Here I Go Again!

As determined as I was to lose weight before the cruise, watching what I ate and exercising by Walking with Leslie several mornings each week, nothing really changed.  The result was that most of my clothes felt too tight.  I could feel (and see) the rolls where there shouldn't be rolls.  I ate too much on the cruise, as most people do, and it showed by the end of the week.  My face looked fuller in the pictures, and I stressed about how I appeared and was distressed about losing control and gaining back pounds that I had worked so hard to lose.

Many of the Dotti's ladies are following the LCHF plan and before the trip I saved a copy of the simplified plan which listed foods that were good to eat and those to avoid.  Also included were guidelines to follow. What I liked was that there is no calorie counting, no weighing, no portion control (well, a little), and the only thing to cut down on is carbs.  That means lots of things I like, such as pasta, rice, fruit, crackers, and bread.  But it also means more of vegetables, meat, fish, and chicken, which I really like too.  Since the refrigerator was basically empty after we returned from the cruise, it seemed like a good time to start.

Cooper went with us to Krogers.  We stocked up on romaine, lettuce, radishes, mushrooms, and cauliflower.  We perused the fish and selected some salmon and shrimp.  We did pick up some fruit (I could eat 1 cup each day) and some other things that Gary really wanted.  For three days I did well. 

Effects?  First of all I noticed that I was losing a lot of fluids.  Running to the bathroom was the pastime of Monday, and Tuesday, and Wednesday.  I also noticed that I wasn't hungry as much.  I supplemented with SF popsicles and lots of fluids.  The biggest plus was putting on a pair of jeans I wore last weekend and they were much looser. 

They say that I will feel full eating on this plan.  They say that I won't miss the carbs after I adjust to this plan of eating.  They say that weight loss will be consistent for the first few weeks.  They say that this type of eating with help to lower blood pressure and that those taking BP meds should be careful wen adapting to this plan.  That's me.  But if I can help lower my blood pressure, that would be a great benefit.

My goal is twofold.  First, I need to find a good place to settle where my eating habits are concerned.  With WW, I know that I need to count points, watch portion control, but I can eat just about anything as long as I count the points.  The problem with that is that I will give myself a little bit of leeway and eat a baked potato, then another, then add some Red Lobster biscuits, then a dessert, then an ice cream cone and I am off the plan completely and there has to be a wake up call in a few months.  I need to remind myself that I don't need to eat the bread.  I can skip dessert.  I can choose broccoli or another vegetable instead of a baked potato.  Yes, I could do that on WW too, but I think I can 'avoid' better with this plan.  Off limits, rather than 'eat it and count the points.'

Second, I like my size 12 clothes.  I was comfortable last summer wearing those clothes and I want to continue to do so.  They just need to fit better.  I liked the way I looked when I was thinner and I want to return to that.  I want to be healthier.  I want Dr. Oletjin to be pleased when he sees my blood pressure numbers in May.  I want my ankles to stop swelling, and they were swelling every day recently.  Water retention.

So here I go again. It is only Day 4, but I feel good about the new plan.  Snacking was a problem so I bought some pork rinds, pepperoni slices, and pepperoni sticks for my snacks.  I like eggs over easy on a slice of bread so we picked up the Sara Lee Healthy  bread tonight also.  Lower on carbs for one slice than other bread and I can still enjoy my eggs over easy.

I am excited to see where I am at the end of April. When I pack for the trip to South Carolina, will I be smiling about the tops I toss in the suitcase, knowing that they will fit nicely and not be snug and show a roll of fat above my waistband?  Will I pack a few pairs of shorts because I know I will feel comfortable wearing them on the beach? I hope so.  That is my goal.  Plus I know that Gary and I can make good choices with the foods we buy for our kitchen for breakfasts and select restaurants that will help us stay on the plan.  It's good for him too!

Here I Go Again!  I hope that this time, this way of eating becomes a lifestyle.