We sat together for dinner last night; they ate pizza while I ate JC Turkey Chili and steamed broccoli. I eyed the crumbs on Tom and YaYa’s plate and longed for a piece of pizza. Could I put this “diet” thing off another day? My 1st day of dieting had gone fair, but I don’t like the un-satisfied, always hungry feeling that fills my waking hours.
Today, I tried to spread the food out a little better. It seems that my hunger is at bay until after my mid-day run. That’s no surprise. It was no surprise yesterday, when I reviewed the “free foods” list and then ate nearly a whole bunch of celery stalks. I am sure that it will get better; I’ll get used to the calorie change and the pounds lost will fuel me to continue. Until then, I am obsessive. I’ve logged my miles into my Palm based Diet & Exercise Assistant. JC gave me a menu to follow and log my activity. I know that I write BIG, but there just isn’t enough room to track everything so I started my own spreadsheet. Now, don’t you think that the JC staff will be surprised to see that? It not only adds up the calories, but also has built in formulas. It calculates caloric intake minus the sum of 1555 calories expended (BMR based upon my sitting job) + the calories burned per my garmin. I want to show them why I am concerned that their caloric intake will not work when I’ve really gotten going in my marathon training. My “Intake minus burned calories” showed – 890 yesterday, and IF I stick to the plan for today will be – 1281. No wonder I am hungry. I think the better target would negative 480-500 calories/day.
Perhaps I am being difficult.
You think?
Humm.
On a running note, today’s 6-mile run was nice. The weather has cooled down a bit. It’s now only 90 degrees outside. The pace was slow, but the plan was to just do it. As we ran past people we greeted them “with a smile” but there was no return response. I think the heat must be affecting people’s hearing or, more likely, their mood. Go figure.
I cheated. At dinner, I had a piece of sourdough breed and a glass of milk. I am still nicely under the calories burned.
Juls,
It appears that you have stolen my entry for today and placed it in your blog. This is incredibly obvious because you have written EXACTLY everything that I am going through right now. Coincidence? I think not.
:)
I nearly fell off my chair when I read this. Here I am sitting eating breakfast, measuring out the 2/3 cup of Bran Buds and wondering if half a cup of blueberries is the same as one whole banana, and wishing I could have the leftover lasagna in the fridge instead, when suddenly there you are describing that same “always hungry feeling”. Its awful isn’t it? Nice to know I’m not the only one though.
You and Jon are making me crazy because I will be on this path soon.
I actually think that you should be at no more than -500/day. That is about 1 pound a week which is as fast as you want to lose the weight unless you want it to find you again.
Good job on the self-restraint. The pizza would have done me in.
Diets suck! Good job on the 6 miler – ONLY 90 degrees – that’s funny.
For what it’s worth, I’ve NEVER beeen able to count calories or measure portions. When I want to lose weight, I just try to run more and eat less, and eventually changes start happening.
Juls, is it ever good to be hungry? I can’t. I get tired and grumpy…The only thing that worked for me was giving up sugar and processed foods and exercising more. But I didn’t have to feed a family, either. Good luck with it. I have a feeling you will do everything you want to do, and it will all fall into place.
I agree with your -500 calorie/day suggestion. That’s about a pound a week, which is realistic… Just need to make sure you have enough weeks to meet your goal.
Ugh. I feel you’re pain! I’ve got a freezer full of JC meals downstairs at work, and all of those little brown cans in my drawer. I’m totally off the JC wagon right now, though. Must do better!
xoxoxox