It’s the same for me. People often call carbs the devil, but for me cutting fats out is way more feasible. Just switching from chicken thighs to breasts goes a hellova long way.
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Weight loss not as constant as i wanted to be honest. I’ve been really consistent with only higher calories on the 14-15th (due to the rugby). Really a bit gutted with my progress as i expected more and have a drinking session on the 21st which will ruin progress for 3-4 days!
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Those little changes definitely add up. As a non-calorie counter, that’s always been my strategy for weight manipulation. I make a conscious effort to ADD food when I am gaining and, in turn, I just reverse the process to lose, while keeping the baseline the same.
Say breakfast is 2 eggs and a slice of toast (for the sake of conversation). We’re gaining? Cool: let’s add a quarter of an avocado to that. Gains stopped? Let’s put some nut butter on the toast. Gains stopped? Put some cheese on the eggs. Gains stopped? Add an egg white. Time to lose? Let’s take out that avocado. Etc.
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That looks consistent? You just have the spike after the 15th, which it looks like you planned
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Looks to me like you’re 6lbs down despite giving yourself the freedom to do what you wanted for a couple of days. 6lbs in just shy of 3 weeks is a pretty frickin’ wicked spot to be in. Variances happen to everyone but more importantly those few days did no damage. Pausing to have fun is fine if you get right back to it. You’re still right on schedule.
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Just did a DEXA scan this morning:
172.1 lbs
16.3% BF
This is great news, as I was 18.2% BF last time I tested 8 months ago. Increased my lean tissue by 1.7 lbs and decreased my fat tissue by 3.7 lbs. Not bad.
I’ll upload the details of a DEXA scan later today (it gives lots of info) in my training log in the event anyone’s interested in all the info it gives in case they’re considering it.
I’m looking like this today (really bad at selfies):
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I like these little change suggestions. Which brings to mind a question.
I switched over to thighs recently because I was having issues finding non “woody” chicken breasts. I tried natural, organic, Costco, local grocery stores, and even two local butchers that supposedly have cage-free chickens. All of them ended up having random woody breasts.
Has anyone else had this issue?
It has put me off of chicken. I am at the point where even thighs are causing border-line dry heaves to eat. I am a decent cook, I have tried many ways of cooking chicken, and I struggle after the first few bites.
Which brings up a other question. @QuadQueen how bad would it be to only eat beef (ground 93/7, grass-fed), pork (also local from a farm), ground turkey and occasional fish? Any health issues with mostly eating lean, red meat and banning chicken?
Absolutely nothing wrong with those food choices. In fact, they will provide some additional nutrients you may otherwise not be getting. The only thing I can say is that 93/7, grass-fed beef, is going to be super expensive.
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I am lucky on this front, a farm up the road has it for $5/pound. I buy it in bulk, 40lbs at a time. Flavor is outstanding as well.
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There’s a 14 calorie difference in 100 grams (3.5oz) between chicken thighs and chicken breasts. There are other differences (primarily trading fat for protein) but it seems unlikely that thighs, if you like them, are going to be your problem.
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I know you wrote out to @QuadQueen and I don’t have near her knowledge base, but just from a “sniff test” perspective, I feel any person basing a diet around these protein choices is going to be head and shoulders above the majority as far as health goes.
Other considerations would be eggs/egg whites, which could fulfill the chicken aspect too! Get them before they fully grow, haha.
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Your input is always appreciated! I was “getting stuck” trying to make sure I balanced the cow out with chicken, it is so prevalent in lifting diets. You hit the nail on the head, it is a health concern that I am basing this question from.
Eggs and egg whites are not a problem at all, they are almost a daily staple. Chickens are tasty before they grow!
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Absolutely none at all!! Chicken isn’t a mandatory fixture in a healthy diet and you definitely don’t need it to gain strength or muscle. As long as you’re getting adequate high-quality lean protein - you are set!
Everything works - pork, beef, turkey, fish/seafood, Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, eggs/egg whites, and whey protein if/when life calls for it. Eat what tastes good! Eating shouldn’t be something that makes you miserable!
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Couple of days off track here this week.
Got some disappointing news that I didn’t get the chief engineer job I interviewed for (met all the qualifications, think I got reverse age discriminated against).
Hit the mental health hard. Back at it tomorrow.
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Now you know why I have been eating chilli for 5 years 
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Sorry man. Been there - it sucks. Hope you can get your head back into the job you planned to leave, which I know is a challenge
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Good luck man. Had something similar and ended up getting a great new role a few weeks later that paid significantly more and was WFH.
On a Transformation front, been hitting all goals from a workout front and 95% there nutritionally. Lots of work to still put in, but more committed than ever before. Down 7lbs, 25 to go to hit a weight class goal for BJJ.
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I really like my job now so it’s not that. This job would move my family closer to our extended family in southern WI/northern Il.
I think I am going to get to go to Japan this year for work so that will be awesome.
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What is the leanest cut of pork to buy? I might add it in 1x a week to mix up my normal rotation.
Tenderloin
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