I donโt like the term โcheatโ in reference to a cheat meal or cheat day. I prefer to call it โeating off planโ as cheating has all kinds of negative vibes attached to it.
Yesterday was my (intentional) off-plan day.
My advice, and what Iโm doing myself:
Get right back on track. Eat โlean and greenโ and stick to real foods and very simple meals for the week following an off-plan meal or day.
Hereโs a glimpse into my Thursday, Day 39 of the Low Carb Challengeโฆ
I woke up weighing 148 pounds yesterday. Up from 146.6 the day before. Just your typical fluctuations probably, or muscle inflammation from my workout & big fall the day before. Iโm all banged up and sore, lol.
In case you missed it: I wrestled a Great Dane. And I won. ๐ haha
I started the day with my usual healthy low carb breakfast. I knew I had a high carb meal planned for the evening, but fully intended to eat healthy otherwise.
I went out around lunch, after my morning work, and grabbed a few healthy groceries: berries, cheese, nuts, eggs, bottled water, etc. I wanted to have my low carb staples on hand for the weekend, knowing I would get right back on track.
I totally blew it at lunch.
While I was out, I decided to pick up lunch. I found myself torn. A salad? A low carb chicken club in a lettuce wrap?
I decided to stop at Sonic and go ahead and eat carbs. It was easy to justify โ I was going to be out of ketosis by the end of the day anyway. ๐
Unfortunately that ruined my appetite, AND my desire for carbs. I should have waited for my fun meal that Iโd saved up for โdinner & a movieโ night. ๐
The movie was great! The food โ meh. I lost interest in it. I ate a few bites, maybe 3 ribs and half an order of fries. I normally finish the entire 10 pound box of food (lol), but I just had zero appetite for it at all. I had my few bites and then quit.
My sister is in for a visit, by the way. She got in late last night, and we sat up and had a slice of *** on the back deck while we caught up. I picked up the *** when I got dinner, thinking Iโd really go all out โ haha. She eats low carb as well, and also gluten free, so that was a big splurge for us both. ๐
Iโm really over the food thing โ carbs and sugar I mean.
It didnโt taste as good as it sounded, or even looked, and I kind of just picked at it. It wasnโt at all the love affair and romantic reunion I expected it to be. ๐ Even the slice of *** took me almost an hour of just nibbling at it.
This morning I weighed 150.2 pounds โ which is a 2.2 pound gain from the day before. Iโm okay with that. I expected it to be worse. ๐ Back to ketosis, back to healthy foods and healthy feelingsโฆ now fully aware that I am not the least bit interested in foods I once thought I could not live without.
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I chose this picture to share with you today because turtles have a lot of symbolism: trusting your inner vision, finding inner wisdom. They symbolize journeys, protection, pace and patience.
This turtle sits on my back deck. I looked at it as I had my first coffee this morning, thinking back over my decision to eat off plan, and my resolve to get right back on my health journey. I processed how I felt about it, what I expected vs what I experienced, and how great it felt to STILL be on my path this morning.
What did I learn?
I have absolutely NO desire to be who I used to be.
The love/hate relationship I once had with food is over. The affair has ended.
Sometimes you have to go back for just one more tasteโฆ to truly know that for sure.
I donโt feel bad about it. I donโt have โfood guilt.โ I am not mad at myself. It was an interesting experience, especially given it was a FIRST. It felt GOOD not to completely binge, or even want to, and most of allโฆ to realize I have changed. It took me such a LONG time to get here, and itโs a very happy place. ๐
Was it worth it?
No and Yes. No the food wasnโt worth it. It certainly wasnโt worth having to go back through keto flu in a few days. But yes because now I know I am OFF the roller coaster โ for good. I have struggled with that for more than 5 years of eating low carb, falling off track, struggling to stay on track, gaining and losing the same 20 pounds over and over and over.
Getting serious, getting committed, and sticking to my โ20 netโ for 38 straight days really changed things for me. I powered through cravings, stress, emotional days, temptationsโฆ and it was SO worth it. I really like where I am now because I pushed myself through the hard parts. Now I know I can power through, I know Iโm stronger than that, and I know the foods are never as good as they sound.
It feels GREAT to be back to my happy foods today!
I have no desire to do that again.
Iโm not saying Iโll never ever ever eat another cookie in my entire life. Iโm sayingโฆ binging is not fun anymore. Iโm not sure it ever was. Iโm saying I love the healthy foods I eat now, and I donโt love the junk I used to eat.
I think Iโm telling you (and myself) that I have finally accepted the new me. ๐
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Iโve had a fabulous (healthy!) day with my sister so far today. We are eating healthy, went for a walk in town, then hiked a waterfall this afternoon. Iโll share the photos and foods we enjoyed today with you in my next post. ๐
Best,
Lynn Terry,
aka @LowCarbTraveler
p.s. This was a personal test that I felt I needed to go through. I do NOT recommend carb cycling, and I donโt recommend eating off plan if you donโt feel strong enough to get right back on track. Itโs too easy to gain all of your weight back, and waste all the time youโve put into getting where you are today. I needed to KNOW I was completely over it. I got that sense of closure I needed, and I feel thatโs just going to make me stronger as I continue forwardโฆ
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Good FOOD for thought in that post. I had my first low carb burger at Hardeeโs today. We were on our way back from our beach vacation. We live in Pennsylvaniaโฆno Hardeeโs here. Do you know of any other fast food chain that will do it that way?
Hi Suzy! You can ask for โa lettuce wrap instead of a bunโ practically anywhere. Otherwise I often just ditch the bun, or order a salad sometimes. There are TONS of options eating out, because I eat out the majority of the time. ๐
My options are limited here as I live in a small agriculture town, but Iโve heard Jimmy Johnโs has a good unwich line. Do you have those there?
No Jimmy Johnโs here but I will continue to ask for โa lettuce wrap instead of a bunโ. Thanks for the reply!
Hi Lynn! I signed up to get your emails just before you started the 90day challenge. I kept telling myself that I would start โ and I kept putting it off! Reading your blog posts every morning when I wake up has become my favourite new reality TV show! I love how honest and real you are.
A week ago, I hopped on the scales and found myself sitting on the heavier side of 143 pounds.. This is the heaviest I have ever been and I almost broke down (I stand at a wee 5ft so this is quite a heavy weight for me). The whole past month has been a endless cycle of my life breaking down further and further. I knew it had to stop so on Wednesday (my shopping day) I headed off to the vege mart and filled my basket with as many green goodies as I could find. Since Wednesday evening, Iโve been trying to eat as low carb as I can and while itโs been tough (especially with sugar cravings hitting last night) I jumped on the scales this morning and in the past week, I appear to have shifted a huge 6 pounds?! It feels almost surreal to have lost that in a week and I almost donโt believe it to be true! But, it gives me the strength and determination to continue. Two years ago, I was a happy 121 pounds and Iโd be stoked if I could get back to that! I just wanted to say a huge thankyou to you for being so inspiring. Itโs your daily posts which helped me to make this decision to get back onto the healthy track! Please keep up all your fantastic work!! Abi xxx
Thatโs so awesome, Abi ๐ Iโm really glad you find this helpful. It helps ME a lot to have such a great community to do this with and for. ๐ Kudos for taking control of your health, and going for what you want!!
I am wondering about something. (and if this is too personal, thatโs okay ) It seems that when I try to eat low carb, I get constipation. Any suggestions? Thanks.
Patricia, I can offer my help on that. Iโve been having bullet proof coffee every morning. My movements have changed for the better and no more constipation. The coconut oil I believe has done the trick. Remember what Tom Hanks said in โCast Awayโ about eating the coconuts!
Mandi is right! I have never have that problem myself, but Iโve heard about it a lot. I think the key is plenty of green vegetables, and at least 70% fat. So make sure youโre tracking your macros and getting enough healthy fats, and at least one good serving of something green every day. Try that. ๐
You did good by not binging on your beebb off day. You passed the test
I cannot see how it would be better possible to gain two lbs in one day unless itโs water weight.
You know i have had off days in the pasf and itโs trueโ-โnothing we crave tastes as good as it soundsโฆ.
I really do not miss any. of the high carb food anymore
Staying on this challenge for 38 days has done this for me too.
I am very content with my woe right now
I prefer to eating this way now and the way it makes me feel and i am in control
There are so many SF options available now if i ever feel that i just have to have a desert or snack. I do not miss starches like bread ewand potatoes. If i ever eat brea d again itโll be low carb
The way i see it now is that this woe is now my new normal woe. And like a diabetic. Has to stay on a diabetic low carb diet, i have to stick with this woe for my health, and to permanently control my weightes
I bet you will see a change in your scale
soon. ๐ i hope i have lost more too ๐
I was really surprised it didnโt go that way โ in an all out binge. As thatโs how it has always gone in the past ๐ lol. It does feel good to be in control, and to KNOW I am in control โ by choice. Itโs quite an empowering thing!
I am shocked at myself too for sticking with this for 40 days. Isnโt it amazing how sticking with something consistently for 40 days can change everything!
For once in my life i DO feel in control!
I made mostacholi for my grandkids today .. I did not have a desire to eat any. I taste tested a tiny bit of the sauce only to see if it was seasoned right. This really was a test for meโฆโฆMostcacholi has been a binge food for me in days gone past.
I could eat two plates of it and go back for more laterโฆ..cause i always made a huge pot of it at a time
And cheesy garkic bread too. Lol
I really feel like i have changed my mind set after this challenge. Thanks to YOU. ๐
It really is amazing. Like I said in the earlier postโฆ if I had only known all this time that I was only a few short weeks away from beating it all along, wow. WOW. It truly is much easier than it seems!
Yesterday must have felt like a real win for you. ๐ Thatโs awesome! I love those moments when you realize you are strong, that you ARE in control, and the feeling that gives you. ๐ Way to go!!
It isnโt fair that you eat one little thing and gain two pounds! Wish you would not ***** out your โoff plan foodsโโฆcurious to know . Another fast food tip McDonaldโs has egg sausage mcmuffins all day nowโฆtwo for $4.00 (one costs $3.79 go figure) just order โno Muffinโโฆ.they put them separately in a box with a knife and fork (although if you want to you actually can pick it up and eat it! Also do their McDouble burgers (two for $2.50) ask for no catsup and no bun wrapped in a lettuce leafโฆno problemโฆmost towns have a McDonaldโsโฆ here on the west coast Hardeeโs is called Carl Jr.โs.
Sorry Dianna, lol โ the *** was โpieโ ๐ I had 3 slices, and we shared them (1 1/2 slices each).
Great tip โ thank you! I love the sausage & round egg from McDonaldโs so Iโm glad to know itโs on sale and available all day!!
It was not on sale here in Missouriโฆ.i checked it out today. I i n ordered the egg white delight and ditched the muffin. ๐
Wow so crazy I just read this post last night and as it happens I have been off low carb since Sat which turned into itโs now Tues night (Wed morning if your technical) and Iโm still struggling to get back on track. Your posts are very motivational and the reason I said so crazy is this afternoon I looked outside and there was a big turtle in the yard! I took some pictures lol I didnโt know what they symbolize other than what you posted. Maybe itโs a sign?! Anyway thanks for all your encouragement and sharing your struggles.
Iโd say itโs definitely a sign, Lisa! ๐ Youโll feel SO much better as soon as you get back on track. I hate when it unravels on me like that and turns into days on end. I just end up feeling crummy. ๐ This experience was a first for me, and it felt GREAT to know I didnโt enjoy it anymore โ like I used to. I feel like Iโm over a huge hurdle now. ๐ Anyway, jump right back in!! *cheers*
Love, Love your chatsโฆ.they are truly inspiring !!!
Thank you, Kay! ๐ *cheers*