4/16/15 Morning Check-In

I was reviewing my food logs for May and June 2014 (when I lost 25+ pounds) to see what I was eating back then. One of the things I noticed right away was that I didn't eat many (if any) protein bars. I packed the same snacks everyday back then: 1 serving (16 pretzels) and 2 servings of baby carrots. The combined calories or those two are only around 150 calories. I also ate less dense cereals which therefore had about half as many calories. Back then I ate Kellogs Fruit and Yogurt cereal every day. I would have one and a half servings each morning which was only about 170 calories. This time around I've been crossing healthier cereals that contain more protein and fiber. Because these cereals are more dense they have about double the calories or the Kellogs cereal. This means, that when I eat 1.5 servings of cereal in the morning, I am eating about 350 calories for breakfast which only leaves me with 850 calories for the rest of the day.

The other thing I found was that I was eating dessert every day.  I bought the Snackwells Devil Food Cake Cookies and would pack two of them in my lunch every day.  They do contain 50 calories each (100 calories per the two I was packing) which is a lot of calories for small cookies but it seemed to be working.  This time around I have been working really hard to not eat dessert or anything sugary for that matter which I am still struggling with.  Last time I lost ten times the amount of weight I am this time (25 pounds last time compared to the 2.5 pounds I've lost this time) so I was obviously doing something right.

The last thing I noticed was that I exercised just about every day.  I also used my Fitbit to count the steps I was taking each day.  I am thinking of purchasing another pedometer but I'll probably opt for a different model.  I loved my FitBit... It's just that the darn thing broke after only two months- the clip broke off which made it impossible to clip to my clothes and therefore useless.  I remember taking a 30-day challenge last year,  To complete the challenge you had to work out for at least twenty minutes each day and you eat to not exceed your daily calorie allowance.  I tried to challenge about 30 days into my diet last time and it was a great motivator.  Looking back at my food and exercise journal for that period I saw that I exercised every day because of that challenge.  There were many days I didn't have time to go to the gym and couldn't go for a run because I had my kids.  On those days I would take my kids and go for a walk or pull them in the wagon.  I have been thinking about doing another 30-day challenge but was concerned that I wouldn't be able to exercise every day.  Now I am thinking "If I did it back then I can do it now".

In summary, what I have learned from reading my exercise and food journal from last year is the following:

1) I need to start eating a lower calorie cereal in the morning
2) I shouldn't be afraid of certain desserts (the kind I can control myself around)
3) I should try another 30-day challenge
4) I should plan out my daily meals/ snacks so I know in advance what I can and can't eat.  For now, I should stick with the snacks I was eating last year since they worked great
5) When I work out I shouldn't consume protein bars (unless they're all I have).  Instead I should eat the snacks I've packed for the day, like I used to.


The Plan:

After work today I am going to go to the grocery store to buy some of that Kellogs cereal.  The only reason I stopped eating it was because I was also eating the cereal for dessert.  I am also going to buy some of the devil's food cookies since they seem to be one of the only desserts I can have in the house without worrying that I'll eat the whole box.

I am going on My Fitness Pal to join a 30-day challenge.  Out of all of the changes I decided to make today this is the one I am the most excited about.

I am going to plan out my meals and snacks today on My Fitness Pal so I can see how many snacks I can eat and then I'll pack my lunch accordingly.