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andrea

Weighty Matters

Weighty Matters: Low Carb Restart

Weighty Matters

For nearly a month, I have struggled to write this post. Every time I would sit down to write, the emotions of my past experiences would start to overwhelm me. So, I decided to go back to basics. I sat down with a pen and a notepad and just wrote. No editing. No filters. Just getting my feelings out on paper. I took those pages and typed them out here.

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My First Keto/Low Carb Journey

As I have mentioned previously, I’ve done the low carb diet once before–in 2015. At the time, I was at my highest weight and I felt completely miserable. I had random aches and pains, no energy, and getting through each day felt like a struggle. This is also around the same time I discovered I was gluten intolerant, which was also contributing to my misery.

I’ve been on and off diets for most of my life, though nothing ever seemed to stick or result in a significant amount of weight loss. I’d lose 20 or 30 pounds, then promptly gain it all back.

I counted calories, restricted fat, and tried to get a handle on my eating habits. I joined Weight Watchers and a gym. One thing I had never, tried, however was anything that even closely resembled carb restriction. (I was convinced I couldn’t live without pasta, cake, and bread.)

My First Keto Journey
This photo was taken about six months into my first attempt at low carb/keto eating. I felt so much better about myself. Why did I let that girl disappear?

When I finally started low carb eating, I jumped in full force. The foods I had relied upon were no longer available to me. Gluten free products, at least in my area, were not widely available and they were tremendously expensive.

Why not go low carb?

After the initial shock to my system–and resulting keto flu–a whole new world opened up. My eating plan was set and I was sticking to it. I was exercising, and even participating in 5k races on the weekend.

Exercising

I lost 65 pounds and dropped from a size 24 to a size 18 in jeans. Things were finally going my way.

Then the bottom dropped out.
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Health & Wellness, Self-Care

Resolved in 2019: Living My Best Life

Orange Beach, AL

I often see the phrase “living my best life” on social media. It’s one of those things that I always take with a grain of salt. After all, social media is most often not an accurate reflection of real life. Still, that phrase kept echoing in my head as 2018 came to a close and I started thinking about the new year ahead.

Last year was a good year for me in a lot of ways. In April, I received a promotion at work. This was huge for me because there were certain aspects of my old position that I really loved, but some things that I didn’t. My new position allows me to do more of those pieces I enjoy and I think it plays to my strengths and career goals. I also started in an accelerated master’s program and will have my degree by the end of 2019.

Creed The Office

I traveled more in 2018 than I have previously. My new position includes quite a bit of travel, though it’s not exactly to exciting places. I’ve still been able, however, to make the most of those business trips by seeking out new adventures and meeting new people. I went to Gulf Shores with friends in August. I also took a trip to visit family in Nashville, which is one of my favorite destinations.

Orange Beach, AL

Orange Beach, AL

“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.” – Helen Keller

Another big accomplishment was when I started working on a path to owning my own home in 2018, purchasing a tiny house shell. This has become a very long process, but I can’t complain. I knew when I started this journey that it would take time.

Tiny House Interior

Overall, 2018 was a pretty good year. I was happy and enjoying my life. But was I living my best life? Definitely not.

“Your success and happiness lies in you. Resolve to keep happy, and your joy and you shall form an invincible host against difficulties.” – Helen Keller

In the shuffle of everything going on last year, I really lost sight of myself. I stopped taking care of the little things and stopped listening to my body. Instead, I focuses on forging ahead, no matter how exhausted I felt. I gained weight. I had more migraines than usual, likely from stress. I was tired all the time, and just generally felt overdone and unwell.

For 2019, I’m resolved to actually living my best life. For me, that doesn’t mean glitzy parties, expensive vacations, and lots of activities. Living my best life is about listening to my inner voice, taking care of myself, and knowing when enough is enough.

I hope you’ll follow along on my journey.

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Tiny House

A Tiny Adventure

As a single person, the idea that I might someday be able to own a home has seemed very far out of reach. While I absolutely love my job, working in public service is never a position that is going to include a salary that allows me to do all the things I want, yet still have money leftover for a mortgage, car insurance, utility bills, and student loan payments.

I’ve found that I place much more value on experiences, being able to travel and do the things I want. I still wanted to have my own place, however, which put me in a difficult position. For a long time, I struggled with deciding on the best option that would allow me to have both. A tiny house seemed like a perfect solution.

I spent a long time researching, weighing options, and trying to make a decision. A house, even a tiny one, is a big commitment. After months of of indecision on my part, something exciting happened earlier this week.

My tiny house was delivered!

I’m glad I was at work during delivery. This is mildly terrifying.

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Clucks and Ducks, Gardening

The Accidental Pumpkin Farmer

While I enjoy the idea of growing my own food, gardening just isn’t really my thing. I tend to get really excited, plant a bunch of stuff, then lose interest midway through the growing season. I think this is likely because I’m just not very good at it.

In the past, my attempts to grow things have largely been a disappointment. Bugs ate my broccoli. My tomatoes got blossom end rot. The wind blew over my pepper plants. The only things I seem to be successful at growing are onions, lettuce, and cucumbers. Basically things that are easy.

Lucky for me, my backyard flock is always ready to lend a helping hand.

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2016 In Review: The One with The Curly-Haired Prince

Sometimes I embarrass myself. I should amend that statement because it’s not just sometimes. It’s frequently, in public, and usually in quite spectacular fashion. It’s not that I mean to be such a dork, but I just can’t help myself. I am not someone that can remain calm, cool, and collected when meeting those I adore.

As a teenage girl, I was completely irrational and melodramatic. I bought ridiculous teenybopper rag mags and plastered my walls with the fold-out posters found inside. I filled journals and scrapbooks with my overwrought emotion, sure there could never be another as great as whichever celebrity or athlete I fashioned myself in love with that week. I begged for concert tickets and collected ridiculous memorabilia. I fainted at an Atlanta Braves game.

I was a hot mess.

Growing older, I’ve learned to keep myself in check, sort of. I still wrap myself passionately and wholeheartedly into things I enjoy. I still find myself inspired by people I admire. I still DVR Tyler Florence on Food Network and have a bookshelf full of Chipper Jones memorabilia. I might have cried at a John Mayer concert, but I’ve managed to become at least a little more balanced.

While mindlessly browsing and trying to kill time, Facebook suggested a nearby event to me. It was a political event I’d attended in the past, so I gave it a second glance. When I saw the featured speaker, I immediately knew I had to be there.

While most people probably don’t find themselves completely freaking out over being in the same space as a politician, I have perfected the art of Randgirling.

Source: Liberty Bill

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