P90X Lean Day 7: Rest

Yeeeeeeeee Ha, I made it a week!

I'm definitely going to be looking forward to Tuesdays where I don't have to worry about fitting in a workout!

Here's the good news: I feel better. I can tell that I've been working out hard; my legs feel firmer (although there's no difference visually), I have slightly more energy. I love the workouts.

The bad news: the diet part is HARD. I love my carbs. LOVE them. I have been tracking my calories and nutrition on www.sparkpeople.com (which I highly recommend, by the way, even though they really underestimate suggested caloric intake. For a better grasp on what your body needs, find your BMR and use the Harris Benedict equation). There are some pretty bad days when 55% of my calories come from carbs, which to a person without an intensive workout program, is fine. For me... not so much. According to the P90X nutrition guide, the first phase should have up to 1800 calories, with a majority of those calories coming from protein. Fat calories should make up 20% of your intake and carbs 30%, leaving 50% for protein. Hence the "Fat Shredder phase" where your body is rapidly shredding the fat due to low carb intake, but you still have the energy to complete the workouts. I think the best that I have gotten so far is 40% protein, 30% carbs, and 30% fat, which obviously the fat is way higher than it should be. It's a big learning curve, that's for sure. Going from more intuitive eating (minus figuring out if you've had enough fats, proteins and carbs) to a more strict, regimented intake is hard. I miss my carbs.

I am still struggling to find snacks that are high in protein and low in carbs and calories. My protein shakes after my workouts (Designer Whey Protein is DELISH) are a good help and hopefully I'll get to Trader Joe's soon to get some greek yogurt. Chicken and tuna are great too... but I hate to bring tuna since it can get stinky.

Sounds like I have a task for the week!