Establishing a Baseline
May 2nd, 2012
In my quest to slim-down, I decided I needed to establish a baseline of certain behaviors that are contributing to my ever-increasing weight
The contributing behaviors I am targeting are:
Lifestyle
I would describe mine as sedentary since I am an administrative assistant and I spend 8 hours of my day sitting and most of my evening sitting, as well. So to measure how sedentary I put on a pedometer to track my steps. You can read more about it here, but the daily target number of steps per day is 10,000. Yesterday I had at least 10,401 steps! Probably took more than that, but I didn’t wear it in the early morning or late evening. This count did however include a 30 minute walk which leads me to my next behavior…
Structured Exercise
If I get any structured exercise, it’s the 30 minute brisk walk I try to take on my lunch breaks. Although in the past 2 months due an increased need to flex my time at work, I have not been taking lunches at work therefore no walks either. But despite the need to flex my time yesterday I took my lunch anyway (I had the time banked) and walked. I’m glad I did – not only is it a great calorie burner but it clears my head and replenishes my vitamin D. I am striving for at least 30 minutes of structured activity five days a week, but the potential exists that I can throw in an additional 30 minutes on the stationary bike some evenings, as well. I mean, its just sitting there unused! I’m just sitting there on the couch watching TV or catching up on reading my fave blogs. And since my husband fashioned a laptop stand for the stationary bike, I could certainly continue these evening activities while burning some calories, as well.
Water Intake
I generally drink 48 oz per day, but I should strive for 64 oz. If I get on the stationary bike in the evenings I will definitely drink an additional 16 oz. 48 oz + 16 oz = 64 oz. Voila! But yesterday I did not get on the stationary bike (big surprise) so I only drank 48 oz.
Caloric Intake
I have not counted calories or points in some time, but I’m guessing on many days I am above or the daily maximum for weight maintenance. And since I’m going to follow Weight Watchers 123 Success Program (which is the program I am most familiar with from 2002), I will most definitely be getting control over those numbers! Yesterday as I established my baseline, I learned that my normal day of meals constitutes 30.5 points. At the end of the day (after points eaten and points deducted for exercise is totaled), I should have at most 23 points. Obviously changes must be made!
So at the end of each day, I will be posting in the sidebar my daily totals for Steps, Water, Points, Exercise.
Good luck to you if you are on a weight loss journey and stay tuned for more of my recipes and progress updates!
