A Lighter Me

AHA....so happy I have lost another 1 1/4 pounds this week and I have seen a weight number I haven't seen in several years. Did great yesterday and got a couple of pancake recipes to try.  Thanks, Kathy-got yours.  I tried a bit of chocolate granola bar at Costco and it tasted way too sweet.  I ate lunch at Olgas-took one bite of the bread and well...delicately spit it out.  Yep...too sweet.  Who wouldof thunk???? Can hardly even eat a banana...might have to join the rest of you who can't abide by bananas.  So....this is the middle of the fourth week and I am happy.  No headache yesterday and none so far today.  And it was great to get back to swimming this morning after missing yesterday. 

Looking

I am looking for a lo-carb pancake recipe.  I have to say with this no sugar diet, I have missed my ocassional morning pancakes.  So, I am looking for one that is lo-carb and eatable :)  Tonight we are having cold chicken salad with celery, grapes and pecans served on lettuce-kind of a summer time favorite.  I had a cold Rice Milk coffee drink with cinnamon and some Rye crisp with cream cheese on them.  I have varied the snacks a little so I don't get bored with them.  I have found that simplicity it easier to manage.  I had a chicken brat in a high fiber bun for lunch along with carrots and hummus; very good.  No chocolate yet :0 
P.S. Cut up bananas (sorry again, Kath) and raspberries with a drizzle of chocolate sauce tasted way to sweet to me.  Not going to have that again. 

Same, Same

It is the beginning of my fourth week without sugar. I guess I should say "mostly" without sugar.  There has been no added sugar, like granola bars, cookies, graham crackers etc.  There is that piece of chocolate almost every day and a little chocolate syrup twice...but all in small amounts. Today we went swimming and boy, did that feel good after two days of going without. I am happy to say-no headache today....hey, that makes a good day for me. 
Joy Boy needed a quick babysitter this morning and we were happy to oblige.  He is much more independent now and really quite funny.  Of course, they (the grands) are all quite amusing.  The stories I could tell.....ha!  But I digress....chicken for dinner and good old sweet potatoes and green beans....sounds good to me. Oh, and that one piece of dark chocolate...maybe :)

Potent Quotable

"The Spirit also helps in our weaknesses." Rom. 8:26
"The Spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." Matt. 26:41

How many times have I said that last verse to myself these past 3 weeks of "No Sugar."  It seemed to have gotten easier this past week which is three weeks.  And I have lost 4 lbs and have seen a weight number I haven't seen in a long time.  "Has it helped the headaches?" everyone asks.  "No" is my reply, but I am not giving up.  A busy weekend prevented us from swimming, but we will be back at it tomorrow.  Can't wait!

Progress

Back swimming today and a weigh-in on the scales showed a 1 1/4 lb. weight loss, so I am happy about that. 
Still doing well, although I had more fruit today-but they were small portions: a few blueberries, an apricot (my favorite) and some raspberries with my banana "icecream" tonight (sorry Kathy-I know that sounds yucky to you :)  We skipped the bananas last night, but opted for them tonight.  So that pound will probably come right back on :)  I also had only one piece of dark chocolate.  But you know, some days you are just naturally more hungry than other days.  And today was one of them; maybe because the sun finally came out after a week. Well....it was in and out, but at least we saw it.  Tomorrow is another day.  It seems to get easier as the weeks go by. 

Still Working At It

No Chocolate for two days; yea!  That's not saying it is forever though :)  Tuesday I was craving a dessert so I made my famous banana ice cream.  I mash two ripe bananas on a dinner plate and stick it in the freezer.  Then, to eat, I thaw them for about 20 seconds in the microwave and dish them up in 2 bowls. I add a few chopped walnuts or pecans, a little drizzle of chocolate sauce and a dollop of whipped cream.  It satisfied and seemed a little on the sweet side since I haven't eaten anything like that for awhile. 
Yesterday and today went great-today we had steel-cut oatmeal for breakfast with lo-carb toast and a veggie omelet for lunch with another piece of toast (peanut butter and a little fruit-only jelly). For a snack this morning I had a handful of mixed nuts and an apricot. 
Dinner is going to be salmon, sweet potato, and asparagus. Might have the banana ice cream again.  We skipped swimming this morning-first time we elected not to go.  We just needed a break and felt like a quiet, slow morning. 
My clothes are starting to feel a little different especially around the waist. Even though that is a slow go, I feel good about being fit and eating right. 

Discouraged

Major headache day-me thinks I will stop the chocolate and umm....maybe nuts. And...it is spring-so there is that "spring wheat" to consider. HA!  Still no sugar and no more weight loss; which was a little discouraging today-but I am still swimming and trying my best.  I think the older you get the more you have to eat like a bird.  Right now, don't feel like eating, so that's good. 
Don is reading from a "Wellness Letter" that says Butterbur can help headaches; it is sold as Petadolex in Health Food Stores.  Hmm...will think about that one.