What I learned
 

So my "week-long" experiment is over...I made 1,800 calories on all but one day, I think. And I didn't gain a pound.

What does this teach me? That I CAN eat more and be fine. Will I always? No. There are some times when my meal calories are lower, and I'd have to fill in with more than I want to eat, or just junk, to reach that 1,800 "goal." Like tonight...I'm at 1,650 and will be stuffed today. And that's fine. Tomorrow might be different.

I like having the room to go higher or stay lower...knowing I'll be FINE. Couldn't, or really wouldn't, have done this without your encouragement. Thanks, y'all!

Mindi, congratulations on your experiment! We know this was hard for you to try, so :high: It just goes to show how we're all laboratories of one and we all need to experiment to see what works for each of us as unique individuals. It sounds like knowing you have a calorie range is going to give you'll a little peace of mind. :)

Thanks for doing this and sharing your results!

Yes! Peace of mind is wonderful! I was SOOOO locked in to 1,650...1,650....lt's almost freeing to know that it's not as rigid as I thought it was...

Howdy,
I too am glad you did this and posted along the way. I am starting to get close to goal and I am thinking through a lot of these questions. Your experience was very helpful.

Ah! Glad to hear that 1800 worked well for you! Of course, try it for another week. Kudos for being brave! :bravo:

Jay

What a successful week you've had!! Venturing out seems to have paid off. I look forward to hearing similar results this time next week. :)

My biggest problem today is that I'm STUFFED after lunch and probably won't get the afternoon snacks (an apple and 100 cal. popcorn pack) in at all...if not I may save the popcorn 'til after dinner tonight...we'll see.

I don't see that as a problem. Okay for the sake of your experiment *perhaps* and not *seeing* what happens on those 1800 cals two weeks in a row. So be it. But I certainly wouldn't eat if I weren't hungry. That's a path I think you're best off not going down. But like you said - you'll see.

Well, it's going to be a loooooong night tonight, involving an early supper. I'm "saving" the popcorn in case I'm hungry when I get home, but may or may not eat it.

I do have a problem, however, with eating because I "need" to reach a calorie goal, and not necessarily because I'm hungry. It's something I'm working on for sure...

So I'm already falling back into old patterns...seeing the calorie number (counted 100% accurately now) inching toward 1,700 and freaking out...cutting out parts of dinner, etc.

Didn't help that I got on the scale this morning and saw 144. I've never seen 144 since I started maintaining. I'm trying to tell myself that it's the soy sauce/sodium from the stir fry I made last night, and not a real "gain."

Mindi, I can gain three pounds overnight when I eat soy sauce! Stay strong and don't listen to that bad voice in your head that's telling you to cut food. More than 60% of the "weight" in our bodies is water and it's natural for it to fluctuate up and down a few pounds. Give it a few days and I'll bet the scale will be right back where it was. :)

Stick to your plan! Remember, it was one week at a time. By the end of the current week's block, you should be able to see a more accurate reading of your weight.

My weight can fluctuate 3 pounds just from morning to afternoon!

Drink more water...

Jay

The plan is DEFINITELY more water today, and I told my husband the same thing. I totally overdid it on the salt last night. I drink a 1.5 liter bottle of water every day, plus whatever else I get at home in the evenings. I'm going to go through my normal bottle at work, refill it and finish off at least another half today.

My weight normally fluctuates a lot from day to day, but it's never been above 143....just seeing the number made my heart jump. I'm good, though...continuing on...

Weight finally stabilized back at 141....gotta watch that soy sauce!!!