Monday, October 11, 2010

Holy Consistency, Batman!

I did it -- I managed to make it through the weekend after an awesome weigh-in, and I didn't go over my calories even once.

Yes. Y'all, this is huge.

Okay, Saturday wasn't a big deal. We had the pork roast and all, but I pre-tracked for the entire day well before I had my dinner and I stuck with my plan. I'm allowed between 1320 and 1670 calories per day, and ended up with a total of 1620, which included breakfast (yogurt, Kashi Go Lean Crunch, and raspberries), lunch (sandwich with lean meat and cheese on a sandwich thin, along with 1/2 an avocado), and dinner (pork, carrots, green beans, oven "fried" potatoes), along with a square of a Godiva White Chocolate Vanilla Bean bar and two Biscoff cookies.

Sunday, though... I had to work on it Sunday.

The day started off without much challenge. The Elder and the Gum Zombie woke up wanting pancakes, so I made a batch with Bisquick Heart Smart mix. I had some raspberries left from my breakfast on Saturday and tossed those into my pancakes and enjoyed them with some light butter/ canola oil mix spread and real maple syrup. That ran about 400 calories. It's more than I usually have for breakfast, but I was planning a repeat lunch from the day before, so I figured no biggie, right?

Right. Best laid plans and all that. Well, we had a ton of errands to run because for once Choreboy was off on a Sunday, and we got out the door around 11:00 a.m. The man had passed on breakfast (I know he shouldn't, but please go tell him that) and mentioned eating out. We tossed around several ideas, including the really terrible possibility of visiting the local Asian buffet, but ended up at Red Lobster.

And actually, this wasn't a bad choice for me. I ended up eating two lobster nacho chips (hey, they were good!) on top of the lunch portion salmon with double broccoli and a Caesar salad. Dinner was the infamous Moroccan chickpeas with quinoa and half a Haas avocado.

Total calories consumed? 1660. I cut it close, but I made it.

I know that I often plan overages into my eating, but right now I feel very strongly that I need to stick strictly within my designated range. I don't see eating over a calorie range as any sort of excuse when it's done in a planned, educated fashion. I just don't. But I do see that for me to blast through my current calorie ceiling at this precise time in my process would be a bad scene. Am I capable of dropping the calorie log for a day and getting right back on the ball the next? Yep, youbetcha! But right now, right after I've finally gotten below 150 for like the bajillionth time in 2010 is so not the time for me to test myself.

Over the past four years I've come to realize that losing weight isn't about any one right way, even for one individual. It's about whatever way is working for you at this precise time in your process. Sometimes flexibility is key. Other times, you've gotta be hardcore. The trick is figuring out which approach needs to be applied when.

I'm still learning that part, hence the mad weight waffling up until this point.

Speaking of which, I'm on track for today as well. Breakfast was a treat -- I stopped at Subway and picked up a Black Forest Ham Egg White Muffin Melt with provolone cheese (160 calories) along with a bag of apple slices (35 calories) and a black coffee with Splenda (I don't even count black coffee). I also ate 3/4 of an ounce of almonds (120 calories) when I was done, because at under 200 calories I knew I wasn't going to be able to limit myself with the candy bowl around unless I got a bit more food in my system.

Ah, the candy bowl... I had 3 Hershey's kisses mid-morning. There was much happiness that ran me around 76 calories, and was worth every one of 'em. Lunch was my standard (see Saturday, except subtract the avocado half and add instead a cup of grapes), and clocked in at 290 calories.

Insert 3 more Hershey's kisses here. Dessert is important, yanno.

Dinner will be baked Cajun-seasoned catfish, broccoli, some focaccia bread, and a little olive oil for dipping, totaling 507 calories. My day at the moment tops out at 1264 calories, and will probably end right at 1340 calories because I hear about 3 more Hershey's kisses calling my name.

Not bad for a day's work. I can live with this.

Note to the FTC, on the off-chance they're worried about a blog with 45 readers: I don't receive any compensation from any companies I mention by name. I just feel like being specific. Besides, I have a feeling they have better things to do with their resources than expend them on me.

7 comments:

Furry Bottoms said...

WOW, good for you! 1600 calories sound like a lot, but it really isn't in the grand scheme of things. I need to stick under 1500 a day. I have been maintaining, not losing over the past few weeks so I need to do something to shake that up.

Keep on being strong! :)

Amanda said...

Yeah, 1600 is do-able, but doesn't leave much "wiggle" room.

It does, however, leave enough :)

I like to cycle down on my lower end of my range during the week, and then move toward the upper on the weekends. It gives me the ability to cook and bake things for my family on Saturday and Sunday when I have the time to do so, without destroying all the effort I've put in during the previous 5 days.

And thanks!

As for shaking things up, my evil accursed elliptical did that for me. I got it at Play It Again Sports used for $100.00, and that's the best c-note I ever spent. I hate that sucker, but dang it works.

Clydesdale Jogger said...

Over the past four years I've come to realize that losing weight isn't about any one right way, even for one individual. It's about whatever way is working for you at this precise time in your process.

I appreciate this insight! It makes perfect sense, but I'd never put it together like that. The process I've been successful with in the past simply won't work with my situation now. I need to stop and think of what will work! Thanks!

♥ Drazil ♥ said...

YES - I knew you could do it!

Amanda said...

CJ, I'm just glad it made sense! It's something that finally clicked for me as well, after watching my father's weight go up and down most of my life, and now watching my own attempting to do the same.

Shoot, it took me almost as long to figure out the whole calories in must be less than calories out thing. Oy. Google "The Hacker's Diet" sometime if you have a moment -- good stuff, by an engineer. It appealed to the nerd in me.

Draz, thanks much! I'm glad someone was sure :D

Jen said...

Good job! I realize everyone is different, but I try to eat most of my calories in the morning thru lunch. You'll have energy all day and be less likely to go home and eat everything because you're so hungry.

You're doing great! Keep it up!

Unknown said...

Damn, Amanda! Great job! A weekend AND eating out, and you NAILED it.
*bows in respect to the master*