Yeah...I know. It's my decision. Most of my problem has been my head is not in the space of "wanting" to be healthy right now. I actually am coming close to no longer enjoying the crap-laden days of late. The rest of the problem is my lack of preparedness...so I'm going to the store tonight, gonna stock up on veggies and get my butt back in gear...sometime in the next couple days anyway.
Ugh...I hate the struggle between good and evil.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Thursday, June 25, 2009
There is no such thing as "Low Carb-ish"
I've always known that you can't just "kinda" do low carb. When I learned of Atkins back in 1997, I read the book cover to cover...it was so OBVIOUS in there that you can't "sorta" do low carb, it's all or nothing, but so many people try and fail and then blame the diet. It makes me crazy!
I found this great article that explains why it's all or nothing: http://www.proteinpower.com/drmike/low-carb-diets/we-never-failed-to-fail/
It makes me cringe when people either attempt to eat low carb without actually learning about it first, or worse yet...as my previous post today alludes...totally miss the point and demean the diet because they are not educated about the matter.
I have a great friend at work that always half-assed the plan. She would come in with her “Atkins” lunch, then go home and eat whatever she wanted. It was far too “restrictive” for her otherwise. If only she had given the plan a chance...you learn that that feeling of restriction goes away...especially when the pounds are melting and you are no longer popping Tums like candy!
I can’t claim to be perfect...If I were, I wouldn’t be on it AGAIN after having such success 12 years ago. I also wouldn’t be on induction right now after a “2 week hiatus” through the deep south. I understand that it only works if you do it right, and I accept full responsibility for every decision I make about what goes into my bloodstream, but I’m proud of the fact that I’m at least educated enough about “low carb” to make those decisions consciously and accept any consequences that will come.
I found this great article that explains why it's all or nothing: http://www.proteinpower.com/drmike/low-carb-diets/we-never-failed-to-fail/
It makes me cringe when people either attempt to eat low carb without actually learning about it first, or worse yet...as my previous post today alludes...totally miss the point and demean the diet because they are not educated about the matter.
I have a great friend at work that always half-assed the plan. She would come in with her “Atkins” lunch, then go home and eat whatever she wanted. It was far too “restrictive” for her otherwise. If only she had given the plan a chance...you learn that that feeling of restriction goes away...especially when the pounds are melting and you are no longer popping Tums like candy!
I can’t claim to be perfect...If I were, I wouldn’t be on it AGAIN after having such success 12 years ago. I also wouldn’t be on induction right now after a “2 week hiatus” through the deep south. I understand that it only works if you do it right, and I accept full responsibility for every decision I make about what goes into my bloodstream, but I’m proud of the fact that I’m at least educated enough about “low carb” to make those decisions consciously and accept any consequences that will come.
LC v2.0 Day 5
Well I had my first session with the replacement trainer at the gym last night, and I'm NOT HAPPY. Let me just START by complaining about the way she claps her hands and says "yayyyyy" like a preschool teacher after I do a set...of anything! OMG...so freakin annoying. But what's worse is that she thinks she is going to change my diet...after I tried to explain to her that I'm happy with my diet, I know it works, I've done my research and I'm not interested in her input, she still insisted on trying to do things "her way"...which includes oatmeal and wild rice, no pork products, "lean meats", lower fat...blah blah blah....I'm NOT going to do it. I'm paying for training, I'm not interested in her diet advice...I want someone work me through an intense workout, period! She wants me to keep a "diet diary" for three days, to include portions, calories, times eaten, etc...she'll keel over and have a heart attack when she sees I had 3 pieces of bacon for breakfast, snacks of salami and celery with cream cheese, lunches of chicken Caesar salad with parmesan, dinner of broccoli and ground beef in a white sauce with cheesecake for desert...omg...seriously, she will have a coronary...in a cute and bubbly way to be sure. *eye roll*...no...this relationship is NOT going to work.
I tried explaining to her that I can EVENTUALLY include whole grains into my diet, but I’m not at that part of the plan yet...I will need some time. She said...”how long do you think, 2 weeks?”...um...no.
We did a half hour workout, different from the old trainers (Jenn) style. Jenn REALLY focused on core with every lift...so a lot of work done on the stability ball...when I do resistance training on the stability ball, I FEEL my oblique’s taking the pressure. This one does not work the same way...and I'll tell you, I felt the difference at the end of the workout. We didn't even TOUCH my core on any exercise! I can do a better workout on my own now that I have some of the lessons Jenn taught me...so I think I will just stop paying the money and do it myself. Sunday after learning she wasn't with the gym anymore, I did a workout like one she had done with me in the past...so I know I can do it, just am disappointed that I won't have her knowledge to build it out more fully in the future. :(
One other thing Ms. Sesame Street could stand to learn a lesson on...she actually encourages people to lie to her. For example...one of the initiating questions they ask is on a scale of 1-10, how committed to your fitness goals are you. When I worked with Jenn, I said 7...that's the reality for me. It's not a 10...will never be a 10. As an example, if I was that committed, wouldn't I have worked out while on vacation? Guess what...I didn't. I walked a lot...don't get me wrong...but I didn't visit the gyms at the hotels and do any lifts. 7 is real for me. I'm interested....interested enough to put some effort into it, but it's not my life right now...that's not where my head is at. Ms. SS says "Well if it's not a 10 you will never be successful"...well...do you want me to lie to you and say it's a 10? Fine...it's a 10...there...happy? And guess what, maybe when I turn my diet diary into you, I'll say I had 1 serving of oatmeal with blueberries for breakfast, and lunch of a salad with a piece of whole wheat toast, no butter, no dressing, and dinner of steamed fish and asparagus with a side of wild rice. I can lie to you...keep you off my back...sure would make my life easier!
I know she is doing her job the way she was trained...but it’s just not what I was looking for in a trainer. She’s the same cookie cutter trainer I’ve always found at these places. Next she’ll be pushing supplements and protein shakes to really bulk up the muscles. UGH...
Ok...End Rant
I am spontaneously leaving town AGAIN this weekend, driving six hours to go to “Hoopfest”. I’m anticipating ton’s of hot guys in basketball gear...or even better, just shorts showing off some six pack abs. *drool*...supposed to be 80 degrees with no humidity, no clouds. Food might be a challenge, but we’ll see how it is once I get there. It’s in a major city...surely I can find a grocery store. This is a last minute thing that came up last night...leaving with my friend Derrick at 2am Saturday morning. I’m excited...should be a fun weekend!
I tried explaining to her that I can EVENTUALLY include whole grains into my diet, but I’m not at that part of the plan yet...I will need some time. She said...”how long do you think, 2 weeks?”...um...no.
We did a half hour workout, different from the old trainers (Jenn) style. Jenn REALLY focused on core with every lift...so a lot of work done on the stability ball...when I do resistance training on the stability ball, I FEEL my oblique’s taking the pressure. This one does not work the same way...and I'll tell you, I felt the difference at the end of the workout. We didn't even TOUCH my core on any exercise! I can do a better workout on my own now that I have some of the lessons Jenn taught me...so I think I will just stop paying the money and do it myself. Sunday after learning she wasn't with the gym anymore, I did a workout like one she had done with me in the past...so I know I can do it, just am disappointed that I won't have her knowledge to build it out more fully in the future. :(
One other thing Ms. Sesame Street could stand to learn a lesson on...she actually encourages people to lie to her. For example...one of the initiating questions they ask is on a scale of 1-10, how committed to your fitness goals are you. When I worked with Jenn, I said 7...that's the reality for me. It's not a 10...will never be a 10. As an example, if I was that committed, wouldn't I have worked out while on vacation? Guess what...I didn't. I walked a lot...don't get me wrong...but I didn't visit the gyms at the hotels and do any lifts. 7 is real for me. I'm interested....interested enough to put some effort into it, but it's not my life right now...that's not where my head is at. Ms. SS says "Well if it's not a 10 you will never be successful"...well...do you want me to lie to you and say it's a 10? Fine...it's a 10...there...happy? And guess what, maybe when I turn my diet diary into you, I'll say I had 1 serving of oatmeal with blueberries for breakfast, and lunch of a salad with a piece of whole wheat toast, no butter, no dressing, and dinner of steamed fish and asparagus with a side of wild rice. I can lie to you...keep you off my back...sure would make my life easier!
I know she is doing her job the way she was trained...but it’s just not what I was looking for in a trainer. She’s the same cookie cutter trainer I’ve always found at these places. Next she’ll be pushing supplements and protein shakes to really bulk up the muscles. UGH...
Ok...End Rant
I am spontaneously leaving town AGAIN this weekend, driving six hours to go to “Hoopfest”. I’m anticipating ton’s of hot guys in basketball gear...or even better, just shorts showing off some six pack abs. *drool*...supposed to be 80 degrees with no humidity, no clouds. Food might be a challenge, but we’ll see how it is once I get there. It’s in a major city...surely I can find a grocery store. This is a last minute thing that came up last night...leaving with my friend Derrick at 2am Saturday morning. I’m excited...should be a fun weekend!
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
LC v2.0 Day 4
I got home last night and made that steak...and HATED it...blech! The marinade was just not good. I really need help in the steak area...or need a man in my life who can do it for me, cuz I suck at steak if I can't marinate it in Yoshida's gourmet sauce and garlic (the only way I like it really)...which I can't...cuz of the carbs :( So I grabbed a hot dog and ate that instead. I was full enough...just disappointed that I wasted the steak. Maybe I should add that to my personals profile...”must be able to grill a great steak”...LMAO
Today I've had two sausage patties, one egg and a slice of cheese for breakfast. My lunch sack contains bacon, salami, caesar salad fixins sans chicken (hoping to grab some from the company cafe), celery and laughing cow cheese and of course...cheesecake...how would I live without my cheesecake? Dinner is either going to be taco salad (cuz it's quick and easy and nummy) or ground beef and broccoli casserole...which takes longer but is so flippin delicious it could be worth the wait. We’ll see what happens. Problem is that I have to be at the gym by 8pm for my training session with the new “bubbly one”....it’s probably going to be taco salad. LOL Dinner always turns out to be whatever I feel like making when I get home.
This is probably why it’s a darn good thing I live alone and don’t have “temptations” in my kitchen...or dinner would be my downfall! At least when I get home, my options are pretty much limited to low carb deliciousness anyway.
Today I've had two sausage patties, one egg and a slice of cheese for breakfast. My lunch sack contains bacon, salami, caesar salad fixins sans chicken (hoping to grab some from the company cafe), celery and laughing cow cheese and of course...cheesecake...how would I live without my cheesecake? Dinner is either going to be taco salad (cuz it's quick and easy and nummy) or ground beef and broccoli casserole...which takes longer but is so flippin delicious it could be worth the wait. We’ll see what happens. Problem is that I have to be at the gym by 8pm for my training session with the new “bubbly one”....it’s probably going to be taco salad. LOL Dinner always turns out to be whatever I feel like making when I get home.
This is probably why it’s a darn good thing I live alone and don’t have “temptations” in my kitchen...or dinner would be my downfall! At least when I get home, my options are pretty much limited to low carb deliciousness anyway.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
LC v2.0 Day 3
I'm day 3 back on induction...was in ketosis but good before dinner last night...dinner might have been a TAD carb heavy cuz the stick is lighter, but still in the pink ;) Dinner turned out to not be steak...that will be tonight now I guess. Instead I went for my old "mockaroni and cheese" standby...oh how I missed it. So quick and yummy...but I think the hot dog I used might have been too high for my own good. Usually I use those 1g Hebrew Nationals, but this one was 4grams....then there was the cauliflower and the cheese...just might have been a bit too much overall. I don't care...I'm still down, still in the pink and still doing well.
Today’s food plan is 3 pieces of bacon for breakfast, chicken Caesar again for lunch (cuz I accidently left my lunch box with all the fixins in the fridge at the office), cheesecake, salami for snack, steak for dinner...with a side of broccoli and cream sauce. Mmmmm....my mouth is watering.
I didn't mention yesterday that I found out on Sunday the trainer I had been working with and ADORED at the gym somehow left (fired? quit? not sure) while I was in GA...I'm soooooo disappointed!! I have an appointment with a new trainer for Wednesday night...we'll see...she sounds too "cutesy" on the phone. I need a drill sergeant type!
Today is my baby sister’s birthday. 33 years ago she was born 3 months early, weighing in at 1lb, 14 oz....which in 1976, they didn't have a whole lot of hope for her surviving...and if she did they said she would have a whole host of problems. She thrived and went on to be completely normal...well...I've always joked over the years that her only problem is that she's an annoying little sister...but really, I love her to death and am so glad she decided to stick around this crazy world.
Today’s food plan is 3 pieces of bacon for breakfast, chicken Caesar again for lunch (cuz I accidently left my lunch box with all the fixins in the fridge at the office), cheesecake, salami for snack, steak for dinner...with a side of broccoli and cream sauce. Mmmmm....my mouth is watering.
I didn't mention yesterday that I found out on Sunday the trainer I had been working with and ADORED at the gym somehow left (fired? quit? not sure) while I was in GA...I'm soooooo disappointed!! I have an appointment with a new trainer for Wednesday night...we'll see...she sounds too "cutesy" on the phone. I need a drill sergeant type!
Today is my baby sister’s birthday. 33 years ago she was born 3 months early, weighing in at 1lb, 14 oz....which in 1976, they didn't have a whole lot of hope for her surviving...and if she did they said she would have a whole host of problems. She thrived and went on to be completely normal...well...I've always joked over the years that her only problem is that she's an annoying little sister...but really, I love her to death and am so glad she decided to stick around this crazy world.
Monday, June 22, 2009
LC v2.0 Day 2 - Have I seriously not posted in the month of June???
I'M HERE! I'M HERE! I'M HERE!
I've spent the last couple of weeks on vacation....mentally, physically, nutritionally....
But...I'm back, started induction yesterday. My current weight is 271.2...so I'm above my low, but it's not at all horrible. That is not, by the way, water weight...because I spent the weekend "de-swelling" my legs with lots of water pills and leg elevation.
You see...I spent the last couple of weeks in Georgia...which is HOT. And I spent much of that time walking around...which causes me to swell even in the cold...add the heat, and you get super-swelling. Then I spent 5 hours on an airplane coming home...and you get elephant ankles! I should have weighed myself before doing the "de-swelling" weekend just for kicks, but I didn't want to be mortified at the number I saw. Today's number...I likey. Not bad for two weeks of grits, and chicken fried chicken, and pecan pie and other horrible indulgences that I enjoyed thoroughly.
I loved Georgia...never thought I'd say those words, but I did. When I left Georgia 25 years ago, I left bad childhood memories and swore I never had any need to go back. Now....I could move back and be happy...it's such a strange full circle moment for me. I spent 3 days in Savannah and 3 days in Charleston, SC. Savannah I would go back to in a heart beat! So beautiful! Charleston....well...I've seen it...not sure I need to go back, but glad I went. The remainder of my time I spent in Atlanta, driving around Atlanta...getting lost in Atlanta because of my stupid GPS...I checked out my childhood home and other landmarks I remember from my first 10 years on the planet. It was somewhat emotional. I also drove around the park where my father died...I wish I had stopped to place some flowers or something...but being there was weird enough for me. I met with the woman that had taken care of his estate and she passed on some of his writings to me that she hung onto all these years...I spent 2 full days reading every piece of paper she gave me....that was surreal...confusing...enlightening...and other things.
All in all it was a fantastic trip. I truly don't know how I managed to only gain 2 pounds of fat, but I did...and I'm glad. I'm happy to be back on plan, happy to be back here on my blog...happy to still have a job for now, although it's only my first day back...that could change at any minute. Sadly, that's not a joke...but I'm ready for it when they finally decide to lay me off.
Today's food...I had sausage and 2 eggs with roughly .5 oz of cheese for breakfast, lunch will be Caesar salad and cheesecake for desert, dinner is steak and broccoli and cauliflower. It's good to be back!
I've spent the last couple of weeks on vacation....mentally, physically, nutritionally....
But...I'm back, started induction yesterday. My current weight is 271.2...so I'm above my low, but it's not at all horrible. That is not, by the way, water weight...because I spent the weekend "de-swelling" my legs with lots of water pills and leg elevation.
You see...I spent the last couple of weeks in Georgia...which is HOT. And I spent much of that time walking around...which causes me to swell even in the cold...add the heat, and you get super-swelling. Then I spent 5 hours on an airplane coming home...and you get elephant ankles! I should have weighed myself before doing the "de-swelling" weekend just for kicks, but I didn't want to be mortified at the number I saw. Today's number...I likey. Not bad for two weeks of grits, and chicken fried chicken, and pecan pie and other horrible indulgences that I enjoyed thoroughly.
I loved Georgia...never thought I'd say those words, but I did. When I left Georgia 25 years ago, I left bad childhood memories and swore I never had any need to go back. Now....I could move back and be happy...it's such a strange full circle moment for me. I spent 3 days in Savannah and 3 days in Charleston, SC. Savannah I would go back to in a heart beat! So beautiful! Charleston....well...I've seen it...not sure I need to go back, but glad I went. The remainder of my time I spent in Atlanta, driving around Atlanta...getting lost in Atlanta because of my stupid GPS...I checked out my childhood home and other landmarks I remember from my first 10 years on the planet. It was somewhat emotional. I also drove around the park where my father died...I wish I had stopped to place some flowers or something...but being there was weird enough for me. I met with the woman that had taken care of his estate and she passed on some of his writings to me that she hung onto all these years...I spent 2 full days reading every piece of paper she gave me....that was surreal...confusing...enlightening...and other things.
All in all it was a fantastic trip. I truly don't know how I managed to only gain 2 pounds of fat, but I did...and I'm glad. I'm happy to be back on plan, happy to be back here on my blog...happy to still have a job for now, although it's only my first day back...that could change at any minute. Sadly, that's not a joke...but I'm ready for it when they finally decide to lay me off.
Today's food...I had sausage and 2 eggs with roughly .5 oz of cheese for breakfast, lunch will be Caesar salad and cheesecake for desert, dinner is steak and broccoli and cauliflower. It's good to be back!
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
LC Day 86 - Post Holiday Weekend full-o-bbq's!
HOT DOG! (low carb, of course)
I got on the scale this morning and saw a 269.8 staring back at me. I'm booking it! I DON'T CARE THAT IT'S NOT MY WEIGH IN DAY!!! This is after a couple of tumultuous weeks with serious workout soreness, prescription water pill changes and some not so great food choices. Oh yeah...I'm booking it cuz I SAID SO!
I had a BBQ every single night this weekend. I had food police on my ass Saturday AND Sunday, so only a couple minor infractions that I heard about every chance they got to chastise me. Crimony! It was 10 Doritos...sheesh! 4 months ago, it would have been the whole bag! Yesterday I took a couple of nibbles of non-Atkins things at the third bbq but kept the portions so small that I feel ok with the choices. (tablespoon of baked beans, tablespoon of Spanish rice, a hot dog, about 2 oz's of chicken, salad with dressing, ONE cracker with cheese and salami...no desert...not bad!)
My keto stix are understandably lighter than usual. I don't care what anyone else says, my personal feeling is you have to find a way to fit this in your life in a way that doesn't make you feel deprived. I didn't feel deprived...I didn't feel out of control...I didn't feel ashamed. It's my body...and if I feel like eating a handful of Doritos, then I will...and if I suffer consequences, I have to deal with the fact it was a choice I made.
I’ve started my day with a hearty breakfast bowl sans potatoes from Jack in the Box today... 6 grams of carb but great in a pinch! I was starving and have nothing prepped in my kitchen because of the busy weekend. Shame on me! Dinner tonight SHOULD have been chicken cuz I have some defrosted in my fridge, but I just got asked out on a coffee date that is gonna wreck that plan. CRUD! I’ll have to think of something to cook up when I get home that I can store for leftover-lunches for the week. I pulled a bunch of miscellaneous ingredients out of the fridge for lunch...snort...we’ll see how well that works out. LOL I believe my lunch sack includes roasted turkey, sliced cheese, celery (but forgot cream cheese...nice), mayo and some salami. Maybe I'll go out for lunch. LOL
Hopefully tomorrow I’ll be more prepared for this week!
I had two AMAZING workouts this weekend. One was with my trainer...who I told I had no pain from our first workout...so she stepped it up ten notches. I think I’m in love. Sunday morning I woke up and could hardly roll over in bed...felt every freakin muscle in my abdomen. FABULOUS! Pain or not, I still went to the gym and did laps in the pool...I have no idea how long but I think 20 minutes worth...coulda been more. I can’t wait to go back. I’m extremely proud of the work I did this weekend. I’m so happy to find things that actually WORK for me! I was supposed to work out again tonight with the trainer, but forgot that I had a conflicting physical therapy appointment. My next appointment is set for Friday night! I gotta get in there between now and then and get some cardio in. I’m so pumped right now!
I got on the scale this morning and saw a 269.8 staring back at me. I'm booking it! I DON'T CARE THAT IT'S NOT MY WEIGH IN DAY!!! This is after a couple of tumultuous weeks with serious workout soreness, prescription water pill changes and some not so great food choices. Oh yeah...I'm booking it cuz I SAID SO!
I had a BBQ every single night this weekend. I had food police on my ass Saturday AND Sunday, so only a couple minor infractions that I heard about every chance they got to chastise me. Crimony! It was 10 Doritos...sheesh! 4 months ago, it would have been the whole bag! Yesterday I took a couple of nibbles of non-Atkins things at the third bbq but kept the portions so small that I feel ok with the choices. (tablespoon of baked beans, tablespoon of Spanish rice, a hot dog, about 2 oz's of chicken, salad with dressing, ONE cracker with cheese and salami...no desert...not bad!)
My keto stix are understandably lighter than usual. I don't care what anyone else says, my personal feeling is you have to find a way to fit this in your life in a way that doesn't make you feel deprived. I didn't feel deprived...I didn't feel out of control...I didn't feel ashamed. It's my body...and if I feel like eating a handful of Doritos, then I will...and if I suffer consequences, I have to deal with the fact it was a choice I made.
I’ve started my day with a hearty breakfast bowl sans potatoes from Jack in the Box today... 6 grams of carb but great in a pinch! I was starving and have nothing prepped in my kitchen because of the busy weekend. Shame on me! Dinner tonight SHOULD have been chicken cuz I have some defrosted in my fridge, but I just got asked out on a coffee date that is gonna wreck that plan. CRUD! I’ll have to think of something to cook up when I get home that I can store for leftover-lunches for the week. I pulled a bunch of miscellaneous ingredients out of the fridge for lunch...snort...we’ll see how well that works out. LOL I believe my lunch sack includes roasted turkey, sliced cheese, celery (but forgot cream cheese...nice), mayo and some salami. Maybe I'll go out for lunch. LOL
Hopefully tomorrow I’ll be more prepared for this week!
I had two AMAZING workouts this weekend. One was with my trainer...who I told I had no pain from our first workout...so she stepped it up ten notches. I think I’m in love. Sunday morning I woke up and could hardly roll over in bed...felt every freakin muscle in my abdomen. FABULOUS! Pain or not, I still went to the gym and did laps in the pool...I have no idea how long but I think 20 minutes worth...coulda been more. I can’t wait to go back. I’m extremely proud of the work I did this weekend. I’m so happy to find things that actually WORK for me! I was supposed to work out again tonight with the trainer, but forgot that I had a conflicting physical therapy appointment. My next appointment is set for Friday night! I gotta get in there between now and then and get some cardio in. I’m so pumped right now!
Thursday, May 21, 2009
LC Day 81
Doing best I can. Water pills still causing issues but today I took two of the old ones just to try to shed a little fluid...this morning I was at 275.something...blech.
I'm eating fine...ketosis is fine...I'm uncomfortable with all the excess fluid but it's not as bad as earlier in the week. I’m in less joint pain than before.
I worked out with my trainer last night and it was AWESOME. I thought I'd be sore as hell today but I'm not....not sure why, but can't wait for my next session. It was the kind of training I've always wanted but never got...kinda like a Jillian Michaels session where she pushes you to the edge, but she worked within my physical limitations. I wanted to cry at the end because I was so happy...I would never work MYSELF in the same way or as long as she did...it was perfect.
Speaking of physical limitations....yesterday was the 7th anniversary of the surgery that left me paralyzed. Not a great day for celebrating...but I've come a long way and am proud. The sad news is they say you only regain functionality in the first 7 years....I'm hoping to be the exception to that rule. LOL
Food the last few days has been fine...nothing extravagant. I did go to red robin and for the first time had a lettuce wrapped burger...DUDE...they are serious with the lettuce wrap! I was expecting a little romaine leaf wrapped around the thing...instead I swear it was ¼ head of iceberg....that was pretty good. I’d do it at home! Today it’s looking like salami for breakfast (I was in a huge hurry...busy busy work day!), turkey/bacon/cheddar and lettuce sandwiches for lunch and taco salad for dinner. I’m having a BBQ this weekend with friends, one of which I recently converted to this WOE....so we will be able to support each other. BBQ’s are easy for me since I hate potato and macaroni salad anyway.
*sigh*...wish I was melting...maybe after a day of the strong water pills I’ll see a loss....but it will only be temporary cuz I have to go back on the potassium sparing ones. We’ll see tomorrow.
I'm eating fine...ketosis is fine...I'm uncomfortable with all the excess fluid but it's not as bad as earlier in the week. I’m in less joint pain than before.
I worked out with my trainer last night and it was AWESOME. I thought I'd be sore as hell today but I'm not....not sure why, but can't wait for my next session. It was the kind of training I've always wanted but never got...kinda like a Jillian Michaels session where she pushes you to the edge, but she worked within my physical limitations. I wanted to cry at the end because I was so happy...I would never work MYSELF in the same way or as long as she did...it was perfect.
Speaking of physical limitations....yesterday was the 7th anniversary of the surgery that left me paralyzed. Not a great day for celebrating...but I've come a long way and am proud. The sad news is they say you only regain functionality in the first 7 years....I'm hoping to be the exception to that rule. LOL
Food the last few days has been fine...nothing extravagant. I did go to red robin and for the first time had a lettuce wrapped burger...DUDE...they are serious with the lettuce wrap! I was expecting a little romaine leaf wrapped around the thing...instead I swear it was ¼ head of iceberg....that was pretty good. I’d do it at home! Today it’s looking like salami for breakfast (I was in a huge hurry...busy busy work day!), turkey/bacon/cheddar and lettuce sandwiches for lunch and taco salad for dinner. I’m having a BBQ this weekend with friends, one of which I recently converted to this WOE....so we will be able to support each other. BBQ’s are easy for me since I hate potato and macaroni salad anyway.
*sigh*...wish I was melting...maybe after a day of the strong water pills I’ll see a loss....but it will only be temporary cuz I have to go back on the potassium sparing ones. We’ll see tomorrow.
Monday, May 18, 2009
LC Day 78
Back at work after a lovely weekend. Weather was fabulous...too bad I stayed inside almost the whole time.
I went in for my "personal training" on saturday, only to have my trainer not show up. Wow...that was annoying. I put in 20 minutes on a treadmill and then left to return to the torn up house I left behind. I've reconfigured a couple of rooms...gotten rid of some stuff (well...moved to the garage for now, anyway) and am gearing up to do some painting in my next time off days (which may be next week). I'm not entirely sure what my next steps are as far as selling. I guess I can try for a roommate first...try to get by with that and hope the market comes back around. The only problem is that I feel like my home is an anchor when it comes to finding a new job. Everything that earns any kind of money is going to be 50+ miles north of where I live...in horrendous traffic, which is just not my idea of living a good life. I don't know what to do...but no matter what my decision, I'm taking the right steps by cleaning/painting/prepping now.
Food went great this weekend...but I'm up 2 pounds. I started a new water pill that doesn't work QUITE as well as the old...so hopefully this 2 pound upper is my "new baseline" and I won't go up any further from there...we'll see. The new pill is supposed to resolve the massive potassium issues I've been having...but clearly it's coming at a cost of not working as well. I think it also made me have "tummy troubles" yesterday...I felt like crud! I walked around Costco and Best Buy and then when I got home just felt like I needed a nap. What an exhausting day. Poor tummy...had some pretty bad "issues".
I've been burning ketones....which is really good. Seeing my pee stick turn purple actually saved me from a binge the other day...just feeling like crud, wanting comfort food, wanting an escape and not feeling like the eating was going well caught me in a bad spiral that actually stopped with seeing the ketones. Thank goodness I spend money on those stupid little sticks. LOL My Costco shopping trip could have gone in a completely different direction! Really....what does a single woman need with a sheet cake and a vat of cookies? Instead I now own a lifetime supply of romaine lettuce and alfredo sauce...
I'm feeling the "urge" to look for love again...because I've been "oh so successful" with this in the past (please note the sarcasm)...so....I need some tips. I'm getting too old for the bar scene. Yahoo personals was a complete waste of money last time...guys don't hit on me in the grocery store or the gym (I'm fairly certain my crutch is kryptonite) and I don't go to church...so what other options are there to find someone? I truly believe I make a great girlfriend...but chemistry is very important to me...and for some reason it doesn't matter as much to others so I usually end up on the dumping end of things. I hate dating...but I want someone special in my life...I feel like it's time. What to do???
I went in for my "personal training" on saturday, only to have my trainer not show up. Wow...that was annoying. I put in 20 minutes on a treadmill and then left to return to the torn up house I left behind. I've reconfigured a couple of rooms...gotten rid of some stuff (well...moved to the garage for now, anyway) and am gearing up to do some painting in my next time off days (which may be next week). I'm not entirely sure what my next steps are as far as selling. I guess I can try for a roommate first...try to get by with that and hope the market comes back around. The only problem is that I feel like my home is an anchor when it comes to finding a new job. Everything that earns any kind of money is going to be 50+ miles north of where I live...in horrendous traffic, which is just not my idea of living a good life. I don't know what to do...but no matter what my decision, I'm taking the right steps by cleaning/painting/prepping now.
Food went great this weekend...but I'm up 2 pounds. I started a new water pill that doesn't work QUITE as well as the old...so hopefully this 2 pound upper is my "new baseline" and I won't go up any further from there...we'll see. The new pill is supposed to resolve the massive potassium issues I've been having...but clearly it's coming at a cost of not working as well. I think it also made me have "tummy troubles" yesterday...I felt like crud! I walked around Costco and Best Buy and then when I got home just felt like I needed a nap. What an exhausting day. Poor tummy...had some pretty bad "issues".
I've been burning ketones....which is really good. Seeing my pee stick turn purple actually saved me from a binge the other day...just feeling like crud, wanting comfort food, wanting an escape and not feeling like the eating was going well caught me in a bad spiral that actually stopped with seeing the ketones. Thank goodness I spend money on those stupid little sticks. LOL My Costco shopping trip could have gone in a completely different direction! Really....what does a single woman need with a sheet cake and a vat of cookies? Instead I now own a lifetime supply of romaine lettuce and alfredo sauce...
I'm feeling the "urge" to look for love again...because I've been "oh so successful" with this in the past (please note the sarcasm)...so....I need some tips. I'm getting too old for the bar scene. Yahoo personals was a complete waste of money last time...guys don't hit on me in the grocery store or the gym (I'm fairly certain my crutch is kryptonite) and I don't go to church...so what other options are there to find someone? I truly believe I make a great girlfriend...but chemistry is very important to me...and for some reason it doesn't matter as much to others so I usually end up on the dumping end of things. I hate dating...but I want someone special in my life...I feel like it's time. What to do???
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
LC Day 73
Man-o-man...yesterday was a rotten day at work. My last "dear friend" was laid off and it came as a complete shock to her. It's hard to understand sometimes how they choose who get's let go. I learned that we will all know our fate by June 30th...so there is an end in site. The worst part of this is not knowing. I've been toying with getting my house on the market...but what if I DON'T lose my job and now I've sold my house? I just don't know what to do...can't wait till I have some direction.
I took her out to lunch after her meeting and fully intended on ordering lots of deep fat fried carbs to drown our sorrows, followed by a mountain high mud pie for desert...but when I sat down to the menu, it just didn't sound worth it, and I ended up getting the chicken caesar with no croutons that I always get at that place. It was a right choice.
After work I did a quick grocery store run to pick up some produce and a few essentials that I was out of. Fortunately for me...I have this rediculous "stockpiling" mentality so my freezer is still very full of meats. I then rushed to pick up my dog, and rushed home to unload groceries with 5 minutes to spare before the neighborhood watch meeting...consequently, I didn't eat enough yesterday. I only had time to grab about 3 slices of salami and a pickle for dinner. Yeah...that's it. At least my caesar salad from lunch kept me going all day long.
Today's food plan is my mini-egg and sausage micro-scramble for breakfast (mmm...it was tasty) mockaroni and cheese for lunch (with 2carbs worth of beef hot dogs), celery and cream cheese for snacks, and dinner will be something with ground beef...cuz I have some sitting in the fridge. Not sure what though...we'll see.
I actually got on the scale this morning to see the damage, and it's not near as bad as it could have been...I'm actually quite impressed. I'm at 274.6...so up 3.6 from 5 days in Las vegas. I might be able to get back to my low within a couple of weeks (assuming a lot of this is still water). My ankles are starting to look better, but have a way to go. I'll check for ketosis later today, but I'm sure it's too soon.
I don't yet have the energy to do a real workout...but I have physical therapy today, and he usually makes me sweat a bit. I'm still re-adjusting to my work schedule...I sure did not want to get out of bed this morning! Am looking forward to ketosis just to get some energy back!
I took her out to lunch after her meeting and fully intended on ordering lots of deep fat fried carbs to drown our sorrows, followed by a mountain high mud pie for desert...but when I sat down to the menu, it just didn't sound worth it, and I ended up getting the chicken caesar with no croutons that I always get at that place. It was a right choice.
After work I did a quick grocery store run to pick up some produce and a few essentials that I was out of. Fortunately for me...I have this rediculous "stockpiling" mentality so my freezer is still very full of meats. I then rushed to pick up my dog, and rushed home to unload groceries with 5 minutes to spare before the neighborhood watch meeting...consequently, I didn't eat enough yesterday. I only had time to grab about 3 slices of salami and a pickle for dinner. Yeah...that's it. At least my caesar salad from lunch kept me going all day long.
Today's food plan is my mini-egg and sausage micro-scramble for breakfast (mmm...it was tasty) mockaroni and cheese for lunch (with 2carbs worth of beef hot dogs), celery and cream cheese for snacks, and dinner will be something with ground beef...cuz I have some sitting in the fridge. Not sure what though...we'll see.
I actually got on the scale this morning to see the damage, and it's not near as bad as it could have been...I'm actually quite impressed. I'm at 274.6...so up 3.6 from 5 days in Las vegas. I might be able to get back to my low within a couple of weeks (assuming a lot of this is still water). My ankles are starting to look better, but have a way to go. I'll check for ketosis later today, but I'm sure it's too soon.
I don't yet have the energy to do a real workout...but I have physical therapy today, and he usually makes me sweat a bit. I'm still re-adjusting to my work schedule...I sure did not want to get out of bed this morning! Am looking forward to ketosis just to get some energy back!
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
LC Day 72 v1.5
I'm home! I'm not rich...but I didn't go broke either, so that's great! I left with 400 cash, came home with 200 cash, and only put about 60 or so on my credit card for meals, drinks and a t-shirt...not bad for 5 days in Vegas.
I don't wanna discuss the food though. :(
But...I'm doing my best to get back on track today...even though I have NOTHING prepared to get started, so it's already a challenge. I stopped and got a fast-food egg thing for breakfast, am planning lunch out for chicken Caesar salad and then probably a couple burger patty's with cheese at home for dinner. Maybe my bacon will be defrosted by then...we'll see. I gotta get to the grocery store! I got in at midnight last night, didn't get to bed till after 2am and had to be at work by 9 today...oy! I'm soooooo tired!
I'm not going to weigh for a while...I don't know how long, but I have a whole host of reasons. First...there are my "Vegas indiscretions"..which honestly, while carby...weren't THAT bad in all seriousness (not ONE buffet!). By day 4 I was still fitting into my new jeans I picked up a couple days before leaving, which shocked the hell outa me. However, due to heat and added carbs, the swelling in my legs is horrid right now...so reason 2 for not weighing for a while. Third reason is that I'm HYPED UP to start working out hard with a personal trainer this week...which means added weight from muscle building...don't wanna see that number. And reason 4 is that I'm switching water pills. I'm having a ridiculous time controlling my potassium on my current pill so my doc is switching me to one that is supposed to INCREASE potassium levels. The switch could mean trouble with more water gain while I get used to it. Yeah...the scale will not be my friend for a while! So my plan is to get on track...get into ketosis...and get on the scale again when I feel like I can handle it. I was 271 when I left town...next stop, 270!
I'm sooooo excited to get back on track. I'm even more excited that I didn't come back broke so I can afford to buy some personal training sessions...can't WAIT to get that started.
My trip was so much fun...the weather was outstanding, the concerts were fantastic, the Zumanity show was amazing, and I didn't lose my shirt! I had a wonderful time! I'm glad to be back home!
I don't wanna discuss the food though. :(
But...I'm doing my best to get back on track today...even though I have NOTHING prepared to get started, so it's already a challenge. I stopped and got a fast-food egg thing for breakfast, am planning lunch out for chicken Caesar salad and then probably a couple burger patty's with cheese at home for dinner. Maybe my bacon will be defrosted by then...we'll see. I gotta get to the grocery store! I got in at midnight last night, didn't get to bed till after 2am and had to be at work by 9 today...oy! I'm soooooo tired!
I'm not going to weigh for a while...I don't know how long, but I have a whole host of reasons. First...there are my "Vegas indiscretions"..which honestly, while carby...weren't THAT bad in all seriousness (not ONE buffet!). By day 4 I was still fitting into my new jeans I picked up a couple days before leaving, which shocked the hell outa me. However, due to heat and added carbs, the swelling in my legs is horrid right now...so reason 2 for not weighing for a while. Third reason is that I'm HYPED UP to start working out hard with a personal trainer this week...which means added weight from muscle building...don't wanna see that number. And reason 4 is that I'm switching water pills. I'm having a ridiculous time controlling my potassium on my current pill so my doc is switching me to one that is supposed to INCREASE potassium levels. The switch could mean trouble with more water gain while I get used to it. Yeah...the scale will not be my friend for a while! So my plan is to get on track...get into ketosis...and get on the scale again when I feel like I can handle it. I was 271 when I left town...next stop, 270!
I'm sooooo excited to get back on track. I'm even more excited that I didn't come back broke so I can afford to buy some personal training sessions...can't WAIT to get that started.
My trip was so much fun...the weather was outstanding, the concerts were fantastic, the Zumanity show was amazing, and I didn't lose my shirt! I had a wonderful time! I'm glad to be back home!
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
LC Day 65
Dinner last night was sooooo yummy that I can't WAIT for lunch today as I'm having leftovers. I made a ground beef and broccoli casserole....OMG...it was soooo totally comfort foodish! MMMMMmmm...honestly, the only thing I would have done different was add a smidge more broccoli. I did one pound of beef and about 3/4 of a bag of frozen broccoli...next time I think I'll do 1.5 bags...seemed like it needed more, and that would stretch it out farther, too.
Inspiration for last nights dinner came from here:
http://www.genaw.com/lowcarb/hamburger_broccoli_alfredo_casserole.html
but I used a prepared alfredo sauce from Costco and I browned the meet in a little Worcestershire, and garlic and onions. I added a touch of jack and parm cheeses on top.
As I get closer to leaving town, the offerings in my fridge are getting more and more sparse...lol...but still have tons of cheese! :\ I guess I'll break out the vacuum sealer and get-a-suckin.
I'm not going to make it to the gym before I leave town...just aint gonna happen. I have a friend coming over after work and once he leaves I gotta finalize my packing because tomorrow I gotta be in bed by 7pm! Yeah...ewe. I'm not sweatin the whole gym thing though...I gotta tell ya, my hips have been pain free going into 3 days right now! I'm not sure what to do with myself. I usually have pain every step I take...right now I have NOTHING at all...it's been so incredible! I wish I knew my secret!
My friend at work says it's because I know I'm about to go on vacation. If I stay pain free through vacation...wow...that will be a trip!
Inspiration for last nights dinner came from here:
http://www.genaw.com/lowcarb/hamburger_broccoli_alfredo_casserole.html
but I used a prepared alfredo sauce from Costco and I browned the meet in a little Worcestershire, and garlic and onions. I added a touch of jack and parm cheeses on top.
As I get closer to leaving town, the offerings in my fridge are getting more and more sparse...lol...but still have tons of cheese! :\ I guess I'll break out the vacuum sealer and get-a-suckin.
I'm not going to make it to the gym before I leave town...just aint gonna happen. I have a friend coming over after work and once he leaves I gotta finalize my packing because tomorrow I gotta be in bed by 7pm! Yeah...ewe. I'm not sweatin the whole gym thing though...I gotta tell ya, my hips have been pain free going into 3 days right now! I'm not sure what to do with myself. I usually have pain every step I take...right now I have NOTHING at all...it's been so incredible! I wish I knew my secret!
My friend at work says it's because I know I'm about to go on vacation. If I stay pain free through vacation...wow...that will be a trip!
Monday, May 4, 2009
LC Day 64
Weekend was rough for me...I battled hunger/cravings on Saturday and Sunday I gave in during one meal....but only one meal and it wasn't as horrid as it could have been (corn chips at a Mexican restaurant...but main dish was still only a taco salad, which wasn't NEAR as good as the one I make myself). I'm sure it knocked me out of ketosis though. My weight was up all weekend, even prior to my "indiscretion" last night...has been at 273.4 since Saturday. Can PMS seriously start a full 8 days in advance?
I'm getting set for my Vegas trip. I only have a couple hours in the evening over the next couple of days to do a TON of stuff....so I'm jumping the gun on the packing thing, which is soooooo not like me! Because of my flight time, I'm going to have to go to bed at an absolutely insanely early hour on Wednesday.
Yesterday I spent $8 to save $30...I bought a little $8 set of empty containers to put my "liquid" items in so that I can pack everything one needs for a 5 day trip into a stupid Ziploc bag so I can put my suitcase through as a carry on and save the absolutely ridiculous luggage fees. That whole luggage fee thing torks me like NOBODY'S business! The first piece should be figured into the cost of the ticket...PERIOD! I can see starting the charges at a second piece, but a first??? And if you want to get me started on a freakin rant...let's talk about the $5/per day "phone access fee" you are forced to pay in Las Vegas hotels. Again...that should be built into the cost of the room. If you are going to call it out separately, then it better dang-well be optional (which it's not) because I have no intention of using the room phone for the 5 days I'm there! I have a cell phone...I haven't used a hotel phone in 10 years! They could take it out of my room for all I care...why do I have to pay $5 a day for it? Are you going to charge me $5 a day for the stupid chair and ottoman that's in there that I won't use either? A "furniture access" fee if you will? You offer a room...you charge a price for that room...if you need extra money for the freakin phone, then up the price of the freakin room.
Wow...I do sound hostile don't I. I think I answered my own PMS question. LMAO!!!
I'm very fortunate that as a disabled person, I get to board early...so I won't have to fight for space in the overhead compartment for my carry-on...but I can imagine that this policy change has made a TON of people do what I'm doing, trying to carry everything on board instead of paying the extra fees. I bet it becomes a battle for space.
In my never-ending munchiness friday night, I tried something new that didn't turn out quite as planned, but worth trying again. I had a package of large pepperonis that I separated and baked about 9 of them on a baking sheet, attempting to get them crispy. They never did...but maybe I should try broiling next time? Anyway...I then put a smidge of pizza sauce on each one and then a pinch of mozzarella and parm to make little mini pizzas. They were quite tasty...I'd do this again. I might even top with a piece of Canadian bacon and a sausage crumble next time. If I could get them crispy, I think these would make fun party appetizers...but as they were I had to eat them with a knife and fork.
I'm getting set for my Vegas trip. I only have a couple hours in the evening over the next couple of days to do a TON of stuff....so I'm jumping the gun on the packing thing, which is soooooo not like me! Because of my flight time, I'm going to have to go to bed at an absolutely insanely early hour on Wednesday.
Yesterday I spent $8 to save $30...I bought a little $8 set of empty containers to put my "liquid" items in so that I can pack everything one needs for a 5 day trip into a stupid Ziploc bag so I can put my suitcase through as a carry on and save the absolutely ridiculous luggage fees. That whole luggage fee thing torks me like NOBODY'S business! The first piece should be figured into the cost of the ticket...PERIOD! I can see starting the charges at a second piece, but a first??? And if you want to get me started on a freakin rant...let's talk about the $5/per day "phone access fee" you are forced to pay in Las Vegas hotels. Again...that should be built into the cost of the room. If you are going to call it out separately, then it better dang-well be optional (which it's not) because I have no intention of using the room phone for the 5 days I'm there! I have a cell phone...I haven't used a hotel phone in 10 years! They could take it out of my room for all I care...why do I have to pay $5 a day for it? Are you going to charge me $5 a day for the stupid chair and ottoman that's in there that I won't use either? A "furniture access" fee if you will? You offer a room...you charge a price for that room...if you need extra money for the freakin phone, then up the price of the freakin room.
Wow...I do sound hostile don't I. I think I answered my own PMS question. LMAO!!!
I'm very fortunate that as a disabled person, I get to board early...so I won't have to fight for space in the overhead compartment for my carry-on...but I can imagine that this policy change has made a TON of people do what I'm doing, trying to carry everything on board instead of paying the extra fees. I bet it becomes a battle for space.
In my never-ending munchiness friday night, I tried something new that didn't turn out quite as planned, but worth trying again. I had a package of large pepperonis that I separated and baked about 9 of them on a baking sheet, attempting to get them crispy. They never did...but maybe I should try broiling next time? Anyway...I then put a smidge of pizza sauce on each one and then a pinch of mozzarella and parm to make little mini pizzas. They were quite tasty...I'd do this again. I might even top with a piece of Canadian bacon and a sausage crumble next time. If I could get them crispy, I think these would make fun party appetizers...but as they were I had to eat them with a knife and fork.
Friday, May 1, 2009
LC Day 61...20 pounds down!
Ok...my official friday weigh in has me at 272...that's down 1.4 from last week. My ankles are a little puffy today...could it POSSIBLY be that I'm already heading into my monthly cycle 2 week span of weight nightmare? Crimony! Where does the time go??? I could SWEAR I just finished this. At least I know it's not bad food choices...that much I'm sure. So I'll just roll with the punches.
Oh...and that puts me at a net loss of precisely TWENTY POUNDS down since I started plan! 22 from my highest recorded weight. Man it's going slow this time...but it feels so right that I'm not complaining...too much.
With the weekend coming up...and an impending vacation...I have some fridge cleaning to do...and by cleaning, I mean eating what I have before I leave. I have a container of alfredo sauce and a container of pizza sauce and a bunch of shredded cheese that probably needs to be consumed before thursday. Crap! LMAO...what can I freeze? I'm not going to grocery shop between now and when I get back...force myself to eat what I have on hand (which is plenty!)...and save some money for the slot machines! Yes...I have produce. I will make grocery shop rule exceptions should I need more.
I am meeting with a personal trainer tonight...one of those "free" deals you get when you sign up with a mega gym. If I like her, I'll buy some training from her...but she's gotta really show that she understands what I'm looking for...which is a custom program that really takes into account my personal limitations. I've always wanted a "Jillian Michaels" type trainer who would push me...but push me on things I'm actually capable of doing...jogging on the treadmill aint gonna happen. (Yet...I still have high hopes that I will "someday") I'm looking forward to it but hoping it's not "cheap" since it's one of the "free" sessions.
Food today is a quickie scramble for breakfast (my new tip...use a Pampered Chef prep bowl (which is a nice size ramekin with a lid), one egg scrambled with a smidge of cream, a pinch of sausage (I keep some in my freezer) and a pinch of cheese. Take it to work, give it a shake, pop it in the microwave for 45 seconds (be careful cuz the egg puffs up big time) and viola! Fresh scramble! Lunch is the end of my leftover taco salad, snacks are STILL celery and cream cheese cuz I haven't eaten much of them the last two days...and dinner...clearly will be something pizza sauce or alfredo related. LOL...maybe chicken with broccoli and alfredo sauce? We'll see. Hmmm...I COULD do a white sauce chicken pizza with garlic and green onions. OMG...I think I just drooled on the keyboard. I have leftover frozen cauliflower crusts!!!!!
Oh...and that puts me at a net loss of precisely TWENTY POUNDS down since I started plan! 22 from my highest recorded weight. Man it's going slow this time...but it feels so right that I'm not complaining...too much.
With the weekend coming up...and an impending vacation...I have some fridge cleaning to do...and by cleaning, I mean eating what I have before I leave. I have a container of alfredo sauce and a container of pizza sauce and a bunch of shredded cheese that probably needs to be consumed before thursday. Crap! LMAO...what can I freeze? I'm not going to grocery shop between now and when I get back...force myself to eat what I have on hand (which is plenty!)...and save some money for the slot machines! Yes...I have produce. I will make grocery shop rule exceptions should I need more.
I am meeting with a personal trainer tonight...one of those "free" deals you get when you sign up with a mega gym. If I like her, I'll buy some training from her...but she's gotta really show that she understands what I'm looking for...which is a custom program that really takes into account my personal limitations. I've always wanted a "Jillian Michaels" type trainer who would push me...but push me on things I'm actually capable of doing...jogging on the treadmill aint gonna happen. (Yet...I still have high hopes that I will "someday") I'm looking forward to it but hoping it's not "cheap" since it's one of the "free" sessions.
Food today is a quickie scramble for breakfast (my new tip...use a Pampered Chef prep bowl (which is a nice size ramekin with a lid), one egg scrambled with a smidge of cream, a pinch of sausage (I keep some in my freezer) and a pinch of cheese. Take it to work, give it a shake, pop it in the microwave for 45 seconds (be careful cuz the egg puffs up big time) and viola! Fresh scramble! Lunch is the end of my leftover taco salad, snacks are STILL celery and cream cheese cuz I haven't eaten much of them the last two days...and dinner...clearly will be something pizza sauce or alfredo related. LOL...maybe chicken with broccoli and alfredo sauce? We'll see. Hmmm...I COULD do a white sauce chicken pizza with garlic and green onions. OMG...I think I just drooled on the keyboard. I have leftover frozen cauliflower crusts!!!!!
Thursday, April 30, 2009
LC Day 60! NICE!!!
Today's dinner plans changed this morning...and I'm kinda happy. I’ll miss the company of my friend, but while I was supposed to go out for dinner tonight...I really just think I want a burger at home. Breakfast was eggs and bacon, lunch will be leftover taco salad. Snacks are celery with cream cheese and a pinch of almonds. My weight this morning...271.6. I'm almost scared to write it in case it's not there tomorrow....but wow! I get on a plane to Vegas next thursday so will have to weigh a day early. I'm nervous about holding it together while traveling, partying, and intentionally straying from plan, etc...but no matter what, I know this is the right place for me.
So I slept HORRIBLE last night. A friend was over visiting till late into the evening so I couldn't take my Ambien and trust that I would be up on time for work. So instead I took Requip (another drug useful for restless leg syndrome, but when I take it too often it causes memory loss) and just had an awful night sleep. It causes EXTREMELY vivid dreams...last night I dreamt I had a fever of 104 and was running around my office naked until I passed out from the fever and they had to call an ambulance. I don't believe I was actually deeply sleeping because I remember thinking that this fever could mean I have swine flu, so I spent the whole night partially stressed about being ill and not actually "resting" . It was a very strange sensation...like being trapped between reality and a dream world. LOL...I'm so happy to be awake and healthy today.
Potassium seems low today...bad ankle cramping yesterday and far worse today. Not sure why...dangit! I am so tired of increasing my potassium. There's got to be a limit of how much one should supplement that stuff! UGH...it's so ridiculous. I wish I could quit these stupid water pills. I recall that I was once on a "potassium sparing" water pill that they took me off of when I was trying to get pregnant...maybe I should go back to that. I'll call the cardiologist and see what he thinks.
So I slept HORRIBLE last night. A friend was over visiting till late into the evening so I couldn't take my Ambien and trust that I would be up on time for work. So instead I took Requip (another drug useful for restless leg syndrome, but when I take it too often it causes memory loss) and just had an awful night sleep. It causes EXTREMELY vivid dreams...last night I dreamt I had a fever of 104 and was running around my office naked until I passed out from the fever and they had to call an ambulance. I don't believe I was actually deeply sleeping because I remember thinking that this fever could mean I have swine flu, so I spent the whole night partially stressed about being ill and not actually "resting" . It was a very strange sensation...like being trapped between reality and a dream world. LOL...I'm so happy to be awake and healthy today.
Potassium seems low today...bad ankle cramping yesterday and far worse today. Not sure why...dangit! I am so tired of increasing my potassium. There's got to be a limit of how much one should supplement that stuff! UGH...it's so ridiculous. I wish I could quit these stupid water pills. I recall that I was once on a "potassium sparing" water pill that they took me off of when I was trying to get pregnant...maybe I should go back to that. I'll call the cardiologist and see what he thinks.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
LC Day 59
I ate my "lasagna" with my friend last night...pealing out the noodles as planned. He did think I was strange...in a "girlie" way...gave one of those "I'll never understand girls" comments. LOL...this from a 6'2" slender guy that I'm sure has never a day in his life had to worry about his weight. He never ONCE commented on my weight loss...so when I jokingly fished for a compliment, I got "you always looked good to me"...hmph...but I look better now, right? Dammit! A girl needs some freakin feedback! LMAO...we had a pleasant evening of conversation. Some of my old "feelings" for him reared their ugly heads for a few minutes...but I quickly reminded myself about his status as "relationship runner" and they went away. Whenever I spend an evening like that with him though, I remember how easy he is to fall for.
So last night wasn't grand carb-wise....I had a couple of fat-furnace stopping alcoholic beverages while we chatted, but my scale is back down to 272.8 this morning...so I'm ok with what I did. I didn't partake in the noodles of the lasagna and ate very little of what I did eat...couldn't tell ya the carb counts, but I feel I ended the day within my limits. I chowed on some celery and cream cheese just before he came over so that I wouldn't be starving the rest of the night.
Today I'm eating eggs and sausage for breakfast, I hope I'm going out for lunch (someone at work is having a birthday) because I didn't pack a lunch, and dinner will be taco salad at home. I have bacon and celery to snack on through the day. Looks like I need to get some extra veggies in somewhere.
I was just researching my dining options in Vegas for my trip next week and had to laugh. I found one restaurant I will Definitely be going to...and one I will be avoiding. There is a "Burger Bar" and a "Noodle Shop" at/near my hotel....any guesses? LOL
So last night wasn't grand carb-wise....I had a couple of fat-furnace stopping alcoholic beverages while we chatted, but my scale is back down to 272.8 this morning...so I'm ok with what I did. I didn't partake in the noodles of the lasagna and ate very little of what I did eat...couldn't tell ya the carb counts, but I feel I ended the day within my limits. I chowed on some celery and cream cheese just before he came over so that I wouldn't be starving the rest of the night.
Today I'm eating eggs and sausage for breakfast, I hope I'm going out for lunch (someone at work is having a birthday) because I didn't pack a lunch, and dinner will be taco salad at home. I have bacon and celery to snack on through the day. Looks like I need to get some extra veggies in somewhere.
I was just researching my dining options in Vegas for my trip next week and had to laugh. I found one restaurant I will Definitely be going to...and one I will be avoiding. There is a "Burger Bar" and a "Noodle Shop" at/near my hotel....any guesses? LOL
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
LC Day 58
I went to Physical therapy yesterday and he worked me out pretty good. I got on the treadmill for him, and he had me concentrate on a different part of my gate than I have been at the gym. He is less concerned about my foot swing (which is what I tend to focus on) and more concerned that I swing my hips symmetrically...so that's my new focus. Actually, after 5 minutes of doing that, some of my hip pain STARTED to resolve. And then he killed me with other exercises and my hip hurt the rest of the day. LOL...but it was great work and I broke a sweat. He has this shuttle similar to a "total gym" but with resistance bands instead of angles that he has me "jump" on in a laying position...that is such a powerful exercise....totally gets my heart rate up and allows me to "jump", which I can't do in the real world standing upright. I wish I had one of these shuttles to do this more often because it works EVERYTHING from the oblique’s down...really great exercise. Today I have ACTUAL muscle soreness...which doesn't happen very often.
The spinning bike is a go! ;) Now I've got to find a class to join to give it a shot. When I did it on my own, I actually had trouble getting OFF the bike cuz I couldn't get my feet out of the stirrups (amazing what you use your hamstrings for)...but in a class I will have no shame in asking for help. I've often joked that this spinal cord injury was brought upon me to teach me two lessons...one was patience (I'm still working on that one) and the other is learning to ask for help. I think I have that one nailed.
My weight was slightly up today...could be because of the muscle soreness...could be my usual Monday water gain from not having my feel elevated all day like the weekend. It's not bad...only 273.2. I'm not concerned.
I'm a little peeved at myself about what I've brought to work to eat today. I accidently grabbed a wrong container of un-opened cream cheese that will go bad in 10 days...and I have an open, barely used container in the fridge at home. GRRRRRRRRRR....I might have to find an alternative for my celery sticks because I don't want to be forced to eat both containers quickly. Dangit! LOL. Breakfast was a sausage egg quiche thing...lunch will be the end of that chicken enchillada stew-type whatever stuff...and dinner
...well...Dinner is with Russell tonight, and it will be interesting. I bought his FAVORITE frozen lasagna before starting this plan. I would typically "partake" in it with him...but now I can't. I'm making it tonight (mainly to get it out of my freezer)...and sincerely hoping he doesn't notice when I scrape all the stuff off the noodles. LMAO...this will be interesting. Russell hasn't seen me since starting...we'll see if he comments on the changes. If I had time, I'd make my own dish...but tonight is just gonna be crammed timeframe. We'll see what happens.
The spinning bike is a go! ;) Now I've got to find a class to join to give it a shot. When I did it on my own, I actually had trouble getting OFF the bike cuz I couldn't get my feet out of the stirrups (amazing what you use your hamstrings for)...but in a class I will have no shame in asking for help. I've often joked that this spinal cord injury was brought upon me to teach me two lessons...one was patience (I'm still working on that one) and the other is learning to ask for help. I think I have that one nailed.
My weight was slightly up today...could be because of the muscle soreness...could be my usual Monday water gain from not having my feel elevated all day like the weekend. It's not bad...only 273.2. I'm not concerned.
I'm a little peeved at myself about what I've brought to work to eat today. I accidently grabbed a wrong container of un-opened cream cheese that will go bad in 10 days...and I have an open, barely used container in the fridge at home. GRRRRRRRRRR....I might have to find an alternative for my celery sticks because I don't want to be forced to eat both containers quickly. Dangit! LOL. Breakfast was a sausage egg quiche thing...lunch will be the end of that chicken enchillada stew-type whatever stuff...and dinner
...well...Dinner is with Russell tonight, and it will be interesting. I bought his FAVORITE frozen lasagna before starting this plan. I would typically "partake" in it with him...but now I can't. I'm making it tonight (mainly to get it out of my freezer)...and sincerely hoping he doesn't notice when I scrape all the stuff off the noodles. LMAO...this will be interesting. Russell hasn't seen me since starting...we'll see if he comments on the changes. If I had time, I'd make my own dish...but tonight is just gonna be crammed timeframe. We'll see what happens.
Monday, April 27, 2009
LC Day 57
This weekend was only ok-ish. Friday was no problem (you'll see why below)...Saturday and Sunday I was very low with my food intake and even lower with my veggies. I'm not even sure I could name a veggie I ate on Sunday. Shame on me! What's worse was that Saturday night, I ordered chicken wings with no breading to-go from Outback...got home and found they had "thoughtfully" put in a loaf of their honey wheat bread and some butter...and I couldn't help myself and had like 1/4 of it. Good news is I didn't go insane over my carb limit for the day since I'd barely eaten as it was...bad news is I knowingly ate wheat AND sugar. The wings were fabulous, by the way. Anyway, it's over...I didn't suffer any carb cravings, and my scale said 272.8 this morning, which is a lovely site to see. I'm still burning ketones, but the strip is lighter than usual for me.
Friday I made myself 4 of those cauliflower pizza crusts, froze three and then put together a friday night pizza for myself. I was enjoying my pizza tremendously when 3/4 of the way through it I suddenly got this feeling like I was gonna vomit...sudden queasiness with that little lump in the back of your throat. I had to stop eating and lay down for an hour. This feeling lessened, but did not go away the whole rest of the night...it was the strangest thing! I have NO idea what that was about. I was so scared that I would actually puke and then as a result never be able to eat cauliflower again...this would be tragic! I probably eat it 5 times a week right now! I didn't eat plain M&M's for 20 years because of an incident when I was 8...not the same, but you get my drift.
I went to the gym on Saturday...did 10 minutes on a recumbent, 10 on a treadmill (low hr though) and the big news is I tried getting on a spinning bike and succeeded to pump out like 5 minutes on that thing! The leg motion for that is MUCH easier for me than the recumbent, but the bike seat sucks pretty bad. I'll talk to my PT today to see if this motion is going to have a negative impact on my hip. I think MAYBE I can try some spinning classes given this new find. That would be fun. I'd use the class for motivation even though I wouldn't be able to do the same thing as everyone else, per se.
I stayed up quite late Saturday night and consequently slept till 1pm Sunday!!! 1pm!!! My body must have needed it but it sure made for a short day!
Food plans for today...egg-sausage quiche for breakfast, lunch is this green enchilada chicken thing I made for dinner last night, snack is celery and cream cheese and dinner is currently planned to be chicken and broccoli alfredo...but I'm really getting to a point where I don't need to eat much anymore so making dinner is sometimes a struggle.
Friday I made myself 4 of those cauliflower pizza crusts, froze three and then put together a friday night pizza for myself. I was enjoying my pizza tremendously when 3/4 of the way through it I suddenly got this feeling like I was gonna vomit...sudden queasiness with that little lump in the back of your throat. I had to stop eating and lay down for an hour. This feeling lessened, but did not go away the whole rest of the night...it was the strangest thing! I have NO idea what that was about. I was so scared that I would actually puke and then as a result never be able to eat cauliflower again...this would be tragic! I probably eat it 5 times a week right now! I didn't eat plain M&M's for 20 years because of an incident when I was 8...not the same, but you get my drift.
I went to the gym on Saturday...did 10 minutes on a recumbent, 10 on a treadmill (low hr though) and the big news is I tried getting on a spinning bike and succeeded to pump out like 5 minutes on that thing! The leg motion for that is MUCH easier for me than the recumbent, but the bike seat sucks pretty bad. I'll talk to my PT today to see if this motion is going to have a negative impact on my hip. I think MAYBE I can try some spinning classes given this new find. That would be fun. I'd use the class for motivation even though I wouldn't be able to do the same thing as everyone else, per se.
I stayed up quite late Saturday night and consequently slept till 1pm Sunday!!! 1pm!!! My body must have needed it but it sure made for a short day!
Food plans for today...egg-sausage quiche for breakfast, lunch is this green enchilada chicken thing I made for dinner last night, snack is celery and cream cheese and dinner is currently planned to be chicken and broccoli alfredo...but I'm really getting to a point where I don't need to eat much anymore so making dinner is sometimes a struggle.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Medical Self-Righteousness
This new doctor can Suck it!
Ok...yes...that’s a little harsh.
I saw a new doctor yesterday and left there feeling belittled. I don’t need that crap from a medical professional. Apparently I have a “list” of issues she referred to, essentially trying to make me look like some kind of hypochondriac. Let’s look at that list and see how bad it really is, shall we?
1. Morbid obesity tops the list. Guess what...that’s been on my file since I was 12...shocker...take a look at me! I'm working on it...and by the way, check my BP and blood panel...I'm doing ok for a fat chick.
2. Aortic Coarctation, repaired May 2002...yeah...that’s a birth defect. I didn’t exactly trump that up for sympathy votes. It had to be fixed or I was gonna die.
3. Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury May 2002....I suffered from the SCI during the surgery to fix my heart. Wasn’t in my master plan lady...sorta wish it never happened.
4. Edema in legs...muscles in my legs don’t work like the average person, so fluid tends to pool in my ankles...welcome to SCI. Maybe you should learn a little something about it...there are complicating factors, ya know?
5. Hip pain...7 years after learning to walk again, I walk in an unnatural way and consistently throw my hip out of alignment...or maybe you didn’t notice I’m disabled.
6. Frequent falls causing bruising and hip pain...you try living without adductors and hamstrings. Falling in the splits on slippery surfaces is painful and embarrassing. Sometimes the pain requires medication. Since I only get 4 scrips for 12 vicodin a year, I highly doubt there is a dependency issue.
7. Restless leg syndrome...started in the hospital after the SCI...Coincidence?
8. Depression in November 2002...yeah...in March my mom died after a horrific battle with cancer, in April I was diagnosed with a fatal heart defect, which I promptly had repaired in May only to become paralyzed from the waist down as a result, lived in a hospital for 2 months with a staff that treated me like a burden (some, not all) and then with my dad having people take care of me and having no freedom, only to finally move home in September with my "devoted" boyfriend of 4 years, who left me the next day for a woman he met on the internet in another country. You MIGHT have a little depression too after dealing with all of that between February and September. Bite me.
9. Abnormal cardiac rhythms...sorry for coomplaining when my heart stopped...my bad.
10. Miscarriage August 2008...seriously, would have preferred to not miscarry. Thanks for bringing it up. I supposed that’s my fault now?
11. Strep throat April and December 2008
12. Flu February 2008
The only thing on that list that I think she can even REMOTELY...and it is REMOTE...call out as an issue is the freakin flu, which I had ONE time, and only went to the doctor after 5 days of coughing and exhaustion just to see if they had anything they could give me to calm the cough as tussin wasn’t doing squat. WTH? You know , if you nix number 3, you pretty much wouldn’t have 4 through 8....don’t fucking belittle me, I didn’t ask for the SCI and I’m dealing with it pretty damn well, all things considered. With ALL of that, I take 3 daily perscriptions...a water pill for the edema, a supplement for the potassium loss caused by the water pill, and Ambien for the RLS. I'm not exactly a pill popper.
I won’t be seeing this doctor again...ever.
Ok...yes...that’s a little harsh.
I saw a new doctor yesterday and left there feeling belittled. I don’t need that crap from a medical professional. Apparently I have a “list” of issues she referred to, essentially trying to make me look like some kind of hypochondriac. Let’s look at that list and see how bad it really is, shall we?
1. Morbid obesity tops the list. Guess what...that’s been on my file since I was 12...shocker...take a look at me! I'm working on it...and by the way, check my BP and blood panel...I'm doing ok for a fat chick.
2. Aortic Coarctation, repaired May 2002...yeah...that’s a birth defect. I didn’t exactly trump that up for sympathy votes. It had to be fixed or I was gonna die.
3. Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury May 2002....I suffered from the SCI during the surgery to fix my heart. Wasn’t in my master plan lady...sorta wish it never happened.
4. Edema in legs...muscles in my legs don’t work like the average person, so fluid tends to pool in my ankles...welcome to SCI. Maybe you should learn a little something about it...there are complicating factors, ya know?
5. Hip pain...7 years after learning to walk again, I walk in an unnatural way and consistently throw my hip out of alignment...or maybe you didn’t notice I’m disabled.
6. Frequent falls causing bruising and hip pain...you try living without adductors and hamstrings. Falling in the splits on slippery surfaces is painful and embarrassing. Sometimes the pain requires medication. Since I only get 4 scrips for 12 vicodin a year, I highly doubt there is a dependency issue.
7. Restless leg syndrome...started in the hospital after the SCI...Coincidence?
8. Depression in November 2002...yeah...in March my mom died after a horrific battle with cancer, in April I was diagnosed with a fatal heart defect, which I promptly had repaired in May only to become paralyzed from the waist down as a result, lived in a hospital for 2 months with a staff that treated me like a burden (some, not all) and then with my dad having people take care of me and having no freedom, only to finally move home in September with my "devoted" boyfriend of 4 years, who left me the next day for a woman he met on the internet in another country. You MIGHT have a little depression too after dealing with all of that between February and September. Bite me.
9. Abnormal cardiac rhythms...sorry for coomplaining when my heart stopped...my bad.
10. Miscarriage August 2008...seriously, would have preferred to not miscarry. Thanks for bringing it up. I supposed that’s my fault now?
11. Strep throat April and December 2008
12. Flu February 2008
The only thing on that list that I think she can even REMOTELY...and it is REMOTE...call out as an issue is the freakin flu, which I had ONE time, and only went to the doctor after 5 days of coughing and exhaustion just to see if they had anything they could give me to calm the cough as tussin wasn’t doing squat. WTH? You know , if you nix number 3, you pretty much wouldn’t have 4 through 8....don’t fucking belittle me, I didn’t ask for the SCI and I’m dealing with it pretty damn well, all things considered. With ALL of that, I take 3 daily perscriptions...a water pill for the edema, a supplement for the potassium loss caused by the water pill, and Ambien for the RLS. I'm not exactly a pill popper.
I won’t be seeing this doctor again...ever.
LC Day 54
Today is my weigh in day, and I am down to 273.4! I was hoping the low would stick around to be official today, and it did! I am just thrilled! I think I'm discovering I'm one of those wait and whoosh type people that have been talked about. It seems 2 weeks out of the month I probably should just not weigh myself and save the mental games. It wasn't like this the first time around....but I didn't have a spinal cord injury hindering my exercise program like I do now. I was also 12 years younger. Hmph. Aging. Whose bright idea was that?
I feel fantastic...I feel sexy...I feel smaller...I feel like going out dancing and walking on the waterfront. The funny thing is I've only lost 18 pounds...and on my big body, it's barely noticeable to others, but I notice it. Just think how much more I'll think of myself in another 20 pounds...I'll be totally stuck up! hahahahaha
I had one of those annoying arguments with a friend last night about how "a diet so restrictive can't possibly be healthy"...restrictive? Because I can't have nachos and a pint of Ben and Jerry's every night? UGH! I said "I have eggs or celery and cream cheese for breakfast, chicken Caesar salad for lunch and Chicken and broccoli with cream sauce for dinner. I eat more vegetables when on Atkins than when off....how is that unhealthy. I've essentially only cut out pasta, bread and sugar...how is that unhealthy? And by the way, I’ve lost 20lbs...wanna compare lipid profiles?"
I hate this argument. *eye roll*
I feel fantastic...I feel sexy...I feel smaller...I feel like going out dancing and walking on the waterfront. The funny thing is I've only lost 18 pounds...and on my big body, it's barely noticeable to others, but I notice it. Just think how much more I'll think of myself in another 20 pounds...I'll be totally stuck up! hahahahaha
I had one of those annoying arguments with a friend last night about how "a diet so restrictive can't possibly be healthy"...restrictive? Because I can't have nachos and a pint of Ben and Jerry's every night? UGH! I said "I have eggs or celery and cream cheese for breakfast, chicken Caesar salad for lunch and Chicken and broccoli with cream sauce for dinner. I eat more vegetables when on Atkins than when off....how is that unhealthy. I've essentially only cut out pasta, bread and sugar...how is that unhealthy? And by the way, I’ve lost 20lbs...wanna compare lipid profiles?"
I hate this argument. *eye roll*
Thursday, April 23, 2009
LC Day 53
I finally get to weigh in tomorrow morning...can't wait to make an official recording for a loss this week, which I'm really hoping for! I've been very good I think...but this WOE makes that pretty dang easy. The hardest thing is eating enough!
I went to the gym last night, I did 6 minutes on a treadmill with no increased HR and a horrendous gate pattern. UGH...I could have gone longer but my gate kept getting worse and worse. Somehow I've backslid on my walking ability. So then I tried the pool for the first time. Swimming with no hamstrings and adductors is an interesting experience. I really hadn't been in a pool since I first started learning to walk again back in 2002, it seems not much has changed. Did you know you can't flutter kick without hamstrings and adductors? And...you can't frog-leg without adductors...so wth? My legs just float off to the sides and do their own thing. It's a good thing I'm buoyant. I can't walk fast enough to get my heart rate up in the pool, either. So...I found a couple of ridiculous looking "swimming" techniques that I'll use that did manage to get my heart rate into the 125+ area, so I'll do more of that. I'll give another test run Friday or Saturday to see what else I can come up with. It was fun, but disappointing in the "serious workout" department. I was hoping this was going to be the answer to my exercise dilemma. Maybe it still is...we'll see over time. It was nice to get in there and do some stretches and practice some moves I can't do on land...so from a therapy stand point, I'll keep at it.
Last night I had my favorite "mockaroni and cheese with hot dogs" for dinner instead of the cheese burger. Today has me traveling up to Seattle and back after a dental cleaning...I'm not exactly sure what to do about lunch because I'll be on the move. Breaky was bacon and eggs.
I went to the gym last night, I did 6 minutes on a treadmill with no increased HR and a horrendous gate pattern. UGH...I could have gone longer but my gate kept getting worse and worse. Somehow I've backslid on my walking ability. So then I tried the pool for the first time. Swimming with no hamstrings and adductors is an interesting experience. I really hadn't been in a pool since I first started learning to walk again back in 2002, it seems not much has changed. Did you know you can't flutter kick without hamstrings and adductors? And...you can't frog-leg without adductors...so wth? My legs just float off to the sides and do their own thing. It's a good thing I'm buoyant. I can't walk fast enough to get my heart rate up in the pool, either. So...I found a couple of ridiculous looking "swimming" techniques that I'll use that did manage to get my heart rate into the 125+ area, so I'll do more of that. I'll give another test run Friday or Saturday to see what else I can come up with. It was fun, but disappointing in the "serious workout" department. I was hoping this was going to be the answer to my exercise dilemma. Maybe it still is...we'll see over time. It was nice to get in there and do some stretches and practice some moves I can't do on land...so from a therapy stand point, I'll keep at it.
Last night I had my favorite "mockaroni and cheese with hot dogs" for dinner instead of the cheese burger. Today has me traveling up to Seattle and back after a dental cleaning...I'm not exactly sure what to do about lunch because I'll be on the move. Breaky was bacon and eggs.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
LC Day 52
Yesterday I was all excited about that "new low" for me...until today. I'm scared to put this one in print cuz I don't want to jinx it!! 273.4! OHHHHH....I hope it keeps going down for friday!
We had beautiful weather yesterday...so warm my AC kicked on. And today...it's pouring rain. Gotta love the pacific northwest!!! I just got drenched walking from my car to my office...good thing I didn't spend any time on my hair!
Today would have been my mom and dad's 31st wedding anniversary. I miss you mommy! It's easy to remember their anniversary cuz it's on earth day....get a reminder every year that it's coming.
I'm headed down to the company cafeteria to try to grab some scrambled eggs for brekky (I'm actually craving them...which is rare anymore...I'm usually sick of eggs!), then it's chicken Caesar salad for lunch and I don't know what for dinner but I'm guessing cheeseburger and some broccoli simply because I'm running out of options. Time to go to the store!
Vegas is 15 days away! VEGAS BABY! WOOOOOO!!!!
We had beautiful weather yesterday...so warm my AC kicked on. And today...it's pouring rain. Gotta love the pacific northwest!!! I just got drenched walking from my car to my office...good thing I didn't spend any time on my hair!
Today would have been my mom and dad's 31st wedding anniversary. I miss you mommy! It's easy to remember their anniversary cuz it's on earth day....get a reminder every year that it's coming.
I'm headed down to the company cafeteria to try to grab some scrambled eggs for brekky (I'm actually craving them...which is rare anymore...I'm usually sick of eggs!), then it's chicken Caesar salad for lunch and I don't know what for dinner but I'm guessing cheeseburger and some broccoli simply because I'm running out of options. Time to go to the store!
Vegas is 15 days away! VEGAS BABY! WOOOOOO!!!!
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
LC Day 51
My scale greeted me with a new low weight this morning. 274.8 WOHOO! It's only 1 pound down from my old low, and who knows if it will stick for my official weigh in, but I was sure happy to see it! I needed that boost!
I attempted a workout at my new gym last night. I walked on a treadmill for 5 minutes...this won't burn any calories because of how slow I have to go, but the machine is right in front of a mirror, so I can really work on my gate...which sucked pretty bad last night. My right leg does NOT want to work right at all. It's nice to have the opportunity to work on it again. I then tried a recumbent bike, since that's what my PT wants me to use now...UGH...what a PIA! Their bikes, first of all, don't have stirrups on them...which I need to keep my foot on the pedal. And then...because of my particular muscle deficiencies, I'm constantly having to adjust my feet so that my ankles stop hitting the inside of the pedal on the rotation. SO OBNOXIOUS. I miss my elliptical I think I got MAYBE 3 minutes on the bike. I really, really hate it. I'll keep working on it though. Sometime this week I plan on seeing what I can make happen in the pool. I think the big win for me here was that I got off my booty and drove to the dang gym...that's a good thing!
Food plan for today...very similar to yesterday. Celery and cream cheese for breakfast, leftover broccoli slaw thing for lunch, bacon for snack....dinner might be taco salad. I'm still eating the occasional pinch of almonds throughout the day. I've learned to take my love affair with them down to a "friends with benefits" relationship. LOL
Not sure if I'll make it back to the gym today due to my after work schedule...we'll see.
I attempted a workout at my new gym last night. I walked on a treadmill for 5 minutes...this won't burn any calories because of how slow I have to go, but the machine is right in front of a mirror, so I can really work on my gate...which sucked pretty bad last night. My right leg does NOT want to work right at all. It's nice to have the opportunity to work on it again. I then tried a recumbent bike, since that's what my PT wants me to use now...UGH...what a PIA! Their bikes, first of all, don't have stirrups on them...which I need to keep my foot on the pedal. And then...because of my particular muscle deficiencies, I'm constantly having to adjust my feet so that my ankles stop hitting the inside of the pedal on the rotation. SO OBNOXIOUS. I miss my elliptical I think I got MAYBE 3 minutes on the bike. I really, really hate it. I'll keep working on it though. Sometime this week I plan on seeing what I can make happen in the pool. I think the big win for me here was that I got off my booty and drove to the dang gym...that's a good thing!
Food plan for today...very similar to yesterday. Celery and cream cheese for breakfast, leftover broccoli slaw thing for lunch, bacon for snack....dinner might be taco salad. I'm still eating the occasional pinch of almonds throughout the day. I've learned to take my love affair with them down to a "friends with benefits" relationship. LOL
Not sure if I'll make it back to the gym today due to my after work schedule...we'll see.
Monday, April 20, 2009
LC Day 50
I'm feeling 85% better from my over-weekend cold. Man...was that annoying. We finally had some gorgeous weather on a weekend and I was stuck in bed.
My scale is back down at 275.8 this morning...but right now I can only attribute that to the fact that I have zero water retention after laying in bed all weekend. My gams look GREAT though...so I wore a dress to work today.
Being sick really makes you struggle with comfort food cravings. I tell ya...friday night as I was driving home from work sick as a dog, I was plotting a horrific binge in my head...I had it all figured out. If I would have stopped at the grocery store, it woulda been all over for me. But instead...I drove home. I'm not gonna lie and say I made it through with flying colors...I did end up eating something off plan, but it's not NEAR as bad as what I could have done. I ended up eating 2 hard taco shells. Coulda been worse. I believe I ate approximately 50g of carbs in those two shells. That's as bad as it got though, through the whole weekend. I didn't run out and buy the donuts I actually wanted.
Last night I made a recipe I found on another low carb message board for "crack slaw"....I mean, it was all right...but I wouldn't call it addictive by any means. I have the leftovers from that here with me for lunch today. Breakfast was celery and cream cheese. I have bacon with me for mid-day snacks. Dinner tonight...well last night I was at the grocery store picking up cabbage and green onions for my crack slaw and spotted tonight’s dinner in the meat case. It's a chicken breast with 3 asparagus spears and cheddar cheese stuffed inside. I guess I just have to bake it for 30 minutes. Can't get more Atkins friendly than that...so that's tonight’s dinner.
Recipe I used Crack Slaw:
2 portions lean ground beef (about 1/2 lb)
1 TBSP toasted sesame oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 green onions, sliced
1 C broccoli slaw
1 C napa cabbage, shredded
1 TBSP lite soy sauce
Crushed red pepper flakes, to taste
1. Brown the ground beef over medium heat until no longer pink. Remove the beef from the skillet, drain and set aside.
3. Heat sesame oil in the skillet over med-high heat. Add garlic and green onions; stir-fry for 2 min. Add the broccoli slaw and cabbage; stir-fry for 2 min. Add rice and soy sauce, stir-fry for 2 min.
4. Return the cooked ground beef to skillet with vegetable mixture and season with red pepper flakes, to taste. Stir until ingredients are well combined and heated through, about 2 minutes.
5. Divide into two portions.
Next time I might try this one though:
About 2 tablespoons sesame oil
Brown 1/2 onion until soft
add a few cloves of garlic
soy sauce (I used tamari)
about 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
2 packets splenda
crushed red pepper flakes
sesame seeds
toss in 1 package of angel hair slaw mix until it cooks down a little and is coated, then add the ground beef back in until all heated through.
My scale is back down at 275.8 this morning...but right now I can only attribute that to the fact that I have zero water retention after laying in bed all weekend. My gams look GREAT though...so I wore a dress to work today.
Being sick really makes you struggle with comfort food cravings. I tell ya...friday night as I was driving home from work sick as a dog, I was plotting a horrific binge in my head...I had it all figured out. If I would have stopped at the grocery store, it woulda been all over for me. But instead...I drove home. I'm not gonna lie and say I made it through with flying colors...I did end up eating something off plan, but it's not NEAR as bad as what I could have done. I ended up eating 2 hard taco shells. Coulda been worse. I believe I ate approximately 50g of carbs in those two shells. That's as bad as it got though, through the whole weekend. I didn't run out and buy the donuts I actually wanted.
Last night I made a recipe I found on another low carb message board for "crack slaw"....I mean, it was all right...but I wouldn't call it addictive by any means. I have the leftovers from that here with me for lunch today. Breakfast was celery and cream cheese. I have bacon with me for mid-day snacks. Dinner tonight...well last night I was at the grocery store picking up cabbage and green onions for my crack slaw and spotted tonight’s dinner in the meat case. It's a chicken breast with 3 asparagus spears and cheddar cheese stuffed inside. I guess I just have to bake it for 30 minutes. Can't get more Atkins friendly than that...so that's tonight’s dinner.
Recipe I used Crack Slaw:
2 portions lean ground beef (about 1/2 lb)
1 TBSP toasted sesame oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 green onions, sliced
1 C broccoli slaw
1 C napa cabbage, shredded
1 TBSP lite soy sauce
Crushed red pepper flakes, to taste
1. Brown the ground beef over medium heat until no longer pink. Remove the beef from the skillet, drain and set aside.
3. Heat sesame oil in the skillet over med-high heat. Add garlic and green onions; stir-fry for 2 min. Add the broccoli slaw and cabbage; stir-fry for 2 min. Add rice and soy sauce, stir-fry for 2 min.
4. Return the cooked ground beef to skillet with vegetable mixture and season with red pepper flakes, to taste. Stir until ingredients are well combined and heated through, about 2 minutes.
5. Divide into two portions.
Next time I might try this one though:
About 2 tablespoons sesame oil
Brown 1/2 onion until soft
add a few cloves of garlic
soy sauce (I used tamari)
about 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
2 packets splenda
crushed red pepper flakes
sesame seeds
toss in 1 package of angel hair slaw mix until it cooks down a little and is coated, then add the ground beef back in until all heated through.
Friday, April 17, 2009
LC Day 47
On my official weigh in day, I'm at the same 276.8 that I was last week. I was hoping that pound would be gone, but at least it's friends that piled on throughout this week didn't stick around for official weigh in day. There was a noticeable increase in bathroom trips yesterday afternoon...I seriously had to pee every 1/2 hour...apparently I was carrying some excess fluids. It's hard to get work done at the office when you have to run to the potty pretty much as soon as you get back from just going. LOL
I have YET another chest cold...my body is just run down from this infection I've been fighting. I'm going to see a specialist next week...this is getting ridiculous. I look forward to someday soon...feeling HEALTHY!
I have YET another chest cold...my body is just run down from this infection I've been fighting. I'm going to see a specialist next week...this is getting ridiculous. I look forward to someday soon...feeling HEALTHY!
Thursday, April 16, 2009
LC Day 46
Been a rough week for me. I'm eating clean, but it's tough right now as the scale is still moving in the wrong direction...and then yesterday I had my FIRST all day round of carb cravings since I started on March 2nd! When the scale is not moving the right way, it makes the cravings REALLY hard to resist. But I squeaked through it. I think the Percocet I'm on induced the cravings...
I can't workout right now both because of my hip pain and now because of an infection...I have no idea when I'll be able to workout again and I'm frustrated. I've been on antibiotics since last friday and the need for pain killers is starting to lessen...so maybe I can workout this weekend, but I feel a chest cold coming on . Part of me knows that’s why the scale isn't cooperating, but when you know you’re in ketosis all the time, you want to see some action on the scale. Tomorrow is my weigh in day...if it's anything like today, I'll be up THREE pounds since my low.
I'm drinking my water like a good girl...eating well (but some days maybe not quite enough)...but I'm really struggling today with the wanting to give in...even though nothing I think I want to dive into is really worth it. Frankly, no food sounds good right now, low carb or not...so eating right isn't appetizing, but when I try to think of something to throw in the towel with, that doesn't sound good either.
I'm such a bummer...I'm trying to snap out of it. I think the infection I'm dealing with has really brought me down this week.
I can't workout right now both because of my hip pain and now because of an infection...I have no idea when I'll be able to workout again and I'm frustrated. I've been on antibiotics since last friday and the need for pain killers is starting to lessen...so maybe I can workout this weekend, but I feel a chest cold coming on . Part of me knows that’s why the scale isn't cooperating, but when you know you’re in ketosis all the time, you want to see some action on the scale. Tomorrow is my weigh in day...if it's anything like today, I'll be up THREE pounds since my low.
I'm drinking my water like a good girl...eating well (but some days maybe not quite enough)...but I'm really struggling today with the wanting to give in...even though nothing I think I want to dive into is really worth it. Frankly, no food sounds good right now, low carb or not...so eating right isn't appetizing, but when I try to think of something to throw in the towel with, that doesn't sound good either.
I'm such a bummer...I'm trying to snap out of it. I think the infection I'm dealing with has really brought me down this week.
Monday, April 13, 2009
LC Day 43
No Easter cheats for me. I can say...however...that Friday night I had a shot of Tequila...and boy howdy! That made me want to nosh on carbs big time! If I had a bag of Doritos in the house, they woulda been gone. Good thing I don't have handy treats at home! Seriously.
Back to the work grind today...My food plan today is 2 pieces of bacon for breakfast, celery and cream cheese for snacks, spaghetti squash and meat sauce for lunch, parmesan "fried" chicken tenders for dinner (maybe with a mock honey/mustard dressing) with some veggie side...maybe a salad since I gotta use up some romaine. Yep...that's the plan. Oh...and a piece of sugar free crustless cheesecake. I've been eating one serving periodically throughout the day instead of all at once.
TOM finally started today. Scale is the same as it was friday. I hope to see some downward momentum by the end of this week.
Back to the work grind today...My food plan today is 2 pieces of bacon for breakfast, celery and cream cheese for snacks, spaghetti squash and meat sauce for lunch, parmesan "fried" chicken tenders for dinner (maybe with a mock honey/mustard dressing) with some veggie side...maybe a salad since I gotta use up some romaine. Yep...that's the plan. Oh...and a piece of sugar free crustless cheesecake. I've been eating one serving periodically throughout the day instead of all at once.
TOM finally started today. Scale is the same as it was friday. I hope to see some downward momentum by the end of this week.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
LC Day 42 Happy Easter!
No issues for me staying away from candy today since I don't have kids...the issue for me is the scale continuing to move in the wrong direction. I'm still partly blaming my TOM even though it is now 2 days late. However...2 days late for me actually means a cycle that is normalizing due to Atkins...my cycle is only 25 days long normally....but when on Atkins, it lengthens out...which is important when your trying to get PG (I learned a LOT about this stuff when I was trying). I'm on day 27 today. I'm convinced I got pregnant in July due to my brief time on Atkins. Anyone fighting fertility issues...I'm telling you, this can definitely help!
I made something new and pretty delicious today....I made Squash Browns out of spaghetti squash. Not bad at all. I need to learn how to cook them so as not to burn them, but I have this same problem with potatos, so it's me...not the recipe.
Squash Browns
3 cups spaghetti squash
1 small onion - finely chopped
1 egg - beaten
1/2 teaspoon salt
Dash of pepper
2 tablespoons butter
Vegetable oil
Prepare spaghetti squash as desired. Scoop out 3 cups of strands. Let cool.
Mix the beaten egg, chopped onion, and salt, pepper and add to the squash strands coating well.
Heat oil and butter in frying pan until bubbling.
Place 1/2 cup mixture into hot oil. Flatten into a patty with spatula.
Turn over when the edges are golden brown.
When both sides are golden brown, remove with a slotted spatula and blot on paper towels.
Serve hot with sour cream.
I made something new and pretty delicious today....I made Squash Browns out of spaghetti squash. Not bad at all. I need to learn how to cook them so as not to burn them, but I have this same problem with potatos, so it's me...not the recipe.
Squash Browns
3 cups spaghetti squash
1 small onion - finely chopped
1 egg - beaten
1/2 teaspoon salt
Dash of pepper
2 tablespoons butter
Vegetable oil
Prepare spaghetti squash as desired. Scoop out 3 cups of strands. Let cool.
Mix the beaten egg, chopped onion, and salt, pepper and add to the squash strands coating well.
Heat oil and butter in frying pan until bubbling.
Place 1/2 cup mixture into hot oil. Flatten into a patty with spatula.
Turn over when the edges are golden brown.
When both sides are golden brown, remove with a slotted spatula and blot on paper towels.
Serve hot with sour cream.
Friday, April 10, 2009
LC Day 40
I'm officially up a pound for the week...but that's better than the 4 lbs I was up a few days ago. I hope it comes off and takes some friends with it next week. Unlike when I'm on WW, I'm not tempted to go out and order a pizza and drink a bunch of foofy drinks out of annoyance.
I visited a local "All Star Fitness Center" last night...not expecting to join just for cost reasons. The place is pretty dang nice! It's got a pool that is accessible for me and my disability, and the recumbent bikes (which is what my PT wants me to use now instead of elliptical) all have TV's on them so you can sit there and do your boring routine while watching Grey's Anatomy AND....the best part is that because of who I work for there is no initiation fee and the monthly fee is only $35. When I was with the YMCA it was $50! I'm thinking this might be a good deal for me...if I will get off of my booty and actually GO...which is the hard part :\
Bad news at work today announced company wide...and then my boss sent out an email to my organization that basically said "brace yourselves"...I might have a LOT of spare time to use that gym here soon
I visited a local "All Star Fitness Center" last night...not expecting to join just for cost reasons. The place is pretty dang nice! It's got a pool that is accessible for me and my disability, and the recumbent bikes (which is what my PT wants me to use now instead of elliptical) all have TV's on them so you can sit there and do your boring routine while watching Grey's Anatomy AND....the best part is that because of who I work for there is no initiation fee and the monthly fee is only $35. When I was with the YMCA it was $50! I'm thinking this might be a good deal for me...if I will get off of my booty and actually GO...which is the hard part :\
Bad news at work today announced company wide...and then my boss sent out an email to my organization that basically said "brace yourselves"...I might have a LOT of spare time to use that gym here soon
Thursday, April 9, 2009
LC Day 39
Well here I am...one day away from my weigh in day and the scale is still up almost 3 pounds. My ankles are looking more human again though...it's very possible that this is now due to my TOM...cuz I looked at my calendar last night and it's actually due today or tomorrow. Shocking...I could have SWORN I just had it. I will be very grateful if all this has really only been because of that.
And now for the really annoying news. I saw my PT yesterday about my hip pain. I knew the cause of it was posterior pelvic torsion because I've gone through this before and have a handy exercise to fix it on my own. The problem has been that the exercise stopped fixing it. Well...PT says that while my improvement from 4 minutes to 25 minutes on the elliptical is amazing given my neurological issues, I'm doing too much and fatiguing my muscles to the point that they can't "hold the fix" and that's why I'm in constant pain now. He said i have to use the elliptical no more than 2 times a week for 15 minutes at a time for now (or 5 minutes daily). He says I need to slowly build it up to the point that it doesn't affect my hips. I know he's right because I haven't used it in 4 days now due to the heart monitor and my hip is feeling MUCH better. GAH! Now I need a new exercise. He highly recommended a recumbent bike...which I no longer have at home and don't have the space for...so I think it's time to start looking at gyms again. DANGIT! Grrrrr!!!! I'm wayyyyy tooo lazy for a gym.
So irritated...I finally get into a good groove and my damaged body rebels against me. I was sooooo proud of that improvement from 4 minutes to 25...and so was my PT, but he said as usual I'm trying to do too much. He said that it's typical of me, he is always having to hold me back. I just miss the days of being able bodied...and keep hoping that if I push harder, I'll be "normal" again. I've been doing this since day one of the injury...it's not working...you'd think I'd stop.
One MIGHT call me stubborn.
And now for the really annoying news. I saw my PT yesterday about my hip pain. I knew the cause of it was posterior pelvic torsion because I've gone through this before and have a handy exercise to fix it on my own. The problem has been that the exercise stopped fixing it. Well...PT says that while my improvement from 4 minutes to 25 minutes on the elliptical is amazing given my neurological issues, I'm doing too much and fatiguing my muscles to the point that they can't "hold the fix" and that's why I'm in constant pain now. He said i have to use the elliptical no more than 2 times a week for 15 minutes at a time for now (or 5 minutes daily). He says I need to slowly build it up to the point that it doesn't affect my hips. I know he's right because I haven't used it in 4 days now due to the heart monitor and my hip is feeling MUCH better. GAH! Now I need a new exercise. He highly recommended a recumbent bike...which I no longer have at home and don't have the space for...so I think it's time to start looking at gyms again. DANGIT! Grrrrr!!!! I'm wayyyyy tooo lazy for a gym.
So irritated...I finally get into a good groove and my damaged body rebels against me. I was sooooo proud of that improvement from 4 minutes to 25...and so was my PT, but he said as usual I'm trying to do too much. He said that it's typical of me, he is always having to hold me back. I just miss the days of being able bodied...and keep hoping that if I push harder, I'll be "normal" again. I've been doing this since day one of the injury...it's not working...you'd think I'd stop.
One MIGHT call me stubborn.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
LC Day 38
The scale is still headed in the wrong direction. As of this morning I'm really close to being back at 280! I took my regular dose of water pills yesterday AND wore my ugly old compression stockings and my ankles are still puffy.
Seriously...I hate my body sometimes.
I scheduled a physical therapy appointment for today because of my horrendous hip pain I've been experiencing after exercise. However...I haven't exercised since Sunday because of the heart monitor/no shower thing and now...no flippin hip pain! NATURALLY! Oh...and this morning was the last morning of the heart monitor and no creepy episode...so I probably wore it for nothing.
I'm THIS close to going home and crawling into bed! I'd give anything to spend the day elevating my legs.
Seriously...I hate my body sometimes.
I scheduled a physical therapy appointment for today because of my horrendous hip pain I've been experiencing after exercise. However...I haven't exercised since Sunday because of the heart monitor/no shower thing and now...no flippin hip pain! NATURALLY! Oh...and this morning was the last morning of the heart monitor and no creepy episode...so I probably wore it for nothing.
I'm THIS close to going home and crawling into bed! I'd give anything to spend the day elevating my legs.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
LC Day 37
My scale is obnoxious right now , but I'm still eating well and still rocking the ketones. I went ahead and went back to my normal water pill dose today since they upped my potassium yesterday. I'm up 3lbs on the scale....but maybe after today's regular water pill dose those will be gone. My ankles look bad but not horrendous...but I can surely see the 3lbs.
I'm wearing that heart monitor and NATURALLY did not have an episode this morning for it to record. One more morning to catch it. In the mean time, I can't shower....and because I can't shower I don't feel much like working out. My hips are killing me from workouts anyway...I'm gonna go to my physical therapist and have him evaluate my use of the elliptical to see if there is something I'm doing to make it hurt so bad in the days that follow. Because of my spinal cord injury, it's not a fluid movement...the pain is really annoying. I can't remember if he has an elliptical in the office for me to use so he can see what I'm doing wrong though. Oh...how I long for the days of house calls! What I wouldn't give for someone to build a customized exercise program tailored to my physical limitations and available home equipment.
I'm wearing that heart monitor and NATURALLY did not have an episode this morning for it to record. One more morning to catch it. In the mean time, I can't shower....and because I can't shower I don't feel much like working out. My hips are killing me from workouts anyway...I'm gonna go to my physical therapist and have him evaluate my use of the elliptical to see if there is something I'm doing to make it hurt so bad in the days that follow. Because of my spinal cord injury, it's not a fluid movement...the pain is really annoying. I can't remember if he has an elliptical in the office for me to use so he can see what I'm doing wrong though. Oh...how I long for the days of house calls! What I wouldn't give for someone to build a customized exercise program tailored to my physical limitations and available home equipment.
Monday, April 6, 2009
LC Day 36
I didn't get around to posting yesterday...kept pretty busy. I got up, did a workout, drove an hour out to spend the day with a friend, then drove home and went to see Fast and Furious with another friend...and then straight to bed. It was a great day.
I'm up a few pounds on the scale. I started taking 1/2 my water pill dosage because of electrolyte problems last week and it's showing. I'm not going to sweat it...but friday's weigh in might not be pretty. I'm going to the cardiologist today to get hooked up for a 48 hour heart monitor. There's some scary stuff going on. I'm having these episodes in the AM after waking that I can't explain. Now watch...it probably won't happen while I have the monitor on. It did happen this morning...but it's the first time since last monday.
I'm up a few pounds on the scale. I started taking 1/2 my water pill dosage because of electrolyte problems last week and it's showing. I'm not going to sweat it...but friday's weigh in might not be pretty. I'm going to the cardiologist today to get hooked up for a 48 hour heart monitor. There's some scary stuff going on. I'm having these episodes in the AM after waking that I can't explain. Now watch...it probably won't happen while I have the monitor on. It did happen this morning...but it's the first time since last monday.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
LC Day 34
I have a whole list of things to do today, but haven't gotten in gear to do any of them yet. One of my to do items is to go to a local meat market I've always wanted to check out...I guess they sell a bunch of local produce and specialty cheeses, too...and from the ad I saw, the prices are better than grocery stores. Gonna check it out...don't need to pick up much though.
I think I'm gonna try zucchini for the first time in my life this weekend. I want to try the zucchini hash browns I've seen some recipes for. I'm a pretty picky eater, so we will see how this goes.
No luck catching a mouse last night. I looked all over my room for "droppings" and didn't find a thing. I'm starting to think it was an ambien hallucination. I let the cat's sleep in my room with me all night...they totally hogged the bed. They are still in here now as I type this...I'm sure they are thinking they live in the lap of luxury as they lay all curled up on my fluffy white down comforter.
I'm having severe electrolyte issues...I'm gonna try tapering down my water pill to see if it helps but I suspect I will see significant weight gains if I do this. I had a blood test yesterday but they didn't call me with the results so now I have to wait till monday. I had horrible cramps all night last night. Sometimes I can't bend my fingers because of the cramping...most of the times it's my ankles which wakes me while I'm sleeping. It's horribly obnoxious and sometimes painful. During non-Atkins times, a Gatorade would resolve this...but I can't drink that now. I looked at pedialite as an alternative, but the second ingredient was dextrose. Not sure what to do now. I guess I'll just wait.
I think I'm gonna try zucchini for the first time in my life this weekend. I want to try the zucchini hash browns I've seen some recipes for. I'm a pretty picky eater, so we will see how this goes.
No luck catching a mouse last night. I looked all over my room for "droppings" and didn't find a thing. I'm starting to think it was an ambien hallucination. I let the cat's sleep in my room with me all night...they totally hogged the bed. They are still in here now as I type this...I'm sure they are thinking they live in the lap of luxury as they lay all curled up on my fluffy white down comforter.
I'm having severe electrolyte issues...I'm gonna try tapering down my water pill to see if it helps but I suspect I will see significant weight gains if I do this. I had a blood test yesterday but they didn't call me with the results so now I have to wait till monday. I had horrible cramps all night last night. Sometimes I can't bend my fingers because of the cramping...most of the times it's my ankles which wakes me while I'm sleeping. It's horribly obnoxious and sometimes painful. During non-Atkins times, a Gatorade would resolve this...but I can't drink that now. I looked at pedialite as an alternative, but the second ingredient was dextrose. Not sure what to do now. I guess I'll just wait.
Friday, April 3, 2009
A mouse in the house?
I think I have a MOUSE in my bedroom! I woke up at 4 this morning to a strange sound right by my bed. I have two cats and a dog...dog was in his kennel for the night, and the cats aren't allowed in my bedroom. I laid there and listened...it clearly sounded like rustling on the bookshelf about 3 feet away from me. I rolled to the other side of the bed and grabbed the flashlight but I didn't see anything. I went back to sleep...kinda looked around a little when I got up but didn't see anything that would indicate I had a mouse. I don't know though, the sound was soooooo clear!
I guess when I get home tonight I will do some serious searching...especially on that bookcase to see if anything looks messed with. My biggest fear is FINDING something and not being able to run away from it cuz I'm disabled! LOL...I move SLOWWWW!
It's also been suggested that I let the cats into the bedroom....which I will BE SURE they are in there with me when I start looking for things...but GEEZE...I soooooo don't want to deal with a mouse! LMAO The cats aren't allowed in because I don't want cat hair on my bedding, and one of my cats is jealous of the dog and vents his anger by peeing on things...like beds...so he isn't allowed
I guess when I get home tonight I will do some serious searching...especially on that bookcase to see if anything looks messed with. My biggest fear is FINDING something and not being able to run away from it cuz I'm disabled! LOL...I move SLOWWWW!
It's also been suggested that I let the cats into the bedroom....which I will BE SURE they are in there with me when I start looking for things...but GEEZE...I soooooo don't want to deal with a mouse! LMAO The cats aren't allowed in because I don't want cat hair on my bedding, and one of my cats is jealous of the dog and vents his anger by peeing on things...like beds...so he isn't allowed
Thursday, April 2, 2009
LC Day 32
I worked out when I got home from work last night...so naturally I'm up a bit this morning. If only I would work out every DAY then this stupid fluctuation thing would stop...but at least I know it's for the greater good.
I did not workout this AM...but am hoping to do it again tonight while my butter basted chicken is cooking for dinner. Mmmm...can't wait.
I did not workout this AM...but am hoping to do it again tonight while my butter basted chicken is cooking for dinner. Mmmm...can't wait.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
LC Day 31
My booty is shrinking!!!!
It's noticable...and I'm happy.
I also had a bit of a "whoosh" on the scale this morning...I suspect it's because I haven't worked out in a couple days...but it sure was fun to see 275.4 on the scale!
Struggled a bit with my "lack" of hunger yesterday. I don't feel like I'm getting enough calories or carbs cuz I'm never hungry anymore...I have GOT to figure out how to deal with this as I think it's contributing to my fatigue. Life is hard when you have to figure out how to eat MORE. LOL
It's noticable...and I'm happy.
I also had a bit of a "whoosh" on the scale this morning...I suspect it's because I haven't worked out in a couple days...but it sure was fun to see 275.4 on the scale!
Struggled a bit with my "lack" of hunger yesterday. I don't feel like I'm getting enough calories or carbs cuz I'm never hungry anymore...I have GOT to figure out how to deal with this as I think it's contributing to my fatigue. Life is hard when you have to figure out how to eat MORE. LOL
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
LC Day 30
I'm dragging a bit today but I'm here. No workout this morning...I'm a little disappointed in myself
I did indeed have steak for dinner last night...but I totally was not hungry when I started making dinner so I cut my already small piece of steak in half. I was joking with my sister that it was the worlds smallest New York Steak dinner...even took a picture of it with my camera phone and sent it to her. She called me a dork...I think she's right.
Today I was lazy packing lunch for work...which will actually be lunch and dinner due to a 6pm appointment that will mess up my usual dinner schedule. So I have my usual egg-muffin-thing breakfast, for the rest of the day my lunch sack has celery and cream cheese, bacon, meatballs, sour cream, pumpkin cheesecake and greenbeans. Hmmm...I THINK my plan is to make a taco salad again out of the meatballs (utilizing the salad bar in the office cafeteria) and probably grab a fast food burger or something before my 6pm appointment. I sooooo was not motivated to pack my lunch today!
That's all I've got...I'm totally fighting the urge to down a diet cola right now just for the caffeine! Not sure why I'm dragging...maybe I just didn't eat enough yesterday. Sometimes it's actually HARD to eat as much as I should (who said that???).
I did indeed have steak for dinner last night...but I totally was not hungry when I started making dinner so I cut my already small piece of steak in half. I was joking with my sister that it was the worlds smallest New York Steak dinner...even took a picture of it with my camera phone and sent it to her. She called me a dork...I think she's right.
Today I was lazy packing lunch for work...which will actually be lunch and dinner due to a 6pm appointment that will mess up my usual dinner schedule. So I have my usual egg-muffin-thing breakfast, for the rest of the day my lunch sack has celery and cream cheese, bacon, meatballs, sour cream, pumpkin cheesecake and greenbeans. Hmmm...I THINK my plan is to make a taco salad again out of the meatballs (utilizing the salad bar in the office cafeteria) and probably grab a fast food burger or something before my 6pm appointment. I sooooo was not motivated to pack my lunch today!
That's all I've got...I'm totally fighting the urge to down a diet cola right now just for the caffeine! Not sure why I'm dragging...maybe I just didn't eat enough yesterday. Sometimes it's actually HARD to eat as much as I should (who said that???).
Monday, March 30, 2009
LC Day 29
I guess I didn't need to worry about a monday weight gain from all my hard workouts this weekend...cuz I'm down to 277.6...I couldn't believe it for myself! But....I'm not booking it until friday...since I said that is my new weigh in day. What an awesome way to start the week though.
My workouts were fantastic. I did 15 minutes on the elliptical saturday and...gulp...20 MINUTES yesterday! I have no idea if I'll be able to repeat that, but I'm sure gonna try! I did arm weights saturday enough to make me sore even still today...so I'm doing something right! YAY! Today my booty hurts...so I did my "simple" lower body exercises right too...not bad for a girl with a spinal cord injury!
Breakfast was one of my "egg, sausage, cheese and cauliflower muffins" (I gotta find a shorter way of saying that!), looks like lunch will likely be roast beef heated with Swiss cheese, served on a lettuce leaf with maybe a side of green beans. Dinner will be steak and maybe a salad??? I'm also going to have pumpkin cheesecake sometime today, and I have celery and cream cheese packed in case I need a snack.
I didn't have steak last night as planned cuz I made a bizarre dinner that worked out pretty good. Some time ago I bought these turkey and chicken meatballs (brand name Aidells) from a natural food store. These are the chipotle kind. I knew from experience they were super spicy. Anyway, I pulled them out of the freezer trying to think of how to prepare them. Well...I ended up heating them up and them cutting them into 4 pieces and making a taco salad out of it. I wanted the sour cream to cool down the spiciness. It was pretty good...my only issue was that I made too much and had to throw some out. The package I had was zero net carb...but I just looked online and they have changed their nutrition info to show they are now 1 net carb...either way, it was good for something different.
As for rungs...I can't decide if I'm really on Rung 3 now since I didn't truly add anything from rung 2...or if I should hang out in 2 another week and give something new a go. I supposed I could work in some Ricotta somewhere...it just seemed so high in carbs that it wasn't gonna be worth the effort. I couldn't find any low-carb yogurt...and I don't think I'd be too thrilled to have it without fruit anyway.
My workouts were fantastic. I did 15 minutes on the elliptical saturday and...gulp...20 MINUTES yesterday! I have no idea if I'll be able to repeat that, but I'm sure gonna try! I did arm weights saturday enough to make me sore even still today...so I'm doing something right! YAY! Today my booty hurts...so I did my "simple" lower body exercises right too...not bad for a girl with a spinal cord injury!
Breakfast was one of my "egg, sausage, cheese and cauliflower muffins" (I gotta find a shorter way of saying that!), looks like lunch will likely be roast beef heated with Swiss cheese, served on a lettuce leaf with maybe a side of green beans. Dinner will be steak and maybe a salad??? I'm also going to have pumpkin cheesecake sometime today, and I have celery and cream cheese packed in case I need a snack.
I didn't have steak last night as planned cuz I made a bizarre dinner that worked out pretty good. Some time ago I bought these turkey and chicken meatballs (brand name Aidells) from a natural food store. These are the chipotle kind. I knew from experience they were super spicy. Anyway, I pulled them out of the freezer trying to think of how to prepare them. Well...I ended up heating them up and them cutting them into 4 pieces and making a taco salad out of it. I wanted the sour cream to cool down the spiciness. It was pretty good...my only issue was that I made too much and had to throw some out. The package I had was zero net carb...but I just looked online and they have changed their nutrition info to show they are now 1 net carb...either way, it was good for something different.
As for rungs...I can't decide if I'm really on Rung 3 now since I didn't truly add anything from rung 2...or if I should hang out in 2 another week and give something new a go. I supposed I could work in some Ricotta somewhere...it just seemed so high in carbs that it wasn't gonna be worth the effort. I couldn't find any low-carb yogurt...and I don't think I'd be too thrilled to have it without fruit anyway.
About Exercise
I suffered an incomplete spinal cord injury back in 2002. Since then, cardio exercise has been my biggest challenge...but I think I'm finally concurring it!
My injury affects my hamstrings mostly (they pretty much don't work at all)...but also my calves, hip flexors, glutes and adductors (all are extremely weak). I currently walk with a crutch but started off in a wheelchair...it's been a long road to get where I am today. I suffer from some pretty obnoxious hip pain (mostly on the right) because I walk in an unnatural way.
Several years ago I bought an elliptical that has sat in my home collecting modest amounts of dust for quite some time. I started really trying to use it this summer...logging about 4 minutes at a time before my quads (which over-compensate for my lack of hamstrings) would want to totally give out. When I started Atkins on March 2nd, I was still at 4 minutes per session...as of yesterday, I'm at 20! I’m at a level 1 with zero incline....so I have LOTS of room to build on once I master this. I can’t believe I’m at 20 minutes though! Pre injury, I could knock out 60 minutes...not sure if I’ll get there, but might as well try!
Another way I get my heart rate up is through upper body Tae Bo. I sit on my weight bench in front of a tv and do the upper body punches. I'm bored with it though...I don't like this particular video I have. I don't think Billy Blanks does a good job of balancing the workout on both sides of the body...so I get agitated. He'll work the heck out of the right side and totally skips the left for the same combo...annoys me. Sometimes I try just doing my own punch combo's while watching regular television, but I like having guided instruction to follow. I guess I should look for a new video.
I also have a Reebok Step from my pre-injury days. I use it now to try to train myself to climb steps again. That, in itself, is a workout since my legs just don't like doing it. I have it in front of my elliptical and I use the arm frame of the elliptical for my leverage/balance. I'll have to take a picture so you can see what I mean.
I do lots of arm stuff with currently only 3lb weights...but will be moving up to 5lbs soon. I had some serious triceps back in the wheelchair days, but that was a while ago now. I also do simple leg exercises...simple to able bodied people, insanely difficult for me...these get my heart rate up, too. I do knee lifts, I attempt hamstring curls...but really almost nothing happens, abductor sidekicks and squats...all while hanging onto something for dear life...I found a new use for my old walker in this little workout routine. I finish off every workout with 3 sets of 12 crunches and 2 sets of 12 each side oblique crunches. I used to do so many more...so I can’t wait to get my core strong again!
I’ve never in my life been able to do a push up...but I do wall-aways, which feel incredibly effective. I even did them when I was able-bodied. I highly recommend 3 sets of these, daily.
I did two very strenuous workouts over the weekend. I find during the week that if I don’t do them in the AM before work, I won’t do it...but getting up is hard. It’s getting easier...but I still struggle with it. Last week I think I managed to get up at least 2 times...that was awesome. Today...I slept in. But...after the tough workouts this weekend, I can give myself a one day pass. Tomorrow I’m shooting for 21minutes on that elliptical!
My injury affects my hamstrings mostly (they pretty much don't work at all)...but also my calves, hip flexors, glutes and adductors (all are extremely weak). I currently walk with a crutch but started off in a wheelchair...it's been a long road to get where I am today. I suffer from some pretty obnoxious hip pain (mostly on the right) because I walk in an unnatural way.
Several years ago I bought an elliptical that has sat in my home collecting modest amounts of dust for quite some time. I started really trying to use it this summer...logging about 4 minutes at a time before my quads (which over-compensate for my lack of hamstrings) would want to totally give out. When I started Atkins on March 2nd, I was still at 4 minutes per session...as of yesterday, I'm at 20! I’m at a level 1 with zero incline....so I have LOTS of room to build on once I master this. I can’t believe I’m at 20 minutes though! Pre injury, I could knock out 60 minutes...not sure if I’ll get there, but might as well try!
Another way I get my heart rate up is through upper body Tae Bo. I sit on my weight bench in front of a tv and do the upper body punches. I'm bored with it though...I don't like this particular video I have. I don't think Billy Blanks does a good job of balancing the workout on both sides of the body...so I get agitated. He'll work the heck out of the right side and totally skips the left for the same combo...annoys me. Sometimes I try just doing my own punch combo's while watching regular television, but I like having guided instruction to follow. I guess I should look for a new video.
I also have a Reebok Step from my pre-injury days. I use it now to try to train myself to climb steps again. That, in itself, is a workout since my legs just don't like doing it. I have it in front of my elliptical and I use the arm frame of the elliptical for my leverage/balance. I'll have to take a picture so you can see what I mean.
I do lots of arm stuff with currently only 3lb weights...but will be moving up to 5lbs soon. I had some serious triceps back in the wheelchair days, but that was a while ago now. I also do simple leg exercises...simple to able bodied people, insanely difficult for me...these get my heart rate up, too. I do knee lifts, I attempt hamstring curls...but really almost nothing happens, abductor sidekicks and squats...all while hanging onto something for dear life...I found a new use for my old walker in this little workout routine. I finish off every workout with 3 sets of 12 crunches and 2 sets of 12 each side oblique crunches. I used to do so many more...so I can’t wait to get my core strong again!
I’ve never in my life been able to do a push up...but I do wall-aways, which feel incredibly effective. I even did them when I was able-bodied. I highly recommend 3 sets of these, daily.
I did two very strenuous workouts over the weekend. I find during the week that if I don’t do them in the AM before work, I won’t do it...but getting up is hard. It’s getting easier...but I still struggle with it. Last week I think I managed to get up at least 2 times...that was awesome. Today...I slept in. But...after the tough workouts this weekend, I can give myself a one day pass. Tomorrow I’m shooting for 21minutes on that elliptical!
Sunday, March 29, 2009
LC Day 28
I'm here...trying to get the gumption up to get up and do a workout on the eliptical. My arms are sore from the weights yesterday....that good sore though, I'm pretty happy about it. LOL
I spent the morning making breakfast "quiches" in muffin cups to take to work for the next couple weeks. I just finished off the last batch...totally makes grabbing a quick breakfast easy. Last batch wasn't in muffing papers though...I hope that works out ok.
I think I'm having steak for dinner...not entirely sure yet. Right now I just need to get my booty in gear and do that workout...and laundry...and bills...ugh...
I spent the morning making breakfast "quiches" in muffin cups to take to work for the next couple weeks. I just finished off the last batch...totally makes grabbing a quick breakfast easy. Last batch wasn't in muffing papers though...I hope that works out ok.
I think I'm having steak for dinner...not entirely sure yet. Right now I just need to get my booty in gear and do that workout...and laundry...and bills...ugh...
Saturday, March 28, 2009
LC Day 27
I got up today and did a nice long workout. I did 15 minutes on the eliptical, and then I got off and attempted some "simple" (to the average Joe) leg exercises and then I did a bunch of upper body weights and crunches. Excellent Saturday workout! I can't believe I did 15 on the elipical! That Rocks!!!
I plan on paying some bills and maybe cleaning the car and garage today...or tomorrow, whatever. I THINK I'm gonna go out tonight...pretty sure of it. Go show off my 12 pounds lighter self!
I plan on paying some bills and maybe cleaning the car and garage today...or tomorrow, whatever. I THINK I'm gonna go out tonight...pretty sure of it. Go show off my 12 pounds lighter self!
Friday, March 27, 2009
LC Day 26
It's pizza day for me...having cauliflower crust pizza for dinner! I froze two six inch pizza crusts last weekend so it won't even be much work. NICE!
Up .5 today...I worked out yesterday, so maybe it's that? It can't possibly be food, seriously. Yesterday was a weird eating day. I had a small breakfast, lunch was leftovers of chicken and broccoli from Outback from the night before and 1/2 of a piece of cheesecake. Then I didn't have time for dinner so I only ate a couple pieces of salami and the other half piece of a cheesecake. I know I didn't eat enough, but I'll make up for it today. It was just a weird day.
I might take some pictures of my face and show differences so far...that's where I can totally see the loss to date. Not really seeing it anywhere else, but it will come.
I've decided to change my weigh in day to Fridays...my logic behind this is that all day today I've been thinking about how I will have time to do some great workouts this weekend...and then in the back of my mind I think "but it will make me gain for Monday's weigh in if I do too much"...which makes me start thinking maybe I shouldn't do anything. Clearly...not a good thing. So...If I use today as my weigh in day, then I won't have that lame excuse to fall back on going forward for not utilizing my free time over the weekends to exercise harder than I do during the week. I realize that the exercise, if done consistently, shouldn't affect my overall trend...but it's a psychological thing.
So...that said...today's weight was 279.5...I'm claiming it.
I bought a new scale! I just got it though...can't wait to try it out tomorrow. It supposedly tracks % of body fat and hydration...which would be very interesting to see next time I forget a water pill. LOL...it was only $25 at Costco!
Up .5 today...I worked out yesterday, so maybe it's that? It can't possibly be food, seriously. Yesterday was a weird eating day. I had a small breakfast, lunch was leftovers of chicken and broccoli from Outback from the night before and 1/2 of a piece of cheesecake. Then I didn't have time for dinner so I only ate a couple pieces of salami and the other half piece of a cheesecake. I know I didn't eat enough, but I'll make up for it today. It was just a weird day.
I might take some pictures of my face and show differences so far...that's where I can totally see the loss to date. Not really seeing it anywhere else, but it will come.
I've decided to change my weigh in day to Fridays...my logic behind this is that all day today I've been thinking about how I will have time to do some great workouts this weekend...and then in the back of my mind I think "but it will make me gain for Monday's weigh in if I do too much"...which makes me start thinking maybe I shouldn't do anything. Clearly...not a good thing. So...If I use today as my weigh in day, then I won't have that lame excuse to fall back on going forward for not utilizing my free time over the weekends to exercise harder than I do during the week. I realize that the exercise, if done consistently, shouldn't affect my overall trend...but it's a psychological thing.
So...that said...today's weight was 279.5...I'm claiming it.
I bought a new scale! I just got it though...can't wait to try it out tomorrow. It supposedly tracks % of body fat and hydration...which would be very interesting to see next time I forget a water pill. LOL...it was only $25 at Costco!
Thursday, March 26, 2009
LC Day 25
My scale said 279 again today...I hope I can keep it at LEAST that low for my official weigh in on Monday!
I went to Outback Steakhouse for dinner last night. I started with an appetizer of medium hot wings with no breading...omg...I'm in love! I honestly could have made that my whole meal (it was 5 wings) but I had ordered a chicken dish with a side of broccoli...I ate about 1/4 of the chicken and a piece of broccoli and I was done...so guess what I'm having for lunch today! Wohoo!!! LOL
I finished up my spaghetti squash and meat sauce yesterday and am blue that I can't have it again today. It was so dang good! And...I think adding squash to my diet every day has had a very positive impact on my...err...output. Just makes "things" easier...ya know? Maybe it's time to add pumpkin for the same effect.
Oh...and last note. I worked out again today! I punched out 13 minutes on the elliptical! MOST SO FAR! I have to be careful cuz my legs get so weak it becomes dangerous for me to get off the dang machine let alone walk across the room...but man...13 minutes kicks BOOTY for me! Of course that wasn't going very fast and was on the lowest setting...so all I kept thinking was that I had lots of room for improvement once I master 30 minutes at level 1! This is very exciting for me. It's the most consistently I've exercised since I've been injured...and it's the BIGGEST improvement I've had...in SEVEN YEARS of injury!
(Just as a basis of comparison...when I started using the elliptical this summer, I could only do 4 minutes before my leg muscles gave out).
I went to Outback Steakhouse for dinner last night. I started with an appetizer of medium hot wings with no breading...omg...I'm in love! I honestly could have made that my whole meal (it was 5 wings) but I had ordered a chicken dish with a side of broccoli...I ate about 1/4 of the chicken and a piece of broccoli and I was done...so guess what I'm having for lunch today! Wohoo!!! LOL
I finished up my spaghetti squash and meat sauce yesterday and am blue that I can't have it again today. It was so dang good! And...I think adding squash to my diet every day has had a very positive impact on my...err...output. Just makes "things" easier...ya know? Maybe it's time to add pumpkin for the same effect.
Oh...and last note. I worked out again today! I punched out 13 minutes on the elliptical! MOST SO FAR! I have to be careful cuz my legs get so weak it becomes dangerous for me to get off the dang machine let alone walk across the room...but man...13 minutes kicks BOOTY for me! Of course that wasn't going very fast and was on the lowest setting...so all I kept thinking was that I had lots of room for improvement once I master 30 minutes at level 1! This is very exciting for me. It's the most consistently I've exercised since I've been injured...and it's the BIGGEST improvement I've had...in SEVEN YEARS of injury!
(Just as a basis of comparison...when I started using the elliptical this summer, I could only do 4 minutes before my leg muscles gave out).
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
LC Day 24
I'm up early today but did not workout. I'm a tiny bit sore from yesterday’s workout and last night’s massage...honestly, I think it was more the massage...she dug in deep!
Food wise I'm doing awesome. Plan for today is the finish off that squash and meat sauce for lunch, probably a small breakfast (bacon or something) and then it's Outback for dinner. Haven't decided exactly what to get yet but have been looking over the menu.
My mood is great...and aside from being sore, feel generally really good. I think I can see a difference...at least in my face. I'm feeling pretty again...can only get better from here, right?
Food wise I'm doing awesome. Plan for today is the finish off that squash and meat sauce for lunch, probably a small breakfast (bacon or something) and then it's Outback for dinner. Haven't decided exactly what to get yet but have been looking over the menu.
My mood is great...and aside from being sore, feel generally really good. I think I can see a difference...at least in my face. I'm feeling pretty again...can only get better from here, right?
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
LC Day 23
I woke up at 5:30 am and did a workout! Wohhooo!!! It's not QUITE where I want it to be, but it's a starting point. I'm just so glad I did it!
I THINK I might have kicked myself out of ketosis last night according to the strips. For the very first time...I didn't get a color change today. But I also had almost NOTHING in my bladder when I tested...I had to squeeze hard to get a drop. LOL...I didn't have time to wait for my bladder to fill up so now I can't say for sure If I did kick myself out, I did it by eating the following yesterday:
Breakfast: 2 egg/sausage/cauliflower muffins (basically a quiche in a muffin tin)...approximately 4 tablespoons of cauliflower total...Fitday says 2 carbs per muffin
Snack: Pickle (2 carbs)
Lunch: Spaghetti Squash (4 net carbs) with homemade spagetti sauce (7 net carbs)
forgot to snack in afternoon
Dinner: 2 cups cauliflower (5), 1 hot dog (1 carb) and 2 oz cheese (2 carbs) and 1 serving cheesecake for desert (3 carbs)
So...I get 28 net carbs yesterday. Yes...over my 25 max that I should be at for now, but I didn't think it would kick me out completely. I'll have to test later and see where I'm at. I don't bring the strips to work unfortunately.
Regardless if I'm in or out of ketosis...I woke up energized today and am feeling great...so I'm a happy camper.
I THINK I might have kicked myself out of ketosis last night according to the strips. For the very first time...I didn't get a color change today. But I also had almost NOTHING in my bladder when I tested...I had to squeeze hard to get a drop. LOL...I didn't have time to wait for my bladder to fill up so now I can't say for sure If I did kick myself out, I did it by eating the following yesterday:
Breakfast: 2 egg/sausage/cauliflower muffins (basically a quiche in a muffin tin)...approximately 4 tablespoons of cauliflower total...Fitday says 2 carbs per muffin
Snack: Pickle (2 carbs)
Lunch: Spaghetti Squash (4 net carbs) with homemade spagetti sauce (7 net carbs)
forgot to snack in afternoon
Dinner: 2 cups cauliflower (5), 1 hot dog (1 carb) and 2 oz cheese (2 carbs) and 1 serving cheesecake for desert (3 carbs)
So...I get 28 net carbs yesterday. Yes...over my 25 max that I should be at for now, but I didn't think it would kick me out completely. I'll have to test later and see where I'm at. I don't bring the strips to work unfortunately.
Regardless if I'm in or out of ketosis...I woke up energized today and am feeling great...so I'm a happy camper.
Monday, March 23, 2009
5 years? Really?
How is it that I haven’t had a really good, fulfilling, healthy, honest relationship in 5 years? How does that happen? Seriously?
Clearly my dating life is a catastrophe.
I didn’t even START dating till I was in college...and my first few choices were just such profound losers. One of them is still doing prison time...I hope. I check periodically to see if he is still there out of fear of “bumping into him” on the street somewhere. Another one married one of the many women he cheated on me with...and they are still together today. I used to wonder what it was she did to turn him around...and now that I know, I realize I would have never been the right woman for him as “domineering control freak” is just not in my character. The one I had the longest waste of time...errr...I mean relationship with repeats his unhealthy patterns over and over and over again...I’m now very close friends with his soon to be ex-wife, and our experiences with him are frighteningly similar.
But there was this one guy I dated 5 years ago...he was my “McDreamy”. McDreamy was such a unique and special guy to me. He was compassionate, empathetic, intelligent, romantic as hell...all the while being a responsible, trustworthy, and a real “manly man”. Everything you would ever want...except for his little commitment phobia...but other than that, quite the perfect specimen of “relationship material”. I fell for him hard...and fast. Whenever I think back on our short relationship, it brings a smile and a sigh. I remember the days he made dinner for me, the times he stopped by my office to see if I was available for lunch, the hours we spent talking getting to know each other. I remember the first date that neither of us wanted to end. I remember our first kiss, and our second. I remember how he treated me with respect and graciousness. I adored how he included me in his life...he didn’t hesitate to introduce me to friends and family. He seemed so interested in learning about me and who I am...he was so chivalrous and genuine. We never had an argument...and if we ever disagreed on anything, we just agreed to disagree. He even broke things off in the most gentle way he possibly could. He was my butterflies guy...he set the high bar.
But 5 years later...still single? I’ve had at least three microscopic relationships since then. I wouldn’t say I “compared” these guys to McDreamy...but there are certain standards one has to set for themselves...and I don’t think they were too high. I broke up with one guy partly because several times he “fell asleep” when he was supposed to be coming over to see me...that didn’t make me feel very special. Another guy lived with me for a while...not only did I totally feel taken advantage of, but he constantly had one foot out the door when I came home. We had some good moments...but mostly we tried to move too far forward too fast after having been friends for a couple years. Another guy was hot and heavy...seemed like McDreamy the sequel...and then he just faded away. I thought the first McDreamy’s commitment phobias were bad...he had NOTHING on the sequel! At least I felt the butterflies again...for a minute. I was starting to worry I was incapable of ever feeling that way again!
I get so frustrated because it seems like I have so much to offer and given the chance can make an amazing partner in a relationship...but those chances don’t seem to come my way. I asked a male friend if he thought I was too “picky”...and he said no...that I just know what I want and I’m not willing to settle. Lol...isn’t that the definition of picky?
I do know that I’m ready to have a new McDreamy in my life. I’ve waited...I’ve grown...I’ve learned. It’s time...
Clearly my dating life is a catastrophe.
I didn’t even START dating till I was in college...and my first few choices were just such profound losers. One of them is still doing prison time...I hope. I check periodically to see if he is still there out of fear of “bumping into him” on the street somewhere. Another one married one of the many women he cheated on me with...and they are still together today. I used to wonder what it was she did to turn him around...and now that I know, I realize I would have never been the right woman for him as “domineering control freak” is just not in my character. The one I had the longest waste of time...errr...I mean relationship with repeats his unhealthy patterns over and over and over again...I’m now very close friends with his soon to be ex-wife, and our experiences with him are frighteningly similar.
But there was this one guy I dated 5 years ago...he was my “McDreamy”. McDreamy was such a unique and special guy to me. He was compassionate, empathetic, intelligent, romantic as hell...all the while being a responsible, trustworthy, and a real “manly man”. Everything you would ever want...except for his little commitment phobia...but other than that, quite the perfect specimen of “relationship material”. I fell for him hard...and fast. Whenever I think back on our short relationship, it brings a smile and a sigh. I remember the days he made dinner for me, the times he stopped by my office to see if I was available for lunch, the hours we spent talking getting to know each other. I remember the first date that neither of us wanted to end. I remember our first kiss, and our second. I remember how he treated me with respect and graciousness. I adored how he included me in his life...he didn’t hesitate to introduce me to friends and family. He seemed so interested in learning about me and who I am...he was so chivalrous and genuine. We never had an argument...and if we ever disagreed on anything, we just agreed to disagree. He even broke things off in the most gentle way he possibly could. He was my butterflies guy...he set the high bar.
But 5 years later...still single? I’ve had at least three microscopic relationships since then. I wouldn’t say I “compared” these guys to McDreamy...but there are certain standards one has to set for themselves...and I don’t think they were too high. I broke up with one guy partly because several times he “fell asleep” when he was supposed to be coming over to see me...that didn’t make me feel very special. Another guy lived with me for a while...not only did I totally feel taken advantage of, but he constantly had one foot out the door when I came home. We had some good moments...but mostly we tried to move too far forward too fast after having been friends for a couple years. Another guy was hot and heavy...seemed like McDreamy the sequel...and then he just faded away. I thought the first McDreamy’s commitment phobias were bad...he had NOTHING on the sequel! At least I felt the butterflies again...for a minute. I was starting to worry I was incapable of ever feeling that way again!
I get so frustrated because it seems like I have so much to offer and given the chance can make an amazing partner in a relationship...but those chances don’t seem to come my way. I asked a male friend if he thought I was too “picky”...and he said no...that I just know what I want and I’m not willing to settle. Lol...isn’t that the definition of picky?
I do know that I’m ready to have a new McDreamy in my life. I’ve waited...I’ve grown...I’ve learned. It’s time...
LC Day 22
Well...as I suspected...I'm up .5 pounds. I really can't explain this. I really, REALLY hope my CCL is not 20! All I did this week was up my veggies. That seriously can't be it, right? I was in ketosis every single day....didn't get knocked out even once.
I still have a little chest congestion...lol...feel like blaming my weight gain on that.
I've been contemplating buying a new scale. My current one only does .5 pound increments...I think I want to see something more granular than that.
Such a disappointing way to start the week when you feel like your doing everything right. *sigh*
I still have a little chest congestion...lol...feel like blaming my weight gain on that.
I've been contemplating buying a new scale. My current one only does .5 pound increments...I think I want to see something more granular than that.
Such a disappointing way to start the week when you feel like your doing everything right. *sigh*
Sunday, March 22, 2009
LC Day 21
Tomorrow is my weigh in day...and it's not looking good. I'm not sure what the problem is...I'm definitely in ketosis every day this week. I'm a little dissapointed...but one thing I know is that even if I don't lose more weight (which I doubt will happen), I plan on sticking cuz I just feel better. It's gotta come off eventually, right?
I just ordered a chair aerobics video from Amazon on demand...if it downloads to my tivo right (so far I have my doubts) I'll give it a try tomorrow morning. I've been doing sort of a seated tae bo type thing...but getting bored with it. We'll see how this video works. Wish I could do some of the new dancing ones I've seen infomercials for, but I don't have that kind of use of my legs :( *sigh* I used to love dancing.
Today I made a spaghetti sauce...which was pretty high in carbs with all the tomato sauce....and I made a spaghetti squash...which is higher carb than I anticipated. Loved it though...but the combo pretty much maxed me out. :(
I just ordered a chair aerobics video from Amazon on demand...if it downloads to my tivo right (so far I have my doubts) I'll give it a try tomorrow morning. I've been doing sort of a seated tae bo type thing...but getting bored with it. We'll see how this video works. Wish I could do some of the new dancing ones I've seen infomercials for, but I don't have that kind of use of my legs :( *sigh* I used to love dancing.
Today I made a spaghetti sauce...which was pretty high in carbs with all the tomato sauce....and I made a spaghetti squash...which is higher carb than I anticipated. Loved it though...but the combo pretty much maxed me out. :(
Saturday, March 21, 2009
LC Day 20
Well I'm sick-ish at home today. Taking it easy to get over whatever this no-voice/coughing thing is. It's pretty annoying but seriously, I've felt way worse.
Last night I made cauliflower crust pizza...which I will TOTALLY make again! I just ate a leftover piece that I reheated in a frying pan on the stove....that made it even better I think cuz the cheese in the crust got crispy. MMMMM....it was so good! I accidently made too much pizza dough last night so I was able to make two additional 6 inch pizza crusts that I stuck in the freezer for another day. Excellent!
Yesterday I totally forgot to take my water pill...so I'm up insane poundage today. That's what happens with me. I've taken my water pill today and hopefully the combo of laying in bed all weekend to shake this illness and drinking lots of fluids will help to show some kind of loss monday morning. It's hard to tell where I really am with all the excess fluid.
I'm all out of the cheesecakes I made last weekend...ate one a day which was a lovely treat. I think I will make more today. Wish I had a springform though! Last time I made them in ramekins, which worked well...but I like using my ramekins for other things and that tied them up for most of the week. I sell pampered chef products...so I can totally order a springform...just want it today. *sigh*...so impatient!
Last night I made cauliflower crust pizza...which I will TOTALLY make again! I just ate a leftover piece that I reheated in a frying pan on the stove....that made it even better I think cuz the cheese in the crust got crispy. MMMMM....it was so good! I accidently made too much pizza dough last night so I was able to make two additional 6 inch pizza crusts that I stuck in the freezer for another day. Excellent!
Yesterday I totally forgot to take my water pill...so I'm up insane poundage today. That's what happens with me. I've taken my water pill today and hopefully the combo of laying in bed all weekend to shake this illness and drinking lots of fluids will help to show some kind of loss monday morning. It's hard to tell where I really am with all the excess fluid.
I'm all out of the cheesecakes I made last weekend...ate one a day which was a lovely treat. I think I will make more today. Wish I had a springform though! Last time I made them in ramekins, which worked well...but I like using my ramekins for other things and that tied them up for most of the week. I sell pampered chef products...so I can totally order a springform...just want it today. *sigh*...so impatient!
Friday, March 20, 2009
LC Day 19
Scale was back down to 281.5...I will keep fingers and toes crossed that it will be lower by monday morning.
I think I've solved the big energy mystery of the week. Currently, I have no voice...this has been the weirdest, and yet most mild illness ever (knock on wood!). I think it started monday with the chills and low energy (but no fever, I checked!). Tuesday progressed to sneezing all day but no real congestion. Wednesday afternoon I had a little bit of an annoying cough that lasted through all of thursday and by last night I started loosing my voice which is now completely gone (and I have a teleconference in 10 minutes...not sure how to do that!). If that's as bad as it's gonna get, I'll take it!
My energy is back...in fact, I took an ambien and went to bed at 9:30 last night...dog woke me up at 4 am for a potty run and when I crawled back into bed, I couldn't fall back to sleep. I tried though...
So...if that energy keeps up, I will try the whole AM workout thing again next week. This week I just didn't have it in me! I tried monday...but felt horrible. It's almost 9am right now and I feel peppy...nice!
Happy first day of spring everyone!
I think I've solved the big energy mystery of the week. Currently, I have no voice...this has been the weirdest, and yet most mild illness ever (knock on wood!). I think it started monday with the chills and low energy (but no fever, I checked!). Tuesday progressed to sneezing all day but no real congestion. Wednesday afternoon I had a little bit of an annoying cough that lasted through all of thursday and by last night I started loosing my voice which is now completely gone (and I have a teleconference in 10 minutes...not sure how to do that!). If that's as bad as it's gonna get, I'll take it!
My energy is back...in fact, I took an ambien and went to bed at 9:30 last night...dog woke me up at 4 am for a potty run and when I crawled back into bed, I couldn't fall back to sleep. I tried though...
So...if that energy keeps up, I will try the whole AM workout thing again next week. This week I just didn't have it in me! I tried monday...but felt horrible. It's almost 9am right now and I feel peppy...nice!
Happy first day of spring everyone!
Thursday, March 19, 2009
LC Day 18
Grrrr....I'm frustrated.
My scale read 283.5 this morning, and I'm not sure why. It is my TOM...but usually my weight gain for that happens the week prior. I have been eating fresh foods and not adding salt...so I don't think it's a sodium problem but maybe I'm wrong. That's a big jump from where I was yesterday morning, so I'm totally annoyed. I ate essentially the same menu yesterday that I had on monday....lunch and dinner were exactly the same with only breakfast being different. I don't know...obviously it's not a fat gain, right? I just want to know what it is. I hope it's gone by my next weigh in!
Grrrrr.....
This is probably why I shouldn't weigh every morning.
My scale read 283.5 this morning, and I'm not sure why. It is my TOM...but usually my weight gain for that happens the week prior. I have been eating fresh foods and not adding salt...so I don't think it's a sodium problem but maybe I'm wrong. That's a big jump from where I was yesterday morning, so I'm totally annoyed. I ate essentially the same menu yesterday that I had on monday....lunch and dinner were exactly the same with only breakfast being different. I don't know...obviously it's not a fat gain, right? I just want to know what it is. I hope it's gone by my next weigh in!
Grrrrr.....
This is probably why I shouldn't weigh every morning.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
LC Day 17
I'm down .5 pounds since monday...but I don't "own it" till my official weigh in day which isn't till next monday...so I'll keep watching.
Struggling with emotions this morning...saw the date and it hit me like a ton of bricks as today would have been my due date for the baby I lost several months ago. Thought I was ok...but apparently not. Trying to hold it together at work...probably doesn't help that I started TOM today (sorry for any guys reading, but it's a part of life, ya know?)...so not only extra emotional but also feel like crud.
TOM could reasonably explain my energy issues over the last couple days...but just in case my original hypothesis is correct, I ate cauliflower for breakfast.
Still rockin the ketosis even though I upped the veggie intake the last couple days.
Struggling with emotions this morning...saw the date and it hit me like a ton of bricks as today would have been my due date for the baby I lost several months ago. Thought I was ok...but apparently not. Trying to hold it together at work...probably doesn't help that I started TOM today (sorry for any guys reading, but it's a part of life, ya know?)...so not only extra emotional but also feel like crud.
TOM could reasonably explain my energy issues over the last couple days...but just in case my original hypothesis is correct, I ate cauliflower for breakfast.
Still rockin the ketosis even though I upped the veggie intake the last couple days.
Today I would have held you in my arms, but instead I hold you in my heart
I didn’t realize the date this morning.
I got up, got ready for work as I always do...let the dog out, cleaned up after the cats, made lunch...all the usual morning stuff. I drove to work listening to my ipod and parked my car and walked inside...and that’s when I saw it...today is March 18, 2009.
Remembering the significance of the date knocked the wind out of me.
If things had gone differently, maybe today I would be holding you in my arms. Maybe I would have spent the last few months in the discomfort of pregnancy. Maybe I would have been setting up a nursery. Maybe I would have been having regular ultra-sounds, watching the growth of my little one. Maybe I would have experienced all the excitement and fears that come from expecting a baby. Maybe it would have all culminated to today, when I finally had my water break and had to rush to the hospital to deliver my bundle. Today was your due date...today I should have been able to hold you in my arms and feel that love a mother feels for the first time...
I wanted you in my life for so long...and I had tried with no success. I figured it wasn't possible...and then you happened. You were such a surprise...but once I discovered you were the reason I had been sick for weeks, I was ecstatic...and petrified...at the same time. Did my fears scare you away?
These last 8 months passed by so fast. Would it have been faster if I hadn’t lost you? Or would it have been slow enough for me to enjoy it as it might have been my only chance. How different would things be today? So many late summer decisions would have gone a different way...no heartbreak over a man...no wild parties...no travel...no agonizing over projects at work as I would have been made to take it easy...many different decisions would have been made to protect you and to prepare for you.
But you weren’t meant to be...you left me so fast I barely had a chance to get used to the idea of you. And all this time I thought I had accepted your loss and moved on...until today...I didn't know it would still hurt this bad...I wasn't prepared for the emptiness I'm feeling.
Today would have been your day...today I would have held you in my arms, but instead I hold you in my heart...and I always will.
I got up, got ready for work as I always do...let the dog out, cleaned up after the cats, made lunch...all the usual morning stuff. I drove to work listening to my ipod and parked my car and walked inside...and that’s when I saw it...today is March 18, 2009.
Remembering the significance of the date knocked the wind out of me.
If things had gone differently, maybe today I would be holding you in my arms. Maybe I would have spent the last few months in the discomfort of pregnancy. Maybe I would have been setting up a nursery. Maybe I would have been having regular ultra-sounds, watching the growth of my little one. Maybe I would have experienced all the excitement and fears that come from expecting a baby. Maybe it would have all culminated to today, when I finally had my water break and had to rush to the hospital to deliver my bundle. Today was your due date...today I should have been able to hold you in my arms and feel that love a mother feels for the first time...
I wanted you in my life for so long...and I had tried with no success. I figured it wasn't possible...and then you happened. You were such a surprise...but once I discovered you were the reason I had been sick for weeks, I was ecstatic...and petrified...at the same time. Did my fears scare you away?
These last 8 months passed by so fast. Would it have been faster if I hadn’t lost you? Or would it have been slow enough for me to enjoy it as it might have been my only chance. How different would things be today? So many late summer decisions would have gone a different way...no heartbreak over a man...no wild parties...no travel...no agonizing over projects at work as I would have been made to take it easy...many different decisions would have been made to protect you and to prepare for you.
But you weren’t meant to be...you left me so fast I barely had a chance to get used to the idea of you. And all this time I thought I had accepted your loss and moved on...until today...I didn't know it would still hurt this bad...I wasn't prepared for the emptiness I'm feeling.
Today would have been your day...today I would have held you in my arms, but instead I hold you in my heart...and I always will.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
LC Day 16
Yesterday I was extremely tired, most likely because I did not eat enough this weekend and am pretty sure I didn't get enough carbs in. The issue kinda improved today, but I think I've learned something about myself.
So yesterday, I really upped my veggie intake...had celery and cream cheese for a midmorning snack, homemade taco salad for lunch and huge serving of broccoli with my chicken dinner...along with other added carbs in my intake throughout the day.
Today, I felt better than yesterday, but still very very tired. I'm relatively sure it's not dehydration because I'm drinking lots of water and I'm not feeling the headaches or muscle spasms I personally get with dehydration. I have, however, been EXTREMELY chilly while at work. This morning it was so bad I was wearing gloves and a jacket in the office. Exhaused and freezing cold does not make a productive employee...I was a zombee!
Until lunch.
Lunch I was taken out to Red Robin by some girlfriends for my birthday. I ordered a Chicken Caesar salad with no croutons. It was a HUGE amount of lettuce...probably at least 3 cups worth...but I ate all but 1/2 a cup of it...delicous by the way. Well...by 2pm, I started to feel some energy and I was no longer wearing the jacket and gloves back at the office. My mood was elevated the rest of the day and I did chores while making dinner and plan on doing some very minor weights tonight while I watch tv.
So I think what I've discovered is that not only did I not get enough carbs over the weekend...therefore making me feel horrible yesterday...but I also need to be eating more with each meal through the day, to include breakfast. For breakfast today I had an egg, 2 pieces of bacon and a slice of cheese. I think I need to throw a veggies serving in with breakfast.
I'm in my 3rd week so am only at the point of adding 5 grams of additional veggie carbs...and I think I've successfully done that so far...still burning ketones.
So yesterday, I really upped my veggie intake...had celery and cream cheese for a midmorning snack, homemade taco salad for lunch and huge serving of broccoli with my chicken dinner...along with other added carbs in my intake throughout the day.
Today, I felt better than yesterday, but still very very tired. I'm relatively sure it's not dehydration because I'm drinking lots of water and I'm not feeling the headaches or muscle spasms I personally get with dehydration. I have, however, been EXTREMELY chilly while at work. This morning it was so bad I was wearing gloves and a jacket in the office. Exhaused and freezing cold does not make a productive employee...I was a zombee!
Until lunch.
Lunch I was taken out to Red Robin by some girlfriends for my birthday. I ordered a Chicken Caesar salad with no croutons. It was a HUGE amount of lettuce...probably at least 3 cups worth...but I ate all but 1/2 a cup of it...delicous by the way. Well...by 2pm, I started to feel some energy and I was no longer wearing the jacket and gloves back at the office. My mood was elevated the rest of the day and I did chores while making dinner and plan on doing some very minor weights tonight while I watch tv.
So I think what I've discovered is that not only did I not get enough carbs over the weekend...therefore making me feel horrible yesterday...but I also need to be eating more with each meal through the day, to include breakfast. For breakfast today I had an egg, 2 pieces of bacon and a slice of cheese. I think I need to throw a veggies serving in with breakfast.
I'm in my 3rd week so am only at the point of adding 5 grams of additional veggie carbs...and I think I've successfully done that so far...still burning ketones.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Two weeks down, a lifetime to go...
So I weighed in after two weeks of induction today and I’m down 11 pounds! WOHOOO! For some reason I feel exhausted today...I can think of two possibilities. First...it’s probably TOM which could start today or tomorrow...too much information, I’m sure, but it’s a reasonable explanation. The other entirely reasonable explanation is that I didn’t eat enough carbs yesterday...or the day before that, really. It was such a hectic weekend that I was pretty horrible about getting my veggies in...I was pretty horrible about getting ANY food in, really. I’d say through the course of the entire weekend, I probably consumed less than 2000 calories. Believe it or not, that’s not enough! Fitday says my body needs 3000 calories a day to maintain...you want to do a small calorie deficit to lose weight...too big of one and you can go into starvation mode. I gotta watch myself.
So I got up at 5:30am today and did 10 minutes on the elliptical...not my best performance, but I was WIPED after 7 minutes! I’m blaming this exhaustion! I then did 3 sets of 12 crunches and 1 set each of 10 oblique crunches...not great...I can’t wait to build on this. That’s all I eeked out this morning. I’m gonna eat some veggies today and try again for tomorrow.
The weekend was pretty great. Friday was the best...my cancelled birthday party turned into a small get together with Alan, Sandy, Sonja and Eli, Jenn, Allison and Kirsty. Alli brought her PS2 and a couple of fun trivia and karaoke games that were just a blast. Everyone got really hammered...except me cuz I didn’t want to waste the prime fat burning time...and it was a ball. I really had a wonderful birthday party.
Saturday Dad, Bonnie and Rachel drove down from MV to take me to lunch. I chose Ruby Tuesdays because people in the LC community RAVE about the mashed cauliflower there...really, I have no idea why. I totally make it better! But...I ate my prime burger and half of my mash and then went home to clean house for party 2.
Party 2 was just eh...SEVERAL people that RSVP’d didn’t show, so we had a ton of food for nothing. It rained and was super cold, which made hot tub use, doable but less pleasant...I didn’t go out there myself, but others did. Trinity was having an extra-special panic attack brought on by the meds prescribed to PREVENT a panic attack at parties...I spent most of the night baby-sitting her. The party ended relatively early (around 2am I think) and I was in bed just after 3....and then Sunday I just chilled. Ahhhhh....perfection!
So during induction I tried a few recipes...I’ll keep track here so that I can refer back from time to time.
Broccoli Quiche: ok, but next time I make it, I really need to freeze the additional servings. I tried to eat all of it in a few days and now I never want to see broccoli quiche again. That was a mistake. I used this recipe from Linda’s Low Carb site:
10 ounces frozen chopped broccoli, cooked and well drained
8 ounces cheddar cheese, shredded
2 ounces onion, chopped, about 1/3 cup
6 eggs
1 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon salt
Dash pepper
Spray a large glass pie plate. Put the broccoli, onion and cheese in the bottom of the plate. Beat the eggs, then whisk in the cream, salt and pepper. Pour evenly over the cheese. Bake at 350º for 35-45 minutes, until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Let stand 10 minutes before cutting.
Makes 6 servings
Can be frozen
Per Serving: 379 Calories; 32g Fat; 18g Protein; 5g Carbohydrate; 2g Dietary Fiber; 3g Net Carbs
Broccoli and Chicken Casserole: this was made with cream cheese as the base for a sauce...I’m not sure I like this method much at all...just too much of an aftertaste with the cream cheese...and it was sooooo thick I couldn’t mix it into the broccoli. By the way...I over-cooked the broccoli, which is a pet-peeve of mine, so that affected the results, too. I will have to try something else for the cheese sauce. I used the following recipe but cubed up a chicken breast and added it for additional protein:
14-16 ounce package frozen broccoli florets
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
4 ounces cheddar cheese, shredded
4 green onions, chopped
Salt and pepper, to taste
3 pieces bacon, chopped and fried until crisp
Cook the broccoli 4-5 minutes or just until tender-crisp; drain very well. Put in a greased 2-quart casserole. Mix in the cream cheese, cheddar, green onion, salt, pepper and bacon. Bake at 350º for 20-30 minutes, until bubbly.
Makes 4-6 servings
Can be frozen
Per 1/4 Recipe: 278 Calories; 22g Fat; 14g Protein; 8g Carbohydrate; 4g Dietary Fiber; 4g Net Carbs
Cheesecake: Delicious! I MIGHT omit the lemon juice next time...I’m not entirely sure why it’s in there and I think I can taste it....but other than that, very good! I did half the recipe and put it into single serving ramekins instead of making one cake. I used this recipe that I found on ADBB: http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.com/forums/desserts/28708-low-carb-cheesecake-induction-safe-when-crustless.html
Ingredients
cake:
4 packs Philedelphia Original cream cheese (8 oz. each), softened
1/2 cup sour cream
1 cup equivalent sugar substitute (recommended: Splenda or even better, concentrated liquid splenda)
1/3 cup heavy whipping cream
1 tablespoon vanilla extract, should be a "no sugar" extract
2 teaspoons fresh lime juice (or lemon juice, if you prefer)
2 whole eggs
3 egg yolks
optional "crust" (add this when you get to OWL and add nuts)
1/3 - 1/2 cups pecans, processed into crumbs
1 T. butter
1 t. splenda
Equipment: 1 (8-inch) cake pan
Directions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Spray the cake pan bottom and sides witha flavorless or butter-flavored nonstick cooking spray. Cut a piece of baker's parchment paper the size of the bottom and place inside. Spray this with spray as well. Set aside.
In a shallow roasting pan (that's big enough to fit the cake pan inside), pour about 1-inch of water and place it on the center rack of the oven to preheat.
IF including the crust, put pecans, butter and splenda in a food processor and pulse to form a moist mixture. Use this as if you were making a graham cracker crust. Put just enough butter so the pecan crumbs stick together, careful not to put too much or your texture will be off. Press this into the bottom of your cake pan as evenly as possible.
Completely soften cream cheese at room temperature or microwave for a minute or two. In a large mixing bowl, stir or mix with hands: softened cream cheese, sour cream and sugar substitute until well mixed. You don't want to use a mixer in this recipe or the incorporated air will prevent the texture from being dense and rich.
In a separate bowl, mix heavy cream, vanilla, lime juice, eggs, and egg yolks until well blended.
Pour the egg mixture into the cream cheese mixture. Stir or mix with hands until well blended.
Pour batter into the prepared cake pan. Place pan into the heated water bath in the oven. Bake for 15 minutes at 400, then lower the oven temperature to 275 degrees F. Continue baking for 1 1/2 hours, or until top is light golden brown and cake is pulling away from the sides of the pan. Turn off the oven and leave the cake in the oven to cool slowly for 3 more hours. (This will keep the cake nice and tall and prevent the top from cracking.) Remove and refrigerate before serving. Serve chilled.
Nutritional Information (both assume using powdered Splenda. Carbs will be less if using liquid Splenda.)
Parmesan Chicken Fingers: Pretty good. I did this with chicken breasts...will probably be better with thigh meat. I’ll try that maybe tonight. There really isn't a recipe, per se...I found the suggestion on ADBB to dredge the chicken in egg and then grated parmesan cheese and fry until crisp.
Honey Mustard: decent but grainy...might have been the Splenda. I will try making it with Sweetzfree and see if I get a smoother result. I Kinda made this myself on the fly...I don’t have actual measurements. I’ll try again and list measurements when I have something I’m happy with.
Pancakes: pretty good...I would make these again for something different. Sure am tired of eggs! I used this recipe that I found on ADBB:
Ingredients
2 large eggs
4 oz Cream Cheese
Sweetzfree (to taste) or Splenda
.5 tsp Cinnamon, ground
1 tbsp Flax Seed Meal (ground flax)
DIRECTIONS
Place the egg whites in a separate bowl and beat with electric mixer until stiff peaks appear.
Place the cream cheese in a large bowl and beat with the mixer until smooth. Beat in the egg yolks and the the sweetner, cinnamon, salt and flaxseed meal. Fold in the egg whites.
Heat large heavy fry pan over meduim low heat. Grease lightly with butter. Form pancakes using about 1/4 cup of the batter for each pancake. Cook until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes each side. Don't rush these- if you cook them on too high of a tempature, the butter will burn.
So I got up at 5:30am today and did 10 minutes on the elliptical...not my best performance, but I was WIPED after 7 minutes! I’m blaming this exhaustion! I then did 3 sets of 12 crunches and 1 set each of 10 oblique crunches...not great...I can’t wait to build on this. That’s all I eeked out this morning. I’m gonna eat some veggies today and try again for tomorrow.
The weekend was pretty great. Friday was the best...my cancelled birthday party turned into a small get together with Alan, Sandy, Sonja and Eli, Jenn, Allison and Kirsty. Alli brought her PS2 and a couple of fun trivia and karaoke games that were just a blast. Everyone got really hammered...except me cuz I didn’t want to waste the prime fat burning time...and it was a ball. I really had a wonderful birthday party.
Saturday Dad, Bonnie and Rachel drove down from MV to take me to lunch. I chose Ruby Tuesdays because people in the LC community RAVE about the mashed cauliflower there...really, I have no idea why. I totally make it better! But...I ate my prime burger and half of my mash and then went home to clean house for party 2.
Party 2 was just eh...SEVERAL people that RSVP’d didn’t show, so we had a ton of food for nothing. It rained and was super cold, which made hot tub use, doable but less pleasant...I didn’t go out there myself, but others did. Trinity was having an extra-special panic attack brought on by the meds prescribed to PREVENT a panic attack at parties...I spent most of the night baby-sitting her. The party ended relatively early (around 2am I think) and I was in bed just after 3....and then Sunday I just chilled. Ahhhhh....perfection!
So during induction I tried a few recipes...I’ll keep track here so that I can refer back from time to time.
Broccoli Quiche: ok, but next time I make it, I really need to freeze the additional servings. I tried to eat all of it in a few days and now I never want to see broccoli quiche again. That was a mistake. I used this recipe from Linda’s Low Carb site:
10 ounces frozen chopped broccoli, cooked and well drained
8 ounces cheddar cheese, shredded
2 ounces onion, chopped, about 1/3 cup
6 eggs
1 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon salt
Dash pepper
Spray a large glass pie plate. Put the broccoli, onion and cheese in the bottom of the plate. Beat the eggs, then whisk in the cream, salt and pepper. Pour evenly over the cheese. Bake at 350º for 35-45 minutes, until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Let stand 10 minutes before cutting.
Makes 6 servings
Can be frozen
Per Serving: 379 Calories; 32g Fat; 18g Protein; 5g Carbohydrate; 2g Dietary Fiber; 3g Net Carbs
Broccoli and Chicken Casserole: this was made with cream cheese as the base for a sauce...I’m not sure I like this method much at all...just too much of an aftertaste with the cream cheese...and it was sooooo thick I couldn’t mix it into the broccoli. By the way...I over-cooked the broccoli, which is a pet-peeve of mine, so that affected the results, too. I will have to try something else for the cheese sauce. I used the following recipe but cubed up a chicken breast and added it for additional protein:
14-16 ounce package frozen broccoli florets
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
4 ounces cheddar cheese, shredded
4 green onions, chopped
Salt and pepper, to taste
3 pieces bacon, chopped and fried until crisp
Cook the broccoli 4-5 minutes or just until tender-crisp; drain very well. Put in a greased 2-quart casserole. Mix in the cream cheese, cheddar, green onion, salt, pepper and bacon. Bake at 350º for 20-30 minutes, until bubbly.
Makes 4-6 servings
Can be frozen
Per 1/4 Recipe: 278 Calories; 22g Fat; 14g Protein; 8g Carbohydrate; 4g Dietary Fiber; 4g Net Carbs
Cheesecake: Delicious! I MIGHT omit the lemon juice next time...I’m not entirely sure why it’s in there and I think I can taste it....but other than that, very good! I did half the recipe and put it into single serving ramekins instead of making one cake. I used this recipe that I found on ADBB: http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.com/forums/desserts/28708-low-carb-cheesecake-induction-safe-when-crustless.html
Ingredients
cake:
4 packs Philedelphia Original cream cheese (8 oz. each), softened
1/2 cup sour cream
1 cup equivalent sugar substitute (recommended: Splenda or even better, concentrated liquid splenda)
1/3 cup heavy whipping cream
1 tablespoon vanilla extract, should be a "no sugar" extract
2 teaspoons fresh lime juice (or lemon juice, if you prefer)
2 whole eggs
3 egg yolks
optional "crust" (add this when you get to OWL and add nuts)
1/3 - 1/2 cups pecans, processed into crumbs
1 T. butter
1 t. splenda
Equipment: 1 (8-inch) cake pan
Directions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Spray the cake pan bottom and sides witha flavorless or butter-flavored nonstick cooking spray. Cut a piece of baker's parchment paper the size of the bottom and place inside. Spray this with spray as well. Set aside.
In a shallow roasting pan (that's big enough to fit the cake pan inside), pour about 1-inch of water and place it on the center rack of the oven to preheat.
IF including the crust, put pecans, butter and splenda in a food processor and pulse to form a moist mixture. Use this as if you were making a graham cracker crust. Put just enough butter so the pecan crumbs stick together, careful not to put too much or your texture will be off. Press this into the bottom of your cake pan as evenly as possible.
Completely soften cream cheese at room temperature or microwave for a minute or two. In a large mixing bowl, stir or mix with hands: softened cream cheese, sour cream and sugar substitute until well mixed. You don't want to use a mixer in this recipe or the incorporated air will prevent the texture from being dense and rich.
In a separate bowl, mix heavy cream, vanilla, lime juice, eggs, and egg yolks until well blended.
Pour the egg mixture into the cream cheese mixture. Stir or mix with hands until well blended.
Pour batter into the prepared cake pan. Place pan into the heated water bath in the oven. Bake for 15 minutes at 400, then lower the oven temperature to 275 degrees F. Continue baking for 1 1/2 hours, or until top is light golden brown and cake is pulling away from the sides of the pan. Turn off the oven and leave the cake in the oven to cool slowly for 3 more hours. (This will keep the cake nice and tall and prevent the top from cracking.) Remove and refrigerate before serving. Serve chilled.
Nutritional Information (both assume using powdered Splenda. Carbs will be less if using liquid Splenda.)
Parmesan Chicken Fingers: Pretty good. I did this with chicken breasts...will probably be better with thigh meat. I’ll try that maybe tonight. There really isn't a recipe, per se...I found the suggestion on ADBB to dredge the chicken in egg and then grated parmesan cheese and fry until crisp.
Honey Mustard: decent but grainy...might have been the Splenda. I will try making it with Sweetzfree and see if I get a smoother result. I Kinda made this myself on the fly...I don’t have actual measurements. I’ll try again and list measurements when I have something I’m happy with.
Pancakes: pretty good...I would make these again for something different. Sure am tired of eggs! I used this recipe that I found on ADBB:
Ingredients
2 large eggs
4 oz Cream Cheese
Sweetzfree (to taste) or Splenda
.5 tsp Cinnamon, ground
1 tbsp Flax Seed Meal (ground flax)
DIRECTIONS
Place the egg whites in a separate bowl and beat with electric mixer until stiff peaks appear.
Place the cream cheese in a large bowl and beat with the mixer until smooth. Beat in the egg yolks and the the sweetner, cinnamon, salt and flaxseed meal. Fold in the egg whites.
Heat large heavy fry pan over meduim low heat. Grease lightly with butter. Form pancakes using about 1/4 cup of the batter for each pancake. Cook until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes each side. Don't rush these- if you cook them on too high of a tempature, the butter will burn.
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