My leg muscles are tight and sore. My clothes are falling off of me. My scales keep inching further and further away from a weight I lived with for so long.
Spring is in full tilt, and life is good! 🙂
This challenge has been an amazing experience for me so far.
I’m concerned I’m going to totally blow it tonight. I’ll share more about that below, along with my fun walk with Slim today…
Here is my Low Carb Food Diary for Day 38 of the “Get Lean For Summer!” 90 Day Low Carb Challenge. It’s not too late to join us if you haven’t already!
Day 38: Wednesday’s Low Carb Meals
I had a late breakfast again, closer to lunch time. I enjoyed my usual: 1/2 cup pecans, 1/4 cup Daisy brand cottage cheese and 4 small diced strawberries = 5 net carbs and 85% healthy fats. (This meal has great macros!)
Berries are not a fruit, by the way. I don’t eat any fruit at all.
I usually eat my breakfast while I’m writing you these posts, or reading your comments. 🙂 That’s also when I drink my first 24 ounces of water.
Pardon my mess! 😛 lol
After breakfast, and my morning work, I had a nice long afternoon walk down by the river. Slim and I even did a little creek wading to cool off. 🙂 I worked up a good appetite, and had a small chili from Wendy’s for lunch (15 net carbs).
15 net carbs is really high for me, but it was a nice treat – and easy & fast. After that I took a nap, then had Oscar Mayer Smokies (zero carbs) later in the evening.
Here’s My MyFitnessPal Diary for Wednesday:
Tracking Macronutrients (Simple Explanation of Macros)
How To Get Net Carbs in MyFitnessPal
Calories: 1132
Net Carbs: 28
Total Carbs: 41
Protein: 42 Grams
74% Fat, 15% Protein
Exercise: 2+ Mile Walk
FitBit Steps: 7,687
Water: 48 ounces
Here are a couple of pictures from our walk today:
It’s nice to have someone to go walking with, and someone to take pictures of me – so you can see more than just my feet. 🙂 lol!
I rarely ever walk the trail. You’ve probably noticed Slim and I usually walk downtown. He’s not “dog friendly” when he’s on a leash. He does great at home if other dogs come over, or playing in the yard – but on a leash he has always gone completely nuts at other dogs. 😐 That’s why I avoid the walking trail…
We did cross paths with a few dogs today. Unfortunately one of them really set him off and I got beat up in the scuffle. My fault – I lost my footing and got tangled in the leash. I maintained my grip though and all the dogs were kept safe! 🙂 I have quite a few scrapes, bruises and leash burns though, lol.
Tonight I’m finally having my off plan meal. I’m making an event of it too, and having friends over for dinner & a movie. We’re going to watch The Descent. The perfect movie to watch before my next big caving adventure. 🙂 haha!
I fully expect my dinner to knock me out of ketosis, which means I’ll have keto flu to deal with again in a few days. I aim to stay on track otherwise, eat “lean & green” for a few days, and continue getting plenty of exercise.
This is called Life Balance. 🙂 This will be a true test of how strong I am, and whether I’ve really mastered the art of mindful balance -lol. I think I’m ready!
(And yes, I’ve already dealt with the flood of thoughts like: “you might as well just eat ****** for breakfast while you’re at it, then pig out on ****** for lunch and really make a day of it!” To which I said: NO. I am standing firm with myself on the intentional choice to have one off plan meal, period.)
I aim to beat my food problems. Not just lose weight, but finally get past my old habits and the “food mindset” that got me unhealthy and overweight in the first place.
I am retraining my mind, accepting a leaner me as the “new normal” (vs fighting it, and sabotaging my weight loss progress over and over), and learning to live a whole new lifestyle – as a healthy happy person, without a constant mental struggle.
We’ll see, at least. 😛 Stay tuned to find out how it goes…
How is your week going so far?
I look forward to your thoughts & questions today!
Best,
Lynn Terry,
aka @LowCarbTraveler
Lynn,
I just wanted to say thank you for your posts on Low Carb. You have taught me more than all the books on the subject have. However, I wanted to tell you that you are NOT slow in your weight loss. It has taken me two years to lose 30 pounds, give or take (I say that as my weight bounces up and down all the time), on low carb dieting. I had multiple surgeries for cancer and MRSA. As a result, a lot of my stomach and intestines were removed. You would think that should make me skinny, right? No, it didn’t. In fact, I went the other way. I am also very limited on what I can eat or I end up using my wastebasket for an unintended purpose. The only thing that has worked since then, and I have tried them ALL, is beyond low carb to almost no carb eating. I need to get a bit busier on the exercise.
I’ve been meaning to say thank you for some time now but life always gets in the way. So. . . .THANK YOU. . . . for all the help and introducing me to new things I can eat (like Oscar Mayer Smokies). I was on one of your blogs a long time ago when you were just dispensing business advice, so it was great to “see” you again. I wade through my email every morning looking for your posts to help me get through the day.
Thank you, Carla π It’s great to see YOU again too!!
I hate to hear you’ve gone through all of that. Wow! What an ordeal, geez. Good for you for taking control of your health though. So many people just choose to live in sickness, or as a victim to their circumstance. Kudos!!
My weight loss this go round has been slow for ME, my usual I mean. But then again I weigh less, have less to lose, and am not bouncing and out of ketosis this time. π lol
I just want to thank you for all the work you put into this site and on facebook. Thanks to your suggestions and inspirations, I finally am seeing the scale move again. Down to 203.5 from original 215. So looking forward to being under 200 again and never seeing that number ever. My sister is a retired Weight Watcher’s training manager and doesn’t believe in this plan at all. She is coming over next week to visit for a few days. I plan to overwhelm her with what great food I can eat and lose weight while doing so.
My sister is coming for a visit this week too. π In fact, she’ll be here tonight! Congrats on your recent weight loss. It’s so encouraging to get so close to a weight that makes you feel SO good – and blasting past it once and for all! π
Here’s a good post to read for some points to consider before her visit: http://www.travelinglowcarb.com/4943/when-people-dont-support-your-low-carb-diet/
Your post are always so real and transparent. I have struggled with yo-yo dieting and emotional eating for 30 years. I am encouraged by your post…please continue! Congratulations on your success and allowing us to share in your balanced lifestyle…it is truly encouraging to me. Enjoy tonight and Descents, it’s my daughters favorite movie and a great soundtrack. Blessings!
Thank you, Kim! I saw the movie a couple years ago and can’t wait to watch it again. π I’ve struggled with it too of course, and I’m so ready to be OVER that roller coaster experience.
I look forward to my fun plans tonight, but I’m already second guessing my meal choice lol. I’m having a hard time with the physical desire for it here on Day 39, but it may just be the best way to get it off my MIND. Ha – we’ll see what happens when it actually comes down to it. π
Hi! What are your thoughts on homemade smoothies/shakes on a lc diet? For instance, 1 cup of unsweetened almond milk, 2 tbsp. of natural peanut butter and 1 scoop of protein powder.
Hi Sue,
I prefer to eat my food, so I’m not a fan of smoothies and shakes. Plus it makes a big mess in my kitchen lol – compared to grabbing a slice of cheese off the block and 1/2 cup of pecan halves or something easy like that.
You’d have to put it in your tracker and check the carb count and macros…
I enjoy reading your posts every day. It’s something I look forward to every morning. I have been living the low carb lifestyle since Aug 2015 and have lost 40 lbs. Winters in Chicago make it very hard to exercise outside so I’m so happy for Spring to have finally arrived. The scale has been stuck for me so I am considering following your daily menu for 1 week to see if that gets the scale moving down. Regarding your plans for tonight, Don’t over think it…just ENJOY it! I just watched the trailer of The Descents…..it looks scary!
Congrats on your 40 pounds lost, Vickie. π That’s awesome!!
Try this when your scales are stuck: http://www.travelinglowcarb.com/6064/3-ingredients-rule/ Basically just 3 ingredients per plate or meal – max. That cuts out any processed foods of course, as they are multi-ingredient. Just keep it real simple, real foods, very few combinations. Even mono meals are great, which you see here often on my blog.
Good advice about not overthinking it! π That’s part of the bad habit that needs to be broken, lol. I’ve seen The Descent (and part two!) but it’s been ages… so I cannot wait to watch it tonight!! Especially after my recent caving experience, and with another big cave hike coming up. π
Thank you for the link Lynn. I have read it before BUT it is a great re-read. I will give this a try. 3 – ingredient – rule.
I do believe that single daily atkins bar, that I treat myself with, may be the culprit. π
I think the bars can definitely be a problem. The carbs in those have a higher glycemic effect on our blood sugar than real food. I found that Adkin bars take me out of ketosis.
Yes, that would be the first thing to cut for sure. Try doing without the bar for the next two weeks and see what happens. Replace it with 1/2 cup pecan halves instead. They are very filling and super low carb – and a real food. π
I’ve had to stop eating the Atkins bars too in order to get the weight loss going again. But boy do I miss them!
Finally getting back on track after reading your posts. Making a point of reading them each morning and getting meal ideas from them. Also managed to get the tracking in MyFitnessPal to finally work for me, it would never save my percentages before.
Sick and tired of feeling so sore and stiff from my pinched nerve and arthritis in my knee, looking forward to feeling more human again and dropping this weight.
That was my favorite benefit, Sue – being out of pain. Eating low carb makes such a BIG difference with any kind of inflammation issues. I have inflammatory arthritis in my lower back from an accident, and eating carbs (starchy foods & sugar) can get me back in pain & stiffness REAL fast.
My “goals” don’t always stick in MFP either. I just ignore a lot of the numbers/data and stick to: 20 net carbs max, 70% fat minimum. Glad to hear you’re back on track!! π
Hi Lyn
I love reading about your adventures and walks with Slim and now his pal the Chihuahua. Both are beautiful dogs. I see why you named your great dane slim now. He has beautiful lean long legs. I bet he loves the long walks. I bet he can run fast too.
I got an ol’ lazy pit bull mix. He is my son’s dog but i inherited him (sort of) when he moved out. He is so fat. I need to get him more excercise but i cannot handle walking him—he would walk me. And if i encountered another dog on an outing, i an afraid it would be bad…..i might end up on the ground or worse. Lol. π
Maybe i should get my dog on the keto plan—-oh he would love THAT! Dogs love meat!!
He would probably not eat your cereal though lol. π i love it! π
I can’t wait to hear about your one off meal today
I haven’t wanted one that badly yet but i DO have the option. π
ENJOY your neal today!……no guilt-no shame. Isn’t it wonderful when we start to change our mind sets about food!!!!
It feels so free!
lol yes, Slim is definitely lean. π In addition to his anxiety issues, he has an eating disorder – thus the name. He often screams at his food and has to be coaxed to eat. π
It took a lot of training, and a good lead (the Halti) for me to be able to walk Slim as much as I do – and without hassle. Er, save yesterday’s incident lol. But I have a really good handle on him now compared to before… and it’s so fun to get out and walk together!!
Freedom, yes. Big topic… π I look forward to my company tonight, a great movie and fun dinner – we’re all looking forward to it!
Berries are not a fruit ?
Why would you not eat low carb fruit ?
Hi Linda,
Right, berries are not technically a fruit. They are… berries. π They are much lower in carbs and sugar, lower glycemic index. Fruit is high sugar, high carb. And I don’t like fruit anyway. I never have.
Lynn, you so sound like me (in your head that is). I too believe I has mastered the “just this once” mindset. If I blow it now, it is generally just one time and then I move on and continue to stay on plan. Too many times I have let one cheat lead to a day or a week of cheating and that has caused me to take 3 years to get 47 lbs off. One big blowout can set me back a week. I’ve decided no more for that and I’ve been successful at it recently. Thank you for all you do for people like me. Good luck to you
Thank you Clare. And yes – exactly, I have been through that same thing. That is why it took me so long to get below 150 pounds as well. I realize I am really testing myself here, but I feel strong and I feel ready – and I need to KNOW that I am finally in control of this…
Just a short note to say – I truly enjoy each and every e-mail, they are all most helpful and are such a HUGE part of keeping me on track. My question for the day is: I DO NOT eat cottage cheese – is there a substitute that could replace it for my morning breakfast that would not BLOW my daily carb intake?
thanks and please keep your blog coming
Try fresh mozzarella cheese or Laughing Cow Cheese Wedges. I think either would be a great substitute. You should try it with cottage cheese though. I didn’t think I’d like it either. But the combination of nuts and berries is a delight! You could also try it with feta cheese. π
Thank you for sharing daily with me – Congratulations on your goal and success. You have for sure been a great day to day inspiration to me.
On your morning breakfast – I DO NOT like cottage cheese at all – is there something else I could put in place of it so that I could be able to eat something close?
Thank you and please continue to share
Thank you, Donna π
You could use low carb yogurt, unsweetened almond milk, ricotta cheese, or just whatever you DO prefer.
I used fresh mozarella cheese with it before but i actually prefer the cottage cheese
I wasn’t a fan of cottage cheese till i tried this. Its so good!
Also you could try Carb masters yogurt too it has 4 carbs per container. Kroger and Rulers carry it. I can’t find it anywhere else.
Well I’ve never seen the descent lol but a night with friends over would make me want to cheat bad lol. Idk what it is but friends, movies, company in general has my head rolling with ideas of no-no foods. I think it because I celebrate everything with food….especially a good night in and a movie lol. Hope you have fun.
My meals yesterday were :
B: bpc
L: cucumber salad, 2 Oscar Meyer smoked sausages
D: 2 grilled boneless pork chops, small side salad
My fat was 86%n net carbs were 10 and I drank 40oz of water.
It’s a great movie – if you like scary movies. π
I usually do just fine with company, like the Mother’s Day cookout with a houseful. And these friends – well, we usually eat healthy together – so it’s an “event” for all of us. π I’m feeling really OFF about it to be honest, but just going to go with it since I already have it planned (and have myself committed).
I look forward to your weigh-in next week to see how great you’re doing, even with the beers last weekend! π
Lynn,
Now that you say it’s scary I think I have definitely seen it. My husband is a horror/scary movie fanatic (he’s even got the tattoos to prove it lol). For the most part I do really well when we’re with family or at get togethers, but there are times when I’m wondering “hmmm, one bite of this or one drink of this won’t hurt”. And after arguing with myself I just give up and stay on track lol. I’m still a work in progress but I’m proud of myself for the many times I could have thrown the towel in.
And yes….I’m excited too about my weigh-in. I’m really hoping to see some results..even a pound or two would make me happy. βΊ
I have gotten to the pon*t now that getting with family or friends does not mean i have to go off plan
It takes practice. I tell everyone that i wa b t to go to a restaurant where i can eat healthy. They understand and support me. Nobody is going to get angry at me if i do NOT eat potatoes, bread or deserts
I only ate salad for mothers day but we enjoyed ourselves
Anyway. It is a mind set change for me that took a lifetime to be able to achieve a n d a good two years on low carb woe. π you can do it too….its all a mind game we play with ourselves. π
Gigi,
I’m definitely a work in progress and try my hardest to not give into temptation. I also have great support from family and friends. Actually alot of my family are on LC or have been before so they completely understand. And it really helps that my husband is doing this with me, it makes things a whole lot easier.
Lol Justine……i think we all are a work in progress. I fight temptation all the time with food. It is getting easier to resist than in days past but the battle persists in my mind. And everytime i pass DQ…..there is a fleeting thought in my mind of giving in—–just this once. But i just keep driving pwst it now and then i forget about it. I think being on the jeto woe keeps my hunger or cravings from getting the best of me.
Justine you are doing so great with your meals. I am impressed with how you keep b your carbs under 20…..that is not do easy to do. π
I meant *keto* grrr * i get mad at myself for making so b many typos…..typing from my phone is difficult sometimes. I will be glad when i get my laptop back. π
Hi…absolutely love reading your posts! I kept seeing your post about your “breakfast cereal” I have recently discovered that I too love cottage cheese…who would have thought it? Thanks just doesn’t seem to do it towards you but it is heartfelt…so much.
Thank you so much, Linda π π I’m glad you enjoy it! I’m not really a fan of cottage cheese myself, but somehow it works so well with the nuts & berries combo!