A New Plan

I think I have mentioned a couple of times this year that I have been trying to get the weight off that has slowly crept on.  A while ago, I posted about my frustrations in the weight not coming off like I thought it should, so I was going to increase my workouts.  Since June, I have really tried to get 3-4 workouts in per week at the gym, and do something physical on the weekend.  I have only missed a couple of weeks here and there, but I have always managed to get at least a couple of gym workouts in each week.  Even with the extra workouts, I wasn't seeing the weight come off.  In two months, I lost only two pounds.  I was frustrated and at my wits end.  I went to my doctor and asked her to test my thyroid; no such luck.  My thyroid was fine, so on to a new plan. 

I made up my mind that the only thing left to change was my diet.  I don't think I have ever been a terrible eater.  Even as a kid, I loved fruits and veggies.  We have been watching our sodium intake for several years now, and I always try and keep food on the healthier side.  My solution; cut the carbs.  I can't tell you how many times I have scoffed at low carb diets.  I love carbs, and always thought there was no way I could ever cut them.  As much as pasta, bread, sweets, and potatoes are friends to my stomach, they are not friends to my rear, thighs, or midsection.  We are currently rounding out week one of the low carb diet.  Andrew is also participating with me. 

As with any diet, grocery shopping this week took some planning.  We always go to the store with a grocery list, but I normally turned to a lot of stand by recipes.  From what I have read on low carb diets, I tried to make sure we were eating meats at every meal as well as veggies.  I'm also trying to tell myself you don't have to have a starch to complete a meal.  Dinners this week consisted of pork chops, chicken, and omelets.  Shopping for lunch was rather frustrating.  Normally, I eat a Lean Cuisine meal for lunch when I don't go out for lunch.  Standing in the freezer section at the grocery store looking at labels, I figured out I needed to have a plan B.  Each meal I looked at had at least 30 grams of carbs.  My solution; tuna.  Tuna with a little mayo and a little pickle relish and no bun to make it a sandwich.  I also picked up some Babybel cheese to throw in my lunch.  I'm a huge cheese fan, so I'm glad I was able to keep something I liked.   Towards the middle of the week, I discovered that I needed to have something on hand at my desk that was an ok snack food, so I turned to sunflower seeds, which are very low in carbs.

My other rough spot came on Monday when it was time for my afternoon coffee run.  In the mornings, I bring my coffee from home.   I make black coffee with a little bit of creamer, and no, carb freaks, I'm not giving up my creamer.  At this point, my potatoes, sweets, pasta and bread have been taken away, I refuse to touch my morning coffee.  My afternoon coffee, on the other hand, is another story.  Normally, I would order a Mocha or something equally high in carbs and calories.  Monday, I tried a soy latte with sugar free syrup; disgusting is the only thing I have to say for that.  The rest of the week I opted for black coffee with a little bit of 1/2 and 1/2 in it.  It isn't the Mocha I really want, but it gives me the boost I need in the afternoon.

Now, I'm a quick results kind of person.  When I have been waiting for two months to see any kind of weight loss, I have about run out of what little patients I had to begin with.  I'm happy to report that one week in on my low carb diet, and I have lost 2 1/2 lbs.  I can't express just how excited I am about this.  Heading in to week two of the low carb diet, I will attempt to look for some new recipes for dinner, so I don't get burned out too quickly.  I will be sure to keep you guys posted on the progress.