Cleanse summary

So day 6 was... meh. About the same as day 5. I ate a banana, an orange, some almonds and some greens right before my Bikram class and felt pretty much fine during the class.

Day 7 I was surprised at how hungry I wasn't. I drank about 600 calories' worth of juice before dinner and wasn't really that hungry. I learned that if you make your own juice, you should peel your citrus before putting it in the juicer. My mom said I could just put it in with the peel, so that's what I did at first, but it imparted a disagreeable bitter taste and made my stomach feel not so good.

I was actually a little worried my metabolism might slow down due to the low calories all week and the fact that I was getting suspiciously not-hungry, but I kept exercising all week and have eaten two quite-large meals now, so I hope any slowing will quickly reverse itself.

I doubt I will do something quite like this again. The individual components (liver support herbs, laxatives, various diet restrictions) might be useful, but the salt restriction in particular (which my mom said was the most important part) really didn't do much for me. I felt crappy when I stopped eating salt, and yeah I got used to it, but I felt weaker than usual the whole week and now that I've reintroduced it, I feel much more robust and am experiencing no ill effects at all adapting the other direction. If I do the raw thing again, I'll have to prepare ahead of time, looking up raw recipes and making sure we have a food processor and maybe a dehydrator and sprouting some beans and such. People who live a raw lifestyle have those additional tools to help them get good nutrition, especially protein, which was very much lacking in our raw phase.

For the sake of interest, here was my diet during the cleanse. The last dinner on Saturday was obviously breaking the fast, and the Saturday before, not shown here, we had a psyllium shake as well as our Cascara sagrada after dinner:

---END CLEANSE---

Saturday 12/11

12 oz apple-lemon-ginger juice (180)
12 oz carrot-orange juice (235)
6 oz unsweetened blue/cranberry juice (60)
8 oz apple-tangerine-lime juice (120)
Tofurky, yams, greens, and chocolate (500+150+20+105+40=815)

180+235+60+120+815=1410

-BEGIN JUICE FAST-

Friday 12/10

Banana, soaked almonds, and 1/2 small apple (100+200+40=340)
Banana and unsweetened blue/cranberry juice (100+60=160)
Banana, orange, almonds, and greens (100+100+200+10=410)
Greens under avocado, dried cranberries, and sunflower seeds (20+150+130+50=350)
Psyllium shake in water

340+160+410+350=1260

Thursday 12/9

1/2 green pummelo, 1/2 pear, and sunflower seeds (30+50+210=290)
Unsweetened blue/cranberry juice (60)
Peppered large tomato (60)
Baby carrots (35)
Dates with coconut butter and grapes (130+140+75=345)
Tangerine (40)
Psyllium shake in water
Spinach and tomato salad with avocado, apple, and sunflower seeds (60+100+40+50=250)
Dried cranberries (130)

290+60+60+35+345+40+250+130=1210

--BEGIN RAW PHASE--

Wednesday 12/8

Apple with unsalted peanut butter and 1/2 grapefruit (100+180+30=310)
Salad with nuts, raisins, avocado, and a rice cake (30+65+100+100+70=365)
2 tangerines and a rice cake (80+70=150)
Psyllium shake with grapefruit juice (90)
Nutritional yeast (25)
Rice, sweet potatoes, and broccoli (320+150+50=520)

310+365+150+90+25+520=1460

Tuesday 12/7

1/2 grapefruit, 1/2 apple with unsalted peanut butter, and unsweetened blue/cranberry juice (30+50+90+60=230)
2 tangerines (80)

Rice and beans (160+115=275)

Dried cranberries and walnuts (200+130=330)
Psyllium shake with dilute apple juice (60)
1/2 tangerine (20)
Rice cake (70)
1/2 acorn squash filled with rice, raisins, and almonds (85+120+30+50=285)

230+80+275+330+60+20+70+285=1350

Monday 12/6

Oatmeal with unsalted peanut butter and raisins (150+90+65=305)
Apple (100)
2 rice cakes, walnuts, almonds, dried cranberries, and date pieces (140+200+130=470)
Psyllium shake with grapefruit juice (90)
Baby carrots (35)

Rice and beans and broccoli (160+115+50=325)

305+100+470+90+35+325=1325

Sunday 12/5

Rice cake with unsalted peanut butter and dried cranberries (70+180+65=315)

Date pieces (130)

Vegetables and chopped nuts over rice and dried cranberries (150+200+130=480)

Unsweetened blue/cranberry juice (60)
Psyllium shake with dilute apple juice (60)
Rice noodles and tofu in seaweed broth (200+200=400)
Grapes (100)

315+130+480+60+60+400+100=1545

--- BEGIN CLEANSE ---

Weekly weigh-in

I'm getting rather tired of all the archiving I do here of food journals and exercise log and everything, so if someone starts following who is interested in seeing it, I'll consider posting it again, but for now I'm going to stop because it's kind of tedious.

Today I weigh 148.8 pounds at 32.1% body fat. That's 1.0 pound down from last week, so, good, I guess. I have to remind myself not to jump my mind ahead the whole 15 pounds but instead to just focus on losing 5 pounds before Solstice. If I pay attention, that's really not too slow to notice. It would have been a few months ago, but each pound matters more when you're lighter. In 140s, 5 pounds is actually a relatively visible amount.

My lean body mass, as I said recently, seems to be stabilizing. If it stays the same as it is now the whole way down, I will hit my final weight goal at around 26% body fat. That's not too bad. Only a little bit of further loss, or reshaping, would be necessary at that point.

I've really been slacking off on my pull-ups - I haven't done any in probably a month. It's hard to find the time when I have my yoga classes and try to push the cardio on other days. However, I have made some progress in push-ups, because yoga involves plenty of plank work. I haven't been recording my extra practice, though, in part because I do very few at a time. I need to get back to recording every strength exercise I do - even if it's only a few push-ups - so as to keep my motivation and keep doing them regularly.

Good eats, weekly summary, and sshh don't get excited yet

I wouldn't have said anything if it hadn't been my official weigh-in day, but today I weigh 149.8 lbs and 31.7% fat.

Which means that yes, actually technically barely, I am normal weight. And I am also still 0.2 pounds above my meso goal. I kind of don't believe it, though. I like the .6 goals because they give a little more buffer against popping back up over the tens-place switch. So no more on this today.

Quick stats:  Average kcals/day 1866, 4 cardio, 2 yoga, average estimated balance -425, -1.0 lb.


Now I've got to catch up on some things I didn't have time to finish a post about this week. Thursday morning, I ate this:

1 egg fried in 1/2 tsp olive oil on a slice of toast (70+20+90=180)
1 orange, cut into half-rounds (100)
8 oz skim milk (90)
8 oz black coffee

Delicious, no? Funny thing is, at 370 calories, it's on the upper end of what I usually eat for breakfast, but it looks like such a typical "dieter's breakfast." (Of course, it would be even more so if I had just the eggwhites and cooked it with some kind of fat free spray, but I like egg yolks and fat is filling). Anyway, I really enjoyed it. Then I went to the gym and burned *659* calories while listening to my Sansa. Thursday morning was pretty much awesome.

For dinner I made tofu and I diced and cooked a turnip my boyfriend had in the crisper. I've probably had turnip before, but only in a soup or something - I didn't really know what it was going to taste like, but I figured it might be a little like a parsnip, especially since I tend to mix up the two words. So I tasted it... it was kind of funny, so I put some butter and salt and pepper on it. It was pretty good that way, but it still had this funny, bitter-spicy note that started to catch up with my tastebuds toward the end of the portion. I think I don't particularly care for turnips, but maybe there's a better way to prepare them.

Friday night, I made acorn squash with butter and brown sugar, then put some leftover rice and crumbled pecans in the hollow. It was amazing. Sometimes acorn squash isn't so good, and I don't really know how to pick out a good one, but they're in season right now, so statistics should be on my side.

So, I like skim milk, coffee, and fruit with a meager protein/carb combo for breakfast, and I should definitely start making more squash. The boyfriend has been gone, but he's coming back today and we'll go shopping and get lots of fruits and vegetables. A few of my new dietary goals are to eat fruit with every breakfast, eat vegetables with every dinner, and to buy produce from the five pigment-antioxidant color groups: red/pink, yellow/orange, green, blue/purple/black, and white/brown.

Activity:

S: 0
S: Outdoor run (2.0 mi)
M: 1 hr yoga
T: Elliptical (15+10m,165+115) and rowing (7:15, 85c)
W: 1 hr yoga
T: Elliptical (42.5m, 527c) and rowing (10.5m, 132c)
F: Elliptical (40.5m, 500c)

Food:

Friday 11/12

Yogurt, granola, and raisin parfait and coffee (130+140+130=400)
Banana and skim milk (100+90=190)
Egg, cheese, and vegetable sandwich (140+40+110+30+180=500)
Babybel cheese (70)
Werther's candy (20)
Skim milk (90)
1/2 acorn squash with butter, brown sugar, black rice and almonds (85+100+45+70+100=400)
Butter and sugar (100+45=145)
Skim milk (90)

400+190+500+70+20+90+400+145+90=1905

Thursday 11/11

Egg on toast, glass of skim milk, an orange, and black coffee (90+90+90+100=370)
Apple with peanut butter (100+200=300)
Tuna garden salad and 1/2 cheese sandwich (20+35+150+90+110=405)
Seasoned popcorn (165)
Bottled Thai coffee (150)
Babybel cheese (70)
Tofu, turnip buttered with salt & pepper, and chard with vinegar (200+40+35+50+10+5=340)

370+300+405+165+150++70+340=1800

Wednesday 11/10

Toast and yogurt with honey (90+130+30=350)
Tangerine (40)
Coffee with skim and simple syrup (10+5=15)
Apple with peanut butter and milk (100+200+80+45=425)
Stonewall Jerquee (165)
Lentils, black rice, tomato sauce, and cheese (130+160+50+110=450)
Seasoned popcorn (50)
Babybel cheese and 1 potato chip (70+10=80)

350+40+15+425+165+450+50+80=1575

Tuesday 11/9

Egg and cheese on toast and a tangerine (90+90+110+40=330)
Almonds (200)
Dry cocoa mix and 100 calorie bar (75+100=175)
Chicken Caesar salad (550)
Pasta with sauce, tofu, and chard with balsamic vinegar (200+50+200+20+10+5=485)

330+200+175+550+485=1740

Monday 11/8

Granola and milk (140+160=300)
Apple (100)
TLC sandwich (430)
Cookies and fig newtons (225+140=365)
Lentils and black rice with cheese (130+160+165=455)

300+100+430+365+455=1650

Sunday 11/7

Chard & cheese scrambled eggs, toast, 1/2 grapefruit, and coffee with milk & sugar (140+100+10+90+30+45=415)
Tangerine (40)
Greek yogurt and honey (130+60=190)
Pinto beans and cheese (130+70=200)
Dinner with parents (1770)
    3 glasses wine and 1 vodka elderflower drink (500)
    3.5 slices baguette with cheese (280)
    Cauliflower/cheese/egg/potato casserole, salad, and bread (600+75+100=775)
    1 chocolate, apple spice cake and ice cream (65+75+75=215)

415+40+190+200+1770=2615

Saturday 11/6

1.3 bagels with flavored cream cheese (350+130=480)
Clif builder bar (270)
Vanilla Coke (250)
Nibbles while making dinner (100)
Pasta and asparagus with garlic cheese sauce (400+50+230=680)

480+270+250+100+680=1780

Weekly summary

Is it time for another weekly summary already? Today I'm 150.8 pounds and 33.1% fat.

Weekly stats: average kcals/day 1878, 3 cardio, 1 yoga, 1 miscellaneous, average daily balance -287, -2.6 lbs.

Activity:

Sa: 0
Su: 0
M: Extra trip to campus
Tu: Elliptical (20m, 252c)
W: 1 hr yoga
Th: Rowing (10m, 117c) and elliptical (20m, 250c)
F: Elliptical (20m, 261c)

Food journal:

Friday 11/5

Chocolate oatmeal (150+115=265)
Pasta with chicken, green beans, and a small apple (200+340+25+80=645)
Cookie (125)
Rice, beans, and corn with cream cheese and hot sauce (160+115+75+100=450)
Cream cheese (100)

265+645+125+450+100=1585

Thursday 11/4

Chard and cheese omelette and 1 toast (140+110+20+90=360)
Tangerine (40)
TLC sandwich (180+220+30=430)
Chocolate milk (340)
Chocolate (55)
Chicken, garlic mashed potatoes, and green beans (340+100+50+15+50=555)

360+40+430+340+55+555=1780

Wednesday 11/3

Oatmeal with chocolate and milk (150+85+40=275)
1/2 PB and honey sandwich (90+95+20=205)
Pasta salad and a tangerine (200+90+30+40=360)
Vegan jerky and Tootsie pop (80+60=140)
Cinnamon sugar apples (45+50=95)
Rice and beans with cheese, onions and tomatoes (160+115+220+30=525)
Coffee with milk and touch of sugar (40+5=45)

275+205+360+140+95+525+45=1645

Tuesday 11/2

Scrambled eggs with onions and toast with cream cheese (140+40+10+90+100=390)
Apple (100)
TOC sandwich and a tangerine (180+220+30+40=470)
Strawberries and honey (50+30=80)
Mini Twix (50)
Peanut butter (125)
Pasta with sauce and sauteed tofu and lettuce with dressing (400+50+120+10+45=625)

390+100+470+80+50+125+625=1840

Monday 11/1

Granola with milk (140+160=300)
Greek yogurt with honey and strawberries (130+60+25=215)
Cream cheese roll-up and tangerine (180+100+40=320)
Carrots and hummus (35+65=100)
Halloween candy (105+260+100+70+60=595)
Falafel, rice, cheese, and tomato sauce (200+160+110+30=500)

300+215+320+100+595+500=2030

Sunday 10/31

Chard and cheese omelette and coffee with milk and sugar (175+25+100+50+20+50=420)
Chocolate bar (510)
Ramen (380)
Peanut butter roll-up and milk (180+190+160=530)
Miso with tofu (30+100=130)
2 shots whiskey (205)
Bread and cheese (90+110=200)

420+510+380+530+130+205+200=2375

Saturday 10/30

Breakfast out (870)
    Vegetable, cheese, and egg crepe (200+300+100+50=650)
    Mixed fruit (100)
    2 cups sweetened creamed coffee (100)
    Andes mint (20)
Pecans and string cheese (50+80=130)
Black Boss Porter (280)
Pizza (300+25+175+55=555)
Coffee with milk and sugar (55)

870+130+280+555+55=1890

Weekly summary

153.4 and 33.8% body fat.

Weekly stats: average kcals/day 1805, 2 cardio, 2 yoga, average daily balance -299, +0.2 lbs.

Activity log:
Sat: 0
Sun: 0
Mon: Outdoor run (2.0 mi)
Tue: 1 hr yoga
Wed: 0
Thurs: 1 hr yoga
Fri: Elliptical (28m, 303c)

One thing I'd just like to point out is that I think yesterday (Friday) was a great example of how to do a party. I anticipated that I would want to eat high calorie food and drink, so I minimized my calories during the day, but still ate several healthy, small meals. I also made sure to work out and racked up a couple of hundred negative calories there. Once I was there, I ate a bit of everything I wanted, but didn't mindlessly munch, and drank the perfect amount to get fairly silly with minimal hangover. I ended up with a surplus, but it was a small one due to my pre-emptive measures.

Food journal:

Friday 10/29

Buttered toasted bagel half, 2 eggs, and 1/2 grapefruit (110+50+180+30=370)
Rockfish, brussels sprouts, and rice (100+50+160=310)
100 calorie bar (100)
Bagel half with peanut butter and honey (110+95+30=235)
Cheesy bread, pizza, cookie, sushi, veggies, chips, and birthday cake (150+350+150+75+25+150+150=1000)
4 whiskey drinks with varying amounts of mixers (420+65+65+20=570)

370+310+100+1000+570=2585

Thursday 10/28

Oatmeal with dark chocolate, cinnamon, sugar, and milk (150+30+15+80=275)
Chocolate soymilk (130)
Rice and beans with cheese and tomatoes (160+115+110+40=425)
Leftover pasta and sauce (225)
Mixed nuts (85)
Rockfish, brussels sprouts, and potatoes (200+50+100=350)

275+130+425+225+85+350=1490

Wednesday 10/27

Bagel with egg patty and cheddar and chocolate (220+70+110+160=560)
Kale, potatoes, carrots and boiled egg with apple and grape salad (30+100+35+70+100+50=385)
2 cookies and Dr. Pepper (250+100=350)
1 slice pizza (300)
Rockstar energy drink (260)

560+385+350+300+260=1855

Tuesday 10/26

Oatmeal with dark chocolate, PB, sugar, and a glass of milk (150+55+95+15+160=475)
Apple (100)
Cheese and veggie wrap (180+165+30=375)
Honey green tea and 100 calorie bar (40+100=140)
Pasta with sauce and nutri-yeast and salad with cheese (300+50+50+20+165=585)
Balance bar (200)

475+100+375+140+585+200=1875

Monday 10/25

Grapes pre-run (50)
Bagel with cream cheese and 2 eggs (220+70+180=470)
Jolly Rancher (20)
Tuna, tomato and avocado wrap (180+75+40+100=395)
100 calorie bar (100)
Honey green tea, baby carrots and hummus (60+35+65=160)
Dark chocolate (55)
Tomato bean soup and cheese (250+165=425)

50+470+20+395+100+160+55+425=1665

Sunday 10/24

Yogurt and granola with grapes (140+45+50=235)
Milk, quesadilla with caramelized onions, and grapes (80+180+220+30+20+50=580)
Coffee with milk and sugar (40+20=60)
Peanut butter (95)
Tomato bean soup topped with avocado (250+50=300)
About half of some tuna and cheese (40+55=95)
100 calorie bar (100)

235+580+60+95+300+95+100=1565

Saturday 10/23

Grits with butter and 1/2 grapefruit (200+100+30=330)
Gorgonzola cheese (100)
Toast (220)
Grocery store samples (40)
Clif builder bar (270)
Mac and cheese with broccoli (310+45+30=385)
Dark chocolate, peanut butter, and milk (80+95+80=255)

330+100+220+40+270+385+255=1600

MICROGOAL and weekly summary

I did it! Today I weigh 153.2 at 34.7% body fat. I was 153.0 yesterday, but since I'd lost 2 pounds in one day I wanted to give it another day and make sure it stuck. So I've now lost over 30 pounds, and have less than 20 to go. I'm pretty happy about that and I'm also SO CLOSE to my meso goal, the big big step of being no longer "overweight". It seems like it's taking a long time, but at the same time it doesn't seem so long ago that I'd only lost 7 pounds and wondered if anyone would notice (not on a 180 pound person doofus). Well, rawr! I've got about three and a half pounds left so I think that can happen in 2 or 3 weeks? I will definitely be in the 140s by Thanksgiving.

Quick stats: average kcals/day 1671, 2 yoga, 1 mixed, 1 very long walk, avg balance -435, -2.6 lbs.

Exercise:
Sa: 0
Su: 0
M: 0
T: Mixed CSF workout (40 min, 200cc)
W: 15 min yoga
Th: 1/2 hr yoga and 5 hr walking-trip
F: 0

Food:

Friday 10/22

Eggs and potatoes (175+150=325)
1/2 cheese sandwich and apple (110+110+100=320)
Sweetened yogurt and granola (90+25+15+70=200)
Slice of gorgonzola cheese (60)
Cabbage, potatoes, black beans, and chicken (40+100+115+200=455)
Little bit of granola (70)

325+320+200+60+455+70=1430

Thursday 10/21

Oatmeal with toppings and 1/2 grapefruit (150+25+50+15+40+30=360)
Chicken, potatoes, and broccoli (340+150+50=540)
Ice cream (350)

360+540+350=1250

Wednesday 10/20

Bagel with cream cheese and eggs (260+70+160=490)
Grapes (100)
PB and Nutella sandwich (220+200+195=615)
1/2 cheese sandwich and apple (110+110+100=320)
Black beans with corn, tomatoes, onions, and cheese (115+50+30+110=305)

490+100+615+320+305=1830

Tuesday 10/19

Oatmeal with Nutella & PB, and 1/2 an apple (150+100+50=300)
Slice of processed cheese (50)
Chocolate soymilk (130)
Half cheese sandwich and an orange(110+110+60=280)
Nibbles while making dinner (60)
Pasta with sauce and salad with toppings (200+75+2*[30+50+40+25]=565)
Glass of wine and 16 oz Pabst (125+205=330)

300+50+130+280+60+565+330=1715

Monday 10/18

Bagel with cream cheese, scrambled eggs, and grapes (260+105+140+50=555)
Stir-fried tofu, rice, and cabbage with miso and a plum (100+60+160+30+20+50=420)
Grapes (50)
Rice and beans with cheese, corn, and tomatoes (160+115+220+50+30=575)
Nutella (100)

555+420+50+575+100=1700

Sunday 10/17

Bagel with cream cheese, tomato, and spinach (260+150+30+20=460)
Bread with Nutella and an apple (110+200+100=410)
More Nutella, sigh (200)
Miso soup with tofu (30+10+100=140)

460+410+200+140=1210

Saturday 10/16

Oatmeal with walnuts, dried cranberries, and  cream, and 1/2 grapefruit with sugar (150+50+25+40+30+15=310)
Grapes (100)
2 spoonfuls Nutella (200)
Cabbage soup, bread, cheese, and wine (80+75+80+200=435)
Nibbles while making dinner (50)
Flatbread, hummus, brussels sprouts, and cider (300+165+50+200=715)
Ice cream with Nutella on top (340+200=540)
Flatbread and cheese (100+110=210)

310+100+200+435+50+715+540+210=2560

Weekly summary and monthly averages

Today I'm 155.8 and 35.2% body fat. It's also the first weekend of my fall break, and I'd really like to hit 154.6 and break underneath 35% body fat by the end of the break. Sound doable?

It's also passed the 11th of October so I can tell you how much I've lost each month so far:

June-July: 10 lbs
July-August: 4.4
August-September: 8.6
September-October: 5.4

Based on this pattern, I hope to have another good loss this coming month. If I can lose just 7.4 pounds in the next 11-to-11 period, then I will meet my current meso goal! That would put us at November 11th and I could still probably expect to lose 5 pounds the next month, putting a little space between me and 150 before even hitting Thanksgiving. Even if I do nothing but maintain over most of the holiday season, I'll be in good shape by the time I go back to school.

Quick stats: average kcals/day 1771, 2 cardio, 2 strength, 2 yoga, avg balance -360, -1.0 lb.

Friday 10/15

Scrambled eggs with cheese and mini bagel with butter and jam (140+110+110+65+10=435)
Banana (100)
Coffee with cream and sugar (30)
Mini bagel with cheese, apple, and cabbage soup (110+110+100+40=360)
Vanilla wafers and Junior mints (200+40=240)
Black Boss Porter (280)
Spoonful of peanut butter (95)
Cabbage soup, bread, and cheese (80+600+220=900)
Clif bar (240)

435+30+360+240+280+95+900+240=2680 + Elliptical (18m, 226c) and 1 set pull-ups

Thursday 10/14

Yogurt, granola, and 1/2 grapefruit with sugar (90+140+30+15=275)
Apple and peanut butter (100+190=290)
Handful of Goldfish crackers (30)
Spinach-cranberry-walnut-gorgonzola salad with dressing and a mini bagel (20+50+50+100+90+110=420)
Salmon, rice, and peas (340+115+70=525)

275+290+30+420+525=1540 + 1 hr yoga

Wednesday 10/13

Mini bagel with cream cheese and an egg (110+35+90=235)
Banana (100)
Pasta with sauce and tuna (300+75+75=450)
Coffee with cocoa and dry milk (110)
Pear chunks, almonds, and honey (25+100+60=185)
Gorgonzola crumbles and dried cranberries (50+50=100)
Lentils and rice (230)
Espresso with cream and sugar (55)
Mini bagel with butter (110+50=160)

235+100+450+110+185+100+230+55+160=1625

Tuesday 10/12

Yogurt and granola (90+140=230)
Pear (100)
Chicken Caesar salad and coffee with cream and sugar (550+95=645)
Grocery store samples (50)
Pasta with sauce and spinach-cranberry-walnut-gorgonzola salad with dressing (250+50+20+25+50+50+50=495)

230+100+645+50+495=1520 + 1 hr yoga

Monday 10/11

1/2 ciabatta roll with Tofurky sausage and egg (75+100+70=245)
Banana (100)
Tofurky sausage and cheese sandwich on a roll and an apple (150+120+110+100=480)
White grape juice (160)
Cabbage soup, Tofurky sausage, and ciabatta roll (80+180+150=410)
Ice cream (125)

245+100+480+160+410+125=1520 + Elliptical (16m, 202c) and 1 set pull-ups

Sunday 10/10

Breakfast at my parents' (740)
    Scrambled eggs
    Veggie sausage
    Baguette slices with goat cheese and olive spread
    Cantaloupe
    Milk
Mini bagel and cream cheese (155)
4 Twizzlers (120)
Cabbage soup, Tofurky sausage, and ciabatta roll (80+240+150=470)

740+155+120+470=1485

Saturday 10/9

Scrambled eggs, buttered toast, and cantaloupe (140+20+40+110+100+100=510)
Ice cream (75)
Rice and beans with cheese (340)
Ice cream (75)
Sparkling lemon green tea (90)
Chunk of mozzarella (80)
Pizza (800)
Espresso with cream and sugar (55)

510+75+340+75+90+80+800+55=2025

Weekly summary and parties don't come cheap

158.4 and 35.1% body fat. It's up from last week, but down from two days ago, and I've been having such wild weight fluctuations (despite no real changes in my habits) these past couple of weeks that I'm happy to say I've lost two pounds since three weeks ago and haven't popped above 160 for a morning weight since I first got below it. I have no idea what my "real" weight is when I gain or lose a pound a day for no apparent reason for this long.

Anyway, I went to this party last night. I knew we were going but
I hadn't really thought about making calorie allowances for it. On the other hand, I can't get through the first 12 hours of the day on much less than 1070 calories anyway, so it probably wouldn't have made a difference if I had. Anyway, I arrived at the party and saw: drinks, hors d'oeuvres, an enormous chocolate cake, and a number of aluminum foil covered baking dishes. I just thought to myself... practice moderation and hope for the best.

So I practiced moderation and ate 1310 calories.

The ridiculous thing is that REALLY WAS practicing moderation. Over the course of the evening, I had 2 glasses of wine and half a glass of champagne. That's more than I've been drinking at an ordinary dinner lately, but much less than I used to drink at similar occasions (4-5 drinks). For appetizers I had a couple of crackers with brie but mostly vegetables. My main dinner was actually around the same size as usual, and I did not have bread or take seconds of anything. When the cake came around, I didn't finish my slice, and I found that I genuinely was done with it - it was too sweet and rich to really enjoy the rest.

It's the dessert and alcohol's fault, really. They are absolutely shameless. Funny thing though, even after that, bringing my total to 2380, according to my spreadsheet I had a sliver of a deficit at -95. In fact, I'd say that's within my margin of error, but it's nice to know that even with a special occasion like that I can essentially break even.

Quick stats: average kcals/day 1729, 4 cardio, 3 strength, 2 yoga, average est. balance -574, +0.8 lbs.

Food journal:

Friday 10/1

Toast with cream cheese and scrambled egg (100+45+70=215)
Apple (100)
PBJ sandwich and milk (200+190+25+160=575)
Stonewall Jerquee (180)
Retirement party (1310)
    2 glasses wine and small glass champagne (325)
    Hors d'oeuvres (100)
    Salmon, potatoes au gratin, and salad (260+250+75=585)
    Chocolate cake (300)

215+100+575+180+1310=2380

Thursday 9/30

Oatmeal with cream and sugar (150+60+30=240)
Apple (100)
Quesadilla, rice, beans, peas, and corn (120+220+115+40=495)
Coffee with milk and sugar (45)
Coffee, and milk mostly separately (160)
Tofu tikka masala over rice (100+100+115=315)
Banana bread (200)

240+100+495+45+160+315+200=1555

Wednesday 9/29

Banana bread, scrambled eggs with cheese, and tea (200+140+110=450)
TCC sandwich, apple, and coffee with milk (430+100+20=550)
Coffee with milk, peanut butter cups, and shortbread cookie (20+180+65=265)
Red beans and rice with peas and corn (200+85=285)
Banana bread (100)

450+550+265+285+100=1650

Tuesday 9/28

1 slice banana bread and honey lemon yogurt (200+60+90=350)
Apple and boiled egg (100+70=170)
Rice, lentils, cauliflower soup, sugar snap peas and a kiwi (115+165+100+35+50=465)
Coffee with skim x2 (20)
Tortellini and sauce (360+70=430)

350+170+465+20+430=1435

Monday 9/27

2 slices banana bread and 1/2 grapefruit with sugar (400+30+15=445)
Banana and boiled egg (100+70=170)
Cauliflower soup, falafel, hummus, and raita (100+160+105+40=405)
Coffee with milk x2 (40)
Sugar snap peas (35)
Bite of Bavarian bread (10)
Rice, lentils, and wine (170+165+125=460)
2 slices banana bread and spoonful of cream cheese (400+45=445)

445+170+405+40+35+10+460+445=2010

Sunday 9/26

Banana (100)
Egg and toast with cream cheese (90+100+45=235)
Flatbread, hummus, falafel, and raita (100+65+160+40=365)
Flatbread (100)
Cauliflower soup, falafel, and kiwi (200+160+50=410)
Banana bread batter (100)

100+235+365+100+410+100=1310

Saturday 9/25

Oatmeal with cream and sugar and coffee (150+40+30=220)
Store sample, bite of Powerbar, and Emergen-C (3*20=60)
Pluot (50)
TLC sandwich (460)
Hummus, flatbread, and falafel with raita and tomatoes (105+220+160+50=535)
Movie popcorn and Milk Duds (100+340=440)

220+60+50+460+535+440=1765

Weekly summary

So I was reading a website the other day that was making the point, a calorie is a calorie, and it said for an example, eating 4000 calories it doesn't matter if you eat 444 grams of fat or 1000 grams of white sugar. Weeeelll, I looked up the LD50 of sugar, and 1000 grams would be about half an LD50 dose, based on rat values, for someone of my current weight. So erm... it matters in other ways!

... oh yeah, my current weight. 157.6, 35.5% fat. We are on another WTF curve, this one pointing the opposite direction from last time:

That gray line is 160 and each of those dots is spaced approximately 1 pound up or down from the next. Yes, I've been seeing one-pound steps all week. I don't fuckin' know, dude.

Quick stats: average kcals/day 1660, 5 cardio, 3 strength workouts, 2 yoga classes, average estimated daily kcal balance -816, -2.6 lbs.

I did some measuring again today. I still can't find a way to measure my arm that gives me consistent readings. I think it's just because I have to use both hands, one of which is attached to the arm itself. I've lost another quarter inch off my "hips" since the phase end. I've decided for the hips I'll just keep measuring the spot that's easy to do, because it's still a self-consistent measurement.

Friday 9/24

Scrambled eggs with sauteed onions and cheese and toast with cream cheese and jam (140+30+20+110+110+45+25=480)
Coffee with skim (10)
Roseberry chocolate (80)
Soup, cheese, and crackers (200+110+130=440)
Crackers (50)
Rice and cheese soft taco with less beans (120+115+60+110=405)
Ice cream (300)

480+10+80+440+50+405+300=1765

Thursday 9/23

Granola with cream (140+80=220)
Banana and soaked almonds (100+100=200)
CV sandwich (470)
Coffee with skim (15)
1/2 bar roseberry chocolate (135)
Chicken, half a buttered baked potato, and green beans (480+100+50+50=680)

220+200+470+15+135+680=1730

Wednesday 9/22

Plum (50)
Egg and cheese toast sandwich (90+110+110=310)
Pasta, black beans, sauce, and cheese (200+115+50+110=475)
Soaked almonds (100)
Coffee with skim and cookies (10+40+140=190)
Rice, bean, and cheese soft taco (460)

50+310+475+100+190+460=1575

Tuesday 9/21

Oatmeal with cream and sugar and tea (220+40+30=290)
A few bites of a nectarine that was bad (20)
Kiwi (50)
Vegetable soup, cheese, and crackers (200+220+130=550)
Coffee with skim (10)
Flatbread (120)
Pasta with sauce and salad with tuna and dressing (200+50+25+75+50=400)

290+20+50+550+10+120+400=1440

Monday 9/20

Sweetened yogurt topped with granola and an egg on bread (85+25+70+80+100=360)
Coffee with skim (10)
Vegetable soup, cheese, and crackers (200+110+130=440)
Kiwi (50)
Bell pepper and cream cheese (35+90=125)
Coffee with skim (10)
Flatbread (200)
Rice, bean, and cheese soft taco (230+110+120=460)
Glass of wine (125)

360+10+440+50+125+200+460+125=1780

Sunday 9/19

Oatmeal with cream and sugar, grapefruit with sugar, and an egg (150+60+30+45+80=365)
Cheese and tomato sandwich (470)
Crackers (90)
Plum (50)
Vegetable soup, bread, and wine (200+400+125=725)

365+470+90+50+725=1700

Saturday 9/18

Banana chocolate chip pancake, veggie sausage, and coffee with cream and sugar (475+160+55=690)
Potatoes (150)
Leftover pancake (230)
Chunk of cheese (110)
Mac and cheese with tuna and peas (300+40+75+35=450)

690+150+230+110+450=1630

Weekly summary

Today, I weigh 160.2 lbs with 35.6% body fat. I also wore my free-box 8 pants out to breakfast.

Quick stats: average kcals/day 1714, 6 cardio, 2 strength workouts, 1 yoga class, average estimated kcal balance -707, -2.2 lbs.

Food journal:

Friday 9/17

2 toast with cream cheese, 1 oil-fried egg, 1/2 grapefruit, and 1 Emergen-C (220+90+80+30+25=445)
Chicken Caesar salad and coffee with cream and sugar (550+55=605)
Coffee with milk (20)
Brownie (200)
Emergen-C (25)
Rice and beans with cream cheese and cumin (230+120=350)
Pizza-dough bread and chai with cream and sugar (200+80+30=310)

445+605+20+200+25+350+310=1955

Thursday 9/16

Yogurt and granola (295)
Tangelo (70)
TLC sandwich and an apple (470+100=570)
Latte (160)
Salmon, sauteed potatoes, green beans and broccoli (260+150+120+50=580)

295+70+570+160+580=1675

Wednesday 9/15

2 toast with cream cheese and 1 oil-fried egg (220+90+90=400)
Broccoli cheese macaroni soup and a banana (400+100=500)
Fun size Almond Joy, Werther's candy, and Hershey kiss (90+20+20=130)
Most of an apple (80)
Coffee with mixed cream and skim (30)
Rice and beans with cheese and corn (230+110+50=390)
Frozen grapes (100)
Spoonful of cream cheese (45)

400+500+130+80+30+390+100+45=1675

Tuesday 9/14

Yogurt and granola (85+210=295)
Kiwifruit (50)
Broccoli, cheese, and black bean soup with tortilla chips (400+180=580)
Coke (140)
Coffee with skim (10)
Spoonful of cream cheese (45)
Pasta with red sauce and salad with cheese cubes and dressing (300+100+50+110+40+15=615)

295+50+580+140+10+45+615=1735

Monday 9/13

Scrambled eggs with sauteed toms and onions, toast, and kiwifruit with green tea (140+30+20+110+50=350)
Banana (100)
Cheese and cucumber sandwich and an apple (220+220+10+100=550)
Coffee with skim (10)
Celery sticks with cream cheese (15+90=105)
Frozen grapes (50)
Rice and beans with cheese and corn (230+110+50=390)

350+100+550+10+105+50+390=1555

Sunday 9/12

1/2 individual pizza (435)
Banana (100)
Coffee with milk and 1/2 PBJ sandwich (20+220=240)
1/2 PBJ sandwich (215)
Frozen grapes (100)
Broccoli cheese soup and bread (300+200=500)
Frozen grapes and ice cream (100+70=170)

435+100+240+215+100+500+170=1760

Saturday 9/11

Popcorn and string cheese (100+60=160)
Oatmeal with cream and sugar, 1/2 grapefruit with sugar, and 1 oil-fried egg (150+40+40+60+70+20=380)
2 slices bread and a chunk of cheese (200+110=310)
1/2 individual pizza and grapes (0.5*[500+320+50]+100=535)
Pumpkin spice latte (160+45+50=255)

160+380+310+535+255=1640

Weekly summary

Hey, yeah, I didn't forget about today's weigh-in. I was just busy with errands and suchlike. Today I weigh 162.4 and 36.1% body fat.

Quick stats: average kcals/day 1861, 6 cardio, 2 strength workouts, 2 yoga classes, -0.4 lbs.

Now admittedly, this was not the best week in terms of diet. Still, I have been doing cardio workouts almost every day - 1861 average should still be in the vicinity of 500 deficit. There is some serious WTF going on and this can be clearly seen by looking at my weight graph this week:

For perspective, the gray lines that these dots lie inside are the 160 and 170 lines on my graph. In two days I went from 162.2 to 166.6. Sure, 2400 was an intentional booster day and 2210 was an unintentional disaster, but 600 or 800 excess calories or even the whole 4610 total do not weigh 4.4 lbs. Nor does extra bulk of the food they come in. By Wednesday or Thursday morning, I should have been clean of the extra food weight and back to null calorie difference relative to my low weight, but that was not reflected in my weight as you can see. Since certain timing and certain physical signs occurred right about at the time I had those two high calorie days, I'm going to blame the discrepancy on hormonally induced water retention.

In other news, I am a B-cup again! I bought a new bra today and it is a 36B. The 34B of this brand is a little small in the cup, and the 34C is too big in the cup. I tried another brand, in which the 34C was too big in the cup and the 36B was too big in the band, but I couldn't find any 34Bs of that brand on clearance, so I just got the one 36B of the first kind. I'm lucky too that this particular bra is super cute, red with little black rosettes, and it happens to be a push-up bra. So I'm feeling really lovely after being basically used to band size 38, "large" "barely-there" bras that accommodated a 20 pound weight gain. Now I just need to lose about 3 more pounds to get comfy in the free-box 8's, and then ask someone how to take in the sides of that cute sweater from last winter, and then...

... and then post my food journal to round this whole thing off:

Friday 9/10

Oil-fried eggs, toast, and coffee with cream and sugar (20+140+100+35=295)
Peach (100)
PBJ sandwich and string cheese (200+190+50+60=500)
Bite-size Baby Ruth (50)
Ice cream and seasoned popcorn (70+165=235)
Rice, beans, and a quesadilla with salsa (230+120+80+20=450)
San Pellegrino Aranciata (80)

295+100+500+50+235+450+80=1710

Thursday 9/9

Yogurt and granola (335)
String cheese and coffee with skim (60+20=80)
Cheese sandwich, apple, and Coke Zero (420+100=520)
Coffee with skim (10)
Tangelo (60)
Tofu, rice, green vegetables, and miso broth (135+115+50+120+20=440)
Ice cream and espresso (140)

335+80+520+10+60+440+140=1585

Wednesday 9/8

Scrambled eggs with sauteed onions, cheese, and toast (140+20+20+110+100=390)
Banana (100)
Werther's candies (40)
TOC sandwich (470)
Latte (160)
String cheese and pretzels (60+20=80)
Coffee with skim milk (10)
Minestrone soup, ice cream, and port (350+140+185=675)

390+100+40+470+160+80+1+675=1925

Tuesday 9/7

Banana, soaked almonds, and coffee (100+100=200)
Plum (40)
Mint rosemary chocolate (270)
Minestrone soup, 1/2 cheese sandwich, and coffee with skim milk (350+220+10=580)
Yogurt (85+25=110)
Tabouli, assorted vegetables and tofu (325)

200+40+270+580+110+325=1525

Monday 9/6

Banana and coffee (100)
Oil-fried egg on toast (80+110=190)
Ice cream (380)
PBJ sandwich (220+190+96+25=435)
1 bowl minestrone soup (350)
2 string cheese (120)
Coffee with cream (20)
Lentils and rice (230)
Espresso with cream and sugar (55)
2 string cheese (120)
Bread and butter (210)

100+190+380+435+350+120+20+230+55+120+210=2210

Sunday 9/5

Yogurt and granola and a pear (85+250+100=435)
Tofu, sweet potatoes, and peas tikka masala over rice (495)
2 toast with butter and jam (220+100+50=370)
String cheese (60)
Espresso with cream (40)
Spoonful of crunchy peanut butter (95)
1.5 bowls minestrone soup and ice cream (525+380=905)

435+495+370+60+40+95+905=2400

Saturday 9/4

Breakfast out (710)
-Blue cheese and caramelized onion quiche (500)
-Salad with vinaigrette and baguette slices (100)
-Coffee with cream and sugar (90)
-Andes mint (20)
Apple, string cheese and bread (100+60+110=270)
Milk chocolate (200)
Tofu and sweet potatoes tikka masala over rice (230+175+90=495)

710+270+200+495=1675

Weekly summary

Today I weigh 162.8 at 36.2% body fat. I'm happy my body fat is going down again, it was stuck around 36.6-37.2 for a long time - and I know it's not just a fluke because I got 36.2 the other day and 36.0 yesterday.

Quick stats: average kcals/day 1624, 6 cardio, 3 strength workouts, 2 yoga classes, -2.2 lbs.

Food journal:

Friday 9/3

Eggs fried in olive oil and toast (140+40+110=290)
Nectarine (70)
String cheese (60)
PBJ sandwich with carrot sticks and a boiled egg (220+190+25+40+70=545)
Riesen candy (45)
2 string cheese and a plum (120+60=180)
Rice and beans with grated string cheese, salsa, and a tortilla (230+60+30+120=440)

290+70+60+545+45+180+440=1610 + Elliptical (36 min, 497 cals) and pull-up practice

Thursday 9/2

Yogurt and granola (85+250=335)
Banana (100)
TOC sandwich and a plum (470+60=530)
Coffee with nonfat milk and dark chocolate (10+170=180)
Pasta with parmesan cheese and broccoli (300+150+50=500)

335+100+530+180+500=1645 + Elliptical (35 min, 534 cals) and 1 hr yoga

Wednesday 9/1

Scrambled eggs with sauteed onions and buttered toast (140+40+110+50=340)
Banana and soaked almonds (100+105=205)
Spicy potato beet soup, baguette, and string cheese (200+120+60=380)
1/2 PBJ sandwich (110+95+25=230)
Spicy potato beet soup with wild rice and cheese (200+115+220=535)

340+205+380+230+535=1690 + Elliptical (34 min, 444 cals) and pull-up practice

Tuesday 8/31

Yogurt and granola (340)
Banana and soaked almonds (210+100=310)
Rice and beans with cheese, a tortilla, and a plum (120+230+110+60=520)
Chicken with wild rice and green beans (340+115+50=505)

340+310+520+505=1675 + Elliptical (21 min, 266 cals) and 1 hr yoga

Monday 8/30

Banana and coffee (100)
Eggs and toast (140+110=250)
TLC sandwich and an apple (470+100=570)
String cheese and apricot yogurt (60+85+25=170)
1.5 tortillas, rice and beans, cheese and salsa (180+230+110+20=540)

100+250+570+170+540=1630 + Outdoor run (1.2 mi) and pull-up practice

Sunday 8/29

Yogurt and granola (85+255=340)
Cocoa coffee (105)
Whole-wheat linguine with sauce and a falafel (300+50+85=435)
String cheese (60)
Bite of Powerbar (20)
Spicy potato beet soup with cheese and baguette (200+110+200=510)

340+105+435+60+20+510=1470 + Outdoor run (2 x 1.5 mi)

Saturday 8/28

Instant oatmeal, 1/2 tangelo, espresso with milk and a piece of bread (160+30+30+110=330)
Yogurt and blueberries with espresso (85+30=115)
TLC sandwich and a string cheese with tomato sauce (220+220+50+60+50=600)
Falafel with whole-wheat linguine and sauce (3*85+250+100=605)

330+115+600+605=1650 + no exercise

Saturday summary

Weekly weigh-ins and summaries are now back to being on Saturdays. I thought for a moment that it might be better to keep them on Monday since my 99-day period ends on a Monday, but a moment later I thought, self, are you crazy, you'll be too busy with school and procrastinate the update until the next Saturday anyway. Which is not to say I won't celebrate my 99 days in a timely manner. I just don't want to be writing up one of these posts EVERY Monday.

Today I am 165 even and 36.9% fat, to which I say: fair enough. I knew something was fishy when I lost 4 pounds last week. I think my crazy hikes with under 2000 calories even those days, were just too much. They probably burned all the fat they could (accounting for about 2 pounds of the loss), cannibalized some muscle too (causing an additional, less favorable loss), and totally drained my glycogen (leading to a water loss that subsequently rebounded). So I'm still waiting for "really" 20 pounds, but I never bounced up above 166.2 this week either.

5-day stats: average kcals/day 1602, 3 cardio, 3 strength workouts, +0.4 lbs.

Friday 8/27

Scrambled eggs with cheese and sauteed onions on toast (140+110+60+10+110=430)
String cheese and peppermint patty (60+140=200)
Sardines over rice with tomato sauce and a nectarine (140+160+50+70=420)
Coffee cocoa (120)
Broccoli-cheese polenta-rice wedges with black beans (330+230+30=590)
String cheese (60)

430+200+420+120+590+60=1820 + Elliptical (41 min, 547 cals) and pull-up practice

Thursday 8/26

Yogurt and granola with coffee (85+255=340)
TLC sandwich, most of a plum, and green tea (220+220+25+60=525)
Red beans 'n' rice and a string cheese (75+60=135)
Salad with dressing and whole-wheat linguine with sauce (20+30+250+100=400)
Ice cream (75)

340+525+135+400+75=1475 + no exercise

Wednesday 8/25

Egg on toast with cheese and coffee (70+110+110=290)
Ice cream (300)
Macaroni and cheese with a tofu dog (105+200+45=350)
Plucot, tofu dog, and ice cream (70+45+75=190)
String cheese (60)
Soupy red beans 'n' rice (75)

290+300+350+190+60+75=1265 + Elliptical (20 min, 300 cals) and pull-up practice

Tuesday 8/24

Broccoli-cheese polenta-rice wedge with black beans and green tea (165+115=280)
Frozen yogurt cup (160)
Ice cream cup (300)
2 string cheese and milk (120+60=180)
Macaroni and cheese, green beans, and tofu dogs (450+110+50+90=700)
Ice cream (300)

280+160+300+180+700+300=1920 + no exercise

Monday 8/23

2 instant oatmeal packets, cottage cheese, and coffee (260+110=370)
1.5 Powerbars (360)
Hot cocoa (185)
Chunk of cheese (110)
Broccoli-cheese polenta-rice wedges with black beans (330+175=505)

370+360+185+185+110+505=1530 + Elliptical (41 min, 509 cals) and pull-up practice

MESO GOAL #1 REACHED... coincident with weekly summary and other milestones

I HAVE LOST 10% OF MY STARTING BODY WEIGHT YAY!


Hahahaha. Anyway, since I've been gone from the scale for six days, I don't actually know which day I passed 166.2. But I'm going to count it as yesterday because when I stepped on right before bed, I saw exactly that number. I'm not even going to try to guess when it would have popped up in the morning.

It's funny how the clavicle likes to pop out way before anything else. It looks all bony, yet you can see in the shoulder that my arms are still plump and round. Some other bones are starting to come out by feel, but aren't visible yet.

Today's weigh-in: 164.6 lbs, 36.6% body fat. Incidentally, this means I've lost exactly 20 pounds as well. And it is quite lovely to see my BMI dip to 27.4. It means I've crossed half of the "overweight" range.

Also, my parents finally noticed I'm losing weight. So, somewhere between 16.6 and 20.0 pounds is what it takes. Good to know? Eh. I'm looking forward to the double take... somewhere around Christmas, when they go "you've lost MORE weight, haven't you?" and I get to quote some number near to 30 pounds cumulative.

Quick stats: average kcals/day 1771, 2 regular cardio, 1 strength workout, 2 insane hikes, 1 walkadoo, -4.2 lbs.

It's like my body is making up for the time it spent dawdling at 170-171. I've lost 7.4 pounds in the last 2 weeks! But if you go back 4-5 weeks, then it averages out to 1.6 lbs/week.

Data:

Sunday 8/22

2 instant oatmeal packets and a tofu dog (260+60=320)
Powerbar (230)
Taco Bell burrito and a few drinks of Pepsi (490+50=540)
Piece of green pepper (20)
1/2 Powerbar (120)
Baked potato with cheese and broccoli (250+220+50=520)

320+230+540+20+120+520=1750 + no exercise

Saturday 8/21

Tofurky sausage, potatoes with ketchup, and tea (270+200+30=500)
Half bagel with cream cheese and smoked salmon, and a slice of Edam cheese (135+70+70+30=305)
Vanilla milk (190)
Chili with cheese, corn on the cob, beer, and 1 peanut butter cup (270+110+120+155+60=715)

500+305+190+715=1710 + Leisurely hiking (~1 mi and ~3 mi)

Friday 8/20

Lentil/cheese/caponata medley and a few bites undercooked potato (300+20)
Powerbar (230)
Provolone, Tofurky, and tomato sandwich (200+140+80+15=435)
Powerbar (240)
Risotto, lettuce, and wine (500+175=675)
18.5 jellybeans (75)

320+230+435+240+675+75=1975 + Intense hiking (6 mi, +500 ft, -2000 ft)

Thursday 8/19

Veggie and cheese scramble, toast, juicebox, and tea (300+100+120=520)
2 peanut butter cups and 1 Emergen-C (180+20=200)
Caponata sandwich (400)
2 Powerbars (230+240=470)
Lentil/cheese/caponata medley (300)

520+200+400+470+300=1890 + Intense hiking (6 mi, +2000 ft, -500 ft)

Wednesday 8/18

2 instant oatmeal packets and yogurt (340+85=425)
Juicebox (120)
Open face tuna melt, apple, and a slice of Tofurky (100+100+110+100+20=430)
Powerbar (230)
Lentil potato curry and 3 peanut butter cups (300+180=480)
Partial slice of provolone (60

425+120+430+230+480+60=1745 + Mixed running/hiking (2 x ~1.5 mi)

Tuesday 8/17

Scrambled eggs with sauteed onion and cheese, toast with butter and jam, and canned apricots (105+40+10+110+80+50+25+50=470)
Clif builder bar (270)
Cinnamon bread and drink of Pepsi (200+20=220)
1 kalamata olive (10)
2 veggie dogs and 1 bun with condiments, potato chips, beer, and 1 peanut butter cup (220+110+30+200+155+60=775)

470+270+220+10+775=1745 + no exercise

Monday 8/16

Cottage cheese with canned apricots and toast (110+100+80=290)
Chunk of cheese (110)
1 egg cooked with oil (70+20=90)
Powerbar (240)
Grocery store samples (150)
Tofu, avocado, tomato and onion sandwich (160+120+105+30+15=430)
Iced green tea with honey (60)
Drink of Mt. Dew (15)
Celery and cottage cheese with cocoa in coffee (20+110+70=200)

290+110+90+240+150+430+60+15+200=1585 + Elliptical (42 min, 537 cals) and pull-up practice

Weekly summary

Weight today: 168.8 and 38% bodyfat. You'll notice that's the same as yesterday, to which I said "nuh-UH not REALLY". My bodyfat percentage is up, which along with a heat is my indicator that this is at least somewhat dehydration, but I'm starting to question my rounding procedure. The scale has been pretty consistent lately, and it's irritating to see my calculated lean mass drop 2 pounds just because of a rounded percentage rise that isn't really a whole percent. Or last week, leveling out at 37 yet knowing I'd seen it go from 37.4 to 36.6 and just waiting to see a number I could round to 36. I think I'll start recording whatever the scale tells me, accurate, precise, or not. So today, I'm 37.9% fat.

Quick stats: average kcals/day 1766, 5 cardio, 3 strength workouts, 1 long walk, -3.2 lbs.

A note on exercise: "pull-up practice" is essentially identical to what I was calling "upper body strength workout" before. Basically, I go to the gym and do practice pull-ups and dips on the appropriate assist machine, sometimes some additional dumbbell presses as well. I made up a push-up practice workout as well, so I've been doing that at home other days.

Food journal:

Sunday 8/15

Pancakes with butter, syrup, and coffee (350+100+105=555)
Salad, pasta salad, fruit salad, deviled eggs and coffee (50+120+30+90+45=335)
Couscous and black-eyed peas 'n' greens (355)
Chunk of cheese (110)
Crackers and iced tea (60+20=80)
Canned apricots (100)
Miso with tofu (100+30=130)
2 bites of Powerbar (45)

555+335+355+110+80+100+130+45=1710 + outdoor run (2.5 mi)

Saturday 8/14

Berries and coffee (50)
Cereal with soymilk (125+100=225)
Nectarine (100)
Tortilla and cheese (170+220=390)
Tuna salad over lettuce with 1 tortilla and iced tea (125+20+60+170+60=435)
Frozen berries and soymilk (50+50=100)

50+225+100+390+435+100=1300 + long walk (2.7 mi)

Friday 8/13

Berries and coffee (50)
2 toast with jam, 1 egg, and coffee (160+50+70=280)
Clif bar and 2 Emergen-C's (240+40=280)
Pasta with sauteed vegetables (400+50+15+80=545)
Bread with peanut butter and honey (80+70+20=150)
Nutri yeast popcorn and hard cider (250+140=390)
Jam/fruit tastings and nachos (100+420=520)

50+280+280+150+390+520=2215 + outdoor run (2.0 mi) and push-up practice

Thursday 8/12

Blueberries and coffee (50)
Polenta with 1 egg, cheese, tomato, and avocado (90+70+110+15+55=340)
Couscous and black-eyed peas 'n' greens, and a Lara bar (355+190=545)
Soy chocolate protein shake (100+2*50=200)
TLC [tomato, lettuce, and cheese] sandwich and beer (160+110+25+155=450)
Bread and jam (80+50=130)

50+340+545+200+450+130=1715 + outdoor run (3.0 mi) and pull-up practice

Wednesday 8/11

Plum and coffee (70)
Egg and tomato patty and cereal (70+35+40+50+50=245)
Ice cream and yogurt (135+55=190)
Falafel with hummus, crackers, cucumber, tomato, and avocado (140+75+130+50+105=500)
Apple and Luna bar (100+180=280)
Cherry Coke Zero (0)
Couscous and black-eyed peas 'n' greens, a little protein drink, and blueberries (120+120+50+50+50=390)

70+245+190+500+280+390=1675 + outdoor run (3.0 mi)

Tuesday 8/10

Fruit salad and coffee (50)
Toast with egg and cheese, coffee, and soymilk (120+70+110+100=400)
Homemade bean and cheese burrito, chai with soymilk and honey, and 1 mini cupcake (260+110+170+35+110=685)
Nutri yeast popcorn (165)
Falafel, hummus, and veggie wrap (170+175+105+50=500)

50+400+685+165=1800 + outdoor run (2.5 mi) and push-up practice

Monday 8/9

Clif bar and coffee (240)
Apple and vanilla yogurt (100+70=170)
Tortilla (170)
Grocery store samples (50)
Cheese and crackers (130+110=240)
Tastes of hummus while making it and a glass of wine (75+125=200)
Luna bar (180)
Veggie sticks with hummus, couscous with black-eyed peas 'n' greens, and 2 mini cupcakes (130+355+215=700)

240+170+170+50+140+200+180+700=1950 + no exercise

Back-from-the-bike-trip weigh-in

172.0 and 37% bodyfat this morning, and I'm sure it's fluid and digestive retention and maybe a little bit of muscle for a number of reasons...

- I feel like I'm retaining
- I ate spaghetti for dinner again last night
- I've been drinking tons of Emergen-C (electrolytes) for several days
- I've also gotten sufficiently dehydrated to need constant lip balm
- I've eaten 11360 calories in the last 4 days, mostly in the form of solid food
- I got the same weight yesterday immediately upon returning, but with 35.8% fat
- My body feels harder than it did when I left
- There's no way I gained any fat when you look at my energy balance

Alright, excuses over, I'm sure I will be vindicated next week. I really hope I shed a few pounds in the next few days as I re-equilibrate and hit 169.6 already. I just need to lose 2.4 pounds from here, 0.4 pounds from my lowest weight last week, to have lost FIFTEEN FULL POUNDS. I've been bouncing around twelve, thirteen, fourteen, for a bit too long and it's getting annoying.

The plan from here is as follows. Today, I don't restrict, but it's not a "booster day" where I try to eat a lot. It's just an allowance for the fact that my body may need more calories to recover, so not to worry if I'm up around 2000, but if less works out, then great. I suspect I won't need the allowance since I actually didn't have much deficit yesterday. Tomorrow, I restrict with a target of under 1850 to begin with, working back down to under 1700 as soon as my body will allow, and go back to my usual exercise immediately.

Quick 9-day stats: average kcals/day 2311, 4 cardio, 2 strength workouts, 148 biked miles including 2938 ft of climbing, +1.2 lbs.

Now the data, but first a note on "net calories." I don't usually calculate net calories because calorie-burn estimates are notoriously unreliable and then you have to take into account your BMR and it's just not really worth it under usual conditions. But since I was doing such extreme exercise and eating lots of food to fuel it, I wanted to get an idea of what kind of deficit I'd be pushing. So the "net calories" reported for bike-trip days are the consumed calories minus a burn estimate based on riding the number of miles I did at 8 mph and 172 lbs body weight according to whatever assumptions go into a typical online calculator. Note that this doesn't account for the weight of supplies, bike, elevation, speed variation, etc. My BMR, for reference, is estimated at about 1600 calories/day, but this also could be different for the bike trip days because of the amount of repair and quick adaptation necessary.

Sunday 8/8

1 Lara bar and 2 Emergen-C's (200+40=240)
1 cup polenta and 1/2 can tuna (175+95=270)
BLT sandwich and side salad with vinaigrette (550+50+50=650)
3/4 pint Half-Baked ice cream (810)
Pasta with red sauce and a glass of wine (500+80+125=705)

240+270+650+810+705=2675 + 22 miles bike riding (net: ~1825)

Saturday 8/7

1 Powerbar, 1 Clif bar, 1 Luna bar, 1 Lara bar, and 2 Emergen-C's (240+250+180+200+40=910)
Eggs, hash browns, toast with butter and jam, and chocolate milk (140+300+200+200+100+160+100=1200)
1 tortilla, 1 oz cheese, 1 cup rice and beans, and 1/2 can tuna (170+110+230+95=605)
1/2 half-pint blackberries, and 1 beer (50+100=150)

910+1200+605+150=2865 + 39 miles bike riding with 1548 ft elevation gain (net: ~1200)

Friday 8/6

2 Clif bars, 1 Luna bar, 1 Lara bar, and 5 Emergen-Cs (490+180+190+100=960)
2.5 tortillas, 3 oz cheese, 2 cups rice and beans, 1 cup polenta, and 1/2 can tuna (425+330+460+175+95=1485)
1 orange, handful of peanuts, and 1 Werther's candy (100+200+20=320)

960+1485+320=2765 + 32 miles bike riding (net: ~1500)

Thursday 8/5

1 egg, 2 toast with butter, 1/2 grapefruit with sugar, vanilla yogurt, and soymilk (70+200+100+40+15+105+100=630)
1 Powerbar, 1 Clif bar, 2 Luna bars, 1 Lara bar, and 4 Emergen-Cs (240+240+360+200+80=1120)
3 tortillas, 3 oz cheese, 1 cup rice and beans, and 1/2 can tuna (510+330+230+95=1165)
1 can Coke (140)

630+1120+1165+140=3055 + 55 miles bike riding with 1390 ft elevation gain (net: ~1000)

Wednesday 8/4

Soymilk and coffee (100)
Egg, cheese, and potato burrito (2*70+100+100+170=510)
Walnuts, apple, and green tea (245+100=345)
Ice cream with fudge sauce and strawberries (2*150+130+50=480)
Pasta with red sauce and nutri-yeast (500+120+50=670)

100+510+345+480+670=2105 + outdoor run (2.0 mi) and upper body strength workout

Tuesday 8/3

Egg on toast, vanilla yogurt, and grapefruit with 2 tsp sugar (70+120+10+80+30=310)
Cheese sandwich and apple (2*120+2*100+100=540)
Frozen grapes and a chunk of cheese (50+100=150)
Slice of bread (120)
Soymilk and 1 package ramen (100+380=480)

310+540+150+120+480=1600 + outdoor run (2.2 mi)

Monday 8/2

Banana and coffee (100)
Toast with sweet peanut butter and coffee (100+190=290)
Chunk of cheese (100)
Couscous with sauteed onions, tomatoes, and chopped almonds (175+40+30+200=445)
Frozen grapes and a spoonful of sweet peanut butter (50+100=150)
Chicken with butter, sauteed potatoes, green vegetables and a glass of wine (210+100+150+80+50+125=715)

100+290+100+445+150+715=1800 + outdoor run (1.4 mi) and upper body strength workout

Sunday 8/1

Scrambled eggs with cheese and toast (140+75+100=315)
Blueberry bread and a slice of provolone (220+80=300)
Picnic lunch (860)
Caponata sandwich (300)
Yogurt and fruit salad (140+60=200)
Bread with sardines (150+110=260)
Carrot and sparkling juice (30+70=100)
Sesame puffs and popcorn (60+165=225)
Pizza and soda (500+150=650)

315+300+860+225+650=2350 + no exercise

Saturday 7/31

1 bowl cereal with sliced banana and coffee (150+100+100=350)
Chunk of cheese (100)
Partial bowl potato corn chowder, pasta, fried polenta, and a glass of wine (150+200+150+125=625)
Chunk of cheese (100)
Slice of bread with sweet peanut butter (100+100=200)
Iced tea (60)
Miso soup with tofu (50+100=150)

350+100+625+100+200+60+150=1585 + aerobic dancing (7 songs)

Saturday weigh in and data dump

Today I weigh 170.8 at 38% bodyfat. I think my bodyfat percentage is sloping more down than up, but I don't really have enough data points to tell. It wiggles between 37 and 39.

Quick stats: average kcals/day 1669, 5 cardio, 3 strength workouts, -1.4 lb.

Also, a notice that weigh-in & data day will be moved to Monday for the next 3 weeks. This is because I will be de-computerized next weekend for my bike trip and two weekends afterward for a camping trip. May as well keep the one-week interval in between.

It's funny how trying to lose weight can change your perspective on things you'd normally find annoying. For instance, yesterday I had to stay late at work finishing some things my prof really needs this weekend, and didn't get home until 8pm. So I ate quite a light dinner because I was hungry (obviously) but don't feel the best when I eat that late. End result: calorie count of 1475. And so I find it a GOOD thing that I got held up.

Food journal:

Friday 7/30

Banana and coffee (100)
1 bowl cereal (150+100=250)
Cottage cheese with sliced strawberries (55+50=105)
Hummus, cheese, and veggie sandwich and a banana (2*100+65+100+20+100=485)
Soaked almonds and orange dark chocolate (100+85=185)
1 bowl potato corn chowder with a slice of bread and soymilk (200+100+50=300)

100+250+105+485+185+350=1475 + outdoor run (2.2 mi) and upper body strength workout

Thursday 7/29

Canned pineapple and coffee (70)
Cottage cheese, coffee, and sliced banana with brown sugar and cinnamon (110+100+30=240)
Nutri-yeast popcorn and soymilk (165+100=265)
1 bowl potato broccoli corn chowder, 1/2 cheese sandwich, and an apple (200+100+100+100=500)
Green tea and dark chocolate (95)
Pasta with veggies sauteed in olive oil and 1 glass wine (250+250+125=625)

70+240+265+500+95+625=1795 + outdoor run (2.2 mi)

Wednesday 7/28

Banana and coffee (100)
Fried polenta with 1 egg, tomato, and avocado (95+70+15+100=280)
Soaked almonds and green tea (200)
Cheese sandwich and apple (2*100+2*100+100=500)
Tiny plum from a tree on campus (15)
Strawberries and green tea (100)
1 bowl potato broccoli corn chowder and ice cream (200+1.5*150=425)

100+280+200+500+15+100+425=1620 + outdoor run (1.7 mi) and upper body strength workout

Tuesday 7/27

Tangelo and coffee (100)
Egg on toast and a bite of ice cream (100+70+30=200)
1/2 chocolate chip muffin and soymilk (165+100=265)
Tuna quesadilla (210+85+2*100=495)
Orange dark chocolate and green tea (85)
1 bowl potato corn chowder with cheese (200+100=300)
Frozen blueberries, raspberries, grapes, and fresh strawberries (100)

100+200+265+495+85+300+100=1545 + outdoor run (1.4 mi)

Monday 7/26

Cottage cheese and canned pineapple (110+70=180)
Nutri-yeast popcorn (165)
Couscous, black bean, broccoli, tuna, and boiled egg salad (175+110+30+90+70=475)
Soy chai drink and 1/2 chocolate chip muffin(100+20+165=285)
1 bowl potato corn chowder, 2/5 baguette, ice cream and frozen grapes (200+2*100+75+25=500)

180+165+475+285+500=1605 + upper body strength workout

Sunday 7/25

Cottage cheese, 1/2 grapefruit with sugar, and strawberries (110+50+15+50=225)
Social hour munchies: crackers, cheese, guacamole, brownies, and coffee (500)
2 tortillas, hummus, and salad with vinaigrette (2*210+2*65+30+1.5*40=640)
Good 'n' Plenty candy, Greek yogurt with honey, and cheese (280+250+100=630)

225+500+640+630=1995 + aerobic dancing (9 songs)
(Count this as my booster day)

Saturday 7/24

Breakfast out (90+500+75+20=685)
2 cups coffee with cream & sugar (2*45=90)
Quiche (500)The fourth weekend, I'm here, but Monday is the day school starts so I ma
Green salad with croutons & vinaigrette (75)
Andes mint (20)
Baguette with butter, strawberries, and 1/2 peppermint patty (150+50+85=285)
Fried polenta with black beans and green salad with vinaigrette (3*85+110+30+40=435)
2 oz Aquavit (140)
Soymilk (100)

685+285+435+140+100=1645 + no exercise

Booster day data dump

Official booster day morning weight: 172.2, 38% fat. This is NOT, however, a gain of 1.2 pounds since last week because of the scale recalibration. Rather, it is a loss of 3.2 pounds. I still can't explain why I'm losing weight this quickly, but I'm not complaining. I know my approach is fairly mild at this point, so I trust this is healthy even if it's more than the math or the professionals approve. Most sources calculate I need about 2000-2100 calories to maintain, although one source said 2800 (I know, wtf?). But even if this is the case, I am only pushing a 2-pounds-a-week deficit. Blame my bodily idiosyncrasies, and also blame the fact that due to the imprecision of my old scale, the figure is plus or minus about a pound anyway.

Quick stats for the week: 1761 average kcal/day, 5 cardio, 3 strength workouts, -3.2 lb.

Details (I know it's in reverse order, too lazy to rearrange it):

Friday 7/23

Banana, egg, and green tea (100+70=170)
Greek yogurt with honey (250)
Tortilla, tomato, small avocado, and garlic tofu (210+35+215+100+40=600)
Nutritional-yeast popcorn, dark chocolate, and green tea (140+25+95=260)
4 pieces Eclipse gum (10)
Miso soup with tofu and rice, and frozen grapes (50+100+100+50=300)
Food journal for the week
Piece of cheese (100)
Espresso with 1/2 tsp sugar and 1/2 tsp cocoa (10)

170+250+600+260+10+300+100+10=1700 + Treadmill (21 min, 1.86 mi) and arms only res training

Thursday 7/22

Banana and tea (100)
Egg and cheese folded in a tortilla (70+100+210=380)
Couscous with black-eyed peas 'n' greens, a peach, and 1/2 orange dark chocolate bar (265+2*90+85+70=600)
1/4 chocolate pecan cookie (40)
Couscous with black-eyed peas 'n' greens, frozen grapes, and 2 glasses wine (200+2*90+50+2*125=680)

100+380+70+530+40+680=1800 + Outdoor run (1.4 mi)

Wednesday 7/21

Banana and tea (100)
Greek yogurt with honey (250)
Leftover chicken soup (200)
Tortilla with hummus and celery (210+3*65+20=425)
Popcorn seasoned with nutritional yeast (140+25=165)
Couscous with black-eyed peas 'n' greens, 1 glass wine, and 1/2 dark chocolate bar (175+1.5*90+125+95=530)

100+250+200+425+165+530=1670 + Outdoor run (1.4 mi) and above legs res. training

Tuesday 7/20

Banana and coffee (100)
Scrambled egg wrap with sauteed onions, tomatoes, and cheese (210+140+60+20+100=530)
Frozen grapes (75)
Rice and tofu with chili sauce (200+100+5=305)
Greek yogurt with honey (250)
1 bowl chicken noodle soup (300)
1/2 orange dark chocolate bar (85)
Taste tests of hummus (50)

100+530+75+305+250+300+85+50=1695 + Outdoor run (1.3 mi)

Monday 7/19

Greek yogurt with honey (250)
Soaked almonds (200)
Cheese and vegetable wrap, a peach, and 1/2 dark chocolate bar (210+100+30+70+95=505)
Coffee and frozen grapes (75)
Rice and beans with cheese (200+200+100=500)
Extra piece of cheese with hot sauce (100)

250+200+505+75+500+100=1630 + Above legs res. training

Sunday 7/18

Oatmeal and Greek yogurt with honey (75+65+60=200)
Social hour munchies: crackers, cheese, egg salad, and coffee (350)
Bread with cream cheese(100+90=190)
Blueberries and soymilk (50+100=150)
Grocery store samples (35)
Miso+ soup with tofu and veggies and a beer (30+100+10+280=420)

200+350+190+150+35+420=1345 + Outdoor run (1.4 mi)

Saturday 7/17

Breakfast out (650)
Salmon scramble with dill cream (200+30=230)
Potatoes (200)
Baguette with butter (100+35=135)
Coffee with sugar and cream (45)
Fruit and Andes mint (20+20=40)
Breakfast leftovers (170+30+100+100+35=435)
Tortillas, cheese, blueberries, and chocolate (2.5*180+2*100+100+85=835)
Marionberry pie (280)
Bread and cream cheese (100+90=190)
Cheese (100)

650+435+835+280+190+100=2490 + goose egg for exercise

Official booster day data update

First, the food journal since the last time I updated:

Thursday 7/15

Banana and coffee (100)
2 toast with cream cheese (2*100+90=290)
Greek yogurt with jam (65+25=90)
Tuna-spinach-chickpea salad with vinaigrette and a tortilla (2.5*70+10+90+120+180=575)
Soy chai drink and 1/2 raspberry dark chocolate bar (100+60+90=250)
1 bowl chicken noodle soup and 1 glass wine (300+125=425)

100+290+90+575+250+425=1730 + 1.4 mi running and weight training

Friday 7/16

Banana and coffee (100)
1/2 grilled cheese sandwich with sauteed onions (100+100+60=260)
PBJ sandwich, boiled egg, and celery and carrot chunks with soymilk (2*100+190+2*25+70+50+100=660)
Greek yogurt with berries (65+50=105)
Big bowl chicken noodle soup and 1/2 dark chocolate bar (450+95=545)

100+260+100+560+105+545=1670 + 1.3 mi running

Saturday 7/17 (booster day)

Breakfast out (650)
Salmon scramble with dill cream (200+30=230)
Potatoes (200)
Baguette with butter (100+35=135)
Coffee with sugar and cream (45)
Fruit and Andes mint (20+20=40)
Breakfast leftovers (170+30+100+100+35=435)
Tortillas, cheese, blueberries, and chocolate (2.5*180+2*100+100+85=835)
Marionberry pie (280)
Bread and cream cheese (100+90=190)
Cheese (100)

650+435+835+280+190+100=2490

My booster-day-morning weight was 171. I am a little dissatisfied with the fact that I went back up to 171 for 3 days. I know it makes sense that I'm losing weight slower now, but it's frustrating not to see much change, which is why I need that 0.2 lb-precise scale. I also might be building muscle faster than I'm losing fat, by mass, which I'd certainly like to believe as an explanation, and the body fat reading on the new scale will tell me if that's the case too.

I'm also dissatisfied with yesterday and my mindset. I'm not too concerned about the fact I didn't exercise, because I understand the real factors that played into that - the day when we go out to eat is also the day we do everything else, so time is tight and I don't want to run around when I have lots of food in my belly. What I didn't like was that the higher calorie limit became an excuse to eat to be filled, to gorge on bread and cheese. So in response to this, to my slowing losses, and to my recalculated calorie needs at my already lower weight - I will quietly push down my daily target to 1700 and my booster day limit to 2300.