Saturday, March 29, 2014

How To Lose A Pound

I just read a very interesting article on Huffington Post that shows what individuals around the world eat and how many calories they consume on an average day. If you would like to read it you can do so here.

As most of you know I started a lifestyle change in 2012 and haven't looked back. I count my daily calories and track my physical activity as well. On a typical week day I will walk 3-6 miles and eat right at 1,500-1,900 calories.

Proof that tracking your caloric intake and physical activity pays off! 100 pounds lighter! 


Now, you may be thinking for someone who is still plus size how can I only eat 1,500 calories and still manage? I eat healthier foods, but I definitely won't lie and tell you I always eat healthy and keep a clean diet. I would be fibbing to no ends on that one. Though, I will admit that I do eat healthier throughout the weekday and give myself a break on the weekends. Nick and I have Friday night dinners and sometimes we just want to lounge and do nothing so we become couch potatoes on the weekends or at least one day of the weekend; I get too stir crazy and have to do something.

So, to give a glimpse into what my daily calorie intake looks like and what I eat on an average day.

I didn't walk three miles on this day but I did walk to a local store to purchase fresh veggies for the week ahead so I was able to burn 300+ calories just by forgoing my car and walking.

THE GOOD AND THE BAD:
Pros: 
• M-F between 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., I drink 10-15 glasses of water | I eat plain oats every morning | I have at least one vegetable for lunch along with a lean protein and fruit.


Cons: 
• M-F between 6 p.m. - 11 p.m., I eat heavier meals and I am normally burnt out on water so I will drink some ginger ale, milk, etc., with my dinner. Sometimes I eat later than desired and I want dessert after dinner... EVERY NIGHT!!

• Saturday - Sunday I eat what I want to in moderation and I don't typically burn as many calories. 

The thing I recognize is that:
1. You can eat what you want but you have to remember moderation.
2. All calories aren't equal. You must move! Even if it is taking the steps instead of an elevator or running 5 miles a day, you must get to moving! Walking for an hour a day (3-4 miles) helps me burn right at 600-800 calories.





If you'd like any help, motivation or insight as to what I did and the steps I took please feel free to contact me.










7 comments:

  1. 100 pounds! Amazing! Congrats! I've been learning a little about how my body metabolizes food too since I have gestational diabetes. It definitely motivates you to get out there and move around.

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  2. Congrats on your amazing loss and discipline! I've lost nearly 50lbs since my two kiddos were born in 2011/2012 and I have nearly 50lbs to go. So e days I'm so on and some are a struggle. I'm so motivated by what you have been able to accomplish!

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  3. Mama Potamus and Kristin March,

    Thank you both for your encouraging words! It really is about learning your body, your limits and what you like, etc. Once I started calculating my calories I was dumbfounded by how many calories I was consuming and didn't realize it.

    Kristin I definitely have my plateaus. I am actually in a plateau phase right now but the spring weather has made it easier for me to get out and motivate me to get moving!

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  4. Amazing transformation. Proof that hard work and determination pay off. You area an inspiration!

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  5. Thank you Theresa C! I appreciate the words of encouragement. :) It really helps especially when I go through my plateaus!

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  6. I hear you about plateaus. I think I'm living on one. I've been eating a very similar diet and doing not quite as much exercise, but about 4,000 to 5,000 steps a day, but the weight just stays steady for weeks at a time. Or it goes UP (sigh). I do need to drink the water though. HATE the stuff, but at least I've given up soda - at least 95% of the time. And I need to eat more veggies. Really need to stop letting my husband plan our dinners too. Love that man, but he eats like a fool and because it's THERE, I end up eating it too. Congrats on your weight loss. I'll bet you feel SO much better. I keep thinking if I could just drop 25-30 lbs, I'd feel a big difference. #SITSsharefest

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  7. Adrian,

    I feel the same way. I used to walk 6 miles a day (3 miles during lunch and 3 miles after work) but now I only walk during lunch and my boyfriend and I definitely don't eat as good as we should, but I am the same way. I will eat something because it is there. But hey, at some point we've got to break the plateau and that's what I am working towards.

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