What I'm eating on maintenance

I try to actively count my net carb consumption. I allow myself 50g/day and can even wing it to 75g on some days. While proteins, fruits and veggies are a staple, I can't do with just those. I have found through experimentation that there are lots of items out there that make life much easier.

My lifesavers are (my American friends may find that not all these items are available in the States, but similar substitutes are):

• Baker's Deluxe breads (cinnamon raisin and seeded are my favourite)
• Skinny Crisps (cinnamon and Say Cheese are my favourite)
• New Hope Mills low carb pancake mix 
• Sugar free lattes with half soy milk at Starbucks 
• Kraft organic peanut butter
• Heinz no sugar added ketchup
• Ed Smith no sugar added jam
• Zazubean Nutbar chocolate bar (coconut + almond; available at Whole Foods) 
• Whipped cream!! (with berries =  amazing dessert).
• Kraft ranch dressing (not low fat, that has sugar)
• Silk unsweetened soy milk
• Low sugar fruit yogurts (4 grams net carbs) 
• Hickory flavoured almonds

Many of my favourite items are available at http://www.thelowcarbgrocery.com/

Please do avoid "diet" and "sugar free" items as much as you can (go for "no sugar added" instead). I have done a lot of research and realized that sugar alcohols are VERY bad for our systems. I used to have the occasional Atkins Bar or Russell Stover chocolates, but no more. Now if I do have anything sugar free, it will be restricted to a syrup put in my latte, or a diet carbonated beverage. 

Also, don't forget that socializing is still very easy. Restaurants are more than accommodating when it comes to swapping items. I always replace starches with veggies. I avoid Asian restaurants because it is very hard to eat low carb there, as all their sauces are generally rich with sugar. I recently found out that the "no noodle extra veg" Pho soups I was eating actually have sugar in them. 

I have also significantly cut back on alcohol. I find that even if i'm having a "clean" drink (e.g. vodka soda), it still makes me retain a lot of sodium and I feel very bloated the day after. I read online that alcohol disrupts blood sugar balance as it interferes with liver function. I will have a glass of non-sweet wine every now and then, but have learned to leave it more for vacations, or just a nice dinner outing.

Don't forget that you CAN every now and then, treat yourself. It is psychologically stressful to be 100% on course all the time. Yesterday, I was really craving a cookie, so I had one. But I added it in to my net carb count and was still in my range. I find that mentally reminding myself that "I can have a cookie when I want it" makes me crave things less, because they're not "forbidden". 

1.5 Years Later

Maintenance is going well. I have started working out rigorously so my weight has increased by 5 pounds but that's because i'm gaining muscle but i'm losing inches. I stopped weighing myself and I started measuring instead.

I'm still eating very clean and low carb. This is my lifestyle now, and always will be.

I did go on two vacations where I ate hearty, and did gain a couple of pounds. I found it took me at least a good month to reverse a week of damage, but for me, it was worth it. It's all about personal decision making and weighing pros and cons, and getting right back into it!

One year later

Feb 28th marked the one year anniversary from when I started Bernsteining.

I am happy to report that I am still at 153 pounds.

I have a really healthy lifestyle. I eat my high fibre bread for breakfast, have omelets  protein and veggies/salads for lunch and dinner, and high fibre snacks and low glycemic fruits in between. I enjoy a glass or two of wine, or a low carb drink (e.g. vodka + low cal cranberry juice). Weekends, I eat the yummy rich foods I used to love so much.

I truly cannot believe how much I have changed inside and out. I look at pictures of myself 40 pounds heavier and cannot believe that that used to be me. I went from a tight 12 to a perfect 8, a size 32 jean to a 29. 29!!! Someone actually called me "thin" the other day and I just about passed out from shock.

Going to the clinics was difficult, the diet was difficult, the nurses were difficult, peeing in a cup was difficult...but it was worth it.

Maintenance is possible, a lifestyle change is the key.