I didn't set a goal

[Marthe48]

I thought I was eating to control my sugar, but last Oct. when I had a well-check, but sugar was even higher than it had been the year before. So I cut out bananas, fruit in general, snack bars, white potatoes, and all processed grain products. I loved to have cereal every morning, but my serving was almost 50 grams of carbs, so for a few months, I had an egg and a slice of toast from a homemade loaf. I discovered unsweetened coconut almond milk, and started having a 1/2 cup of cereal, with a cup of that milk. And I ate low-carb the rest of the day, aiming for about 100 grams maximum. I was angry when I started this eating plan. At myself, at my body. I don't think I've ever been mad at myself before.

I don't know if my attitude has helped, but I've stuck to meat, dairy,vegs, baked my own bread and avoided the processed food, except wheat crackers, since Oct. 2, 2019. My sugar is down about 40 points. For the last 3 weeks, it has been under the old fasting maximum of 115. I've lost 40 lbs. I'm planning to continue eating the way I have. Once in awhile I wish I could have a pizza, but the craving passes. I found a low-carb recipe I call pizza mushrooms, or toppings. I make that every once in awhile and I don't miss the crust under all the good stuff I pile on the mushrooms and bake. I use sun-dried tomatoes instead of spaghetti sauce, and I love the rich flavor the tomatoes add to whatever I make with them. As I lose weight, I eat less per meal, and I have a lot more energy. Last fall, I would skip going to the mail box every day, because it was such an effort. Now, it is part of my daily routine again. I do some exercise in a Zoom class I joined, but I sit a lot of it out if I'm not in the mood.

Even if I didn't set a goal, I feel close to what I wanted to accomplish. I want to maintain my new habits. I could lose another 30 or 40 pounds and be really healthy. It wasn't what I was working on but maybe setting that in my sights will help me keep this better health.

[Phoenix61]

1. Congratulations! I admire your self-discipline.

Have you tried the cauliflower pizza crust? I’ve seen them in the freezer section.

[Marthe48]

6. Thank you

It is life long, but I think focusing on blood sugar, rather than appearance might be helping. I have tried cauliflower pizza. I liked it, but it was a little tough. I would get it again, even so.

[Mosby]

2. That's great!

I switched to a low carb diet about 6 months ago. I cut out pasta, rice and bread from my diet. The only carbs I get is from potato, beans, corn, and chickpeas.

I just got a zoodle maker, so I can use that to sub out pasta. I made a "pasta primavera" the other day and it came out awesome. I used alfredo sauce from a jar, there are a lot of differences in calories from one brand to the next.

Jimmy dean makes a Turkey sausage bowl with low carbs and 240 calories, it's my usual breakfast.

[Marthe48]

7. I see a lot more choices

seems easier to stick to healthier food.

I'm looking forward to experimenting with my Spiralizer. So far, just zucchini noodles.

[Midnight Writer]

3. I started cutting carbs, and especially sugar, about four years ago. Impressive results.

Cholesterol way down, blood pressure and heart rate way down, lost over thirty pounds, overall feel much better.

Other people are remarking how good I look.

Oddly, though, my blood sugar has stayed about the same, around 100. Not a dangerous level, but I'm surprised it hasn't dropped.

I miss pasta the most. I occasionally indulge in a small serving.

[Marthe48]

8. Good for you!

I think all of my numbers will be good when I get a well check. Your blood sugar sounds good. When I was first made aware of mine, the upper limit was 115. Then the upper limit was dropped to 100. I feel like if I'm under 115, I'm doing good.

[brewens]

4. I've lost over 150 pounds. Now the diet of whole foods, semi low carb, lots of salads and

fruit seems normal after about 20 months. I'm exercising a lot, partly because I get to eat more. I can't see going back to the way I used to eat, especially because it was a lot more expensive.

[Marthe48]

9. Good for you

Hang in there. I've always eaten a lot of veggies and salad, not a lot of red meat. Sweets are my downfall, but the longer I avoid them, the less I want them. I have chocolate ships I bought right before my well-check. If I really crave it, I'll eat 4 of those. Other than that, and pizza, I don't miss much that I used to eat. Not with isolation, because I don't grab stuff for the pantry. My daughter does most of my shopping now. She gets what's on my list, with a few extras she thinks I'll like. She's a renal dietitian, so she is really helpful in so many ways.

[brewens]

11. My usual treat is Vanilla Greek yogurt with dried cranberries and peanut butter. That's not real

low calorie, but really satisfying. I don't get it unless I've been a good boy all day.

[Marthe48]

12. I don't like yogurt, but I would it it mixed into something

I have trouble finding plain yogurt. But I do have sour cream. I made some cheesecake dip last week, and had it for a few days with graham crackers.

[mahina]

5. Good encouraging results. Thank you for sharing and congratulations

[Marthe48]

10. Thank you!

Hope you are well

[csziggy]

13. Congratulations!

For pizza, many swear by crusts made with cauliflower. There was quite a discussion in the Cooking and Baking group a while back with links to recipes.

I've gained back all the weight I lost last year. Stress from Covid19 and from the construction we are doing has made me eat unwisely. Plus no schedule for when construction people will arrive makes it impossible for me to stick to any sort or schedule for walking. We're almost finished so I hope to get back to a regular schedule, but with the temperatures already spiking in the mid to upper 90s I can't get out and walk any of the weight off.

Oh well, I lost weight when I couldn't exercise so I can do it again.

[Marthe48]

15. You'll get back on top

When modern times are too hard to take, I retreat into ancient history or geology. For some reason, both are comforting. It is hard to stay in control when you are not in control.
I joined a Silver Sneakers exercise class that meets on Zoom. The class is going to continue online, but as of July 1st, will be live at the gym and online. So those of us who won't go to the gym can stick with the class. I am happy they did it that way, because if I am not going in stores, why would I go to a gym?

Anyway, hang in there. You already know you can do it

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

14. The low-carb approach really does work.

I've lost 30 lbs. since early January just by avoiding carbs, and now I'm used to not eating starchy or sweet food. My diet is more limited, obviously, but I find I eat a lot less just because I don't have food around that I'm tempted to snack on. I don't have a specific goal either but another 20 lbs. might be about right.

[Marthe48]

16. Good for you!

I invested in unsalted almonds. If I get that jittery need to snack, I get a few of those and eat them one at a time. I also have dry-roasted unsalted peanuts. For some reason none of the fat I am eating seems to hold me back on dropping weight. Yay