My "free day"

Okay, so I've been eating low carb since the last week of May 2007. Other than a few planned indulgences, I have kept pretty closely to a low carb eating plan that I can live with. I've lost 54 pounds, but over the past couple months I've been basically "stuck" -- no weight loss; no weight gain (thank God); just ... stuck.

My motivation has dwindled, as well, with the weight loss. I'm not "cheating," per se, but I've let a certain amount of "carb creep" come in, by allowing myself sugar-free ice cream, sugar-free chocolates, etc.

So I've been reading about "re-feeds" or "free days" as they're sometimes called. Some people use them as a part of their low carb lifestyle on a regular basis, whether one day every two weeks, or every month, or whatever. The research that I've done indicates that there are some important keys to ensure success in a free day.

First and foremost, it's not a license to "go crazy" and eat anything and everything you want. It's a tool which, if done correctly, can sort of jumpstart your weight loss again. Theoretically. One key is to eat higher carb, lower fat, food, with the bulk of it coming from complex carbs -- pasta, rice, oatmeal, whole grains, etc. The simple carbs should be eaten later in the day, the later the better, so that the resulting drop in blood sugar will occur after you're asleep.

So, I guess I should point out that I am not diabetic. If I was, I don't think I would ever consider doing this. Anyway, I did a "free day" yesterday. I think it went well; I made a plan and stuck to it for the most part, although I ended up having to work in the office for six hours.

But overall, I am pleased with the day I had, and I hope the weight moves! I had weighed yesterday morning, and I'll weigh again in a few days. (They say not to weigh right after the re-feed; instead, wait a few days for the weight to come off.) I'll report back. Depending on the results, I may make this a part of my low-carb lifestyle. The jury is still out...