. I miss the money but I kept eating more of the food than I should while I sat meeting the time requirement. I happily just gave a double double and fries to my son who is young and works out enough to get away with eating that food (and would buy it himself if I didn't bring it home). This is definitely an issue for shoppers.
Drink lots and lots and LOTS of water. Add lemon or lime juice to it if you cannot bear to drink it "straight." Also, cut out 99% of salt intake. Yes, a little bit of salt is fine; but, as a whole, we consume far too much salt.

BTW, drink LOTS of water.
For 5Guys, I partially fill the cup with fries, and only eat those. I have to be very conscious of this because I can eat all of the fries without thinking. The fries in the bag get trashed when I leave. This takes a lot of willpower because I love fries.

As for the drinks, the tea is horrible. If I get "caught" getting water, I say I want it for my car.

@SteveSoCal wrote:

Even the 'healthier' In N Out required fries are 370 cals. Five Guys are 530 for the little fries! Fountain drinks are often required and on one shop, the guy cleaning the drinks area saw me filling my soda cup with water and explained that free water cups were available. That's when I realized I needed to cut out the FF shops as well. It makes you too memorable to add a drink and then not dispense a soda....

"I told myself to quit you; but I don't listen to drunks." -Chris Stapleton
@SoCalMama wrote:

@SteveSoCal wrote:


The one assignment I have to praise is The Habit. It's great that there are so many in the L.A. area. You can order whatever you want with no restrictions. Turkey burger on wheat bun with a side salad and just water...no problem!

Veggie burger, no cheese is even better.


I get the Ahi Tuna Filet on a wheat bun no tartar sauce and a side salad. Delicious.
@SoCalMama wrote:

@SteveSoCal wrote:


The one assignment I have to praise is The Habit. It's great that there are so many in the L.A. area. You can order whatever you want with no restrictions. Turkey burger on wheat bun with a side salad and just water...no problem!

Veggie burger, no cheese is even better.

I get the Ahi Tuna Filet on a wheat bun, no tartar sauce. Delicious. With a side salad.

Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 03/07/2020 02:37PM by pegleg2000.
At your work, look into getting a standing work desk. Your Safety Department may be able to provide it for you.

@SteveSoCal wrote:

@JASFLALMT; It's great if you can find assignments that keep you active. My career unfortunately also has me sitting for very long hours each day, and often offers and endless supply of food.

"I told myself to quit you; but I don't listen to drunks." -Chris Stapleton
My favorite way is to muddle a couple of chunks of pineapple in the bottom of a glass, fill with water and add a lime slice. I also like the combination of apple and orange.

@Opanel wrote:

Drink lots and lots and LOTS of water. Add lemon or lime juice to it if you cannot bear to drink it "straight." Also, cut out 99% of salt intake. Yes, a little bit of salt is fine; but, as a whole, we consume far too much salt.

BTW, drink LOTS of water.

Kim
My sister works for the State Department. She moves from country to country every couple of years and is currently in Pakistan. The State Department won't provide them for their employees, so she improvised somehow and created one of her own. I think the govt. could pony up and get them for their employees that want them.

@HonnyBrown wrote:

At your work, look into getting a standing work desk. Your Safety Department may be able to provide it for you.

@SteveSoCal wrote:

@JASFLALMT; It's great if you can find assignments that keep you active. My career unfortunately also has me sitting for very long hours each day, and often offers and endless supply of food.
Sadly, a standing desk is not an option for me. I don't like to go into details about my work outside of MSing, but mine is a technical 'desk' and while I may be the person using that desk for the day, I will often be at another location the next day. I'm usually seated at 3-4 different desks each week, and then it all repeats again the following week.

My co-workers all share a similar situation, so they are very supportive of our mutual need to exercise. We work together as group, so we step out for walking breaks throughout the day. I've also stopped driving to work whenever possible. I'll take the metro most days. That has me getting in over 3k steps and 14 flights of stairs just getting to/from work, with 15 lbs of computer gear in a backpack. When my work location is not as metro friendly, I add a bicycle into the mix, so most work days I can meet my daily caloric burn simply from the commute. I'm fortunate that L.A. has the weather to allow that.

@HonnyBrown wrote:

At your work, look into getting a standing work desk.

@SteveSoCal wrote:

My career unfortunately also has me sitting for very long hours each day, and often offers and endless supply of food.
The Federal government provides that service for the DC locations. All others are on their own unless they have a medical need.

@JASFLALMT wrote:

My sister works for the State Department. She moves from country to country every couple of years and is currently in Pakistan. The State Department won't provide them for their employees, so she improvised somehow and created one of her own. I think the govt. could pony up and get them for their employees that want them.

@HonnyBrown wrote:

At your work, look into getting a standing work desk. Your Safety Department may be able to provide it for you.

@SteveSoCal wrote:

@JASFLALMT; It's great if you can find assignments that keep you active. My career unfortunately also has me sitting for very long hours each day, and often offers and endless supply of food.

"I told myself to quit you; but I don't listen to drunks." -Chris Stapleton
Rhetorical Question: College Professor?
We can control our weight, I limit burgers to one or two a week, at the Habit, eating lots of salads, lite dressing and I have not gained weight....remember booze has sugar and calories. My trick is eating my largest meal at lunch and a lite dinner with "hardly" anything after 7:00....maybe a light yogurt and a couple figs.
p.s. since my move, I walk a lot which burns calories.....

Live consciously....


Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/07/2020 04:51PM by Irene_L.A..
@MSF wrote:

Rhetorical Question: College Professor?

Well if truly rhetorical, I assume you are not expecting an answer.
@SteveSoCal wrote:

Sadly, a standing desk is not an option for me. I don't like to go into details about my work outside of MSing, but mine is a technical 'desk' and while I may be the person using that desk for the day, I will often be at another location the next day. I'm usually seated at 3-4 different desks each week, and then it all repeats again the following week.

My co-workers all share a similar situation, so they are very supportive of our mutual need to exercise. We work together as group, so we step out for walking breaks throughout the day. I've also stopped driving to work whenever possible. I'll take the metro most days. That has me getting in over 3k steps and 14 flights of stairs just getting to/from work, with 15 lbs of computer gear in a backpack. When my work location is not as metro friendly, I add a bicycle into the mix, so most work days I can meet my daily caloric burn simply from the commute. I'm fortunate that L.A. has the weather to allow that.

CD4 Portable Laptop Standing Desk Converter & Adjustable Laptop Desk Stand. Ergonomic sit Stand up Desktop Riser Topper Small Compact Mobile Tall Folding Height Angle tilt Workstation Attachment

[www.amazon.com]

Would something like this be viable for your situation?

As for the endless supply of food, my saying has always been, “When it’s free but you’re full, you’re hungry.” That’s gotten me burned when I started my career and learned to adjust.

Very infrequently shopping the Greater Denver Area, Colorado Springs and in-between in Colorado these days.
Tarantado, I equate free food to eating with my eyes. I try my best to do neither.

"I told myself to quit you; but I don't listen to drunks." -Chris Stapleton
Exactly--wanted to respect your privacy. But feel free to share if you want.

@SteveSoCal wrote:

@MSF wrote:

Rhetorical Question: College Professor?

Well if truly rhetorical, I assume you are not expecting an answer.
I started MSing in 2003 to add to my merchandising work money after my husband passed away suddenly. I started with the FF jobs as they looked like the easiest to do to get a start at MSing. I was doing 3 FF jobs a day, 5 days a week. I would do a breakfast FF on my way to my first merchandising job, then do a FF lunch in between going to another merch. job. Then do a FF dinner on the way home. I did that for a month, then I kept doing them except I would only cut off a small piece to taste, etc. I would save the rest and bring home and give to my neighbors kids with the parents permission. Or if the FF was near a freeway I would give it to the homeless/hitchhiker standing at the on/off ramps.
I gained about 5 pounds over the course of a 6 month period doing them. I think I kept most of the weight off as my merchandising jobs had a lot of walking, climbing ladders, bending and kneeling down all day. After a year I cut down on the FF jobs to one a day. As I had started doing other MSing jobs.
Well...wrong, but it's a good guess since I do get a few months of the year off and have a public profile.

The reason I don't talk about my career here is that's it's a unique position that's very 'Googleable'...and I feel pretty sure I'm the only mystery shopper in my profession, and probably one of the only Steves as well. In fact I just searched my first name and job title only, and I come up as the first result, so If there was an online discussion about it, it would unquestionably reduce my anonymity on assignments.

So if you had guessed right I'd probably be bugging you to edit the post smiling smiley


@MSF wrote:

Exactly--wanted to respect your privacy. But feel free to share if you want.

@SteveSoCal wrote:

@MSF wrote:

Rhetorical Question: College Professor?

Well if truly rhetorical, I assume you are not expecting an answer.
For the last 5 years, I have stayed around 100 kilos, (that is 220 pounds)
Hmmm...Park Ranger? Don't answer--I understand.

@SteveSoCal wrote:

Well...wrong, but it's a good guess since I do get a few months of the year off and have a public profile.

The reason I don't talk about my career here is that's it's a unique position that's very 'Googleable'...and I feel pretty sure I'm the only mystery shopper in my profession, and probably one of the only Steves as well. In fact I just searched my first name and job title only, and I come up as the first result, so If there was an online discussion about it, it would unquestionably reduce my anonymity on assignments.

So if you had guessed right I'd probably be bugging you to edit the post smiling smiley


@MSF wrote:

Exactly--wanted to respect your privacy. But feel free to share if you want.

@SteveSoCal wrote:

@MSF wrote:

Rhetorical Question: College Professor?

Well if truly rhetorical, I assume you are not expecting an answer.
@SteveSoCal wrote:

Well...wrong, but it's a good guess since I do get a few months of the year off and have a public profile.

The reason I don't talk about my career here is that's it's a unique position that's very 'Googleable'...and I feel pretty sure I'm the only mystery shopper in my profession, and probably one of the only Steves as well. In fact I just searched my first name and job title only, and I come up as the first result, so If there was an online discussion about it, it would unquestionably reduce my anonymity on assignments.

So if you had guessed right I'd probably be bugging you to edit the post smiling smiley


@MSF wrote:

Exactly--wanted to respect your privacy. But feel free to share if you want.

@SteveSoCal wrote:

@MSF wrote:

Rhetorical Question: College Professor?

Well if truly rhetorical, I assume you are not expecting an answer.

Seasonal stripper.
Stand up Comic
WSOP player.
@SoCalMama wrote:

@SteveSoCal wrote:

Well...wrong, but it's a good guess since I do get a few months of the year off and have a public profile.

The reason I don't talk about my career here is that's it's a unique position that's very 'Googleable'...and I feel pretty sure I'm the only mystery shopper in my profession, and probably one of the only Steves as well. In fact I just searched my first name and job title only, and I come up as the first result, so If there was an online discussion about it, it would unquestionably reduce my anonymity on assignments.

So if you had guessed right I'd probably be bugging you to edit the post smiling smiley


@MSF wrote:

Exactly--wanted to respect your privacy. But feel free to share if you want.

@SteveSoCal wrote:

@MSF wrote:

Rhetorical Question: College Professor?

Well if truly rhetorical, I assume you are not expecting an answer.

Seasonal stripper.
Stand up Comic
WSOP player.

Seasonal Stripper? You mean, like, taking down Christmas lights?
@JustForFun wrote:

@SoCalMama wrote:

@SteveSoCal wrote:

Well...wrong, but it's a good guess since I do get a few months of the year off and have a public profile.

The reason I don't talk about my career here is that's it's a unique position that's very 'Googleable'...and I feel pretty sure I'm the only mystery shopper in my profession, and probably one of the only Steves as well. In fact I just searched my first name and job title only, and I come up as the first result, so If there was an online discussion about it, it would unquestionably reduce my anonymity on assignments.

So if you had guessed right I'd probably be bugging you to edit the post smiling smiley


@MSF wrote:

Exactly--wanted to respect your privacy. But feel free to share if you want.

@SteveSoCal wrote:

@MSF wrote:

Rhetorical Question: College Professor?

Well if truly rhetorical, I assume you are not expecting an answer.

Seasonal stripper.
Stand up Comic
WSOP player.

Seasonal Stripper? You mean, like, taking down Christmas lights?
No, he said he takes a few months off. So, he just strips during the busy season. Lol
Actually, I’m sure that would be hysterical.
I like seasonal car stripper.

If its the other stripper, maybe that's why he and MikiB go to Vegas so often.

Bow-chicka-wow wow!

"I told myself to quit you; but I don't listen to drunks." -Chris Stapleton
I think paint stripping would be the only job I could handle in my current state. I've lost all the weight in my arms and legs, but still have the belly, so I'm in the weird 'in-between' state where I look more like a troll than a Chippendale!

And I'm only a few hours away from Vegas, so Mickey goes a lot and I just get talked into meeting her there. I was going 4 or 5 times a year before I let my work card expire. Now I'm probably down to twice a year....
LOL!

I have not lost all of the weight anywhere, and I want to keep some of it in a few places. But today I put on the next smaller size of jeans. These jeans fit me last year before a thyroid episode (thyroid plummets, weight skyrockets, and thyroid peep needs new clothes or to join nudist colony). I kept them without meaning to, and it was good to have a point of reference. So these jeans are on and zipped. As long as I do not gyrate, sneeze, or otherwise challenge the jeans, I can wear them again. This is a good and hopeful and precarious thing...




@SteveSoCal wrote:

I think paint stripping would be the only job I could handle in my current state. I've lost all the weight in my arms and legs, but still have the belly, so I'm in the weird 'in-between' state where I look more like a troll than a Chippendale!...

My garden in England is full of eating-out places, for heat waves, warm September evenings, or lunch on a chilly Christmas morning. (Mary Quant)
I'm putting my money on that Steve does something in the entertainment business....set design?

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The more I learn about people...the more I like my dog..

Mark Twain
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