We kicked off the new low carb mini-challenge yesterday, an 18-day push to focus on our health goals through the end of the year, so this is my Day One diary of foods & exercise.
You can still join us if you haven’t yet!
I had 4 meals, and a pretty high calorie day. I did good at avoiding cravings, but I confess that definitely took some willpower – lol. I am DETERMINED though. I would love to see a serious difference in myself as we end this year!
I’ve gotten in a bad habit lately of going on and off plan, or just getting comfortable at my usual average weight. I’ve been close to my goal weight for awhile now, but for some crazy reason I seem to be avoiding it…
Maybe because I know I can always go right back on plan and lose it again. Maybe because I’m a little unsure what to do with myself “at my goal weight” – after spending years “living that goal”. I don’t know. What I do know is that I’m ready to get SERIOUS about working out and toning, and to get in amazing shape!
Monday’s Low Carb Food Diary
I ate almost half my carbs for the day at breakfast, but it was my usual favorite – and a very healthy meal. I had 1/2 cup Daisy Brand cottage cheese with 3 diced strawberries and 3 plump blackberries.
This time of year I have to use frozen berries, so I get the store brand. They aren’t expensive, and they only have ONE ingredient: the berries. 🙂
They’re surprisingly good, plus I don’t have to worry about them going bad before I can use them all – which is nice. I just take out what I want to use and put them on a saucer on the counter, and they thaw at room temperature pretty quick.
I actually find them easier to slice while they’re still slightly frozen, plus they finish thawing even quicker that way.
For lunch I cooked half a tube of Tennessee Pride sausage (5 pieces) and had half of that with two fried eggs. I saved the rest of the sausage, and had that for dinner – with three fried eggs. So lunch and dinner were a total of only 2 carbs!
I was a little hungry before I went to bed, so I ate one of my homemade Low Carb Peanut Butter Pecan Bars. The picture below is two servings (I made them large), so I just cut one in half and had that (3 net carbs). Delicious!
I had 7 cups of coffee yesterday (1 carb per mug), plus 24 ounces of water.
Here’s my entire MyFitnessPal Diary for yesterday:
Net Carbs: 22
Total Carbs: 33
Calories: 2139
Protein: 102 grams
Macro Ratios: 81% Fat, 15% Protein
Water: 24 ounces
Current Weight: 153.6
I started the challenge yesterday at 155 pounds. I had plumped up to 158 after eating off plan a few days last week, so I got a head start on the challenge and ate healthy over the weekend. I’m on a GREAT losing streak lately, so I’m glad we’re doing this 18-day year-end challenge… because I’m tired of my weight bouncing around, and having to lose the same 5-7 pounds over and over again!
My own goal as part of this challenge is to work out every single day of the 18 days. At 10pm last night I still had NOT done a workout. Ugh. I had to force myself to get up and get it in. 😛 I found one on YouTube to do and it KILLED my legs – in a good way. 🙂 Short but fun! Here it is:
I think I’m going to try this workout video next. LOL – I don’t think my back could handle it 😛 but it does look fun to try!
How are things going with you? Are you participating in the challenge, and if so – how did your Day One go?
Best,
Lynn Terry,
aka @LowCarbTraveler
p.s. Join us for the low carb challenge if you haven’t already. Make sure you’re signed up by email to get official challenge updates. Let’s end this year leaner, stronger & happier – together! 🙂 *cheers*
Day 2. Stuck to it yesterday – hooray! Food choices good, and that is especially good since I am visiting family now. Even managed to get in a 1.5 mile walk. Wanted to walk more but maybe pushing a stroller helped make up the difference. lol. Only lost .2/10 lbs but losing anything is a victory. Everyone have a great and successful day!
Great start, Barbara! π I agree, it’s really impressive given you’re visiting with family, as that can be really tough sometimes. Way to go!!
Thanks for sharing! ! I love how you spell out everything!
Thank you, Andrea! I tend to eat super simple for the most part, but hopefully that gives everyone ideas of easy low carb foods – or to help make it less complicated. π I find that the simpler I eat, the less ingredients and complicated recipes, the faster I lose weight.
I can’t get the 15day recipes u shared & have trouble with carb draft in My fitness pal
Hi BobbiJean,
What kind of trouble are you having? Did you watch this video tutorial: http://www.travelinglowcarb.com/6938/food-tracker-net-carb-calculator/ ?
Here is the 15-day journal you were asking about: http://www.travelinglowcarb.com/tag/3imax/
But you can find ALL of my low carb diaries here: http://www.travelinglowcarb.com/category/low-carb-daily-journals/ π
Thanks for the challenge…i too have been in a position of 30 lbs to goal. I am in a relationship where he eats things i dont..yes i am teaching him how to eat & snack with low carb things π
Anyway a bite here & there has ended up being 5 lbs gained in a short period of time. The scale shocked me so ..i actually got back on track sunday instead of monday. Weighing in at 169 instead of 162. Will just keep pushing through.
Also went to the gym last night!!
Stay strong & persevere!
Way to go, Traci! I know firsthand how tough it can be to eat with people who are NOT eating low carb. It’s too easy to let the foods creep in and the pounds back on. π Kudos on getting to the gym, too. You’re doing great! *cheers*
I am in the same boat ive lost 40lbs but need to lose 15 more for goal, i have been on and off also because i stay the same weight, but i know its not good for me so im doing it right and keeping it up, thanks for the inspiration
I’m glad I’m not alone, Sherri. I’m not even sure what my “goal weight” is at this point since I am wanting to lose fat but also gain muscle at the same time. It’ll be interesting to find out!
I know the last time I felt really great was around 145-148 I think. I don’t have any desire to be “stick skinny” at my age (I’ll be 43 in June) but I do want to be in the best shape & health that I can possibly be. π Here’s to finally reaching our goal! *cheers*
Really love the MFP hack. The pie charts make the percentage much easier to visualize. Thanks for sharing that!! I noticed that although you set your percentages to 70/25/5, some of the days you have shown have a higher percentage of fat. Since I have never tracked like this before, I was wondering if 70% fat is just the minimum you want to get? More is better? Thanks for your blog and facebook page! They are helping me stay on track. π
Thank you Aleah. π Yes, I shoot for 20 net carbs max, and 70% fat minimum. Ever since my hysterectomy I find that the higher my healthy fats – the better I lose. For me it has to be very simple real foods and healthy fats though, like: avocado, pecans, salmon, etc.
Thanks!
So day 1 so far so good! I’ve lost 74lbs over all but currently I’m plateau so I really hope this challenges gets me out of it. Thank you! I hope to accomplish my goal!
Great, Lupe! π Congrats on losing 74 pounds – that is AWESOME! Way to go!! You’ll notice I eat super simple. I find that breaks a stall every single time. I did a “3IMAX” challenge awhile back and the majority of us ALL broke our stall doing that! Here’s the post about it: http://www.travelinglowcarb.com/6064/3-ingredients-rule/