240.8 (9am)

I ate a glazed donut (my husband's) and a couple cups of skim milk last night. Bad girl! I am up a bit as a result. Today, I will probably also suffer some cravings as a result. Today is my last day of antibiotics for my throat. My period arrived yesterday or the day before (2 weeks early).

239.0 (9am)

241.6 (9am)

Breakfast (11am): Coffee with 40 grams heavy cream, 8 drops EZ-Sweetz and 7 drops almond extract

Lunch: Can of green beans mixed with a cut up cucumber, 1.62 oz sour cream, dill, garlic powder and pepper

Snack (5:15pm): 4 oz baked ham (lean only eaten).

243.2 (9:45am)

I was pretty restrained. I had coffee with cream (41g). Made a salad out of cooked bacon, canned green beans, raw cabbage, sour cream, pepper, garlic powder and rice vinegar. Later I had some non-fat cottage cheese and some more cooked bacon. I weighed and measured everything on my digital scale and input it into fitday.

Daily totals:

1262 calories, 87.6 grams fat, 29.8 grams - 8.6 = 21.2 grams NET carbs, 88.0 grams protein

62%f, 9%c, 29%p

I started a Z-pack for my sore throat that I have had for over a month. I hope it kicks it.

244.4 (10:30am)

245.0 (9:30am)

I ate spaghetti and garlic bread last night. Oh yeah, and peanut M&M's. I haven't had a successful low carb day in 2 weeks?

245.4 (10:45am)

O.K. - I've been eating carby crap for the last week? My knees are making horrible cracking sounds when I go to sit down. Obviously I NEED to get some of this weight off. I am doing damage to my knees.

Breakfast (11:15am) - Coffee with 40 grams heavy cream, 8 drops of EZ-Sweetz and a capful of almond extract.

245.2 (10am - full of carb bloat)

245.8

244.2 (10:30am)

243.4 (11am)

My weight is up after eating a bunch of carby junk last night. *sigh*. I really understand NOW though, that I fail not when I fall of plan, but when I don't get back on plan at the next meal, next day or whatever. It's when I let that one indiscretion turn into weeks or months or YEARS of being off plan and not caring about my weight, that I fail. So here I am now, today caring and being LCHF. I think if I can keep this mindset in place, I can succeed, where I have always failed before. I will never succeed if I can't figure out how to keep on keepin' on even when I eat something I shouldn't.

Lunch (4pm): Light Flatout Wrap with 30 grams mayo, 68 grams sour cream, 35 grams green onions, 42 grams cheddar, garlic powder and pepper.

Dinner (7pm): 4.48 oz (raw weight) 73/27 ground beef cooked (not drained), then mixed with 67 grams cream cheese, 90 grams sour cream, 24 grams green onions, garlic powder and pepper. Eaten with 31 grams pork rinds.

I forgot to take a picture of my dinner.

Daily totals:

1637 calories, 142.3 grams fat, 32.2-10.5 grams fiber = 21.7 grams NET carbs, 66.5 grams protein

76%f, 7%c, 17%p

242.4 (9am)

Calories were a little higher than I would have liked as well as carbs yesterday. I thought I still might get a little loss, so was kinda disappointed to be up as much as I was. Oh well.

Lunch: 1.45 oz (raw weight) bacon, 16 oz bag mixed low carbish oriental veggies, one natural casing hot dog

Dinner (6:30pm): 6.00 oz iceberg lettuce, 0.63 oz green onions, 2 hard boiled eggs, 1 large carrot (forgot to weigh), 75 grams cheddar cheese, 73 grams blue cheese dressing

Evening: I lost control and ate a bunch of Milk Duds, Jelly Bellies, spaghetti with meat sauce, 2 hamburger buns with margarine. YUCK. I don't really know what prompted all that.

241.4 (9:30am)

Yesterday was Mother's Day. We went out of town to go see my mom and dad. Lunch and dinner are approximations calorically, but probably really close. My weight yesterday morning was 241.6.

Lunch (1pm): 12 oz (raw weight - weighed on scale) New York Strip Steak. (grilled on charcoal grill). Served with salad (bagged iceberg, carrot blend) mixed with fresh tomatoes (not a lot). Salad was dressed with a homemade dressing I made with "salad dressing" (ie Miracle Whip type dressing), about a tbsp (or less) of olive oil, white vinegar (splash), garlic powder and a few grinds of black pepper. Then for dessert I had 6 fresh strawberries sliced up. (Everyone else had chocolate cake).

Dinner (7pm): Hot dog in natural casing (the good expensive ones), served on a Light Flatout Wrap with mayo (around 45 grams probably, but again, not measured) and about 5-6 dill pickle slices.

Yesterday's Daily total estimation:

1790 calories, 145 grams fat, 34 grams carb - 12 grams fiber = about 22 NET carbs, 92 grams protein

71%f, 7%c, 22%p

It was a really high protein day for me. I was SOOOOO proud of myself for sticking to LCHF despite eating Chinese buffet the night before and going out of town. I really came very close last night while lying in bed to having candy. I had the package in my hand and everything. But I reminded myself that I probably would end my diet right then and there if I had any, so I gave them to my husband.

Today:

Lunch (2pm): Light Flatout Wrap with 25 grams mayo, natural casing hotdog, 6 dill pickle slices, 27 grams chopped tomato, 0.42 oz sliced green onion

Snack: 20 grams butter cooked with 11.57 oz cabbage

Dinner: Salad made with 6.1 oz iceberg lettuce, 2 large green onions, 2 boiled eggs, 1.31 oz cooked weight bacon, 30 grams cheddar cheese, 44 grams blue cheese dressing

Snack: light flatout wrap, natural casing hotdog, 25 grams mayo, 0.43 oz green onions, 6 dill pickle slices

Daily total:

2,046 calories, 166.6 grams fat, 79.5 grams - 31.2 grams fiber = 48.3 grams NET carbs, 79.8 grams protein

70%f, 14%c, 15%p

239.0 (9:30am)

I am happy to get back below 240. Now to get below 235.

Lunch (1pm): salad with dressing. Dressing made with 48 grams mayo, 1.98 oz sour cream, 6 drops EZ-Sweetz, rice vinegar, garlic powder and pepper. Salad was made of 9.59 oz lettuce, 2.68 oz tomato, 1.48 oz frozen peas, 1.27 oz green onions, 2.79 grated carrot, 1.69 oz cooked bacon pieces and 1 large boiled egg.

Snack: (4pm): 67 grams of peanut butter

Dinner (8:30pm): We went to our favorite Chinese Buffet. I ate a lot. Fried spring rolls, sweet and sour meats, green beans, mushrooms, Chinese noodles, fried won-tons. I would estimate I ate around 2000 calories there. It was a lot but not enough to make me feel gross afterwards. (I didn't have heartburn that night or feel really stuffed). But - I was definitely FULL.

Later, I had a King size Reeses, some Jelly Belly Beans and some Milk Duds. I made sure to quit eating junk by midnight and said "no more". I would like to occasionally be able to eat off plan like this and be able to get right back on plan and have it be not a big deal. I am working towards that goal. I don't know if it's possible for me to abstain 100% without ultimately falling off plan for months and months.

240.8

Up some today. Not sure why, but I suppose it really doesn't matter. Normal body fluctuations, I'm sure.

Breakfast (2:30pm): 84 grams melted jalapeno cheese with a 32 oz diet coke

Dinner (8:45pm): 16 oz Bag of frozen oriental mixed vegetables (broccoli, snow peas, water chestnuts, green beans, red peppers, carrots & onions) cooked with 4.62 oz (raw weight) bacon (fat was NOT drained from pan before adding the vegetables). This was surprisingly good and had good final nutrition ratios. I will definitely eat this again sometime.

Daily totals:

1051 calories, 84.5 grams fat, 34.3 grams - 11.4 grams fiber = 22.9 grams NET carbs, 45.2 grams protein

72%f, 12%c, 16%p

Lastly, I just wanted to make note that my stomach bothered me for most of the day after eating the cheese this afternoon. I don't normally consider myself dairy sensitive at all, but as I hadn't eaten anything else (besides the diet soda), I want to note it and keep an eye out after eating cheese in the future. (See if this is a reoccurring theme).

240.0 (11:45am)

Yesterday ended up being really low in both protein and calories. I will attempt to up my protein intake today.

Lunch (2:15pm): 9.91 oz California Avocado (this was 3 medium size ones), 0.88 oz white onion, lemon juice, salt, 3.99 oz iceberg lettuce

Dinner (5ish): 2 hot dogs in natural casings with a sauce made with 27 grams mayo, 1.27 oz sour cream, horseradish (refrigerated grated 100% horseradish), salt and pepper

Daily Totals:

1302 calories, 120.1 grams fat, 38.8 grams - 20.6 grams fiber = 18.2 grams NET carbs, 27.0 grams protein

81%f, 11%c, 8%p

240.8 (11:30am)

Weight has been steadily coming down. I imagine I might struggle at this weight for a while now if past experience has shown me anything about what to expect.

Breakfast (4pm): Coffee with 50 grams heavy cream and 9 drops EZ-Sweetz

Dinner (8pm): 4.45 oz (raw weight) bacon cooked with 16.33 oz green cabbage

Daily totals:

866 calories, 75.8 grams fat, 29.1 grams - 11.6 grams fiber = 17.5 grams NET carbs, 21.6 grams protein

79%f, 12%c, 9%p

242.2 (10am)

Breakfast (10am): coffee with 50 grams heavy cream, 8 drops EZ-Sweetz, 3 drops almond extract

Lunch (2pm): 7.41 oz California avocado, 0.99 oz chopped white onion, 2.26 oz chopped Roma tomato, 1 capfull lemon juice (from bottle) and salt.

Dinner: 5.89 oz (raw weight) ground beef, 10.51 oz cabbage, 1.90 oz sour cream, salt and pepper

Snack (8:30pm): 3.88 oz iceberg lettuce, 59 grams cheddar cheese, 34 grams blue cheese dressing

Daily totals:

1685 calories, 147.4 grams fat, 52.4 grams - 24.0 grams fiber = 28.4 grams NET carbs, 50.3 grams protein

77%f, 11%c, 12%p

243.2 (9:45am)

Breakfast (11:30am): coffee with 50 grams heavy cream and 8 drops EZ-Sweetz

Lunch (1:30pm): 4.66 (cooked weight) ground pork, 6.28 oz zucchini julienned, 4.06 oz mushrooms, 1.73 oz sour cream, Worcestershire sauce, pepper, onion powder, paprika and salt

Snack (6:45pm): 5.08 oz California Avocado

Daily totals:

970 calories, 79.3 grams fat, 25.2 grams - 12.9 = 12.3 grams NET carbs, 47.4 grams protein

71%f, 9%c, 19%p

244.6 (10am)

Breakfast (1pm): 3.28 oz California avocado

Snack: 109 g cheese

Snack: 49 g cashews

Dinner (5:45pm): Light Flatout Wrap with 26 g mayo and 46 g cheese

Daily totals:

1272 calories, 104.6 grams fat, 47.7 grams - 16.9 = 30.8 grams NET carbs, 51.8 grams protein

69%f, 14%c, 16%p

245.0 (11am)

I at the other half of the mushroom, chicken, cream cheese, etc concoction I made yesterday. Half of it around 2pm and the other half around 3pm.

Snack (11pm): 42 grams jalapeno cheese

Daily totals:

1447 calories, 97.2 grams fat, 45.2 - 10.0 grams fiber = 35.2 grams NET carbs, 102.0 grams protein

59%f, 12%c, 29%p

Today was a really high protein day. I can probably go pretty low on the protein tomorrow if I want.

243.6 (11am)

Last night was really hard. My husband said at 9pm or so that he wanted pizza or mcdonalds or something. I said ok. I was going to have some too. It turned out Pizza Hut closes at 9:30 or something, so he didn't have time to have it. We went back and forth. He didn't want to be responsible for knocking me off track. I wanted to eat a bunch of food (after talking about it, it got my motor running). We ended up leaving for mcdonalds and luckily, I managed to talk myself out of getting any. We got his food and went home. He ate it in his office and I had a bunch of diet mountain dew in my office. I was really close to losing it. *sigh* I hope this gets easier. I am glad that I have upped the calories though. Perhaps it will make it easier on evenings like that, to make the right choice.

Ok. Last night I threw in the crockpot 22.79 oz boneless skinless chicken breast tenderloins and 9.21 oz mushrooms (plus a little water, salt and pepper). This morning I added in another 6.14 oz mushrooms, 7.69 oz cream cheese, 1.80 oz green onions, 12.95 oz sour cream and 11.99 oz frozen green peas. After it was done cooking I split it into 2 portions (one for today and one for tomorrow). I then ate half of today's portion around noon and the other half around 4 or 5 pm. It was really good. I think I will make it (or something similar) in the future again. I really like using the crock pot to cook up meals like this.

The picture shows my lunch bowl after I'd already eaten quite a bit of it.

This evening I had 3 oz of tequila with 20 oz of "Master of Mixes" Lite Margarita Mixer. These were really nice. I recommend the mixer. (I drank about half the bottle, but will replace it when it is gone. Walmart carries it). I am not a normal drinker, but I went to my future sister in law's bridal shower the other day and had a couple margaritas and liked them a lot. (I used to HATE margaritas). I expect my weight will be up tomorrow from water retention.

Daily totals:

1522 calories, 85.2 grams fat, 56.0 grams carb - 10.6 fiber = 45.4 grams NET carbs, 27.9 grams alcohol, 93.8 grams protein

49%f, 14%c, 25%p, 13% a (alcohol)

245.0 (9:45am)

Breakfast (noon): 5.82 oz strawberries, coffee with 41 grams heavy cream, 8 drops EZ-Sweetz

Lunch (1pm): 13.19 oz iceberg lettuce, 1.98 oz cooked bacon bits, 3.07 oz frozen green peas, 0.63 oz green onions, 99 grams cheese, 3 hardboiled eggs, 2.54 oz mushrooms, 64 grams mayo, splash rice vinegar, 8 drops EZ-Sweetz, pepper and onion powder

I should have eaten half the salad for lunch and half for dinner, but I ate it all at lunch. I am now STUFFED. I will see what happens this evening. If I need to, I will try to drink coffee with cream (instead of adding any more protein or carb grams to my daily intake).

It's now 8:20pm. I ate 2 large strawberries about an hour and a half ago and then had a diet cola. No dinner. I feel fine. I was worried that I would be starving all evening. It's interesting to me that I am not.

That salad was huge at lunch (check out the digital scale under the huge bowl for reference.

Daily totals:

1689 calories, 134.0 grams fat, 52.7 grams - 13.1 = 39.6 grams NET carbs, 73.2 grams protein

71%f, 12%c, 18%p

It was a kinda high day on the carbs. I am still not sure if I want to stick with as many as 1600 calories. Per fitday at 245.0 (sedentary) I am using 2683 calories per day. So eating 1600 calories per day should lead to a 2 pound weight loss per week. That's decent. I can lose as much as 3.5 pounds per week when I restrict below 1000 calories per day and exercise. But is that sustainable? If I always "fall off plan" because I am miserable, then should I use it as a means of losing weight? I don't know. Part of me wants to lose the weight really fast. The other part of me is getting older (I am 38 now) and wants to just lose the weight slow and steady and keep it off.

I am remembering that the definition of insanity is continuing to do the same thing and expecting different results. I have tried so many times over the last few years to make low carb eating work. I feel like there has to be a way that I can eat that leads to a lower weight and keeps my blood sugar in check, that doesn't lead to me eating "off plan" (binging) and gaining all the weight back (repeatedly).

245.2 (11am)

I am really pleased to see my water weight is down even more this morning. I had a lot of ketosis breath last night and the night before that. I also have been eating a lot of sea salt. (I eat it straight out of the container). I don't want to risk a muscle cramp. I took my dogs to the park yesterday, but only threw balls for them. I didn't do any exercise. I don't expect to want to do any exercise for some time. Not only have my knees been making cracking popping noises, but my throat has been sore for the last 7-10 days. (I need to get my tonsils out one of these days).

My plan continues to be to do LCHF with a higher calorie count this time. I think that trying to be too low calorie continues to derail me. When I do fall off plan, I can't get back on, because I've been experiencing chronic hunger for too long. I was cold a lot of the time, last in March when I was losing weight at a nice clip. I think now that I may do better over the long term, to resign myself to the fact that I can lose slower, but hopefully not fall "off plan". Maybe it would be a healthier way to lose the weight too. I am just so desperate to lose this weight, but what matters most is taking it off and keeping it off.

Breakfast (12:30pm): coffee with 50 grams heavy cream & 8 drops EZ-Sweetz

Lunch (1:45pm): 8 oz frozen green beans cooked with 3.8 oz cut up in to little pieces cooked ham. Then mixed with 25 grams heavy cream and 50 grams cheese.

Snack (4:30pm): 42 grams cashews

Dinner (6:30pm): 5.96 oz (cooked wgt) 80/20 ground beef patties with 19 grams blue cheese dressing

Daily totals (as reported the next day):

1595 calories, 120.2 grams fat, 36.7-9.6 grams fat = 27.1 grams NET carbs, 96.2 grams protein

66%f, 9%c, 25%p