Hello All! I quit smoking, I quit drinking. Time to get healthy

MzShelleRenea

HI there. My name is Michelle. As my title says, I quit smoking (about 45 days ago). I gave up alcohol for Lent. Therefore, this week, I've allowed myself to be a bit more open with my food choices (more sweets because it's common to crave sweets when you quit drinking due to loss of the sugar from alcohol. Yeah, I'm too familiar with this )

Anyway, I am leaning more towards the IIFYM type of eating while also keeping my diet pretty clean overall (90/10 most days). I like IIFYM because I like keeping track of not only my calories but the breakdown of what I'm putting into my body.

I also go by my TDEE with a 15% cut. That still seems like a lot of calories to me so I may go to a 20% cut. Giving it 2 weeks to see what happens.

I do circuit training for my workouts right now and will be adding in running as it warms up. 3 workouts a week and sometimes, add in 1-2 more workouts of Zumba, Pilates or Yoga.

I've gained a lot of weight over the past 1 1/2 years. Some of that was due to a trauma I suffered 3 1/2 years ago where I thought eating was my fix for everything. Part of that was going from a very active job (waitressing/tending bar) to a desk job and being a full-time student. The rest was due to using alcohol to numb whatever feelings food didn't. Basically, I've spent 3 1/2 years being very bad to myself.

Before that, I was a runner, lifter, ate clean, and was in amazing shape. I let one event make me scared, make me not care. Luckily, I'm out of my fog and back to taking care of myself. I feel as if everything in the nutrition world has changed. Before, to lose weight, I cut out junk food, worked out and moved on. I didn't care about macros or even calories to a great extent. I was also in my 20's. Now that I'm closer to 40, it seems as if every detail matters as my body seems to want to hold onto the weight. However, I also know that being close to 40 is not an excuse NOT to get in shape. I just have shifted my focus from a lot of cardio to weights and strength training. I've learned my body enough to know I can't eat a ton of carbs and I do need healthy fats and protein to feel satiated and energized.

Anyway, that's my book, lol. Feel free to add me. I welcome friends. And please don't judge my diary this week. I'm aware it's a mess. But I gave myself this week to deal with cravings and now I'm 100% in.

Oh, if people question my drinking, I drank 1-2 times a week. My drinks of choice were beer or wine. I'm still surprised how much I'm craving sugar, lol. But my doctor said that could be due to the absence of alcohol and giving up cigarettes. Either way, I recognize the cravings for what they are and know I don't have to give in to them.

MzShelleRenea

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