The Cardboard Box Diet: Week 2

07.05.12
The Cardboard Box Diet: Week 2

New to The Cardboard Box Diet? Click here.

Here’s the problem I have with diets. I’m a little bit of a perfectionist (understatement of the year), so I start out like this:

Plus: EXERCISE EVERY DAY! FOR THREE HOURS EACH DAY!

Inevitably, in about three days, this turns into:

And then I screw up and eat like, half a cake and a pizza and wine and omg I’ve already messed up so I might as well finish off that ice cream, right? It’s a vicious cycle.

I’m having trouble (yes, already) with the #cbdiet simply because I have to find a balance between counting every single calorie (while hating life) and eating whatever I want (while hating life). Ultimately, I want the good choices to outweigh the bad, but to be able to splurge regularly without feeling like I’ve fallen off the wagon or ruined my whole life. With good choices and regular exercise, I should be able to accomplish that, right? At least, that’s what I have to keep reminding myself as I am wracked with guilt over the beef fajitas covered in garlic butter I split with Michael last weekend.

Life is too short to not enjoy good food, but it’s also to short to not be healthy. BALANCE. Which is something I’ve never been great at, obviously.

  • Weigh-in: I’m down about a pound and a half, but I fluctuate so much even in one day, that I’m not sure I’ve lost anything. I think I’m going to start weighing in on Wednesday mornings only, and not at all any other days. It’s just too hard to not focus on the number, and that’s not that this “diet” is about.
  • Exercise completed: I did really well with exercise! I’ve been running every other day since last week. I even hit 3 miles during my last 2 runs, which is a huge accomplishment for me.
  • Splurge/Guilty Pleasure: So many splurges this week. Seriously, I’m embarrassed to list everything, but I’ll hit the high points to punish myself (I kid, I kid). Big breakfast at a diner on Saturday, aforementioned Mexican food on Sunday night, I could not resist splitting a bag of Doritos with Michael the other day, and I didn’t actually have dinner on Wednesday night because I was invited to a “cocktails and cookies” night by a friend. Also, let’s not talk about July 4th. Holidays don’t count, right?
  • Success story: Hitting three miles while running, and one time under 30 minutes. Now, I hit 3 miles because I grossly underestimated the distance around the track at the park and then accidentally ran 2.7 miles, so I pushed myself the rest of the way. BUT I did it. And I swear I almost cried — mostly from the pain, but I was pretty proud of myself. So I did it again Wednesday morning, and it felt okay. I’m getting there.
  • Recipe(s): No real recipes, but here are some ideas for simple meals that are low-cal and delicious (the best combination):
  • Photos:

Non-fat refried bean and cheese quesadilla on a low-carb tortilla with Greek yogurt, salsa, & a side salad: 551 calories

100-calorie English muffin with peanut butter & banana, blackberries & banana on the side, honey on everything, & coffee with Natural Bliss creamer: 552 calories

Scrambled eggs and grape tomatoes on whole-wheat, unbuttered toast; Greek yogurt with honey, bananas, & blackberries; OJ & coffee with Natural Bliss creamer: 789 calories (this was a post-run brunch, so I needed the calories)

100-calorie English muffin topped with marinara and cheese; strawberries & kiwi on the side: 403 calories

Low-carb whole-wheat tortillas with eggs & O’Brien potatoes (these are frozen and only 50 calories for 1 cup!) with Greek yogurt & salsa, plus coffee with Natural Bliss creamer (not pictured): 511 calories

I can’t wait to see how everyone else is doing! If you’re participating this week, please link up below via Mr. Linky + a button in your post + a comment. And don’t forget the hashtag #cbdiet if you tweet or instagram so we can all follow along!

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The Cardboard Box Diet

The Cardboard Box Diet

The Cardboard Box Diet

[Amazing hand-drawn images via Hyperbole and a Half; edited badly by me.]

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17 Responses to “The Cardboard Box Diet: Week 2”

  1. Jen says:

    Even though I have lost a few pounds (or 7!!!) in the last two weeks getting ready for the beach and omg a bikini, it hasn’t been the right / healthy way. And, let’s be honest, I’m not going to be hitting the gym or watching what I eat during the next week on vacation. But when I get back? Cardboard box is going down.

  2. Stephany says:

    Oh my goodness, do I understand you on this! I am the exact same way and I usually do so well until it gets too overwhelming by week 3 or 4. I’m trying to take things easy this time around. I’m not cutting out anything cold turkey and I enjoyed a LOT OF GOOD THINGS this week. But I also stayed (mostly) on plan and I’m just trying not to think big picture right now. Just week to week, day to day. It’s hard NOT to think of it as a diet, too, at first since I AM, in a sense, depriving myself of things I used to have a LOT of. I’m still splurging, but it’s at a much lesser scale than before. But it still feels good, even when I do have to pass on lunch with coworkers. Boohiss.

    Also, totally recommend just weighing in once a week. Weight fluctuates SO MUCH that weighing in daily doesn’t give you an accurate measure of how much you lost. (Plus, it’s dangerous for your emotions!!) It gives you a better indication of your weight.

    Great job this week!!

  3. skye @ neathering our fest says:

    I love your honesty and can totally relate to your struggles. This first week was easy because I’ve been all inspired and focused… but here on out will be harder and harder. It is exactly what happens every time I start to get my lifestyle back on a healthy track! Evil seeps in and gets the best of me!

    Here is my plan:
    Weigh once a week (that is IT) and record it. Try really hard not to worry about the number but focus on how I feel.

    All things in moderation. I’m not going to deny myself delicious things (because life is WAY to short to miss out on anything yummy) but I’m going to try and have a bite or two of it and then push it away. I don’t need the whole peanut butter pie. but just a few bites nibbles will satisfy the craving and not undo all the healthy things I have done that day!

    Holidays never count, and if possible I’d like to add good beer to that as well. ;) That was my splurge this week (Abita Strawberry, and Leinenkugen Summer Shandy both highly recommended) since it was a holiday.

    Keep at it and remember that we are all (how many of us are there?) here with you plugging away too! :) xoxo

  4. Jill says:

    Add me to those relating to your struggles. I feel like I’m not putting in all the effort I should be, since I’m not eating perfectly. Your meals look A LOT more healthy than mine! But I did blog again, with some fitness “progress” at least, so that’s one thing. I also had Mexican food. Twice. With a friend for a belated bday, and then with my parents. Ugh.

  5. Rhona says:

    My big issue is trying to motivate myself to work out. I can stick to the eating healthy part just fine, but trying to get myself to go for run is another story all together. It’s so insanely hot in Indiana right now so running outside sounds like the least fun thing ever. Meh, any helpful tips on getting motivated??

  6. Miemo says:

    I am starting this today. I will have an introductory post go up today, and I am already nervous. Yesterday was horrible. But holidays don’t count. At least you are trying! I am glad that you can share this with us, because knowing that it is hard, and still trying to do it means SOMETHING!! Good luck! I’ll check in next week!

  7. Emily says:

    Congrats on your 3 miles, I can’t wait until I can get to that point, I am actually shocked that I am running at all :) P.S. all of your food pics look so good and give me some good ideas of healthy stuff to eat during the week!

  8. Amanda says:

    I second Rhona, I really have more of a battle with working out than I do with food. I mean, I have total issues with food like many people, but since I’m not on ANY kind of diet or counting calories or any of that, it’s not as big a deal. There’s no metric there to fail at, just how I feel about it. But working out is either I did it or I didn’t, and more often than not I didn’t :)

  9. kate @ undeniable style says:

    my tips:
    I always get really good workout inspiration from pinterest!
    Lots of free Youtube channels out there, too. I like circuit training ones…15-30 mins and you’re done, while feeling accomplished.
    http://blogilates.com/

  10. Hannah says:

    I am the same way! But don’t worry to much about what “bad” stuff you ate. Just move forward with healthy choices and your progress. Those recipes look delish!

  11. Sophie Lorraine says:

    I have been such a bad influence BUT I’m doing better! Fruits and veggies today and another workout this afternoon! All of your food looks soo yummy. It REALLY is to bad I don’t live next door. ;)

  12. Heather says:

    Do not beat yourself up. It’s not all or nothing. I struggle with that mentality too when I’m dieting. I think if you eat healthy 75% of the time you will lose weight but it will just take more time. That’s good b/c you’re changing the way you eat permanently and that will stay off!

  13. Tabaitha says:

    I understand about balancing it all. I have always struggled with that. I just try to remember that I have a chance to start fresh the next meal.

  14. Beth says:

    Checking in late today. I understand all about the splurge. I splurged twice this week (and paid for it both times with an upset tummy.) But like you said, life is meant to be balanced – gotta take the good with the healthy :)

    I like your meal pictures – I’ll have to remember some of them when I go back to food :) 100 calorie English muffins might help me control portion sizes!

  15. april says:

    I haven’t figured out how to get to my blogs and comment from the ipad yet so I’m late to commenting. :) I really need to get on the ball with my eating. Even though I’m not formally exercising that much, I’m certainly active enough that if I was more careful about my portions I could trim some off.

  16. Nicole says:

    Conclusion: Traveling for work is the death of good eating. I’m a week behind you because it’s so hard to eat well when you’re staying at places where red meat is both the entree and the side dish to every meal. BUT, Cio and I joined a gym yesterday and I nearly died on the treadmill, so we’re in it to win it! Also, I posted my first #cbdiet post on my site!

  17. Nichole says:

    I love seeing your food ideas…I can always use help there!

    Just got my post up. Thanks for doing this!

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