So, I mentioned that I tried eating a protein and a carb 4-5 times a day and that I wasn't really happy doing that. I really started thinking about how I wanted to LIVE--not diet!!!! This is not a diet, it is a new way of life and a new way of looking at food!
Even though I love food, I now have learned the ability to look at food more as an energy source--not something to kick a craving or an emotional moment. Except on my Free Day, of course, all bets are off on that day (ask my husband, he'll tell you about my Free Day stomach I have by the end of the day--not pretty!)
I began to look at everything I ate, what's in it? Is it something that only has empty calories and won't fill me up? Is it full of fat? What are the calories? How many calories does my body need in a day?
All of these questions began to re-direct my mentality. I found an AMAZING website called livestrong.com where you can find out how many calories you need to lose 1 lb. per week or even 4 lbs. per week (which is NOT healthy and I wouldn't recommend!). Since I had a LOT of weight to lose, I began with trying to lose 3 lbs per week--but remember--I still had my Free Day where the calories would SKY ROCKET--so I didn't necessarily lose that much per week, but it was usually at least 2 lbs or so a week. I began to find foods that I enjoyed eating and were low in calorie--and I just plugged them into this website. When I exercise, I can put that in there too and it will tell me how many MORE calories I can eat if I want. I would usually try not to eat that amount and have the extra burn, but I'm HUMAN--there are going to be BAD days!!!!
So, I plan on updating this blog often but let me just walk you through what I ate today:
Bkfst
Frosted Mini Wheats (exactly 24 biscuits and 1/2 c. skim milk) 240 calories
Lunch
BBQ chicken breast--170 calories
Quaker low fat chocolate chunk granola bar--90 calories
1/2 c. yogurt--55 calories
Snack
Skinny Cow ice cream sandwich--140 calories
Dinner
Lean pocket--290 calories
salad with light dressing--60 calories
Now, there's a few things I need to mention! I did not eat a lot today! My sister and I are planning on running in a 1/2 hr and I didn't want to be too full b/c we're working on 6 miles tonight. Also, my calorie count at this point is MUCH lower than it was when I first began this. A year ago, I could eat 500 more calories in a day and still be losing 3 lbs per week. Hopefully this makes sense. You gradually train your body that it doesn't NEED as much food! Because, it certainly DOES NOT!!! We eat SO much more food than we actually need to function WELL! That is our culture and it has led us to where a vast majority are overweight or obese!
What I have done is essentially what a gastric bypass would do--but in a healthy normal way. I've helped my stomach be smaller in a gradual way be eating less food gradually. I feel GREAT! I have things that I enjoy eating!!! And, remember, the FREE DAY!!! (Mine's tomorrow, and I will probably tell you how much crap I ate)
This is seriously a simple (not simple to execute, but simple in written form) math problem. Calories IN vs. Calories OUT. Move more, eat less. This is not the quick fix that many people are looking for. I'm not giving you an easy solution. This is one that takes effort and diligence, but one that I promise will bring GREAT rewards and you will have ONLY yourself to thank because it's all you and only you that can make this work. You have only yourself to BLAME or to THANK for choosing another life!
I will post more at another time but hopefully this is helpful in some way. Feel free to post comments or questions about anything and I will get back to you as soon as I can!
I just want to help!
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