I Am At A Loss

I realize that weight loss is a topic as old as the hills and can easily cause ones eyes to glaze over. I mean who hasn’t tried to lose weight? And who among us has managed to not only lose weight but also keep it off? For many it is a never ending cycle of frustration, but thanks to social media there is a flood of both helpful and sometimes questionable information, and I recently decided to “give it a go.”

What are Macros?

If you follow Instagram or other social media, you are likely well aware of the current trend towards maximizing protein intake, and tracking your macros. Macros or macronutrients are nutrients that the body needs in large amounts. There are three categories: proteins, carbohydrates and fats. Apparently, tracking them is beneficial on many levels, including weight loss. In a nutshell, tracking your macros and calories can lead to a steady and safe weight loss. If it sounds tedious and time-consuming, I assure you that it is.

What is Cronometer?

There are lots of Apps to help with the tracking. The one that I chose is Cronometer. At first glance, I was overwhelmed and ready to quit before I started, but I persevered.

The idea is that you weigh or measure your daily food intake and record it, then Cronometer tallies it and gives you an overview of your macro consumption for the day, and your total calories. It also stores the information so that you can see patterns in your eating habits.

What Was my Experience?

This was not fun. But over time, I was able to judge many portions without the need to measure, and I developed a series of menus that I could eat on repeat. This did not happen overnight however, trust me. And I have to admit that I don’t use the app any more, mainly because it was just too much work! It did, however, kick start a number of other strategies that were very helpful:

I concentrate on protein content and calories. I just can’t bring myself to count fats and carbohydrates….too much work😊
I routinely measure the amount of olive oil, butter and cream that I use. Small steps but significant over time.
I read labels carefully and if the protein content doesn’t warrant the calories, I pass on a food.
I don’t eat anything after 7:00pm and believe me, that can be a real challenge.
I know there are opposing thoughts on weighing yourself daily, but I do and it really helps keep me on track.
Every once in a while, I will track a day using Cronometer, just for reassurance.

Finally, I monitor my daily steps, and that has been perhaps the final piece of the puzzle. Step count and calorie deficit (as they describe it on social media) have been key for me.

What Was The Result?

I have been monitoring my diet for about two months. The good news is I have lost about 8 pounds, and the bad news is that nobody has really noticed. Do I care? Well, yes…sort of. But I feel better, my clothes fit better and at risk of sounding like I’m the greatest thing since sliced bread, I’m proud of myself. And it all started with Cronometer!