After the pre-season fitness test yesterday, I was expecting some pain in my hamstrings (the sit-and-reach test I once smashed in high school was a part of the experience - let's just say my hypermobility is still doing it's thing, and allowing me to reach 17 cm past my toes!), which never arrived... instead it picked every joint in my body, including my TMJ. Now, I love to talk - and my job involves a fair bit - but it even quietened me down a bit today. That's saying something!
I must admit, despite less than 1200 calories passing my lips, I don't feel as though I've missed out. I can say that on day one - ask me again on day twenty one, or fifty one! - but I ate delicious food, felt positive about what I'm doing and most importantly, didn't once think about stopping off at the kiosk at work for a Freddo frog, despite walking past it at least 20 times over the course of the day!
I also downloaded the Calorie King ControlMyWeight app. I've never really been much of a fan of weighing my food and counting the calories, but I now realise it's a necessary evil. The app is fantastic though, allowing me to plug in my calories in vs. calories out, and this was today's pictorial evidence (and remember, this is in spite of my feeling like moving may well kill me):
Yes, you read right. NEGATIVE 1354 calories. Go me! This app is motivating me more than I thought possible, counting my glasses of water, tracking my exercise (thank goodness I wear my FitBit every day), and most importantly, telling me how many of my 1200 calories I've had so far. The only thing that would make it better would be if it cooked dinner for me...
So, where am I at? I feel good. Aside from the RA (obviously, but we all know he's a cantankerous piece of work at the best of times), I feel almost 'cleansed' for want of a better word. Revitalised. I'm awfully glad I gave up the caffeine last July though - I can only imagine how rotten I'd be feeling if I was going through caffeine withdrawal AND calorie restricting!
One day down - eighty-three to go!
PS I have a FitBit Ultra, which I don't think retails in Australia anymore... but I cannot wait until the next product comes out. The FitBit Flex is a wristband (and comes in teal, yay!) that does all of the fab stuff the FitBit does, but automatically syncs with your iPhone to keep you on track. How awesome's that?! Bring on Autumn, I say - I've picked out my "You're awesome for being so dedicated to the 12WBT" present already!
Hi Rebecca,
ReplyDeletePlease be careful with your calorie target! You need a certain amount of fuel for your body and getting too few calories will only harm you. To lose weight safely and sustainably you need to stick to the recommended calorie target. If you don't, your body will go into 'starvation mode' because the lack of fuel will make your body prepare for a famine. As soon as you start eating again, your body will store it as fat!
This comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteHi Anonymous - don't worry, I would never starve! The 12WBT program uses a 1200 calorie target, which is good for weight loss but not actually 'starvation', and I'll be honest, I haven't stuck to it too rigidly (turns out I'm a firm believer in having what your body wants, and if that tips me over to 1500 cals a day, so be it!).
ReplyDeleteDoing the program has really made me think about what is going in my mouth (before it gets there) and about the quantities I really need to eat. Amazing how just a little bit of forethought makes all the difference to the waistline!
Thank you for your concern though - I promise not to be silly about it, I watched a disturbing piece on tv tonight about the prevalence of eating disorders in Australia (which they believe to be a knee-jerk reflex to everyone being told to diet), and realised that diets don't work. Lifestyle changes do. I am eating better - and on many days, more - than I ever have!