It does not have to be a New Year's Resolution to get back on tract for me. I have been doing a low-carb-Keto regime for about two months now. I did break the diet the week of Christmas due to all the goodies and holiday menus, but today, I'm determined to get serious once again.
Keto dieting focuses on a high fat, low carb foods. Being a former (perhaps still) carbohydrate lover, this style of eating is tough for me, especially when your married to an Italian that loves his bread and pasta.
Today, I am starting a three day Sardine and Avocado diet. That is all I will be eating and I may even extend it to 5 days. This should help to kick off the fat burning process my body needs instead of turning carbs into sugar and storing it around my waistline.
I had way too many things this holiday; all of them not Keto friendly. Like this cream cheese, cranberry, currant, and walnut log. I did use gluten free rice crackers with this dip if that makes it any better, lol.
For dinner, it was just my husband and I so I cooked a small ham and made a large pan of scalloped potatoes. The ham would have been fine, but I made a raisin sauce for it which is a no no on Keto. Of course the potatoes and corn are not acceptable either. See what I mean, I went off the rails and then of course there was desert. I mean you can't have Christmas dinner without desert right?
I made a Pistachio Cream Pie! The crust was gluten free chocolate and the pudding mix sugar free. Perhaps that one wasn't so bad after all. Pistachios and the Cranberries in the dip are both loaded with Melatonin which is a great aid in the Keto diet. I know it isn't perfect, but I stayed with some good foods. ;-)
I did only have a small piece the day of and then one for lunch the following day. Someone had to help hubby eat that delicious pie.
Now I have to get back to the diet, Wild Caught Sardines and Salmon are high fat fish and perfect for Keto. I love them both especially with mustard sauce, so that is an easy food for me. Avocados and Olives are also great and I have them at every meal as well.
Once I get past the first 5 days, I can add in all the vegetables and protein that are recommended. It's a good thing I love all veggies and am not a fruit lover per say. Any Cruciferous veggies are the best to have and I love every one of them. If you know me you know I grow a lot of the first thing come spring.
Also, I will be having a lot of salads for both my meals as well. I have been doing intermittent fasting for about 4 months now, and I eat my first meal between 12:30-1:30 p.m. and the second (dinner) before 6:00 p.m. That gives me an average of an 18 hour fasting schedule and a 6 hour eating window.
There are days when I don't eat until 2:30 which closes that window even tighter. This allows my body to burn more fat calories which eventually will help reduce the years of stored fat around my belly. Funny how each year seemed to add a little inch here and there.
If you are wondering if I get hungry going so long in between meals, I don't. In fact sometimes my husband has to remind me to eat something as I tend to forget to do so until I think about what to make him for dinner. I have to make his meals with more carbs as he is underweight for his height unlike myself which needs to drop about 40 lbs.
Needless to say, I have to get serious and do whatever I can to get myself into a healthier weight. I may be starting a bit on the older side of life, but I figured it's never too late to be mindful of my health. Studying and understanding Keto had changed the way I look at food.
I've read every one of Steven Gundry's books on Keto, as well as, Metabolic Freedom by Ben Azadi.
The one that got me started was the first book I read "Super Gut" by William Davis, MD.
Between all those books and learning which foods are the best for achieving my goals, I believe I will make it. I've already noticed a big difference in how I feel every day. I'm not so tired, I have less aching in my body, and I have already dropped 8 pounds.
Do you know what the best part is? My blood workup panel had great numbers compared to last year and my physician was overjoyed and encouraged me to keep doing what I've been doing.
I'm sure I will create posts about my journey and hope that you will be inspired to eat healthier too in the New Year.
