After an amazing Christmas, getting back into good routines wasn’t quite as easy as I expected during January.
The good news is that the increased walking I started in December has continued. My 5 miles a day is now the norm (instead of 3 miles). It’s hard work, but mostly enjoyable. On the couple of days where time was tight, I made up the miles on following days.
Sticking to calorie goals proved more difficult. Switching back to calorie counting after Christmas was especially tough in the first week of January. That said, it also made me rethink my approach. With the extra walking, it made sense to shift into maintenance mode and increase my daily calorie allowance. The aim now is to maintain my weight rather than lose more, while still supporting my activity levels. So, officially, I’m in maintenance mode.
Chat GPT has also been quite good giving advice and making suggestions throughout this journey getting fit. Very helpful for making decisions about maintenance mode.
I didn’t rush to weigh myself after Christmas, choosing instead to wait until later in January. When I eventually did step on the scales, I somehow got three different readings, which might be a sign it’s time for a new set of scales. Either way, I feel good about how I look, and that’s all that matters.
Overall, it’s been a solid month. I’ve re-subscribed to the NutraCheck app to keep tracking calories for the year. I still allow myself the occasional cinema treat, pick and mix being a regular favourite and I count it properly, calorie-wise.
Heading into February, I’ve now been living this new lifestyle for 13 months. In January alone, I clocked up 160 exercise miles. This daily walking is vital for me, especially with a work-from-home desk job.
Thanks to all for many positive comments that have supported me during this journey.
Leave a Reply