Challenge Week 10, Day 3

I'm pushing harder on the carbohydrate reduction, changing from light salad dressing (3 carbs) to mayo (no carbs). I'm not a big fan of mayo, so might try to find another alternative, but I do want to have my meat salads at lunch. I am still having my large chef salad at lunch, but cut out the balsamic vinegar in favor of a dressing that has one carb per ounce and I use a tablespoon or less, so less than a carb.

Still the water, water, water.

Tonight is the gym - although I am cutting out caffeine, I am going to have a half cup of coffee before the workout - as I have read that this can give you a little bit more energy. I've really cut out caffeine with this diet and have not suffered too much for it. No daily full strength coffee since August.

Baked a big turkey breast last night and this will be good for a few days at lunch. Nice reprieve from tuna salad.

Soooooo, haven't given up - just doing extra little efforts to eliminate more carbs to get past this plateau. Long run, I am really trying to eat as close to how I can comfortably continue AFTER the losing part of the diet is over.

Meaning that post-losing, I'll probably still eat a chef salad and meat salad for lunch at work when I work through lunch. It's become a good habit that I try to think of as NOT dieting, but a good way to get protein and a tasty meal in the middle of the day that is convenient, doesn't cost a lot and is healthy. I'm trying to eat some good meals that meet the Atkins stringent requirements, but would also adhere to the spirit of other diets. I think many diets would approve of raw spinach, lettuce, cucumber, zucchini, tomato, mushroom, small amount of meat and cheese with a small amount of dressing. I think many diets would approve of a can of water packed tuna with a little bit of dressing or mayo and celery with a few chopped dill pickle slices and an occasional boiled egg sliced on top.

Best wishes for everyone... hopefully as we continue towards the end of the year, each will meet some type of goal!