Counting the Dreaded Calories....

Last Friday I started to track my calorie intake for the day.  I was amazed to see how "few" calories I get { according to mydailyplate for my age, weight and height and weight I want lost}.  I then realized how MANY calories I had been eating all summer.  This summer really got to me and Hubbie.  The stresses of finding a new house, moving, adding another little one, recovering from a c-section, adjusting to home ownership, etc. really took a toll on our eating.  To make things easier on me, I bought a lot more boxed items, that I would normally baked.  We ate desserts WAY more than we ever have before {those stupid cravings!} and take out was the way to simplify our life.  I am thankful to say that take out and junk food has been swapped out for healthier options and more home cooked meals, but it still doesn't mean I was always CHOOSING the healthier options or watching my portions.

Last Friday, I started to count calories and boy! how hard it can be!  It was very difficult the first 3 or 4 {or 5} days.  I went over just about every one of those days, but I tried not to stress, because I'm exclusively nursing and nursing takes calories.  A lot of those days, I was famished! and needed a snack! but I chose a healthy one.  A piece of fruit or a low calorie, rich in fiber granola bar, etc.  I have made sure to get my dairy intake, which is so important for women, especially nursing Mamas and we've been eating TONS of healthy salads!  I'm proud to say that after 7 days of doing this, its finally becoming "the norm".  Poor Bubbie must have been tired of me asking Hubbie so many questions, because he said "Why is it that all we talk about is calories?!"  Bless his heart!  All he wants to do is talk about CARS! CARS! and MORE CARS! But anyway, I've still been able to eat at restaurants and even indulge on french fries! (yummy!) but my love for Cokes have had to go!  Too many calories just wasted on a drink!  My love for baking has had to be curbed as well.  That one has been especially hard as well.  So, I've been looking for healthier treats to make that are a little less calories!  Once I get to finding time to exercise consistently, I think I'll be able to indulge on favorites a little more regularly, but for now, I need to be aware of what is going in my body!

For me, its been all about making healthier choices.  I know I'm already eating a few 1000 calories LESS than I was and I need to just be aware of what goes into my body!  Eating at home has proved to make the calorie counting way easier for me.

I'm proud that after a week, I've lost a few pounds and counting and knowing what I can and how much I can eat is getting a bit easier.  :o)  I still miss my cokes and desserts LIKE CRAZY but I'm gonna try to be strong and indulge in the coke every few weeks instead of an every day treat!  :o)

For my daily calorie tracking, I am using Live Strong's website "My Plate".  I had thought about doing Weight Watchers again, but their online system was a bit pricey for me!

If you have any low calorie dinner or treat recipes or tips, let me know!!  :o)