I dunno what my issue is. Maybe it's as simple as just eating too much. But whatever it is, I have to do something to get out of this rut!! Last time, I started just stringing good days together with green x's and I dropped ten pounds. Now I have been stuck at 237 for awhile. And as you can see from my ticker, it's because I have been going over my calories. Usually not by much... 1600 or 1700, but apparently enough to mess me up.
So my new plan is this:
Keep counting calories and staying under 1500, with the green x method.
Cut out the waffles and latte every morning. It is under 300 calories but I don't think it is helping any. So starting next week, instead of carbs for breakfast I will go back to making fat free yogurt/fruit smoothies for breakfast. That's what I had in August and September, and I lost weight well.
Up the exercise. I think my knees can handle the bike 5-6x a week, 20 minutes a day. I also think I can start strength training this week and that will help.
I also have been leaning on snacks like 100-cal granola bars or low fat crackers. Again, I think cutting the carbs and starting to eat more fruit will help.
That's my plan... thanks for letting me think out looud here and make a strategy to get another ten pounds off.
Sounds like a good plan to me! I know when things stall for me, it's time to shake up my exercise--either more intense or just different. I think you will see a difference w/ adding strenght training!
It sounds like you've put some serious thought into it and have come up with some tweaks that should work for you. I think you'll be successful. I always look for your green x's in your posts. Looking forward to a green x for you this week.
Hope this does the trick for you! You mentioned more fruit, but I would also suggest replacing the carbs with veggies, veggies, veggies! This always really seems to help me.
Thanks for all the support! I am really ready for a change. I have been having too many "slightly bad" days.
Darkblue, I make my smoothies with nonfat, plain, organic yogurt, fruit, and ice. Often I put in a whole peeled mango for the fruit. Sometimes I use peaches or berries. I also add a little orange juice or mango juice for sweetness.
My lattes are actually made from chai tea and skim milk, and I love em, but I do add 2 tsp sugar to them. I think I am ready to move off those for the most part. Maybe have one iced for a treat once in a rare while.
My waffles I have been eating are whole grain kashi waffles. Sometimes Vans Flax waffles. I would have one with peanut butter and jam. The calories are not bad, but somehow I think I will do better with smoothies or the occasional egg beater omelet.
I have bought myself a cute little notebook and am putting together a strength training routine for myself and will keep track of my exercise in there.
My DH is leaving again on Weds for 3 weeks. My goal is to have ALL GREEN X's for the 3 weeks he is gone. I think I can do it. No junk in front of me makes it a lot easier.