When calorie counting works

Counting calories

I never thought I would see the day when I was officially classed as overweight, but it’s here!

I weigh 8kg more that I did two years ago and my waist circumference is 83cm. A healthy waist circumference is 80cm for a female. Anything over that is an indicator that the level of internal fat deposits, which coat the heart, kidneys, liver and pancreas, are too high and therefore could increase your risk of chronic disease.

It took me a while to comprehend this; after all I am a qualified personal trainer and I should know better.

However, I have learnt that I am human and that knowledge does not equal wisdom.

How did it happen?

I could lie and say that I don’t have a clue, but I do.

Overtime I have gradually decreased the intensity of my exercise, I have been sitting more, moving less and I have become complacent with my food portion sizes; kidding myself that the little extras don’t matter.

Well it seems that they do matter and the result is a whopping extra 8kg that I am carrying around. The only up side to this is that I finally have boobs – yay!

So after a long time in denial I have decided that something must be done.

I am an intelligent, strong and determined woman and I can do this.

Currently I am in week two of calorie counting all of my meals to ensure that I don’t overeat. I know some people will be shaking their heads and doing their Skippy impersonations because they don’t believe in calorie counting but this is what works for me. I need to get back some control over what I am eating and this means gathering the facts and getting a realistic view on what I am putting into my mouth.

I was literally astounded when I soon realised how much I was over eating. I honestly thought I was a healthy eater and all I needed to do was tweak a few things. But oh no, reality told me a completely different story.

The five crackers with Camembert cheese and quince paste every afternoon before dinner needed to be eliminated. The big bowl of muesli for breakfast needed to be cut in half. The avocado, cheese and mayonnaise that I put in my salads had to be an either/or, not all three at once! The piece of bread and butter that I snuck in after my meal of a night had to go and the honey coated cashew nuts with a couple of Jim Beams and coke on a Fri, Saturday and Sunday night had to become a one off treat not a three night in a row ritual. Oh and I forgot to mention the Liquorice Allsorts that magically found their way into my mouth each night after dinner!

So for the last two weeks I have been measuring, weighing and planning each meal. I will continue to do this until I feel I have a good grasp on the amount of food my body needs to sustain a healthy weight range or waist circumference. I have also implemented some long overdue changes to my lifestyle. This has involved shaping my environment to ensure I give myself the best possible opportunity to move more and eat less. But that’s another blog entirely; so stay tuned for part two in a couple of weeks.

Have you measured your waist lately?

What would it tell you?

Are you in the healthy waist range or do you need to take a reality check like me and come to terms with the fact that denial is not just a river in Egypt.

Be happy, colour the world.

Claire

6 thoughts on “When calorie counting works”

  1. Thanks for this Claire…I can identify with your sharings. After a more stressful few months recently, I wasn’t feeling my usual energised self and realised that my body doesn’t process stress well. Oh and some how over winter it had become the norm to eat dessert…every night!! It’s all a learning experience. Whilst I have never counted calories and honestly don’t know how to…once again, I believe health & happiness comes from a strategy that inspires and works for each individual. And for everyone, that looks somewhat different. As long as it’s working for you, that’s really all that matters. A lot less judgement around this in the world would be awesome. Keep enjoying yourself. We love that you continue to colour the world for us. Warm Wishes, Kylie xx

    1. Kylie, thanks so much for popping in on the conversation. I love how you keep an open mind and even though I know you don’t count calories you can still accept that this may work for some people like me. It would be a pretty boring place if we were all the same! The one thing we do have in common is the dessert issue. I so love my sweet treats but I have reigned them in and I am doing heaps better now. Even if they are considered healthy desserts they still pack a lot of energy that needs to be used at some stage. I hope your stress levels have decreased and you are back on track too.

  2. You certainly are a goddess and I completely understand the need to take control. It is very empowering and enlightening and those judgmental people are probably just a little jealous that they don’t have the control or motivation to do it for themselves. In life I think there are no hard fast rules as we are humans and humans are individuals. So do what works for you and gives you the healthy life you love and desire! Good on you CB!!!! Knowledge is extremely empowering!

  3. Well done on taking control! You are an inspiration and motivator.
    Not wanting to take anything away from what you are doing, you are a goddess!
    Just a little FYI xx

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