Back on the wagon...

[Lisa0825]

2. I like to change up my routines when I get stuck.

I have been on and off meal replacement programs. There are good nutritious ones out there, and it helps me to keep on track by preventing me from going for convenience foods, vending machines, fast food, etc. I get more calcium and more fiber when I do shakes than when I bring food from home for breakfast and lunch. Also, I feel it gives me a little more freedom and flexibility for dinner. I don't feel as compelled to count calories on the ingredients in a recipe for dinner when I know exactly what I had for half the day.

The shakes taste good, have a good nutrition profile, and they are easy and convenient, so to me, it is more like, "why not?" rater than "why"?

When I lost the 30 pounds, I was meticulously logging calories, fat, carbs, protein, and servings of fruits and vegetables. I was also exercising very consistently. Then I had a bad cold, and then a minor injury, and stopped working out for a while. I continued being very good on my eating plan. I lost about 15 pounds, and then hit a plateau for about 4 months. I found out that my thyroid levels (which had been stable for 15 years) were low again, so I started on synthroid. After about 6 weeks on synthroid, I finally started to lose again. Once I got to 30 pounds, the progress leveled off, and I started to get bored with the plan.

I started trying to just watch portions but eat what I wanted, but I wasn't making any progress. But I was so sick of salads and sick of counting, that I dreaded going back on plan. I needed a break, and then I needed a change, so here I am.

I plan to do the shakes for about 3 months. Then I might still have them for breakfast, but go back on "real food" for lunch.