Healthy for the Holidays Challenge - 9/06 - 11/22

I'm really struggling to figure out how to lower my carbs... I totally know it would be good for me though! I'm a carb junkie, and not a big meat eater. Can anyone offer some suggestions for meals and snacks that are low in carbs?

I'm in the same boat! I'm a carb~a~holic! I'm starting to eat more fruits and veggies.

Yes, eating lower carb IS challenging. It took me a couple of weeks to realize that my morning 1/2 bagel was really cramping my healthy eating options.

In a nutshell, here are Primal Blueprint's general eating guidelines:

DO EAT: meat, fish, poultry, eggs, vegetables (except white potatoes), nuts/seeds, healthy fats
EAT in MODERATION: Fruit (2 small servings/day), full-fat dairy, alcohol (red wine recommended), dark chocolate
DON'T EAT: Grains, beans/legumes, added sugar, unhealthy fats

Cooking and eating whole foods really helps eliminate a lot of carbs (and salt) that come with processed foods. Shop the perimeter of the grocery store for fresh (or frozen) veggies, fruits, full-fat dairy, and meats. Leave most of the boxed/bagged stuff on the shelf.

All I can say is, "It worked for me, when nothing else did."
Normal BP from weight loss and reduced salt use.
GERD/heartburn eliminated from weight loss and possibly from lower gluten intake.
Much happier knees from weight loss and possibly from reduced gluten intake.
Satisfying and sustainable eating plan that will work in maintenance mode, too.

Thanks for being good sports, and giving it a try! Even following the plan 80% of the time reaps benefits.

I am realizing how hard it is to get my carbs down. Good challenge this week!

the week is not over but it certainly was an interesting one. Got in a lot of good exercise, but had some heavy eating days (TOM is partially to thank for this), including all restrictions off visit to one of my favorite mexican places. But yesterday I was quite "good" and I'm just hoping to get myself back to 160.5 for tuesday. I took a good walk with my neighbor this morning and I have ultimate frisbee today, so I think the big burn today will really help. Epic fail on the low carb thing, this week was not the one for me to do that with the huge hole in my belly for 2 days running.

I finally took my measurements this morning - the first time since March. Here are my stats:
Neck: 13
Chest: 37.5
Waist 37.5
Hips: 39.5

One of my NSVs is to lower these numbers. I hope to see an overall 2" loss. Interestingly, my numbers didn't move much since March, lost 2 on my waist, and .5 on both chest and hips. But I have moved down a pant size, so even small changes in inches make big changes in clothes.

the week is not over but it certainly was an interesting one. Got in a lot of good exercise, but had some heavy eating days (TOM is partially to thank for this), including all restrictions off visit to one of my favorite mexican places. But yesterday I was quite "good" and I'm just hoping to get myself back to 160.5 for tuesday. I took a good walk with my neighbor this morning and I have ultimate frisbee today, so I think the big burn today will really help. Epic fail on the low carb thing, this week was not the one for me to do that with the huge hole in my belly for 2 days running.

I finally took my measurements this morning - the first time since March. Here are my stats:
Neck: 13
Chest: 37.5
Waist 37.5
Hips: 39.5

One of my NSVs is to lower these numbers. I hope to see an overall 2" loss. Interestingly, my numbers didn't move much since March, lost 2 on my waist, and .5 on both chest and hips. But I have moved down a pant size, so even small changes in inches make big changes in clothes.

Whoohoo good for you. Gotta love moving down pant sizes

I didn't eat that well this weekend.. I cannot stop eating junk!

I moved a TON yesterday though and a moderate amount today. hopefully it wont affect on the scale too much.

I've been feeling ill lately.. I don't know if TOM is coming or I'm knocked up... LOL only time will tell.

I didn't eat that well this weekend.. I cannot stop eating junk!

I moved a TON yesterday though and a moderate amount today. hopefully it wont affect on the scale too much.

I've been feeling ill lately.. I don't know if TOM is coming or I'm knocked up... LOL only time will tell.

LOL. Hope it's whichever you dread less. TOM is a short-term thing, and knocked up, well it's more than long-term, it's lifelong-term, for better or worse. LOL. IT's also bug season, so maybe you caught something...

You are better than that! Remember any time you want to make a choice that would lead you down the wrong road--You are better than that!

Check out the beck diet solution, it really helps with the mental aspects, the thread I am working on is in my signature.

Thank you - sounds hard work from your thread. I will check the Beck Diet out

I know you are couple weeks into it already, but do you mind it I jump in? I fell of the wagon 2mo. ago and soooo need to get my act together and be more accountable. I'm hoping by joining your group I will feel like I can't let you all down. I have never been part of a group before so Im not really sure how to keep track? Any pointers will be much appriciated. Thanks to all!

Fitness/Food Challenge for week of Sept 19th.

I'm currently in the midst of the Primal Blueprint 30-Day Challenge, so I thought I'd give you a sample of what I've been doing along this weight-loss journey. You can read more about it at <marksdailyapple.com>.

Fitness challenge: Try all three, OR pick one that you don't currently do, and try it this week.

Lift heavy things--2 body-weight strength training workouts each week (planks, pushups, pullups, squats etc.) I also count heavy cleaning, moving boxes and furniture, heavy yard work, etc..
Low Level Aerobic Activity--3-5 hours of easy moving each week (gardening, shopping, walking/hiking, house cleaning, horseback riding, playing outdoors with kids, etc.)
Sprint--One all-out effort each week (stair climbing, running, jogging, whatever leaves you temporarily exhausted and out of breath at the end)

Food challenge: I've been eating lower-carb on this journey, and it's worked for me. If you are having trouble getting rid of the last few lbs. or having a hard time starting to lose--try eating about 100g carbs per day and see what happens. OR If you don't want to go lower-carb, just keep track of the carbs in your meals and notice which kind of meals/foods leave you the most satisfied.

Rose

My update on this week's challenges (I know, I know, there's one more day until the next one).

eating lower carb: total fail. This was a big time munchie week for me. TOM came and my body was STARVING for 3 days straight. Literally could not get my belly full. Got back to normal eventually, but low carb was not happening this week.

Workouts:
heavy things - did 3 gilad circuit training workouts this week. Lots of weights and calisthenics, so i'm counting that here. I didn't do any extra weights this week, but I'm going to make that a mini-goal for this coming week
low level - 2 long walks with kid in stroller
sprint - 1 walk-jog with stroller and 1 day of ultimate frisbee, literally sprinting and jogging off and on for 3 hours.

I really like thinking in the mindset of getting in the 3 kinds of workouts each week. I see the merits of all of them and helps to build a well rounded workout week.

:flowerforyou: Thanks for the great challenges Rose!:flowerforyou:

bump to find later

I couldn't wait until tomorrow. I weighed in this morning at 170.2lbs. I was happy and started crying and my poor baby had to comfort me. She just kept drying my tears telling me not cry. To make it even better, I lost another 0.5 inch in my hips!! My hips have been the hardest thing to lose and I'm finally seeing some inches melt off again.

I didn't eat that well this weekend.. I cannot stop eating junk!

I moved a TON yesterday though and a moderate amount today. hopefully it wont affect on the scale too much.

I've been feeling ill lately.. I don't know if TOM is coming or I'm knocked up... LOL only time will tell.

LOL. Hope it's whichever you dread less. TOM is a short-term thing, and knocked up, well it's more than long-term, it's lifelong-term, for better or worse. LOL. IT's also bug season, so maybe you caught something...

I'd be okay if I was knocked up for the record...lol. We want one more. I'm controlling my junk today.. i allowed myself ONE cookie. I brought chicken salad for lunch, and I pork chops (baked) with asparagus and baked potatoes for dinner.

well then, bring on baby! (but not too soon, half the fun is the "practicing" hehehe). Personally, I wouldn't want to go there right now, not only because life is too crazy for me, but I got immediately knocked up after losing weight the last time and this time I wanna be able to enjoy it!

I couldn't wait until tomorrow. I weighed in this morning at 170.2lbs. I was happy and started crying and my poor baby had to comfort me. She just kept drying my tears telling me not cry. To make it even better, I lost another 0.5 inch in my hips!! My hips have been the hardest thing to lose and I'm finally seeing some inches melt off again.

great job on the loss!

I didn't really attempt 100 carbs this week but I tried to be more aware of them. I don't know if I could go that low.

My check-in for the week

SW- 175.4
CW- 171.1 (I did a major happy dance)
GW- 165