Week 3 Overview

As I sit down to write this, I’m nearing the end of week 4 and reflecting on the past week. Looking back, I feel quite accomplished since I successfully tracked my calories every single day.

Despite technically being under my caloric limits most days, especially with the exception of Saturday, I have to admit that this doesn't accurately reflect my reality.

How do I know this? I haven’t lost any weight since week one, where I initially shed 3 pounds, likely due to water weight. Since then, I have returned to my starting point.

This led to a realization: I excel at maintaining my weight.

Here’s a glimpse of my tracking history:

I began my journey in January 2012 at 139 pounds, and remarkably, I find myself still around that weight today. This consistency might be what’s known as a "set point" in the fitness community. Although I’m content with my weight at 5'6", I recognize I carry more fat than I would prefer. I believe I would feel better around 130 pounds, yet the effort to reach that goal seems daunting and makes me question its worth, fluctuating based on my mood and self-image.

Trying a New Approach

Recently, I decided to experiment with a different strategy. I set my target weight to 130 in the Lose It app and adjusted my caloric intake to maintain my weight. My projected maintenance calories at that weight would be around 1869, which seems manageable, although I often exceed it.

I also earn extra calories through exercise. There's a debate on whether to utilize these additional calories, but I tend to use them when necessary, especially due to one particular aspect of my diet: alcohol, particularly wine.

Alcohol significantly impacts my calorie count. After taking a 9-month break, I felt the benefits of abstaining from it. However, I never committed to quitting permanently and have found it challenging to eliminate it from my diet entirely.

Read more about my sober experience in this article:

6 Unique Benefits to Quitting Alcohol for 6 Months

This sober experiment has opened my eyes.

I’ve realized that mental preparation is crucial for me to successfully abstain from alcohol, which I haven’t yet achieved.

Week 4 Reflections

In week 3, I felt okay about maintaining my weight, but weighing in this week brought a pleasant surprise:

• Starting weight (9/25/23): 140.8
• Week 1: 137.8
• Week 2: 139.1
• Week 3: 139.9
• Week 4: 137.7

I’m back in the 137s! While I know the scale shouldn't dictate my feelings, this drop has certainly boosted my confidence and motivated me to keep tracking and striving to stay within my calorie limits.

Wrapping Up Week 4

Overall, week 4 went smoothly! My eating habits haven't changed significantly, except for skipping breakfast. My mornings now consist of coffee and small snacks, with lunch around noon and dinner around 6:30 PM. I find that I consume more calories through snacks (including wine), but my main meals remain healthy, which I consider a form of balance.

Here’s how week 4 concluded:

I’ve successfully tracked my calories daily, which has become a secure habit during this challenge. Despite going over my caloric limit on three occasions this week, I still remained under for the overall week.

Here’s a look at my macronutrient distribution:

I realize I need to focus on increasing my protein intake, as it helps curb my snacking habits due to its satiating properties.

Lastly, here’s a summary of my overall progress:

Achieving a weekly weight loss rate of 0.6 lbs is ideal for me. I hope to maintain this trend moving forward.

Until next time...

Join my fun money newsletter to discover how to create a side income that fits seamlessly into your life. Enjoy extra financial freedom for memorable family experiences without the hassle of phone calls, meetings, or multi-level marketing.