Finding The Right Balance

I thought I would update the blog today because I'm trying to take my mind off that horrible news coming out of Colorado.

Lately, I have been feeling very hungry.  Yesterday, I put away a large amount of food, so much that I didn't really feel like tracking it.  The other night, I consumed 2800 calories, then the next, a little over 2,100.  At the same time, I continue to get stronger.  Most of the calories I have been consuming have been fruits, veggies, and lean meats.  Last night, that wasn't the case, it was Dominoes pizza and wings.  I notice the difference today.  I  feel a little more sluggish, not on the top of my game, and it goes back to my point that there are certain foods your body thrives on.  The key is finding the right balance between those foods that make you feel good, and the kind that you know you couldn't eat on a regular basis, but you enjoy for the taste.  You can have both, finding that balance is the key.  For the most part, my success has come from enjoying that balance and listening to my body.  Getting my fruits, veggies and lean meats in, but topping the day off with an ice cream sundae.  My performance at the gym doesn't suffer, I feel great, and I am still treating myself to things I love...that's balance.  I don't become bent out of shape anymore because I didn't stick to a completely "clean" diet.  The old me would have that mentality, and you see how well that worked for me.

Anyway, I am upping my calories to around 2,400 on gym days (because those are the days I really feel the most hunger pains) and keeping them around 1800 on non-workout days.  My latest calculation for my goal weight at 168 had my caloric need at 2,100 daily if I did very little exercise.  I figure with this conservative estimate, I'll continue to be under my maintenance for the week and shed this last bit of belly fat.

On another note, I continue to implement intermittent fasting into my day.  I don't know if I could have been successful at this point without it.  I still eat breakfast, I just don't BREAK the FAST until 11 am or 12 pm.  If you are finding it very difficult to control your cravings and are ravenous for every little small meal 5-6 times a day....try breaking it into 1 or 2 big meals.  I don't have any scientific evidence, others have done the leg work in this department.  But, my cravings are controlled, and I feel satisfied.  I also still workout in the mornings in a fasted state, and my muscles are still growing.  I've also average out my protein macros over the last month while I have become stronger.  130-150 grams on average, well below 1 to 2 times my body weight.  You don't need as much protein as you think and chances are, you are getting enough in your weekly diet.  This brings me to my CONCLUSION: Watch your calories, try and stick to the foods that make you feel good, but balance in some garbage to make you feel complete.  I assume none of us are looking to get on a stage to flex anytime in the near future, so let's make this journey fun.  Slow and steady will win the race, and may provide a sustainable lifestyle for continued weight control.