Something's Gotta Change

Ok.  Something's gotta change.
I'm tired all the time, and know that I need to step up my vitamins.

At the same time, I'm feeling... what?.... robbed.  I work a very physical job.  According to my FitBit, I'm burning an average of 2800 calories a day.  I'm taking in aprox 1600 calories a day.  So why does my weight stay the same.... or worse, is on the incline?    *ugh*   It gets so depressing.

I start my day with a 15 minute stroll covering 1/3 mile.  It's a stroll because it's Sadie's walk, so she gets to stop-n-sniff as she wants.  Then it's off to work. I park in the boonies to get extra steps into my day.  I'm on my feet from 6am to 10:30am (that's my lunch break).  Usually only a 30 minute lunch, then I'm back at it, on my feet.  I don't "just stand" at my job.  It's a physical one.  I know that it's not considered high intensity, but it is constant.  Walk over to get a bin that usually weighs about 12 pounds, walk it back to my desk, arms are in constant motion moving things from the bin to the box or appropriate container, put empty bin back and move filled box to the pallet of boxes.  When the number of boxes reaches a certain point, it's my job to audit and put them in orderly fashion onto another pallet (I like to think of it as getting paid to play Tetris!)  but still, it's a constant motion, constant lifting, boxes weigh an average of 22 pounds.  Some more, some less, but I don't ship "air"!

By the time I get home, I've been on my feet for 9+ hours, and I'm tuckered.  My FitBit usually registers over 10k steps by this time, and my day's not even done!  Housekeeping, cooking, taking care of Sadie each evening ... well, I tell ya, a Gal's gotta have SOME time for relaxing, and doing things that are enjoyable.  I don't sit and 'veg' in front of the TV for more than an hour.  I like to have time for my hobbies:  photography, genealogy, and DIY crafts/projects.  Heck, I even get a kick out of painting walls and trim!

Breakfast is normally an Oatmeal and Walnut Clif bar.  It's quick and portable.  Lunch ... varies.  I work in retail with full groceries and deli.  Dinner starts with a plate of veggies steamed.  After that, depending on how hungry, boiled chicken breast and brown rice topped with a chopped roma tomato.
How does this work for other people?  I am constantly thinking back to 2013 when I joined the gym and was spending 45-60 mins 4 days a week at the gym to lose weight.  But going to the gym meant I didn't have time for any of my hobbies.  When you look at life's balance .... is that really any kind of balance?  *smh*

There's got to be an answer.  I'm not saying it has to be an easy answer, but ... something.  The doc tested my thyroid and was within the 'norm'.  (whatever that means).  The logical math side of my brain says calories in must be less than calories burned.  But I'm already doing that.  So it breaks down even more:  that not all calories are equal.   If they were, I could live on Hershey bars and Diet Coke, right??   lol   But that isn't it.  There must be something else I'm missing.  And damned if I know what it is.  I've read about having a 'leaky gut' and the issues of candida.  I even tried eating just home made soup for every meal.   No change.

It's a delicate balancing act, and lets face it, none of us wants to eat the same meal every day, the same workout routine every day, the same job every day.  Life is more complex than to be bored out our gourds in this manner.

So I'm totally frustrated.
Hello, Planet Fitness?
Time to take action.
Something's gotta change.