October 31, 2008 Low-Carb Menu

1:30PM
4 jumbo shrimp--88 calories

20-ounce porterhouse steak--1100 calories

Green beans with butter--140 calories

Creamed spinach--275 calories

9:15PM
6-ounce ribeye steak--360 calories
Cherry tomato/mozzarella salad--112 calories
Sauteed baby portabello mushrooms--173 calories

"SWEET"-FREE CHALLENGE DAY 5 TOTAL CALORIES: 2,448

CURRENT WEIGHT: 260.2

NOTE: Today I did something I hadn't done in a long time. I actually budgeted my calories and made the decision to skip a meal so that I could consume a high-calorie meal later. That is why I gave up my breakfast this morning knowing I had that big porterhouse steak coming (and it was TOTALLY worth it, too!). That was the best steak I've eaten in years and oh so worth the wait until lunch to eat it. It was a higher-calorie day today than I've had all week, but it was a good variety of foods that were high-fat, low-carb and oh-so-delicious! We had a Halloween event at my church tonight and didn't get a chance to eat until late, but I made sure I got my calories up where they needed to be. Still missing my Diet Rite in a bad way, but I'm coming up on a week on this "sweet"-free challenge...there's no turning back now! :)

October 30, 2008 Low-Carb Menu

9:45AM
2 Tbs butter--120 calories
3 large eggs--240 calories
2 slices American cheese--120 calories
2 Tbs homemade salsa--10 calories
3 sausage patties--315 calories

10:30AM
60-minute yoga class

1:30PM
8-ounce ribeye steak--479 calories
Fresh baby green beans--85 calories
1 Tbs butter--60 calories
Cherry tomato/mozzarella salad--112 calories

5:30PM
60-minute spin class

6:45PM
6-ounce full-fat sirloin steak--350 calories
1 Tbs butter--60 calories
2 Tbs sour cream--120 calories
2 ounces of fresh mozzarella cheese--160 calories
2 Tbs homemade salsa--10 calories
1 cup of organic mixed baby greens with 1 Tbs Ranch dressing--100 calories
Sprinkling of walnuts for my salad--50 calories

"SWEET"-FREE CHALLENGE DAY 4 TOTAL CALORIES: 2,331

CURRENT WEIGHT: 260.6

NOTE: I'm deliberately trying to allow about 4-5 hours to pass between meals and the satiating foods I am eating make this goal much easier to obtain. The high-fat, moderate protein, low-carb meals I am currently eating help satisfy the hunger. I admit the struggle I am having without my Diet Rite and chocolate bars and ANYTHING sweet for that matter, but I'm making it. This is a commitment for at least 30 days that I fully intend to comply with. I know it will get better just like the sugar cravings in 2004 when I was on Atkins the first time got better. It just takes some time to acclimate. Physically today I was sore from my trainer getting me to lift yesterday for the first time in a month. With Christine's doctor visit in Hilton Head, SC followed by my brother's death the next week, I got out of my workout rhythm, so it was good to be back in the flow. But I felt it today in my yoga and spin classes. I do believe I'll be taking Friday off from exercise. :D

October 29, 2008 Low-Carb Menu

9:45AM
2 Tbs butter--120 calories
3 large eggs--240 calories
2 slices American cheese--120 calories
2 Tbs homemade salsa--10 calories
3 sausage patties--315 calories

10:30AM
60-minute weight lifting with personal trainer



3:45PM
6-ounce full-fat sirloin steak--350 calories
2 Tbs sour cream--120 calories
2 ounces of fresh mozzarella cheese--160 calories
1 cup of organic mixed baby greens with 1 Tbs Ranch dressing--100 calories



8:00PM
8-ounce ribeye steak--479 calories
Fresh baby green beans--85 calories
1 Tbs butter--60 calories
Cherry tomato/mozzarella salad--112 calories

"SWEET"-FREE CHALLENGE DAY 3 TOTAL CALORIES: 2,211

CURRENT WEIGHT: 261.4

NOTE: My personal trainer kicked my butt HARD today when he had me for an hour of lifting weights and I noticed something incredible--the dizziness I'd been experience during my workouts was GONE! As in, NOT there anymore. Granted, I've backed off on the frequency of my exercise as of late, but this was amazing. Could it be the stabilization of my insulin levels by NOT eating "sweet" is normalizing what was a reactive hypoglycemic response? Who knows right now, but it's worth noting and observing during this 30-day challenge. I didn't miss Diet Rite or chocolate as much today as I did yesterday, although Christine was munching on an Atkins bar this morning and for a split second I was drooling. But then I remembered my commitment to this and quickly backed away and went in the other room. I think Christine understood. :) Rockin' and rollin' now, baby! I've got this! Let's hope that scale keeps cooperating.

October 28, 2008 Low-Carb Menu

9:00AM
2 Tbs butter--120 calories
3 large eggs--240 calories
2 slices American cheese--120 calories
2 Tbs homemade salsa--10 calories
3 sausage patties--315 calories

9:30AM
45-minute Pilates class



2:00PM
12-ounce ribeye steak--532 calories



Mixed greens salad with vinegar and oil--75 calories
Broccoli with cheese--150 calories



6:45PM
6-ounce full-fat sirloin steak--350 calories
2 Tbs butter--120 calories
Organic mixed baby greens with 1 Tbs Ranch dressing--100 calories

7:00PM
60-minute recreational volleyball

"SWEET"-FREE CHALLENGE DAY 2 TOTAL CALORIES: 2,072

CURRENT WEIGHT: 261.2

NOTE: I'm still in the early days of my new "sweet"-free strategy so this is very hard right now. But I'm surviving better than I thought. Although I miss my Diet Rite and chocolate bars, I can see how I could live without them if I need to. Perhaps there's really something to this idea of cutting out sweet that I've never been convinced of before. Now I'm starting to pay attention to it and am hopeful that the results I've seen so far (3.6 pounds lost in two days) will continue. Again, until I can get below 257, I won't be convinced. That's the skeptic in me, so I'll keep at this for as long as I need to. One thing that helps is eating like royalty--steak, fresh salad, eggs, butter, fresh salsa, fresh veggies...slap yo momma silly kinda food! It helps me deal with the lack of "sweet" in my diet right now.

October 27, 2008 Low-Carb Menu

10:15AM
2 Tbs butter--120 calories
3 large eggs--240 calories
2 slices American cheese--120 calories
2 Tbs homemade salsa--10 calories

12:15PM
1-ounce raw almonds--180 calories



3:15PM
4-ounce sirloin steak--206 calories
Fresh baby green beans--85 calories
1 Tbs butter--60 calories
Cherry tomato/mozzarella salad--112 calories

4:00PM
2 ounces of mixed roasted nuts (cashews, almonds, pecans, Brazil nuts, hazelnuts)--340 calories

4:45PM
2 mozzarella cheese sticks--160 calories

7:15PM
6-ounce full-fat sirloin steak--350 calories
1 Tbs butter--60 calories
Grilled mixed veggies (onions, zucchini, squash, green peppers)--50 calories

"SWEET"-FREE CHALLENGE DAY 1 TOTAL CALORIES: 2,093

CURRENT WEIGHT: 263.4

NOTE: My new strategy for dealing with my pesky persistent weight flummox started today in earnest. Read all about it and why I've chosen to cut out all "sweet" from my diet for at least the next 30 days and I'm inviting others to join me in this effort. No sweet-tasting anything in my diet--which includes sugar (DUH!), artificial sweeteners, fruit, chewing gum, hard candies, diet sodas, chocolate, and even the plant-based natural stevia. The theory behind this is I'm secreting too much insulin because my tongue is fooling my brain into thinking the "sweet" taste is sugar. Something is triggering the insulin release in my body preventing me from losing fat, so I'm hoping this is the answer I've been looking for. You'll also notice that I'm keeping track of my calories to make sure they are between 2000-2200 daily. I have even backed off of my exercise routine slightly to make sure I'm not overtraining my body which can raise cortisol levels and insulin, too. Today was hard, but not impossible. I wanted a diet soda and a chocolate bar...but I resisted. What was amazing was how I would feel "hunger" even after finishing a meal. Strange, but I knew it couldn't be a need for food. Day 1 down, 29 more days to go. Wanna join me in this? :)

October 26, 2008 Low-Carb Menu

9:00AM
String cheese, GoLower Raspberry Nut Bar

1:00PM
Chopped eggs, dried cranberries, small burger patty with bacon, American cheese, tomato, pickle and mayo, slice of Swiss and cheddar cheese, fresh mozzarella cheese

4:30PM
Heavy whipping cream with sugar-free Big Train Hot Cocoa Mix

6:00PM
Dark Chocolate ChocoPerfection bar

8:45PM
Naturally More peanut butter with whipped cream

CURRENT WEIGHT: 264.8

NOTE: Today was my final day of my current diet as you have seen it in recent months. Starting on Monday morning, there will be some major changes to the menus you'll see here and it is based on much of the information I have gleaned from the various interviews I have conducted at my podcast show this year, but one in particular as you soon find out. THANKS to everyone who has shown encouragement to me through this difficult time with trying to get my weight back down again because I think this will be the answer I'm looking for. Let me know what you think when I post my first menu for Monday and we'll see if the scale cooperates. :)

October 25, 2008 Low-Carb Menu

8:30AM
String cheese

9:00AM
4-hour youth football refereeing

2:30PM
3-ounce sirloin steak strip, 1/2 crab cake, strawberries with whipped cream

3:45PM
Dark Chocolate ChocoPerfection bar

8:30PM
Roasted almonds and cashews

9:00PM
Heavy whipping cream with sugar-free banana DaVinci syrup

CURRENT WEIGHT: 264.6

NOTE: As you can see, my appetite was back today after lowering my Metformin dosage back down to 1000 (YEAH!) and I did my best to get the calories up from where they have been. In fact, this evening I was drinking heavy whipping cream with a little DaVinci syrup to flavor it to boost my calories up close to 2,000 for the first time this week. My new plan of action I will begin on Monday will be amazing and I can't wait to share what I'll be doing. Coming soon!

October 24, 2008 Low-Carb Menu

10:15AM
Homemade low-carb walnut chocolate cookies (semisweet chocolate, Splenda, cream, butter, eggs, cinnamon, and walnuts)

3:30PM
Spinach salad with eggs, bacon, cheese, sunflower seeds, dried cranberries, and Ranch dressing, beef patty with lettuce, tomato, and mayo, strawberries with whipped cream

8:00PM
Homemade low-carb walnut chocolate cookies (semisweet chocolate, Splenda, cream, butter, eggs, cinnamon, and walnuts)

CURRENT WEIGHT: 267.2

NOTE: Yes, I noticed I only ate one real "meal" today. Trust me, I'm really trying hard to get my food intake up and I appreciate all of your encouragement and advice in the comments. I will be backing off on the Metformin dosage from 2000 to 1000 a day (1 pill in the morning, 1 in the evening) to see if that helps with my appetite. I've definitely not been myself and the lack of calories has, as my buddy Kent Altena noted, put me in a "starvation mode" and will hinder my exercise performance, too. Not good. I've been contemplating a new strategy for a while now and will be implementing it starting on Monday. I will be blogging about this and will link to it from here when I do so you can see the strategy I am taking to tackle this weight issue. I am NOT giving up and I am hopeful this next direction will work for me. THANKS as always for your comments.

October 23, 2008 Low-Carb Menu

10:00AM
2 string cheese

10:30AM
60-minute yoga class

1:30PM
Chicken on a stick, meatballs, eggs with stir fry veggies, banana pudding, apple pie

5:00PM
Homemade low-carb walnut chocolate cookies

5:30PM
30-minute spin class

10:15PM
Dark Chocolate ChocoPerfection Bar

CURRENT WEIGHT: 267.6

NOTE: Christine and I went to the local Grand Buffet and I enjoy eating their chicken on a stick and meatballs primarily. Most of the stuff there is fried and breaded, but I stuck with the good stuff. Yes, I had some banana pudding and a small piece of apple pie there today. It was good. However, my afternoon spin class had to be cut short because my stomach started REALLY hurting about 20 minutes in and I just couldn't take it anymore by 30 minutes. Some say it's the Metformin, but all I know is my stomach would not stop gurgling for hours afterward. I didn't feel well enough to eat for hours until later when I was able to get a ChocoPerfection bar down. Hopefully the stomach issues will calm down tomorrow.

October 22, 2008 Low-Carb Menu

1:15PM
Spinach salad with eggs, bacon, cheese, sunflower seeds, dried cranberries, and Ranch dressing, small beef patty with bacon, cheese, mayo and pickle, mashed cauliflower with butter

4:45PM
Dark Chocolate ChocoPerfection Bar

9:00PM
2 low-carb wraps with American and mozzarella cheese

CURRENT WEIGHT: 268.2

NOTE: I'm still not eating enough right now, but my hunger is non-existent. It could be the Metformin, it could be I'm thinking so much about my brother Kevin who just died last week, it could be my concern about what's happening with my wife Christine and her health--it could be a little of all of these things and more. I handle stress in my life pretty well because I'm never one to dwell on present circumstances. Keeping the "big picture" in focus has always been a hallmark of my demeanor so I don't allow myself to get drug down by the here and now. But I'm realistic enough about what is happening right now that I know I'm not eating enough food and many of you have offered great suggestions for how I can "improve" my menus. For that, I'm grateful and appreciative for your contributions. THANK YOU! I'll keep working at getting through whatever this is and hopefully get back on track again soon.

October 21, 2008 Low-Carb Menu

11:30AM
Spinach salad with eggs, bacon, cheese, sunflower seeds, dried cranberries, and Ranch dressing, 3 ounces top sirloin steak, 1/2 crab cake, mashed cauliflower with butter,

4:30PM
2 low-carb wraps with American and mozzarella cheese

5:30PM
30-minute spin class

7:00PM
90-minute recreational volleyball

10:15PM
Bacon, sausage, ham, cheese, and eggs, side salad with Ranch, tomato slices, Dark Chocolate ChocoPerfection Bar

CURRENT WEIGHT: 268.2

NOTE: I missed my Tuesday night volleyball these past two weeks being away for Christine's health trip and my brother Kevin passing away. It was good to be back home again although my team lost every game. Oh well, it happens that way sometimes although we did play the other team close in all six games. The key is I had fun and got in a GREAT cardio workout. I'm still not eating very much right now but my stomach isn't growling and I'm just not hungry. I don't know if that's a problem or not, but I'll keep an eye on it. It may take a week just to get back into the routine again.

October 20, 2008 Low-Carb Menu

10:00AM
2 string cheese

11:15AM
Raw almonds

3:30PM
Spinach salad with eggs, bacon, cheese, sunflower seeds, dried cranberries, and Ranch dressing, mashed cauliflower with butter, small beef patty with cheese, pickle, and mayo

6:30PM
60-minute spin class

9:15PM
Dark Chocolate ChocoPerfection Bar

12:00AM
Bacon, sausage, ham, cheese, and eggs, side salad with Ranch, tomato slices, 1/2 cheesecake vanilla milkshake

CURRENT WEIGHT: 268.6

NOTE: Today was my first time back in the gym in over two weeks after the medical trip to Hilton Head, SC for Christine two weeks ago and then my trip to see my brother Kevin last week in Pensacola, FL. And I have been missing my spin classes which as twisted as it sounds is something I crave now. The rush of energy that going through an hour of spin class gives me is impossible to describe or replicate--you just gotta try it! I don't know if it's because the weather has gotten cooler or that I got plenty of rest the past two weeks, but the class was not as draining as it normally is. Don't get me wrong, I got in a GREAT workout. But I felt ready to go another hour when it was over and I NEVER feel like that normally. Makes me wanna do a spin class before my Tuesday night volleyball tomorrow night. We'll see. And, yes, Christine and I had a midnight snack that included something not normally on my low-carb menu. Don't worry, it was a one-time thing. I'll get it out of my system with all the exercise on Tuesday. :)

October 19, 2008 Low-Carb Menu

10:45AM
2 string cheese

1:15PM
Spinach salad with eggs, bacon, cheese, sunflower seeds, dried cranberries, and Ranch dressing, mashed cauliflower with butter, small beef patty with cheese, pickle, and mayo

4:45PM
Whipped cream

10:00PM
Bacon, sausage, ham, cheese, and eggs, side salad with Ranch, tomato slices

CURRENT WEIGHT: 269.0

NOTE: I discovered something today about the Metformin I've been taking to help with my hyperinsulinemia--I've been taking less than the prescribed dosage. I have only been taking one 500 mg tablet a day, but I was supposed to be taking two a day. Maybe this is why the Metformin hasn't helped much with my weight loss lately. So starting today I am taking two 500 mg tablets in the morning and two in the afternoon to see if it makes a difference. Metformin is supposed to help control insulin which seems to be my problem regardless of my diet, so we'll see how it goes.

October 18, 2008 Low-Carb Menu

8:30AM
Roasted almonds

9:00AM
4-hour youth football refereeing

1:15PM
Spinach salad with eggs, bacon, cheese, sunflower seeds, dried cranberries, and Ranch dressing, mashed cauliflower with butter, small beef patty with cheese, pickle, and mayo

6:45PM
2 American cheese slices in low-carb wraps, whipped cream

9:15PM
Pork rinds, Dark Chocolate ChocoPerfection Bar

CURRENT WEIGHT: 267.2

NOTE: After traveling back all afternoon yesterday and getting in at midnight last night, it was time to get back into my regular schedule today. And on Saturday mornings, that means refereeing youth football at my church. That may not sound like a lot of work and not much of a "workout" on paper, but lemme tell you--WHEW! Yes it is! This league requires the referees to move cones on every single play to set up the offensive line, defensive line, and the rush line. That constant bending over and picking them up along with the running up and down the field is some VERY good exercise. It's one of the reasons I volunteer to be a referee...that and that hilarious antics of a kindergarten kid running with a football in every direction but the right one. :D I didn't eat much food today, but I wasn't very hungry. I'm not consciously upset right now, so I don't know why I wouldn't be hungry.

October 17, 2008 Low-Carb Menu

10:00AM
2 string cheese, mixed nuts

1:30PM
Slice of ham, side salad with Ranch, 1/2 pear with cherry, small slice of carrot cake

4:00PM
Mixed nuts

6:30PM
3 bunless Wendy's Double Stackers, small bowl of chili

8:30PM
Livin' La Vida Low-Carb Bar

CURRENT WEIGHT: 267.6

NOTE: We had a beautiful memorial service for my brother Kevin today in Pensacola, FL and we left after eating a meal that was prepared by the church where the service was. Here is the official obituary for my brother. My emotions are very much held in check and have been throughout this experience, so THANK YOU for all of your prayers. It's hard seeing your brother die at 41, but we had him longer than any of his doctors expected. For that, I'm so grateful! As you can see, my diet hasn't been "perfect" lately, but I haven't gone overboard either. We'll get back into a groove again when I get back home and into "normal" routine again.

October 16, 2008 Low-Carb Menu

7:00AM
Eggs with green peppers, onions, red peppers, pico de gallo, sour cream, cheese, bacon and sausage, side salad with Ranch

10:00AM
Livin' La Vida Low-Carb Bar

11:15AM
Laughing Cow Swiss Cheese

1:00PM
Turkey slices, cheese, and mayo

6:00PM
Eggs with ham, bacon, sausage and cheese, side salad with Ranch, mixed veggies with butter

8:00PM
Livin' La Vida Low-Carb Bar

CURRENT WEIGHT: NO ACCESS TO SCALE UNTIL AFTER OUR FL TRIP

NOTE: I got a call at 4:30am this morning from my dad who was sitting with my brother Kevin at the hospital to let me know he had just passed away. It was a difficult day emotionally on the entire family, but we're surviving right now. I'll admit the temptation to eat, eat, and eat was there today, but I resisted as much as possible. I think I made some good choices today although I wanted some "comfort" (translated "carby") foods to feel better. I'm holding up well and will be okay over time. I just can't believe my only full-blooded brother is gone forever here on Earth. It make take a while for that reality to sink in.

October 15, 2008 Low-Carb Menu

7:45AM
2 string cheese

1:30PM
Wendy's Baconator without the bun, small chili

7:00PM
Wendy's Double Stacker without the bun, Wendy's Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger without the bun, small chili, 2 Murray's sugar-free chocolate cookies

8:30PM
Livin' La Vida Low-Carb Bar

CURRENT WEIGHT: NO ACCESS TO SCALE UNTIL AFTER OUR FL TRIP

NOTE: My menu today was kinda funky because we spent the entire day with my brother Kevin at the hospital. We didn't leave all day long, so we were forced to pretty much eat at the places available there--the cafeteria (EWWW!), Subway (no way!), or Wendy's. So Wendy's it was. I didn't feel like having a side salad with my bunless burgers, so I chose the bowl of chili. The beans weren't exactly "low-carb," but I thought the protein and fiber in them would help keep me full and satisfied since I didn't know when I'd eat next. It wasn't ideal, but it was food that sustained me when I needed it.

October 14, 2008 Low-Carb Menu

11:30AM
Grilled chicken breast with cheese, side salad with Ranch

3:00PM
Eggs with green peppers, onions, red peppers, pico de gallo, sour cream, cheese, green beans, broccoli, squash with butter, bacon and sausage

4:15PM
Livin' La Vida Low-Carb Bar

10:30PM
Eggs with green peppers, onions, red peppers, pico de gallo, sour cream, cheese, bacon and sausage, side salad with Ranch

CURRENT WEIGHT: NO ACCESS TO SCALE UNTIL AFTER OUR FL TRIP

NOTE: We got tough news about my brother Kevin today. We did our best to eat when we could and tomorrow will be even more difficult with the uncertainty about what will happen. I'm still sticking to low-carb eating although it's very tempting to eat "comfort" foods when you go through a difficult circumstance like this. I'm not at all inclined to do so and I'm grateful for this. THANKS for your continued prayers for my family.

October 13, 2008 Low-Carb Menu

8:45PM
2 string cheese

12:15PM
Toppings from pizza (pepperoni, sausage, green peppers, onions, cheese)

7:00PM
Ham, turkey, taco meat with nacho cheese and sour cream, sugar-free orange cookies

CURRENT WEIGHT: NO ACCESS TO SCALE UNTIL AFTER OUR FL TRIP

NOTE: Being away from home and never knowing when you next meal will be coming is tricky. But improvising helps...that's what I had to do today. Was it perfect? No, but it was much lower in carbs than it could have been considering my food choices.

October 12, 2008 Low-Carb Menu

12:00PM
Hardee's Low-Carb Thickburger, salad with Ranch dressing

1:45PM
Mixed roasted nuts (walnuts, almonds, cashews, pecans, Brazil nuts)

3:30PM
Raw almonds

4:30PM
2 string cheese

5:15PM
Hardee's Low-Carb Thickburger

7:00PM
2 bratwursts with mustard and mayo, 2 deviled eggs

10:00PM
Livin' La Vida Low-Carb Bar

CURRENT WEIGHT: NO ACCESS TO SCALE UNTIL AFTER OUR FL TRIP

NOTE: Travel day to Florida to be with my brother Kevin. Yes, I broke down and had a chocolate bar...my first one in over a week. From what I hear many people saying, eating chocolate every few days is no big deal. Just not everyday. I can live with that.

October 11, 2008 Low-Carb Menu

8:30AM
2 string cheese

9:00AM
2-hour youth football refereeing

12:15PM
Spinach salad with eggs, bacon, cheese, sunflower seeds, dried cranberries, and Ranch dressing, small beef patty with cheese, pickle, and mayo, and mashed cauliflower with butter

7:15PM
Spinach salad with eggs, bacon, cheese, sunflower seeds, dried cranberries, and Ranch dressing, small beef patty with cheese, pickle, and mayo, and mashed cauliflower with butter

9:45PM
Whipped cream

CURRENT WEIGHT: 270.2

NOTE: This morning I received a telephone call from my dad and he told me that my brother Kevin took a major turn for the worse with his health last night when his difibrulator didn't kick in when he had a heart incident. He was in the hospital getting checked out by the doctors because the difibrulator has gone off a couple of times last week. They had to shock his heart 10 times to revive him and he bloodied his lip and tongue from biting them as they were doing this. They did a heart cath after thickening up his blood with plasma and the doctors said the blockage is just too great for them to do anything. So at this point he is hooked up to a ventilator in a "coma" state and they don't hold out much hope. Christine and I will be leaving for Pensacola, FL on Sunday morning to be with my family this week. This is not a surprise since we've known Kevin's situation has been touch and go for so long. I'm just glad I got to spend some quality time with him a few months ago knowing this day would come. Please pray for us as we go down this road and that whatever happens to Kevin would be as painless for him as possible. THANK YOU!

October 10, 2008 Low-Carb Menu

9:00AM
3 chicken breasts with bacon, American cheese and mayo

1:00PM
Cashews

3:00PM
2 string cheese

7:15PM
Naked fajitas with steak and chicken, green peppers, onions, lettuce, tomato, guacamole, sour cream, and cheese

8:45PM
Whipped cream

CURRENT WEIGHT: 267.8

NOTE: We headed back home today after a week away in Hilton Head, SC for Christine's doctor appointment with the chelation therapy expert. We are hopeful this is her long-awaited answer to a lifetime of chronic pain issues. The tests will verify if it is heavy metals within 10 days. It should be interesting to see. I'm still sticking with my "no products" rule this week and it's doing okay. I still think if I can limit myself to one ChocoPerfection bar every 2-3 days that will be fine. There are great health benefits to consuming chocolate, so why not have a sugar-free one made with natural sweeteners like inulin and erythritol? I dunno. Then there's the diet soda question...how much is too much? I'm still playing around with these issues in my head, so THANK YOU for all of your amazing input. It's always an adventure hearing what other people think and I sincerely appreciate what you have shared.

October 9, 2008 Low-Carb Menu

9:30AM
4 boiled eggs with 3 string cheese

12:15PM
Hamburger patty with American cheese, pickle, lettuce, tomato, and mayo, mixed veggies with butter

3:00PM
Cashews

7:30PM
Grilled shrimp, salad greens with Ranch dressing, chicken teriyaki with zucchini, squash, onions, and shrimp sauce

CURRENT WEIGHT: AWAY FROM SCALE UNTIL OCTOBER 11, 2008

NOTE: On our last night in Hilton Head, SC before heading back home on Friday, I took my wife Christine out to one of those Japanese steakhouses with a hibachi table. We enjoy these because it's very low-carb friendly if you skip the rice (I do, Christine doesn't). Grilled meats and veggies is AWESOME and we really love it--although it's a little pricey, so you can't do it too often. We're happy this week is over and we look forward to seeing how these treatments help Christine. Most likely, we will be coming back again in November for another week of treatments if necessary. THANKS for all of your thoughts and prayers for us this week. And, in case you are wondering, I do intend to continue eating product-free when I get back home and I'll try to give up the diet sodas, too. Sigh. Plus, I can't wait to get back into my workout routine.

October 8, 2008 Low-Carb Menu

12:00PM
Roasted peanuts, sirloin steak skewers with onions, red peppers, mushrooms, zucchini, squash, snowpeas, and broccoli with butter



5:15PM
Greens salad with balsamic vinegar dressing, Wild Alaskan salmon with bernaise sauce, mixed vegetables with butter, small piece of chocolate cake

7:45PM
Cashews

9:30PM
Homemade mashed cauliflower

CURRENT WEIGHT: AWAY FROM SCALE UNTIL OCTOBER 11, 2008

NOTE: No, that wasn't a misprint in my menu today. I really did have a piece of chocolate cake. With sugar in it! GASP! It had a layer of icing on top and was about the size of a deck of cards. I'd guesstimate there were 25-30g carbs in it. As you know I've been avoiding all low-carb "products" this week trying again to see if I can make an impact on my weight loss by removing them from my diet. But today I had to have some chocolate and this cake was served with the dinner at the Italian restaurant I took Christine to while we are still away on our medical trip in Hilton Head, SC. Did I have to eat it? No, but I was going batty without having any chocolate.

So this leads to an interesting question to talk about and debate: Is it better to eat a little bit of something with sugar in it when you want something sweet or is choosing sugar-free, low-carb versions of these foods preferred? I know some will say that you shouldn't eat either one and that's an ideal response. But let's play the hypothetical that you must choose one or the other--which one would you choose if you had to decide between the two? This should be a fun conversation.

October 7, 2008 Low-Carb Menu

9:45AM
3 hardboiled eggs, 3 slices of bacon, and 2 string cheese

12:45PM
Toppings from pizza (pepperoni, sausage, ham, cheese, and some sauce from scraping the pizza toppings off)

8:00PM
2 chicken breasts with American cheese, bacon, and mayo, homemade mashed cauliflower

CURRENT WEIGHT: AWAY FROM SCALE UNTIL OCTOBER 11, 2008

NOTE: What is it about getting out of your normal routine while away from home that makes you more tired? Dang, man, I can't stop sleeping this week. My body is enjoying NOT exercising this week so far, but I even TOOK A NAP today. And I NEVER do that! But I'm trying to relax on this pseudo-vacation this week. Christine and I went to walk on the beach for a little while today after her second day of treatments at the specialist. She's feeling a little worse right now, but that's normal. By the end of the week, the doctor says she will feel MUCH better and her migraine headaches will be gone. That would be AWESOME! We enjoyed our time together today, but Christine REALLY wanted some pizza...so I obliged. Of course, that didn't mean I had to eat the carbs, too, so I improvised by eating the toppings and got perfectly satisfied doing that. The server I'm sure didn't appreciate having to throw away all those pizza crusts. LOL! I bet he was thinking, "Stupid low-carber!" Hee hee!

October 6, 2008 Low-Carb Menu

8:30AM
Cashews



3:15PM
Roasted peanuts, sirloin steak skewers with onions, red peppers, mushrooms, zucchini, squash, snowpeas, and broccoli with butter

4:45PM
Cashews

6:30PM
3 hardboiled eggs with 3 string cheese

8:45PM
2 beef hamburger patties with American cheese, bacon, and mayo

CURRENT WEIGHT: AWAY FROM SCALE UNTIL OCTOBER 11, 2008

NOTE: Did you notice something different about my menu today? I'll let you speculate, but it was something BIG! :) Christine and I went to the doctor in Hilton Head, SC today and he thinks he may have figured out the source of her joint pain, migraine headaches, panic attacks, and more. It would be a miracle if this is truly the answer we've been looking for. If it is, then it's gonna cost a lot of money out of pocket. But to get her out of pain will make it worth every penny. And this doctor may even be able to help with some of my issues, too. AMAZING!

October 5, 2008 Low-Carb Menu

9:15AM
Atkins Caramel Peanut Nougat Bar

12:15PM
2 turkey and American cheese low-carb wraps with spinach and mayo

7:15PM
Cashews, homemade mashed cauliflower, Mixed berry Extend bar

9:45PM
2 string cheese, Mixed berry Extend bar

CURRENT WEIGHT: AWAY FROM SCALE UNTIL OCTOBER 11, 2008

NOTE: After church this morning, Christine and I hit the road for Hilton Head Island, South Carolina to go see a doctor who specializes in pain issues that other doctors can't seem to figure out apart from pharmaceutical and surgical means. We're hoping he can help Christine with her pain (and no, it's not ME!). We'll be there all week long, so I'll do my best to post my menus while we are away. I don't have access to my scale this week, so I won't be able to weigh in until Saturday. I'm also gonna take it easy on the exercise this week and lay off the weight lifting and cardio for a few days. Hopefully there will be multiple benefits--rest from my recent increase in activity and maybe a move down on the scale. Wish me luck! And THANKS for your prayers for Christine as she goes through this experience.

October 4, 2008 Low-Carb Menu

8:45AM
1/2 honeydew melon with whipped cream

9:00AM
4-hour youth football refereeing

10:00AM
Atkins Milk Chocolate Delight Shake

11:00AM
Atkins Caramel Peanut Nougat Bar

2:30PM
Spinach salad with eggs, bacon, cheese, sunflower seeds, dried cranberries, and Ranch dressing, small beef patty with cheese, pickle, and mayo, and strawberries with whipped cream

9:00PM
Chicken breast with American cheese and mayo, Livin' La Vida Low-Carb Bar

CURRENT WEIGHT: 267.8

NOTE: I woke up obscenely early this morning and couldn't get back to sleep. Sometimes I'll just lay there hoping to fall back asleep again and I'm there for hours. Today I decided to just get up and start working. I had a busy morning scheduled already with the youth football refereeing activities, so this allowed me to get caught up on my e-mails and blog a little. It was nice although I knew that I'd be DEAD by this afternoon. Boy was I ever! After eating lunch, I was zonked out for over four hours. Oh, but I needed it, too. I hate not getting enough rest because I understand how vital it is to health and weight, so I don't like skimping on it. Plus I'm trying to get a lot accomplished before Christine and I leave on a medical trip for her down to Hilton Head, SC Sunday afternoon. She's having chronic pain issues and there's a fabulous doctor there who ascribes to the low-carb philosophy that is one of the best in the world at naturopathic ways to manage pain. We fear she may have lupus on top of the fibromyalgia we already know she has. Keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we try to find answers for her. I guess you could say the Moore family is a little messed up right now. :)

October 3, 2008 Low-Carb Menu

11:00AM
Atkins Caramel Fudge Brownie Bar

12:30PM
Small beef patty with cheese, pickle, and mayo, and mashed cauliflower with butter

2:45PM
1/2 honeydew melon with whipped cream

3:15PM
30-minute self-guided weight lifting

7:15PM
Spinach salad with eggs, bacon, cheese, sunflower seeds, dried cranberries, and Ranch dressing, small beef patty with cheese, pickle, and mayo, and mashed cauliflower with butter

9:30PM
Livin' La Vida Low-Carb Bar

CURRENT WEIGHT: 270.0

NOTE: I'm not panicking about my weight, but I am concerned. That concern will translate into action...although the specific action is still being worked out in my head. As was aptly pointed out to me by one of my wonderful regular readers here, I have a pretty severe case of reactive hypglycemia and hyperinsulinemia that needs to be addressed. One thing that person suggested was for me to get back on the Metformin again. I'm not opposed to doing this, but my low-carb doctor never said to resume taking the medicine following my FitCamp experience. And so I haven't been. I will start taking it again and I'm very seriously considering other options that have been suggested for dealing with this--including trying to eliminate all low-carb products, diet sodas, and just about anything with a "sweet" taste. Even if it's not sugar, maybe--JUST MAYBE--that "sweet" taste is eliciting an insulin response. I don't know for sure, but something is making that happen that even a basic low-carb diet isn't helping right now. THANKS for your input and please don't be afraid to share your thoughts and suggestions, too. We're all learning together about this sometimes complicated issue.

October 2, 2008 Low-Carb Menu

10:00AM
Atkins Milk Chocolate Delight Shake, Atkins Caramel Fudge Brownie Bar

10:30AM
60-minute yoga class

12:45PM
Spinach salad with eggs, bacon, cheese, sunflower seeds, dried cranberries, and Ranch dressing, small beef patty with cheese, pickle, and mayo, and mashed cauliflower with butter

5:15PM
Atkins Caramel Chocolate Peanut Nougat Bar

5:30PM
60-minute spin class

7:45PM
Spinach salad with eggs, bacon, cheese, sunflower seeds, dried cranberries, and Ranch dressing, small beef patty with cheese, pickle, and mayo, and mashed cauliflower with butter

11:00PM
Livin' La Vida Low-Carb Bar

CURRENT WEIGHT: 268.0

NOTE: I needed that yoga class this morning...I've had a lot on my mind lately that has just built up over time and so this time of release was sorely needed. But I twitched my hip/lower back a little during one of the moves that was sore much of the day. Ironically, the spin class in the afternoon helped loosen it up. Funny how that works! Chris asked me yesterday if I've given up on my weight loss efforts. The answer is obviously "no," but I'm not gonna obsess over it either. I know my weight is higher than I ever wanted it to be again, but I'm at a loss about why. At this time I'm assessing what I should do next about my diet and exercise routine to get back down to 230 or less, so I've NOT given up. I know low-carb is what's right for me and I'm at a loss to explain why it's not working now like it did in 2004.

October 1, 2008 Low-Carb Menu

10:00AM
Atkins Milk Chocolate Delight Shake

11:30AM
Spinach salad with shrimp coated in Parmesan cheese and Ranch dressing

12:30PM
Sugar-free cheesecake with whipped cream

2:00PM
A handful of cashews

3:45PM
2 string cheese

4:00PM
1/2 honeydew melon with whipped cream

6:15PM
Spinach salad with eggs, bacon, cheese, sunflower seeds, dried cranberries, and Ranch dressing, small beef patty with cheese, pickle, and mayo, and fresh strawberries with whipped cream

11:00PM
Livin' La Vida Low-Carb Bar

CURRENT WEIGHT: 267.4

NOTE: It's a new month and I have a renewed commitment to being healthy now more than ever! I'm eating healthy, I'm taking care of my body with regular exercise and, like today, regular rest, and I'm feeling stronger and more robust than any other time in my life. When you reach this point of self-acceptance, it's so easy to be good to yourself taking care of every minutia of your body like you would a brand spankin' new car. That's how I see myself now and I'm taking steps to keep this engine running good under the hood so it will last for many more years to come. After all, I'm livin' la vida low-carb, so what else would you expect? :)