Category Archives: Beddar Cheddar sausages
Day 1: Starting fresh
You know what they say about falling off a horse…get right back on.
In total honesty (which is what this blog is about), I have screwed up my plan, gained weight back, and feel like a slug. I guess I could hit myself over the head a few times, get mired in despair at my failures, give it all up and gain it all back.
OR, I can get back on the horse.
I imagine anyone reading a blog about the ketogenic diet may understand what I’m feeling. Unless you’re a weightlifter, you’re probably overweight and looking for the diet that will fulfill all your hopes and dreams of a slender new you. In that case, you’ve probably experienced the same temptations and failures that I have.
So, here we go. I’m renumbering the blogs because I’m starting over. Fortunately, I haven’t regained all of the weight I lost, and next Sunday, I will weigh in and find out what the damage is. For right now, I’m doing what I feel is best for me: forget the pounds and the angst and the self-flagellation, because none of that is going to help me remain positive and move forward.
I’m getting back on the keto horse and going for a ride.
Day One:
Yesterday was Monday. I started the day with a cheese omelet with grilled onions and bacon on the side.
For lunch, I ate 2 Beddar Cheddars and a side of almonds.
I worked until 6 and had an hour until trivia. I drank some water and waited to eat until I arrived at Albert’s on the Alley, where I ordered their delicious grilled chicken club salad with blue cheese.
Okay, here’s where I had a bit of a rough ride…the birthday cake team On a Mission offered to the league teams. I ate a piece.
That’s it. Time to get back on the horse, AGAIN.
Day 322: Unplanned Buffalo chicken salad
Total weight loss: 39 1/2 pounds
I cooked 3 scrambled eggs for breakfast and nukes some pre-made bacon. It was quick and I had time to relax before work, although I missed the waitress pampering me.
I ate 2 beddar cheddars and some almonds for lunch in the late afternoon.
After work, we were planning to have Cincinnati chili, but Rick didn’t start cooking the sauce early enough. He was out working on cleaning out the garage and forgot. Oh well. It was almost six, and we made the executive decision to grab something quick. We pass Big Boy on our route, so we went there. I do love that buffalo chicken salad. I have to admit, the time I goofed and ordered it with the regular chicken tenders, it was tastier. However, the grilled chicken is much lower carb and it is good as well.
I ate an Adkins chocolate coconut bar for dessert. Oh, and I drank a glass of red wine. Still on track.
We eat out a lot. It’s just a necessary part of our lifestyle – and something we enjoy. Combining a full-time job and with owning a small business means we are working almost around the clock. After eating at Big Boy, I spent about 3 hours on the computer working on client projects and bookkeeping for our business. Having dinner out is a nice treat between the day job and the evening work.
That said, it really is fantastic that there are so many delicious low carb options in so many restaurants. And if it’there aren’t readily apparent options, there are always choices that come with bun, potato, or tortilla that can be substituted for something better. If that fails, remove and toss the offending carby product.
A coney dog with no bun, a burrito with no tortilla, a burger with no bun, spaghetti squash instead of pasta, cauliflower instead of potatoes – all these options have become second nature to me by day 322. I can do this. Once the weight is off, I can also maintain. Carbs are not a necessary part of my diet. I just need to remind myself of this every now and then. Here’s to “re-losing” that 2 pounds I gained over the past month.
Day 321: Monday trivia and a cheat cupcake
Total weight loss: 39 1/2 pounds
We started our week at the diner. We’ve pledged to only go 2 times a week, and I think Monday morning is the perfect day to start.
I had the omelet and bacon.
For lunch, I heated 2 beddar cheddars at work. In the late afternoon, I ate some almonds.
Dinner was at Albert’s for trivia. I have to say, their chicken club salad is one of the best salads in town. In fact, my trivia team and I agree that ALL their food is really really good. The salad is chock full of ingredients: arugula, cheese, cucumbers, lettuce, tomatoes, really good “real” bacon bits hot off the grill, and of course, the grilled chicken. I gave away my tomatoes and cukes and it still took me about 45 minutes to eat the salad. I’ll take a picture of it next week.
I drink about 4 glasses of water while I’m at trivia. For one thing, although the food is delicious and well cooked, the pop leaves something to be desires. Flat and tasteless. So, since I’m always trying to drink plenty of water, I opt for that in most restaurants in the evening, especially if I start the day at a diner and have pop for breakfast. I really am trying to cut down, even if I only drink diet cola. I just know it isn’t healthy, even tho low carb.
There were 2 birthdays being celebrated last night. I was offered 2 cupcakes, and I caved on the second offer. I ate it. It’s over. ‘Nuff said.
Day 319: Doomsday (er, I mean weigh day)
Total weight loss: 39 1/2 pounds. Sigh.
Yes, I gained 2 pounds. How depressing. I’m over it by now, but it took quite a pep talk – from myself. Rick chimed in a bit. It could have been worse. I’m doing okay. 39 1/2 pounds is a significant amount. Yada yada. I just hate going backwards. I want to see that 50 pound loss and soon!
So, I went on. I ate well and stayed under carb limit. We had breakfast at home. I didn’t feel like cooking and Rick was already enjoying his newspaper over cereal, so I didn’t ask him to cook for me. Instead, I ate a bowl of leftover taco soup. That finished the pot I made last week, so I’ll be sure to make some more to carry me through the upcoming week.
Lunch was cheese in a low carb tortilla topped with jalapenos.
We worked on the garage a bit. The house we renovated may be sold, but its former contents are still stowed in boxes all over our garage and basement. After that, I did something rare: I went grocery shopping with Rick. I know, I am spoiled. Most people have to go into a grocery store more than one time every few months. However, if the man LIKES it, and I don’t, who am I to insist on accompanying him on such a mundane task. He buys all the food I need for the diet, and has become a real expert on finding the lowest carb foods and ingredients. I just decided to take a quick walk-thru and see if I found any new inspiring foods.
I was craving coney dogs, but didn’t want to eat out again. I headed over to the canned bean aisle and found some canned chili toppings for hot dogs that were only 1 net carb per serving. I’m looking forward to trying them out this week. Other than that, I grabbed some low carb yogurt and some avocados, and we headed home.
Dinner was 2 beddar cheddars.
Day 298: Hidden carbs sabotage my meal
Total weight loss: 41 1/2 pounds
Yesterday was Friday. We started the morning at the diner, where I had my usual: cheese and onion omelet with a side of bacon. I was very happy it was Friday, but I knew I had a long day at work ahead of me. Breakfast out was my “pre-treat” to myself.
For lunch, I ate 2 Beddar Cheddars. I had almonds later for a snack.
While I was working, Rick was also working on websites and newsletters. In the afternoon, he cooked up some chicken fajitas and stopped by the grocery store for some low carb tortillas, so I could eat right after getting off work.
I don’t know what I would do without his support. He is supposedly “retired,” but each day is spent working on our web and print design business. He also took care of a million details when closing the house we sold, does the banking, grocery shopping, and most of the cooking. I might cook something twice a week. Anyway, he has been behind me 100% and goes out of his way to buy low carb foods and find me low carb dinner ideas. My husband is one in a million!
So, back to the food diary. I ate 2 servings of the fajitas, and topped them both with avocado slices and sour cream. They were delicious and low carb. The tortillas are just sliced up frozen chicken tenders with a spicy marinade from a bottle. He uses all different kinds, like Lawry’s. Oh my. I just looked at the carb count on the marinade. It says one serving is 4 grams of carbs. Well, that sounds dandy, until I read the details: the bottle contains 24 servings!!! Rick says he uses about a half a bottle, which makes 4 servings when combined with chicken and cut up peppers and onions. That means 12 servings x 4 grams of carbs = 48 total, or 24 grams of carbs if I eat 2 servings, as I did last night. That one meal puts me over carb count for the whole day. Sigh. I guess I’ll have to find some other seasoning for this meal.
There have been a few other incidents like this, where I think I’m eating something just fine, but discover later that the meal was overflowing with carbs. The Taco Bell hot sauce in a packet that Rick adds to my morning egg dish is fine. The Taco Bell verde sauce is not. Guess it pays to be more conscious of those hidden carbs!
Day 296: Yummy pot roast from Costco
Total weight loss: 41 1/2 pounds
You may notice that I skipped Tuesday’s blog post (day 295). It was election day, and I knew I was going to attend a party at my friend Jo’s and would probably succumb to the temptation of her moist and chew brownies. I declared a cheat day in advance, and ate a Mexican pizza from Taco Bell for dinner, plus the aforementioned brownies and some chips and dip.
I had actually planned to have a cheat meal yesterday, since we were supposed to close on the home sale and celebrate at Macaroni Grill. Unfortunately, the closing was postponed until next week. This is the most difficult home sale we’ve ever had – and we’ve been through a few in the past 15 years. Since the cheat meal on Weds. was cancelled, I just moved it to the election party on Tuesday.
Yesterday morning began with a cheese and onion omelet at the diner. I added a side of crispy bacon and it was a very good meal.
Lunch was at my desk. I ate 2 Beddar Cheddars.
I had chili lime almonds for a late afternoon snack.
I worked late and didn’t get home from work until 7 pm. I popped a Costco pot roast from Costco into the microwave. I’ve had it before and I thought it was pretty tasty. It only takes 10 minutes to cook. I ran off to do some cleaning and sorting in the basement. When the 10 minutes were up, I tossed a bag of frozen cauliflower in the micro for 6 minutes and went outside for a quick vodka and diet drink on the deck.
It was a REALLY quick drink, because it was 40 degrees outside. Rick may enjoy the great white north, but not I. I cut my drink short and went back inside to whip up the cauliflower into mashed potatoes.
We had a quick and hearty meal in fewer than 25 minutes.
For dessert, Rick wanted me to whip up the keto-friendly chocolate mousse from heavy cream that I used to make. I did, and we had a lovely dessert.
Day 192: Pizza lunch and some new lo-carb Indian food
Total weight loss: 31 1/2 pounds
Yesterday the entire work force got together for an emergency “fire” meeting at my boss’s house. On the way, I downed a quick low-carb yogurt and drank lots of water (I always seem to forget the importance of that).
At lunch, we were served some delicious pizza and salad. Oh yes, I forgot I DID have 2 mini donettes for a snack. It was not a good choice, but it was way way better than eating all the other bad choices that were being offered.
Back to the pizza. It was a chicken, pepper, very low sauce type, not sure what it was, but it was very good and the toppings were thick. I didn’t feel deprived not eating the crust.
I also had a small salad with a raspberry vinaigrette dressing. It was 7 grams of carbs per tbsp, so I ate very little.
After the meeting, Rick picked me up and was feeling poorly. He had a really high temperature. We headed home, where I had an almond snack and worked a bit. It sure is nice not rushing over to work on the rental house.
For dinner, I had 2 beddar cheddars and some of the leftovers from Rick’s meal. He made basmati rice (which I skipped), and tried a new kind of Indian food that was very low carb. It was Passage to India brand, Korma simmer sauce, and it was very good, even all by itself in my little bowl.
Dessert was the usual fake peanut butter cup.
Day 191: Back in the keto routine
Total weight loss: 31 1/2 pounds
Well, I’m officially back in the routine. I ate no carbs yesterday, and I admit, it was a bit difficult staying true to the diet.
We’re in the midst of the house showing, with some competing bids, and a lot of stress. I worked at home again, and there’s a bit of stress there, too, since the building we work in is smoked damaged and we’re winging it as best we can. The stress, a headache, and being a bit exhausted by too much life, left me tempted to have some comfort food a few times. And by comfort food, you know I mean carbs.
But I didn’t succumb to temptation.
I ate yogurt for breakfast, almonds for snack, and beddar cheddars for lunch – no bun.
For dinner, I chopped up some leftover grilled chicken, put it on a low carb wrap, and added salsa, onion, and sour cream. I followed it with 70% chocolate and peanut butter dessert.
I’m BAAACK on track!
Day 175: Monday trivia
Total weight loss: 31 1/2 pounds
Monday morning on a short week…my vacation starts Wednesday. Woohoo!
I had some cherry low carb yogurt for breakfast and some almonds for a midmorning snack.
I’ve been really really hungry lately. The steroids I’ve been taking for my giant bug bite may be to blame. Fortunately, I took the last one yesterday morning, so we’ll see…
I was supposed to meet Rick for lunch, but some Palmerworks business got in the way. He’s got a new client newsletter that keeps growing and growing. I took some time out for 2 beddar cheddars.
Within an hour, I was hungry again. What gives? I ate some more almonds.
After work, I had about an hour for a swim, then I was going to a new restaurant for trivia. I was FAMISHED. I stopped at Wendy’s on the way home and ordered a grilled chicken sandwich, but skipped the bun, of course.
Trivia was at the Penn Grill and Bar in Plymouth. It was crowded, warm, and noisy. Despite being really really hungry again, I ignored all the carby foods on the menu and ordered a grilled chicken salad. I really wanted some deep fried appetizers – any deep fried appetizer, or pizza, or….whatever. I got the salad with bleu cheese. It was just okay.
Got home around 10:30, and I was hungry AGAIN. First, I dropped by the deck and had a Michelob Ultra with Rick, then I ate some tortilla chips with spinach dip. And another donut.
I know, this is crazy. I really really hope it was the steroids that made me do it (or the devil?). I haven’t been off track like this since I started. I do great all day, but fail at night.
Tomorrow is another day.
Day 171: More swimming and more pizza
Total weight loss: 31 pounds
Breakfast: yogurt
Snack: almonds
Lunch: Beddar Cheddars
Dinner: Shawarma pizza after a delightful swim.
Both sides of the family came out to the pool yesterday. Was the temperature about 100 degrees? I think so!
Cindy and Tara brought 4 kids. Marsha and Todd brought three teenagers. The backyard was a happy oasis.
The adults were drinking high-carb pina coladas. Boy, those drinks DID look good! Marsha brought tortilla chips and black bean dip. The dip was only 2 grams of carbs per 2 tbsps. I abstained from the drinks, but laid back in my pool float drinking my 2.6 carb Ultra beer. I planned to try the dip, but I never got out of the pool!
High points of the day: skipped the pina colatas
Low point: I did eat the crust on my pizza, again. I think I may be able to blame this on the steroids I’ve been taking since Tuesday. I’m just a bit hungrier than usual.
Dessert was 2 squares of melted 70 percent chocolate with peanut butter and a big glass of water.