Week 2 Update
I just got off the scale and found that I have lost three pounds so far. Of course at the beginning of this type of lifestyle change (notice I don’t say diet), it’s not unusual to have the weight come off a little more easily. Technically, if I continue to burn more calories than I consume, I should continue to lose weight, but I am skeptical that it will still be this easy as time goes on. I am not calling this a diet because to me, a diet is something that can’t be sustained indefinitely and generally the weight loss can’t be maintained. My real goal here is to change my habits and be healthier as a result. I chose a weight goal simply because weight is easily quantifiable. So are inches off the waist, but they come off much slower than pounds and I have no idea what type of goal would be feasible for a year. Weight loss (or gain) correlates to the number of calories you burn and consume, so it is the logical way to measure my challenge, even if it isn’t my ultimate goal.
Plan Ahead
One of the best ways to avoid overeating is to plan ahead. Today, we are having a potluck at my office and a few of us who don’t have the time or inclination to cook are going in together on pizza. As soon as we decided this, I went to the Pizza Hut website and downloaded their nutritional information. Then I concocted a recipe for a Pizza Hut pizza that I could enjoy without feeling (too) guilty. I selected the thin and crispy crust and lighter toppings. I won’t be tempted by the other thick crust pizzas, because they all have toppings I don’t like. I can only have one slice, but I love pizza, so at least I can partake.
Keeping a Food Diary
One of my friends suggested that I keep a food diary. Even though I enter all my food in my Bodybugg program, a food diary will help me ensure that I don’t conveniently “forget” something I ate while I was away from the computer. I pulled out a little Moleskine Cahier journal and wrote “Stuff I Ate” on the cover. It is small enough to fit in my back pocket, so it can go everywhere with me. I can write down nutritional info in there too whenever I don’t have time to create a new food item in my program. Anything that will make my challenge easier is worth doing.
Health Screenings
Luckily, I work for a company that has a wellness program. They actually pay us to complete various tasks that will help us lead healthier lives. We get up to $300 each year, depending on which tasks we complete. I would be doing these things anyway, but it’s nice to have the additional financial incentive. One of the things we can do as part of the wellness program is take advantage of health screenings they offer. I immediately took them up on this offer, because it gives me some baseline numbers to start with so that I have additional data besides weight and waistline to compare as my challenge continues. This screening included blood pressure, cholesterol, blood glucose level, and percentage of body fat. They also measure your waistline, weight and bmi, which was information I already had. I will do these again when I go for my annual checkup, and then again when I lose 50 pounds. These are measurements we should all be keeping track of, so I couldn’t afford to pass up the opportunity.
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I tried a food diary, and found that it didn’t work for me. Although, I always felt that it should. I’ll be curious to find out what sorts of methods work for you and what methods don’t.
I don’t know if I am using my food diary in the same way you were. I am just writing down stuff that goes in my mouth so I don’t forget when I enter it into my Bodybugg program. I am just using it to counteract my terrible memory.
By the way, the pizza was bland and cold and totally not worth it. There was almost no cheese on it – and what is pizza without cheese? I have almost certainly overestimated how many calories that slice was. Off to take the dog for a longer than usual walk.
Good start! You’re right about the initial loss; it’s water. Judith Wills (Junk Food Diet) has a method for tapering off your diet so that: a) you don’t immediately re-gain the 3 pounds; and b) you know what your maintenance calorie count should be. What are you going to buy yourself as a present with your $300?
I will probably wait until the year is up, and if I have done well I will buy myself a present. Probably an Etsy splurge.