WTF is a calorie anyways?

I recently read a blog that my sweet friend Lela shared on facebook by Sophieology called 1200 calories.  It starts with her saying "I don't know why 1200 managed to be the magic number of calories women should consume if they want to lose weight."  I have always had a quick metabolism and frankly I have never thought about counting my calories up until I read this blog.  Yea, yea go ahead and punch your computer screen in hopes that it will reach my face, but burning fat is not my main motive here it's building muscle.  I've been doing some strength training and frankly I've noticed that I am losing weight in all the wrong places like my booty and my boobies.  Im trying to get a bigger booty here not a flatter one.  

After reading this blog I decided to count my calories for the day and see where I was at.  The first day I counted my calories I was only at 690.  While I was counting my calories up I was forced to see what I was eating during the day and to be honest I wasn't real impressed with myself.  Breakfast is the hardest meal for me to be stoked about eating but I am realizing that if I skip breakfast there is no way I can reach that 1200 calorie goal.  The next day I felt like all I did was eat which is perfect for me because I LOVE FOOD!  I made an effort to make sure that I was eating good things that would help to build the body I so desire.  I went from 690 calories to 1500 and I've got to tell you I felt so GOOD!  My body was loving me for all the wonderful foods that I was fueling it with, my work out was quite a bit easier and I had the energy to keep up with all of the many things a mother has got to be keeping up with.  After about a week of keeping track of my calories, eating healthy food, and not skipping any meals I've began to notice my mood has changed. I have way more energy and I've been able to lighten up about small things like people putting the empty milk jug back in the fridge or certain said children putting their clothes next to the laundry hamper.  

I thought it might be helpful to share what a 1200 calorie day looks like.  I certainly had no idea and any ideas are always welcome to me.  I got this great free app called livestrong.  It counts and keeps track of your caloric intake for you whether your goal is to eat less calories or more.  It asks you a few different questions and then helps you set goals.  I want to gain at least 1 pound a week with an active lifestyle of working out 3 to 4 times a week.  It suggests that I eat 2,096 calories a day. I was like HOLY SHIT!  That's a lot of eating.  If counting calories and eating a bunch of healthy foods can help me gain some weight I bet sure as shit it can help anyone else to lose some weight too.   Livestrong tracks your calories, your exercise and your water.  This app lets you keep a diary so you can look back and see if you are reaching your goals and there is a community so you can get ideas and inspiration from other people.    Building muscle feels so good.  It's amazing how different your perspective is when your body is getting the fuel it needs.  It's a whole new you.  Here is one of my days eating around 1200 calories maybe a bit more but never less.  

Breakfast 

One serving of Hemp Protein shake with whole milk 270 Calories

One serving oatmeal with butter 260 Calories

Lunch

One Serving Veggie Pad Thai 490 Calories

Dinner

one serving cheddar broccoli soup 240 calories, two servings mixed green salad with feta 110 Calories

The total calories for this days worth of meals is 1,370.  I was listening to a podcast called The Splendid Table with Lynne Rossetto Kasper and she had a nutritionist on the show who gave what I thought was the best advice.  She lives by this rule when it comes to meal planning. For breakfast you eat like a king, lunch you eat like a queen, and dinner you eat like a pauper.  It makes sense to me because food is your fuel for the day.  Your breakfast will give you the energy to get through the first part of the day then your lunch gives you the energy to finish out the day and dinner gives you the energy you need to dream and rest.  A big dinner doesn't really make sense because you're not burning a lot of calories at night.  The hardest thing about counting calories and even just eating healthy on a daily basis is time.  Some days there just isn't enough time to make all three meals plus a snack during the day and it is quicker and easier to just heat something up or go through the drive thru.  I am working on a future blog of make ahead meals that are based on calories and healthy eating for both veggies and meaties alike.  That is soon to come and hopefully will help us all with the time issue.  My friend Cristi Hall and her friends came up with such a great meal swap idea.  I will get the details of how it works and get back to you all with that information too.  Healthy eating isn't the easiest at first whether you are trying to lose weight or gain weight both have their challenges, but what I am now experiencing is that I just feel so good right now.  I am loving this new hobby!  Why not check out our podcast while you eat?  It's a good one!!

Good Talk!