6×6: Month 1 Recap

I set a goal to lose 6 pounds every month for the next 6 months and Month 1 is over.  I started the month at 175lbs and ended at 168.5lb for a total loss of 6.5lbs!  My measurements are down slightly 42-41.5 in the hips, 32.9-32.8 in the waist with bust holding steady at 37.  Yes!

This month has been really refreshing.  I am re-doing Precision Nutrition and everything is really sticking this time around.  I’m trying to follow the program wholeheartedly and not slack off on the ideas that I don’t like (like keeping starchy carbs to the post-workout period only).

I’m also not counting calories or tracking my food at this point.  I couldn’t tell you how many calories I eat per day and I still lost my target weight for the month.  That is a welcome change from my obsessive tracking days.  I tracked calories burned using a heart rate monitor.  I input every morsel I ate into my SparkPeople food journal.  It was what I needed to do at the time and it helped me a lot.  My time is just so limited now that I can’t do it.

I don’t see anything wrong with tracking, but I’m starting to come to the conclusion that tracking isn’t really necessary for me when:

1. I’m eating mostly good wholesome foods that I prepared for myself.  I’m not talking about homemade fried chicken or apple pie, but health-conscious foods made up mostly of fruits green leafy veggies and lean proteins with much smaller infrequent amounts of starchy carby stuff like rice, bread and pasta.  This is really automatic portion control because I can only eat so much broiled tilapia with green beans and summer squash.  On the other hand, I can scarf down a whole pile of rice like its nothing!
2. I’m losing some amount of weight or inches over time.  If after 4-6 weeks nothing has changed, I might start tracking because something might be out whack.  Either I’m not eating being honest with myself and need a wake up call.

Maybe I will feel differently next month, but so far this is really working for me.  We’ll see if it carries me through Month 2.  I might be dusting off my heart rate monitor and downloading the SparkPeople app.

I’m joining SingleMa for her September “Punk My Plateau” challenge for Month 2.  I’m not (fingers crossed) in a plateau, but I like to support and stay on track!  Plus, she keeps her financial game tight so she’s giving away prizes! LOL!