I have been struggling for a while....the dreaded Carb Monster had me in its grip.  Once I started eating "Low Carb" Pita Bread and Tortillas, the trap sprang, and I was stuck.  Suddenly, the "Low Carb" breads were replaced with "Regular" breads - whi*****luded Bagels and Italian Bread/Rolls - my favs.  

One Dunkin Donut Everything Bagel contains Calories: 340, Carbs 67, Protein 12. 

I'd start with 1/2 a bagel, toasted with butter.  An hour later, the second half passed my lips. Oh, I also really liked toasted white bread with butter and cinnamon and sugar sprinkled on -- would start with two slices, always followed by two more, and then another two.  I will say that I managed to avoid pasta and rice, my other favorite carbs -- but I started snacking on peanuts and dry cereal, constantly snacking....and not logging.

And I was always hungry....... First, I stopped losing weight, but managed to maintain for a while. Then two pounds were gained.  Maintained that for a while.  But when I went to see a doctor 2-1/2 weeks ago for some shoulder pain, I weighed in and discovered I was up a total of 12 pounds from my lowest weight.

  I saw Oprah's new Weigh****chers commercial.  One thing she said was "If not now, when?"  That struck a cord with me - I thought about it a lot.  I realized I could not stop putting off my "get back on track now" time - I had to start now.

I knew my restriction worked when I followed my plan.  I could eat lots and lots of carbs without feeling full.  But when I ate too much steak or chicken, I ended up with the foamies, sitting on the side of the tub next to the toilet, spitting out the foamies and praying I could vomit, because vomit brought relief.  

So, I white-knuckled it - stopped the carbs Cold Turkey.  Not easy - especially with the holidays and several overnight visits from my granddaughter whom I spoil dreadfully.  But I've made it for almost two weeks.  Stuck to the rules of eating dense protein first, then veggies.  No more starting and ending the day with bagels or toast.  Breakfast is one egg with a single slice of bacon.  Lunch is meat and cheese roll-ups or chicken or tuna salad.  Dinner is 4 oz. of pork or chicken - and sometimes the puppy would get an ounce or so of the meat because I would get full before finishing it.

I have committed to eating dense protein first.  And it is working.  I've thought about my bagels and breads - but I've seen Oprah's WW commercial several times.  My mantas are "If Not Now, When?" and "Dense Protein First!"  I stepped on the scale tonight, fully dressed with sneakers on, and I've gone down 10 pounds.  

Follow the Golden Rule:  Dense Protein First.  Of course, the other rules are important too: Planning Ahead; Tracking; Drinking; Don't Allow Boredom To Take Over; etc.

Didn't plan on writing a saga....it's just that it has been a long time since I've felt so optimistic!!

Mary

Great post Mary. I hope people pay attention.

It always seems to start with a couple of "healthy" crackers, or thin wheat toast, or a low carb sandwich wrap. It's the way all addicts get started. If we could stop there, we never would have needed surgery.

I f we follow some simple rules, the surgery will always work. Dense protein works. It really does.

I'm glad you're back on track. It feels great when we are in control of food, instead of the other way around.

So proud of you, Mary ...   Here's to a happy, healthy, on track 2016!!!!

This post is very valuable and I like seeing how you are going back to the basics (i.e. what you are now eating for lunch, breakfast etc).

I, too, experienced a weight stall when too many carbs in the form of healthy steel cut oatmeal, fruits, and fat-free refried beans snuck into my diet...

Some of us are very carb sensitive. Further, carbs disintegrate rather quickly (try chewing a cooked noodle 50 times versus a piece of real chicken sometimes. The noodle is gone by chew #14 (SkinnyScientist is bored a lot so she creates fun experiments to do)) so they dont give us that saiety.

I feel optimistic for you Mary. You just need to get back in the saddle. You got your leg in the stirrup. Just launch yourself up and stay on!

I believe in my heart you will make it to goal AND stay there!!!

Mary,

Write as long and as often as you like...  It is free, and you have an important message. 

You're made a great re-start!!

I'm still learning here, so I have to ask...  What exactly IS dense protein and what other kinds of protein are available?  Does dense protein mean meat and protein shakes are the other kind of protein?    Thanks!!!  

Dense protein is a real chunk of meat, like a steak or a piece of chicken.

Reconsitituted/processed meats typically arent dense...think chicken nuggets. 

Eggs arent dense either (though I eat them almost daily)..they chew up and break down really fast.

Protein shakes arent dense either.

Congrats on getting back on track. It's inspiring to hear that we can get off track but if we just follow our plan we can get back on track with weight loss. I'm happy you noticed before a major regain. It's amazing how these carbs can sneak back in our diets.  We get comfortable and bam! There they are just waiting for us to break. Good luck, and congrats on the weight loss. 

Thanks everyone for your words of support.  I'm working hard and doing well.