Guess Who's Back . . . . . Back Again . . . . . . 2020 Version

Guess who's back, back again

Joey's back, tell a friend

Guess who's back, guess who's back?

Guess who's back, guess who's back?

Guess who's back, guess who's back?

Guess who's back?

Now this looks like a blog for me

So everybody just follow me

'Cause we need to let you know where I'm at, 

'Cause it really sucks when I get too fat!

I said, this looks like a blog for me

So everybody just follow me

'Cause you need a little update on what I eat,

'Cause it feels so empty without me

inspired by: (WITHOUT ME - Eminem)

So yes, as you may have figured, I have returned!  Why?  Because I think I have spiraled out of control with my eating and lack of effort to even consider taking care of myself by way of eating and physical activity.  Maybe quarantine got the best of me.  Maybe I just got lazy.  Maybe it's just time.  But it's clear that for the past year or so, I have really sucked with my eating habits. 

                

I am not here for advice necessarily. I know WHAT I need to do.  I know what works for me.  I'm here for the accountability factor.  I know that when people read, (And I promise I won't lie in these blogs,) that I am more likely to do better.  Usually this blog is met with joy and excitement from readers and often am told that it motivates other people to try harder too.  So maybe, just maybe it will help me and help some of you too.  I have no idea what drives any of you to read this, but please do!  And give me crap when I do poorly.  

Now, keep in mind, my version of doing poorly may be different than yours.  For me, I'm not looking for some gimmick that will jump start me and be unattainable. I'm trying to make changes that can be long standing and realistic.  I'm not trying to cut all carbs, eat no sugar, avoid all sodium, denounce all diet soda or things with artificial sweeteners. What I'm trying to do is cut down on the crap I've been doing.  For example:

Breakfast habit has been a buttered bagel and a Red Bull.  I am hoping to switch to home made egg & eggwhite sandwiches with turkey sausage and a bagel thin with either OJ or a diet Sprite. (I've learned that somehow, diet sprite helps me avoid Red Bull in the morning while giving me the feeling that I'm drinking something "bad.")  Eventually, I'd like to go max heavy on the water intake, but I can't just switch over everything in 1 shot.   I'm also hoping to get some home made smoothies going in the morning and occasional cheerios breakfasts.  

Lunch has been a problem as I constantly forget to bring my lunch in the morning.  Then lunch is at 12:20-1:20, but as I find myself preparing for my 1:20 classes, I end up skipping lunch and binging at 7-11 or the pizzeria around 3pm, which is TERRIBLE!  So I'm hoping to prepare lunches for the week on Sunday and leave them at school in the refrigerator so I can eat at a normal time and a normal amount!  For instance, this week I'll make a bunch of grilled chicken, small baked potatoes and corn.  Will make one for every day and leave at school.  This will be a huge improvements from the 2 slices of pizza or massive deli sandwiches that I've been having and also save me tons of money!

Next, I have to cut out the Heat Lamp of Death that has snuck back into my life.  7-11 is my go-to on the way home.  I expect to still grab a slurpee or 2 a week because I just love them, BUT that would be better than 5-6 a week.  My attempt to avoid the slurpees is going to be to always have a bottle of water with me in the car.  Usually if I just grab the water whenever I want to eat more, it holds me over until I get home.  So I need to work on that habit again.

 For dinner - I can't complain.  Kristyn and I do a good job of cooking a good amount of the time.  BUT I think that since I usually plan for leftovers, I end up overeating during dinner since there is so much of it.  I think we are going to plan for NOT having leftovers so that I don't overeat at dinner.  Our meals are pretty healthy, but when you eat dinner for 3, but in 1 belly - a somewhat healthy meal can turn unhealthy pretty quickly. 

And finally - snacking - This goes hand in hand with the 7-11 runs, but late night - when I should be past the ating thing, I am known to fill a bowl of goldfish and pretzels or eat right out of the ice cream container.  I need this to stop.  So I am going to try to load up on the 100 calorie packs or portion off my snacks to control how much I have.  And Also I will work to make sure not to eat any of those snacks after 9pm if possible. 

I am also hoping to have a heavy water intake. That has ALWAYS been the cornerstone of my best work, so I'm hoping I can get in the habit with that. 

So those are my general plans.  I know that I can eat my breakfast without the bagel thin.  BUT it's better than a whole bagel.  I know diet soda is not "the best"  but it's better than Red Bull.  And I know that potatoes and corn may not be the best options, but they are better than garlic knots as a side to 2 massive slices of pizza.  (and by the way, not giving up pizza!  But I will try to stick to a strict limit of 1 slice when I go out for pizza.)

Feel free to comment, share your experiences, share recipes that you think I may like, give me crap for screwing up, push me in the right direction, motivate me, etc.