I haven’t written a “diet reflections” post since July, which speaks volumes about how my focus has drifted since then. In the last week I have started to re-focus upon weight loss intentions, although my instincts led me in the wrong direction at first.
My first thought – a kneejerk reaction – was to do something extreme like 800kcals a day for a couple of weeks. I saw it as a possible system cleansing period, wherein I could rest my body by shifting to light exercise like walking and stretching. Anything else would make 800kcals unbearable.
Having thought about it though I think it’s the wrong tactic at the wrong time. I need to be practicing and settling into a sustainable long-term pattern of training and dieting. With a major lifestyle change underway (permanent homeworking for at least the next year) I need to establish a new equilibrium of “calories in/calories out.” The next few weeks are a good opportunity to find the right balance before I’m in the thick of it vis-à-vis my new job.
This week (21st – 25th September)I will aim for between 1,200 and 1,500 calories, with upper body weights days on Tuesday and Thursday. I will also seek opportunities for meditative light exercise – sessions that will be compatible with a 9-5ish schedule.
Dr Martin James 