Hi,
I am not on a "plan" meaning a plan with a name and rules like Zone, Atkins, South Beach, Weight Watchers, etc.
I exercise every single day-no matter what-and I eat between 1200-1800 calories a day. (It varies through the week depending on my workout schedule-on heavy workout days I eat near the higher end of the range.)
I track my food intake/calories and my water intake-and my exercise in a small notebook.
I have my own "rules" when it comes to my food intake-a plan I have devised myself. My goal is not only to be at a certain weight-but to be as healthy as I can be-so here are some of my habits/rules I go by:
~drink at least 8 8oz. glasses of water a day (4 16oz. bottles)
~eat between 1200-1800 calories a day-up to 2000 if I have a very extreme workout day once in a while-like a 3-6 hour dance workshop
~exercise each and every day-no excuses! (I am going to a convention in April for four days-and chose my hotel based upon the fact that it had a fitness facility!
)
~Within my calories-I eat a bare minimum of 4-5 servings of fruits and vegetables. I try to vary the produce I buy/snack on each week-as to get many different antioxidants, phytochemicals, and benefits that fruits and veggies provide.
~I buy organic foods when possible to help the environment, support farmers with healthier farming methods, and for better health for me and my family.
~I stay away from "simple carbs" when I can. I don't low carb by any means-but I choose carbs like whole wheat bread instead of white, whole wheat pasta instead of white, oatmeal and whole grain cereals over kiddie cereals and Pop-Tarts.
~When I do allow an indulgence-it is of limited calories. I will eat 2 Hershey Kisses for 50 calories rather than spend over 200 eating a full size candy bar, for instance.
~I do eat out occasionally-and I try to order smart when I do. Egg Drop Soup and steamed veggies (ask to be prepared without oil) at a Chinese Place...a grilled chicken salad at almost any restaurant...a chicken soft taco at Taco Bell...something off of the Weight Watchers Menu at Applebee's-I have found that with research I can eat something just about ANYWHERE-so I have no excuse to go over my calories just because I am going out to dinner.
~I plan ahead. If we are going to a cake and ice cream laden birthday party-then I bring a small piece of fruit and an herbal tea bag with me to enjoy while everyone else around me eats cake. If I think of the cake icing purely as nothing but what it truly is-shortening and sugar mixed together-then it is not NEARLY as appetizing. I look at it-and think about all the trans fat and sugar I would be consuming-and I pretty much "gross myself out" of eating it.
It is working for me-I struggle some days-but I have come to the realization and accepted the fact that I am not one of the ones that can eat whatever they want and sit on the couch and be thin. I don't have that luxury. Once I accepted that as part of life-it made it easier.
Aphil