Happy Monday! 🙂 It’s Day 85 of the Spring Low Carb Challenge, and we weigh in every week on Monday mornings. If you’re participating in the low carb challenge Facebook group, you’ll find the Week 12 Weigh-In thread here.
We have our final weigh-in this weekend! I haven’t set a start date for the next 90 Day Low Carb Challenge yet, but the group stays open & active year round…
As usual my weight is in a “hold” after dipping down a few days ago.
I see a loss on the scales, then my weight will hold or fluctuate slightly for up to a week before it drops again.
I have some ideas for pushing the scales and forcing my weight down this week before our final weigh-in though, so stay tuned for details!
I’ve been on a SERIOUS blueberry kick lately. 🙂
Fresh berries will be ready to pick here in Tennessee soon too, so I’m really looking forward to some berry-picking outings in July. Meanwhile I’m still enjoying frozen berries. They’re easy to dice while still half frozen, and I can just use what I want – without worrying about them going bad on me.
Here is my Low Carb Food Diary for Day 84 of the “Get Lean For Summer!” 90 Day Low Carb Challenge. It’s NEVER too late to join if you haven’t already!
Day 84: Sunday’s Low Carb Meals
I had my usual healthy “low carb cereal” but this time I used some pecan halves and whole blueberries (instead of diced). I was in the mood for more of a juicy crunchy breakfast. 🙂
It’s 1/2 cup pecans, 1/4 cup Daisy brand cottage cheese, 2 strawberries and 1/8 cup (17.5 grams) of blueberries – for a total of 6 net carbs and 85% healthy fats.
I’m finally running low on groceries and back to my minimalist cabinets and fridge, lol. I did find some bacon in the freezer though, so I pulled that out to thaw.
Then I did a quick google search and found How To Make Perfect Bacon in the Oven. I’ve been wanting to try that! 🙂 I love how step-by-step the instructions are, even for something SO simple. People like me need that, lol.
It was really easy:
The bacon came out PERFECT. Nice! 🙂
I made up a quick batch of buttery Low Carb Blueberry Crepes to go with it. YUM!
I had plenty leftover so that’s what I had for dinner too – plus two more slices of bacon late last night. 🙂 I’ll never cook bacon in the skillet again…
Here’s My MyFitnessPal Diary for Sunday:
Tracking Macronutrients (Simple Explanation of Macros)
How To Get Net Carbs in MyFitnessPal
Net Carbs: 22
Total Carbs: 30
Protein: 51 Grams
79% Fat, 14% Protein
Exercise: Ab Carver Pro (70 Reps)
PLUS: 10 Tricep Dips
FitBit Steps: 1,521
Water: 40 ounces
It was after midnight last night when I FORCED myself to get up and do my Ab Carver and Tricep Dips. I am on a serious mission to get in shape! 🙂
I really enjoy “body sculpting” way more than “cardio” when it comes to exercise. It takes a lot less time, and I’m seeing results quicker by targeting very specific areas (abs & arms at the moment) with my workouts.
Next I’m going to add in exercises to target my inner thighs & butt.
I miss my walks with Slim, but it’s been crazy hot & humid here in Tennessee for the past week. It’s supposed to cool down a bit this week though, so I can’t wait to get back out & explore downtown more!
Back to body sculpting though, my fun outdoor fitness adventure this week is either going to be hiking/caving (I want to explore what looks like a cave at the top of Lost Creek Falls), or kayaking – which is great core and arm / upper body exercise. Or maybe both. 🙂
I’m ENJOYING the exercise, and having FUN getting out and exploring my local area. Just living a more active lifestyle lately feels GOOD, and my body is really shaping up as a result!!
How are things going on your end?
I look forward to hearing from you…
Best,
Lynn Terry,
aka @LowCarbTraveler
Discount Code: LOWCARBTRAVELER
Way to go Lynn. Sure hope the next 90 challenge wont be far off ..some of us ( me) use it to stay focused . and so many new members that have just joined in . Have a great week its hotter than heck here in South Alabama also !!
Hi Sandi π
I run challenges all year long, and the group stays open & active year round as well. I’m planning to run a mini challenge in July before the next BIG challenge, so stay tuned for details! π
Well, I finished my first OH-FISH-SHUL week and. . . . wahhhh!!! I exercised 6 out of 7 days and ate very well. Only went over 20 carbs on one day. Lost. . . . get ready. . . . .2/10 of a pound. ARGHHH As I was uttering some of the foulest curses you’re likely to hear while yanking up my exercise clothes this morning, I had to remind myself that my reason for doing this is NOT appearance. It’s to get stronger. That I am. And I just had to buy smaller undies, so that’s something. Before, I would have just said. . . . well, you know. . . . two words and the second one is “it.” But you have inspired me to keep going, Lynn, in spite of myself. My challenge continues.
LOL I’ve said that a few times myself, Carla π
You mentioned eating 20 net carbs or less per day – are you tracking with MyFitnessPal or which app/program? Are you getting at least 70% of your calories in healthy fats??
Also, did you weigh first thing in the morning right after you pee? That’s the only true weigh of the day as your weight fluctuates 5 pounds or more throughout the day – so make sure you always weigh at the same time (first thing in the morning)…
Just keeping carb counts right now. I’ll have to try to get into My Fitness Pal. I attempted it once before and they wanted to plan a program for me, asked all kinds of personal stuff and I said NO WAY. I’ll try again. I will make sure the next weigh-in is at the correct time. I think I did it then this morning but not sure. Thanks for the tips, Lynn!
I’ve also found that my body tends to take a bit longer to react. Closer to 2 weeks. I can be eating low carb and everything is going great but it takes about 2 weeks to register on the scale. Same thing happens if I get derailed from my plan and am expecting to see a gain on the scales, it doesn’t show up until about 2 weeks after going off plan.
That’s true – sticking it out is the key. π
Definitely set up MyFitnessPal – and use the hack to track net carbs and see your fat/protein ratios easily: http://www.travelinglowcarb.com/4448/myfitnesspal-hack/ That helps A LOT. I stall out completely if my fat is not at least 70% (if I’m eating too lean).
Hi Lynn! I always enjoy your posts! I wanted to share with you a another great tip for cooking bacon in the oven. Instead of laying one long strip down, try folding them in half. They’re delicious this way, too!! You’ll be able to use two packages instead of one cooking at one time and freeze what you’re not using. You keep up the great work and thanks for all your posts! : )
Thanks for that cool bacon tip, Terri – I’ll definitely try it! π
I’ve been cooking bacon in the oven for a few years now and woudn’t do it any other way. It does require my oven to be cleaned a little more frequently though as the grease still spatters. Hmmmm, just thought of something, I should try ‘tenting’ a piece of foil over it as well. That will help with the spattering. Just not sure if I’d have to adjust the cook time or anything.
Great idea about folding the slices in half also. I’ve sometimes had to use 2 cookie sheets instead of one but will try that next time. Does it affect how long you need to cook it for?
Hi Kimme, Yes, exactly!! No more one package of bacon per tray!! Every other week I purchase 10 packages of bacon and cook them all up, drain a bit on paper towel and then freeze. Just take out what I need for the day. Love it!! The cooking time is about the same for the folded ones if not a minute or two longer. It’s really how crispy you want it. I cook at 350. And yeah, the splatters are real. I do use foil on the bottom and up on it’s sides as far as it allows. haha : )
Hi Lynn, Thank you for all of your many helpful tips. Like another member said, I can’t wait to hear about the next challenge. But today I made a commitment with myself to stick to LC way of eating faithfully from today until August 28th. I chose August 28th because that’s the day we are leaving for the beach. I think a month is the longest I have stuck with LC in the past. I’m hoping during this two month period I lose at least 10 pounds, I’m a slow loser too, tone up and then motivated to stick with LC while away.
Now anytime I eat high carbs I gain a tremendous amount of weight, like 8 pounds in 3 days, my entire body swells up. I talked to my doctor a few weeks ago and was explaining this to him and he said I was probably having issues with gluten/carbs so he advised staying away from the two as much as possible.
Smart doctor. π I tend to bloat up quickly too – it’s a good deterrent lol. In the past I had a hard time sticking to it more than a few weeks at a time, at the most. I’ve seen the MOST success staying consistent during this 90 day challenge… and powering through the “stalls” and “holds” on the scales. π
You have a GREAT incentive to have a serious commitment until August 28th, which always helps a lot with motivation. Love it! π
I would like to say I made it they a travel weekend without going over my carbs……but I didn’t. I ended up drinking a few extra beers than I had planned. And 2 pieces of pizza that was totally unplanned. But trudging on. Back on the low carb yesterday. Proud that it really was only 2 slip ups.
Good for you, Joann! Getting right back on track is the key. Just eat super simple for the next week – real foods, few ingredients, nothing processed, etc – and you’ll be right back in ketosis. π
Lynn – I would like to see what you had eaten, the first couple of weeks, when you first started the 90 Day Challenge. Just to give me some idea of what it took to put you into ketosis. It would help alot! I am more of a see it written down type of person vs. eating clean and simple. Thanks for all the great info.
Hi Penny π
I eat pretty much the same kind of thing all the time. You can go here for Day 1: http://www.travelinglowcarb.com/10190/low-carb-challenge-day1-food/ then at the end of the post there’s previous and next posts if you want to scan through them that way.
I’ll have a download available soon of the entire 90 days worth of meals, so make sure you’re subscribed by email and stay tuned. π