Detrimental Impact Of Holiday Weight Gain
As you may have read in my previous post, whilst on holiday I gained an extra 7lb in weight, even though I thought I’d been pretty carefull but clearly the ‘odd’ glass of wine and a couple of ice creams made all the difference and on return from holiday, I could really feel the negative impact of the extra pounds, both physically and mentally:
- Having worked hard last year to put Diabetes Type 2 into remission, using the Newcastle University Study ‘Low Carb Diet’ recommendations and being able to avoid taking Metformin medication, I was very conscious that those ‘extra pounds’ could see me slide back into higher blood sugar levels again.
Read about my diabetes journey: How to be Positive about a ‘Positive Diabetes Diagnosis!
Low Carb Post Holiday Kick Start
Seeing the extra pounds on the scales, inspired me to set some new targets for my healthy weight journey, which had slowed to a standstill prior to my holiday. In addition to needing to lose the 7lb gained on holiday, I also decided to set a new target goal of losing a further 1 stone (14lb) as well. On return from holiday, I kicked straight back into a strict and yet tasty ‘low carb’ diet and to help keep me motivated, I started my new Brilliance Within HealthyWeight Diary series.
How I’ve Lost 7lb in 6 Days:
After just 6 days, I’m delighted that I’ve now lost ALL of the 7lb I’d gained on holiday. I have to say, I’m impressed with myself – half a stone in less than a week is pretty good going and I can honestly say that it hasn’t been hard. The Brilliance Within Healthy Low Carb Recipes are so tasty that I don’t feel like I’m missing out.
- Going Low Carb, doesn’t mean going ‘Low Fat’. Indeed, sticking to full fat products like Full Fat Greek Yoghurt, Cream and Crème Fraiche which I add to some savoury sauces, really helps to keep the ‘hunger pangs’ at bay and also helps me to feel that I’ve eaten something luxurious, rather than feeling that I’ve been deprived of a great meal.
- Eating plenty of protein in the form of chicken, salmon, eggs, red meat, avocado etc. also helps to reduce hunger.
You can check out some of the great low carbohydrate recipes that I enjoy via the links below:
Recipe: Basil & Lemon Zesty ‘Spring’ Chicken
Foody Friday: Focus on Goat’s Cheese
Recipe: Sweet Potato Moussaka – Variation on a Classic Greek Dish
There are lots more to check out under the Health & Fitness Low Carb Recipes Tab: https://brilliancewithin.com/category/low-carb-recipes/
How Food Swaps Make a BIG Difference
Making some simple changes to what we eat can really help ease the transition to a Low Carb Diet:
- Swap normal rice for cauliflower rice
- Swap pasta for courgetti
- Swap toast with breakfast for a large flat mushroom
- Swap several cups of tea per day, for water with lemon juice
- Avoid high carb fruits like bananas, melon and grapes and eat more strawberries, raspberries and blueberries
When I started out on this Low Carb method of eating, I didn’t like the idea of some of the swaps.. I certainly didn’t fancy the cauliflower rice. However, once I tried it I was immediately won over and now I actually prefer cauliflower rice to standard rice as an accompaniment to chilli con carne and curry etc. I used to feel bloated after eating standard rice and this is no longer the case with the cauliflower rice. Once the ‘tasty’ sauce is added, I love it!
Initially, I wasn’t keen on the lemon water but after the first few days, I developed a taste for it and it’s now one of my favourite drinks. I don’t added slices of lemon due to the wax and chemicals on the lemon rind. You can by ‘unwaxed’ organic lemons but they don’t last very long. I therefore just add a good squeeze of lemon juice instead. I mix it up though having an early morning glass of ‘warm’ water and later in the day having cold still and/or cold sparkling water.
Salmon, Avocado & Strawberry Salad
Next week, I’ll talk about kick starting a new ‘get fitter’ regime to combine alongside healthy low carb eating plan…
Watch this space!
Let me know if you’ve had success in controlling Diabetes Type 2 or Healthy Eating – I’d love to hear from you. Please leave a comment below..
Well done on losing the excess holiday baggage Wendy. It’s always a challenge when we’re away but it sounds as though you’re back on track again. xo
Author
Aww – thanks Miri.. I think I’m going to have to get ‘back on track’ again after the week camping! xx
Hi Wendy Being introduced to a low carb lifestyle by my Doctor has made my type 1 diabetes management much easier. I love your recipes because they don’t show any sacrifices just smart creativity.
Author
Wow – that’s brilliant! Your Doctor is definitely one of the wise ones.. so many are still sticking with outdated advice. I’m delighted you like the look of my recipes too.. fab and I hope you get to try some.. x
Such great tips- thank you!
Author
Brilliant – I’m delighted you found some useful tips! It’s much easier to stick to low carb with some simple ‘hacks’ than I thought it would be. I hope you try out some of the low carb recipes too.. x
Tasty pics, I think I will make the salmon, avocado and strawberry salad for lunch today. Thanks for sharing!
Author
Brilliant and I hope you enjoyed the salmon… xx
I did and I put a twist on how I seasoned the salmon. I used jerk seasoning. Thanks again for sharing the recipe.
Author
Ooo – sounds like a fabulous twist.. I’m going to try it!! xx
I’m sure you will like it.
Author
I’m sure I will – thanks for the tip.. xx
Way to go, Wendy! So glad you are taking care of yourself. I’ve struggled with loving my body and nurturing it for quite some time. Non-food stuff like breathing and meditation, and more lately journaling, really help. And I’m really opening to take care of myself with food too. Fat is something that really works for me, what a great discovery. (I love coconut oil). Anyway Wendy, keep going! Love to you and your vibrant healthy full of blessings BODY! 🙂 Debbie
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Thanks so much for your encouragement (as always) Debbie – I really do love to hear from you and it always brightens my day! I’m so glad you’ve found that the coconut oil is working for you – that’s brilliant! Have a lovely day xx
Glad to hear you have gotten off to a good start Wendy. It is great to you can tackle it head on before it escalates. I lost 3 stones maybe 6/7 years ago after the fibromyalgia medication started my weight skyrocketing. Then the lack of self worth took over and before I knew it… I did lose a further stone later making 4 stone in all but I did not look healthy and my face looked scraggy! I manage to stay around the same now. It does take commitment but I do allow myself enough treats. I also keep active with gentle exercise which suits my joints and muscles. Looking forward to your next instalment.
Author
Wow – well done Bridget 3 stone was my goal originally but I lost a bit of mojo at 2 stone… hopefully this new start will see me losing the last stone. I suspect that like you 3 stone maybe the best I’ll manage without looking ridiculously saggy so I’m going to carefully review how it goes. It sounds like you’ve got a really healthy regime going for your fibromyalgia which is brilliant! xx
Thanks Wendy. I looked so sad in photographs when my fibro was bad and my weight high.
Author
Gosh – you poor thing! I hate looking back on photographs before I lost my weight and was diagnosed with diabetes because I can see how tired I look.. dull!! Well done to you for doing so well with your weightloss though – that’s a fabulous achievement xx