Getting Real: The Big “D”

 Unfortunately “The Big D” isn’t going to be a funny post as the title suggests. It’s me being honest with the fact that the diets that I have been trying over the last few months haven’t been working for me.

I wasn’t nice to my body during college and unfortunately it all caught up with me. It was even worse once I entered the real world. With the crazy numbers of hours I work each week (for a job I love) I began to put myself on the backburner.

Two weeks ago, thanks to a suggestion from a friend, I began a journey on a new lifestyle change. She emphasized my need to get rid of The Big “D” word and make a change I could keep to for a long time—and not feel deprived.

I shared with her my lower calorie plan and the foods I was eating. What I soon realized is that while I was eating less calories, I was ONLY counting calories and not other nutrients. The biggest culprit? CARBS.

She asked me to name five “unhealthy/ carb heavy” foods I could give up with ease. My answers:

·         Pasta

·         Bread

·         Candy

·         Alcohol (really, I don’t drink much)

·         All Fast Foods

I began looking up lower carb recipes on Pinterest and realized that these meals wouldn’t feel like a diet. There were so many smart options when I began to focus on lowering my carbs (while watching everything else, of course) that didn’t make me feel deprived.

After two weeks of this routine, I already feel so much better. I’ve lost a little over five pounds but, most importantly, I have so much more energy! It really is amazing how quickly you can see the difference after changing your diet.

Looking to make a change yourself? While I am no nutritionist, I am someone in the SAME boat and I fully believe in the buddy system.

Thanks for letting me be a bit vulnerable, friends! Later this week I’ll be sharing more on my daily motivations.

Today’s Pickins:

1.       Lemon Chicken w/ Thyme ( Low Carb)