Back on the Plan

One of my Pen & Ink Pictures

Ray and I went to Kentucky for the week of Thanksgiving. Needless to say, we did not stay on the plan. The difference was we didn't overeat like we normally do. We ate one plate at Thanksgiving. When we got home, Ray had maintained his weight.

I, however, lost three pounds. I went in to get my Protime done today because I am on Coumadin. They always check my weight, heart rate, and blood pressure, so I am using their scales for my official weight. The weight is put into my medical records. That makes a total of 26 lbs. since we started. Ray has lost 37 lbs.

We are back on the plan. We ate cheese and pork rinds in the car coming home from Kentucky. We stopped and Ray got a hamburger and a salad for me at Wendy's. He only ate one piece of bread and I couldn't eat the whole salad. It had chicken in it and was a good salad. I love being able to use regular salad dressing.  I love being able to eat butter. The only thing I really don't like is 'no bread'.

I have learned to make roll-ups with ham or turkey, and cheese. I buy the pack of cheese slices that has 4 different cheeses to make a variety. Sometimes I add a little mayonnaise or Grey Poupon Mustard on the inside. Sometimes I mix the mustard and mayonnaise to make a little dip for the roll-ups.

I have been buying frozen stir-fry vegetables to put in my soups. Sometimes I take a couple of chicken breasts and put them in the slow cooker with a little olive oil and a whole onion sliced up. I put some salt and pepper. When the chicken is almost done, I take it out and cut into smaller pieces or shred it with forks. I put in about 4-6 cups of water and 4 bouillon cubes (chicken or beef depending on what I use for the meat). Sometimes I will add garlic or another spice that I think might  change it up some. The stir-fry veggies make for a good flavor in the soup. When it is almost ready, I add a can of diced tomatoes. Sometimes I add 1 oz. of cream cheese or some cheddar cheese (or both). I try not to eat more than 2 cups. No crackers. That is difficult, because I really love crackers in soup.

If you are just reading this, or if you are trying to top our weight loss, let me know. Leave a comment, join the discussion. You don't have to tell me anything you don't want to, just share your experience. Or if you want to Be a guest blogger on this site. We would love to have you share your story. Take care, and Low Carb happy eating.

Our New Life!

The first paragraph is copied from my blog, Thoughts of Pink

Ray and I started on the Induction Phase of Adkins Diet on Monday, August 8, 2011. Ray has diabetes and was afraid that they were going to increase his medication if he didn't get his blood sugar down. I had gained about 20 lbs because of the steroids that I am on and if I wanted to get into my fall and winter clothes, I need to lose some weight. I have been very inventive and will be chronicling our venture on one of my other blogs, along with recipes. I will let you know when I get it going. We both lost weight by day 15: Ray, 15 lbs - Barbara, 12 lbs. I am so excited. Ray didn't realize it before but he was out of his medication that morning when we started. He had to call it in to Express Scripts and to took 3 days for delivery. His blood sugar stabilized between 93 and 110 so when his medication came he didn't take any. He still hasn't and his blood sugar is still between 93 and 110. He is so happy and feels so much better. I am trying not to weigh in every day. I get a PT/INR test every 2 weeks and they weigh me, so I am being weighed at the doctor. We do have a good scale here, but I figured that was "official." I cannot cheat on that one. LOL! (Not that I would.) I will periodically mention the diet on this blog and carry a link to the other one. I did see an article yesterday that I think everyone should read.

The induction phase includes 20 grams of Carbohydrates a day. I went through some Atkins books, but I also looked at other books and came up with very low carb foods. Looks like you can eat just about any kind of meat. I find that it is good to find low carb but you can never forget the calories completely. The really good news is that eating lots of protein fills you up.

I have been very inventive. Of course, we have the meat and cheese wraps. You can even add a little mayonaise. Ray loves these. I started by going to Sam's and stocking up on eggs, lunch meat, and cheese. Remember to keep your calories in control. About 1200 per day for females and 1500 for males.  Eat small meals more often. If you eat a little more or a little less, don't beat yourself up. The most difficult part was getting off the carbohydrates. Here is a link to an awesome article."146 Reasons Why Sugar is Harming Your Health." I will be adding our Life-Plan on Atkins, hopefully, on a daily basis. I may not adhere to all their things, but this article actually confirms my "no sugar" attitude.

Here is to your good health.