Today, I'm working on my third blog article, and I find myself both amused and challenged by my ongoing struggle to align my eating habits with my fitness goals. In theory, my goals are simple: build muscle and lose a little fat.
On the fitness side, I’ve been quite consistent. My routine combines strength training and aerobic activity. For strength training, I've been fortunate to work with a personal trainer twice a week for the past two years. This partnership has transformed my core from what my trainer once described as “very weak” to a powerhouse that allows me to lift weights I never thought possible and even move furniture with relative ease—tasks that once felt nearly impossible. The accountability of having a trainer waiting for me has been invaluable, ensuring I maintain proper form and stay motivated.
Lately, I’ve started transitioning to self-accountability for my strength training. I’m currently on a sabbatical from my regular job, which has given me the time and space to hit the gym 2-3 times a week. I’ve found an app called RepCount that effectively tracks my workouts. As for aerobic training, my love of hiking has blossomed during this time off. I’m able to enjoy 1-2 invigorating hikes each week that really get my heart pumping! I also run once a week—though not as fast as I used to. I alternate between slow, easy runs and interval training, pushing myself to sprint for one minute and then recover at my own pace. Right now, I’m experimenting with longer sessions of Zone 2 training, often using the elliptical or rower for this purpose. More on that in a future blog!
The nutrition aspect, however, poses a greater challenge. It’s remarkable to realize that I can push my body to do what I need—even when I’m not feeling it—yet struggle to control what I put into it. I know that food is fuel and understand the nutritional value (or lack thereof) of different foods. But I find myself swayed by communal eating experiences, like dining out with family and friends. Suddenly, I feel the urge to have a glass of wine or indulge in irresistible appetizers, despite entering the restaurant with a firm resolution to order a mocktail. I also grapple with the tendency to reward myself with sweets for small successes on the scale—yes, I know that sounds silly. Just yesterday, I enjoyed a lobster roll with a mocktail and house-made potato chips. Once I started eating those chips, I knew I wouldn’t be able to stop!
I’ve considered working with a nutritionist, akin to my experience with a personal trainer for weight lifting, but I realize that they won’t be with me 24/7—only I am. For the past three weeks, I’ve been tracking my food intake, and it’s clear that I’m eating enough to maintain my weight and body composition. However, I aspire for more than that. It’s time to add another layer of monitoring for myself and equip myself with tools to navigate dining out with family and friends, as well as find healthier ways to reward myself without leading to self-sabotage. More to come...
My Plan for Macros and Calories:
lbs | Kg | Lose | Maintain | ||
Current Weight | 139 | 63 | Calories | 1581 | 1831 |
Goal Weight | 130 | 59 | |||
low | high | Calories | Lose | Maintain | |
Protein (g) | 71 | 130 | Protein | 520 | 520 |
Carbs (g) | 177 | 295 | Carbs | 709 | 709 |
Fats (% cal) | 20 | 35 | Fat | 316 | 641 |
Total | 1545 | 1870 |
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