Accountability

One thing I am learning is most important with a big life change is to embrace every step of it.  There are rules that you try to place before you realize that the journey is a lot more personal.  I set out on this leg of my journey with what I thought were hard rules: 1200 calories daily, no more or less, these exercises, etc.  I've broken some of these rules on certain days and recorded the reasons/excuses so I could understand or assess whether it was a destructive behavior or my body might have been telling me something.  Because of this, I believe this has been the most successful 8 weeks of my entire journey.

Let me give you a few details I've picked up gradually.  Balance in diet was one of the hardest things I've had to adjust but I'm going to rattle off what I feel are important figures for women trying to lose weight.  Some of these also apply to men, but these are daily averages that become important for me to calculate each week.  Keep in mind when I am entering in what I eat in the Lose It app, I am always careful to either scan in new foods myself or pick the most complete information available.

Caloric intake: 1200-1400; on a cheat day I will allow up to 2000 one day a week, on days where I have strenuous exercise, I might allow 1600-1800 to refuel.  1200-1400 is what I aim for though and I do not make cheat days mandatory.  If I don't use it, it doesn't get to rollover.
Carbs: less than 150, no more than 200.  This is tricky.  Since I have a very demanding daily exercise routine, low carb isn't realistic but I do aim for complex carbs rather than the "unhealthy" or simple carbs in white bread and such.  On most days I can keep them between 100-150 but I don't beat myself up if it nears 200 on high activity days, especially when it's because of higher fruit intake.
Fat: I focus less on numbers here, as long as I steer clear of trans fat and limit saturated fats.  Very simple to do.  I think my daily average is about 60 grams which is actually on the low side and I've been told more isn't bad.
Protein: this is one where the Internet just confuses me more.  On average, women only need about 49 g daily.  I average about 60-80 but I am trying to build muscle.  Bodybuilders sites say to aim for twice that but I'd have to pound protein shakes to get anywhere close.  I'm not trying to build a lot of muscle but lean muscle is still important to me, so I believe I am in a good place here for now.  I may learn differently.
Sugars: this one is simple.  Don't exceed 90g daily.  I don't have a sweet tooth so my weekly average usually doesn't even come close.  This week it averaged 60g a day, which is even higher than usual, but the boys had given me those fun size kitkat candies a few times this week.
Cholesterol: 300mg daily seems to be the average here.  I used to get close to this, but oddly enough, over the past month, I haven't come close.  My average over the past four weeks is, again, half of that, but I think it's because my go to protein went from eggs to Greek yogurt.
Fiber: I feel a bit sheepish in saying I have been paying zero attention to this and want my new goal to be researching this and making sure this one is right.  I may need to supplement for this one since my diet has been pretty stellar everywhere else.

A new P90X3 workout this past week so a quick review:

Pilates X: this one introduces a routine that is focused on breathing and is mostly done on your back.  Do not think this means it is easy.  There were some instant dislikes, if only for the difficulty, but I enjoyed a series called Saw and another called Alphabet Soup.  It wasn't as fun as Yoga but it did have some charming moments sandwiched in good spots that made it worth getting through.  I've built so much strength in the past two months (5 weeks just in P90X3 alone) that this one might have been less likable without it.  At this point though, it was definitely something I did and said "I can get better."  Tony does impress on you throughout to breathe, which is a staple in both Pilates and Yoga, so I like that.  I find a lot of workout series have that one line that makes you roll your eyes when you hear it.  I never feel that way on repeat watches.  So far there was that one stupid line one of his helpers thought was funny "I eat brains for protein" (not in this video) but Tony's light humor and focused workouts otherwise don't irritate me.  I find he has good timing and doesn't ramble on or get me lost or distracted.  This workout flowed nicely as most of them do.  I won't hate doing this one again.

Lastly, I'll put in last week's rundown.  Eventually, I do want to spreadsheet this and just edit the post so both and I and any others using my routine as a guide can reference it easier, but for now, this will have to do!

Monday: Isometrix, 1 hr walk *added walk
Tuesday: Dynamix, 1 hr walk
Wednesday: accelerator, 1 hr walk *added walk
Thursday: Pilates X, 1 hr. Walk
Friday: rest-- did some experimental focus on triceps, 1 hr walk
Saturday: X3 yoga
Sunday: Dynamix

Not a bad week and Friday weigh in put me at 187 lbs so I'm happy to be down another two pounds.  As a side note, added walks are untimed walks outside of my home but exceeding at least 15 minutes.  Most of these walks do exceed 30 minutes and are sometimes just over an hour.  I don't record them strictly because I consider them bonuses and not an excuse to exceed my calorie or fitness goals.  I do feel like they at least deserve a mention since they signify increases in energy levels at the least.

To finish, I'd like to say my motivation has been increasing by the day.  I notice every little change and I've made a few small victories.  I can correctly hold a forearm plank and do Camel properly, both new to this week.  I should probably post those more.  They are honest boosters in my journey and some people can use every encouragement they can get to reach their goals.  My balance is becoming amazing and all that stuff we take for granted in youth, bending, getting down and up off the floor, that stuff is still amazing to me being easy again.  I do still suffer from excruciating unexplainable pain, but it's not nearly as crippling.  I also have muscle pain that makes sense and lessens over time.  Nothing will end chronic pain, but I sure as hell don't let it stop me.  I am gaining more understanding of anatomy, my own limits (and how to push them), and even how to manage my pain through breathing, movement and focus.  When pain does hold me back, I've learned to postpone plans and pick it up when I get that window.  So if I feel too wretched for that morning workout, I'll sometimes find that i get a reprieve in the afternoon or evening and take advantage.  It can't always fall neatly but it gets done.