Buffy Buffington gets Buffer

Well, I quit the keto diet not long after starting it (stuck it out for about 3 weeks).  It just didn’t feel right for me.  Went back to my normal semi-clean diet and my progress once again stalled.  After some very valuable input from Kimm and Freebirdmac, I’ve undertaken a cut to lose the last bits of stubborn fat that remain.  I’m currently incorporating HIIT 2-3 days a week (makes me want to hurl, but I LOVE it), doing a 3-day lifting split, and I’m trying 1,700 cals per day (clean, clean, clean calories) with 50p/25c/25f.  It’s been a week and I am DEFINITELY leaning out.  I’m down 1 pound, which is GREAT!  I do not want to lose any of my hard-earned muscle, so slow and steady wins this fat-loss race.  I’m still adjusting my macros, and have hit my macro goals only 1 day, dead on.  It’s the fats that are getting me.  I love my nuts and peanut butter, but I have to keep them on the down low to hit my 25% fat goal.  I’m getting there though and I know this is going to work.  In 4 weeks, I’ll reassess and see if I need to change my macro percentages a bit, or lower my cals by about a 100 or so…I’m feeling positive and excited.  It’s just such a long road and a constant struggle to get things just right.  I know that what is right for me now may not be right for me in a month or two.  I’m really realizing just how much of a journey this lifestyle is.  It’s a lot of hard work and I really, really respect all the competitors out there who are able to deal with all the challenges and set-backs that come with this lifestyle!  Soon, I’m going to take some progress pics.  I’m nervous to see them, but I know it will put everything in perspective and it’ll help me zero in on the areas that still need tweaking.