Back on the Low Carb Diet

Yesterday was the dreaded 'Day One'. For the second time. I first tried low carb eating back in March this year and was pleasantly surprised - it actually seemed to work, and it wasn't that tough! I stuck to it pretty strictly for 30 days (except a pre-booked cream tea right in the middle - ssshhh), and I lost about half a stone. I also felt so much better generally. The best thing was that I felt less hungry; I was just getting so hungry all the time before. This seemed to fix that. 

So, why is this the second attempt? If it was so great why wasn't it the 'lifestyle change' I intended it to be? My excuse is that it was summer and the occasional ice cream, beer and fish 'n' chips needed to be eaten. Generally I continued eating low carb, there were just more and more treats happening. It was beginning to spiral out of control a little so another 30 strict days are necessary. My brain likes a definite yes or no - it is already appreciating the lack of choice. I am not eating carbs. It knows this now.

My summer food exploits. Who could've said no to these?

I did manage a strict 4 days last week, but there was a birthday meal on Sunday so I ate a dessert. Even though it wasn't that bad I'd rather start again so yesterday was it. Day one went well. It felt like I was back in the swing of it. I guess that's the one advantage from having done it before - I have a good list of foods I know I can turn to in hunger. And it's a pretty good list really. I ate biltong, a beef burger (no bun obviously) with bacon and cheese, salad and a small dollop of Greek yoghurt. Not bad at all. It takes about 3 days to get back into ketosis (where the body uses fat for energy) so by the end of the week I'll be well into that stage.

Are there any side effects? The first time I tried low carb I felt like I had a cold and I was exhausted. This is all pretty common and nothing to worry about. I knew it was something you just had to push through. This time around there are no side effects yet. I am tired, but no more than I have been the last few weeks.

I've read that it is harder to get results the second (or third, fourth,....) time around because the body remembers what happened before and knows to cling on to the fat for longer (it knows you're going to give up basically!). That's a weird thought. It reminds me to try to be patient. Kind of.

Project 52 - Fun in the Sun

Something we all need when we get the chance. Seeing as summer is a slowburner at the moment, every time the sun so much as peers around a cloud, I'm there. And so is Ted. 

Sunny (or not!!) Lego Bench Monday

No wonder us Brits are so obsessed with the weather if this is a typical British summer on the beach - spots of rain, lashing wind and the sun hiding behind the clouds! This brave Lego lady will soon be putting on her raincoat, hiding behind a windbreak and clutching a hot cup of tea I bet. No matter what, she'll be staying on that damn beach all day.

Sunny Lego Bench Monday

This lucky young Lego lady found a very kind gentleman to help her avoid the hot sunshine today. It looks like he may be struggling a bit with that umbrella though.