Weight update

Remember when I last posted about my weight?  Yeah, me neither.  It's been a while, but I'm ready to share.

I've been working to eat a mostly paleo-style diet since early last year or so.  I spent 2010 eating a lot of Lean Cuisines, canned ravioli, and sandwiches, so even though I was able to lose weight eating that, probably any change would've been for the better.  I'd done the low-carb thing many times, and paleo seemed like a healthier alternative.  My appetite was still a huge issue though, making weight loss feel impossible.

In August of 2011, a couple things happened: First, I got a new job.  Then I stopped taking the pill.   When I stopped the pill, I stopped getting nauseated when I waited too long to eat breakfast.  Within a few weeks, I was skipping breakfast.  Not everyday, but most days I wasn't hungry.

One day I didn't have time to go get lunch, so I just ate an apple I had brought for a snack.  And since I hadn't had breakfast, I thought I would still be ravenous, but I wasn't.

That's how I began intermittent fasting.  During the work week I "fast" 16 to 19 hours a day, then I have a small meal (usually an apple), then a regular-sized, paleo-style dinner.  Most weekends I just do what I feel.  It's a bit awkward to eat lunch with other people, but when we go out after work, I eat/imbibe normally with no weird rules or restrictions.  I've gained quite a few things from eating this way -- I have more energy, a reduced appetite, fewer cravings, and more free time.

I'm not saying it's right for everybody, but it's working well for me.   I've lost 23 pounds in the past 6 months, and I'm finally beginning to feel like I'm not a slave to my stomach.

March 2012 Net Worth

Emergency Fund: $10,005.74
Checking: $469.46

Travel: $200.52
Medical/Dental: $658.22

School: $478.29

Roth IRA: $9,932.07

401k: $7,380.44
Sharebuilder: $234.02
____________
Total Positive: $29,358.76

Rent: PAID
Groceries/Utilities: PAID
Phone: $PAID

Subway: PAID

Credit cards: $659.76
Student Loan: $4,418.83 (from over $19k)
____________
Total Negative: $5,078.59


Net Worth: $24,280.17

As I mentioned, I put $2k from our tax refund into my E-fund, which brings me up to goal.  I also made a couple hundred from ebay.  Meanwhile, I've spent a lot on going out, but it could be worse.  This month I'll keep a closer eye on entertainment spending.