Jett's Trail

[Jett]

My primary goal right now is to lose some fat by improving the quality and decreasing the quantity of what I eat. To that end, I need to do some general food logging right now, to establish a baseline for what a "normal" amount of food is. I've calculated that my maintenance calories are about 1700/day right now. That's my goal for the next week or two, to get used to the amount.

 

Previously, I'd assumed that maintenance was about 2000, but I've been doing a very slapdash sort of calculation for the last few weeks to keep myself around 2000 cals, and not seen any weight loss - in fact, a slight gain. If 1700 is correct, that would make sense.

 

I also need to increase my water intake, as I'm perpetually thirsty, and it gives me a headache. Living in the Los Angeles heat, it's important to stay hydrated...

 

 

ETA: I didn't weigh myself right away, but I'm taking a guess that my starting weight is about 244 lbs. (Averaging the weighing I did a few weeks ago with the one from a few days after I started logging, which was actually about 4 lbs lighter.)

 

Goal for this week: 1700/day

 

7/23

almond butter cookie (190 cal)

cup of coffee w/creamer and splenda (~50 cal)

~4 cups of kimchee rice with egg (600 cal?)

Tangerine La Croix

Diet Coke

snack crackers (150 cal)

salmon + bok choi + rice (~650 cal)

 

total: 1640

water: ~30oz

(total liquid intake: ~58oz)

[Jett]

7/24

cup of coffee w/creamer and splenda (~50 cal) 

almond chocolate bar (140 cal)

fruit cup (~115 cal)

chicken & veggie wrap (~400 cal)

Melon La Croix

Diet Coke (1/2 can)

dipped pretzels x2 (200 cal)

plain pretzels (100 cal)

snap peas+ chicken + rice: 720

iced tea

 

total: 1735 cals

water: 17oz

(total liquid: 53 oz)

[Jett]

Yesterday, I went to IHOP for brunch, and made poor decisions about what I ordered. Ended up going 500 calories over!

I also didn't track my liquids...

 

7/25

Cup of cashew milk: 100 cals

cup of coffee w/creamer and splenda (~50 cal) 

Ihop breakfast: 1200 cals

Chips: 140 cals

Pretzels: 100 cals

Pork chops, broccoli and potatoes: 610 cals

 

Total: 2200!!

Water: didn't track 

[Jett]

Today didn't really feel like a "win", but I think it was. I had a very late lunch after going with my wife to a doctor's appointment, and we were too hungry to go home and get the food we'd prepped. So we got sandwiches at Quiznos, which isn't the worst thing, but we also got tater tots on the side, which were a lot more calories than I expected!

 

We ended up changing our dinner plans for something lower cal so that we wouldn't go over our calorie goals, which is where the "win" comes into play.

 

7/26

leftover fajita filling: ~200 cal?

dipped pretzels: 100 cal

glass of iced tea x2

tangerine La Croix

Quiznos sandwich: 660 cal

15 tater tots: 240 cal

Diet Pepsi

onion omelettes: 300 cal

bacon: 200 cal

 

total: 1700

water: 20 oz

(total fluids: ~70oz)

 

I'm definitely noticing that I lose a lot of my rather skimpy calorie allowance to snacking. So my next step is probably to try to focus on more satiating foods for breakfast and lunch, and reducing snacking as much as possible.

 

I'm also doing something a bit different from past diets, which is to take a sort of "KonMari" approach to food. If you don't know about the KonMari method of minimizing your space, it's where you go through your stuff, and decide whether or not to keep an item based on whether it's useful, necessary, and - most importantly - something that brings you joy. I didn't set out to do this, but I find that with so few calories available to me each day, I don't want to waste any of them eating things I don't enjoy. Especially not mediocre snacks that take up calories and don't do anything for me. If I'm going to eat a snack, it's going to be one of my favorite foods, the things I find most delicious. The quantity eaten will depend on how many calories I have available at the time. Honestly, I'd rather eat a small piece of decadent chocolate than a whole bag of half-stale pretzels.

[Jett]

Been thinkin' a bit, and I've decided to commit to two things for next week/the rest of this week:

 

1. No more creamer in my coffee. That's an extra 30-odd calories I don't need, plus I can't really eat dairy much anymore, and it's a pain to try to find the one non-dairy creamer in the office creamer jar.

 

2. Before snacking, I will ask myself, "Will I truly enjoy this snack?" I will practice mindfulness while eating any snacks (and other food too, ideally, but let's start small).

[Jett]

7/27
iced coffee with splenda (0 cal)
tangerine la croix
fruit cup (~115 cal)
chicken & veggie wrap (~300 cal)

almond chocolate bar (140 cal)

Chicken quesorito (620 cal)

Chicken burrito (400 cal)

almond butter cookie (190 cal)

 

Total: 1765

water: 25oz

 

7/28

Iced coffee with syrup (50 cal?)
tangerine la croix
Iced tea x2

Rice with sauce (300 Cal)

Snack crackers (140 Cal)

Jerky (80 Cal)

Steak & mashed potatoes & green beans (1000 cal)

Creamsicle (80 Cal)

 

Total: 1650

Water: 10 oz

Liquid: 48 oz

 

7/29

Diet Pepsi x3

Chef sampler platter from Norm's: 1200

Burritos x2: 600 Cal

Crackers: 140 Cal

Iced tea

Salad with italian dressing

Creamsicle: 80 Cal

 

total: ~2000

Water: 20oz

 

7/30
Coffee with soy milk (25 cal)

Muffin (380) x2

Almonds (260)

Mango la croix

Salad with light Italian dressing (25 cal)

Turkey burger (300 cal)

small pho (300 cal?)

 

total: 1670

water: ? (not a lot)

[Jett]

Looks like my maintenance may actually be a bit higher than 1700, as Thursday I weighed in at 241, a few pounds lighter than when I started. (It's back to 244 today, though, so it's hard to be sure.) I'm struggling a bit with feeling hungry/not being satiated, but if I can keep this calorie restriction going, and see the same kind of drop in weight (~1 lb per week), I'll be satisfied with my rate of weight loss. Once I drop to 230, it will probably be time to get serious about weight training, which means eating at or slightly above a "maintenance" level that takes activity into account. Once I notice a certain amount of new muscle, I will be well positioned to go back to a "cutting" cycle to lose more fat. Hopefully, cycling like this will avoid the diminishing returns of a slowed metabolism that ultimately sabotaged me last time.

[Jett]

Weighed myself yesterday (can' t believe a week passed that quickly!) and I'm back at 240. So I'm thinking the fluctuation back up was temporary - probably water bloating based on a hormone shift. I'm pleased to see that the overall average is still trending down, slowly. I do seem to be holding the rate of about a pound lost per week.

 

This week, my goal was 1650, rather than 1700.

7/31

Coffee with nondairy creamer (140 cal) - my wife made it for me, so I had to drink it!
Muffin (380 cal)
ice tea
mango la croix
fried rice with extra meat (2.5 cups) - 700 cal
grapes (30)
cinnamon rolls x4 (640 cals)
jerky (100 cal)
popcorn (200 cal?!)

 

total: ~2200
water: 24oz

8/1
coffee with splenda
almonds (100 cal)
jerky (100 cal)
fried rice with extra meat (2.5 cups) - 700 cal
cherries (30 cal)
mango la croix
creamsiclex2 (160 cal)
italian sausage & pasta (with veg) (460 cal)
iced tea (lots)

 

total: 1650
water/liquid: lots

 

8/2

Sausage sandwich (930)
Grapes (60)
Italian sausage pasta (460)
Diet soda
Iced tea
jello (200)

 

Water: (didn't track)
Total: 1640
 

[Jett]

I'm finally sharing my 'why' and my plan of action, so I can get those sweet sweet academy XPs :P

 

In the future, I am a person who...

 

1. Has a lot of strength, especially in my upper body.

• I will measure this by being able to do a pullup, plank for 1 minute, and deadlift a moderate amount (tbd).
• I will get to this point by strength training towards these goals at least 2x per week.

2. Is active.

• I will measure this by being able to hike 3+ miles, swim/surf for 30 min at a time, and take 5+ mile bike rides.
• I will make a point of doing an activity like those described above at least 2x per month.

3. Is slim and muscular (as much as my biology will allow).

• I will measure this by body fat, with a goal of >= 25%
• I will accomplish this through dieting (bulk/cut cycling) and the exercising described above.

4. Has healthy sleep.

• I will consider success to be the ability to get to bed at a reasonable time (based on when I need to get up) and wake up feeling refreshed and not snoozing.
• I will accomplish this through good sleep hygiene, and making sure I get enough sleep.

 

Why go out of my way to make these changes to future me? To put it simply, I want to become the kind of person I looked up to as a kid. In a sense, I won't consider myself a "real" adult until I can do these things that I have always considered part of being a healthy adult. My parents never trained me to be an active person who ate well (although they did somewhat lead by example). As a teenager and young adult, I wasn't interested in putting in the effort to build healthy habits. But now, I feel like it's time to grow up and more fully meet my potential.

[Jett]

I haven't been tracking my water as much, but haven't really needed to. Doing better about hydration.

Also, I found a way to put "cream" in my coffee with minimal caloric effects: unsweetened almond milk. I won't have access to this at work (I mean, I guess I could bring some and put it in the office fridge, but I don't really want to do that), so at work I'll just have it black. But it's nice to have that option if I want it.

 

8/3

coffee with almond milk and truvia: 10 cal

soup: 240 cal

cherries: 10 cal

chocolate: 110 cal

mango la croix x3

popcorn: 150cal

chick fil a sandwich + 1 sauce: 550

taro milk tea with boba: 400?

 

total:1480 (lowball estimate)

[Jett]

The tap water has developed a rather heavy chlorine taste in the last few days, I've run out of La Croix, and I also ran out of zero-cal sweetener to make iced tea. The end result is that I'm drinking far too much diet soda and iced coffee, and not nearly enough water or other clear beverages. I guess it's time to go shopping...

 

I also didn't track my calories for the last 3 days. I've been taking care of my wife after her surgery, and the stress mounted up until I had a small breakdown yesterday. Because of this, I'm not going to be too hard on myself about not tracking. Unfortunately, I'm quite sure I went well over my calories yesterday (couldn't bring myself to cook anything, so I ordered pizza). Still, I'm starting over today, and not worrying too much about the days that I slipped up.

[Jett]

8/7

pizza - 480

soup - 240

watermelon - 30

coffee with almond milk and truvia: 10 cal

Chocolate - 165

Burrito - 775

1700 total

 

8/8

Taro bubble tea - 480

Coffee with almond milk - 10 Cal

Chow mein - 200 Cal

Burrito - 700

Panda cookies - 320

1710 total

 

Haven't been as careful about counting calories this week, but still managed not to go too far over my goal. Finally went grocery shopping and got some La Croix and some zero call sweetener for iced tea, so I can stay hydrated despite the gross tap water. Not sure what the deal is with that; it was fine until last week. Hopefully it'll clear up soon.

[Jett]

Going to do the 4-week challenge starting on Monday: https://rebellion.nerdfitness.com/index.php?/topic/110279-seeking-a-path/

[Jett]

8/9
Coffee with truvia
Tangerine La Croix
Orange drink - 80 Cal
Ham and cheese sandwich - 500
Ceasar salad - 250
pretzels - 100
Burger - 620
Broccoli - 20
ice cream - 130

total: 1700

[Jett]

8/10

triple espresso - 150

one half protein "cookie" - 155

sandwich - 500?

pasta salad - 200?

diet soda x 4

Steak - 650

hash browns - 115

 

total: 1770

 

 

8/11

1/2 giant burrito + rice & beans - 900

Chow mein - 1200

Gummi bears - 115

Soda - 100

Panda cookies - 270

 

Total: 2585

 

 

8/12

1/2 giant burrito + rice - 800

Pudding - 100

Caffeinated pb - 90

Apple - 80

Chicken and green beans - 450

Hot chocolate - 120

 

Total: 1650

 

I haven't been keeping up my tracking during the day, so it's easy to overeat - especially when I'm eating out a lot, which I have been lately. Should be having all home-cooked dinners this week (although I may eat out for lunch once or twice), so I think that will help. Also struggling to remain consistent with my liquid intake, so I need to start tracking it again. I'm noticing a pattern of doing well when tracking, so feeling that I can stop tracking because I've built a good habit, only to find that it wasn't really a habit, just me paying more attention. So I'll be making as-I-go food and water tracking a part of this upcoming 4-week challenge so that I can adjust due to immediate feedback and keep pointed at my goals.

[Jett]

8/13

6oz raspberries - 90

ramen - 500?

grapes - 60

Sinfit proteinbar - 350

pork tacos - 640

sangria soda - 80

total: 1720

 

Liquids log

Coffee with stevia (12 oz)

Mango La Croix x2 (24 oz)

water (33oz)

diet coke (12oz)

soda (6oz)

total: 87oz

 

Walked? No.

[Jett]

8/14

raspberries - 90

home made jerky (2oz) - 215

salad - 480

Chicken satay - 800

popsicle - 80

watermelon - 5

Total: 1670

 

 

liquids

tangerine la criox x2 (24oz)

water (30 oz)

coffee with stevia (12oz)

total: 66oz

 

Walked: no

[Jett]

8/15

salad - 200

pork tacos - 420

Taco Bell - 1060

Total: 1680

 

liquids

coffee with stevia (20oz)

water (37oz)

total: 57oz

 

Walked? No

Bed time: 12:45am

[Jett]

Down to 238.6 lbs! Aiming for 1650 calories, I sometimes come in above, and sometimes a little under. But I think I am, overall, tracking more accurately now, which lets me reassess that maybe my maintenance calories are a bit higher than I thought. Probably under 2000, but higher than 1700.

[Jett]

8/16

PB & Banana in Tortilla - 650

jerky - 230

Lascaris (sub and wings) - 750

total: 1670

 

liquids

coffee (12oz)

water (17oz)

la croix (12oz)

total: 41oz

 

Walked? YES

Bed time: 12:45am

 

 

8/17

Jerky - 200

Party mix - 375

Fried rice - 1050

Soda - 90

Pie - 425

Beer - 170

Total: 2310

 

Liquid

Didn't track

 

Walked? No

Bed time: 2am

 

 

8/18

Cookies - 200

Hot dogs - 750

Pie - 850

Fried rice - 300

Total: 2100

 

Liquid

1/2 soda (6oz)

24 oz water

12 oz tea

La croix x2 (24 oz)

Total: 66oz

 

Walked? Yes

Bed time: 3am

 

 

8/19

Eggs - 230

Bacon - 120

Irish Coffee - 60

Hash browns - 230

Burger - 690

Fries - 100

Pie - 425

Total: 1855

 

Liquid

La Croix x2 - 24oz

Coffee - 12oz

Tea - 40oz

Total: 76oz

 

Walked: no

Bed time: midnight?

[Jett]

8/20

Raspberries - 90

pork chop - 240 cal

fries - 320 cal

bbq sauce - 90

Jerky - 100

Crackers - 150

popcorn - 100

Mac n cheese - 250

Beer - 160

Orange tic tacs x19 - 40

Oatmeal cookies - 170

Total: 1650

 

liquid

Coffee with stevia (12oz)

Water (17 oz)

Tea (18oz)

Total: 47oz

 

Walked? yes

Bed time: 2 am

 

 

8/21

Oatmeal cookies - 400

Carl's Jr chicken club - 580

Medium fries - 300

Costco pizza - 700

Dressing - 30 Cal

Goldfish crackers x15 - 50

Total: 2160

 

Liquid

Water (65)

Diet soda (20)

total: 85oz

 

Walked? No

Bed time: 1am

[Jett]

I realized that my "bed time" tracking isn't really recording what I want. I've been estimating when I fell asleep, but what I actually want to know is when did I start getting read for bed, and when did I start trying to fall asleep. (Estimated actual asleep and wake times are also useful.)

 

So future records will be:

 

Shower time/bed time/asleep time; estimated hours of sleep.

[Jett]

8/22

Oatmeal cookies -  340

Mac & Cheese - 750

Tic tacs - 40

Mini chicken quesadilla - 160

Crunchwrap - 530

Total: 1820 :/

 

Liquid

Coffee w/stevia (12oz)

water (27 oz)

la croix x2 (24 oz)

Total: 63oz

 

Walked? Yes!

Worked out? no

Sleep: 1am/1:45am/? - ~7 hrs

[Jett]

8/23

Oatmeal cookies -  240

Mahi salad - 300

chicken and veg stir fry with rice - 300

donut - 300

jerky - 200

slice of cheese -110

Total: 1450

 

Liquid

Coffee w/stevia (12oz)

water (25 oz)

la croix x2 (24 oz)

Total: 61oz

 

Walked? Yes

Worked Out? No

Sleep: 1:45am/2:15am/? - ~6 hrs

[Jett]

8/24

Bread Pudding - 670

coffee creamer - 30

jerky - 200

cookies - 100

chocolate - 100

Tacos - ??? (maybe 700?)

total: 1800?

 

liquid

water (22oz)

coffe with stevia and creamer (18oz)

la croix (12oz)

total: 42oz

 

Walked? yes

Worked out? no

 

Data is missing for the weekend and Monday due to medical difficulties. (Does not count against my tracking record.)

 

 

8/28

Soup and sandwich - 570

chips - 150

oatmeal cookies - 160

puchao candy x2 - 40

ramune candy - 15

cheese puff -  35

burger - 680

Total: 1650

 

liquids

coffee - 12oz

la croix - 12oz

diet coke -12oz

water - 27oz

total: 63oz

 

Walked? yes!

Shower: 12am

Bed: 1am