Calories In

One of my goals for September was to follow through with checking serving sizes and counting calories for one week. Just as a checks and balance system in this journey. I do not make time to do this on a regular basis, but I also eat the same things repetitively. So, if I always use the same serving sizes, I know the approximate number of calories I am consuming. Hey, it works!

I did not make it for one entire week. However, I did track for three days in a row a few weeks back. I then did one day last week when I flipped into sandwich mode for lunch.

Each breakfast for the past three or four weeks has been oatmeal with a serving of fruit (a peach, a banana, 1 cup of strawberries, a pear or 1 cup of grapes). 1 packet of oatmeal is 160 calories; and as a general rule of thumb I count a serving of fruit as 100 calories. That means breakfast = 260 calories.

Over the last couple of weeks, I have been switching my lunches from day-day much more frequently. But, I have still kept the basic staple items. Generally speaking my main lunch dish has rotated  the following:

• chicken or tuna (canned) mixed with mayo, and eaten with crackers (about 450 calories)
• about 3 cups of raw veggies (typically a mix of carrots, celery, broccoli, and cauliflower) with ranch dressing (about 360 calories)
• a sandwich (either turkey and cheese or egg salad) (also about 400-450 calories) 

Side dishes at lunch and a late afternoon snack consist of the following:

• cheez-its (love them!) So much that I usually eat two servings, or 1 cup of them. (300 calories)
• fruit (100 calories)
• Special K bar (90 calories)
• string cheese (70 calories)
• yogurt (170 calories)

Grand total between breakfast, lunch, and a snack has been equal to right around 1200 calories, regardless of how the above is mixed and matched. 

I haven't been good about counting calories at supper. Mainly because we eat a lot of one pot meals, and I am not good about figuring out the total calories and then dividing out the servings to figure out the details. Thankfully, this is my smallest meal of the day (at least compared to lunch). 

All of this tells me I am probably higher than the 1500 calories per day I would like to be at. But not over the recommended 2000 calorie adult diet. 

I agree that there is always room for improvement and better choices, but I also like the simplicity of how I eat. 

I've not counted or tracked what I am burning in my workouts, but a general rule of thumb is 100 calories per mile ran. This would mean the majority of my runs burn an approximate 500 calories. 

I will be posting more about this month in particular when I wrap up my goals, but right now I would say the system is working! 

What is your biggest dietary hang-up? What habits have you changed? Anything stick out to you regarding my choices?