Next Best Step

Twibbly

So, I've been, honestly, sucking at sticking to low carb.

After discussing it with my hubby (and some of my friends here), I came to a few realizations.

1. Yes, as a matter of fact, what I eat is directly related to my level of anxiety & depression, as well as energy.
2. Yes, I need to figure out how to prepare ahead of time more, but I also need to figure out what I can just GRAB and eat when necessary and keep some of those things with me.
3. Yes, my husband sucks at this as badly as I do, which is why he opted not to join in this go-round. He flat out told me that the reason he doesn't last long on Atkins is because he's generally already eaten everything he's willing to eat that he can just grab.
4. Yes, I need more support. Hubby said he'll cook me more burgers tonight. I need to ask him to quit offering me a bite of his fries and a sip of his soda. I plan to ask Dad if he'll smoke me a bunch of chicken thighs before we go camping at the end of next month so I have something tasty I can just grab and eat so I'm not a mess out there.
5. Yes, I need to take better care of me.
6. Yes, we need to be more adventurous with our food & learn to do things like make sauces.

So, what am I doing about it?

1. Focusing on the next best step, not what I did already or how many carbs I already ate.
2. Cooking up a storm today. I made Cracklin' Chicken yesterday, have bone broth going in the pressure cooker with a mix of chicken thigh bones & beef bones, and am about to thaw out chicken breasts so I can wrap them in bacon and bake them. I might just cut the breasts into chunks & mix with chopped bacon in the pan, but it will get cooked today. Hubby's also going to make me burgers.
3. Buy things I can prepare and eat quickly and when I'm out, AND KEEP A RUNNING LIST that I can refer to. On my list: jalapeno poppers, pepperoni, link sausages, cheese bites (miniBels, Laughing Cow, or just cubed hard cheese), bell peppers. Any suggestions, especially for shelf-stable items (no nuts, gluten, sweeteners (artificial or real), or soy)?
4. Try to quit stressing so much over what I eat, as I feel it's becoming counter productive.

Any recommendations? Suggestions? Smacks upside the head?

wabmester

You've got this. You know the benefits, you know how to do it, and you've got tools and support here. Just say no to the damn french fries.

GSD_Mama

Good job on your willingness to plan ahead, sometimes it's easy to just grab whatever you fee like.
Do you eat veggies at all? How about make some baked cauliflower, load it with bacon and you can keep it in a fridge for a few days.
What about bakes cheese bites, or zucchini chips? Baked green beans or asparagua, dill pickles and olives. Those can be a quick healthy snack.
We all can give advise and support you to the best of our abilities, but at the end of the day, you are the only one will be dealing with consequences of your choices. You are the only one can make a difference in changing your habits. You will thank yourself later, just say no to drugs! Feel good about today's choices so you don't feel guilty tomorrow

Twibbly

Our veggies are normally the freezer bag ones that you just pop in the microwave. I do have some green beans that were cooked in bacon grease & frozen in individual portions.

I wonder if my zucchini is still good...how do you make zucchini chips?

GSD_Mama

Google some recipes, there are bunch of different ones, I usually slice them and bake with olive oil, garlic and sprinkle Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper.

JPW1990

Do they sell Old Wisconsin near you? These are perfect for on the go: http://www.oldwisconsin.com/snacks/smokestacks/beef-cheddar

I'm ticked the one store we had that carried them stopped. They have the regular sausage sticks now, but not the meat and cheese ones.

spush

we're all behind you! I bake a whole load of drumsticks, and probably 20 or so sausages - black farmer ones here in the UK are 1g carbs per 100 and then keep them in a nibble box in the fridge. Usually my lovely son home from uni eats them all before I do, but they're there. I also keep babybels in my handbag, much to the laughter of the kids in youth club.

Twibbly

JPW1990 wrote: »

Do they sell Old Wisconsin near you? These are perfect for on the go: http://www.oldwisconsin.com/snacks/smokestacks/beef-cheddar

I'm ticked the one store we had that carried them stopped. They have the regular sausage sticks now, but not the meat and cheese ones.

It sounds like Walgreens & HEB might have them. I'll check it out!

Dragonwolf

Jerky, jerky, jerky!

Ideally, make your own, but if you have a Kroger or similar grocery store, check out their organics section. I know the Krogers around me are starting to stock stuff that is low carb friendly. Steve's Paleogoods is one such brand. They've got a bunch of jerky types that are made with high quality beef and at least some of the varieties don't have added sugar and are just meat and spices. Barring that, just seek out jerky and watch the ingredients. Again, making it is going to be the cheaper/better option (and it's really not that difficult), but these are good options if you're out and about and need something to keep from grabbing something worse, these could be an option.

Eggs are often my go-to for a quick meal, and I try to keep leftover or deli meat around, as well. Saute a little diced ham, sausage, or steak in a skillet, then pour scrambled eggs over it and cook it all together, and you've got an awesome scramble within about 10 minutes.

You might want to see about joining our May challenge. It might help simplify things for you, and if you're dealing with cravings, should kick them, too. Then, afterward, you can start including other foods again if you wish. The structure might help you relax and get into the groove. If you don't want to go that far, you could do your own low carb version of a Whole 30.

bluefish86

Canned fish is another good option... I can eat tuna straight out of the can! I also go through about 3-4 tins of sardines a week. They're convenient to have around to throw on top of a salad - sometimes if I'm running late for work and I haven't made lunch I'll throw a bag of spinach in my bag and have that with a can of fish for lunch. Boiled eggs, pickles, meatballs, radishes and baby carrots are also great for a snack. On the go, I'll usually try to look for fresh fruit and maybe some nuts.

Twibbly

Dragonwolf wrote: »

Jerky, jerky, jerky!
You might want to see about joining our May challenge. It might help simplify things for you, and if you're dealing with cravings, should kick them, too. Then, afterward, you can start including other foods again if you wish. The structure might help you relax and get into the groove. If you don't want to go that far, you could do your own low carb version of a Whole 30.

I had said I wasn't going to do it, as hubby had been worried about the lack of veg and me not cooking enough for everybody. I asked him about it again today, and he said he's fine with it as long as the bathroom is surviveable. As long as I'm cooking enough meat for everybody, they can always eat the frozen veggies (or the kids may go next door and beg their grandparents for real food) and we can pick up salads & buns for them to supplement.

Hmmm...Guess that means I better get my jalapeno poppers in now!

Sajyana

Lots of great advice here. I'm cheering you on!! You can do it!! Go Twibbly!! ♥

glossbones

Sounds like you know where you are and how to get where you need to go. Best wishes! We are here for you!