All that changed in my mid-20's. I guess it was the normal change in metabolism, plus the discovery of Blue Bell Ice Cream.... But it was still relatively easy to lose a few pounds back then.
Then came my 30's. I got married and had two babies. I love my kids dearly, but my body will never be the same again! Even after my second child's birth, I was able to lose the weight and get back to where I wanted.
On to the 40's...and then some. I wanted to be able to eat what I wanted, of course, preferably with no consequences. I mean, what's the point of living if I have to give up bread, pasta, pizza, cheesecake, etc., etc., etc.? Couple that frame of mind with a bad back, bad hip, bad foot, and a general disdain for exercise that isn't fun, and weight loss become even more difficult.
I finally decided a few months ago that I had had enough. I was tired of my clothes being tight. I was sick of the muffin top. I hated to see any pictures of myself. I was far from being classified obese, but I hated the way that I looked and felt.
My husband has preached going low carb to me for a LONG time, but I was bound and determined not to listen. I guess I had an epiphany because I decided to give it a try. I was not cutting carbs out completely, but I was going to cut way back on them. Goodbye, pasta. Goodbye, bread. I had some portions of potatoes in the first week, but then cut them out, too. I started reading labels and making low carb choices. If I was going to have carbs, I would have them at breakfast so that I had all day to burn them off - so advised my guru husband.
The wonder of it all is that it wasn't difficult to give up the carbs. Yes, it sometimes makes it harder to get fast food with the family. I do miss quick and easy suppers like spaghetti or pizza. The smell of baking bread is still one of my all-time favorites. But after a week or so without bread, I don't want it any more. I never go hungry - I can have all the meat and veggies that I want. I have been experimenting with spaghetti squash (though I have not perfected the texture yet) and black bean pasta. I do not concern myself with fats or calories - just carbs. And I do not worry about naturally occurring carbs in fruit.
Though my daughter is sick of hearing my "low carb, not no carb" mantra, it has worked for me. I have lost 23 pounds and weigh less than I did when I got married over two decades ago. When I would plateau, my hubby would tell me that I needed a carb day. Eventually, I listened (yes, I am still a hard head), and despite guilt pangs, my weight did not shoot up, but would start creeping down again.
I do indulge a little from time to time. I allow myself a little ice cream now and then. It isn't hard to "be good" - I really don't want to eat much of it. I ate a few cupcakes the day of my daughter's high school graduation party. And I allowed myself a couple of hot dogs on another day - though I have to say that I really didn't enjoy them. The buns seemed too "bread-y." But again, the needle on the scale didn't shoot up. I have the same issues as everyone with water weight. My weight fluctuates about a half a pound here and there.
So, for the foreseeable future, the low carb lifestyle is the one for me.
