Weigh- in Wednesday: Aug. 6, 2014

We'll just keep this one short and sweet: today's weight is 278.4.
The scale didn't move much in a week, but it did move, and it moved in the right direction.  (This is why I know that I can't do weekly weigh-ins.  The movement on the scale is something to celebrate, but my brain can't wrap itself around the fact that it isn't a "big" number.  Sometimes I need to give my brain a beating!)

So in TWO weeks when the next weigh-in comes around, the numbers should look a little different, I hope.  I certainly have not gone off of my program at all.  Now, I was in bed sick for 2 days last week which means I didn't feel like eating, but that also means I didn't cheat because I didn't feel like eating!  But, you have to eat to lose weight.  It's one of those conundrums of life I just don't get but I accept!  LOL

Anyway, I found this visual and lest you think I'm complaining about losing a pound, I am not:

Something some of you know but some of you may not is that I also struggle with depression.  I think I've probably struggled with it most of my life, but it really came to a head after my mother passed away and finally, a very kind doctor said that he could give me something to take for that and that it was "OK", that I'm not the only one that has to take a medicine to help with my mood.  (OK, this is a story for another time... I do have a point here.)  So, sometimes, when I have weeks or times along my health journey (I refuse to call this a 'diet'.  'Diets' end.  This will not end for me.  I have to eat like this for the rest of my life.)  when I am not seeing results like I'd like to be seeing, I tend to get a little down in the dumps.  I do tend to turn more and more to my Young Living Essential Oils now to help me out, but I also look for motivation online.  I'll leave y'all with this one today because it is one that keeps coming back to me, and I think it keeps coming back to me for a reason!  

Thanks for reading!

~Erin~

I've only been on my "renewed" journey for 5.5 weeks now. 

Why living in a high carb world just sucks

 Y'all, it is NOT easy eating low carb in a high carb world.  Yes, there are plenty of Pinterest boards, Facebook groups, etc., but when it comes down to it, let me tell you a couple of the ugly, UGLY truths about it: 1) when you are out and about and you need to eat low-carb, your options are really limited.  Think you'll just grab a salad?  OK, well you better check the carbs in that salad dressing!  Those croutons?  Those are nothing but carbs!  2)  Low-carb food is more expensive than high-carb food.  Just like all of the other healthy options at the grocery store or at restaurants, the stuff that is the best for us is the stuff that is the most expensive.  Do you want to know one of the reasons I really put back on 57 pounds last year?  I couldn't  afford to eat right.  And you know what really, REALLY scares me?  What happens if I can't afford to eat right for much longer?  (My husband has been out of work since January 2014.)  3)  Eating out is not fun.  Situation:  Your friends want to have a girls' night out at an Italian (Mexican, American, any kind of) restaurant.  But you're a low-carber.  So you have to go online and scan the menu so you know ahead of time what you're going to order.  And you have to know HOW you're going to order.  Because you have to order like Sally Albright in "When Harry Met Sally."

Case and point:  This just happened 2 weeks ago when my husband and I went to dinner one Friday night at a seafood restaurant.  (not a chain restaurant, so don't try to guess which one)  I researched the menu ahead of time and there were a couple of things that sounded good, so when we got there, I decided that I'd try my "Sally Albright" out on the waiter and see how it went.
Waiter: Have we decided?
Me: I have a question. On the combo, can I get the catfish and shrimp grilled?
W: yes.
Me: OK, then here's what I'd like.  I'd like the catfish and shrimp combo, please, grilled, but no butter and very easy on the seasoning.
W: No problem.  And what 2 sides would you like?
Me: Actually, can I just get a dinner salad instead?  I need to watch my carbs?
W: (looking at me like I'm from another planet)- so, no fries or anything?
Me: Not unless you have a no-carb variety!  (laugh, laugh)
W: Would you like your salad with your meal or before?
Me: With my meal please.

And scene.

I seriously just want to eat like "normal" people when I go to a restaurant.  Sunday lunch is 'almost' normal because we go to the same place every week and I get the #3- scrambled eggs with cheese and crispy bacon.  Not a carb in sight!  Just like a normal person!

So I wonder... Is this how vegetarian and vegan felt "way back when?"  If so, is there hope for the ever growing population of low-carbers?  (there are more of us than you think!  Trust me! )  I certainly hope so!  It would be so awesome to have more low-carb options available at restaurants and stores-- you know, options that don't require that I take out a 3rd or 4th job!

~Erin~