And so January comes to a close. It started well for me, as I focused on just one task: tracking my calories. But even that proved too much once stress set in. The past couple of days have been better, though, as my life has returned to some semblance of normalcy. Just moments ago I entered my breakfast calories into my tracking program.
Despite the fact that I limited myself to one simple action — tracking calories — I lost five pounds this month. I started 2009 at about 197 pounds, and ended it about 192. And all of this is just because tracking my calories forced me to become more aware of what I was eating. Several Get Fit Slowly readers suggested entering calories before I ate; that method works like a charm. Many times I entered something like “two pieces of pizza” only to see big numbers starting back at me. I’d generally opt for one piece of pizza instead!
One thing I’d like to do this year is add one new fitness habit every month. In January, I tracked calories. For February, I’m going to try to “move at least one mile every day”. That is, I want to get outside (or go to the gym) and walk or run or bike a mile daily.
As I’ve mentioned before, there’s a wonderful three-mile loop near my home. In 50 minutes, I can stroll briskly around the neighborhood and enjoy the scenery. (Or, if I prefer, listen to an audiobook.) There’s also a park at the bottom of the hill that has about one-fifth of a mile of paved pathway. That’s a nice place to go run.
Can I track calories and do mild exercise at the same time? I sure hope so! I feel like these are modest goals. (Earlier this month, there was a one-week stretch where I walked three miles every day and loved it.) But, unlike last year, I’m embracing the slowly in Get Fit Slowly during 2009.
Update: It may still be January, but I decided that it’s such a nice, sunny day that I could start my “move one mile” program this afternoon. I ran for the first time in three months. Just one mile, but it’s a start, eh?
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Yes i find putting my food in ahead of time is a great tool!!
Hey J.D.,
Congrats on your success! I personally think you should track food instead of calories, but do what works!
I think one mile a day is a lot, and kudos for starting TODAY!
What’s your plan for days off, when you don’t go a mile? Will you allow for one day off per week, try to avoid days off but ignore it, make up the mile by going two miles the next day…?
I think your goal of moving a mile a day is awesome. I once used a bodybugg for a while… just ordinary daily tasks like walking to the bus or grocery shopping burns a lot of calories when you add them up. over time.
I also like that you are planning your caloric intake. When I am trying to control my caloric intake on a diet, I find I do best when I write down the amount I can have for the day. This alone has done wonders for my dieting efforts.
That’s a fantastic result! I like the idea of just adding one habit a month.
Nice work – and so encouraging!
I just started carefully tracking what I eat, too, and I’ve noticed if affects how I think about meals: I’m looking at what I need, rather than what I want, and I’m starting to plan ahead more. Monday is my first weigh in day, so we’ll see if it’s made a difference yet on the scale, but I do feel more healthy, generally – I don’t feel “stuffed” anymore after I eat.
One mile a day is such a manageable goal… I might borrow that for the busy weekdays when I think I just can’t do anything.
Keep up the good progress, JD!
JD, I’m so glad to see that the “slowly” concept is starting to take a firmer hold. I’m always a proponent of it, though I admit that I had hoped to lose nearly double the amount I lost over the last year. But’s that’s ok – in fact, it’s probably really smart I suppose, but I certainly am inclined to get a little nuts about it and try to speed it up too much.
Great suggestion on the the writing down the calories before you eat. I don’t track calories, but keeping a food diary for me works. But I always write it down after – I’m definitely going to try the proactive approach. Great tip.
On a personal note, I am very glad to hear you’ve emerged from the tremendous stress and recent emotional trials. I lost my grandmother on Christmas day this year, and it really threw me for a loop. Finally starting to feel some semblance of normalcy again as well.
Thank you as always – I may have to check out the loop that you’re talking about, being that we are in the same general area.
Best as always,
Jeremy (Metroknow)
JD, that’s awesome progress!!! Congratulations!!
My husband and I have also been counting calories and walking on the weekends (for an hour each time) all month. We’re eating 1500 cal per day, plus the calories we burn by exercising. We’ve each lost about 7 pounds. We’re okay with doing it slowly, and it feels great.
That?s awesome, JD! I have been tracking calories with FitDay this month as well. I love looking at the data everyday. I also find it helpful to input things ahead of time. I?ve lost just over 5 lbs this month, too, and I am thrilled. I have previously struggled to stay on track with the ?slowly? approach. It is so easy to be distracted by my impatience. But I know this works and it is so worth the effort! Imagine, if we keep up this rate, that would be 60 pounds in a year.
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