3 Tips for Embracing a Low-Carb Diet, Fix-It With Fran: All Things Faith, Family, Food, Fun and more!

The Story Behind This Post

Many people have asked me what I’ve done to lose the weight (and keep it off) this last go round. I don’t have one simple answer, but I do know what I was doing that probably contributed to my weight gain.

I am thankful to be fully recovered following my sinus surgery– a year later I am still feeling so much better and I have not suffered from any sinus infections or extreme allergy symptoms and I no longer take any of the allergy or sinus prescriptions I’d been on for years (we’re talking since 2006). #GodDidTHAT

I don’t know if any of those medications were the direct cause of my weight gain (although steroids can lead to weight gain), but I do know that whenever I got sick, it was harder for me to work out and I would gain weight or struggle to lose weight. Feeling better and not dealing with constantly being sick has allowed me to be more conscious about what I’m eating and keeping my activity level consistent.

I made poor food choices. When I’m sick, I like comfort food. I want to grab whatever is quick and easy because my energy level is so low. Around the time of my sinus surgery I had a serious talk with my primary care physician about some of the other wellness goals I had in mind for myself in the coming year. I wanted to be well, I wanted to stop taking medications and switch to more natural alternatives, and I wanted to lose weight and lessen the strain on my recovered hip. In light of my desires, she suggested I consider adopting a low-carb diet.

What is a Low-Carb Diet?

A low-carb diet is high in protein, fat and healthy vegetables. There are A TON of different low-carb diets, but most restrict your carbohydrate intake — think: pasta, breads, and sugary foods.

Fix-It Fran’s 3 Tips for Embracing a Low-Carb Diet

Find recipes that taste good!

My husboo is literally “THE Home Chef” now. I’m often working in the evening and he steps in and cooks the meals! #LOVEHim #Teamwork

I always feared a low-carb diet because my mind thought I’d be eating boring food, but that’s really not the case. I know you can’t “taste a recipe,” but don’t skip on a meal because it looks too good to fit a low-carb diet– low-carb doesn’t mean that you have to suffer. Check the ingredients and ENJOY!

Since my physician suggested I consider a low-carb diet, I decided to select the low-carb menu option when I signed up for Home Chef, just to see what offerings would appear.

It’s a year later and we’re STILL subscribers and we typically stick to the low-carb recipe options.

I often share the meals on my Instagram page and more often than not the photo is of a low-carb dish. I TRULY look forward to each weekly delivery! Recently, we enjoyed this Pork Chop alla Pizzaiola with roasted summer squash recipe for dinner.
Find recipes that are easy to make!

I’m not a big chicken fan, but this was so easy to make. You literally put all of the ingredients on a pan lined with parchment paper and bake them in the oven. My husband loves chicken, so I’ll be making this again!

The easier they are to make, the more likely you are to repeat them.

If you repeat them enough, they’ll feel less like a “diet” and more like your preferred meal choice. It won’t be a limitation, eventually it just becomes the type of food that you like and enjoy eating. This Sicilian Herbed Chicken, shown in the cover photo, was a surprise favorite for me. It took about 30 minutes to prep and make and it was really impressive once the final dish was plated (and it was YUMMY and only 300 some calories!).

In addition to using Home Chef, I find lots of recipes online — especially on Pinterest. You can follow that link for my Low-Carb recipe board. It’s one of my more popular boards and I’m constantly adding recipes!

Our favorite low carb discovery was a Crock-pot version of one of my childhood favorites– Cabbage and Smoked Sausage. Husboo loved it so much, he started to prep the ingredients for me if I was too busy to start the Crock-pot. #win
Be Flexible!

This meal isn’t 100% Low-Carb (There are potatoes involved), but it IS high IN protein and had other broiled veggies. It was quick and easy and so GOOD!

Allow yourself to enjoy a few carbs or “high carb” meals if that’s what you’re craving. I love a good steak and this Chimichurri Steak recipe was DELICIOUS! The best part of embracing a “low-carb diet” is that you think more critically about what you’re eating on a daily basis. Looking back, I realize that we were eating way too many carbs far too frequently. Having 1 or 2 high carb days is within reason as long as you commit to healthier eating and activity to balance out your food intake (at least, that is what works for me 😊🙌).

Please remember, this is all my account of what has worked for me. I recommend that you consult your physician, take account of any medication changes you’ve had over the past year and changes that took place in your weight along with those prescriptions (sometimes that plays a role without us noticing right away), and work with a trainer if you’re not seeing the results you’d like to see. In 2011, I worked with a trainer after my initial injury and it gave me the confidence I needed to go to the gym and approach weight training and machines without fear of injuring myself (or aggrivating my past injury).

Whatever you do, please know that it is in your power to do something! If fitness is one of your 2017 goals, I’m praying that this gives you some food for thought.