Checking In !

Well it has been a few days since my last post.  I was down and out for a bit with this blog for a few reasons.  My arthritis hit last week and it was nasty.  So much for trying to plant some flowers in the garden.  Then , when it started to flare in my right hand, I went ahead and did my weight routine after all.  Holding dumbbells with an arthritic hand is unwise.  Overnight it flared up and moved to the other hand and even into my right foot.  With that came exhaustion.  Lastly, a terrible tummy  because the meds I have to take wreak havoc on my intestinal lining.   Oh what fun.

All that said though,  I didn't waiver from my eating plan.... even when I got on the scale and it had jumped 7 pounds, yes SEVEN pounds.   Usually a weigh-in like that would result in me saying screw it (or usually harsher language) and going for the buttered bagel.  But for some odd reason, it never even occurred to me to do so.  I just reasoned the whole thing away:  With arthritis comes inflammation. With inflammation comes massive, at least for me, water retention.  Most of the water weight is gone now anyway so it is neither here nor there at this point.

During my flare, I still managed to get some more baking done on Lemon Drop because for me it is therapeutic, sore hands and all.  Plus I managed to snag some pretty good photos (my other passion) and the best part:  I didn't indulge. NOT EVEN ONCE.

I have had to take a break from the exercise though after exacerbating the entire situation more by trying to stick to my routine.  This week so far I have done NIL but this evening a walk is in order.  I already feel like a jelly donut. The firm muscles I was so proud of have loosened up a bit. But have no fear, my routine awaits and once I feel 100% better I will restart my regular routine. 

How is low carb going?  Very well indeed...with one small problem.  I tend to forget to eat.  I don't have much of an appetite anymore.  And I know not eating enough is NOT a good thing because the weight will hold on for dear life.  So what I have started to do is ensure I have a protein shake midday and another in the evening.  I love the chocolate peanut butter one and have at least one of those a day. Other times I omit the PB and add some pure coconut extract instead.  It reminds me so much of the Coconut Frapps at Starbucks.

Ah yes, and one more little thing.  I am zonked in the late afternoon.  I need a nap or I will fall asleep at the dinner table. This tells me it is time to up my carbs a bit more now, especially at lunch.  I have been keeping the carbs very low since I started the program so it is time I increase them a tad and pray the weight loss won't stall.

Vitamin-wise I have been very good taking my multi, an extra B Stress supplement, some Vit C, extra D, calcium,etc.  I also take Estrosense to help balance the nasty hormones and I have restarted using Natural Progesterone cream 14 days of the month.  But regardless, my hormones have simmered down a lot since removing the high starch foods from my diet.

I don't have any new recipes to share... yet.   There is one I am dying to try but I have run out of almond flour and need to get out the health store to pick up more.  So stay tuned because a fall themed muffin recipe is on the way.

Thanks for reading the blog and for supporting me during this lifestyle journey.  I am very, very, happy I have shifted my focus now and have chosen to live a low carb lifestyle. My body thanks me too !