Yesterday, I met with a dietician for the first time. I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. I printed off the summary pages from the Livestrong/Daily Plate account (since I found that much easier to use than a notebook) and I had a few questions for her.
I’ve always been mindful of protein and fiber, but I’ve never really thought about things like carbs or sugar. I’ve also never really paid attention to the time of day. I started noticing that I wouldn’t eat much during the day, and then I’d eat a lot at night. I was also curious about fueling on my running days.
I think actually tracking my calories was the most helpful part, but it was also nice that the dietician turned out to be a vegetarian too, so we talked about sources of protein, iron, B12, etc. (I also learned that iron is more easily absorbed with vitamin C!) She agreed that 1,200 calories would be a good place to start, but since I’m active almost every day, I should factor in extra for that. I’m looking forward to meeting with her again, once I’ve gone through a few more weeks of calorie counting.
Anyways, on to yesterday’s eats!
This is what I consumed:
Breakfast
I’m still loving these smoothies. I got a giant bunch of kale from the farmers market, and I’ve been throwing in a few giant handfuls into these smoothies. I ran out of my beloved Birthday Cake protein powder (more is on it’s way!) but for now, I’m using Designer Whey protein. (You can read all my protein powder reviews here. )
Total: 310 calories
Lunch
It was so rainy and yucky out, I was craving soup! I had a bowl of lentil soup (no I didn’t take those photos in the cafeteria…but I did take them earlier) it was 210 calories, and I had it with a side salad, which was 170 calories.
Note: For my garlic lentil soup recipe, click here!
Snack
I had some strawberries… and some M&Ms 
for about 150 calories
Dinner
Kate and I grabbed dinner from Chipotle, which turned out to be satisfyingly healthy:
Romaine Lettuce, black beans, fajita vegetables, corn salsa, tomato salsa, and guacamole. Who says Chipotle has to be high in calories? This little bowl had : 385 calories
Sweet Frog
I know, I know I’m addicted. I kept it at low fat fro yo, a tiny bit of granola and fruit toppings. I should get some bonus points for that. But I got all that for 250 calories.
Workouts
I worked towards my goal of taking more group classes, and I went to Body Pump at the gym. My muscles are feeling it today! I have no idea how many calories I burned, but my guess is around 300. (I used to wear my Bodybugg and I think that’s pretty close.) I’ve been doing so much running that it felt good to really work my muscles!
- Total calories consumed: 1,475
- Total burned: ~250
- Net calories: 1,220 (which has always felt a little low, but my dietician thought this was fine, since some days I’d be a little over it.)
(For my first day of food journaling click here!)
Great eats, Liz but quick question..what is in your side salad besides feta? Am surprised it’s 170 cals but then again, it’s crazy how quick the cals can add up! I used to be such a cardio junkie but I seem to be looking more forward to my strength training workouts lately…something about being able to lift heavier as the weeks go on is very empowering!
I also added some chickpeas and edamame!
If I don’t have some protein and fiber, I’m hungry like 15 minutes later!
really enjoying your food journal journey!
I’m a cardio junkie but my favorite workouts are one’s that combine pilates with cardio (Like Booty Barre).
I’m a new reader, and am curious–are you trying to lose weight or maintain right now?
Hi Katie! I am trying to lose a little bit. (I’ve been trying not to talk numbers too much on here, but I can definitely e-mail you more specifics if you’re curious!) Basically I’m hoping to make my fall clothes fit like they did last year
No, that’s fine, that’s all I wanted to know! I am currently working to maintain, and have been struggling with how many calories/day that takes. I was at about 1200-1300 to lose weight, too
Interesting eats!
Birthday Cake protein powder?? Oh, I’ll have to look into that (and am crossing my fingers it’s vegan).
~Kelly
http://Kelly.dressingyourtruth.com/spreadthelove
Sadly, it’s whey protein
but I’ll look for a vegan version!!
Love Birthday Cake Protein Powder! So good… and chiptole, oh you can never go wrong there
A Chipotle’s just opened up near us. Haven’t tried it yet but I’m glad to know they have salads like that for when we do! Thanks for the recipe, Liz! I love lentils and this looks both good and Easy…too of my favorite things!
That guac is making me so hungry! I always ask for extra;) The protein shake looks amazing, too!
Thats awesome that you are meeting with a dietician! I hope she offers you some good advice
And of course, Im ALL about weights. But I love circuit training, so I guess thats weights AND cardio right?
I have to say I’m a little addicted to cardio – I will do that in a heart beat if i missed a workout, but I’ve been doing Body Sculpt and TRX classes at the Y and I absolutely love having my muscles worked out. I really like Barre classes as well, but try to get them with a Groupon or something as they are pretty expensive at the studios. I love that you are seeing a dietician! I’ve always been calorie/carb conscious, but I have no idea about sugar – for example, sugar in fruit or other “healthy” things. I’m excited to keep reading about your adventures. I’ll visit the dietician through you.
oooh i have to check out your lentil soup!
I have to disagree with the dietician – 1200 calories is the classic ‘magazine diet’ amount for people to lose weight. It is the bare minimum for sedentary old ladies. You should not train for a half marathon on that amount unless you wish to royally mess up your metabolism and/or lose a lot of muscle mass. I’m sorry but to me those recommendations seem completely inappropriate and potentially misleading to readers. I’ve had friends with anorexia eating 1200 calories and exercising less than you, and they had sub-17 BMIs.
Hey, Jess! It’s definitely not enough calories for me with the amount of actives I do, so I track all of that as well! Even if it’s just a quick walk at lunch, I factor that in and eat more. Most days I end up eating around 1,800 calories. Im sure every body is different, and Im pretty short so that has a lot to do with it. I’m checking in with a health center each week as well to make sure I’m on track!
I eat the most calories in the morning and at night. Not sure why I do it like this, but lunch never makes me excited…
Cardio queen right here. But we all knew this.
I used to really enjoy strength training but somehow kind of got away from it…I need to go back! Also, strawberries with M&Ms at the same time would make me really happy right now
I would absolutely love to meet with a dietician and start breaking down my eating habits. I have been trying to shed a pesky 6-10 pounds but I am definitely stagnating. I plan to kick up the workouts, but I think I need to count calories as well.
You’re such a healthy eater, it’s an inspiration, Liz!
I’ve met with a nutritionist before and I’m surprised she actually said to go as low as 1200 cals. Then again my whole issue was being disciplined during the week and going hog wild on the weekend, so we aimed to smooth out the cal intake. On days I am completely lethargic, I try to eat around 1300. Days I am active I eat about 1600. Weekends I still overeat and hit about 2000 (err or more if you count wine..haha)
Yeah, we decided to make 1,200 my target (although I almost always exercise, so it’s usually more like 1,600-1,800) knowing that I often have an extra glass of wine or something that pushes me over the “limit”
I’ve found its best for me to aim low, because if I have calories left over I’m like “ohh well I might as well have cookie” even if I’m not hungry or don’t really want it. I guess it’s always a learning process!
That it is! Im still learning what’s right for my body.
Half the world says I need to cut cals and half say I’m way under. Well darnit, that just forces me to be in tune with my body and do what’s right.
Now you’ve got e craving Chipotle! Glad you like working with a dietician – I have a nutritionist who is partnered with my sports med doctor and she is amazing. It’s so great to have someone look at your nutrition from an outside perspective!
And you know I’m all about the weights! I would rather throw 100lbs over my head or pick up nearly 200lbs any day over running a mile.
I’m for weight training, all the way! Did some cardio for the first time in months this morning…and remembered just how much I don’t like it
Definitely could go for some froyo about now.
Wow 1200 seems so low! Glad to hear that you’re going over it, especially if you’re being active. And now you’ve got me craving Chipotle… which we don’t even have around here
You have me craving a Body Pump class now. It is one of my favourites and I haven’t been for so long!
Have you tried Vega protien powder? It is my fav. Also have you checked out your BMR? You can caculate it at …
http://www.runnersworld.com/cda/bmrcalculator/0,8210,s6-242-306-575-0,00.html
I tend to eat more at night too, which I really need to work on fixing! I can’t wait to read more about what you learn through food journaling. I’ve used myfitnesspal for a long time to keep track.
Also, please continue to share some of the info you learn from the nutritionist! My parents have been trying to convince me to see one because of my food allergies, but I’m just not so sure yet.
I’ll definitely share everything I learn! I was afraid people would be annoyed if I posted all the calories for what I’m eating, but I was surprised to learn how many other people use calorie tracking apps, too!
I am definitely a cardio junkie but I do enjoy a nice lifting session. I just blogged about my lack of lifting sessions as of lately. I really need to get back to it!
thats awesome you met with a dietician! I have to say, I COULD NEVER do 1200 calories. I eat that by lunch time. Everyone is so different though, and it must be nice having this in her hands and for her to guide you. Loving your eats!
Glad to know someone else out there is a fellow froyo addict
I bought a groupon for Sweet Frog awhile back but haven’t been yet..can’t wait to try it!
Oh my gosh I literally can’t stay away!
I definitely prefer strength training to cardio. Well, unless the cardio is something fun (like biking with friends, walking the pups, or playing sports with friends. But just running or getting on the treadmill… not my fav, haha!
Geez, I got hospitalised for malnutrition, & being underweight, whilst eating quite a bit more than 1200 cals. Do you have a reeeeeally slow metabolism, or hypothyroidism or something?
CARDIO!!! Ilove me some running right now…or just lazily ellipticalizing while watching Real Housewives.
1,200 calories sounds low to me, too…but I guess you are shorter than I am so maybe height has a factor? And I guess if you aren’t exercising EVERY DAY. Or maybe I just eat too much.
Yeah, and I think it’s also because I don’t really have a lot to lose, ya know? Plus, I’m active a lot, so I’m always eating way more than that!
Thanks so much for the follow, excited to be a VA blogger
P.S. This is my first time reading, you’ve got tasty looking eats, yum!!!
You should definitely come to the meet up Oct 20th!!! It would be so fun to meet you in person
That sounds like tons of fun
I’ll have to double check my calendar- when and where?
Good eats! Now that the weather is turning to Fall, I’ve been too cold in the AM to drink a smoothie!
Haha I keep thinking it’ll be too cold, but so far, I’m still craving smoothies!
OH that froyo looks soooo good! I can’t have dairy at the moment
I leave for vacay next Friday so I will start slowly adding things back in to see how my body responds to the foods I eat. I am holding out til vacay since I know food splurges will surely go down!
I am a total cardio person. I get bored easily with strength training.
I’ve heard so many good things about body pump! I want to join Gold’s gym so I can try it out, I’m excited!
1500 calories is my “sweet spot” for when I want to shed a bit of vanity weight – I can lose pretty steadily eating that amount yet never feel hungry or deprived. And strength training when you’re in a caloric deficit is really important to help you maintain muscle mass so that’s awesome that you got in a BodyPump class. Looks like you’re on the right track!
I think it’s awesome you went to a dietician. I’d love to do that!!
I adore cardio when I’m mid work, but love how my muscles feel after some strength training.
It’s so hard for me to answer the cardio or strength question! If I’m working out on my own for sure strength. But a well choreographed step class or spin class with a great playlist are awesome too!