February 11, 2014

Eye On The Prize

Yesterday marked one month of religiously tracking my calories and exercise in My Fitness Pal.  Sure I've been "using" it since James was 3 days old but I was fudging it.  I wasn't committed mostly because the pounds fell off the first 6ish weeks and I thought I was golden. Then I hit a wall and then the holidays came and BAM!  It was the reality check I needed.

On January 10 I started using MFP the way it was designed.  The way I used it when I lost the baby weight the last time.  I've been tracking every little thing I put in my mouth.  That spoonful of cookie dough while Kendall and I were baking yesterday?  Yep, I put it in.  The half a banana I ate off of her plate this morning?  I logged it.  And sometimes, when I am lazy, I will not eat something just because I don't want to have to log it.  A lot of times I will overestimate on my calories eaten too.  For example, a serving of peanut butter is one tablespoon and I barely put a slather on my toast yesterday but I logged it on MFP as a full serving.  It's all a mind game, I tell ya.

On the other hand, there's exercise. I'm kind of addicted right now and if I can't get in SOME sort of exercise each day, I feel like a failure. I know, I know it's not realistic and I shouldn't be so hard on myself but working out makes me feel good.  It improves my mood.  It calms me down.  It gives a feeling of accomplishment.  I need it.  Even if it's just a 10 minute yoga session or a slow incline walk on the treadmill.  Something is better than nothing, in my book.

Much like I overestimate on my calories eaten, I underestimate on my calories burned.  See I don't have one of those super-cool heart rate monitor watches yet {I asked for one for my birthday this month}.  So I have my treadmill, when I do it, and MFP to track my calories burned. When I do the treadmill it says one thing and MFP says another so I'll use whichever is the least amount burned.  I don't, however, count things like cooking and cleaning as calories burned and, quite frankly, I think it's laughable that those are even in the database as cardio.

Before you go getting all, "But Shannon are you sure this is safe and healthy?" on me, I'm averaging 1200-1800 calories a day.  I'm fine.

All that to say, in the past month of logging every single thing, I have lost 12 lbs.


As you can see, this is still quite a ways from my goal weight but this was the motivation I needed to keep going.  It's amazing what can happen when you put your mind to something.  And now I more determined than ever.  

11 comments:

  1. GREAT WORK, lady! I have tried MFP a million times, and I just get so lazy when it comes to entering food on my phone. Checking facebook and instagram? That's easy. But MFP (literally the app right next to FB on my phone)? impossible. go figure.

    So impressed with you and your dedication.

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  2. I need to really get back on track with this stupid MFP thing....it's like I'll do it for a day or 2 and then forget about it. And I thought I was doing good, and then I stepped on the scale this morning, and (yes, 2 days after my period) back up to 123....I was setting my goal at closer to 115...blah! Don't like that. So, today is a new day and I'll be tracking everything. I even put my MFP widget on my home page on my phone. Lets see if that helps me....

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  3. Nice job!! 12 pounds in a month is fantastic! Excited to see you hit your goal weight which I know you will.

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  4. Awesome job! The way you approach it is so motivating and encouraging!

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  5. Congrats to you!! I also use MFP and have been getting back to using you. I lost 18 pounds this summer but still have more to go. MFP really makes you aware of things you are eating.

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  6. what is your username, I would love to add you as a friend. I use MFP daily! Mine is BethanyWink!

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  7. Awesome!!! I love MFP! Keep it up friend!

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  8. Great job friend!!!! You are doing so awesome!!

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  9. Awesome job! Keep it up Shannon.

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  10. Great job! I just started tracking my calories and I was way off what I thought I was eating. I have 16 to go!!!!

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