Fresh Eyes, Fresh Perspective

 So on Monday I met with a nutritionist. I have not really seen much progress besides maintenance over the last year. I wanted a fresh look at what I was doing, what I could do better, and how I could get closer to my “end goal” weight.

The funny thing is, after many discussions with friends, I’m not sure what that goal weight is anymore. I had a number in mind, but I wonder if it is realistic for my body? Having never in my adult life weighed less than I do right now, I don’t have any idea what the right number really is for me, or what is realistic to work towards. What I do know is that I am going to work hard until my body lets me know that I have reached a healthy, maintainable weight that I am aesthetically pleased with.

The nutritionist was impressed with my food journal and he did not suggest doing anything drastic like cutting out a whole food group or only eating a particular food. I had nightmares leading up to the appointment that he was going to tell me to cut out carbs forever!

His biggest piece of advice, which I have heard from others numerous times, is that I don’t eat enough. We talked about my routine and what I eat and what workouts I do and when. He had some computer programs that we could plug the information in to and he was pretty adamant that I should be eating about 300-400 calories more per day. The best part though, was that he’d like to see me eat MORE carbs! He also suggested a supplement shake to take as a snack. While I don’t usually like to do those meal replacement shakes or snacks, this is a medical food, lots of vitamins and nutrients to help keep things going. I haven’t done a TON of research on it, but I was willing to give it a shot. It’s called UltraMeal 360 Plus. It’s not too chalky and tastes kind of like Nesquik. The first day I did it with water and it was alright, but it is MUCH better with unsweetened almond milk.

So I am now working on 2000 calories a day, keeping my workout schedule the same 6 days a week and I go back in 2 weeks for a check in to see how things are going. I’m not expecting to start dropping 10lbs a week or anything, but hopefully after a couple weeks (months) of making changes and checking in with the nutritionist, I will finally start to see some new progress.

Eating more isn’t easy for me, it still takes a lot of time and work, but I am finding myself already more relaxed without having to worry about whether or not I’ll eat TOO much.

Right now, only time (and my pants) will tell.

1 month scale free!

Too bad I am having trouble being excited about it right now. I can't believe that its been a month since I last stepped on a scale. In some ways I am proud and happy that I have somehow managed to break the chain that was holding me on to the number. Another part of me is terrified to get back on it again for fear of what I might see.

So I gave up the scale for lent. That will continue this scale-free lifestyle of mine into April. In place of the scale, I have been taking tape measurements of waist, hip, neck, arm, thigh and calf on the 1st of the month, starting in February. Yesterday was the 1st, so I went down to see what the tape measure said. With not weighing myself at all, I have had to rely on how my body feels and how my clothes fit for an idea of how I was doing. My jeans were loose, tops that had been too tight before were fitting again, I was sure that the numbers would show some progress.

Not one number changed.

My measurements were exactly the same from a month ago.

I honestly cannot put into words how heartbreaking that was to see.

I weigh and measure my food. I keep a detailed food journal tracking everything I put in my mouth. Including macro nutrients! I have spreadsheets and journals and sticky notes galore! I go to the gym 7 days a week and track my heart rate and calories burned.

WHY AM I STUCK?!?!