The Prodigal Daughter

So if you have been reading my blog you have noticed that it has been a long while since I have posted anything new.  I've been rebelling - spending my hard earned energy frivolously and regretting it.

I'd rather not dwell on the negative, and although I could say it's better to do what you know works the first time rather than waste energy and time trying and trying again, let's be realistic we all do the latter in some areas of our lives and in mine it's a lot of areas and, well, I'm going to try again to do what I know works (the carb cycle solution)  because giving up is not a viable alternative.

Some positive things I have accomplished over the last few months:
Exercised pretty consistently
Gone through 2 different detox programs with wonderful results
Lowered my cholesterol by 30 points without drugs, Yay!

Today I learned that my thyroid is not function properly so I will be starting on a synthetic thyroid and I am hoping that this will make my weight loss a little less like tug of war and a little more like a slip and slide.

I have a cruise in 2 months time and am hoping to just lose 20lbs.  Even that seems overwhelming right now as I am a bit discouraged, but I'm hoping that if I start walking in the right direction with this I will pick up some momentum and work out the fog in my brain and bust off the cement that seems to be holding my feet in one place.  So here goes.

Recipes!

I love the recipes in the Choose to Lose 7-day Carb Cycle Solution first of all.  I'm really hoping that in the second book Chris will be adding some more recipes (which I'm sure there will be) and I'm hoping they will be tear out cards (Hey, I can dream, right?).  With the first book I copied the recipe pages onto card stock paper and cut them down to recipe card size then punched a whole in the upper corner and put a metal ring through it.  Now it hangs from a magnet on my fridge for quick flip easy access whenever I need it.  Works great!
Like many of us, I like variety, and I like to cook.  So when I come up with something that I or my family really likes I've decided to post it for anyone else out there who might like to try it.  You can also get more great recipe ideas from Chris at www.chrispowell.com so check it out.
First up: White Egg Salad gets it's name because it's made from the egg whites only.  I use this recipe for High carb days on a piece of my favorite sprouted grain rye bread.  I also like it on Low carb days in romaine lettuce boats with a side of cucumbers and tomatoes.  Hope you like it!

White Egg Salad

12 hard boiled eggs (yolk removed) coarsely chopped

2 ribs of celery chopped but not minced

3tbsp of fat free mayo (some brands have higher sugar so be sure to check your label)

3tbsp dijon mustard (I like the creamy variety by Grey Poupon it's low sugar and fat free-just check your labels to be sure you're not getting too much sodium, fat, or sugar)

2tbsp of turkey bacon bits (be careful with these, they can be high in sodium - so I use them more as a garnish to get a little bit of that smokey bacon flavor without much calorie impact. They aren't on the approved list either, so I count them as a cheat on my high carb days, and as a protein on my low carb days)

2-3 Shakes each of dried minced onion and dried minced garlic

1tbsp of dried dill 

Salt & pepper to taste

Combine all of the ingredients in one bowl - Stir to blend well and chill.

I have a food scale on my counter and I use about 3oz of this as a serving - so this batch makes just about 8 servings.

Carb Cycling - low carb day

Wednesday

Ok, I'm finally going to take you through a low carb day with me, yay!  (I know I know,  just what you wanted right?)  Well hopefully after seeing a sample you won't think eating a whole day low carb is so bad.  First thing that impressed me about low carb days on this plan, you get to have a high carb breakfast!  I LOVE this and it does energize me to get through the hardest part of my day MORNINGS.  So here goes.

Breakfast - Blueberry Protein Oatmeal 

My favorite kind of oatmeal is the steel cut variety.  I love the way it "bursts" when you chew it.  I pre-cook mine in the evening and one batch according to the package directions, (bring water to boil 3c., add oats 1c plus 1/4tsp salt, stir and remove from heat.  Cover and let stand til morning) is enough to last me all week.  I use 1/2c. of cooked oatmeal heated in microwave then add 1/4c frozen blueberries and a dash of cinnamon and stir.  Then I mix up 1/2c unsweetened almond milk with 1 scoop vanilla protein powder with 1 packet of stevia, and pour 1/4 of the mixture over my oatmeal, stir and enjoy!  I use the remainder of the milk/protein mixture to make.............(don't forget your water :)

One Day of Carb Cycling - High carb day

Breakfast Sandwich

Saturday

This is one of my favorite Carb Cycle High Carb breakfasts!  I make mine with sprouted grain bread, 2/3c all whites, spinach and mushrooms (which I like to brown with a little cooking spray first then add the whites - cook till set, fold and cut in half) and topped with tomatoes and 1tbsp of greek yogurt, yum :-]  Don't forget to drink some water!  You need to drink 1 gallon of water a day on this plan - and really no matter what plan you're on.

So I had a busy day yesterday.  I finished my "shredders" early in the day, but didn't get my "shapers done until almost midnight, but I did them and went to bed feeling happy.

This is week 3 still of phase one and I am still doing my week 2 exercise schedule/sets because I missed week 2 because of surgery.  But today is Saturday! That means weigh-in day, and I still managed to lose
1.4lbs.  Not as big a number as my first week, but I am happy.  Last year, last month even, I may have completely lost my way after a week like I had week 2 with my surgery, but not now.  I jumped right back in as soon as I was allowed to do so and have been on track ever since.  I don't know why I feel so differently this time, I just know that I do.  That excites me, because usually around this time I start to get scared that the progress isn't going to continue, then I start to get unsure, and lose focus, of course that leads to modifications and frustration.............on and on.  I feel like I've finally gotten off that track, and now I'm just taking it one week at a time. (P.S. drink some water)  Coming soon....................................

Supplements (aaaaaahhhhhh)

Friday

What started as a simple search for info on a fish oil supplement that contains no cholesterol, quickly turned into looking for info on other cholesterol lowering recommendations.

All I can say (as I run screeming from the computer) is aaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh!!!
I cannot believe how much information, and how many opinions are out there about what you can do, not to mention how many companies are vying for you to spend your money on their product prompted by your need for improved health.  

I had to just STOP!  My conclusions are thus:  

Looking back - wow

Thursday

What a difference just one month can make!  

I was just reading some of my oldest posts, and I can't believe how differently I feel now compared with how lost I felt then.  I'm so happy I discovered the Choose to Lose book by Chris Powell!  What makes me even happier is that my husband, my mother, and my sister have all been not just supportive, but are "on board" with me.  2 out of the 3 have read at least part of the book and are starting their very own transformations.  My sister lost 6lbs in her first few days and my mom lost 5 in her first week I believe.  I'm so happy for them.

I am on day 4 of my third week of the 7 day carb cycle solution and I can't believe how much better I feel in such a short time.  I feel focused, satisfied and in control, something I can't remember ever feeling.  To feel this good with pms is nothing short of amazing :)