Eating for life ...

[Jennyxxx]

I've been in maintenance since about the end of May - but I must admit I have been quite restrictive and eating probably about 30 carbs/day which seems to be my limit.
I have been off work though for the last 2 weeks .. and with the sun/wine/birthday/pasta/pizza etc I put on 2 lbs (1 of which I have already shed) ... and today I have basically decided to go back to near-induction for a few days.
The most important thing that I have learnt (and for me is really difficult) is that I HAVE to keep away from the wine. If I drink it before dinner which is so common in Italy it sends my appetite crazy and I end up eating 3 times as much as I normally would (and also I crave for carbs). But it is so difficult here without wine ...
Then another thing - here in Italy everything is Pasta/Pizza etc and I used to eat pasta everyday before. Now I eat it say twice a month and I had one pizza a month since June ... but what did you others do when you got to maintenance ... ???

Obviously we don't go back to old eating habits .. but I presume however we have to sort of reintegrate into more "normal" habits ... ??
My carbs still only come from veggies ... milk in coffee and odd ones in various cheese etc etc.
Is this how it will be .... that I will never really be able to integrate daily carbs (pasta /crackers etc) ???

Hope I don't sound too depressing lol Just curious to see how you guys cope with .. eating for life.

All the best

Jenny

[2big4mysize]

order the antipasta dishes.

I have a higher CCLM but I stick with veggies, berries, dairy, legumes nuts and melons with some grains in the whole form like steel cut oats or wheat berries cause I can't eat the low carb pasta and I know as a carboholic I will be that 300+ pounder again should I indulge.

[Jennyxxx]

Wow you have done so well anyhow to lose such a lot of weight CONGRATS!!
I suppose I should shop around and try to be more inventive you're right ... I just received some soya flour and splenda from the UK so I will make some muffins and scones and crackers from the lowcarb recipes. The last ones I made were only 0.5 carb/biscuit so eatable =). There is no lo-carb pasta which is funny as I know one of the biggest sellers in USA is Italian.
I was looking at the rice too ... uhmm .. Am I right when I say 5 grams carb of rice is only about 1/4 cup of cooked rice .....???
I wouldn't even bother at that stage to be honest ...it would get my appetite going for nothing.
Thanx again for answering

Jen

[yemenitegreen]

If you miss pasta you might want to look for spaghetti squash, or you can make cucumber or zucchini "tagliatelle" with a vegetable peeler thingy. The cucumber variety is really good with salmon sauce.

I should make a trip to the farmers market next weekend to see if they have spaghetti squash by now.

yemenitegreen

[ttdriver]

What kind of wine are you drinking? Just curious, because I love chardonnay and it never makes me crave carbs. I am wondering if its the other carby stuff you are eating that is causing you to crave.

For me, pizza, spaghetti, etc., is off limits for life. I know myself all too well and if I indulge in that stuff, I'm gonna want it more and more. I've learned to enjoy so many great low-carb veggies now, that I don't miss anything starchy. When I want that pizza taste, I make my own deep dish low carb pizza. Same satisfying taste, no guilt.

I don't miss anything that made me fat.

Betty

[BikerGoddess]

How you handle maintenance is going to depend on your personality. Some people know that they can't control higher carb foods, so their best bet is to avoid them completely. Some people can establish limits that they follow, so they can have some of those 'forbidden' items on a restricted basis.

It may take some experimentation, but you may be able to work out something that makes you feel more 'normal' but still keeps you on track. Trust me, I know how hard it is to continue making special requests at restaurants when everyone around you is being negative about your choices. The way I see it, though, is that *I* am the one who will get fat from eating that way, not them, so if they don't support me, then they're not people I need to be around.

Laura

[ttdriver]

The way I see it, though, is that *I* am the one who will get fat from eating that way, not them, so if they don't support me, then they're not people I need to be around.

LOVE IT!

Betty

[Jennyxxx]

What great replies thanks to all of you.

I am still trying to work out what spaghetti squash is yementigreen but I will look for it thanks!

TTDriver - you are looking amazing good luck with your marathon! I drink local wines so Bardolino - Franciacorta and Soave. I think it is just me I have always been like this. I just HAVE to keep away from the stuff !!
To be honest I don't actually crave for carbs (just the wine grrrr) in fact I had pasta (was my birthday ) on Saturday and I had no problems Sunday etc. I had an Induction type day to get even.
I love the veggies too - but must admit I get lazy sometimes and fed up of shopping and cooking all the time - I will have to try that mock pizza base!

You're so right BikerGodess it is hard sometimes out - we actually have an "in Zone" restaurant nearby I have to try which apparently have copied Atkins theory.
As you suggested I hope to be able to eat well and legally most of the time and choose some limited specialities the rare times I go out. A couple of induction type days after should bring me back on line and I like having those diet days now and again.
At the end of it a plate of pasta is about 70 carbs and 380 calories so very occasionally I should be able to work around that lol!

Thanks again!

Jenny

[Elizellen]

Here is a picture of cooked and uncooked spaghetti squash

and a webpage that gives the latin name for it which might help you find out what it might be called in Italy
http://www.foodreference.com/html/fspaghettisquash.html

[Jennyxxx]

Thanks so much Elizellen


I have never seen that here (never seen it before in my life lol! )- I'll have an extra look in some special shops - there's none in supermarkets I'm sure.

Have a nice weekend

Jenny

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