Still learning ....

I don't think on this journey I will ever NOT be learning something.  Should we ever stop learning?  I don't think so.  Why would you? 

I really thought I was doing good on my low/no carb eating plan.  BUT I have been slipping and it was all because I was slipping on reading labels.  I know that I have to read labels but I have been slipping on some of them.  So, when I was at the store yesterday I made sure I read ALL labels, even though I might had already read it on that product.  Well .... I found out yesterday that I have been eating things that are NOT within my low/no carb guide.  A couple of them was way off.  So, back to making sure that I read labels so that I can stay within my range. 

When reading labels it amazes me at the difference between - regular, light, no sugar, reduced fat and fat free.  No, I am not an expert, by no means; however, it shouldn't take a rocket scientist to figure this out.   For example - I was reading the label on JIF peanut butter.  I grabbed a jar without really looking what it said - (I read carbs) well this one jar had a large amount of carbs.  I was upset because I had been eating a very small amount but it was still way out of line for me.  Well, I turned it over and noticed that it said Reduced Fat.  So, I compared it to regular peanut butter.  There was a really large difference.  If you are counting carbs it is so much better to NOT eat reduced fat or fat free. 

 I wonder why we think that just because a label says reduced fat or fat free that we can consume it and a lot of time in large amounts.  No wonder I gained weight over the years.  I really thought this was the way to go.  However, they add so many other ingredients to make it taste good that it is going the other way. 

This was a hugh lesson for me.  I know that I have to take the time to read labels.  Don't just assume that it will be ok - sometimes it is and a lot of times it is not.  This lifestyle change is something that I really can't let my guard down ...  I have to pay attention to each thing that goes in my mouth.  

On this journey of losing weight and getting healthy I am still learning ....

Low/No Carb

I use to think that it was impossible to eat low/no carb.  When I did this eating plan before I got so bored with the few things that I was eating.  So, I ended up quitting it.  As I have stated before I have went back to eating low/no carbs a few weeks ago.  I am being more creative in my meals and they are so good.  Trying new foods that I have never tried before and really liking them.  The other night I cooked Asparagus and it was good.  It is something that I will definitely cook again and it is on the NO carb list - I can have as much as I want to eat.  That is always a good thing.  

Something I have found that I am really liking and I can make it under my 5mg of carbs so I don't have to count them.  It is pizzas made on the low carb wraps.  Make sure they are the Carb Balance - whole wheat ones - they are 3 net carbs per one.  You can put almost anything on these pizzas.  I have even make grilled ham & cheese.   Here is a picture of my lunch from today - less than 5 net carbs.  Grilled cheese on low carb wraps with sliced tomatoes & crumbled up bacon.  I also have a small amount of Jicama as my fries.  They are really good and as long as you eat less than a cup it is NO carbs.  I am stuffed!!!! (The ketchup is Reduced Sugar 1g carbs for 1 Tbsp)

Here is another pizza that my daughter and I made .... it has jar marinara sauce, cheese, scrambled hamburger meat and sliced tomatoes.  Cook in the oven on 450 until lightly brown and bubbly.  Enjoy!!

This is a lifestyle change for me.  I am so enjoying discovering new foods.  It isn't always easy but it is so worth it.  It is worth how much better I am feeling and watching the pounds come off.  I am down 14 pounds!!!  And the journey continues ....

Wed. March 11th

It is funny how some things in life can throw you off and make you have a really bad day.  It is our choice to how we want to let circumstances control our attitude.   But I decided today that I wasn't going to let things make me have a bad day ... NOT today!!

First, one of the kids on my bus decided he wanted to poke a hole in my brand new bus seats.  I was furious.  I really don't understand what makes kids or people in general want to destroy someone else's property.  Why? 

Then I realized that I had put a bag of dirty towels, my nephews, in the garbage can at the road.  I really did think it was a bag of trash.  Thank Jesus the trash people had not ran yet.  So, I went to the road and pulled them out. Of course, my neighbor happened to see me.  I bet I looked funny pulling a big bag of garbage from the can.  He didn't know that it was a bag of towels. 

On my way the doctor, I dropped my keys in the mud and my pocket book in a water puddle when I was getting out.  It was then that I decided how I was going to handle my day.  Before I would have gotten so mad at all that was going on.  However, today I decided to tell the Devil ... nice try, but it isn't  going to work on me. 

I have to say ... it worked!!!  I had a great report from the doctor.  Everything checked out!!  The best part of my visit with my doctor - I HAVE LOST 12 POUNDS!!!!  That is so exciting!!  I have tried so many times to lose weight and this has been a very long journey.  I know this may not sound like a lot to some people but every pound is exciting. 

Even better than the pounds gone is the way that I feel.  I am feeling SO GREAT!!!  I have a lot more energy than before.  My clothes are loose on me.  I just feel GOOD!!! My daughter told me the other day that I just look better.  I knew what she meant.  Fighting with thyroid issues you fight so many different things every single day - depression, low energy, irritability and the list goes on and on.  I haven't been feeling these in the past week or two.  It is all because I am eating a low carb diet.  I / my body just cant' handle the effects of carbs.  It isn't easy to eat as low as you can with carbs, but it is so worth it at the moment.  Thank you Jesus for helping me do this ....  I know that I CAN NOT do it without His help. 

You just have to start .... one bite at a time.  Make the decision that you are tired of being the say old way. It just takes that one step ... and then another ... and then another.  Whatever you do ... DO NOT QUIT!!!!

Friday March 6th

It has been a crazy couple of weeks.  We have had snow and have missed quite a few days of school.  It has been fun and relaxing it.  I have taken that time for some much needed down time.  Took some time to read and really just relax.  It was nice. 

I have been doing good with the low carb.  I can not lie and say that it has been 100% easy and painless, but it is getting better day by day.  A lot of my cravings are decreasing.  My sweet tooth is even getting a little better.  I am finding more and more things that I am liking to cook and they taste really good too.  Each time that I think about falling off the wagon I just ask myself, "Is it worth it?"  Here lately it has been "NO!"  The scales are going down and it is a great feeling.  I am down another size in blue jeans - now that is an awesome feeling. 

Something I have learned through this journey is this is we do have choices.  We can chose to eat healthy or not.  I know that there are time when it is really hard to make the right choice, but it is still a choice.   I know for me, there were times when I would eat and not even think about it - mindless eating.  I have been paying more and more attention to what actually goes in my mouth.  You have to when you are counting carbs and as closely as I am too.   It is hard at first but I am making a choice to change my lifestyle. 

Journey to continue ......