Hi Guys! Happy Wednesday!
The mayor told me the other day I’ve lost weight. He’s the kind that tells it like it is and has told me in the past when I’m looking chunky monkey or a hot mess so I trust him. It truly made my week especially with how down I’ve been feeling fighting to get my leg strength back. I gladly excepted his compliment, but inside felt sad because I have 10 pounds to give back to the injury Gods. Primarily in my booty which is from not doing much cardio the last 12 months. I wish I could hand it over on a plate with a pretty bow.
Being injured over a year, has made weight loss maintenance a huge challenge. No matter how few calories you eat, you also need to workout to maintain weight loss. All my clothes fit except my work pants. I can get them on, but they’re not loose and comfortable like they used to be. I’m not exactly sure how much weight I put on since I was injured, but based on the pant test my guess is 10 pounds.
Last year I stopped weighing myself. It was making me crazy and I couldn’t do anything to speed up my body’s recovery. The added stress over the number wasn’t something my body or mind needed. If anything, it would’ve slowed down my recovery and it was already slow enough. Instead I focused on eating less sugar and eating more whole foods. I did well with that until the holidays came and I got off my eating pattern.
I’m back on the calorie counting wagon and axing the sugar. I know if I stick with it and not obsess (that makes a difference by the way) my body will shed the pounds. The challenge will be not losing muscle. I’ve built a lot of muscle primarily in my upper body. My body likes to shed pounds there first. It’ll be interesting to see if I’m able to maintain that. Agh..the mental war of weight loss. Even once you’ve lost the weight, it’s not easy. In fact, it’s harder. I feel like I’m recovering my weight loss.
It’s Wednesday and you know the drill. Let’s see what this booty girl’s been eating!
Breakfast. Butternut squash spinach breakfast bake, baked plantains with cinnamon & a banana zucchini walnut muffin. Strange fact about me. I like bananas, but only in baked foods and smoothies. I can’t stand eating them on their own. Something about the texture creeps me out.
Lunch. Greens with tuna, broccoli, homemade sweet potato spinach cakes & a drizzle of mustard. I must be ready for Spring because I’m all about the green stuff lately and I’ve been loving this salad combo. I found my new salad kick. Recipe for the cakes coming soon!
Dinner. Messy crockpot sweet potato mexican mash (aka black beans, lean turkey breast, sweet potatoes, zucchini, bell pepper) on bed of kale topped with homemade salsa. It’s the best mess ever.
How hard is it for you to maintain your weight? What’s your method for dropping 10 pounds when things get snug?
Linking up with Peas & Crayons for What I Ate Wednesday
Lots of Health, Food & Love,
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You look amazing! But of course it’s not how you look, it’s how you feel, and feeling ones best is most important 🙂 I use intuitive eating to maintain my weight and put on my tightest jeans about once a week! They never lie! 🙂
Isn’t it funny how us women all have our tight jeans? I don’t know anyone who doesn’t have a pair. Thanks Jessica!
You look great!! It always feels good too when someone notices your hard work! I usually scale back on the sugar and just focus on having balanced meals when I feel like my booty’s getting bigger! Putting on my tightest jeans also puts things into prospective!
Agree on scaling back on the sugar. That’s always the first thing I do.
Love seeing what people eat in a day! And you look terrific 🙂
Usually if things feel snug it’s because I’ve been slacking on my workouts and/or drinking more pop, beer, Starbucks and not enough water. So, I’ll just get back on track and things get looser (or tighter if we’re talking about my body!)
Thanks Gretchen! Now that I’m able to do more cardio, it should start to happen for me. I can never get enough water living in the desert.
I think you look great!
I won’t go into the scale debate becauseI know it’s controversial…but I am a firm believer in weighing. I can fit into my clothes at my current weight or 6 or 7 lbs higher. The scale keeps me in check and YES does make me crazy at times..but I deal!!
If I am not where I want to be, I definitely try to eat more greens and veggies!!!
Like you, I used to be that way with the scale. After being injured over a year, I just couldn’t continue looking at the number and knowing I couldn’t do anything about it. Yeah for greens and veggies!
butternut squash breakfast bake sounds delicious!
Thanks! It’s one of my most pinned recipes.
First – you know you look amazing and are such an inspiration for others. (But I get it – we all have our happy weights :))
Second – all of this food looks so good! I just pinned quite a few recipes of yours and I’ll be back. All of these things (sweet potatoes, broccoli, egg whites, etc.) are my favorite foods. YUM!
Thanks for sharing these WIAW eats. I’m loving checking out everyone’s food and sharing my own (though I was sick this week so my food is less-than-exciting)
Thank you Melissa! Your comment about being an inspiration to others brightened my day. Hopefully I will get to my happy weight soon. Hope you’re feeling better!
I also have an upper body issue! I am just generally thin in my arms and chest and lose muscle there so easily. Haven’t figured anything out besides yoga but I’m always aware of that area especially with all the running.
That lunch looks so delicious. Haven’t had mustard in a while since no one in my family likes it, but I should bring it back occasionally. I think you are doing well and both you and your food look very healthy. Keep doing what you’re doing 🙂
Thank you Michele. Keep up the yoga work. You’re my inspiration that one day I will like yoga!
Hi Megan! Don’t get discouraged, with making good choices you’re heading in the right direction and you already look great! But I must say, your eats look fabulous. I would love to devour all three of those meals! 🙂
Thanks so much for the sweet compliments Ashley! I hope my body gets back to where it was without getting injured again.
you look great… i just do a crash diet…. I’m so unhealthy :/
Thank you Ayesha!
Hey girly, I can totally identify with you re: the weight changes. I’m lean genetically, but when I gain it’s in my butt and hips and nothing fits. Sadly, I find the only way to lose is to cut calories and do cardio, and the muscle goes down the drain too…but then I gain it back after. It’s funny how different weight loss strategies work for different people…that’s why it’s all about trial and error!
xx Jill
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I’m the same way. I lose muscle then gain it back. Some people can maintain it though. You and I must have the same genes. 🙂
That mexican mash looks great! Might have to try it some time:)
It’s really easy. Hope you give it a whirl!
The food looks very delcious especially the breakfeast
Messy crockpot sweet potato mexican mash looks like something I’d love to try. I’m also trying to gain weight at the moment.
You still look amazing to me! I know it’s about how you feel, but I think you look pretty fit!
Thanks friend!