I'm at another plateau. . . granted it is *mostly* self induced. I had a miscarriage and gave it a bit to sweets and even had an almond butter sandwich on gluten free bread.
At this point I'm trying to decide whether to go with a 3-5 day fat fast (Atkins style. . . 1000 calories a day, 90% fat) or jump back into the 21 Day Sugar Detox. I'm not eating sugars, but I am eating a lot of cheese, a fair amount of heavy whipping cream, and using some truvia/splenda (I know. . . ). I've found that my body requires shaking up every few weeks, but I am at my staying point weight. . . meaning, every time I've lost weight this is about the lowest I get (within 4-5lbs). I know that my body can shed at least another 20lbs and possible even 35lbs but it seems quite happy right where it is. So, I need to shake things up and get this body out of it's comfort zone.
What I've noticed as we've transitioned to grain free living (Paleo, if you will) is that a lot of weight loss plans share a commonality- carbs aren't great for most bodies. This is the premise of Atkins, The Metabolism Miracle, and The Paleo Solution (and I'm sure many others). The biggest part of any of these weight loss plans is to continue them for life. . . sure, you can lose weight if you go hardcore Atikins for a few months. . . but that weight will creep (or run) back on once you go back to your old ways.
I'm not giving up. . . I finally see the light and know that my body can be thinner than I am now. I don't expect (nor have I ever expected) to be a skinny mini. My body isn't designed that way. I do expect to be healthy and petite, with lots of lean muscle and curves.
Researching Paleo, I've noticed that women whose weight stall out tend to have a few things in common. . . we like Paleo-fied baked goods, nuts, & chocolate. Atkins recommends a decent amount of cheese a day (3-4 ounces) and I've noticed that my body doesn't like cheese so much (but I sure love it!). I tend to do better if I keep my diet at fat, protein, & veggies with maybe a touch of fruit and only a serving of nuts/nut butters each day. This leads me to think the 21 Day Sugar Detox is going to be the way to go in order to break this plateau and push my body under the next decade mark.
Friday, June 22, 2012
Saturday, June 9, 2012
Daily Menus
What have I been eating in this Paleo/Low Carb World I now live in. . .
Breakfast- 2 eggs scrambled with diced ham
Lunch- extra lean turkey burger patty topped with herb cheddar cheese and mixed baby greens
Dinner- rosemary tri tip roast with cucumbers and mixed baby greens topped with full fat ranch
Snacks- 10 lg. olives, hard boiled eggs
Water- lots and lots. My method is to keep a small glass (think juice glass) on the counter top and chug one at least once an hour. If I sip, I don't get enough in. So I walk over, fill the glass (my holds just about 8 ounces) and down it in a minute or so. The water is kept at room temp in my filter pitchers.
Other beverages- occasionally (no more than one a day) I'll have a tall glass of Crystal Light Pure Lemon (30 calories and 6 carbs in the full packet).
Breakfast- grilled ham steak w/ sauteed mushrooms (1/2 cup before cooking)
Lunch- Lg. salad w/ cucumbers & broccoli topped with grilled chicken, sprinkled with cheddar cheese and topped with Ranch dressing.
Dinner- grilled shrimp & scallop skewers, cooked broccoli topped with herb butter.
Snacks- cheese stick & 5 cherry tomatoes, or 2 celery stalks w/ cream cheese.
Water repeat day 1 protocol
Other beverages- iced coffee
Our new favorite ways to get more veggies in: Cauliflower soup and pizza crust (post coming soon!).
I'm going to reduce my butter use starting tomorrow. . . I've been using it to cook all my eggs and meat in. . . and I'm losing weight, but honestly between that and the cheese my skin is feeling kind of oily vs. just well hydrated. My Atkins get started pack arrived today. . . I'm not a fan of anything artificial so the bars and shakes will probably be slim to none in our house (I did buy a box of chocolates to try and a pack of shakes for my sister who is doing this with me and having a very hard time wanting sweets.) Anyway, the get started pack has a meal plan listed in it. . . the menus give you the option of a real meal -OR- an Atkins replacement product (of course, they want to sell things, right?). Here's a sample day from that plan (this should illustrate that this isn't a bacon/mega high fat diet):
Breakfast- 2 poached eggs, 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese, 2 lg. tomato slices, 2 marinated artichoke hearts, 2 Tbsp hollandaise sauce (recipes on Atkins.com).
Snack 5 cherry tomatoes, 2 Tbsp Aioli -OR- Atkins Day Break Chocolate Hazelnut Bar
Lunch- sauteed halibut, 1 Tbsp Herb-Butter Blend, zucchini and jicama salad
snack- 2 stalks celery with 2 Tbsp creamy Italian dressing
Dinner- grilled chicken, 2 Tbsp hollandaise sauce, cup baby spinach (raw), 3 marinated artichoke hearts, 1/4 cup scallions, 2 Tbsp Creamy Italian Dressing.
That looks like a pretty balanced day of lean proteins, healthy fats, and veggies.
Breakfast- 2 eggs scrambled with diced ham
Lunch- extra lean turkey burger patty topped with herb cheddar cheese and mixed baby greens
Dinner- rosemary tri tip roast with cucumbers and mixed baby greens topped with full fat ranch
Snacks- 10 lg. olives, hard boiled eggs
Water- lots and lots. My method is to keep a small glass (think juice glass) on the counter top and chug one at least once an hour. If I sip, I don't get enough in. So I walk over, fill the glass (my holds just about 8 ounces) and down it in a minute or so. The water is kept at room temp in my filter pitchers.
Other beverages- occasionally (no more than one a day) I'll have a tall glass of Crystal Light Pure Lemon (30 calories and 6 carbs in the full packet).
Breakfast- grilled ham steak w/ sauteed mushrooms (1/2 cup before cooking)
Lunch- Lg. salad w/ cucumbers & broccoli topped with grilled chicken, sprinkled with cheddar cheese and topped with Ranch dressing.
Dinner- grilled shrimp & scallop skewers, cooked broccoli topped with herb butter.
Snacks- cheese stick & 5 cherry tomatoes, or 2 celery stalks w/ cream cheese.
Water repeat day 1 protocol
Other beverages- iced coffee
Our new favorite ways to get more veggies in: Cauliflower soup and pizza crust (post coming soon!).
I'm going to reduce my butter use starting tomorrow. . . I've been using it to cook all my eggs and meat in. . . and I'm losing weight, but honestly between that and the cheese my skin is feeling kind of oily vs. just well hydrated. My Atkins get started pack arrived today. . . I'm not a fan of anything artificial so the bars and shakes will probably be slim to none in our house (I did buy a box of chocolates to try and a pack of shakes for my sister who is doing this with me and having a very hard time wanting sweets.) Anyway, the get started pack has a meal plan listed in it. . . the menus give you the option of a real meal -OR- an Atkins replacement product (of course, they want to sell things, right?). Here's a sample day from that plan (this should illustrate that this isn't a bacon/mega high fat diet):
Breakfast- 2 poached eggs, 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese, 2 lg. tomato slices, 2 marinated artichoke hearts, 2 Tbsp hollandaise sauce (recipes on Atkins.com).
Snack 5 cherry tomatoes, 2 Tbsp Aioli -OR- Atkins Day Break Chocolate Hazelnut Bar
Lunch- sauteed halibut, 1 Tbsp Herb-Butter Blend, zucchini and jicama salad
snack- 2 stalks celery with 2 Tbsp creamy Italian dressing
Dinner- grilled chicken, 2 Tbsp hollandaise sauce, cup baby spinach (raw), 3 marinated artichoke hearts, 1/4 cup scallions, 2 Tbsp Creamy Italian Dressing.
That looks like a pretty balanced day of lean proteins, healthy fats, and veggies.
Saturday Scale
Saturday is officially my scale day. . . and once a month it'll also be my measurement day. I've developed a scale addiction. . . climbing on every single day (sometimes twice a day) and then getting discouraged if the numbers haven't decreased.
I know that weight loss over a week is more measurable than watching it daily. So, that's what I'm doing. . . breaking the scale habit.
Today I'm thrilled to say I'm officially down 20.2 lbs since the end of March (I don't remember my actual start date, but I do know that around Marcy 27th is when I had my wake up, you are beyond chubby moment). I'll be buying myself some new shoes soon!
The low carb thing is agreeing with me. . . although berries sound DELICIOUS and I can't wait until they are part of my daily regime (in moderation, of course!).
Today I'm sipping iced coffee. . . I tend to make a pot of coffee in the morning and then only have one cup. So later in the day I'm at the point of dumping out the rest. . . I started freezing coffee cubes. Then I pour my cold coffee over a glass full of coffee ice cubes, add a couple packets of Splenda or vanilla SF syrup, and a tablespoon (or two) of heavy cream. Yum-O! I just had a thought. . . I should start putting the leftover coffee into a carafe in the fridge for the next day. . . that'll reduce the coffee waste around here!
Did I mention that cheese doesn't seem to get along with me? I love it, don't get me wrong. . . cheese is my go to food for a quick protein packed snack, for flavoring just about anything. . . I love the tangy taste that's so versatile. But, since I dropped down to Atkins Induction Phase (instead of just Paleo), I've increased my cheese consumption (Atkins allows up to 4 ounces a day) and my skin is the worse for it. . . Guess I'm back to tiny amounts of cheese here and there. *sigh* I may have to add a serving of nuts or nut butter in to replace it since snacks of olives and hard boiled eggs might get boring. . .
Oh. . . did I mention that my size 10 jeans fit me again?!?!?!? They are a little more snug fitting around the thighs than I'd like, but the waist and booty almost have room to spare. My legs aren't thinning down as much because I'm working out and they are building muscle! Still, I hope they do thin down over the next couple of months. This whole size 10 thing is almost worth the 3 inch bust loss (and resulting lack of fullness). I don't own any size 8's anymore, so once I get too thin for 10's I'll have to hit the resale shops.
Movement on the scale and smaller clothing definitely keeps me motivated and helps keeping me from cheating. . .
That said, I went out with the girls the other night. . . no drinks for me, I chugged water instead! I was good and ordered a mixed green salad and chicken skewers (minus the peanut sauce). But I caved when the dessert menu came around and had a chocolate pot de creme. . .which overall wasn't a bad choice except for the SUGAR. And guess what, almost as soon as I finished it I was SICK. Honestly, a bite or two would have been plenty for me because the sugar was overpowering since I don't consume sweets anymore but it was so good I kept eating. . . I got hot flashes and terrible gastro pain pretty quickly, thankfully it passed over a couple hours and I didn't end up spending the night in the bathroom. I'm not sure if this was a gluten or sugar reaction, but it wasn't my typical gluten reaction, so I'm going with sugar. My body says "NO!".
I know that weight loss over a week is more measurable than watching it daily. So, that's what I'm doing. . . breaking the scale habit.
Today I'm thrilled to say I'm officially down 20.2 lbs since the end of March (I don't remember my actual start date, but I do know that around Marcy 27th is when I had my wake up, you are beyond chubby moment). I'll be buying myself some new shoes soon!
The low carb thing is agreeing with me. . . although berries sound DELICIOUS and I can't wait until they are part of my daily regime (in moderation, of course!).
Today I'm sipping iced coffee. . . I tend to make a pot of coffee in the morning and then only have one cup. So later in the day I'm at the point of dumping out the rest. . . I started freezing coffee cubes. Then I pour my cold coffee over a glass full of coffee ice cubes, add a couple packets of Splenda or vanilla SF syrup, and a tablespoon (or two) of heavy cream. Yum-O! I just had a thought. . . I should start putting the leftover coffee into a carafe in the fridge for the next day. . . that'll reduce the coffee waste around here!
Did I mention that cheese doesn't seem to get along with me? I love it, don't get me wrong. . . cheese is my go to food for a quick protein packed snack, for flavoring just about anything. . . I love the tangy taste that's so versatile. But, since I dropped down to Atkins Induction Phase (instead of just Paleo), I've increased my cheese consumption (Atkins allows up to 4 ounces a day) and my skin is the worse for it. . . Guess I'm back to tiny amounts of cheese here and there. *sigh* I may have to add a serving of nuts or nut butter in to replace it since snacks of olives and hard boiled eggs might get boring. . .
Oh. . . did I mention that my size 10 jeans fit me again?!?!?!? They are a little more snug fitting around the thighs than I'd like, but the waist and booty almost have room to spare. My legs aren't thinning down as much because I'm working out and they are building muscle! Still, I hope they do thin down over the next couple of months. This whole size 10 thing is almost worth the 3 inch bust loss (and resulting lack of fullness). I don't own any size 8's anymore, so once I get too thin for 10's I'll have to hit the resale shops.
Movement on the scale and smaller clothing definitely keeps me motivated and helps keeping me from cheating. . .
That said, I went out with the girls the other night. . . no drinks for me, I chugged water instead! I was good and ordered a mixed green salad and chicken skewers (minus the peanut sauce). But I caved when the dessert menu came around and had a chocolate pot de creme. . .which overall wasn't a bad choice except for the SUGAR. And guess what, almost as soon as I finished it I was SICK. Honestly, a bite or two would have been plenty for me because the sugar was overpowering since I don't consume sweets anymore but it was so good I kept eating. . . I got hot flashes and terrible gastro pain pretty quickly, thankfully it passed over a couple hours and I didn't end up spending the night in the bathroom. I'm not sure if this was a gluten or sugar reaction, but it wasn't my typical gluten reaction, so I'm going with sugar. My body says "NO!".
Monday, June 4, 2012
Pounds and Inches
As of today I'm down 16.2 lbs and 19.5 inches (although 3 of those inches are from my bust. . . I'm afraid the pretty, perky, well endowed bust I've always enjoyed may be going bye-bye). I'd love to double those numbers a month from now so I've switched up my routine AGAIN. :-) I know that I'm gaining more muscle from working out and that muscle weighs more than fat, but I'd still like to see the fat melt off a bit quicker.
I've been researching Atkins. It's really not that different from Paleo so I'm going to combine the two. I don't believe in artificial anything (sweeteners, colors, low carb frankenfoods), so I'll be skipping all that. I am going to take the Atkins phases approach to our Paleo eating. The last couple days I've spent monitoring my carbs and helping my body adjust (I've been known to get really weak and sick from drastic dietary changes). Yesterday, I had about 55 grams of carbohydrates, today I had about 38. Tomorrow I will drop down to 20 grams and full Induction phase for at least two weeks. I've been peeing like crazy and had ketosis breath, so I'm pretty sure I've been low enough carb for my body anyway but I'm going to follow the carb plan laid out in Atkins. During induction I am going to try to limit my cheese if possible (like in the 21 day sugar detox), although I may need the extra fat until I can add nuts in a couple weeks.
Where I'm struggling. . . I really like my coffee and it needs to be sweet. I've tried the sugar free syrups and heavy cream but I just can't get over the fake sugar taste. As it is, I'm wasting my morning coffee, which maybe is a good thing?
After at least two weeks (or more realistically at least 10 more pounds lost), I will add in 5 grams of carbohydrates each week as long as I continue to lose weight (obviously slower than in induction). The first thing I will do is add an extra serving of vegetables. The following week, I will add a serving of almonds or almond butter. After that I will add a serving of berries so I can enjoy the berries and cream I've been dreaming of. If my weight stalls out, I will probably try to restrict cheese before removing these additions as I want a full balanced diet.
What I've realized is that my body rests happily in its zone once I've adjusted to a way of eating. . . I'm not sure if this is metabolic resistance (metabolism B) or what. . . What I do know is that I have to change things up fairly frequently in order to maintain a good weight loss.
Reading Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution (2002 edition) makes me think I can be as thin as ever. . . dare I hope for a size 0-2? At this point, I have a goal in mind and that goal is 35.4 lbs away still. . . once I achieve it, we shall see if my body can go lower still.
I've been researching Atkins. It's really not that different from Paleo so I'm going to combine the two. I don't believe in artificial anything (sweeteners, colors, low carb frankenfoods), so I'll be skipping all that. I am going to take the Atkins phases approach to our Paleo eating. The last couple days I've spent monitoring my carbs and helping my body adjust (I've been known to get really weak and sick from drastic dietary changes). Yesterday, I had about 55 grams of carbohydrates, today I had about 38. Tomorrow I will drop down to 20 grams and full Induction phase for at least two weeks. I've been peeing like crazy and had ketosis breath, so I'm pretty sure I've been low enough carb for my body anyway but I'm going to follow the carb plan laid out in Atkins. During induction I am going to try to limit my cheese if possible (like in the 21 day sugar detox), although I may need the extra fat until I can add nuts in a couple weeks.
Where I'm struggling. . . I really like my coffee and it needs to be sweet. I've tried the sugar free syrups and heavy cream but I just can't get over the fake sugar taste. As it is, I'm wasting my morning coffee, which maybe is a good thing?
After at least two weeks (or more realistically at least 10 more pounds lost), I will add in 5 grams of carbohydrates each week as long as I continue to lose weight (obviously slower than in induction). The first thing I will do is add an extra serving of vegetables. The following week, I will add a serving of almonds or almond butter. After that I will add a serving of berries so I can enjoy the berries and cream I've been dreaming of. If my weight stalls out, I will probably try to restrict cheese before removing these additions as I want a full balanced diet.
What I've realized is that my body rests happily in its zone once I've adjusted to a way of eating. . . I'm not sure if this is metabolic resistance (metabolism B) or what. . . What I do know is that I have to change things up fairly frequently in order to maintain a good weight loss.
Reading Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution (2002 edition) makes me think I can be as thin as ever. . . dare I hope for a size 0-2? At this point, I have a goal in mind and that goal is 35.4 lbs away still. . . once I achieve it, we shall see if my body can go lower still.
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Almost a Third of the Way!
I'm down exactly 15lbs. . . it's been about 6 weeks with 4 weeks being almost 100% Paleo (grain free). I'm thinking it's about time to measure again. . . my 14's are officially falling off! I can pull them off without unbuttoning them. I don't have any 12's in my closet, so I'm hoping to make a quick transition into my 10's (of which I own several pair!). I'll just wear a belt and have saggy butt syndrome until then. :-)
My friends are noticing. . . one said this morning, "I swear you've lost another 10lbs since last week. . . you are getting TINY". Tiny is a overstatement. . . but I'm definitely shrinking again. Yay!
For lunch today:
Leftover Cauliflower soup (this is a favorite in our household) w/ a small amount of raw sharp cheddar cheese and a bit of diced up uncured ham. Joining my soup is a side of sauteed zucchini and mushrooms in Kerrygold butter. This is not a high protein lunch, but I'm counting on the healthy fats to carry me through. I love this soup and it's a great way to sneak in a couple extra servings of veggies.
Yes, I've made some not so healthy food choices along the way. . . for instance, this past weekend, Hubs and I stayed out of town and ate out the entire weekend. I had 3 coffee shop mocha's -AND- 2 milkshakes over the course of three days. Bad choices. . .but I made them consciously. I didn't consume a bit of grain. . . I did have mashed potatoes with my steak and veggies. BUT I didn't gain a pound (I didn't lose any either). Monday and Tuesday I spent in carb detox and it wasn't fun. . . it's funny that as I eat standard American diet foods, I feel crummy. I didn't realize how desensitized I was to foods until I took them out of my diet. This amazes me, especially since I already ate much healthier than the average American (no gluten, only whole grains, limited sweets, no fast food, etc. . .).
I'm actually getting excited for family photographs at the beach in late Summer. Looks like I won't have to hide behind the kiddos this time!
My friends are noticing. . . one said this morning, "I swear you've lost another 10lbs since last week. . . you are getting TINY". Tiny is a overstatement. . . but I'm definitely shrinking again. Yay!
For lunch today:
Leftover Cauliflower soup (this is a favorite in our household) w/ a small amount of raw sharp cheddar cheese and a bit of diced up uncured ham. Joining my soup is a side of sauteed zucchini and mushrooms in Kerrygold butter. This is not a high protein lunch, but I'm counting on the healthy fats to carry me through. I love this soup and it's a great way to sneak in a couple extra servings of veggies.
Yes, I've made some not so healthy food choices along the way. . . for instance, this past weekend, Hubs and I stayed out of town and ate out the entire weekend. I had 3 coffee shop mocha's -AND- 2 milkshakes over the course of three days. Bad choices. . .but I made them consciously. I didn't consume a bit of grain. . . I did have mashed potatoes with my steak and veggies. BUT I didn't gain a pound (I didn't lose any either). Monday and Tuesday I spent in carb detox and it wasn't fun. . . it's funny that as I eat standard American diet foods, I feel crummy. I didn't realize how desensitized I was to foods until I took them out of my diet. This amazes me, especially since I already ate much healthier than the average American (no gluten, only whole grains, limited sweets, no fast food, etc. . .).
I'm actually getting excited for family photographs at the beach in late Summer. Looks like I won't have to hide behind the kiddos this time!
Saturday, May 12, 2012
My Grain Free Life
I'm really liking how I feel sans grains (and refined sugar). My body is happier (it tells me so). I'm trying to break my scale addiction, so I won't weigh in again for at least another week. . . maybe longer. I'm going to restart the 21 Day Sugar Detox on Monday (I've had a bit of cheese and occasionally a second piece of fruit or a nip of dark chocolate here and there). My pants are getting looser and looser, to the point that I'll have to dig out the 12's again soon. Right now I'm walking around with saggy butt syndrome.
This weekend I'm making the choice to not eat 100% fabulously. . . it is Mother's Day after all and I'm having some hormonal issues (or mental issues. . . whatever you want to call it, I'm not pregnant again. . . 18 cycles later and it's getting a bit difficult to deal with). So, I'm going to have a bit of healthier treats here and there and start the detox anew on Monday. I'm happy with this decision and know it's just what I need (emotionally speaking) right now.
For lunch, I had an all natural (no sugar) bratwurst sausage and a few organic apple slices. It was delicious. I should have some veggies as well but I don't feel like it. I've actually been eating a lot of veggies but I've found that if I do have "treats" I tend to not want as many veggies. Weird but true. I was planning to fast today but I only made it until 1PM. We will see how the rest of the day goes.
I was just comparing the 21 Day Sugar Detox to the Atkins Induction Phase and I think they are pretty darn similar. Eat protein, healthy fats, and veggies. My brain needs a bit of carb/starch (like a banana) after my workout or I hit a big slump. I have noticed a significant slump mid afternoon and I need to figure out if that's because I need a bit more carbohydrate or if its not diet related at all.
All in all, I feel really good. . . my skin is great. . . no break outs. . . no need for lotion or lip balms (I'm an addict). This is due to adequate water intake, adequate healthy fat intake (yay for real pastured butter and coconut oil), and no depleting foods in my diet (soda, sugar, processed stuff).
For a reformed vegetarian it is quite a feat to say. . . I like meat. I don't even mind cooking it anymore (raw meat used to gross me out). Maybe that's because I feel healthier than I ever have in my life. I'm wondering how I'll do morning sickness wise when I do conceive again. . . in my previous pregnancies I've had hyperemesis for 16-20 weeks and lost a significant amount of weight (my first OB actually sent me to a nutritionist like it was my fault!).
My kids are loving the grain free life as well. Giving up breakfast cereal has been the hardest on them, but since I'm the mean Mama that only allowed it once or twice a week it hasn't been a terrible adjustment.
Here's to optimal health!
This weekend I'm making the choice to not eat 100% fabulously. . . it is Mother's Day after all and I'm having some hormonal issues (or mental issues. . . whatever you want to call it, I'm not pregnant again. . . 18 cycles later and it's getting a bit difficult to deal with). So, I'm going to have a bit of healthier treats here and there and start the detox anew on Monday. I'm happy with this decision and know it's just what I need (emotionally speaking) right now.
For lunch, I had an all natural (no sugar) bratwurst sausage and a few organic apple slices. It was delicious. I should have some veggies as well but I don't feel like it. I've actually been eating a lot of veggies but I've found that if I do have "treats" I tend to not want as many veggies. Weird but true. I was planning to fast today but I only made it until 1PM. We will see how the rest of the day goes.
I was just comparing the 21 Day Sugar Detox to the Atkins Induction Phase and I think they are pretty darn similar. Eat protein, healthy fats, and veggies. My brain needs a bit of carb/starch (like a banana) after my workout or I hit a big slump. I have noticed a significant slump mid afternoon and I need to figure out if that's because I need a bit more carbohydrate or if its not diet related at all.
All in all, I feel really good. . . my skin is great. . . no break outs. . . no need for lotion or lip balms (I'm an addict). This is due to adequate water intake, adequate healthy fat intake (yay for real pastured butter and coconut oil), and no depleting foods in my diet (soda, sugar, processed stuff).
For a reformed vegetarian it is quite a feat to say. . . I like meat. I don't even mind cooking it anymore (raw meat used to gross me out). Maybe that's because I feel healthier than I ever have in my life. I'm wondering how I'll do morning sickness wise when I do conceive again. . . in my previous pregnancies I've had hyperemesis for 16-20 weeks and lost a significant amount of weight (my first OB actually sent me to a nutritionist like it was my fault!).
My kids are loving the grain free life as well. Giving up breakfast cereal has been the hardest on them, but since I'm the mean Mama that only allowed it once or twice a week it hasn't been a terrible adjustment.
Here's to optimal health!
Monday, May 7, 2012
On Not Being Hungry
I've been eating Paleo/Grain Free for just over a month now. I'm not hungry. I am eating plenty of protein, healthy fats, and veggies. I miss cheese, but I'm surviving with just a tiny bit every now and then.
Last night, I made the children some delicious chocolate chip scones from The Gluten Free Almond Flour Coookbook (Elana Amsterdam). I ate two with real butter on top. That was definitely a cheat. . . since there was 1/4 cup of maple syrup (recipe called for agave) and 73% dark chocolate in them. . . but they were delicious. (Hard core paleo's would scoff at eating "treats". . . that's okay, I'm not nor will I ever be hardcore.)
For breakfast today, I avoided the scones (it was close) and sauteed up some mushrooms and organic broccoli slaw (Trader Joe's) in real butter and added two scrambled eggs. Yum.
I didn't drink enough water over the weekend and my hands feel very dry today. I'll work on correcting that balance today.
Over the weekend, we moved 7 yards of play ground fiber with shovels and wheelbarrows. I think that was pretty close to natural body movements and boy was I sore the next day.
I was back at the gym this morning. . . I know it's good for me but sometimes my bed is just so warm and cozy. . . it's hard to crawl out. That's another place I'll never be hardcore. I don't find washboard abs on females to be attractive (or fertile), so you'll never find me striving to achieve that kind of body.
Last night, I made the children some delicious chocolate chip scones from The Gluten Free Almond Flour Coookbook (Elana Amsterdam). I ate two with real butter on top. That was definitely a cheat. . . since there was 1/4 cup of maple syrup (recipe called for agave) and 73% dark chocolate in them. . . but they were delicious. (Hard core paleo's would scoff at eating "treats". . . that's okay, I'm not nor will I ever be hardcore.)
For breakfast today, I avoided the scones (it was close) and sauteed up some mushrooms and organic broccoli slaw (Trader Joe's) in real butter and added two scrambled eggs. Yum.
I didn't drink enough water over the weekend and my hands feel very dry today. I'll work on correcting that balance today.
Over the weekend, we moved 7 yards of play ground fiber with shovels and wheelbarrows. I think that was pretty close to natural body movements and boy was I sore the next day.
I was back at the gym this morning. . . I know it's good for me but sometimes my bed is just so warm and cozy. . . it's hard to crawl out. That's another place I'll never be hardcore. I don't find washboard abs on females to be attractive (or fertile), so you'll never find me striving to achieve that kind of body.
Monday, April 30, 2012
Lunch
I just fried one small organic zucchini, Applegate Naturals deli chicken, & olive slices in Kerrygold butter. Then I added in two whisked eggs and scrambled everything up. It's delicious!
I need to get more healthy fats into my diet. . . I think I'm relying a bit too much on protein and not getting quite enough good fats. So, I'm going to make a salad dressing with olive oil (I'm going for something creamy/ranch like) and find some one to get 1-2 TBS coconut oil in every day. I added a pat of Kerrygold butter to my steak last night. . . YUM-O. How did I live so long without butter on my steak? (Yes, I am eating TONS of veggies every day and drinking at least 72 ounces of water.)
I'm not a big avocado fan, but I'm also going to try and find ways to sneak it into my diet. . . I know the fat is really good for you! My kids devour it. . .
I've decided that my prize for 20lbs lost will be a new pair of Nike athletic shoes (which every ones I want!). I'm wearing mine out (which is very obvious at the gym every morning) and I know the value of quality shoes. My former spouse works for Nike so it's really hard for me to pay retail as I'm used to the employee store or even *gasp* free samples! This is my new world, so I'll suck it up as my incentive for losing weight and sticking to my 5am workout routine!
Curves- I definitely recommend this work out program to any female who doesn't already work out at least three times a week. The circuit is great. . . you know exactly what to do for how long and by the end, you've covered every major muscle group. I went to a full on fitness center once upon a time. . . I even had several personal training sessions. I hated the mirrors on every wall and all the bodies in almost too good of shape. I felt out of place. At Curves, I don't have these issues and I also don't worry about not knowing what I should be doing. In a couple more months, I may check out the Crossfit here and see if that will fit into my world, but I know I'm not physically or mentally ready to yet.
I need to get more healthy fats into my diet. . . I think I'm relying a bit too much on protein and not getting quite enough good fats. So, I'm going to make a salad dressing with olive oil (I'm going for something creamy/ranch like) and find some one to get 1-2 TBS coconut oil in every day. I added a pat of Kerrygold butter to my steak last night. . . YUM-O. How did I live so long without butter on my steak? (Yes, I am eating TONS of veggies every day and drinking at least 72 ounces of water.)
I'm not a big avocado fan, but I'm also going to try and find ways to sneak it into my diet. . . I know the fat is really good for you! My kids devour it. . .
I've decided that my prize for 20lbs lost will be a new pair of Nike athletic shoes (which every ones I want!). I'm wearing mine out (which is very obvious at the gym every morning) and I know the value of quality shoes. My former spouse works for Nike so it's really hard for me to pay retail as I'm used to the employee store or even *gasp* free samples! This is my new world, so I'll suck it up as my incentive for losing weight and sticking to my 5am workout routine!
Curves- I definitely recommend this work out program to any female who doesn't already work out at least three times a week. The circuit is great. . . you know exactly what to do for how long and by the end, you've covered every major muscle group. I went to a full on fitness center once upon a time. . . I even had several personal training sessions. I hated the mirrors on every wall and all the bodies in almost too good of shape. I felt out of place. At Curves, I don't have these issues and I also don't worry about not knowing what I should be doing. In a couple more months, I may check out the Crossfit here and see if that will fit into my world, but I know I'm not physically or mentally ready to yet.
Saturday, April 28, 2012
One Month Check In
Today, I'm officially down 13lbs in one month.
I hit a speed bump early on this time, so I started on the 21 Day Sugar Detox in addition to our new Paleo lifestyle. For me, this means cutting out dairy in addition to normal carb/sugar foods for the full 21 days. It kick started things and I've seen rapid pounds dropping in the last 6 days!
My clothes are starting to get loose on me. . . but I'm not down a size yet. I notice my fingers are thinner (my wedding ring is spinning again) and my face is thinner. Not exactly where I'm most worried about loosing fat from, but I know my body and these are the first two places to loose weight.
For me, Paleo eating means limiting my fruit and nut products. . . eventually I will allow a bit of cream in my coffee and hard cheese here and there again. . . but I'm hoping the 21 Day Sugar Detox rids me of my constant reaching for cheese when I'm feeling hungry. I read somewhere in the Paleo Blogosphere that milk is a building food, which, DUH. . . but I never thought about it that way. Milk is intended in all mammal species for the rapid growth of their young. It is not intended for adult consumption. . . tht building is going to happen somewhere, and last I checked, I hadn't gotten any taller or any smarter in the last several years. :-)
I'm trying to teach my children about healthy eating habits. Not always an easy thing when the boys spend every other week at their Bio-Mom's where the Standard American Diet reigns supreme. I'm trying to figure out the balance between healthy eating and not being controlling so that my nearly 12 year old daughter doesn't start eating out of rebellion (or not eating). How do you convince a milk lover to stop guzzling milk? My compromise right now is to buy high quality milk and limit her to one cup (8oz) per day. The kids are still eating cheese & yogurt. I'm working on a plan to set up eating plans for the kids. . . something that I can laminate and they can check off their choices each day to help them make good decisions about healthy fats, produce, meat, eggs, dairy, Paleo-ized treats, etc. . . This will allow me to customize the charts based on each child's individual dietary needs (I have a couple of tiny children. . . an average child. . . and two that will thicken up a bit easily). I'm hoping this helps get more healthy fats into the kids who really need them (the tiny ones with some sensory/adhd issues) and keep the kids with Mommy's metabolism in check regarding treats & dairy. If I come up with something awesome, I'll share it!
I hit a speed bump early on this time, so I started on the 21 Day Sugar Detox in addition to our new Paleo lifestyle. For me, this means cutting out dairy in addition to normal carb/sugar foods for the full 21 days. It kick started things and I've seen rapid pounds dropping in the last 6 days!
My clothes are starting to get loose on me. . . but I'm not down a size yet. I notice my fingers are thinner (my wedding ring is spinning again) and my face is thinner. Not exactly where I'm most worried about loosing fat from, but I know my body and these are the first two places to loose weight.
For me, Paleo eating means limiting my fruit and nut products. . . eventually I will allow a bit of cream in my coffee and hard cheese here and there again. . . but I'm hoping the 21 Day Sugar Detox rids me of my constant reaching for cheese when I'm feeling hungry. I read somewhere in the Paleo Blogosphere that milk is a building food, which, DUH. . . but I never thought about it that way. Milk is intended in all mammal species for the rapid growth of their young. It is not intended for adult consumption. . . tht building is going to happen somewhere, and last I checked, I hadn't gotten any taller or any smarter in the last several years. :-)
I'm trying to teach my children about healthy eating habits. Not always an easy thing when the boys spend every other week at their Bio-Mom's where the Standard American Diet reigns supreme. I'm trying to figure out the balance between healthy eating and not being controlling so that my nearly 12 year old daughter doesn't start eating out of rebellion (or not eating). How do you convince a milk lover to stop guzzling milk? My compromise right now is to buy high quality milk and limit her to one cup (8oz) per day. The kids are still eating cheese & yogurt. I'm working on a plan to set up eating plans for the kids. . . something that I can laminate and they can check off their choices each day to help them make good decisions about healthy fats, produce, meat, eggs, dairy, Paleo-ized treats, etc. . . This will allow me to customize the charts based on each child's individual dietary needs (I have a couple of tiny children. . . an average child. . . and two that will thicken up a bit easily). I'm hoping this helps get more healthy fats into the kids who really need them (the tiny ones with some sensory/adhd issues) and keep the kids with Mommy's metabolism in check regarding treats & dairy. If I come up with something awesome, I'll share it!
Thursday, April 12, 2012
10.2 Pounds Down. . .
It's been about 3 weeks and I am officially down 10.2lbs. Yay!
My jeans are getting a little loose. . . double yay!
I'm still going to the gym 4-5x/week (Curves). It's hard to drag myself out of bed at 5:00am to go (especially after only getting 4-5 hours of sleep. . . ) But I'm doing it and I feel better once I get up and get going.
Our diet is Paleo, with few exceptions now. We did have pizza yesterday (gluten free) but I'm limiting myself to one (two max) tiny gf slices (they are maybe 1/3 the size of a regular pizza slice).
Tonight we are having Paleo mock sushi. . . I'm using seaweed wrappers, with veggies, shrimp and avocado inside. For the kids who need some extra carbs & calories, they will get a side of soaked brown rice with plenty of butter and tamari. I made some cauliflower "rice" as well so I may try to put some of that inside the seaweed wraps.
My jeans are getting a little loose. . . double yay!
I'm still going to the gym 4-5x/week (Curves). It's hard to drag myself out of bed at 5:00am to go (especially after only getting 4-5 hours of sleep. . . ) But I'm doing it and I feel better once I get up and get going.
Our diet is Paleo, with few exceptions now. We did have pizza yesterday (gluten free) but I'm limiting myself to one (two max) tiny gf slices (they are maybe 1/3 the size of a regular pizza slice).
Tonight we are having Paleo mock sushi. . . I'm using seaweed wrappers, with veggies, shrimp and avocado inside. For the kids who need some extra carbs & calories, they will get a side of soaked brown rice with plenty of butter and tamari. I made some cauliflower "rice" as well so I may try to put some of that inside the seaweed wraps.
Monday, April 9, 2012
Easter and Weight. . .
I cheated over Easter weekend. (Who didn't, right?). That said, my weight stayed steady so I'm not beating myself up (besides, what would be the point?).
I had a sugar shop mocha, but had no problem avoiding them today. I guess the habit really is broken. I had two small pieces of candy from inside the kids plastic eggs and a serving of cooked chocolate pudding with whip cream (I know).
And I was SICK. My body made a quick adjustment to this almost no grains/low carb world and those sugar filled treats made me feel horrid. I won't be doing that again!
I didn't eat enough veggies or drink enough water today. . . funny since I was so incredibly thirsty over the weekend (probably because of my cheat foods).
Sunday night, I took the kids to the play and pizza place where they have gluten free pizza. The girls loved their special treat, I was nauseated with one slice (and the slices are probably 1/3 of a normal pizza slice!). I consider this a major improvement! I don't want to eat garbage food and I like that my body is telling me not to.
I definitely have more energy, but am getting a mid afternoon slump following any sugar. Tomorrow I am going to try my morning coffee with pure cream and stevia (I'm still using some coffee mate). I'm hoping that removing the last vestige of sugar and crap will perk me up. I am getting up at 5am and going to Curves for a work out every weekday morning (and some Saturdays, although not at 5am). I'm also wearing a pedometer and moving as much as possible throughout the day. I need to start making sure I'm in bed by 9 (that's hard!).
I feel like my cortisol levels are already falling and I know this will help with the weight and with the infertility.
On another note, after a rest cycle (month off), I started back on the fertility drugs today. UGH. This could make the cravings more difficult to deal with.
I had a sugar shop mocha, but had no problem avoiding them today. I guess the habit really is broken. I had two small pieces of candy from inside the kids plastic eggs and a serving of cooked chocolate pudding with whip cream (I know).
And I was SICK. My body made a quick adjustment to this almost no grains/low carb world and those sugar filled treats made me feel horrid. I won't be doing that again!
I didn't eat enough veggies or drink enough water today. . . funny since I was so incredibly thirsty over the weekend (probably because of my cheat foods).
Sunday night, I took the kids to the play and pizza place where they have gluten free pizza. The girls loved their special treat, I was nauseated with one slice (and the slices are probably 1/3 of a normal pizza slice!). I consider this a major improvement! I don't want to eat garbage food and I like that my body is telling me not to.
I definitely have more energy, but am getting a mid afternoon slump following any sugar. Tomorrow I am going to try my morning coffee with pure cream and stevia (I'm still using some coffee mate). I'm hoping that removing the last vestige of sugar and crap will perk me up. I am getting up at 5am and going to Curves for a work out every weekday morning (and some Saturdays, although not at 5am). I'm also wearing a pedometer and moving as much as possible throughout the day. I need to start making sure I'm in bed by 9 (that's hard!).
I feel like my cortisol levels are already falling and I know this will help with the weight and with the infertility.
On another note, after a rest cycle (month off), I started back on the fertility drugs today. UGH. This could make the cravings more difficult to deal with.
Friday, April 6, 2012
Slow and Steady. . .
My first 10 days have not seen as rapid of weight loss as my original success (2 years ago now!!!). But this is to be expected. I'm doing a few things different and have still lost 4.4lbs in 10days!
I am not recording my daily intake (in the past, I journaled every thing I consumed along with the calories and fat). I know what foods I need to be eating and what combinations keep me around my target calorie range. I have had carbs a couple times. . . 1 slice of GF pizza for lunch last week (it was Spring Break!). . . a GF bun on my burger and a portion of hasbrowns the other night with my eggs. Carbs are like glue on my body. Knowing this, I shouldn't have difficulty avoiding them.
Our family is moving toward Paleo eating. I'm not sure I will ever be 100% Paleo, as I find it hard to imagine giving up my GF Oats and Buckwheat or to completely remove dairy from our diets. Legumes? No problem. Pasta? No Problem. Bread? No Problem.
My biggest concern with moving Paleo is how to get full bellies and not out spend our budget. Our grocery budget is already generous at $1400/mo (for 8 of us + daycare which won't be Paleo due to USDA guidelines). I cannot afford to increase my grocery budget, so I have to figure out ways to reduce our carb fillers without breaking the bank (since much of our carbs are high cost gluten free items, this shouldn't be terribly difficult).
My biggest dietary change currently is the removal of refined sugar (for the last couple of years I haven't been a typical American sugar consumer, but I still had my addiction!). I gave up my sugar filled (and delicious) mocha's. It has been almost two weeks without my coffee shop fix. I'm not craving it any longer. . . so I'd guess I'm moving along fairly well on the detox. Sugar doesn't fit into the Paleo lifestyle so this is another positive move toward dino-eating for us.
Today I haven't done very well on eating like I should. . . so I won't share what I have (or haven't eaten). Here's yesterday's menu:
5:30am- Chocolate European Style Yogurt (8g protein, 16g carbs- pre gym carb fix).
7:30am- 1/2 cup (uncooked) gf oats, 1/2 cup frozen mixed berries, 1 Tbs real maple, 12-16 almonds crushed.
10:00am- Apple slices + 1 Tbs almond butter (if needed, I'm finding that a mid morning snack isn't necessary many days).
12:30pm- Lg garden salad w/ 1 Tbs ranch, 5 ounces chicken sauteed with 1/2 cup mushrooms
3:00pm- Cheesestick (if I feel like protein is needed) + cucumber slices
6:00pm- Grilled hamburger patty + garlic cheese + cauliflower + salad
9:00pm- Small snack if needed (olives, nuts, veggies, etc. . .) What I really want here is a bowl of cereal!).
My goal is to get at least 50% of my diet from vegetables and fruits, with 70% being optimum. I will probably have to incorporate a serving or two of fresh veggie and fruit juice each day in order to meet this goal.
On days that I skip meals. . . I feel it! Today is a feeling crummy day because I haven't fed myself properly.
Did I mention that I'm working out again? I rejoined Curves and am going five mornings a week. I'm also wearing a pedometer and clocking 14,000-16,000 steps per day. Yay!
I am not recording my daily intake (in the past, I journaled every thing I consumed along with the calories and fat). I know what foods I need to be eating and what combinations keep me around my target calorie range. I have had carbs a couple times. . . 1 slice of GF pizza for lunch last week (it was Spring Break!). . . a GF bun on my burger and a portion of hasbrowns the other night with my eggs. Carbs are like glue on my body. Knowing this, I shouldn't have difficulty avoiding them.
Our family is moving toward Paleo eating. I'm not sure I will ever be 100% Paleo, as I find it hard to imagine giving up my GF Oats and Buckwheat or to completely remove dairy from our diets. Legumes? No problem. Pasta? No Problem. Bread? No Problem.
My biggest concern with moving Paleo is how to get full bellies and not out spend our budget. Our grocery budget is already generous at $1400/mo (for 8 of us + daycare which won't be Paleo due to USDA guidelines). I cannot afford to increase my grocery budget, so I have to figure out ways to reduce our carb fillers without breaking the bank (since much of our carbs are high cost gluten free items, this shouldn't be terribly difficult).
My biggest dietary change currently is the removal of refined sugar (for the last couple of years I haven't been a typical American sugar consumer, but I still had my addiction!). I gave up my sugar filled (and delicious) mocha's. It has been almost two weeks without my coffee shop fix. I'm not craving it any longer. . . so I'd guess I'm moving along fairly well on the detox. Sugar doesn't fit into the Paleo lifestyle so this is another positive move toward dino-eating for us.
Today I haven't done very well on eating like I should. . . so I won't share what I have (or haven't eaten). Here's yesterday's menu:
5:30am- Chocolate European Style Yogurt (8g protein, 16g carbs- pre gym carb fix).
7:30am- 1/2 cup (uncooked) gf oats, 1/2 cup frozen mixed berries, 1 Tbs real maple, 12-16 almonds crushed.
10:00am- Apple slices + 1 Tbs almond butter (if needed, I'm finding that a mid morning snack isn't necessary many days).
12:30pm- Lg garden salad w/ 1 Tbs ranch, 5 ounces chicken sauteed with 1/2 cup mushrooms
3:00pm- Cheesestick (if I feel like protein is needed) + cucumber slices
6:00pm- Grilled hamburger patty + garlic cheese + cauliflower + salad
9:00pm- Small snack if needed (olives, nuts, veggies, etc. . .) What I really want here is a bowl of cereal!).
My goal is to get at least 50% of my diet from vegetables and fruits, with 70% being optimum. I will probably have to incorporate a serving or two of fresh veggie and fruit juice each day in order to meet this goal.
On days that I skip meals. . . I feel it! Today is a feeling crummy day because I haven't fed myself properly.
Did I mention that I'm working out again? I rejoined Curves and am going five mornings a week. I'm also wearing a pedometer and clocking 14,000-16,000 steps per day. Yay!
Thursday, March 29, 2012
The Catalyst. . .
Any person who has ever had a successful weight loss journey has a story that started it all. That moment when they woke up, broke down, wept. . .
I've spent my entire adult life 20-60lbs overweight. I was a thin teenager and a sickly thin child. Then I turned 20 and it was all down hill from there. Perhaps it was the undiagnosed Celiac disease or the PCOS or a metabolism shift. I tried a couple weight loss plans here and there. . . nothing ever stuck. I was definitely a social eater and a lover of all things carbs.
Then, one winter day in 2010 when my world was crumbling around me, I stood on the scale and realized I had reached a weight I swore I'd never see. It was more than I weighed nine months pregnant with any of my children. I had barely capped that weight, in fact on a different day or in different clothing, I may never have breached it. . . but the fact is, on that winter morning I did. And it set things in motion. I launched into a weight loss regime like I never had before. . . and the pounds came off. I lost nearly 40 pounds in less than four months and I was thrilled! I quit being careful and managed to maintain my weight loss for about nine months. Then I remarried. . .
I've gained back all but 14 pounds. Sigh. I know why. . . we've been eating too many gluten free carbs. Hubs and I enjoy date night dinners (including desserts) too often and I've been drinking snickers mocha's like a mad woman.
I'm back up to a size 14, but I was almost back to a size 8. I know that I can get there again. I've lived in a bit of apathy about losing weight this year. . . the infertility treatments made it easy for me to ignore the weight gain. But, I saw a photo of me squished down on a child size chair at my niece's birthday party and I was SHOCKED and DISGUSTED. I wept. Granted it was a very unflattering position to be in, all squished up. . . but still. How did I get so flabby????
I never want to see another photo like that again.
I'm on day two of clean eating. It's going well. I've had a headache behind my eyes. . . and I'm sleepy. All this is to be expected whenever you launch into a new dietary regime. I'm reading The Metabolism Miracle and have decided it's the way for me to go. It's obvious I have metabolism B, so I'm hopeful this will work well for me. I'll work my way toward the carb free first eight weeks after I finish up some of the healthy foods I purchased already (grapefruits, yogurt).
The Metabolism Miracle allows unlimited neutral foods (meat, nuts, cheese, certain veggies, etc. . . ) for the first eight weeks (think Atkins). After eight weeks, you move into phase two which adds carbs back in. . . eventually you move into phase three for maintenance.
I'm a firm believer in not excluding any food groups from a healthy diet. . . but, I can exclude carbs for two months. I eat minimal grains anyway (gf oats, brown rice, some gf pasta).
I'll be baking more again with almond and coconut flours in order to find foods that satisfy my carb longings without getting the carb overload. I'm thinking legal pancakes soon. . .
I've spent my entire adult life 20-60lbs overweight. I was a thin teenager and a sickly thin child. Then I turned 20 and it was all down hill from there. Perhaps it was the undiagnosed Celiac disease or the PCOS or a metabolism shift. I tried a couple weight loss plans here and there. . . nothing ever stuck. I was definitely a social eater and a lover of all things carbs.
Then, one winter day in 2010 when my world was crumbling around me, I stood on the scale and realized I had reached a weight I swore I'd never see. It was more than I weighed nine months pregnant with any of my children. I had barely capped that weight, in fact on a different day or in different clothing, I may never have breached it. . . but the fact is, on that winter morning I did. And it set things in motion. I launched into a weight loss regime like I never had before. . . and the pounds came off. I lost nearly 40 pounds in less than four months and I was thrilled! I quit being careful and managed to maintain my weight loss for about nine months. Then I remarried. . .
I've gained back all but 14 pounds. Sigh. I know why. . . we've been eating too many gluten free carbs. Hubs and I enjoy date night dinners (including desserts) too often and I've been drinking snickers mocha's like a mad woman.
I'm back up to a size 14, but I was almost back to a size 8. I know that I can get there again. I've lived in a bit of apathy about losing weight this year. . . the infertility treatments made it easy for me to ignore the weight gain. But, I saw a photo of me squished down on a child size chair at my niece's birthday party and I was SHOCKED and DISGUSTED. I wept. Granted it was a very unflattering position to be in, all squished up. . . but still. How did I get so flabby????
I never want to see another photo like that again.
I'm on day two of clean eating. It's going well. I've had a headache behind my eyes. . . and I'm sleepy. All this is to be expected whenever you launch into a new dietary regime. I'm reading The Metabolism Miracle and have decided it's the way for me to go. It's obvious I have metabolism B, so I'm hopeful this will work well for me. I'll work my way toward the carb free first eight weeks after I finish up some of the healthy foods I purchased already (grapefruits, yogurt).
The Metabolism Miracle allows unlimited neutral foods (meat, nuts, cheese, certain veggies, etc. . . ) for the first eight weeks (think Atkins). After eight weeks, you move into phase two which adds carbs back in. . . eventually you move into phase three for maintenance.
I'm a firm believer in not excluding any food groups from a healthy diet. . . but, I can exclude carbs for two months. I eat minimal grains anyway (gf oats, brown rice, some gf pasta).
I'll be baking more again with almond and coconut flours in order to find foods that satisfy my carb longings without getting the carb overload. I'm thinking legal pancakes soon. . .
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Where has Average Girl Been?
MIA. . .
Soooo much has happened over the last year and a half. I remarried in December of 2010. I started gaining weight because we eat out too much and I've gotten re-addicted to my sugar filled coffee shop coffees.
My guess is that I've regained most (if not all) of what I previously lost. . . and I know this is completely my fault for not sticking to what I know works. We shall blame it on the new marriage... and the fertility drugs. Oh, yeah... did I forget to mention that? We've spent the last 15 months actively pursuing pregnancy with ZERO luck. So, there is that.
Then there is the whole Celiac issue. . . I've been gluten free for a year now. . . and even though I can't grab a donut or a PBJ sandwich, I've continued to gain weight. My thought was that maybe I entered starvation mode when I took an entire food group out. Who knows, really.
I keep saying I'm going to take the pounds back off. . . then Dutch Bros sneaks back in with a delicious sugary mocha. . . (and 400+calories/day!). I tried Medifast. . . that lasted four days. I was SICK. It is obvious to me, with these low low calorie plans, I get too ill to continue. I need enough calories of the right foods to sustain me.
So. . . I'm back on my 1200-1600 calorie plan starting with my first meal in the morning (it's almost bedtime now). I will journal every morsel that goes in my mouth and I will only consume calorie free beverages (with the exception of fresh juice made at home, once a day). I will avoid Dutch Bros like the plague. I will not give in to my chocolate cravings (which have returned since I'm eating sugar again). And the big clincher is. . . I will eat every 2-3 hours throughout the day. These meals will be a combination of clean foods and a good combination of lean proteins, healthy fats, & complex carbs in addition to lots of fresh veggies (and fruits).
If I discover that this fertility cycle has failed (meaning the monthly visitor), then I will start back on Alli for two weeks (until ovulation) to help kick start things. I find that I cannot take Alli for more than a couple weeks anyway or I get side effects even on the proper diet.
Guess I better update the weight loss clicker. . . sigh. . . I loved watching it tick away.
Soooo much has happened over the last year and a half. I remarried in December of 2010. I started gaining weight because we eat out too much and I've gotten re-addicted to my sugar filled coffee shop coffees.
My guess is that I've regained most (if not all) of what I previously lost. . . and I know this is completely my fault for not sticking to what I know works. We shall blame it on the new marriage... and the fertility drugs. Oh, yeah... did I forget to mention that? We've spent the last 15 months actively pursuing pregnancy with ZERO luck. So, there is that.
Then there is the whole Celiac issue. . . I've been gluten free for a year now. . . and even though I can't grab a donut or a PBJ sandwich, I've continued to gain weight. My thought was that maybe I entered starvation mode when I took an entire food group out. Who knows, really.
I keep saying I'm going to take the pounds back off. . . then Dutch Bros sneaks back in with a delicious sugary mocha. . . (and 400+calories/day!). I tried Medifast. . . that lasted four days. I was SICK. It is obvious to me, with these low low calorie plans, I get too ill to continue. I need enough calories of the right foods to sustain me.
So. . . I'm back on my 1200-1600 calorie plan starting with my first meal in the morning (it's almost bedtime now). I will journal every morsel that goes in my mouth and I will only consume calorie free beverages (with the exception of fresh juice made at home, once a day). I will avoid Dutch Bros like the plague. I will not give in to my chocolate cravings (which have returned since I'm eating sugar again). And the big clincher is. . . I will eat every 2-3 hours throughout the day. These meals will be a combination of clean foods and a good combination of lean proteins, healthy fats, & complex carbs in addition to lots of fresh veggies (and fruits).
If I discover that this fertility cycle has failed (meaning the monthly visitor), then I will start back on Alli for two weeks (until ovulation) to help kick start things. I find that I cannot take Alli for more than a couple weeks anyway or I get side effects even on the proper diet.
Guess I better update the weight loss clicker. . . sigh. . . I loved watching it tick away.
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