In the last two months I have: started a new job, bought a house, got married and been on a week of all inclusive luxury honeymoon. So much food and so many cocktails. These have been exciting (and delicious) times, but not the most conducive to healthy living.
However, if I look at my life and habits compared to before my last Transformer games, I have actually made some substantial changes. I’d like to think these have helped to limit weight gain during my hiatus from healthy living. The main ones of note are:
- My Fitbit and 10,000 steps a day - an absolute revolution in motivating me to be active. I’m usually someone whose excuses not to go for a walk usually consisted of “its cold/it’s warm/i’m tired/but the sofa is comfy/I’d have to change out of my PJs.” Now I’m the one bullying the other half to get up and out no matter the weather. If the weather is truly shocking and he just won’t go? I just go by myself, and borrow his super-cosy jacket. I have walked 10,000 steps 217 days out of 219 - and those two days were my hen weekend, I think I’m allowed. Even on my worst food day, I’ve always done my steps. I’m now even starting to make a tiny bit of cash off it, using the Bounts and Pact apps, that sync to my Fitbit and reward me for hitting my goals.
- Reducing my carb portions:
- We have a lot of rice in my house, which I’m really not that fond of. I used to have as big a portion as my other half because I thought it would be good to ‘fill me up’ and I don’t like feeling short-changed. I eventually realised that it was calorie-dense and I just don’t enjoy it that much. I can have one or two spoons for the texture and to mop up sauces, but I don’t need a cupful.
- Bread is still a bit of a trigger point for me, and it’s always around because the other half likes sandwiches. I can easily eat half a loaf (with plenty of butter) in a sitting, and when I start, it’s difficult to stop. So, it’s pretty rare that I’ve been having bread lately, and when I do, I have a predetermined limit of 2 slices. I may wind up having more when I start packing lunches again, but it’ll be controlled.
- Also, I used to have an issue with crisps, I can happily eat 10 packs in a row without feeling remotely full. The other half likes having them around, so I make him keep them in his car. No access, no problem.
- Always having fruit around. I’ve made a point of always having oranges in the fruit bowl and in my bag a work. It’s nice having a healthy sweet treat to reach for instead of junk food.
- Meal planning - it’s good to be proactive rather than reactive. I usually only plan about a day ahead, but I’m far less likely to grab junk food on the way home when I know what tasty healthy stuff I have waiting for me when I get back.
- Batch cooking - health, money and time wise, it’s been pretty cool making 10-15 portions at a time and keeping spares in the freezer to keep me on track on busy days. Recurring dishes are turkey chilli, chicken tikka masala, chinese chicken, french onion soup and cullen skink. Looking to expand, so please let me know of any other tasty, healthy, good-to-freeze dishes!
Now, the slips that took me off course:
- When I started at the gym, I stopped doing my daily kettlebell routine. Now, I have moved, and no longer go to a gym. I also no longer do kettlebells... or running. Epic fail. I’m really disappointed by this, because I was doing really well.
- I stopped logging my food. I just couldn’t control what I didn’t understand. When my weight loss slowed down, I lost motivation, and stopped logging. I convinced myself that it would be fine and my habits would stick and help me get though, just with less faff. So, I was guided by my appetite, and my appetite likes salt, sugar, fat and carbs. I would drop into the supermarket for the stupidest reason (the cooked meat counter is cheaper than I expected, there might be some good offers, I deserve it because I’m sad/stressed/happy/oncall/celebrating). Omnomnomnomnom. More more more more more. Stupid stupid stupid stupid. Snack snack snack snack. Funnily enough, it did not go so well, and when I started logging again, a realised I was eating 2,700-3,000 calories a day. Ooops.
- I forgot about my go-to good foods - I’ve kinda forgotten what foods are good for keeping me satisfied without all the calories. I know I like chocolate rice cakes, caesar salad and well-flavoured porridge, but I’m not sure what else.
- I stopped doing regular weigh-ins - I used to weigh in every morning. Not as crazy and obsessive as it sounds, as I track a moving average and don’t get fazed by day-to-day changed. I think I stopped looking because I didn’t like what I saw.
- I stopped blogging - I find strength in writing. Reflecting on how things have gone helps me to clarify what I feel good about and what I need to change. It’s weird how putting words down helps you to work out why you’ve been doing things.
So, my manifesto for change from today:
- Continue my Fitbitting - just gonna keep doing what I’m doing. I’ve moved onto the $10 a day Pact and I’m doing Bounts, so I should see an increase in my winnings from that. I also have a stepper for nights when I really can’t face going outside for my walk.
- Daily kettlebelling - My kettlebell has finally migrated in from the garage. As of today, it shall come up to my bedroom, so I can start my day with a bracing set or two of strength exercises.
- Daily weigh-ins - I’ve been doing this for a few days and I have a spreadsheet set up to monitor my moving average
- Daily food logging - this is my first week doing the food log challenge on Pact. Having money on the line is a pretty good motivator to remember to get it done every night. I’m using the MyFitnessPal app, aiming to hit the goals for 2lbs/wk weight loss,
- Weekly blog every Sunday - hopefully they won’t all be this long, but I usually do well when I have this check-in to gather my thoughts, celebrate my wins and write a battleplan for the next week.
Boom. Now I have my battleplan, all I have to do is follow it.