I knew it was too good to be true. Fitday had me convinced I could eat 2800 calories a day and lose a pound a week. Well, I averaged 3000, but exercised a lot, so according to fitday I averaged 3500 burned and should have had a 500 cal/day deficit. (I'm male, 236#, and exercise a lot.) But instead of losing a pound of week, I lost 1/4 a pound a week. In other words, one pound a month!
I'm trying to cut down to 2500, since I'd have to lose a pound a week if I averaged that and kept up the exercise, but it's so hard to stay consistent. If I have any empty calories like orange juice, beer, or a little extra food at dinner, there's no way I can come in under 2800 without feeling all light-headed and not being able to sleep well. And if I screw up even one day a week, there's no way I can average 2500!
I know I have to just get stricter and say NO MORE EMPTY CALORIES. I think I've been in denial that I could still have a beer or a couple of glasses of orange juice almost every day and still lose weight. I've got to start looking at food as fuel and NOT USING IT FOR ANYTHING ELSE. Food is not entertainment, it shouldn't be used for a quick pick-me-up, I shouldn't use it to relieve anxiety. And I can't be careless! Grabbing a granola bar (like I did tonight in addition to having a slightly too large dinner) or a bowl of cereal when I don't absolutely need it to stay ahead of hunger or light-headedness will blow my calories for the day.
It just requires so much damn discipline.
On the bright side, when I first started counting calories, I was eating 4000 calories a day (!) and couldn't get it down to even 3000 for a long time, so at least I'm moving in the right direction. Plus I'm in kick-*** (cardio) shape for someone who weighs what I do. I get less tired than some of the thin guys playing basketball!
I already eat a ton of protein and watch my fat intake. I have 6 meals/snacks a day. I avoid most refined carbs except for my cereal which has a lot of protein and fiber in it. Since I eat cereal 3x a day as breakfast and snacks, I think maybe my next step will be to switch to oatmeal or something for a better glycemic index.
I'll tell you this much, this time, I am NOT giving up. This is hard as ****, but the alternative is so much worse. I guess it's like Thomas Jefferson said, "The price of freedom is eternal vigilance." Eternal vigilance is hard f***ing work, but I really want to be free of this weight.