The Fat Files: The Case of the Incredible Shrinking Neck

Today, I weighed myself, and surprise, I am down to 196 pounds on the button.  That's 35 official pounds down since I started LCHF/primal last year...  Yikes.  So I did some measurements and discovered that my neck has shrunk down to less than 14.5". 

 

<--- Check me out.

 

Maybe I'm finally over my weight loss plateau.  

 

I also noticed that I have not updated my Numbers Do Not Lie page in, oh, 17 weeks.  Striking.  That's embarassment at plateau-ing, for ya. 

 

Here's what I am up to these days.  The theme is "back on track".

 

Fitness: I am back at the gym, trying to get some challenging workouts in.  I have contacted a local health and fitness coach, who I am going to meet up with on March 10th, to see about getting some training.  The good things are (1) he was recommended to me by someone I know who is in the business (but who is not local and thus cannot train me himself); and (2) he advocates primal nutrition for optimal health, and seems to be into the "lift heavy things" and "chronic cardio is bad" school of thought.  So, that meshes with what I've learned, in theory, about primal nutrition and fitness from Mark Sisson.  I say "in theory" because I am not doing so hot with the primal fitness aspect of this lifestyle.  I am still a little intimidated by the fitness world, and I loathe trying new things in front of a gym full of strangers.  That's why I sought out this trainer.  I am hoping that this will change some things for me and get me back on track with my weight loss.

 

Diet: I hate to admit it, but I have been slackin'.  I'm not completely non-compliant, but I am being a little too lenient with my food choices.  I have been eating out quite a bit, which is a no-no due to the presence of hidden carbs and quality questions regarding the source of the food that comes out on the plate.  I do better (we all do better) when we eat at home.  This is easier said than done when you are a busy mamasita.  Like me.  Also, I have to admit that I have been nibbling on forbidden things.  A bit of rice here, a little spoonful of pasta there, and just a dollop of "do you mind if I have a bite of that" all adds up to a slippery slope back to fat.  I don't want to go there.

 

Let's do this!!

LCHF Coconut Shrimp with Orange Chili Dipping Sauce

Each prepared shrimp weighs in at about ¾ g carbs, so half of the recipe, served as a main dish, is just 5.5 g carbs.  Two tablespoons of the dipping sauce add just about 3 grams of net carbs to the meal, but are well worth it. 

Serve with stir-fried green beans for a delicious, well-rounded meal. 

Coconut Shrimp (Serves 2 for dinner, or 4 for appetizers)

Ingredients:

• ¾ cup almond flour
• 1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
• 2 tsp grated lime peel
• 1 tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 pound (15) raw jumbo shrimp, shells removed
• Olive oil, for frying

Directions:

1. Mix almond flour, coconut, lime peel, salt and pepper together and set aside.
2. Toss shrimp in beaten eggs to coat.
3. Dredge shrimp, one at a time, in the coconut mixture.
4. Add enough oil to the skillet to coat the bottom of the skillet, about 1/8 up the side, and heat on medium high (feel free to add a couple tablespoons of coconut oil if you have any).
5. Fry the shrimp in the oil for 2 minutes per side, then let drain on paper towels.
6. Serve shrimp with dipping sauce for a delicious appetizer, or even as a main dish.

Dipping Sauce

Ingredients:

• 1 jalapeno, minced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• ¼ tsp red chili flakes (optional – adjust to suit your tastes)
• ¼ tsp garlic powder
• ¼ cup sugar free orange marmalade 
• ½ cup water
• 2 tbsp soy sauce

Directions:

1. Heat olive oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. 
2. Add next four ingredients to hot oil and sauté until softened.
3. Add marmalade, water and soy sauce to the pan, and stir to combine. 
4. Bring mixture to a boil and cook for 1 minute. 
5. Serve sauce with coconut shrimp, and enjoy.

Low Carb Superbowl Delights

Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings,

The Ubiquitous Cheese and Pepperoni Platter,

"Loaded Cauliflower" with Bacon, Mozzarella and Garlic, and

Guacamole with Bacon Dippers.

Yum Yum Yum