Count Calories or The Calories Will Count

From mid February until today, I became a lot stricter with my eating.  I lowered my calorie goal to 1200 and have only gone over my goal two days.  I also added protein drinks (one a day) so that I could get to my goal of 60 grams of protein a day.  I eat about 5 times a day and try to eat about 200 calories at each meal.  My goal is to eat 6 times a day, but that doesn't always work.  

I've been really good about saying I'm going to eat this cake, but I'm going to write it down -- even if it's just a bite.  It holds me accountable and still lets me eat things I like.  It also makes me realize how many calories are in each item.  

It isn't easy for me.  It's even harder when we go out to eat or have people over.  I don't think people understand how much they are actually eating, but when you only have 1200 calories to eat in a day, you become more aware of what having a second piece of bread means.  Sometimes I'll buy my fancy coffee drink and think, 'I'm going to use these 500 calories and then I'll eat really healthy for the rest of the day,' but part way through the drink I realize it isn't good enough to waste calories on.  So, I give it away.  I do that a lot now.  

It's taken a whole mind shift.  I still crave things and get a little jealous when I see someone else with a plate full of pizza, but it's amazing how quickly we forget what we wanted when we don't act on our impulses immediately.  Every time I go through the drive through, I want to order something deep fried (and sometimes I do), but if I order something healthier and drive off, I don't regret it and I don't miss the deep fried food.  I just have to do it and remember to forgive myself if I don't.  

Tip #2 - Don't waste your calories on drinks if you can help it.  Order water and bring Mio (or something similar) to flavor your water if you don't like water.

Tip #3 - Use a small plate.  It makes it seem like you're getting a lot of good food.