3,000 Calories a Day: Two Months Later

 

Two months ago I tried to make my eating habits more moderate by going on a program that I call 3,000 Calories a Day. Before this Moderation Quest, I estimate I was daily eating about 3,700 calories. My weight was 231. To get my number closer to 3,000, I have been keeping meticulous records of everything I eat in a food journal. This is a major pain in the butt; however, it seems the best alternative for me as I have no toleration for “diets” of any kind. The recent studies show that keeping a food journal is one of the few ways to implement permanent weight loss.

Two months into my journal keeping, I am down to 220. Eleven pounds in two months is excellent. I don’t want to lose weight too quickly. That would be a sign of a typical dieter who fluctuates back and forth and inevitably more gains weight than his original point. Gradual is better.

As far as sticking to 3,000 calories a day, I had to look closely at the numbers to see how successful I was. At a glance, I was an abysmal failure, keeping my calories at or a little under 3,000 only 29 times out of 62 days. But a closer look shows that I’ve been very successful. My “failed days” I average going over by about 150 calories. My “successful days,” which are 24, I average going under by about 150. Overall, I have been averaging about 3,100 calories a day.

I could get my calories down to 2,600-2,800 if I planned out my daily menu in advance and I suspect my weight would settle down at around 205. At my current consumption of 3,100 calories a day, I guess my weight will settle around 215.

I haven’t decided yet if I’m motivated enough to plan all my calories in advance. It seems a bit rigid to me, and unrealistic. Also while a weight of 205 would feed my vanity more than a weight of 215, the eating pleasure of an extra 400 calories or so would exceed having a leaner physique and the public admiration that such a physique renders.

As I consider my fitness goals, I desire to maintain a level of fitness that makes me feel good about myself, my pride, my sense of control. Having people gawk at me with washboard “cut” abs doesn’t mean as much to me as it did when I was a teenager.

So for now, I’m still shooting for 3,000 calories and I’m not berating myself for exceeding my limit by a hundred.

As I get older, perhaps my metabolism will slow to a point that my calories will have to be closer to 2,600. At that point, I may or may not consider having my daily menu planned out in advance.

 

Comments

[Michael Brent]

I am 59 years old and need to loose about 40 pounds.
I recently recieved a free sample of Tri-Slim which is supposed to be some kind of weight loss pill.
I know nothing works without exercise and calorie counting but what do you know about Tri-Slim?

[jeffrey McMahon]

I know nothing of it. I am skeptical of it. If I were you, considering your age, I would walk 30-45 minutes a day (with a radio?) and keep your calories around 2,400. I would learn to cook the Super Foods (salmon, broccoli, spinach, etc) by getting 12 Best Foods Cookbook by Dana Jacobi. Of course, I'd get the medical okay before you walk every day for 45 minutes. If you're consistent, you don't need Tri-Slim and other such "weight loss pills." You will lose a good pound a week. In 9 months or so, you'll have achieved your goal.

[jeffrey McMahon]

Michael, I also recommend the King's Calorie Counter, about $8 on Amazon.

[Michael Brent]

I try that. Thanks