An exercise in self-control.

I’ve been doing this Keto thing faithfully since October 15th now. What do I mean by “faithfully” – I mean low carb, no sugar, pretty strict, NO STARBUCKS. Seriously, that last one is a BIGGIE because I adore starbucks.

The low carb thing I’m doing pretty good at – you’re allowed 20g of net carbs a day, and it’s rare that I even make it that high. I’ve never been a crazy bread eater, but I’ve found low/no carb substitutes for just about everything including No Carb Bagels, Bread, “Tortilla Chips”, and even a Pizza Crust by Thin Slim Foods – I’ve tried them all and most I can’t even tell the difference!

The no sugar aspect has been a little more difficult. Halloween was rough, but I was able to resist ALL THE CANDY the kids brought home this year. I guess you could say their “parent tax” was cut in half. At the suggestion of a friend I tried Russell Stovers Sugar Free Chocolates and they’re actually VERY good so that helps curb the chocolate cravings. I especially love the Pecan Delights! Taste just like turtles! YUM!

Finally that Starbucks problem… That was super hard, but I finally managed to put something together that was Keto friendly at home that tasted so very similar that I no longer even really think about Starbucks anymore! I knew I needed to get some MCT Oil/Collagen Powder so on a recommendation I tried the Bean Envy Vanilla and I use it similar to a powdered creamer with a little heavy whipping cream and my “Pumpkin Spice Chai Tea” and I have to tell you it’s freakin delicious! Like pumpkin pie in a cup!

It’s been a little difficult to find things at restaurants to eat, but with a little creativity it’s possible to go out to eat, not be super difficult with the waiter/waitress, and still enjoy myself and my food. I feel like the hardest generally is Tex Mex, because I constantly forget to bring my own low carb tortilla chips and pretty much everything has a taco shell or tortilla involved, but it’s still possible.

Tonight was a little more difficult, an exercise in self-control, but I was so proud of myself – I ordered the taco salad, but basically asked for only the mixed greens, picadillo (theirs doesn’t have potato), shredded cheese, and sliced avocado in a regular (not taco shell) bowl.

Aaaaaaand everything came out awesome except the delicious looking fried taco shell bowl it all arrived in. Whoops. I could SMELL the delicious carbs fried into it and I wanted it so bad, but in the end I ate my salad and then turned the bowl over to my hubby and daughter to eat because my goal is more important to me than a few moments of taste bud gloriousness.

Speaking of my goal – I am down almost 11 pounds since I started about 3.5 weeks ago, my energy level is up and I don’t feel so draggy during the day while I’m trying to work! It’s easier to get myself out of bed in the morning, and I’m starting to SEE the difference in my body. I couldn’t be happier!

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I have nothing to call this.

I walked into the gynecologist’s office a little under a week ago for my yearly visit. No big deal, normal stuff, right? She asked me to step on the scale, and granted, I had my clothes on but still…. the number that popped up on that thing kind of threw me for a loop. Yikes….. I’ve really not been very good about healthy habits for sure but that was kind of a slap in the face.

I have friends who have had some success with the Keto diet, and to be honest being able to keep meat, cheese, and dairy sounded pretty fabulous to me, so I decided to check it out! Not entirely sure if I’ll be able to stick with it, but surely it’s a stepping stone to eating a bit healthier, and cutting back the sugar and carbs.

So I jumped in. Chef salad for lunch with my favorite homemade dressing. Keto friendly yogurt for a snack by :ratio foods. I was pleasantly surprised at the taste of the yogurt, I was expecting more of a bitter taste with an unpleasant aftertaste but it didn’t really have any of those things.

I had done some meal planning yesterday and a grocery pickup this morning, so I was pretty prepared for dinner! I made “Taco Stuffed Peppers” and they turned out pretty magical, if I don’t say so myself!

Paired up with some fresh avocado and it was a pretty easy, satisfying, and tasty meal! Even hubby approved!!! (Not kid approved, but my kids don’t approve much of anything edible to be honest)

I’m hoping to document some of this journey here, but don’t worry, I know people don’t like endless weight loss posts coming into their inbox, so I’ll find other things to write about too – like how I got a call from the school nurse on my 6 year old because she thought my daughter was sick but it turned out to be a sweaty crotch…… *sigh* #MomLife