Slow and Steady

This morning I finally broke through to a definitive annual low, not by much but I'm now within 5 pounds of my lowest since 2013. There was a time during the 2-3 years I was on Nutrisystem when I lost 40 pounds, but it really wasn't that far below where I am now. I'm really shooting for, as an interim target, getting to the weight range when I was frequently working out back in 2007. (My local Maryland fitness center after 2007 changed ownership, and the new ownership did not grandfather existing memberships.) I'll look to joining a local Arizona fitness facility as the weather cools to two-digit highs.

It took 9 days after pushing to a new low to take that out. I had bounced almost 3 pounds up and spent 3 days there before losing half that and then spending 3 days at that level. It can be very frustrating but necessary to keep the faith when your weight goes up while you're eating fairly minimally.

I'm also flirting a little with the paleo diet; I've downloaded a number of paleo recipe books from Amazon and purchased a relevant introductory sampler set from a natural foods vendor. I don't really eat many grains anyway, maybe a sandwich thin whole wheat bun for grass-fed burgers or the occasional low carb tortilla for various wraps.

I've turned away from diet shake replacement meals during this diet, although I still have an unopened whey protein canister I bought from Sam's Club some time back. I've turned more towards protein bars while at work.

In the grocery aisles yesterday, I noticed Nature Valley and other vendors marketing protein chewy bars at less than 10 net carbs each. On the sweet side, Orchard Valley offers dark chocolate varieties (almond, blueberries, cherries, etc.) in measured portions for about $5. At Walmart, I find one-pound bricks of grass-fed beef for about $6/lb,; they also usually offer chicken breast packs for $1.99/lb and pound tubes of ground turkey at $2/lb.