that I'm not a size 2. Heck, I'm not even in the single digits.
My goal isn't to be skinny.
It is to be healthy and to say at the end of the day that I've done everything possible
that day to be as healthy as I can.
So, when I give advice on eats or exercise,
I am no way endorsing *points self up and down*
"all of this."
With that out of the way, I would like to tell you about a recent way of eating that I have found to be very beneficial in health AND numbers. I've had a family member take on the lifestyle of less carbs, high protein (LCHP). This particular family member has been seeing good results in weight loss. Watching her go through this transformation, not only mind, but body--I started getting interested. Now don't get me wrong. I'm not one of those fanatical cut-out-all-carbs people. In fact, when she showed me her "DO NOT EAT" list, I blew it off because everything on that list was my FAVORITE FOOD EVER. No way Jose was I giving that stuff up.
But then I watched this video on youtube...look it up: it's called "Butter Makes My Pants Fall Off."...and it just all kind of clicked. To sum up this 26 minute video...eating high fat, low carb food makes sense because when one exercises, what's being burnt is FAT...not CARBS. This helped me understand why I was attending a very high intense exercise class an hour a day, 4 days a week and I hadn't lost a single pound! Although I was eating everything labeled Fat Free, Reduced Fat, and I counted every blasted calorie. I started examining my day and it often looked like this: Breakfast....Waffle (carbs!) with Jif Peanut Butter (carbs!) and banana slices (MAJOR CARBS!). Lunch...baked potato (carbs!), mini corn on the cob (carbs!), and usually boneless, skinless, chicken (GOOD CHOICE!). Supper... Healthy Life 35 Calorie Bread to make a Peanut Butter sandwich (carbs, carbs!) Typically, one soda a day (carbs!) and snack usually consisted of a Kind or Granola Bar (carbs, carbs!)
As you can see, my meals were by no means high in calories or quantity. But check out those carbs! I was definitely made aware of it. Did you know carbs immediately turn into sugar once it enters your body? I thought NO WAY will I ever get Diabetes like what runs in my family. I don't eat sweets! Well friends, I can tell you this: I've been going insanely over on carbs and sugars for a loooong time because I was not aware of all the facts. And now I'm in the process of learning and I'm excited to let you all in on the secrets too! One thing that scared me was "what in the world am I going to eat?!" I LOVE potatoes, breads, popcorn, bananas, chips, pasta, soda! I've found sites on facebook that often share recipes and ideas. Plus you can find lots of carb free recipes online. Here's a few of my recent screenshots, that I plan on trying ASAP.
I'm so excited to try the buffalo chicken stuffed with cheese! AND hard boiled eggs have become one of my favorite breakfasts! And snacks! I still get to enjoy my caramel coffee. Now let me tell you about my typical eating day: Breakfast...either 2 hard boiled eggs or Kroger Carbmaster Yogurt. Lunch: A meat (chicken or beef usually) and one carb favorite. I usually pick a potato or corn but never both the same day now. Gotta pick and choose! I have been pairing this with another green veggie, whether that be brussel sprouts, grilled asparagus or green beans. Supper: I'm liking breakfast for supper currently...bacon, hard boiled egg, a slice of toast with butter and a slice of cheese.
A lot of people who are really strict on their carbs will keep their carb intake around 20 g a day, or 5% of their day..they also do 20% protein and 75% fats. . I try to do 25% carbs (or 75 g--recently ive been shooting for 50 g), 20% protein (55-60 g) and 55% fats. When I look at past food tracking on MyFitnessPal...my carbs used to be, on average, 56-58%.
My first week in upping my water intake and little to no soda (6 oz or less if I were to slip) and carb watching...I lost 3 pounds. And I was only able to fit in a workout 2 days that week.
The only downfall I've seen is my calorie intake. Carb watchers don't typically pay attention to calorie intake. However, I've been conditioned the past 10 years to do that so I still take a peek. I've been averaging around 800-900 cals. I push really hard for 1000. But I stay satisfied and full and I really have little to no desire to snack. I will be talking to my dietician tomorrow and try to learn how to balance all this stuff out. Until then though, look at your own daily menu. Start tracking on the free app called MyFitnessPal (hey, add me: tiffanykeaton) and see where you are. Watch that youtube video. There's also an interesting view on Netflix called Fed Up.
Get passionate about your health! YOLO, right? :)
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