4 Week Rounds

I'm trying to revamp my life by making and maintaining smaller changes for 4 weeks at a time.  Here's a breakdown of the Rounds I've planned or completed thus far:

ROUND ONE – Complete

• focus on revamping food
• calorie goal 1560 (set by mfp to lose 1#/wk)
• stay under but close to goal
• macros at 55/30/15% for carbs/fat/protein (default mfp)
• log everything eaten

This round went fairly well.  I lost on average one pound per week as predicted.  I also enjoyed the high carb allotment as it allowed for several sweet snacks throughout the day. 

ROUND TWO – Complete

• focus on finding time to exercise
• same basics as Round One
• dedicate some time each day to exercise
• log all exercise
• eat back calories 'earned' through exercise

Good weight loss here as well, although it did start to slow.  I attribute this largely to the fact that mfp doesn't recalculate your calorie needs until you've lost 10 lbs and at this point I'd only lost about 8.

ROUND THREE – Complete

• focus on incorporating weight lifting
• calorie goal 1760 (set by mfp to lose 0.5#/wk)
• macros at 45/30/25% for carbs/fat/protein
• lift 'heavy' three days per week followed by a walk

I increased my calories and changed my macros on purpose in order to get the largest possible benefits from the lifting.  Unfortunately, my weight loss also all but stopped; I've since lost only one pound in 4 weeks.   I don't know if this is because I started a new program or because I raised the calories too high.  Regardless, I really like how my body feels since starting weight lifting and plan to continue it should space and budget permit.

ROUND FOUR — In Progress

• focus on perfecting weight lifting form
• same basics as Round Three
• only drink protein shake as calorie replacement
• keep a schedule

ROUND FIVE

• focus on adding interval training
• same basic as Round Four
• every other workout day, incorporate high intensity interval training
• eat back calories 'earned' through interval exercise

These will very likely change as I make new decisions.