WEEK 4 - ATKINS PHASE 2, OWL
173 lbs
DAY 28
Sunday, 06.19.2011
I ate an entire bag of spinach today.
I ate an entire bag of spinach today.
BREAKFAST: sauteed spinach with garlic; an egg
LUNCH: green salad with chicken, almonds, and a vinaigrette
DINNER: cheesy cauliflower; a caprese salad
LUNCH: green salad with chicken, almonds, and a vinaigrette
DINNER: cheesy cauliflower; a caprese salad
DAY 27
Saturday, 06.18.2011
My husband surprised me with tickets to Louis C.K. stand up tonight! We were both surprised to discover that the guest comics were shockingly Jake Johannsen, Richard Lewis, and Steven Wright!
My husband surprised me with tickets to Louis C.K. stand up tonight! We were both surprised to discover that the guest comics were shockingly Jake Johannsen, Richard Lewis, and Steven Wright!
It was a super awesome (albeit diet-cheat-filled) day.
BRUNCH: salad with greens, chicken, eggs, bacon, avocado, tomato, and vinaigrette
SNACK: chocolate gelato
DINNER: salad with chicken, avocados, walnuts, tomato, goat cheese, and cilantro dressing
DRINK: raspberry vodka and lemonade
SNACK: chocolate gelato
DINNER: salad with chicken, avocados, walnuts, tomato, goat cheese, and cilantro dressing
DRINK: raspberry vodka and lemonade
DAY 26
Friday, 06.17.2011
I feel like an elderly person or someone from the future with all of the supplements I take on Atkins.
I feel like an elderly person or someone from the future with all of the supplements I take on Atkins.
Perhaps there is a hot pink leopard print weekly pill sorter in my immediate future.
BREAKFAST: stawberry yogurt
SNACK: cheese slices; almonds
DINNER: Eggs Florentine (sauteed spinach, poached egg, hollandaise sauce)
DESSERT: strawberries with whipped cream (no sweetener) and mint
DAY 25
Thursday, 06.16.2011
So, in addition to the no-poos, I had another bad side effect of Atkins this morning.
I woke up to an extremely painful muscle cramp in my right arm triceps (upper back of arm). It was pain like I had never felt before and it did not go away for some time. I broke out into a full body sweat, tried (but couldn't) vomit, and then started to black out (I actually saw black spots and shook myself out of it).
I laid down in bed, put the fan on me, and the pain in my arm eventually went away (although it is still a little soar). After I rested a bit (but still shaken up), I called my husband at work and he found out what happened by his genius internet research:
We suspect I was suffering from low potassium levels. Atkins does not allow for a lot of potassium intake. According to www.thepotassiumrichfoods.com, "Potassium deficiency can result in hypokalemia. Symptoms include increase in blood pressue, heart irregularities, hypertension, muscular weakness, muscle cramps and constipation."
Well I certainly have the last two (maybe three) symptoms, and I have no interest in getting the others. The nausea, sweats, and near black out seem to be because of the severe arm pain - as one prone to decadence, I am also prone to exaggeration, but it really was that bad.
So, more potassium every day is my plan, which may deviate slightly from the Atkins regimen. I drank milk today (chocolate) and half of a milkshake (strawberry) to treat myself after a rough morning. Spinach and avocado will be my go to foods going forward, along with a general adding of more fruits and vegetables.
The morning was a bit scary, but the rest of the day was wonderful. I ran errands with friends and jokingly blamed every nonsense that came out of my mouth on the potassium. It happened a lot.
So, in addition to the no-poos, I had another bad side effect of Atkins this morning.
I woke up to an extremely painful muscle cramp in my right arm triceps (upper back of arm). It was pain like I had never felt before and it did not go away for some time. I broke out into a full body sweat, tried (but couldn't) vomit, and then started to black out (I actually saw black spots and shook myself out of it).
I laid down in bed, put the fan on me, and the pain in my arm eventually went away (although it is still a little soar). After I rested a bit (but still shaken up), I called my husband at work and he found out what happened by his genius internet research:
We suspect I was suffering from low potassium levels. Atkins does not allow for a lot of potassium intake. According to www.thepotassiumrichfoods.com, "Potassium deficiency can result in hypokalemia. Symptoms include increase in blood pressue, heart irregularities, hypertension, muscular weakness, muscle cramps and constipation."
Well I certainly have the last two (maybe three) symptoms, and I have no interest in getting the others. The nausea, sweats, and near black out seem to be because of the severe arm pain - as one prone to decadence, I am also prone to exaggeration, but it really was that bad.
So, more potassium every day is my plan, which may deviate slightly from the Atkins regimen. I drank milk today (chocolate) and half of a milkshake (strawberry) to treat myself after a rough morning. Spinach and avocado will be my go to foods going forward, along with a general adding of more fruits and vegetables.
The morning was a bit scary, but the rest of the day was wonderful. I ran errands with friends and jokingly blamed every nonsense that came out of my mouth on the potassium. It happened a lot.
BRUNCH: chicken salad
SNACKS: chocolate milk; strawberry milkshake
DINNER: caprese salad (mozzarella, basil, tomato); sliced avocado
SNACK: chicken salad
SNACKS: chocolate milk; strawberry milkshake
DINNER: caprese salad (mozzarella, basil, tomato); sliced avocado
SNACK: chicken salad
DAY 24
Wednesday, 06.15.2011
Job searching and waiting for the next So You Think You Can Dance episode to be posted.
Job searching and waiting for the next So You Think You Can Dance episode to be posted.
BRUNCH: celery with peanut butter and flax seed
DINNER: steamed mussels; asparagus and arugula salad; glass of white wine
DESSERT: cheesecake with blueberry topping
DINNER: steamed mussels; asparagus and arugula salad; glass of white wine
DESSERT: cheesecake with blueberry topping
DAY 23
Tuesday, 06.14.2011
As mentioned in my introduction letter, I recently graduated from an unspecified Hogwart's School of Video Game Witchcraft, and am equal parts motivated to get a job and lose 40 pounds. I am reminded of Dr. Seuss's classic message to those about to take the next step in life:
As mentioned in my introduction letter, I recently graduated from an unspecified Hogwart's School of Video Game Witchcraft, and am equal parts motivated to get a job and lose 40 pounds. I am reminded of Dr. Seuss's classic message to those about to take the next step in life:
On Atkins, I miss Dunkin' Donuts, Pasta Tree, The Chocolate Shoppe, Glass Nickle Pizza, Ray's Pizza, Maharaja, Mio Sushi, Vosges, Doughnut Plant, etc., etc., etc.
BRUNCH: celery with peanut butter and flax seed
DINNER: garlic roasted chicken with guacamole
DESSERT: Cream Cheese Cloud batter mixed with blueberry sauce (yep, I used the new mixer!)
SNACK: almonds
DINNER: garlic roasted chicken with guacamole
DESSERT: Cream Cheese Cloud batter mixed with blueberry sauce (yep, I used the new mixer!)
SNACK: almonds
DAY 22
Monday, 06.13.2011
Two more pounds down. These aren't The Biggest Loser numbers, but I'm happy so long as I'm losing something. I had a beer.
Two more pounds down. These aren't The Biggest Loser numbers, but I'm happy so long as I'm losing something. I had a beer.
BREAKFAST: small salad and a cream cheese cloud
LUNCH: few peices of bacon
DINNER: shell-less tacos (seasoned ground beef, lettuce, tomato, cheese, onion, & fresh guacomole)
DRINK: a beer