I’m really struggling this week. I was in a pissy mood this morning too. It’s just a mind thing I know, because everything is going great. Really, it is.
I’ve been super busy, yes – but it’s all good stuff. I’m getting A LOT done, especially around the house. Next up is the kitchen, by the way! That’ll be fun. 🙂
I came really close to having a “Screw It!” day today. I had to reel myself back in, which is what I do – stop, realize I’m going out on the boat this weekend, and going on a trip in a few weeks, and I do NOT want to gain weight right now. NO.
Speaking of, I *have* gained a few pounds back over the last couple of weeks, which really sucks. Maybe that’s playing into my mood. Probably so. It’s common, because I hear a lot of people struggling with the same thing, or “throwing in the towel” when things aren’t going amazingly well (life stress, scales aren’t moving, etc).
Unfortunately I gain weight super easy ever since they knocked me out and stole my uterus. A hysterectomy is no joke. 😛 I literally gain 4 pounds a week steadily just eating “normal healthy” (lean, low calorie, real food even – like grilled chicken, salads, baked potatoes, fruit, etc). I have to eat super clean, super low carb, and get plenty of healthy fats in my diet just to lose slowly – or even maintain my weight.
Everyone has their struggles I guess, whether it’s mental or physical.
Or both. 😛 Rah!
Anyway, I’m struggling this week I think because I have “crutch foods” in the house. Those really throw me off. Even though the Atkins bars don’t stall my weight loss like they do some people, I find it’s VERY easy to go over my carb limit or throw off my macro ratios eating those. Plus it’s a bad habit for me – reaching for “a candy bar” instead of sticking to “real food”.
I’m out of pecans. That’s the REAL problem here. lol. I love my pecans… LOL.
There’s another issue too. And I’m just talking out loud here because – well, first because it really helps me to talk it out 🙂 – but also because I think some of you may be able to relate. Anyway, I am noticing that I tend to sabotage myself when I get closer to my goal weight. I don’t think I realized this until very recently. It’s easy to rationalize your own weird behavior without accepting the truth. It pays to examine the REAL reason behind your decisions. That’s the only way to FIX the problem.
It’s a weird thing. I was super close to my goal weight and super pumped about getting focused on toning up – then BAM! I order a whole box of “crutch foods” and eat a few off-plan foods here and there. WTF?! Just being aware of this type of thing is the first step. That gives you a feeling of “control” over the issue, which is the key: self-control, and being mindful of your choices – and your reasons for those choices.
Enough rambling for today. Here’s what I ate yesterday…
Thursday’s Low Carb Meals & Macros
For breakfast I had my leftovers from Tuesday night. It was Ribeye Steak and steamed veggies – mostly squash.
For lunch I ate two Atkins bars. 😐 I didn’t feel like eating. I didn’t even feel like eating my breakfast. It was a weird day – zero appetite. Just blah. This was mindless eating just to get through the day. At least it was low carb mindless eating. 😛
Dinner was a struggle too. I couldn’t think of anything I wanted – at all. And I did NOT feel like cooking, even the simplest thing. I ended up getting low carb take-out from Captain D’s (a fast food seafood place). I got the grilled whitefish & grilled shrimp with double green beans. I ordered an extra shrimp skewer, and asked “no rice and no breadstick, please”:
I had 1 1/2 packets of their tartar sauce with it, which added some flavor and fat – and no carbs. Here’s how my diary & macros worked out for the day:
As you can see, my macro ratios worked out well yesterday – despite the crappy lunch. And I did get 8 full glasses of water in, which is great (for me, lol).
The Atkins Bars are fine, by the way. The Peanut Butter Granola is my personal favorite – and like I said, those don’t stall my weight loss. It’s just that I prefer “real food” – and feel better AND lose weight faster eating real food.
Your turn! What were your meals & macros for yesterday? 🙂
I’d love to hear any struggles you’re having with your health & weight loss goals too. Talking it out really does help, so leave a comment below and let’s chat!
Best,
Lynn Terry,
aka @LowCarbTraveler
p.s. I have more FUN videos coming. 🙂 Subscribe at YouTube so you don’t miss any!
I’m sooo sorry you’re struggling right now, but glad you’re self aware enough to recognize the problems and intentional sabotage. I can’t help but get discouraged, though, that you’ve gained weight. I see your food entries (calories/carbs/fiber/fat/macros) and it just makes me think that if you can’t make it work with as little eating as you do, where’s the hope for me? You’ve been at this four years and I’m still new. I know we all have our struggles and we all mess up – but I don’t see any ‘mess ups’ in your food journals. Your macros are near perfect. Hope I’m not being a Debbie Downer, but I’m approaching menopause and need to be successful. This WOE seems perfect for me … but does it work? π
Oh no Gabrielle – let me clarify, because I certainly don’t want to mislead you! Eating a low carb ketogenic diet is the ONLY thing that works for me. π
I’ve only gained a few pounds, and every single ounce of those few pounds was entirely my fault. I ate off-plan a few times over the last few weeks. For a couple of days between challenges (a “let my hair down” total-life-break) – and then there were a few off-plan foods here and there that I did not share.
I don’t share those details because it can really tank someone who is fighting cravings. But one weekend (weekend before last, I think?) I had a full on cheeseburger. And then one night last weekend I sat down and ate half a pint of ice cream.
Why? Self-sabotage I think, like I mentioned in my post. Each choice was intentional – not a mindless binge or anything. I got super close to my goal weight after our July 3IMAX challenge… and I think it freaked me out a bit. What am I afraid of?? Good question! (lol)
So please don’t be discouraged. All of my food journals published here are completely honest, but I don’t publish them every single day – and especially not on my “off days”.
My journey here is just as real as everyone elses, including yours. I’m human. I want to be in great health and great shape, and 97% of the time… I’m on target with that goal! π *cheers*
p.s. I’m doing some serious self-examination on these issues, because I know I’m not alone. I hear the same problems & thought processes from a lot of people in our group.
I’m hoping that in solving my own mindset meltdowns (lol) that I will be able to better help others going through the same thing. π
p.p.s. I’m probably “crabby” today because I knocked myself out of ketosis – and irritability is one of my worst symptoms of the keto flu. π haha DESERVED. lol…
I read your post earlier today and it inspired me and opened my eyes to some of the pitfalls of “crutch foods” and/or low carb desserts, so I wrote a Letter to Lynn on my blog. If you get a chance swing by and give it a read.
I didn’t mention in my post but even after a hysterectomy and/or menopause I think we women still have those blah days we used to have when we would get our “time of the month”, at least I know I do!
I read your letter post, Alicia – and it totally made my day. In an uplifting happy-tears kinda way. π Thank you!!
And yes, I still have “cycles”. Actually, men have hormonal cycles as well. But like I mentioned in my comment above, I’m most likely irritable because I am going back through the dreaded keto flu. π I so know better, lol – Rah!
p.s. I think you’re right about the “crutch foods” affecting the way I FEEL. I’m so used to only eating “real food” – and often even “mono meals” or super simple combinations of foods. Bingo!
Exactly! I think that is why I felt sluggish today to. I hadn’t drank diet soda in over a month, just water and coffee. But live and learn, there’s always tomorrow π
Great post….I love that you are so “real” and take the time to share so much with everyone. Today I was just craving salt…so had my quarter cup of walnuts and added some sea salt to them. I used to not like walnuts, but embraced them because YOU said they were the best healthy nut to eat. And they do fill me up. Question – tartar sauce at Captain D’s is showing 150g of fat on your macros…hmmmmmm?? I was checking out Quest bars at the health food store today, but passed on them…I think I’m like you..if they are in my house, they would all be gone in a flash. Instead I’ll make the low carb peanut butter fudge for those moments when I just want to splurge (I calculated and each one I make will have 3 carbs. Oh…I was in the health food store to see what they recommended for calf cramps…I hate pills; not a huge fan of avocado, so wound up getting an electrolyte concentrate and will add a tsp to my water to see if it helps….Enjoy your boat time this weekend…..I think I’ll splurge with a Michelob Ultra this weekend – no more than two…
Hi Joni,
You know what… that entry may be wrong. π Hmm. Normally I double check those entries by the nutrition facts on their website (here are theirs: http://www.captainds.com/uploaded/Nutritional%20Information%20for%20Captain%20D%27s%20August%202014.pdf ) but I didn’t do that. Thanks for the heads up!
Yes, pecans and walnuts are the lowest carb / highest fat of all the nuts – so definitely good choices. I love the pecans. π
You mentioned craving salt and having leg cramps – both of those are a sign of either 1) drinking too much water, or 2) induction flu (or keto flu). Are you drinking too much water??
The quick solution is chicken broth. π Just a good old can of Campbells’ chicken broth (like you cook with) – heat it up (make it by directions) and drink it out of a mug. It replaces the lost sodium and electrolytes, and is the quickest / healthiest solution to both of those problems.
Maybe I am not seeing straight, but the Net Carb total shows 22. But 9+6+6=21
I noticed that too, LM – and I’m trying to remember when I saw it change, because I did notice it when it happened. I think it was a .6 on something – so it looked like a zero or one less in the entry, but totaled up with the number rounded up or something. ?
Just curious about why the Atkins bars would be o’k and I recall you saying that you really couldn’t lose weight on the Quest ones?
Hi Gayle,
I actually prefer Quest Bars both for quality of ingredients AND for flavor, but I can only eat those in maintenance mode. They do tend to stall my weight loss for some crazy reason – but the Atkins bars do not. Odd!
Anyway, I don’t think the Atkins Bars (or any processed products) are “okay” – for me personally. I think they’re causing me problems – cravings, tummy issues, bad eating habits, etc.
I am on my second week. I have always used flavored creamer but this time around I am going with only half n half in my coffee. My biggest issue is weighing myself. I get so discouraged when I weigh every day so this time around I am trying to only weigh once a week. It’s hard…
Hi Mary Beth π
Have you tried Heavy Whipping Cream (HWC)? I ask because half & half really adds up on me carb-wise. But then… I drink A LOT of coffee, lol.
I do weigh myself every morning, but on the days I don’t lose – it just motivates me to work that much harder. π Your weight loss won’t be consistent, by the way. Usually the 2nd or 3rd week you’ll notice a “hold” or even slight fluctuations on the scales. That’s totally normal – it’s your body adjusting to the initial weight loss.
You know, I think its good that you too have “OFF” days. If you were perfect all the time then it would seem fake. You are very real & I think that is why most people can relate to you & this way of eating. I personally have loved reading your food diaries & all the normal stuff you go through just like me. I have been doing the Low Carb thing on & off for about 2 years. I have lost a total of about 75 lbs and have gained back about 20. I working on getting those off & more. I find if helps if I get excited about new food ideas & recipes to keep me going. Your site has helped with that tremendously! Keep doing what you do & we can all win this fight together.
I agree, Tonya. Perfect IS fake. There’s no such thing. π This is real life! Thank you for your kind words, too. I so enjoy sharing this journey, and having these fun open discussions on all the things that come up along the way! *cheers*
I’m with you!!!!! I have a secret… I am planning an off day. I have been struggling so much. My son’s doritos and my husband’s potato chips. AHHHHH. So I decided my sons birthday I am going off plan. I have not had anything off plan since 3/17. Honestly I won’t go back on for a little bit (we are visiting relatives), but I plan to get back to it. I am not too far from goal so it could be the self sabotage. I feel good though. You are awesome. I could not have done this without you. Thank you so much!!!
I’m glad, Amy π Feeling good is the KEY to life!! Have a great celebration and fun family time! You’ll know when it’s time to get back on track so just go with your “gut” on it π lol. *cheers*