What's my diet?

My blog is rather selfish; I use it more for my own accountability and friend-making ability than as a blog that intends to educate readers about how to do this diet thing right. I have no idea how to educate anyone else other than tell you what works for me, what I try, and pass along some information I find. I know I may not post it regularly – but I am very open to any questions you all have for me, if you want to email me anytime. I actually had a question emailed to me about my diet!

When I started this journey, I only went into it knowing one thing: that I wanted to lose weight. I had no idea how I was going to go about achieving this goal. After lots of reading health websites, other blogs, news articles, and everything else I could get my hands on, I decided that the basic fundamental cornerstone for dieting was simple: calories in vs. calories out. So, my daily calories would be the basic amount suggested for a female: 1200. Have I strayed over or below those 1200 daily calories per day? Sure. Some days I come in at 1140 (frequently) and others I make it up to 1500. But on average, on any given week, my calories will average out to be 1200.

With the basic cornerstone set, I then decided how to achieve those 1200 calories. Should I eat 1200 calories of low carb? Low fat? 1200 calories of Twinkies? I’ll admit – at first I didn’t think it mattered how I reached the goal of 1200, as long as I reached that daily goal. But as anyone who has been at this for a while can tell you – how you reach 1200 calories is so very important. But no one can answer that question for you – unfortunately it is trial and error. I’ve tried all of the following: eating 3 meals a day at 300 calories a meal; 5 meals a day at 300 calories for breakfast lunch and dinner with 150 calorie snacks; I’ve ate snacks of sugary granola bars, sugary yogurts, fruits, vegetables, and everything else under the sun.  You’ll find the best combination of 1200 calories that keeps you full for a whole day.

So here is what has worked and is continuing to work effective for me: 

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1200 calories per day on average

Lower carbs

Low/No Sugar

Low dairy

Only one meal contains meat

LOTS of water (unsweetened tea and black coffee)

Due to health reasons, I try to fit in some of the following: dark chocolate, nuts, fish (2-3 times per week), and yogurt.

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Breakfast: 150-200 calories

Snack: 50-150 calories

Lunch: 250-350 calories

Snack: 50-150 calories

Dinner: 400-500 calories

Dessert: 50-150 calories

I hate exercise. My readers know this. Even so, I make it a very conscious effort to move more. I take on most of the chores in my household, from the time I get home to the time I go to bed I try to keep moving. I walk thirty minutes a day. Walking is actually a great stress reliever for me.

If there is anything I can impress on you, it is the very utmost importance of ROUTINE. We all are going to have days that are off, but it is so very important that you pick yourself back up the next day and get back on our routine. Routine makes losing weight more manageable. Routine makes losing weight easier.  Routine is your friend at least in weight loss.

Some weeks you will see the weight stall, some weeks the weight will fly off but – if you stick to 1200 calories a day and move more, you will see results. Just keep at it and do not get discouraged.  Eat less, move more, get your head in the game and you will lose weight.