Sabotaging Your Diet

First of all, let me say I am not a doctor, and I don't have any type of nutritional degree, I'm simply sharing with you my personal experience. And what may or may not work for me doesn't mean that it will or will not work for you.

That being said, I'm doing the biggest loser / get fit challenge at a local gym (Are You Still Running?) My first week official weigh-in after the starting weight, I lost 3.8lbs. I was very pleased. The second week I didn't lose as much, and I knew that I wouldn't. But I did lose 1.8.lbs. So far, I've lost a total of 5.6lbs 

Using MFP (since it's basically required) and utilizing tips from the dietitian, I am making progress.

Yet I was still puzzled how some days were easy. Some days it felt like it was almost impossible. Why????

So, I took a closer look at my food log in MyFitnessPal to see if I could find any clues why some days were so much harder than others.

And.. (drum roll please).. I think I found some answers.

I've always been someone who ate breakfast. I've never been one to skip. But most of the time, my breakfast was usually on the smaller side. And I noticed a pattern that when I ate a smaller breakfast with less protein, those were the days that I would overeat in the afternoon/evening. It was like I was a bottomless pit that couldn't fill up! And the sugar / junk food cravings would be intense.

So, I've been experimenting. I'm trying to make breakfast the largest meal of my day, with lunch being less and usually dinner being the lowest in calories. It doesn't always work out that way, but I've found when breakfast is my largest meal of the day, with lots of protein, the sugar cravings and overeating is usually less.

I should note, that each meal (and snack) also contains protein - not just breakfast.

I am not cutting carbs. My dietitian suggested that I have 4 servings of carbs a day. I don't mean eating 4 servings of 'bread', but starchy veggies are included with the carbs (along with beans like pinto, black beans etc). And I have found that having those carbs helps me keep my sugar cravings 'in check' most of the time.

Although it's not healthy, I have been enjoying a cafe mocha most afternoons (Keurig Kcup). I've found that sometimes that will be just what I need to keep from eating an entire box of rice krispy treats or whatever goodies we have in the house.

Sure, I could choose apples and peanut butter or some healthier option, but at this point, that hasn't worked for me. So I'm going with what is working for me. And I'm sure in time I will transition to some healthier choices.

I am super excited about the weight loss.

But I'm also excited about what I'm learning. I feel that I'm finding some life-long life-style changing solutions.

So I leave you with these tips.

Find what works for YOU. 

• Just because it works for X doesn't mean that it will work for you. But that doesn't mean that you shouldn't branch out and try different things other that what you are currently doing.  But please use common sense. I don't know about you, but I'm not looking for quick fix solutions. I'm looking for something that I can do long term.So if it's not something that you'd like to do for the rest of your life, then maybe skip it and move on. 

Don't get discouraged

• I know - easier said than done. But just because someone else lost X amount of pounds doing this or that and it isn't working for you. Don't let it stress you. Keep working and experimenting and find what works for you, your body and your lifestyle. 

Be KIND to yourself

• Stop judging. Stop being critical. Stop picking out your flaws. Instead, find something positive about yourself and focus on the things that you do like about your body (inside and out). 

Have patience 

• This is the hardest one for me. I want the weight gone NOW. But, I suppose if that happened, then maybe I wouldn't be learning what I'm learning about my own body. 

And for anyone curious.. this is what I often eat for breakfast. 

1-2 boiled eggs

V8 Juice Veggie Blend (I know I know.. juice is a no no - but I don't always get the vitamins that I need and I've found I'm healthier when I drink Veggie juice) 

Slice of Wheat Bread with a tablespoon of peanut butter or nut butter with 1/2 a banana (sometimes I will eat 2 slices of bread and split the nut butter and banana between the two). 

It feels like I never have time in the mornings. So I usually boil some eggs ahead of time so they are ready for breakfast, snack or a packed lunch. 

Now, that I've discovered one way that I was sabotaging my diet, I'm curious to see how things go this upcoming week now that I'm trying to make sure that I'm not sabotaging myself. 

Stay tuned... 

Share this on Facebook?

If you like my blog, or this post, please take a moment to share it with friends. 

Add to Flipboard Magazine.

Please Note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I receive a commission if you make a purchase using the affiliate link.