Today marks two weeks since I started back eating low carb. I just got back from my trip yesterday, and while tomorrow’s weigh-in will be the true test – I did take a peek at the scales this morning. 🙂
I currently weigh 163 pounds, for a total of 7.6 pounds lost already!
I was thrilled to come home weighing almost two pounds less after five days on the road, eating at restaurants and catered dinners. There were definitely some weak moments and some tempting cheats on the trip, but I was resolved to eat low carb and managed to stick to it through the entire trip.
I was particularly motivated because the 90 Day Low Carb Challenge kicks off today, and I wanted to step into it on the right foot. 😉 Plus I didn’t get to weigh myself while traveling, and definitely wanted to see that drop on the scales when I got home. I hope you’ll join us for the challenge. It’s going to be FUN!
The carb temptations started from the moment we arrived and got registered for the event. We were handed a nice swag bag FULL of carbs. Cookies, chocolates, crackers, sourdough nibblers – Ack!
I can’t believe that bag stayed in my hotel room four straight days without getting touched, LOL, but I ignored it – then brought it home for the kids.
There was a bag of Almonds in there though, and I’m eating those now while I type. With a String Cheese of course! They are Kirkland Signature dry roasted & salted almonds – and they’re delicious.
On Friday we had two catered meals at Maggiano’s, which is an Italian restaurant. LOL – that figures, right? I shared my lunch in this post, which was a major carb buffet that I had to get really creative with. 😛
We had a group of 200 for both meals, so I expected the dinner to be buffet style too – but it wasn’t. They served each table with a variety of beautiful foods! Instead of ordering individually, they simply brought each table a large serving of each item on the menu.
Of course, this meant we were practically sitting at a buffet, LOL. It was fun though, and I was with a group of friends – one that eats Vegetarian and another that eats Gluten Free, and of course Low Carb for me. We were quite the threesome of interesting eaters! 😉
First they brought the bread. Natalie (Gluten Free) and I took one look at it, and then went for the fresh Parmesan cheese on the table instead. We were starved, lol – so we dipped out Parmesan cheese on our bread plates and enjoyed that while we waited on the salads…
I also passed on the wine. While I would normally enjoy a low carb wine choice, I wanted to avoid the alcohol stall since I just started back two weeks ago. The first course at Maggiano’s was amazing!
I had a little of everything: salad, spinach salad with bacon & nuts, spinach & artichoke dip – even the stuffed mushrooms (after removing the stuffing, of course). The mushrooms were big & meaty, and a perfect compliment to the greens. I had seconds too (lol) so I was getting full before they brought out all the pasta.
Fortunately they also served Salmon. Though the sauce they drizzled (generously!) over it was insanely sweet. It was as thick and sweet as chocolate sauce, which kind of ruined it for me. I ate it anyway, and also had some of the cheese stuffing out of the “stuffed pasta” – I just scooped it out of the pasta shell and ate the ooey gooey cheesy stuff with my Salmon. All said and done, not bad for an Italian restaurant!
The next morning was a beautiful breakfast buffet complete with potatoes, fruit, juice, pastries and all the usual carbs & sugar you find on a buffet! Fortunately they also had eggs, meat & berries – which is what I enjoyed out on the patio in the sunshine. 😉
Lunch was provided at The Palm Restaurant across from our hotel, and I had a garden salad and a steak with steamed vegetables. The steak was FABULOUS! I have no idea what kind of sauce was poured over it, or the ingredients & carb count, but I went ahead and ate it. If that’s the worst I did on the trip, no big deal.
The evening ended with a Taco Bar and live music. I planned to make a Taco Salad, but there was no lettuce (??) – odd. I just ate chicken, beef, cheese & sour cream. It was very filling and quite good!
The next morning I had breakfast at The Corner Bakery Cafe and then had TWO 1/3 pound Low Carb Burgers (wrapped in lettuce) when I got home last night. Waking up thinner this morning after a week of traveling, take-out, buffets, Italian meals and catered dinners was a serious low carb victory! 😀
Shannon Smith says
I admire your strength and resolve to stick to it. I would have had such a hard time passing on the pastas and breads. I wanted to join on the 90-day thing, but I’m living with my mom and the chaos that is her home right now. I’m not sure that I could pull it off due to the fact there isn’t much respect for “leave my food alone” from some. LOL I do what I can though, and I will be watching the progress as a group though. Hopefully the motivation will carry me through until I again have a place of my own and can get back on track.
Lynn Terry says
Thank you Shannon – it really helps to have a strong motivating factor that helps you through each and every food choice you have to make!
Remember that Pepperidge Farm commercial where the mom hid the cookies in the light fixture? That’s me, LOL. I have been known to hide food, haha – only because I’m limited on what I can eat or snack on compared to the kids and don’t want to wake up with nothing to snack on! π
Just keep your eye out for things you can avoid and things you can eat. At meals, double up on the meat and eggs, and skip the starches and carbs, for example. *cheers*
Shannon Smith says
Andrew got jealous at first because I had all this fun stuff to eat and he couldn’t have it. LOL I told him that he needed to realize that this was all I could eat, and I couldn’t have the things he could like cookies and ice cream. I told him that if he was going to start eating low-carb, I’d share my fun stuff. He ate that way for about 3 days before he decided he wanted his normal snacks back. LOL
Thanks for the advice. That’s basically what I’m trying to do. Maybe not go total low-carb, BUT try to reduce them for now. We’ll see how that goes. π
Gail miller says
Also bought tonight the “bird eye” creamed spinach can’t wait to try!!
Lynn Terry says
It’s delicious, Gail!! Enjoy π
Angie @ Losing It and Loving It says
I was really impressed with how you did and the great choices you made. Me on the other hand…overate a bit.
If I could just stop eating bread and pasta to start, I would be OK. LOL
Lynn Terry says
That is a good start, you’ll be surprised what a difference it will make. I know I was! And thank you. I was highly motivated. π Loving that I’ve lost 9 pounds already and can fit back in my favorite comfy Levi jeans!!
Patty Shadrick says
You are a fantastic support to me π Than you!
Lynn Terry says
Glad you found it helpful, Patty! π