Low Carb Lifestyle Goals – Mid Year Check-in What’s Working

How is it going with the low carb goals this year? The year is half-way over and here is what’s working for me and what isn’t on my fitness and low carb goals!

Goals. Goals. Goals. Blah, blah, blah. Remember those New Year’s resolutions we all made back in January? Well the year is half way over (can you believe it?) and for the most part, I have stuck with my low carb lifestyle and it has made a difference. I reached my pre-pregnancy weight over a month ago. That was a small victory and I have maintained that weight, give or take a couple pounds. I do want to lose a few more pounds to reach my goal weight. Plus, I turn 40 in six months, and I fully intend on being in my best shape ever.

I don’t want to ever say the word “failed” because that seems so terminal, but I definitely have some “opportunities for improvement.” Who doesn’t right?

Here’s where I’ve been slipping:

• drinking water
• meal planning
• fitness

These three things are essential for me to avoiding cheat meals and getting in my best shape. I’m not sure why I haven’t been drinking water. I mean, I love my coffee, but what else have I been drinking during the day. I think nothing. I know this because I’ve been getting headaches from being dehydrated. So I’m printing out another one of my water tracking printables, and using it.

The meal planning fell to the wayside for a couple of reasons, the biggest being the kids being home for summer and strangely enough, the kids being away at summer camp. Since the kids have been out of school, they have been going through food like crazy. Seriously though! On the other hand, they were gone for a week at camp and doing other things, so I didn’t really feel like cooking. What happens then is that we order out. Here in Scottsdale, I can pretty much get anything delivered within an hour. Anything. So when we’ve been watching World Cup and MLS games on the couch all day, cooking doesn’t sound so fun and then we order food. And that food isn’t typically low carb/healthy. So, just like with the water printable, I’m going to be using my low carb meal planning printable worksheet to make sure that stay on track.

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I’m not opposed to “cheat meals” but I like to plan for them. I am a huge fan of structured flexibility, and scheduling time away from your goals. Like if you really want a big, carb-filled meal, plan it for Saturday, and eat right before and after that meal. If you plan for it there’s no guilt.

Fitness! This is a biggie and the area with the most room for improvement. Summer gets me every year since I live in the desert. I really enjoy running and being outside during when the weather is cooler. I put the little one in the jogging stroller and off I go, especially while the big girls are at soccer training or at school. But it’s summer. It was 108 degrees yesterday (which seems cooler than past summers) but still too hot for me to be outside.

In the past, I’ve had great success with Beachbody workouts. I did the 21 Day Fix, using the videos in my living room a few years ago, and was in great shape. Now they have Beachbody On Demand, so I can stream the workouts to my television or computer. These workouts are great because I have no excuse not to do them. I don’t have to go anywhere, don’t have to find someone to watch the kids, and I won’t melt from being outside. To motivate myself even more, I signed up to be a Beachbody Coach, so I can help you get fit too! Click here to find out more about joining a support and accountability group!

What has worked for low carb lifestyle weight loss/maintenance

Despite my room for opportunities listed above, I have found one thing that has absolutely worked for me. Intermittent fasting. I swear that the last bit of baby weight I lost was due to intermittent fasting. I’ll do a full post on this at some point, but here is the quick and dirty version…

• 16 hours of fasting : 8 hours non-fasting
• I eat breakfast at 11 am – no eating after 7 pm
• Normal amount of food during the 8 hours of eating
• Nothing but water, black coffee and sometimes BCAAs during the fasting hours

Intermitting fasting has seriously cut down on nighttime snacking. I’ve been at it for two months now and I’m not even hungry after 7 pm. The mornings can be a little tough, and by 10:45 am I am ready to eat. Overall, I am consuming less during the course of the day.

The other thing that is working for me is the supplements I am taking. I take a vitamin daily, for me it’s a prenatal vitamin. Additionally, I sip on branched chain amino acids during my workouts. I find it gives me just a bit of an energy boost and helps especially if my workout is during my fasting time. Also, I have been taking collagen peptides. This is for joints and overall health. But my skin, hair and nails are looking great because of it.

So there you have it! The status of my low carb lifestyle goals! Living a healthy, low carb lifestyle is going to have ups and downs. The middle of the year a good time to check-in and see what is working and what isn’t. Where are you succeeding in reaching your goals? I’d love to know what’s working for you!

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