Can't see the forest for the trees....

I am confused. Super confused. I am confused about nutrition.

I read fitness magazines, have done the MB 12WBT program, and know my food pyramid. But it is all conflicting.

How many calories should one eat? 1200? 1500? 2000? What about macros? percentages? Activity levels?

Should I eat 1200 for weight loss but if I am at goal weight it is recommended I go to 1500...is that with or without workout activity?

If I lift weights, I need more calories and to look at my macros and don't even get me STARTED on timing my meals!

More carbs?  More protein? Portion sizes? How much leafy greens is too much?

Every magazine article has a different view, a different expert telling us what we need to lose weight or get that bikini body fast. There are a gazillion different diet plans out there, scientific or otherwise. It has got to the point of ridiculousness.

I have been so bound up in the nitty gritty, timing, macros, calories thing because I KNOW it is all about nutrition. I faithfully log in everything I eat to My Fitness Pal and keep a food diary. But I still wonder am I doing the right thing? If I am why isn't my body changing the way I thought it would?

It has got to the point that the night before I do my grocery lists and meal plan for the week, I am unable to sleep, worrying I have got it all wrong. That is no way to live.

I couldn't see the big picture anymore.

The Big Picture is to be healthy. And I am. I may not have a tiny waist or flat stomach and that may or may not come in time. But I can feed my family, eat nutritious meals every day and feel good in my jeans. I can cut as much processed stuff out as I can. I can run, play with the kids and lift heavy stuff. I can treat myself from time to time and know that it is a treat and not the end of the world.

Do I want to learn more?  Absolutely. I have seen the long term success other people have had in tweaking their nutrition. It is a new goal that I learn about how they did that because curiousity is always a good thing...once I find someone to point me in the direction to find the path between the trees.

In the meantime, I do the best I can with what I know. And when I know better, I will do better. In between times, don't sweat the small stuff and keep my eyes on the Big Picture.