I wanted to enter a quick entry in lieu of the idea of going to a few restaurants that offer freebies to honor Vets today. I plugged in the data for the foods, just out of curiosity, and the results are absolute insanity! 5600 sodium, 2700 calories, 151% of my RDI! I am very happy that my curiosity led the way. I cut one meal out and it reduced the sodium to almost 3700 (still quite high) and 1750 calories (97% of my RDI). The funny thing is, the meal I removed was breakfast, continental style...what a huge and horrible impact that could have been! If I go with the healthier meal I just looked in to, the sodium goes down to 2368 and the calories jump to 2015 (112% of RDI).
Chart for easier viewing:
Stupid idea (Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner): 5600 sodium / 2700 calories / 151% RDI
Keep Lunch & Dinner, Removing Breakfast: 3700 sodium / 1750 calories / 97% RDI
Keep Dinner, Lunch a Healthier Option: 2370 sodium / 2015 calories / 112% RDI
I'm definitely going with the bottom option. Staying 50 under on RDI calories can't justify adding 1500 sodium because it tastes better. It won't be as delicious...but I've gotta do this for me, for the long run, and I can work off calories, whereas working off sodium, that's more of a killer! (And I'd see the difference on the scale tomorrow, without a doubt! I'd feel horrible for it).
With additional curiosity and after checking CDC daily intake recommendations, I reviewed my sodium intake for this month.
CDC recommends: 1500 (while the body only requires about 500 daily)
CDC high scale: 2300
My 10 day average: 2530
I know the body doesn't work in the effect of averages, but it gives me a good jumping off point. I've cut salt by quite a large bit for a long while (even before starting back up toward a healthier me). I rarely salt while I cook, and don't often feel the need to salt once I get my plate in front of me (unless its one of those days where NOTHING worked to add flavor to the dish..). I'm going to continue to monitor my sodium intake, which has historically directly correlated with my weight gain in the past (incredibly obvious when I go to weigh myself each morning, especially after a salty meal, like Chinese Food).
On Wednesday and Thursday, I plan to hit the gym hard! And when I'm not in the gym, I really want to pull out the Christmas stuff, because it will lighten my mood to see everything out, twinkling and joyful...there's something about the spirit of Christmas, its uncanny! Moving around those bulky boxes, contorting to get branches just right, making laps round and round the tree with lights and ornaments...it will be a leisurely workout on its own! More than sitting in front of a television, anyway! ;P
Another thing! Forgot to mention that I had looked in to the Jawbone Up24 vs Fitbit Flex, as I said I would a few days ago, and I've decided what I'll get:
the Jawbone 3! LOL, yes its not one of the choices...but the new one will have a heart monitor. It won't be out 'til next year, however, it will be many months 'til they put out the Android capabilities (stupid Apple..). So, around this time next year, I guess I'll get what I want (just in time for them to come out with something new, I'm sure..). For now, the ACCUPEDO so I'm quite content for now. =)
