Sorry about the long time between posts. I simply haven't thought of anything good to write about. I have started a new job which has been super awesome. However, I was spoiled with the ability to eat what I want (healthy of course), when I wanted with all the time to cook it and do all of the other responsibilities needed. Now I am up by 6, out of the house by 7ish to get to work by 8. My husband and I alternate making our box lunches so we do not eat out (thus eating healthier and saving money!). Off work by 5, home by 6ish. Being gone all that time means spending time with our dog, getting dinner started, and getting lunches and dinner prepped for the next day, as well as working out. This isn't actually too bad considering some schedules, but unfortunately my healthy eating has suffered. I haven't gained weight and in fact have lost it, but at a significantly slower pace. So I stand at 40 pounds down with 30 to go. I'm sure you've heard before, a calorie is a calorie is a calorie. I have explained the simplicity in calorie deficits and how this equates weight loss. And technically a calorie is a calorie. 8 + 8 = 16 no matter what. But it is what our body does with this calorie that impacts how our body looks, works, and loses weight. I'm going to provide you with an example-- I LOVE frappe mochas from Mcdonalds. Sweet, sugary coffee goodness tastes like Heaven on earth. It also gets me up and going in the morning. Being "health" conscious I get it without chocolate drizzle and whipped cream on top. That saves me 80 calories. But even buying a small frappe mocha still rings in at 370 calories. These calories mostly come from excess sugar. Now let's consider grilled chicken breast with corn on the cob and 2 baby red potatoes. That can ring in around 370 calories. Here's the difference though. Frappe mochas contain excess sugar that our body doesn't need. And just like that Garden Gnome you got as a gift that you find hideous, you store it in a closet until the giver comes over to the house in which you display it proudly on your front lawn. Our bodies do the same thing with carbohydrates and fat when in excess. The problem is that with Americans and our eating habits, carbohydrates and fats are never in short supply. So it is stored (depending on male/female depends on where) until it is needed for later. So we eat in excess over and over and over and those reserves never go down despite our weight loss efforts. And THAT is the problem. So when the mocha frappe goes to my stomach to be stored for later, the chicken breast, corn, and potatoes are helping me rebuild muscle fibers and fuel my metabolism. More muscle + fast acting metabolism = lean body mass.
So a calorie is a calorie and a pound is a pound. But if you look at a person's diet in which they are under their daily allotment but their meals are crap versus a person with nutrient dense food choices, who do you think is doing better in their weight loss endeavors? I guess I'm saying this to lecture myself as well. I frequently find myself not getting enough calories in so I find higher calorie shortcuts to meet a number. That is utter laziness and a pound of balogney. Dieting is not short term it is a lifestyle to dedicating to live a healthier life physically, mentally, and spiritually. Need calories? Add peanuts or some cottage cheese to your diet. And writing this to myself, not having enough time is never an excuse to eat poorly. If you cannot take the time to invest in your well being now, then think about the quality of life you are going to have when you are older and taking the stairs leaves you out of breath. Or you are so overweight you have to wear a CPAP at night. Get off your butt, stop making excuses because you'll always have 10 of those but you'll only have one life to live and that is NOT excuse to throw it away.
Lisa out.
