I spend most of my time here on the nation reading other people’s posts and training logs. I find it gives me inspiration to keep doing what I’m doing, or to make that little extra effort I’ve been lacking. So when I came upon yours, I was pretty stoked since it’s been running for most of the year. It always makes me happy to see the first page and the stats, and then to go to the last page and see the progress, whether it be increased lifts or weight loss.
I’ve spent the last hour just perusing your log, and while it’s not my place, I still feel the need to give some thoughts.
First, congratulations on the fat loss since February, 50+ pounds is no small feat, and something you should be proud of.
Second, I suggest you open your log, and read through your posts, starting with the first few weeks, and quickly moving to later posts. It might give you a wider perspective. I think it’s definitely smart to be able to diet, or just eat, in moderation, but first you have to learn how to eat. Moderation is not eating 5 protein shakes a day, mixed with candy, fast food, daily cheat meals, and bad sources of carbs. Moderation means that you know how to eat balanced, that you eat your fruits, veggies, and meats (and protein for most of us), and when you finally turn to junk food, you don’t wolf it down, but you have the willpower to stop.
I think you are doing a good job with making sure that you don’t mess up your macros, or that your calories stay inside the set limits (most of the time), but you are still doing your body a disservice. You might be healthier because of the dropped weight, but you are no closer to setting yourself up for a long healthy life. Can you really just drink whey for the next 40 years?
So, read your old posts, they were quite inspiring. You might see that these justifications are not good, they are thinly veiled excuses for not really making a big change.
Leading a healthy life does not mean meeting an arbitrary caloric need or downing enough protein, it’s about balance (not between whey and candy).
And just remember,there are always people keeping an eye on you, since many of us could use the outside inspiration when our internal fails us.