2019 Diet Blog #1: Returning to low carb/modified Keto again!

I have started this month with new motivation. Not for anything in particular, but just in general. There are so many areas in my life that needs improving and controlling my diet is one thing that I have complete and total control over. I know there are times when I will be on carb overload, and that’s okay. I will plan these days out in advance and adjust my diet accordingly.

I cannot not be total Keto in that I have a reaction to all artificial sweeteners I have tried, including the so-called natural ones. I’m not saying they are not natural, but they are not good for me. I do everything I possibly can to not have the massive migraine that they cause. Even to the point that I avoid all sweets at any function that I do not know 100% the desserts do not contain some type of artificial sweetener.

While on this diet journey, I will also be looking at the Weight Watchers point system. I’m curious to research how it works and what is and is not allowed. It’s mostly a curiosity thing. As is The Dubrow Diet which sounds like it would be much more diet friendly then a strict Keto is. I’m just now sure what direction this diet will take, but it started yesterday and my hubby already messed it up for me by making biscuits and gravy for dinner yesterday. Surely one little biscuit will not be that bad for me.

Something else I should mention, I have had conversations with my primary care doctor as well as my GI and they both feel it is something that I can do. The only addition I was informed to do is to take 2 FiberCon 3 times a day (with meals).

Let’s get started. Yesterday, February 1, 2019, I stepped on the scale and have decided that I feel comfortable with a 10 pound weight loss. (I’m not dieting to lose a lot of weight, that is not necessary. But I do know what I feel comfortable weighing). Of course the day always begins with coffee. I like mine with sugar and creamer. So, I added my normal amount of sugar and added a splash of heavy cream. I may have had another cup also!!! But nothing to eat. At least not yet!!!

Around noon, I had my brunch which consisted of one boiled egg, some grated cheddar cheese wrapped with ham. At 3ish I had some deviled eggs made with mayo and mustard only and some cheddar cheese wedges. Then around 7, hubby was mean and made me 2 fried eggs, bacon, biscuits and gravy. The gravy was at the bottom of my bowl with the eggs laid across it. I also topped my fried eggs with some salsa. Everything is better with salsa!!!!

And that was all I ate yesterday. I feel like I did real good! At least for day 1!!!

Today started out with coffee of course!!! Saturdays are a very long work day for me so of course I need coffee. But for some reason, I did not drink that much. And that seems very strange to me since I did not sleep well at all last night.

My first meal today was around noon and it was so delicious!!! I had some Polska Kielbasa smoked sausage, mushrooms, bell peppers, cheese, ranch dressing with extra dill seasoning, and 2 strawberries. It was just so good and easy to put together! I did not eat again until 6:30 when I fixed myself 2 eggs scrambled with spinach, onions, mushrooms, bell pepper, and one torn up corn tortilla and I topped it with some salsa. Yes, I love salsa.

I totally expect tomorrow to be a high carb day as I have lunch with my mother every Sunday. Since it is only going to be me and my mom, I think I will go to Chicken Express and bring her her favorite food ever, fried chicken livers. No worries, I know she will share with me!!!

As always, I’m open to your meal plan ideas and other options for dieting in general. Please feel free to leave me your comments! They are always appreciated.

Modified Keto Week 4… Changes are coming.

Another week and this week, there was a slight increase in my weight by 1 pound. And I’m okay with that considering the week I have had.

Sunday 09/16/2018. Another lunch at mom’s. On this day, I had 1/2 Turkey sandwich on white bread with Monterrey Jack cheese, Mayonaise, and tomato. Later in the afternoon, I had another one exactly the same. For dinner I had 1/2 pimento cheese (homemade by my hubby) sandwich on white bread with mayo. I drank coffee in the morning and Sprite in the afternoon.

Monday 09/17/2018. Today I start the prep for tomorrow’s colonoscopy. Definitely the worse part of the procedure but this time, it wasn’t as bad as it has been in the past. My GI prescribed a medication for nausea and vomiting to be taken before the dreaded prep began and it definitely helped tremendously. But this prep was also different in that it was taken in 2 Steps. On this day, I start step one which consisted of 4 Dulcolax and 1 Compazine to be taken 30 minutes before the prep you drink. I was allowed to have breakfast and a very light lunch on this day. But, I took things very easy. I had 1/2 shredded rotisserie chicken sandwich on white bread with Mayonaise and provolone cheese and some orange jello with Sprite to drink, which I would continue to drink the remainder of the day..

Tuesday 09/18/2018. This morning started with step 2 of the prep. It was the same as yesterday with the exception of Dulcolax. I definitely did not need to take that this morning. It was a long day as my procedure was scheduled for 12:30 which made for a very long day!!!! I’m not sure exactly what time I got home but I believe it was between 2 and 3 pm. Luckily, my son Dawson had made me some Broccoli Cheddar cheese soup and it was ready and delicious when I got home. I must say, it was a new recipe I had found and it was good, but definitely can be improved upon. I had sprite to drink the remainder of the day and I even indulged in some Chocolate Ice Cream!!! I deserved it.

Wednesday 09/19/2018. Before eating anything but after my first cup of coffee, I read the instructions from my doctor. I am still trying to figure it out but basically I must maintain a HIGH FIBER DIET due to moderate Diverticulosis. This will definitely have an impact on any form of a Keto diet. For breakfast on this day, I had 2 pieces of white toast with butter and grape jelly. Lunch was rice with rotisserie chicken and broccoli cheddar soup combined to make a broccoli rice chicken casserole. I must say, it was YUMMY! I had another small serving for dinner.

Thursday, 09/20/2018. Started the day with coffee, but not much as I had to take my mother for a shoulder x-ray. But no worries, we stopped at Starbucks for a Grande White Chocolate Mocha for my mother and a Grande Mocha for me. When I got home, I had 1/2 cup of rice with chicken and broccoli cheese soup. I had the same thing later for dinner. And I drank sprite all day!

Friday, 09/21/2018. Coffee. Just. Need. Coffee. Breakfast/Brunch consisted of 3 pieces of bacon and 2 fried eggs. For dinner, I made chicken spaghetti with the remaining shredded rotisserie chicken, onion, roasted red peppers, Ro-Tel tomatoes and angel hair pasta. And I allowed my inner child to come out and drank Tropical Punch Kool-Aid.

Saturday, 09/22/2018. Coffee. Of course there is coffee on Saturday mornings. I work a double shift every Saturday so there is ALWAYS A LOT OF COFFEE!!!! While working, I had a few Mrs Baird’s Grab N’ Go Powdered Donuts. I needed something that was quick and fast. Late lunch was a bacon, tomato, and mayo sandwich on white bread. Late dinner was 3/4 cup of leftover chicken spaghetti.

And now I get to figure out a new way to shed a few pounds before my cruise in November.

My EXTREMELY Modified Keto Diet week #3…

It’s all fun and games until you have an appointment with a Gastroenterologist. Other than that, everything has been all fun and games.

Sunday 09/09/2018 – Another lunch with my mother. Today she wants taco’s from Jack In The Box. Please do not ask why but feel free to blame her dementia, LOL. My son, Dawson, and I both had a Jumbo Jack with cheese and curly fries. I had a DP with mine while Dawson had a Sprite. I just so we are perfectly clear, they were super-sized… or whatever it is they call it. In my defense, that was the only thing I ate that day.

Monday 09/10/2018 – As usual, I started my morning with coffee. I have things to check off my to-do list and one of those things is to get a Prevnar 13 vaccine while I’m at CVS picking up prescriptions. Unfortunately, my stop at CVS took much longer than I expected so I wasn’t able to check off everything from my list, but I did manage to include a stop at Starbucks. After that vaccine, I needed a Grande Mocha AND a cheese danish. Other things I ate today included some smoked sausage as an afternoon snack and brisket nachos (corn tortilla chips, brisket, cheese, salsa, and sour cream). I also drank a tangerine LaCroix with a splash of 7-Up.

Tuesday 09/11/2018 – Woke up with a headache and a very sore left arm. At least I have Excedrin Migraine for the headache!!!! But we will definitely start the day with coffee… LOTS. OF. COFFEE. I was still drinking at 1 pm. Today’s meals consisted of 3 pieces of bacon for lunch. 2 hard boiled eggs for a snack. 1/2 of a brisket quesdilla (corn tortilla, brisket, cheese, sour cream, and salsa).

Wednesday 09/12/2018 – Coffee… 3 pieces of bacon. Cauliflower mash with cheese, and sour cream and brisket (served in a coffee cup so there wasn’t that much). 2 boiled eggs and 3 pieces of bacon is how I ended my feeding frenzy!!! Forgot to mention I did drink 7-up all day.

Thursday 09/13/2018 – GI doctor day… Started my morning with coffee. Didn’t feel like eating since I had an afternoon appointment plus that morning I had to take my mother to her neurologist follow up appointment. My appointment was pretty much what I was expecting… the dreaded colonoscopy!!! Which is now scheduled for the 18th. The doctor informed me that my keto diet (even modified) is not providing me with enough fiber. He has suggested that I take 2 FiberCon 3 times a day with meals (in the middle of the meal). Maybe I should re-evaluate this modified keto diet and see if I can find something that will be a bit more GI friendly for me but still be low carb. After my appointment, I went to McDonald’s and got a Big Mac Extra Value Meal Supersized for Dawson and myself. I’m trying to justify this as necessary since I’m having a colonoscopy real soon. In any case, it is definitely stress eating.

Friday 09/14/2018 – Coffee… Always start the day with coffee. 3 pieces of bacon. small amount of rotisserie chicken from costco. Small amount of steak my hubby grilled. Probably 7-up to drink.

Saturday 09/15/2018. Coffee as usual. Today s a full on cheat day. I’m not holding back!!! I guess is it a good thing that Saturday is the day I pick up my groceries at the WalMart Neighborhood Market. On this day I had some Mrs. Baird’s Grab N’ Go powdered donuts, 3 pieces of bacon, brisket nachos, and possibly the remainder of the powdered donuts.

So, even though I was totally off, I managed to maintain my weight. I’m not complaining at all. I just need to figure out what is the best way for me to continue and still get in the necessary amount of fiber with out have to take 6 capsules a day!!!! I’m open to any and all suggestions.

Last week’s modified keto…

Sometimes life just has a way of changing things. Nothing major, just little stuff here and there. But I did manage to shed a couple of pounds.

Last weeks meals consisted of the normal coffee with sugar and creamer in the first cup and nothing in additional cups. There was the consuming of cream cheese queso (cream cheese and ro-tel) with tortilla chips. One day I made chili because it was what I wanted! And it was yummy especially with saltine crackers with unsalted tops. One day I had a “brunch bowl” which consisted of potatoes, 2 fried eggs and 2 pieces of bacon topped with salsa!!!! And it would be wrong of me to not mention the guacamole with a few tortilla chips. Let’s not forget the nachos made with a few tortilla chips, chili (that I made), cheese and salsa. I also consumed some orange flavored LaCroix with a splash of ginger ale and also unsweetened ice tea. I did fast on Saturday but did my best to keep myself hydrated.

So this week, I am keeping track of what I eat… actually writing it down so I can remember!!! And I have a doctor’s appointment on Thursday for my 6-month COPD check and lab work. I cannot wait to get the results of my labs!!!! They were good in March so I’m hoping they are good now!!!

Returning to a modified Keto diet.

After spending one week watching what I ate, I discovered that bread is not a good thing. Corn tortillas are awesome!!! I only lost 1 pound during last week and I’m not complaining. I actually thought I had gained everything I lost while trying a modified Keto plan.

So it is time to start fresh. But some things will never change. I had my usual morning coffee (2 teaspoons of sugar and cream). And that was my morning. Around lunch time, I had a nice salad that consisted of iceburg lettuce, tomatoes, cheddar cheese, and bacon. Of course, all good salads are even better with Hidden Valley Ranch dressing.

The afternoon/evening/night beverage of choice was my Orange Favored LaCroix with a splash of Ginger Ale. I needed it for the after effects of a migraine.

I did have a little snack of cream cheese queso (cream cheese and 1 can of RoTel) with pork rinds. I do not think I will do that combination again. I will probably do better with tortilla chips!!!!

I have noticed some ads for low carb tortillas that I have been thinking about trying. Nothing will ever compare to the homemade flour tortillas my grandmother use to make but it might be worth a try.

And that was my day, aside from working. How was your day????

Modified Keto days 19, 20, 21, and 22.

Let’s start with day 19. The day started out normal with my coffee. Nothing to eat until noonish and then it was saltine crackers (unsalted tops) and peanut butter. I know, it’s not on the Keto plan but it was what was quick and easy and something to grab while I worked. Later that evening, my hubby came home with chicken strips and fried chicken. I ate it. I do not feel guilty about it either.

Day 20… Saturday… I had coffee and I had water. And I did not eat anything since 7pm Friday night. We had a get together to go to and I only had water while I was there, nothing to eat.

Day 21… Coffee as usual… Dr. Pepper around noon. Finally ate lunch around 2pm. Lunch consisted of 1/2 of a homemade pimento cheese sandwich and some potato salad. that evening, I had a little bit more of the pimento cheese sandwich. It was good and I did not feel guilty about it at all.

Day 22. I stepped on the scale this morning with a lot of fear… but it was good. I lost another 3 pounds even after eating all the crap, non-Keto approved foods.

But I did learn something over the last 3 weeks. I learned that with my medical history of Diverticulosis, an unrelated small bowel resection, and no gallbladder, Keto is not for me. I cannot do full fat diets. But most of all, I cannot go without my rice and beans and tortillas. I have learned that I do not eat just to be doing something. I learned that I can diet and lose weight without the Keto facebook groups since their way is not a good way for me.

So I’m bidding farewell to the Keto diet and looking for something that is more appropriate for me and my health issues. Sorry, Keto. You’re just not right for me. But thanks for getting me started on this journey that led to a weight loss of 5.2 pounds.

Does anyone have any suggestions on another diet that would include fruit??? Please leave your suggestions!!!

Modified Keto day 18. Definitely not a Keto approved day!!!

It’s not easy when someone in your household is sick. I had to make a run to the grocery store for Campbell’s Chicken Noodle Soup because everyone knows that it makes everyone and everything feel better. And, of course, so does 7-Up, Outshine fruit bars, and Kraft Mac and Cheese. It’s the little things that help a person to feel better. Plus some prescription medications.

As far as my Modified Keto diet went, well it started out like it does every other day. First cup of coffee with 2 teaspoons of sugar (the real thing) and heavy cream. For lunch I strayed. And by strayed, I mean while I was at the store, I picked up a Smart Ones Chicken Parmesan frozen dinner and a Caesar salad kit. I ate the frozen dinner, which I’m sorry to say was not very good but I was hungry. I may or may not have the salad with some smoked chicken for dinner. It will just depend on how tired I am from doing some cruise prep stuff.

I failed to mention that I have not had any unsweetened tea today, at least not yet. Instead, on my way home from the grocery store, I stopped at Starbucks and got a Venti Java Chip Frappuccino. Yes it was good. No I do not feel guilty about it.

Maybe tomorrow I will do better on my Modified Keto diet journey. But then again, maybe not. I can only do my best. In any case, I’m still losing some weight so I’m not concerned with my progress. I’m only concerned about any negative effects it could have on my health. These are things I watch very closely.

Modified Keto day 17.

Day 17. Just another typical day starting with coffee and yes I had 2 teaspoons of SUGAR along with some heavy cream. Additional refills did not have the added sugar but maybe one had some additional heavy cream. Brunch today was Migas. Scrambled eggs with onion, corn tortillas, sausage, and some hot sauce. Yes I am aware that TORTILLAS are not on the good Keto list. But right now, I just do not care. I have to modify things as best as I can considering the dietary restrictions that come with Diverticulosis. Not to mention my allergy to artificial sweeteners and, apparently, the plant based “natural” sweeteners.

This evening was a repeat of yesterday evening… at least I was thinking it was yesterday. I had some smoked chicken with Ranch dressing to dip it with. And some pickle chips. I have consumed unsweetened ice tea today as well.

Sometimes I feel like I’m in a bubble. I realize I am losing weight but at what cost? Since I have started this diet and modifying it as necessary, I have started having severe abdominal cramps. And I’m only 17 days in. I have joined some Keto groups on Facebook, but I am afraid to post anything. Why? Because there is always someone that say “That’s not allowed on Keto”. Well guess what. I’m an adult and I am perfectly capable of making my on decisions. I am losing weight for myself in an attempt to get rid of the weight I gained while on an steroid inhaler for 2 years thanks to COPD. The groups have not seemed very friendly. Some of the recipes look appealing, but since they all have artificial sweetener, I cannot use them. What a shame.

There are a lot of opinions about this diet, but I’m really starting to question if it is the right one for me. Consuming a diet where the main part is fat does not play well with Diverticulosis and not having a gallbladder. I wonder if these people on the Facebook groups take into consideration that this diet might not be for everyone. Some people in these groups act like you MUST do it by the book. I think it might be best for my sanity to stay away from those groups for the next couple of weeks while I try to figure out how this diet with modifications will work for me. Not how the Facebook Keto police thinks it should.

Modified Keto day 16. Today was real bad.

Today was definitely not a good day in my house. My 19-year old son became extremely ill around midnight and continued for hours!!!! What a mess. We took him to the doctor and found out he has acute gastroenteritis. Not fun at all.

But with all the chaos, my modified Keto started out as it usually does with coffee, but I had very little to eat the rest of the day. Some breakfast sausage that amounted to 2 sausage patties this afternoon. Then later I had some smoked chicken (maybe 2 ounces) and some ranch dressing for dipping. I ended the night with a few pickle chips (for lack of a better term).

I’m definitely hoping tomorrow is a much better day. I’m 100% exhausted. Absolutely nothing was accomplished.

Modified Keto day 15. I can do it, I can do it.

Having a back ache is not how I wanted to start my day. But that is ok. I can deal with it! Today was just another normal day… coffee in the morning. Yes with 2 teaspoons of sugar in the first cup with heavy cream. No sugar or cream added to additional refills, and there were a few. Nothing to eat for breakfast!!!

Lunch time means it was time to eat!!! 2 fried eggs, bacon, and about 1/4 of an avocado. So yummy!!!! And filling. Later in the evening, I had some sausage that my husband smoked, a few olives, and a few Parmesan Whisps. And nothing since then. Well, nothing besides some unsweetened ice tea!!!

I wish it felt energized. I wish I felt like I accomplished something today. But nothing like that happened. At least tomorrow I will have some packages delivered!!!! I’m sure everything coming is for the cruise!!!!