Data for Maintainers Group
For those that are following, I have completed week 2 of my transition into maintenance calories. I successfully ate 2% more than the first week for an average of 441 cals more per week than I was consuming when I ended the deficit. My highest protein day clocked in at 123 grams of protein - woohoo!!! But, on other days, I've been able to get in around 96 grams.
Can I tell you my muscles are LOVING IT!!! I can almost hear them munching on all that protein goodness. They really took a hit towards the end of my deficit. But, I can really tell in my strength training workouts. Healing takes less time, and I'm able to crush it without becoming exhausted so quickly
I am down another inch in my waist and measured in at 32 inches this a.m., and hips still remain 39.5. What can I say, as my mom pointed out - I have the quintessential Indian figure (dot, not feather).
Small waist, and BIG hips as wide as the Ganges river :-) Just is what it is...
I am also down .8 lbs, so it's time for another increase by 2% which comes out to approximately 29 extra cals/day.
On a personal note, the heart definitely had to have some comforting, reassuring talks with the mind this past week. I have the tools to maintain, but like any carpenter building their first house, I want to ensure I'm using them in the right way, and that I understand I will ALWAYS have to use them if I want to manage and maintain what I've built.
I'm also incorporating another exercise into my regimen called "Qui Gong". It's often accompanied with Tai Chi - and works with the energy or "chi" in the body for all kinds of things notwithstanding mental clarity, stamina, healing, and over all well being. Like Buddhism, it's been around a few thousands of years. And, I love exploring ancient traditions. It's part of what pulled me into the field of anthropology to begin with.
I will also be removing the last 5 minutes from my cardio routine on the recumbent and will sit steady with 30 minutes in interval training at level 16 for the duration until/unless I decide in the future to go into a deficit again. I continue to increase time and reps with strength training.
Anyhow, below is this week's caloric trajectory. Again - the target numbers represent the caloric goal I'm eventually reaching for with each 2% increase.
Have a blessed day, everyone!
