I'm So Tired Of Counting Calories!

I'm so tired of counting calories! There... I said it. You can't believe I said it, huh? Yes, I am a weight loss blogger on a personal mission to lose weight, but I AM SOOOO TIRED OF COUNTING CALORIES! Whew! Now that I got that off my chest, let me explain.

Now, don't misunderstand me, counting calories has done me a world of good, like weight loss to the tune of 110 pounds good! Additionally, I have gained a better understanding about food and nutrition. What macronutrients are, how they work and how to utilize them within my calorie count and to maximum benefit. Ultimately counting calories has helped me to change my perspective about food and how to use it to fuel my body. There is some very tangible value to be gained by counting calories. Would I recommend it to anyone? Yes, most definitely! So what's the problem, you ask?

My problem is that, for me, it is just not sustainable. I can't see nor want to spend the rest of my life counting calories. Watching, so closely, the food I eat is time consuming and energy draining for me. Not to mention all the diet rules. Eat this, don't eat that. Never eat after this time. This no good for you last week now its ok this week. Good grief! Enough already! I just want to be free from it. With this lifestyle change, I'm thinking, there must come a point where I develop the skills to trust myself, yes? I'm just saying, there has got to be another way.

My current book stack. Reviews coming soon.

When I watch my toddler, sidekick Robin, she eats when she is hungry and stops when she is full. She is not working to clean her plate. Sometimes I don't think she's eating enough, but her weight is steady. When she's hungry she requests to eat. She is in excellent health and has amazing muscle tone for a toddler. When she wears racer back tops people marvel at her build. She is strong and fit. Baby girl can squat, plank, push up and downward dog with the best of them. You've seen her race recap post. Girlfriend is getting it done. She doesn't have all the information that I have yet she is fine. There must be something instinctual about her eating.

I've been tossing these thoughts around in my head for about a year now. I know that I want to stop. I know that I want to move on from being preoccupied with food. The question is how? How do I rediscover or learn the skills that I once knew instinctively? In my search I've come across a few reading resources which I'm going to read. Prayerfully, these resources will be a step in the right direction and I can move on from here.

What do you think? Do you count calories? Are you planning to do it for the rest of your life?

Weekly Workout Recap July 12 -18, 2015 & Half Mary Training Week 4

Sunday - Cross Train / Kettlebells and Swim

After last week's workouts, I decided to do something different for my cross training so I went to the pool. I wasn't able to swim laps or anything truly athletic, but I was able to bounce up and down, run and squat in the water with Robin on my back for two and half hours. I think I did enough to meet my forty minute cross training requirement. Plus my tired legs and back feel amazing after being in the pool.

I also started WO #3 of The Swing. The time has increased to 20 minutes and we are now up to equal work for equal rest. 305 swings in 20 minutes is pretty amazing.

Monday - Long Run 5miles

My plan was to start a little early, then run with my running group, but Hubbs had to go into work. Run cancelled! - Trying to make my mantra work or me "Flexible In Life - Flexible Body" I do not like to get off track. He promised to come straight home in the morning so I could get me run in before it got too hot. Nice Hubbs.

Tuesday - Rest Strength Training & Yoga

Rescheduled make up run was meh... Hubbs said it was ok to walk and at least I covered the entire distance.

By the time I got home, I was stiff and in pain. I was hoping that later in the day I would be able to do my swing wo and yoga. No, ma'am!

Wednesday - Run

Sitting, getting up and laying flat are an issue. I yield and give in. NO running today. I need to rest and figure out what is going on here.

Thursday - Cross Train - Kettlebells & Yoga

Feeling a considerably better today, so did my final Swing workout for the week. I'm trying to isolate what is causing this extreme on set of pain so I'm not going to do the yoga. Maybe I'll test it out on the weekend.

Friday - Run

Today is good just a bit of tenderness in my back. The agility in my back seems to be returning. I'm taking today off again from the run.

Saturday - Complete Rest

NSV: Well, one great NSV came out of this last week. Honestly, I was in some serious pain for most of the week. Enough to cause me to stop training and think about not doing the race. Feeling very upset with all that was on my mind, I indulge in emotional eating. It never even occurred to me. The coolest part is I didn't even realize that I didn't use my old standby coping mechanism until I began writing this post. Progress, Progress, Progress!!!

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