Low Carb/High Carb – You Can’t Do Both

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As the closing days of 2014 approached, I knew the new year would hold some changes for me. I experimented with Banting last year and checked my HBA1C 3 times. HBA1C is a glycated haemoglobin test…it tests glucose over a 3 month period.

HBA1cAfter being, what I thought, was pretty strict with a low carb lifestyle, I saw my test result increase just a bit. It was at that point that I decided I wasn’t actually carbohydrate intolerant and so started including more carbs in my diet again. I became extremely flexible, eating carbs one day and very few the next. I continued with all the tasty high fat things, but also added a healthy dose of refined carbs. It was SUCH a bad idea.

I pretty much felt awful, and  fell into a destructive pattern of going off carbs for a week and then having been so ‘good’, I would treat myself with a chocolate croissant! Then I would have ‘blown it’ and my brain would scream ‘more’, so I would have a ‘carb day’ and just binge. The next day I would start being strict again and so this negative pattern continued. As the year drew to a close, I knew a change had to come. I felt bloated and achy. My skin erupted in patches of eczema. I had sugar highs and lows.

Banting has to be a lifestyle and not one that’s interspersed with sugary rewards.

I knew I had to take control. So 2015 dawned and I jumped back on the Banting Bandwagon and have stayed there. I lost three or four kilogrammes and then levelled out and am now happy with how I feel. I’d still like to lose weight, but I’m not trying. I’m just eating low carb. Over the last 6 weeks, I can tell you exactly what refined carbs I’ve eaten because there have been so few and not as a reward. If I’m feeling like a treat, I’ll go the berries and cream route. My biggest “old friend” carb was Valentine’s morning, when Mike bought me half a croissant in bed. If he had asked me, I would have said ‘no thanks’ but because he wanted to treat me for Valentine’s Day, he surprised me. There are some things you don’t turn down and the kindness of your husband is one of them! He served it with creme fraiche and gouda cheese and I loved it!

CroissantThe difference between Saturday’s treat and every other time I’ve eaten refined carbs was that it ended with the half croissant. I ate it. I enjoyed it. I immediately went back to my normal way of eating – low carb. There was no binge, no craving. It felt so good to be in control.Keep calm and eat low carb

I’ve felt fabulous indulging in this low-carb lifestyle and embracing the benefits. My skin has just blossomed. No eczema or dermatitis. I’m sleeping well. No sugar highs or lows. No afternoon dips, no stomach pain, no emotional roller-coaster rides, no achy joints, a clear head. I feel fabulous.

It’s worth every effort. I strive for making every meal real food. I finally think I’ve got it. I’m not tempted by sugar – I don’t have cravings – I’m content carb free!

I also don’t feel I’m overboard with this. I’m eating lots of salads and veggies, good fats like avocado and nuts. I’m not eating a load of red meat. I’m eating chicken and fish and have a meat free day as well. This is not a chore. It’s a pleasure. After 6 weeks, I’m really excited about the 46 to come!

1 Corinthians 10:31

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God

Just keep on keeping on!

And keep the smile going.

God bless you!

Helga xx 🙂

 

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