Breakfast time around my house sometimes feels like some sort of sick and twisted psychological torture session.
Waffles! With crispy edges and dripping in gooey, delectable REAL maple syrup.
Honey Bunches of Oats! Beautiful golden flakes with crunchy clusters, crispy and simply delicious.
As I make breakfast for Carson and Ella everyday, my mouth waters. My brain and my stomach wage a vicious war against one another.
Brain: Jennifer. You are on a low carb diet and waffles and Honey Bunches of Oats are a no-no. How about a nice plate of eggs? Scrambled, maybe? Or how about over easy? No, make that over hard. Over easy eggs are just not good without some toast to mop of the yolk. And you and I both know that toast is OFF LIMITS.
Stomach: Go f*ck yourself, Brain. It’s cruel to tempt me. I am craving something CRISPY! Like waffles! Or flaky Honey Bunches of Oats! I will purge any egg you try to give me. Do YOU HEAR ME, JENNIFER?
Brain: “Craving?” “Purging?” Jennifer are we pregnant????
Of course, I’m NOT pregnant, just suffering from low-carb induced mania. When Tate and I faithfully followed a low carb diet before kids, it was far easier. We rid our house of any taunting carb-laden foods. Now with kids, though, carbs mock me from every cupboard with their evil cackles and knowing sneers.
Once I get through breakfast, the low carb diet is SO easy to stick to, though. Okay, fine, it’s not easy when we go out to lunch and rather than ordering a reuben sandwich with a side of potato salad, I order a chef salad. Boo! But the rest of the time it’s EASY.
Well maybe snack time is hard, too. I can only eat so many nuts and cheese sticks before I really just want a handful of chocolate chip cookies or some chips and salsa.
And going out to dinner is hard when I’d rather have a baked potato, french fries, or rice instead of blah, blah broccoli to accompany me and my MEAT.
But eating low carb at home is easy peasy, simple as a pimple, no problemo! Except that rather having meat with a side of meat, I crave some macaroni and cheese, especially the frozen kind from Stouffer’s with it’s creamy deliciousness and tender pasta.
So, okay, I’ll admit, a low carb diet really is hard to stick to, which I KNOW means it’s probably not a long term diet solution which means it’s probably not a weight loss solution at all and maybe I should think about making changes that I can actually live with, changes which include waffles! and Honey Bunches of Oats! and potato salad! and french fries! and cookies! and mac and cheese!
I’m screwed, aren’t I?
As one who has become a fat old man who’s interested in becoming a lot older, I have, once again, begun an effort to lose weight. I am not, however, dieting. Per se. I tried the Atkins thing a few years back and it worked – until I got off it. And the weight came back. With a vengeance. It’s called portion control. Not eating much in the evening – and nothing after 7pm. I eat breakfast. My biggest meal is lunch. And a snack for supper. Yes, I get hungry. And when I do I grab an apple – or an orange – or a banana. the weight is coming off, slowly. Just like it went on. And I do little things to tone up a bit. I use stretchy bands. They’re fun and they don’t cost a bunch and they don’t take up ANY room. But I’m losing weight. I was 240. I’m down to 220. And losing about 2 pounds a week.
lceel´s lastest post..Wordy Wednesday
Totally!
I do the no carb thing, but only after 6pm, and that’s torture enough. You’re amazing just being able to stick it out for a whole day.
My real idea of a diet is the chocolate, chips and booze one. Now that’s perfection! lol
Vic´s lastest post..Be Our Guest
This is why I like Weight Watchers. Those Special K Eggos are 2 points. And it’s sustainable. It’s basically the same as what our buddy Lceel said is working for him – portion control.
Weight watchers all the way….My hubby and I did it before we got married and I lost 35 lbs to get down to 107 lbs on my wedding day. Two kids later I still average around 110 lbs. I don’t go to meetings or anything….it is all about learning portion control and you can eat whatever you want. Once you learn the points system it never leaves you. It has been almost 8 years now.
you are much stronger than i am.
i need to find something that works…without making me feel screwed, too.
yeah you for sticking to it!
jen´s lastest post..sixth of the sixth…
My lifesaver in the low carb thing is fried broccoli and green beans. They feel naughty, but they’re not. http://kitchen-parade-veggieventure.blogspot.com/2007/01/perfect-pan-fried-broccoli.html I hope this helps! I also have a recipe for chocolate cake made with polenta instead of flour. Sounds gross, tastes divine, low calories. Do you need it?
the Mom´s lastest post..Come Stand With Me
Chicken! Where’s the meaty pics???? See, you are just as bad as I am. Oh, and my waffles were oh so yummy this morning, but my pants don’t fit, so you got me beat there.
Try whole wheat waffles. The carbs aren’t as bad since they take a lot longer to process by your body…trust me…the only thing I could eat that was carby when I was pregnant and had gestational diabetes was whole wheat stuff…carbs and sugar was out…unless it was whole wheat.
Sandy´s lastest post..Sh*t like this really burns my biscuits…
Ha! I love your conclusion.
You can only go so long without the carbs…
Headless Mom´s lastest post..The Election, The Economy, and Me
Another Weight Watchers fan, here! Best way I’ve ever lost weight. No deprivation at all. First time around on WW, I lost about 50 pounds. Then I got lazy and complacent and gained back about 15. I’m back on now, and have lost almost 10 of those pounds. Give it a try!
Sheri/Cookingmom´s lastest post..Such a bad dog…
Okay all of you WW fans, I think it probably is a great lifelong way to lose weight. I just think they charge WAY TOO MUCH for their program. I can’t afford to do it.
I should totally take a lesson from you. I am a total carb addict, although I think that if I had some low carb meals that I might have an easier time finding my ab muscles buried underneath all this…insulation…
Maggie´s lastest post..Best Shot Monday: A Bit of Flare
Hey, at least you’re trying
.
Jack and I are into counting calories. I’ve lost 21 and he’s lost nearly 40 because we keep our calories down and have (I’m soooo sorry to have to tell you this) started exercising daily. We’re FINALLY learning portion control, making healthier choices. Ech. I’m making myself gag.
But it’s working.
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@Rosie, Actually, I think exercise is absolutely what’s missing. I was exercising regularly and them suddenly I stopped and I’ve noticed that I haven’t lost ANY weight, despite eating less.
Damn exercise.
I did low carb before my wedding and it worked fabulously!
Now? Notsomuch.
I count calories instead.
(I love me some Stouffer’s mac&cheese too, by the way.)
Yep. Screwed. The only time I did the low-carb diet thing with kids around, for breakfast I would eat Ezekiel toast (made from sprouted grain…not flour) with non-fat cottage cheese on top. Then I would sprinkle it with cinnamon. It really tasted awful, but it was better than eggs…again.
I could never do a low-carb diet. Good for you for at least trying! You’re a braver woman than I am.
Have you tried Cottage Chesse Pancakes? They’re actually yummy (especially w/ blueberries) and sugar free syrup. They’re on the Body for Life website. (Basically, oats, eggs, cottage cheese all blended up.) But, I swear they’re yummy!
I hope you find something that works for you! I definitely couldn’t do low carb with the kids around either. Does wine count as carbs? Cause that would definitely make it a NO in my book.
Devan´s lastest post..Outtie
Low carb is a form of torture. I tried to do it once, and went insane. I’d rather not eat at all than do low carb! So, you know, there are people out there who are worse off than you, is what I’m saying.
anna´s lastest post..6 Inappropriate Songs Played at My Gym, Plus 1 Extended Explanation of What My Gym Is Since Maybe You Don’t Already Know
I did the weight watchers online after my second son and it was awesome… lost 25 lbs in a few months. and it’s not expensive. like $15/mo.
MommyNamedApril´s lastest post..Trotwood Park
Your not screwed at all! I ate all that on weight watchers and have learned great habits that I totally use without even knowing it. I think that is the only thing that has kept me from gaining my normal million pounds this time around on baby #3.
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Your not screwed at all! I ate all that on weight watchers and have learned great habits that I totally use without even knowing it. I think that is the only thing that has kept me from gaining my normal million pounds this time around on baby #3.
Email me about low carbing it. I had DOCTOR PRESCRIBED low carb. 100 total carbs per day. It is one of the four horsemen of the apocalypse. Seriously. Hate it. (And, it’s supposed to be a forever thing with me…she says after her calamari and lasagna dinner)
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Personally I’m a big fan of everything in moderation.
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totally hate it for you!
i’ve heard great things about weight watchers.
i, myself, am also a carb junkie. i know what you mean about not being able to clear it out of your house.
GOOD LUCK to you!!
mpotter´s lastest post..a poll on human nature- take two
I’m another WW lover — I’m down almost 25 pounds this year! And, it’s not *that* expensive…I do meetings and it’s $10/week.
Also, I actually think that the monetary “commitment keeps me a bit more accountable.
Slacker Mama´s lastest post..go, slackers, go!
I could give up anything before I could give up carbs. You’re a better man than me, lady!
patois´s lastest post..Wordy Wednesday #34
/sigh
I love/hate low carb diets. I’ve permanently lost 40 lbs on a low carb diet… if only I could lose the next 20.
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Is it bad that I silently pray they don’t finish their waffles so I can shove the leftovers in my mouth while I clear the table?
Sarah @ Ordinary Days´s lastest post..There Was A Young Sarah Who Swallowed A…
How long have you been on this diet?? seems like what, 6, 9 months ago you were espousing it’s evils as well???
me likey breadsticks! me likey breadsticks!
good luck hun.
VDog´s lastest post..…But He Was Two Months Early
C’mon, carbs are cool and EVERYBODY KNOWS IT! Just have some protein and fiber with them and you’ll be fine.
Susan´s lastest post..Divorced Moms Without Guilt
I hear ya! I am at a standstill myself. Stinks. I noticed I was eating too many nutts and too much pbutter-but even when I quit and lowered my calories, I am still feeling stuck. I am walking a mi or so most nights, still-nothing. Argh. Good luck to you. Let me know what works. I hear ya on the breakfasts though, I savor a cheerio some mornings, out of the kids’ bowls. It tastes Soooo good. For that second. argh
mandy´s lastest post..Ok, NOW I’m getting excited..
I;ve lost 30 pounds since the end of April (140 down to 110). I eat anything and everything I want. I count calories. That’s the only thing I do. I eat less, but I still eat. I really fell like it’s something I could continue for the rest of my life. Especially becuase I like to eat healthy foods. I haven’t cut anything out of my diet.
I swear by low carb life….under these (many) exclusions:
when I want wine, I drink wine(which is almost daily)
I never, ever do without caffeine
If that waffle looks good, I have a bite.
If a sandwich is what I must have, then I take a slice of bread off.
And it works wonderfully, your body won’t kick out of ketosis for a good yummy bite of breakfast goodness. Plus it will keep you more likely to stay low carb.
traci´s lastest post..Friday Confessional
I thought WW was too expensive, too – - but turned out that my health insurance had a program that would reimburse me most of the cost. I did one set of meetings and then, once I’d learned the system, just kept it up myself without costing another dime
There are a lot of free WW resources, too.
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