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Weight loss as input / processing problem: 6 weeks of counting calories
Yesterday was the 42nd day of counting calories and logging my input and exercise calories.
Six weeks ago, I stepped on a scale for really the first time since I retired from the military several years ago. That was a pivotal moment for me. I knew I’d gained some weight. I could feel in my knees and my back. But I was in active denial about what was happening and was rationalizing it all in the context of relationship issues and stress at work. I was telling myself, “Next week, I will start working on this.”
In the six weeks since I started exercising regularly and counting my calories, I’ve been able to maintain a average weekly deficiency of 4,992 calories. I’ve almost entirely (like ONE soda in six weeks) eliminated soda from my diet. Six weeks ago, I used to drink chocolate milk by the pint (love that stuff). In the time since, I think I have had three cups (I measured). The act of measuring the calories gets some bad press online but I’ve found that it’s working for me.
I’m treating my journey here as a programming problem to be solved. It’s an input / consumption / output / energy algorithm. It’s been a fascinating journey so far, mapping those inputs, monitoring the balance, figuring out what I can eat when. Yesterday, I REALLY wanted some tacos but knew I’d have to…
