Thanks for the input, it does help. I think I'm going to add about 200 a day for a little while, especially as the garden work is starting. Up until now it's been fine to just veg out for the weekend, but now it's project time. If the weather holds we're planning on moving about 12' of berry bushes from one side of the yard to the other this weekend. Lots of digging, trimming, hauling stuff around. I think that's what I was getting a little concerned with. I know to lose weight there has to be a deficit. And with having so far to go, it's hard to not want more than 2lbs a week. Considering best case scenario I'm at this for the next two years (and I know as I get lighter, it will slow down no matter what) 1400 cals a week isn't going to make a huge difference for a couple of weeks. Worst case scenario, the weight loss slows. Best case scenario I get a little more energy, do a little more in the garden, and continue at roughly the same pace. I'll see how that goes.
The dedication is what I lacked the first time. I go back and look at an average daily consumption of no more than 1400 cals (although a few missed days here and there tell me I likely ate out of range those days) with an hour of higher level cardio than I'm doing now. Combine that with 5-6 hours sleep (max) and a job where I was on my feet all day (standing and walking around) and it was a recipe for disaster. I've come to accept that I have a problem with food. Hard to admit, but it's true. This time I've decided that even if I go off track I'm going to log it. Since December there have been two bad days (Dec. 31/Jan 4) and I logged every bite of the slips. I suspect I'll have to plan meals/food for years to come, to try and combat the underlying issue with food. I'll reassess that later I suppose.
Anyway, it's a beautiful day out so I'm going to aim to start my afternoon session at 3:30 so I can have a nice leisurely swim afterwards with my mother. Tomorrow we'll be digging in the dirt.
