Today I came back to the commitment I made to myself in early August, around the time I started the blog, to eat a little less at every meal. Now, I do not diet, and this is NOT a diet blog. I also DO NOT count calories. I eat whatever I want and never feel I am limiting myself. But, in order to shed some pounds, something has got to give (in terms of eating). I made the decision in August to not change what I eat, because I eat so healthily already, but to eat less of everything. I was trying to eat 3/4 of what I normally would at most meals and to step up the exercise a little bit.
I think I have done a pretty good job of sticking to that commitment, but it is very easy to forget. Today, I thought about my meals this past week and just decided to recommit to that promise. I can easily eat a whole pizza :), so it is very good for me to come back to the “3/4 of usual” idea.
I have seen a weight loss (not very much 6-8 pounds depending on the day) since early August and want to keep that up. I don’t have a “goal weight” but I wouldn’t mind losing 4 or 5 more pounds. I also know that I have put on a lot of muscle since early August, so I care more about how I look and feel in my clothes than the exact number on the scale. I think the scale is just helpful for me to check in every week or so to understand where I am in terms of “the number”.
So, lunch was a great example of my “eat 3/4” idea. I ordered a frittata sandwich at a coffee shop, made with fresh summer squash. It was lovely and came with a light green salad.
I was really hungry when I sat down, and when I started munching, I remembered my goal. So I paced myself, trying to see how much I NEEDED to feel satisfied and good.
It was a really yummy, fluffy frittata.
At first, I ate the frittata with only one slice of bread, but was still a little hungry when I finished. So, I had another half of bread- the smaller of the two. My plate looked like this when I was finished:
Now, I don’t feel that I deprived myself. In fact, an hour after eating, I still feel perfectly full and satisfied, but not overly so. I also want to make clear before anyone makes negative comments that I’m not suggesting that anyone else should eat this way but ME. This is, after all, about how I eat. I know myself… I hate diets, I don’t want to stop eating the food I love (bread, cheese, whole eggs) so I just choose to stay active and eat a little less of everything- and that has been working for the last 7 weeks. I do think that, for people like me, this might be a good way to shed a few pounds- if that is someone’s goal.
OK- glad I got that off my chest! I’m currently sipping on some delicious Chai Tea with a splash of soy milk, working on apps before I have to return to work to help teach a night class.
See you all muuuuch later for a dinner recap!
I think it is totally okay to eat how you need to to maintain a healthy weight! Eating until you are satisfied but not stuffed is a GREAT strategy!
everyone is different, so i think what your doing for YOU is awesome! Your not depriving yourself of anything, just making portions a little smaller, and i think your doing awesome! way to stick to a goal! 🙂
your lunch looked awesome! was that just a local deli or a chain that you went to?
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Lizzy,
Unfortunately its a little local place, but it is yummy! I’d like to do a post one day soon on favorite chain food places, because there are definitely some great ones with healthy options!
I agree, everyone should do what works for themselves. I wouldn’t want other people to judge how I eat so I don’t judge others either.