Just Plain Vanilla

 

It was so disappointing to me when I thought I was on a calorie deficit and totally gung ho in January this year to lose body fat.

Instead, my weight climbed. I somehow dropped some weight in between the two eight week challenges so far this year.

In April I started the spring challenge, ready to kick some butt:

I added a STAR to each day that was a calorie deficit. I continued to do my workouts; weight training, bike riding, swimming, running, and hiking.

To my absolute horror, I gained weight in April.

So in May, I switched to the greaseboard as extra visability and accountability, using the numbers I log in the 1st Phorm App.  

I lost 4 pounds in May. It may not seem like a lot but it's 2.9% of my body weight. See, a pound is relative.

And even one pound, it's a lot. It's still relative.

It's easy to let them inch up, little by little, as we age. It's easy to say, this is just the way it is, because we age.

The truth for me; My TDEE went down. I now maintain at 1400 calories. If I eat over 1400 calories on a regular basis, or don't compensate those eating over TDEE days with some deficit days, I will gain weight.

It sucks, but it is what it is.

The days I ate closer to 1100 calories caused the deficit I needed. The days at 1400 kept me at maintenance. I had 3 days during the month that I went over 1400 and I need to avoid those days as much as I can. Those are the days that hinder my progress with fat loss.

It is all plain vanilla stuff. It's life. Just Plain Vanilla.

Most people in the world don't care about a 62 year old woman. No one is going to care about my weight except me.

Therefore, I don't need to explain my diet to anyone. I just need to roll up my sleeves and bide my time.

There are things I still want to do, and the older I get, the more I have to do to show that I can still do those things. The harder it is to maintain fitness and health, but my fitness and health are what enable me to do those extra things I want to do in life. I must make it happen, if I want to continue doing certain jobs and hobbies which I enjoy.

It was hard in my 30's, harder in my 40's, harder yet in my 50's. Now in my 60's, yep, it's harder still. It's the first time I've experienced a real drop in TDEE. The "eat more to lose weight" might work for some young females and some guys, but not likely for a female my age. I've proved it already.

I'm okay with Plain Vanilla. In fact I love my plain vanilla ice cream Level-1 protein ice cream. I think I'll have some!

Stay safe this Memorial Day!

Roberta