It's been four days so far, and I can already tell just adjusting my current diet is not going work long term. I thought this would be the easiest week in terms of rules, but the problem with not making actual change, is that it is too tempting to cheat.
Working Out: This has been going well--I'm up to 30 minutes every other day, and once I'm not so sore on off-days, I'd like to start working out every day. There's usually a 30 minute window between when I get home and when Chris joins me, so it's a great use of that time.
Breakfast/Snack: Haven't gotten to this yet, but I did buy instant oatmeal to keep at work. I also stocked up on Kashi Bars as a healthy snack. The carrots and celery are still in the fridge...but I have managed to stay away from soda. I've had a few sips this week to ease me into an all-out fast.
On the coffee front, I've decided to try something new that Chris told me about. He suggested drinking a large glass of water in the morning instead of coffee--and while it doesn't work every day (especially before a morning meeting) it does wake me up. My rule now: Every morning, I will have a large glass of water before I have coffee. Some days, this will be enough, and others, not. But it's better than just giving in to the caffeine.
Eating Half-Sizes: This has been the hardest part, and something I know I would not be able to keep up. Going out at lunch and eating half isn't hard, and a good way to keep your weight in check--but to keep eating that smaller portion for both lunch and dinner is a little too hard.
I went to Chipotle today and ate half the burrito bowl there---and while I was full, as soon as I came home at 6 I was pretty starved. Same thing the other day when I grabbed a small bowl at Noodles & Company. The problem with small meals is you have to plan pretty well---because if you wait too long, your hunger will get the better of you and suddenly chips and salsa seems like a GREAT snack. I'm starving right now (having finished the other half of my Chipotle bowl, plus a slice of pizza from last night)...and the juice I bought isn't quite doing the trick.
Stupid dieting.
Working Out: This has been going well--I'm up to 30 minutes every other day, and once I'm not so sore on off-days, I'd like to start working out every day. There's usually a 30 minute window between when I get home and when Chris joins me, so it's a great use of that time.
Breakfast/Snack: Haven't gotten to this yet, but I did buy instant oatmeal to keep at work. I also stocked up on Kashi Bars as a healthy snack. The carrots and celery are still in the fridge...but I have managed to stay away from soda. I've had a few sips this week to ease me into an all-out fast.
On the coffee front, I've decided to try something new that Chris told me about. He suggested drinking a large glass of water in the morning instead of coffee--and while it doesn't work every day (especially before a morning meeting) it does wake me up. My rule now: Every morning, I will have a large glass of water before I have coffee. Some days, this will be enough, and others, not. But it's better than just giving in to the caffeine.
Eating Half-Sizes: This has been the hardest part, and something I know I would not be able to keep up. Going out at lunch and eating half isn't hard, and a good way to keep your weight in check--but to keep eating that smaller portion for both lunch and dinner is a little too hard.
I went to Chipotle today and ate half the burrito bowl there---and while I was full, as soon as I came home at 6 I was pretty starved. Same thing the other day when I grabbed a small bowl at Noodles & Company. The problem with small meals is you have to plan pretty well---because if you wait too long, your hunger will get the better of you and suddenly chips and salsa seems like a GREAT snack. I'm starving right now (having finished the other half of my Chipotle bowl, plus a slice of pizza from last night)...and the juice I bought isn't quite doing the trick.
Stupid dieting.
The biggest thing I've found is to make sure I eat every few hours - small snacks like granola bars, apples and cheese, hummus and veggies - in between the smaller meals. Or eat a regular sized meal that's lower in calories.
ReplyDeleteFor instance, at Chipotle, I get the salad, skip the dressing, meat, sour cream and cheese, and load it up with beans, veggies, salsa, and guacamole. Since what I like best in the world is the guacamole anyway, I don't feel at all deprived.
I'd like to hear your thoughts on Primal/Paleo diet theories: http://www.marksdailyapple.com/primal-blueprint-101/
ReplyDelete:)