Checking in

I guess it's time I check in!   

I have not quite got the full 10 pounds back off yet, but then, it did take me 9 days to gain it ~ I shouldn't expect it to fall back off any quicker than that.  My 9 days aren't up until the 4th.   Fingers crossed it's gone by then.

I have been planning my meals out the day before and sticking to the plan.   The 2 days I had off work (Tuesday and Wednesday)  I really didn't get much exercise.  Which is pretty typical for my days off work. 

Here's my food log for Tuesday.   I have coffee only for breakfast on my days off work. First cup with butter and Stevia, the others with Heavy Whipping Cream and Stevia. 

  For our evening meal he made BBQ Meatballs and steamed Broccoli with Gordo's Cheese Dip.

BBQ Meatballs

1 pound lean ground beef

1 cup crushed BBQ flavored pork rinds

1/2 cup grated cheddar

1 egg

2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream

2 tablespoons water

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon ground pepper

Sugar Free BBQ Sauce

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Mix the first 9 ingredients together in a large bowl. Mix well.

Using a 2-inch cookie scoop, scoop out the meat mixture into 16 small meatballs and place on the baking sheet. Roll to form a perfect ball. Bake for 15 - 20 minutes or until meatballs are cooked through.

Brush the meatballs with Sugar Free BBQ Sauce.

Return the meatballs to the oven for 2-5 minutes.

Serve immediately.

Amount Per Serving: CALORIES: 442 TOTAL FAT: 23g CARBOHYDRATES: 4g   PROTEIN: 40g

My macros were closer to target on Tueday - and my total calorie  intake was also closer to target  (1191).  So when I stepped on the scales on Wednesday morning I was showing another 2.6 pound loss - bringing my total to 5.  I know it's only water - but it still is a good feeling to see that number get lower again.

Day three I ate just a few more calories - 1268 .

For our evening meal, my Keto Chef made Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole.  All 3 of us were wondering why we don't have this treat more often! He also fixed riced cauliflower with a cheese sauce.  All in all it was a very satisfying meal!  Unfortunately we did not get a photo of our evening meal, but I did get a photo of a reheated portion for my lunch the next day.

Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole

1 pound bacon, cut up into pieces

2 pound ground beef

12 oz cheddar cheese

8 eggs

1 cup salsa

1 cup Heavy Whipping Cream

2 tsp minced garlic

½ tsp Onion Powder

½ tsp pink salt

¼ tsp black pepper

Preheat oven to 350.

In a large pan, fry the cut up bacon pieces. Drain & set aside.

In the same skillet, fry the hamburger, seasoned with the minced garlic, onion powder, salt & pepper. When the beef is browned add the bacon. Mix well – then spread into a 9x13 casserole dish.

In a large mixing bowl, mix the eggs, salsa and heavy whipping cream. Mix well – then add 2/3 cup of cheddar cheese. Again, Mix well. Pour the egg mixture on top of the meat mixture. (do not stir) top the casserole with the remaining cheddar cheese and bake for 15 to 20 minutes until the cheese is bubbly & crispy.

If desired, garnish with your favorite cheeseburger toppings: lettuce, tomato, pickles, onions etc

Amount Per Serving: CALORIES: 554 TOTAL FAT: 40g  CARBOHYDRATES: 2g  PROTEIN: 42g

Again ~ my macro's were more on track.  I was also pretty close on calories ~ just slightly over.   And when I stepped  on the scales on Thursday morning, I was down another 1.2 pounds ~ bringing my total loss to 6.2.  (This 10 pounds was so obviously, mostly water retention.)

Then I was back to work on Thursday and Friday.  First off ~ let's talk about steps!  I certainly got more steps in than I did on Tuesday and Wednesday.

And again, I planned my meals ahead of time. but, knowing I was working I did allow a few more calories.

 For Dinner that night we had thin cut Ribeye and a salad.

My macros were not as close as I'd have liked.  I was over on everything ~ but then again, I did have 1660 calories, not 1200.  They would have been better if I'd skipped that protein shake, but I felt like I needed it.  When I stepped on the scales on Friday morning, I was only down 0.2 - bringing my total loss to 6.4 pounds.  I am thinking I've lost all the water gain - now I will have to work harder to get the rest of it off.  

Friday I decided to try cutting my calories a bit since I didn't lose much on Thursday. 

Taco Salad with Guacamole, Sour Cream and Salsa

My macros were still off a bit ~ again, I should have skipped that shake.  I was a little over on the calories but it was because of that shake.  I intended to skip it yesterday but I was having a rough day.  and let's face it ~ chocolate fixes everything!  Yep.  I'm sorry to admit it, but sometimes I drink the protein shake for the pure pleasure of a chocolate fix.  However, when I stepped on the scales this morning I was down 0.6 pounds.  While that is not much, at least it was more than the day before.  That puts me at 7 pounds down now.  I have 3 more to go, to get the 10 off I gained while on vacation.  

I have the next 3 days off work - we spent about 6 hours of today in the Escape - so I am certainly not getting many steps in today.  But tomorrow we are going on a Bicycle Ride.  Our first group ride for 2020.  Anyone local that wants to join us, PM me and I'll give you the details on where to meet up!  And on Monday ... I have my first actual check-up since going Keto.  Stay tuned because there will be a blog about that.  Hopefully my new doctor is Keto Friendly!  I did have bloodwork done at work during the health-fair - and my numbers all looked good then. But they didn't check everything.  I am anxious to be able to compare the results with my last exam ... in 2017.