Week 8 results

I get an additional daily servings of beans, if I want them. Despite my earlier hope of making a big pot of chili over the weekend, it just didn’t happen. It was a really warm weekend in Seattle, and the idea of cooking chili just didn’t fit. I did manage to get over to Wendy’s for their large chili and small side salad (dressing on the side, fork-dipped), which is now allowed on my program.

Results

Another good week, my official weight is now 221.4, losing another 4.8 pounds this week, bringing the total loss to 43.6 pounds since starting at 265. So I’ve got 24 weeks to lose 31.4 pounds, which feels very achievable, I’m certainly encouraged by the progress I’ve made so far. I keep thinking the weekly loss will slow, and that I’ll hit a set point along the way that will require me to push even harder, but for now, the simple combination of proper nutrition and exercise seems to be the winning ticket.

I was a bit low for the week in terms of daily calorie consumption, and I need to pay closer attention to reaching 1600 per day. I’ve also realized that getting more calories earlier in the day will be key to doing this, so I’m going to have to play around a bit to see what works. Finding out after dinner that I’m still 200-300 calories shy of where I need to be is not helpful, because I’m not usually hungry enough at that point to eat more, and eating more on a full stomach late in the day seems counterproductive.

In 2 weeks I’ll have my 10-week checkup, where I’ll find out more about the biological me, including a complete blood workup, and I’m looking forward to seeing how that side of things are going.

Slips

Hosting a small 4th of July party with friends to watch the fireworks over Lake Union was not without its temptations. I decided to have a few beers, but I planned ahead and stuck with Amstel Light, which is only 95 calories a pop. Oh, and Lisa Squadrito brought over homemade chocolate chip cookies, so I had one of those too — I’m a sucker for homemade treats. Despite the slips, the long weekend was actually very low calorie wise — too much running around, not enough eating.

I didn’t miss the alcohol that much over the last 2 months, and I could have easily gone through the 4th without them, but I wanted to see what would happen results wise this week with the beers, and yes, it was just a wouldn’t-it-be-nice-to-have-a-beer kind of day. Much in the same way next month’s camping weekend to the Olympic Peninsula will hopefully be (if my results continue to be on or ahead of track).

The good news is that I was able to get grocery shopping in, so I’m well prepared for the right things this week. Of course, after the party, I’ve got the fridge of a married couple… with kids… who all drink beer… but I’ll be able to regift the unhealthy stuff at Brian’s housewarming / Allison’s birthday party this weekend :)

Thanks

Once again to Deanna Herbert, for working out with me and keeping me honest; to Martina Hiemstra for the surprise vegetables that appear on my desk from her garden; and of course to everyone for treking over to the west side for my 2nd annual July 4th party. There were no late-night after-the-show fireworks like we had last year, but there was the 2 a.m. commotion caused by the big fire a few blocks down the street.

Notes from meeting with my dietitian

• Aim for 3 dairy servings per day on average to help with variety of other foods throughout the day
  • Replace missed milk calories with additional 80 calories from protein, fruit, vegetables, beans, etc.
• I can have 1-2 bean servings per day
  • 1/2 cup = 1 serving = 100 calories, 1g fat
  • 1 cup max per day = 200 calories
  • Monitor for hunger or cravings after eating beans
  • Have with more animal protein to bring up the percentage
• Goal: 1600 calories, 44g fat per day

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Week 9 results

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Simple Chili with Kidney Beans