OK-do I really need a computer program to tell me that I consume too much alcohol and sweets? Apparently, I do because it became pretty obvious where my weaknesses are when it comes to my calorie consumption. Last week, I began tracking my food intake on an awesome site called www.dailyplate.com . This free comprehensive site allows you to track everything you eat (it comes complete with a huge list of built-in foods), it calculates the calories and all other nutritional content and it even gives you a break down of your carb/protein/fat ratio. It also allows you to factor in your daily workouts, telling you how many calories you should consume daily if you want to lose 1lb per week or more.
According to my body weight, which is around 120 lbs at any given time (OMG-did I just type that for the world to see?!?!), I'm allowed to consume just over 1,800 calories a day and still lose a pound a week based on my current fitness level. That's before I factor in my daily workouts and calorie burn. 1,800 calories is a lot, but I eat before workouts, breakfast, small snack, lunch, workout nutrition and dinner. I eat with frequency...I also exercise with frequency and typically burn anywhere from 600-3000 calories on any given day depending on the workout. So, while I may splurge and eat 2,500 calories one day, I'm still netting below 1,800 thanks to my workouts. Make sense?!
The main frustration? While I'm typically netting far below my allotted 1,800 calories, I didn't lose my 1lb of fat last week. WHAT UP WIT DAT?!?! Granted, I've only been tracking for one week and I've learned a lot based on having to record my food intake. I'll say this-90% of what I put in my body is excellent. I eat plenty of whole grains, veggies, fruit, lean protein, sushi, etc. I eat virtually no "fast food" and no fried food. I also eat very little cheese or saturated proteins (sausage, pepperoni, etc) However, I tip the good scales to the dark side with too many liquid calories and dessert. Last week was bad because I had ice cream one night and dessert on Saturday and Sunday. oops...(Hurts so good). I also had at least one glass of vino every night and more on Friday (Thanks to Lindsor and Steph) and Saturday (thanks to the Barretts).
So, what's a girl to do? For now, I continue to monitor and make tweaks. I don't live in absolutes so there's no way I'm cutting out alcohol or sweets all together. No way...nada...ain't happenin. Life's way too short for deprivation. I am, however, beginning to barter with myself. For instance, this week I'm not having a cocktail until Wednesday evening when we take Skud out for her birthday. I'll allow myself a drink maybe 2-3 nights per week and chill out on the chocolate this week.
Also, I have to keep in mind a couple of very important things:
1.) I'm not overweight. With the exception of my 115 weigh-in at Ironman, my body likes to be around 120lbs.
2.) A lot of it is muscle. I haven't had my entire body composition done in a while, but the last time I did, I was a very healthy gal with a normal BMI of about 22. (in the healthy group)
3.) My body is functioning and performing well. By all accounts, I continue to get stronger and my body reacts to the training demands I put on it. Perhaps my body knows what it needs more than I do.
4.) Genetic belly goo--my hips are always going to be a certain size and I'll probably never have a six-pack without a little surgical tuck thanks to some loose ab skin and stretch marks from the good old days.
Truly, I'd love to be somewhere between 110-115, but I don't won't to deprive myself to get there. It's just not worth it! (unless, of course, you want to sponsor me in which case I'll eat nothing but tuna fish and cottage cheese for a week to drop the pounds).
Ah...acceptance and pointing out the good things! I'm also addicted to a podcast called "Inside Out Weight Loss." This well-produced show is so much more than a lecture about cutting calories. It explores the deeper levels of self-love, acceptance, self-correcting, emotional triggers, etc. Really, the podcast is more of a therapy session than a diet show. Just ask the hubster. Every now and then I'll listen to it before I go to bed and fall asleep with the iPod playing.
Attractive...real attractive.
Time to go post my calorie consumption from our post-spin Freebirds excursion! Hell, I think I burned a bunch of calories just laughing tonight!
9 comments:
I really like the way that you are honest with yourself and don't set unrealistic expectations. I think you look fabulous - and your fitness is rockin! (Jealous... Very jealous...) :)
In the past year the big thing I did to help my nutrition was to adopt the blood type diet, which has cut my calories by a quarter to a third because I am satisfied on less food. I thought the diet was hokey for many years, but I also believe in empirical evidence. I am okay with the deprivation approach, though, so this might not be for everyone.
mmmm...sweets and alchohol are my downfalls, too.
You look great, you're fit, you're healthy, and you're enjoying life! I think you have a great balance going :)
Ahhh I am the queen of constantly being on a diet. I am convinced sugar is the devil. Whenever I succesfully cut out sweets I feel so much better.
I also think when you are an endurance athlete your body holds onto fat b/c it is scared you are going to go run 20 miles. In my experience, if you are working out over 8 hours a week, weight loss is nearly impossible.
Booooo
Glad to see I'm not alone out here! While I'm definitely not on a diet, I am trying to get a sense of what I'm eating and where I could be better. It's a lot harder mentally to input "piece of cheesecake" than it is to input "spinach salad with ahi tuna." :-)
My plan is to take a few week's worth of journals to a nutritionist and get good solid feedback.
I definitely agree that your body wants to hold on at a certain level and I'm learning to love and accept whatever level that is!
so i went there, thinking i'd try it also.
i got this response: Your weight loss goal would require you to eat an extremely low number of calories each day. Please consult your doctor, or choose a more realistic goal.
nice. i was hoping to loose the 20 pounds i have put on in the last 1.5 years; j
I could just ditto everything you wrote re: the weight. My body likes to be between 118-120. While 110 to 115 would make me a little more pleased, it is just way too hard to stay there. Last year I got down to 110, but I couldn't hang on to it and still have enough energy to be able to work out hard.
Great post. I've used SparkPeople and Weight Watchers to track in the past. There is something to be said about accountability.
I also agree that life is too short to deprive ourselves of all the yummy stuff. But, I also know that eating the yummy stuff every day doesn't work for me.
It will be interesting to get feedback from a nutritionist. Keep us posted!
Carrie...I've been using the daily plate for a few months now, I love it. It makes me aware of the fact that I'm often at an 800 calorie deficit each day. I too have not lost weight, nor do I want to. It's strange. Anyway, what is your handle on there it is a social networking type site and I'd like to find you on there so we can support each other and help one another eat more. :)
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