After being so consistent at eating low carb for the last 6+ months, I find it just comes natural now to stay on track – no matter what.
That doesn’t mean my low carb life is always perfect. In fact, my low carb meals this weekend were really lazy -lol.
I haven’t had much of an appetite (at all!), but I ate anyway every time I felt hungry. I just ate smaller portions and ate enough to keep myself going.
My weight has been dropping the last couple of days too, even though I’ve been eating pretty much the same as usual in regards to carbs, calories & macros. I mentioned in the Weekly Weigh-In that I’m at a new all-time low of 136.4 pounds.
I usually cook on weekends, but I just didn’t feel like it this time. Fortunately I had some bacon & brownies (low carb!) made up already, and plenty of easy low carb foods on hand.
Here are my meals & MyFitnessPal diaries for the last two days…
Saturday’s Low Carb Meals:
For breakfast I heated up 3 slices of the big pan of bacon I’d made, then made 2 eggs scrambled with colby jack cheese in real butter.
I only ate 2 slices of the bacon. I gave the 3rd one to Slim. 🙂
After breakfast I went for a nice walk in the sunshine with Slim (my great dane), then decided to have a low carb brownie for lunch. 🙂 They’re the Low Carb Peanut Butter Pecan Brownies I made before, with cream cheese on the side:
I only ate a few bites of that, then put it away for later. I just didn’t have much of an appetite. I ended up finishing it the next night.
For dinner I cut up & fried one Oscar Mayer Smokies link, and scrambled 2 eggs with colby jack cheese in real butter.
I could eat all of that either, but I did finish the second half later. Then, because I also couldn’t sleep, I had a late night snack of seasoned almonds & pecan halves:
Here’s My MyFitnessPal Diary for Saturday:
Sunday’s Low Carb Meals:
I had my favorite “low carb cereal” made with 1/2 cup pecan pieces, 1/4 cup Daisy Brand cottage cheese, 4 small diced strawberries & 17.5 grams of blueberries:
For lunch I just ate 2 Oscar Mayer Smokies real quick:
After that quick lunch I got out for a nice afternoon walk in the sunshine with Slim for about 3 miles. It was a gorgeous day (about 75 degrees and sunny) so I grabbed sausage & eggs from McDonald’s to enjoy in the last bit of sunshine for the day:
I was still really struggling with my appetite so I only ate a few bites, but I did eat the rest of it later. Then I finished the low carb brownie & cream cheese from the day before late last night too…
Here’s My MyFitnessPal Diary for Sunday:
Macronutrients: Simple Explanation Of Low Carb Macros
How To Get A Net Carbs Column in MyFitnessPal
Calories: 2030
Net Carbs: 22
Total Carbs: 42
Protein: 73 Grams
83% Fat, 13% Protein
Exercise: 3-Mile Walk & Aerobics
Fitbit Steps: 10,213
Water: 72 ounces
I ordered a new pair of jeans yesterday. 🙂 I’ve been going through all of my pants to find some that fit and get rid of the ones that don’t, and decided I needed at least one new pair of GREAT jeans for my new size.
There’s a GREAT 40% off sale at American Eagle right now!
I had a bit of a freak-out moment about my scales dropping two days in a row. I’m 43 years old, so I don’t want to be “stick skinny” or end up with no figure at all.
That plus I’m getting thinner than even my “skinny clothes” that I’ve been digging out of the back of my closet. Meaning I don’t have much to wear at this new size, and TONS of clothes now that I can’t wear. 😛
I mentioned that my “downtown walks” with Slim were getting boring, so yesterday we took a different route and walked the Barren Fork River instead of the sidewalks of Main Street. That was a fun change for both of us! 🙂
It’s been almost two weeks now since I started taking the antidepressant my doctor recommended. I haven’t noticed a difference yet, after taking it 12 nights in a row. I’m not sure when it’s supposed to kick in. I’m still crying a lot and feeling very anxious, so I do hope it ends up providing some relief while I get through this tough phase.
In the meantime I’m making sure I eat when I’m hungry, and while I really need to add some healthy greens & veggies into my daily diet… I’m going easy on myself and just keeping it simple for now. I haven’t felt like grocery shopping or getting out for take-out either.
I have been getting out though, for walks and hikes at least.
I feel best in the sunshine and in the woods. Nature feels comforting and cathartic right now, and it’s a good place to sweat out my stress and take in the beauty of the world. And of course getting out of the house helps.;)
I have two fun hiking adventures planned this week. A solo-hike to do some off-trail exploring in one of my favorite places, and a hike with a new Hiking Group I joined this week. 🙂 I found quite a few hiking groups in my area on Meetup.com that are very active, so that should be fun! You should check it out for your area too.:)
So I’m doing fine, staying on track, eating low carb (albeit lazy low carb lol), and still getting plenty of exercise. Someone mentioned my low carb meals are getting boring. I agree – I’m bored with them too. But right now my focus is on other areas of my life, and on getting my HAPPY back.
Sometimes you just have to tackle one challenge at a time. Fortunately eating low carb and exercising (moving!) has become HABIT after forcing myself to be consistent for so long, which has been the best thing I’ve ever done for myself.
I forced myself to eat low carb no matter what the scales said, even when they didn’t move for weeks in a row, and I’ve forced myself to keep moving – whether I felt like it or not.
That consistency has really paid off! Not only in weight loss and muscle tone, but in creating healthy habits that are now just part of life – and no longer “a challenge.”
How are things going for you?
How are you doing with your low carb meals & macro tracking? Any questions or struggles? I would love to hear your results so far…
Leave a comment & let’s talk. 🙂
Best,
Lynn Terry,
aka @LowCarbTraveler
Discount Code: LOWCARBTRAVELER
Peggie says
I have been diagnosed recently with diabetes. how can I eat low-carb…any ideas without going over my 20 carbs…I have lost 5 pounds and 4 more to go…you are such n encouragement to me
Lynn Terry says
Hi Peggie π
I keep it really simple: 20 net carbs max, 70% fat minimum. I have a getting started page here that has tons of helpful info: http://www.travelinglowcarb.com/start-low-carb-diet/
Let me know if you have any questions! π
Amy Klamer says
Appreciate your honesty. I’m struggling too and right now I should get out for a walk since I took a “sick morning” from work…told them I’d be in this afternoon. They will think I’m maybe hungover, which isn’t the case. My anxiety and depression are both hitting harder right now as well and I’m trying to push through…it’s hard not being able to explain it to people. I wish my boss could know so he would understand me needing some time alone this morning. No excuses, I should have gone to work…but I’m struggling. I went to a wedding for my boyfriend’s cousin this weekend…I had a panic attack while in the 3rd row from the front of the church. I got myself through it…I breathed, I calmed myself, but it was terrifying and I just keep having little things like that happen that make me want to stay home. Sorry, this is off track from low carb eating. I had a couple slip up snacks, but nothing terrible and I’m doing great sticking to my macros and eating wonderfully low carb. At this wedding I was so bummed…there was not a single veggie or cheese on the dinner bbq buffet bar and I was hungry! I took more meat then I should have, knowing they have to divy it up right at weddings. Ugh. Anyway. I’m all over the place but I appreciate knowing we all have our struggles and I’m so disappointed in myself for not going to work this morning…but I really just needed it at home, alone.
Lynn Terry says
I get it, Amy. I find myself needing to be alone too, which is why the walks & hikes are the only places I’ve been out lately. It really IS hard when people don’t know, or worse: when they do, and don’t care – or blow it off. π
Take care of you. That’s what I’m doing right now. Even if you do have people in your life, they don’t always know the right things to do or say when you need it most. Like being told “you’re going to give yourself cancer being so upset” or “toughen up!” π *sigh*
This too shall pass. For both of us. *hugs*
Amy K says
Gotta leave for work soon. Still really just want to crawl back to bed. Only a few hours and I can come back home. Hope I can chipper up by the evening π
Yes, its frustrating when ppl dont get how Im feeling and don’t really try to. Tried to explain it to my mom and she didn’t get it but was kind to me at least about it.
Amy says
*And hugs back to you Lynn*
Thank you
Lynn Terry says
I’m feeling more “light” this evening myself after a quiet morning. I hope you are too! π *cheers*
Edith Bice says
Had my own struggles with anxiety, panic attacks and depression. Mine were caused by a prescription drug. I weaned myself off but was harmed in a big way by taking it. I found a great chiropractor who was also a holistic physician. I went through his detox program and a group therapy program for de-stressing. It helped immensely. I also was helped by Dr. Wayne Dyer’s books. You can’t go wrong with any of his books. They are truly inspiring. He passed a year ago but he continues to change lives through his books. I take a lot of supplements but not just any. I don’t order from amazon until I read from a reliable source as to their effectiveness. There are a couple of brands that you can trust. One is the “NOW” brand and the other one is Bio-Medics. Dr. Norm Shealy is an amazing, very smart doctor. He is 83 years old and was a neurologist who did not like the way mainstream medicine was going in the 70’s so he took the holistic route. Here is a link to his biography to show you just how educated and smart this man is: https://normshealy.com/biography/. He actually specializes in depression and pain management. He has his own lab where he tests supplements as well as develops supplements. I use his magnessium lotion. I wish you the best because noone knows what it is like to suffer as you are without having been through it. I hold no judgement on which path you take to help yourself. I, myself, could not take the pharmaceuticals for depression and can’t take any prescription drugs due to my body being super sensitive. I don’t even take OTC drugs. I am 65 and healthy but manage all my injuries and illnesses through natural supplements. I am blessed and grateful to be healthy. Many people take prescription drugs and that is ok too. I think we need to find out what works for us and not judge others who choose another path. Sorry for the lengthy reply but my heart aches for you because I know how you feel…I’ve been there! Best of luck!!!!
P.S. I am loving the cooler weather. I really enjoy walking and hiking as it gets cooler. I live a little north of you in Bowling Green, KY. I am planning to hike in Mammoth Cave in a few weeks.
Lynn Terry says
Thank you Edith π I really appreciate all the information. I have been trying natural supplements and alternatives for about a hear now. I also see a reflexologist regularly who also does reiki. She is a wonderful help, I’ve been seeing her for 7 years now and she’s the one person I can really talk openly with.
I’m familiar with Bowling Green. I spent quite a bit of time there as a young child. π You aren’t far away at all. We should plan a fun hike in your area soon. There’s tons of beautiful things to see there!
Edith Bice says
Absolutely Lynn! We should plan a hike. Need to see if there are others in this area that follow you and organize a group low carb hike!!
Lynn Terry says
Hi Edith – I’m sure there are. π I’ll organize a get together. Do you have a location in mind that you think would be a fun hike?? Or a general area – and I can look up options from there. π
Trish says
Hey lynn…not sure if I missed something on a previous post, but I assume you must be going through something emotionally. I experienced a similar thing when I went through a family issue a couple years ago. It was more anxiety than depression, but I completely lost my appetite and eventually went on effexor to help me. I lost 15 pounds without even trying…and got “too skinny” to be honest.
Once the meds kicked in, I lost that stomach sinking, heart pounding feeling, and my appetite came back. It didn’t take long, so if this med isn’t doing the trick dont be afraid to try others. I tried a few in the past when dealing with post pardum depression and it took a couple trials to find the right one.
I hope you feel better soon….keep on keeping on!
Lynn Terry says
Thank you, Trish! π It really helps to hear from others who have been through similar situations, and how it worked out. I’m hoping this helps with the lethargic feeling and the random tears (I’m not normally one to cry, lol – but even toothpaste commercials have been getting to me the last couple of months! ha).
In the meantime I am doing all the right things: plenty of sunshine, exercise, healthy food, doing things that make me feel better or feel happy, reaching out to friends, and making many positive changes in my life. π
zerocarb says
I love seeing your “boring” low-carb meals! Whatever works, right? I really struggle with what to order when I’m eating out, so your blog is always making me feel motivated to stay low-carb even when it’s hard.
Lynn Terry says
I’m so glad! π And yes – whatever works. I find it really helps to keep staples on hand and have easy foods I actually enjoy.