I had a rough start to the day yesterday, but it ended amazingly great – and I even COOKED. 🙂
Don’t get too excited. It wasn’t anything fancy, lol. It WAS delicious though!
I mentioned in my last update that I’ve been struggling with my appetite…
Yesterday I ate all 3 meals in one sitting though (instead of spreading them out over hours), which felt like good progress toward feeling better. It took me until 1pm to finally eat (I had a rough morning), but after that things got on a better roll. 🙂
Monday’s Low Carb Meals:
I finally had breakfast around 1pm: 2 strips of Hormel black label thick cut bacon, and 2 eggs scrambled with colby jack cheese in real butter.
I had my favorite “low carb cereal” for lunch: 1/2 cup pecan pieces, 1/4 cup Daisy Brand cottage cheese, 4 small diced strawberries & 17.5 grams of blueberries:
I got hungry again late last night, and was feeling much more upbeat so I decided to cook some veggies. 🙂
I made a quick broccoli & cauliflower casserole. Which is really just broccoli and cauliflower, 4 tablespoons of butter and a bit of salt, lots of cheese – and what was left of my Parmesan Cello Whisps crumbled up on one end:
I wish I’d had a whole bag of whisps, because that was SO good as a veggie topping!! I’ll definitely be ordering more…
I ate two servings – the two on the end with the crunchy whisps on top. 🙂
Here’s My MyFitnessPal Diary for Monday:
Macronutrients: Simple Explanation Of Low Carb Macros
How To Get A Net Carbs Column in MyFitnessPal
Calories: 1571
Net Carbs: 21
Total Carbs: 32
Protein: 61 Grams
79% Fat, 16% Protein
Water: 48 ounces
I used the Free MyFitnessPal Recipe Calculator to figure out the carb count for my “veggie bake” and log the servings in my food diary.
I put in all of the ingredients, double checking each one by my own labels, then after it came out of the oven I figured it was 8 servings (by cutting it into squares).
I’m feeling tons better.
I’m not one to sit around and let life get the best of me – not for long anyway. 😉
I took some time to process the thoughts, feelings and circumstances that were bothering me. But I also got proactive about setting change in motion…
I’ve been staying active and getting plenty of sunshine of course, but also reaching out to good friends (laughing with girl friends will make anyone feel better!!) and making fun plans. I made a “happy list” – there goes my OCD again, haha – of things I enjoy or that make me feel UP, and I’ve been putting that list to good use. 🙂
Eating more colorful foods and green vegetables was on that list, because I know how important nutrients are for your overall health and state of mind. So I’m pleased that I felt like spending a minute in the kitchen last night for a veggie dinner.
In my next post I have a STORY for you that I think you’ll really enjoy. 🙂 Something crossed my screen yesterday that reminded me of several ups and downs in my life, and gave me a great HAPPY idea to pursue. I know life can be tough in spells for all of us, some spells are longer and tougher than others… but stick with me. I hope what I choose to do for myself gives you ideas that help you through hard times too…
What about you – how are things going on your end?
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
Lynn, you are doing so good and look fantastic. Keep on going. I try every day to eat lchf and by nights end I cheat. Ugh. But every morning I look for your post to put me back on track.
Hi Becky π
What happens at night that makes you eat off plan? Is it dinner with the family, late snacking, or when/why? I ask because the easy solution is to change up your routine – that’s what works for me anyway.
I’m guessing you have family in the house which means off plan foods that are easily accessible?
Reading the line “I’m feeling tons better” made me smile so big and makes me so happy for you!! One day at a time, sometimes one moment at a time…I hope things just keep getting happier for you! Like you’ve talked about the weight loss and it’s fluctuations….our life is kinda like that. There’s ‘holds’ and things that might knock us down but I pray that the days to come you can see an overall UP and UP on the scale of life!! Many blessings to you, Lynn!! π
Thank you so much, Casey! I’m making HAPPY a top priority right now. Feeling crappy is just NOT fun, lol. And I do like fun! π
Still, all of life cannot be fun & play – there’s plenty of work and laundry and errands and bills and blah blah blah in between – plus the hard times. Fortunately we can all relate, because it’s simply how life IS.
I refuse to let this drag out on me though. π
I have been staying true to low carbs this entire challenge. The scale has been up and down two lbs since end of August. It’s frustrating as I am trying to break into the 150’s so desperately. However, I am feeling great…inches are coming off. We were hunting last week in the mountains, and I hiked up them all five days, lots of altitude and steps….couldn’t have done that last yr with the 45 lbs extra I had then and I’m 67…so hooray. Thanks for leading this group.
Wow, that’s a great NSV (non scale victory) in itself, Betty! π I’m loving my increased stamina and strength as well – regardless of what the scale says. Feeling GOOD is worth SO much!
I’ve been through very long spells of very little weight loss or just fluctuations. I’ve lost 4.8 pounds I think in almost 90 days lol. But at least I’m not gaining! π And like you, I feel better than I have in years.
How are you tracking, by the way? Are you doing 20 net carbs max and 70% fat minimum?
So, so, so happy to hear you’re feeling better. I hope things only continue to improve for you. I love the idea of the “Happy List”, I will be stealing that idea. Also if you have a Costco nearby you can buy the Parmesan Whips there. I don’t remember the cost but it’s a big ole bag. Keep smiling…..
Thank you, Melissa. π The “happy list” is such a great idea. It’s about being proactive, creating positive change – instead of just getting stuck in the moment or the emotions. I have a great planner I’m using too – I should share that with all of you!
The nearest Costco is a 2 hour round trip for me, totally out of the way unless I’m going there anyway, but I just order them online: http://www.travelinglowcarb.com/cello π
I’m so glad to hear you’re feeling better. I just wanted to let you know that Even when you felt “low” you were still an inspiration to many people. You rock!
Thank you so much, Yolanda – that made me smile this morning. π
As tough as it is sometimes, I think it’s good to talk about the highs AND the lows as we all go through this challenge together of becoming the happiest, healthiest version of ourselves. There’s so much more to it than just “dieting” π
I’m glad I shared what’s going on, because the support and encouragement has really helped… and so many people reached out going through similar things. We’re all in this together, and I hope how I deal with it and how I get through it will prove helpful to others. Because life can be just plain tough sometimes. π lol *cheers*
I really do thank you for sharing your personal battle.
I know it has to be hard but it does help so many people.
Thank you so much, Jeannine. π *hugs*
All of a sudden I’ve fallen….2 days in a row of bad evening choices. Do great all day but I’ve went to an unhealthy option of drinking my darkness away the last few nights and that has to stop immediately. Because that Amy doesn’t care if she’s eating 4000 calories and 50 carbs anymore. I have to fight through this…thanks for the inspiration. I can’t let myself be a victim to myself anymore.
I’ve so been there, Amy. And you’re right – being a victim to yourself on top of a victim of other people’s choices and life’s twists and turns is just too much. Knowing people are unpredictable, and so is life, it’s SO nice to have at least ONE thing you can control – something positive that you have the power over (yourself, your health, your goals). On days when everything else is spinning, that really helps me stay centered… in what matters.
The best thing I’ve found is to just STOP, forgive myself, and move forward. Get back in the driver’s seat of my own life. Otherwise you just end up the passenger in everyone else’s…
It’s a new day, and a beautiful one. π
Of course if I thought wine, rum (for me! lol), or donuts would FIX anything – I’d have some and say carry on! But we all know it doesn’t, and just makes the hole deeper… Screw that. I’m ready to feel better! π *cheers*
Lynn, yes you are correct I have little ones and I can’t help snacking with them I did so good in July and August and just have fallen off. Then there is me being lazy and not tracking my food.
I know things haven’t been so good for you however even in your darkest days you are helping us in ours. I hope we can be that help you for.
I find tracking really helps. It holds me accountable. I actually track my meals or any food/snack BEFORE I eat it. That gives me a moment to decide if I want to back out (lol, which I’ve done plenty of times!). It has put me in a more mindful eating mindset, and has been a great habit for me.
Hey there! I love your blog. I’m 3 months in keto and loving it so far and I’m making this a lifestyle change not just a diet. I noticed that your daily calories are higher than your goal. Do you do this mainly because you are on the maintenance phase?
Hi LeighAnne,
I didn’t set that goal, and I actually ignore the goals and all the other numbers set by MyFitnessPal. I keep it super simple: 20 net carbs max, 70% fat minimum. Fortunately with a ketogenic low carb diet, you don’t have to count calories. π
Oh – and I’m not in maintenance. I’m still losing. π
I get a lot of info on reddit and I’ve read where you should do a 20% deficit on calories. But I must say, I like your theory better!
You don’t have to do a calorie deficit on a ketogenic low carb diet, because there’s a science to the way it works – by putting your body into ketosis and burning fat for fuel instead of carbs/sugar. π
Obviously it’s working for me! π
This question is old as the hills… ive got mfp set up ,…except how do I add the fiber column??
Hi Traci π
Go to: Food -> Settings
Add Fiber to your list of nutrients to track. Make sure you at least have carbs, fiber, fat and protein selected.
Here’s the instructions: http://www.travelinglowcarb.com/4448/myfitnesspal-hack/
Hi, Lynn. Thanks for the veggie recipe. I’ve just started with low carb living, and one of the challenges I’m finding is getting enough veggies.
I’ve also started using the Fitness Pal, and I see that you have a column for net carbs, but I don’t see that on mine. I was assuming it is a paid feature, but you’ve said in your post that you use the free version of FP, so I’m wondering how I might set the column up.
Hi Nancie π
This is how I have it set up : http://www.travelinglowcarb.com/4448/myfitnesspal-hack/ and yes, it’s all free!
Welcome to the group!:)
Well I fell off the wagon for a few weeks. I gained 3 pounds, but feel flabbier than that because I probably lost muscle. this post helps me get me going again. thanks. love the recipe. I still use chicken broth to cook veggies, delish.
I love the chicken broth & alfredo sauce mixed together for a nice broth. π So glad you love the EASY recipes & meal ideas!
I’ve been off track like that before too. Nothing feels better than getting back on, and getting back in control. π Kudos & welcome back!! π
I want to thank you as well for the veggie recipe. I bought quite a few of the Cello Cheese Wisps and now I have another use for them besides movie snacks. I don’t get all my veggies in like I should and this has really helped. Thanks again and keep up the good work.
I’m so glad, Ceci! That was really delicious as a casserole or veggie topping. π I’ll be using that again myself for sure. π
When I checked the carbs in Daisy brand cottage cheese it says 110 calories per half cup and 4 carbs per half cup. Those numbers are different that what you have logged in.
What am I missing here? Joanne
Oops! Think I understand. You only eat 1/4 cup of cottage cheese.
Joanne
Right, Joanne – I enter it that way, but it doesn’t reflect that on the left for some reason. But yes, the macros are for 1/4 cup of cottage cheese. π