I always say I wish there was something I could cut out that would make a difference. I don't drink soda. I may have a ginger ale a couple times a year but besides that I don't even like soft drinks. I have always loved water and besides coffee and wine it's the only thing I drink. I drink a few glasses of red wine a week, but I enjoy it and think that is a reasonable amount. I even drink my coffee black! When I did the Paleo diet a few years ago I first quit putting sugar in my coffee and later cut out the milk too.I very rarely eat fast food (usually if we are on the road and its the only option) and cook most of our meals at home.
Although I was able to loose 15 pounds(which I have gained back plus some) when I did the Paleo diet I really don't believe in strict diets. Being healthy and losing weight should be a lifestyle change not a fad diet. You should only make changes you can stick with forever. One piece of birthday cake isn't going to make you fat, but eating ice cream every night will.
Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.
I saw this recently and I think it sums up how I feel about eating pretty well. It's from Michael Pollan's book In Defense of Food. I haven't read it yet but plan too.
I think my problem is simply eating too much. I eat healthy 95% of the time but I know I am eating more calories than I am burning in a day. I try to plan my meals and include mostly vegetables with a small amount of whole grain. I don't eat much sugar or processed food and have started eating a lot less meat in the last few months. I also try to have fish a couple times a week. My worst time of day is around 3:30. I get hungry for a snack and this seems to be the time of day I go for something bad. My weakness is anything salty and crunchy. Pita chips are the worst. I usually don't buy things like that but sometimes I have them around, leftover from something I took to a party.
I have used apps like MyFitnessPal and have noticed that if I am not trying to stay around a certain number of calories, I tend to eat more than I should. I know I don't want to use an app like this forever, but I do think it is a great way to get back on track and help with portion control. I like to use it for a week or two at a time when I feel like I need to. Usually after that it is easier to eat appropriate portions and make better choices. It definitely makes you think about every thing you put in your mouth!
I also could do a lot better with exercise. I do exercise pretty consistently but occasionally I will go a few weeks and do nothing. I have been running for about 5 years but don't usually do more than a couple miles. I have started training plans so many times and never stick to it. I have done the Cooper River Bridge Run twice. Both times I started a 10K training plan but didn't finish it. I got through the race but know I could have done better. I do some weight training but not consistently enough to see results.
I read several weight loss blogs and I think putting this out there will hold me accountable and help me stay on track. I plan on posting weekly weigh ins and workout updates. I am going to start back with MyFitnessPal for a week or so to get back on track and I will make a workout schedule. I like having a plan and writing it down, so maybe this will help me stick to it.
Well after all of that I guess its time to weigh in...
Today I weighed 182.1 pounds. Officially the most I have ever weighed. I remember when I was about 168 I thought I never want to see the scale say 170. Well that was 12 pounds ago so it's time to do something about it!
My first goal is 160 pounds. That's still more than I would like to weigh but I remember staying around 160 for a few years right after college. I felt good at that weight and it was easy to maintain without trying too hard(my job then was more active, I spend a lot more time sitting now and I know it's not helping). It's crazy to think I have gained 22 pounds since then.
Thanks for reading, check back next week for my first update!
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