Like half the population (I have no statistics to support that claim) I started a lifestyle change on January 1st of this year. It was either radically change my diet or look into a career in Sumo Wrestling or gain a few more pounds and get lap band surgery (People actually do this! Women mostly, have been gaining weight so they can have weight loss surgery covered by their insurance.) but I don’t have it in me to wait six months for the surgery.
I’ve been doing the no carb thing again and am having a fair amount of success with it, though I would kill for a piece of chocolate. The weight is coming off easily enough but not without some major changes.
I never realized how many carbs I ate each day until I started counting. It’s a lot, way more than I would have guessed but when you close out the night eating crackers or pretzels (all the things we were told were healthier than ice cream, cream cheese, cheese and any food item with fat in it) it’s no surprise that the grams of carbs creeps up there. One slice of bread has 17 grams! The diet I am doing allows for 20 grams so bread is out. And that made me sad the first couple of days.
I cut out the carbs cold turkey. I figured if I can quit smoking cold turkey (going on six months now!) then I can quit carbohydrates cold turkey too. I’d still love a piece of chocolate but for the most part I don’t miss the carbs because I can eat BACON!!!
And I do eat bacon, lots of bacon. And I refuse to feel guilty about it so don’t leave any comments telling me I shouldn’t be having bacon. It’s bacon or chocolate.
After two full weeks on this high protein/ low carb diet I am proud to say I have lost 12 pounds (that’s nearly a pound a day) and all kinds of inches. The problem is I have lost inches in the one place I don’t want to lose inches. I suppose I could have breast implants surgery in lieu of bariatric surgery if insurance would cover it. I doubt I can get my doc to give a good reason for the implants though it’d be fun to see something like “due to deflation from dieting” in the orders.
Another place I worry about losing fat is on my face. Having an extra layer of fat on your face goes a long way in preventing, or at least minimizing, any wrinkles. I’ve actually looked into botox prices because while there was a time I was okay about the added character on my face now I’m not so much. I’ve spent a lot of years squinting because I refused to wear glasses so I have this wonderful crease between my eyebrows. I’m not happy about it but fear not having it will look just as bad as having it.
Anyway, it’s week three of my New Year’s Resolution and so far it’s going well. I miss sugar, a lot, but I have found I feel a lot better even if I would have preferred spending a night with Ben and Jerry I am liking the changes I have made so far.
How is your New Year’s Resolution coming along?
Related articles
- Three Simple Ways to Cut Carbs (fitsugar.com)
- Cut Carbs Twice a Week and Still Drop Pounds, Study Says (fitsugar.com)
- Most Are Misinformed About Reduced Carbohydrate Dieting (mykidcan.org)
- Benefits And The Risks Of A Low Carb Diet (e-prescribe.biz)
Congratulations! 12 pounds in two weeks is awesome. If you want to introduce some chocolate, buy a bar that’s at least 72% dark cocoa. It has less sugar AND is has antioxidants that are good for you. I buy Godiva or Ghirardelli 3.5 oz size and just have one square at night after dinner. Because it’s so dark, it’s really satisfying. Proud of you girlfriend. Junk food and cigarettes! Woo-hoo!
Well done Jen!
I lost a stone in my first few weeks but haven’t weighed myself since. My clothes are all hanging badly on me, so I must be keeping it off. Whether I’ve lost any more, I don’t know. I don’t actually diet, just exercise has done it so far, though I might start cutting out sweet things more now. Christmas didn’t help 🙂
Wow, girl. 12 pounds is an amazing amount of weight to lose in such a short amount of time. Good for you. Keep it up.
As for the wrinkles? Two words: Olay Regenerist.
I did the same thing. I hope I lose part of the girls. They make my shirts fit poorly. If I don’t loose any there, you can have some of mine.
I’m now stuck with a diet that excludes fried, fatty foods and salt. Agony! But I suppose if it gives me a few extra years of good health, it will be worth it. Still… I’d kill for a cheeseburger with sauteed onions and peppers! With french fries, of course!
Woo hoo, good for you for sticking with it!
My resolution to eat healthy and exercise more was doing great until about the 12th, when serious winter (MINUS 44 TODAY) hit and we started hibernating. And by hibernating I mean eating. And not celery, cuz that aint comfort food my friend. Okay, back to you… well done!!!
Good for you! I’m right there with you and am hoping the willpower holds out!
I would love to have that control. Carbs are much too large a part of my life. I have counted calories and lost weight. I’ve also counted fat grams and lost weight. I love the idea of bacon, but there again, I usually eat that in a sandwich. Good luck with your continued weight loss. I am still trying to get back on track after some months of family stuff and, of course, the Holidays. I need less food, and more exercise.