Uh, I'm starving twice during the day!
Mornings I'm not too bad until 10ish. I eat my breakfast item, and drink my protein shake, then I'm supposed to have a PowerFuel (protein) mid-morning. I'm sorry, but 2 tablespoons of sunflower seeds is just not cutting it. By lunch, my stomach is rumbling so bad my high school students can hear it!
Afternoons are the same. Even if I eat a gigantic salad (3-4 veggie count) along with my lunch item, by 3 pm my stomach is making noises that should be recorded for a horror film.
Both time frames are the worst for me cheating. And I have. Those cheats contributed to me actually gaining a half pound the first week. Grrrrr. (I think the rest of it was not enough water each day.) Ideally, if I stick to the plan like glue, I'm taking in 1200 calories. But on a normal day with the workout I do for martial arts, I'm wondering if I shouldn't take in 1500. Then if I do any yard work, extra walking, yoga, etc, I'm not exactly sure how much more I should take in. I know I still have to create a deficit in caloric intake, but I'm beginning to think I'm not getting enough.
I also am beginning to think I need to flip-flop the lunch and dinner item. I usually want to eat more at lunch and hardly anything at dinner (after I work out). That's just how my body works. Maybe then I'll get the calories I need at the time of day my body needs them and at least stop the mid-afternoon hunger monster.
Today, I tripled my PowerFuel at mid-morning. I had 1 string cheese, 2 Tbsp sunflower seeds, and 1 Tbsp of peanut butter. That really helped.
Even with the frustrations, I'm really liking the overall approach. The first time I poured a NutriSystem granola packet into my bowl, then added only 4 ounces of milk, I was seriously shocked. It was so tiny! I would have filled my bowl to overflowing on my own! So, they are right -- I am re-learning portion control and that I don't have to eat until I'm stuffed every time. It's going to take awhile to retrain my brain, but I'm starting to get it.
