Never Knowing What To Expect

Sunday, August 31, 2025

Last day of the month and a much anticipated off day.  I play to divide it between house work and office time.  If I were guessing, probably more of the former than the latter, though I have plenty of both that need attention.

Was not sure what to expect this morning.  I was annoyed all evening yesterday - and this morning even - with myself for cracking.  I tried to keep the annoyance in check with a reminder that it was a heavy exercise day, but I was still irritated.  On the plus side, I was not the least bit hungry the rest of the day after having lunch about 2:30.  The two snack sticks were plenty and I was comfortable right through bedtime, which was late due to football watching.  On the other hand, I have just not noticed any positive change in the midsection bloat.  So I made my prediction and hopped on the scale.  Happy to be wrong, it was actually down a decent amount.  So we're ending August on a positive note.

Less than four weeks to vacation, I need to keep going.  Hoping to drop fifteen more before then, but that's probably optimistic.

Breakfast:  2 slices pepper jack, coffee

 

Though not particularly hungry, I applied the usual logic since I wanted coffee.

Lunch:  2 eggs sunny, 3 keto biscuits with CF chorizo gravy

 

Most LC biscuit recipes I looked at were almond flour-based, so I went with one of those.  Turned out pretty good.  No weird ingredients.  Between that and the flour and milk in the gravy I'm sure this is carbier than I should eat.  But tasty! 

Dinner:  Grilled tri tip steak, Jesse and Ben's tallow fries, green beans w butter, 12 oz Miller Lite

 

Sunday dinners. Easy and delicious tonight.

Exercise:  Nope, off day.  Active, but nothing formal.  I definitely expect the scale to be up tomorrow.

103.4 

Flat Before Up Up UP

Saturday, August 30, 2025

Sigh.  I cracked.  Close to holding strong against the allure of the campfire dog, but I didn't get over the finish line.  For a while it looked like the kitchen might be closed, but ... no such luck.  Crack.

So after no change on the scale today I'll be up tomorrow, which will be disappointing, but I'll be right back on the horse.  Probably won't need much if any dinner tonight either.

Beautiful day.  So glad to have been able to get out and enjoy it, though my body, knees specifically, is not real thrilled about the big activity.

Breakfast:  2 eggs over medium, hash browns, 3 strips bacon, raisin toast w jam, coffee

 

Standard.

Lunch:  Campfire dog w KMR, homemade chips, fries, 12 oz Miller Lite

 

Tasty but yeeeeeesh.

Dinner:  2 hot shots

 

Didn't need much obv.

Exercise:  18 holes with cart.  Good walking.  I'm tired.

104.8 

First Rebound

Friday, August 29, 2025

Drat.  There it is, the first rebound day.  Sure, the scale crept up by the smallest increment possible, but up is up.  And it wasn't due to cracking.  I guess beans and tortillas are just plain too many carbs.  Which is too bad, because I was quite pleased with my eating yesterday, it was tasty and kept me properly sated at all times.  Other than a minor urge to keep eating at dinner which was easily controlled there were no issues at all.  So it goes.

Since I don't think a major increase in exercise is in the cards right now, other than maybe some upper body, I will need to be a bit stricter.  It's a work in progress.  But the arrows are still pointing in the right direction.

Breakfast:  2 slices pepper jack, coffee

 

Again.

Lunch:  4 eggs scrambled, 1 C spicy beans, 4 Meijer sausage links

 

All good.

Dinner:  Keto bowl

 

Okay. It's a lot of food.

Exercise:  Nope.  Golf tomorrow.

104.8 

Annoying Overhangs

Thursday, August 28, 2025

Another day closer to the holiday weekend.  Planning on taking Sunday off, will do some house projects, maybe a little office time.  Excited.  Otherwise, there will be golf and football.  Need to get some things done to clear the decks.

Was a bit annoyed this morning at my torso.  The gut, especially the overhang, is near a peak.  Usually getting rid of the starch and the water weight flattens that out, it just does not look to me like that is happening this time.  I can see a bit more definition everywhere else, limbs a big leaner, less under the chin.  It's strange.  But we'll give it some more time before I get too excited.

Anyway, slept fine but could have used another hour.  No cramps, no wakeups.  Scale was good, a little larger fraction of a pound down.  So far so good.

Breakfast:  2 slices pepper jack, coffee

 

Again.  I don't know why this works so well for breakfast but it does.  Fast, easy, satiating.

Lunch:  4 eggs sunny, 1 C spicy beans, 4 Meijer sausage links

 

Cooked the eggs in butter instead of EVOO/bacon grease today.  I bought the frozen links as they're easy - I would have gotten patties but they were out.  Definitely not ideal content-wise, but I can live with them for days like today.

Dinner:  Tallow tacos - 2 tallow tortillas, taco meat, cheddar cheese, jalapenos, sour cream and guac

 

Last of the tortillas, I may buy another package.  A bit carby but otherwise great. 

Exercise:  Nope.

104.6 

Maybe Excessive Fat

Wednesday, August 27, 2025

I've been pondering these energy crashes I've had lately and finding a likely cause has been challenging.  My best working theory at the moment is that it may be correlated with high fat meals.  I was puzzled by having one on a Sunday after a solid lunch that included plenty of protein and about 35g of carbs -- most of the carbs I ate that day.  So it's probably not a carb crash.  But I'm not sure exactly why I'd react that way to excess fat.  Maybe there is something other than blood sugar levels at play, not sure.  But I'd like to adjust things to avoid the crashes, they suck.

Anyway, I got a good night of sleep, no cramps, no electrolytes needed.  The box Amazon sent me had obviously been opened and retaped but I guess as long as the individual sleeves are intact it'll be OK.  But I'm decreasingly likely to order consumables from Amazon.

Scale was down the minimum again but no complaints.  I have a good attitude about that, though I do think it should drop faster.  As long as it's down every day I'll lose at least 1.5 lb a week.   It won't be, not every day.  I'll be bummed when I have a rebound day.  But let's keep going.

Breakfast:  2 slices pepper jack, coffee

 

Back to Meijer brand cheese.  

Lunch:  4 eggs scrambled, cream cheese, mashed avocado, 3 strips CF applewood bacon

 

This was quite a bit of food.  The avo was cups bought at the fancy health food store, on sale.  Not that much different than the guac cups really.

Dinner:  4 cheese dogs, 2 tallow tortillas, Meijer hot kosher dill spears

 

Ate the rest of the dogs from the BBQ place.  Looked at the ingredients list, disappointed to see dextrose and sugar.  Not all that upset about the sugar but why both.  Sheesh.

Exercise:  Nope.  Day off.

105.2 

Near Immediate Gratification

Tuesday, August 26, 2025

Well that's not how you want to start a day.  Bolted awake at 4:30 with dual leg cramps.  Ow.  I bought three sleeves of electrolytes on Friday and immediately used up the last one.  By 4:45 I had placed an Amazon order for a whole box.  Now that's immediate gratification.  Supposedly going to be delivered this evening already.

It seems kind of odd to me that my electrolytes would be so imbalanced, but they must be given that taking some in results in relief from a problem I don't have when I'm binge eating.

Anyway, I didn't get a lot of additional sleep but still managed to be late for work.  The scale was down the minimum but at least it was down.  Are we sure it's not Monday?

Breakfast:  2 slices sharp cheddar, coffee

 

I like this cheese.  The slices are larger (6 in a 6 oz package vs 10 or 11 in a 7 oz package of Meijer or Sargento iirc) and it's tasty.  Might deal with the extra cost and buy again since this was the last of it.

Lunch:  4 eggs sunny med-hard, 1 C spicy beans, 3 strips CF applewood bacon

 

Again.  And tasty, though I went 30 seconds too long on the eggs.

Pregolf snack:  2 cheese hotdogs

 

Hot dogs made by the BBQ place people.  They advertise 'em as no junk, no fillers, etc.   Wanted to try air frying them, turned out good.

Dinner:  Chef salad with pizza sauce, 12 oz Mich Ultra

 

Meh.  Didn't eat it all.  Skipped the ranch and croutons.  Back to the french dip next week. 

Exercise:  9 holes with cart, a fair amount of extra walking.  I was low energy to start but felt better later.  I actually drank the beer during the round (usually I have one with dinner, not today). 

105.4 

Curling

Monday, August 25, 2025

That's not how you want to start your day.  Woke up at 3:30 with a minor leg cramp, easily worked out and back to sleep.  Bolted awake at 5:10 with a toe-curling foot cramp.  Ow.  Much harder to get rid of.  Downed some electrolytes and was able to get back to sleep.  Got up late but man I could have used another hour or two.  

Overall feeling okay this morning.  Another solid day on the scale, again wasn't sure what that was going to look like after a big dinner and less exercise than planned.  Now if I can just have a reasonable energy level this afternoon that would be great.

Breakfast:  2 slices sharp cheddar, coffee

 

Bought the expensive organic kind because of where I shopped this week, it's good stuff.

Lunch:  3 eggs sunny, 3 strips CF applewood bacon, 1 C spicy beans

 

Glad to have a few more beans in the freezer, I'll have to make some soon if I keep eating them, which I hope to as this is a very enjoyable way to do eggs.

Dinner:  3 tacos mexican style with avocado and jalapenos

 

Exercise:  Nope.  Good to have an off day.

105.6 

Way Down Yes

Sunday, August 24, 2025

Happy Sunday.  It's off to a great start, if not a super quick one.  I was thrilled to sleep straight through from just after 10:00 until 5:15 - no cramps, no bladder, no whatever the eff wakes me up at night.  Felt pretty refreshed, which is absolutely not an every day thing.  Wondered if I might be able to go back to sleep but never really got close.  So let's do some things.

Pleasant morning on the scale.  Wasn't sure what to expect, honestly.  Lots of exercise yesterday and good eating, but I also drank a lot of liquid and didn't feel like I let go of all of it.  Not to worry, way down.  Yes.  I don't know how many days a week my knee/leg will let me walk, but I'm thinking that I can get back to the Y soon and at least do some light work with the weights.   

No moments of feeling great yesterday, but I'm feeling pretty good right now.  I'm sure I'll be beat up after this afternoon's golf, but I'll manage.

Breakfast:  2 slices sharp cheddar, coffee

 

I would have been perfectly fine without eating, but went with the cheese as usual to avoid drinking black coffee on an empty stomach.

Lunch:  Home tacos in tallow tortillas - with leftover brisket, egg, bacon, sour cream and jalapenos.  CF applewood bacon

 

Early lunch.  Bought the tallow tortillas on impulse at the health food store, they're made locally and are nice and clean, just a little carby. Very tasty.

Dinner:  Hamburger patty w mustard and dill pickles, 2 slices of cheddar cheese, grilled mushrooms, salad, avocado, tomato slice, 12 oz Miller Lite

 

Sunday dinner.  Ate a bit too much.

Exercise:  9+ holes with cart.  This is a little concerning.  I felt fine this morning, was very productive.  Ate lunch, drove out to the golf course and had a major energy crash.  Just absolutely dragging.  And hurting.

106.8 

Aches n Pains

Saturday, August 23, 2025

 TGIS.  Getting a late start on this, not until after dinner even.  It's been a day.

Woke up about the same time as yesterday, had a bit more luck going back to sleep as I stayed up too late last night.  Just wasn't sleepy.  Scale was down, which was nice - wasn't sure what would happen after last night's big keto bowl.

Anyway, it was nice to get in some exercise, turned out to be a pretty nice day after some early rain.  But I'm really beat up physically - I just ran out of gas the last three holes.  Lots of aches and pains, though I feel none of them when I'm sitting here in the recliner.  Definitely going to need electrolytes tonight.

Breakfast:  Meat lover's omelette, hash browns, coffee

 

I declined the toast but took the hash browns.  Ate about half of them.  This was okay, but certainly not great - not the highest quality ingredients and not the best short order cook.  It was adequate.  Should be back to the usual place next weekend.

Lunch:  12 oz Miller Lite

Post golf.  Posting a photo of a can of beer (or the Gatorade Zero that followed it) seems unnecessary.

Dinner:  Smoked brisket, plain nonfat Greek yogurt

 

Conveniently went past the BBQ place on the way home.   Got a pound of brisket and ate most of it.  A couple chunks in addition to what is pictured.  I asked for and got a one bite sample of their smoked turkey, it was very tasty.  Going to have to get some of that.

Exercise:  18 holes with cart, more walking than average.

109.8 

Limited Range

 Friday, August 22, 2025

TGIF.  Was an okay morning.  Woke up at 5:45 and could not get back to sleep.  Didn't get up, but was not able to get back to sleep, which I'm taking as a sign that my sleep deficit is much diminished.  Having that off day last Sunday really helped, I think.

Nothing much else of note.  Another small dip on the scale.  Keep grinding.  If I can be good this weekend maybe I'll get a boost due to the expected exercise.

I scrolled back through the entire year and wow have I been stuck in a band.  Most every day is within ten pounds up or down from the number at the start of the year -- I lol'd at actually being "down" for the year after losing the water.  But the takeaway is that it's been a loooong time since I've truly had a decent number on the scale and I need need need to fix that. 

Breakfast:  2 slices sharp cheddar, coffee

 

Again.

Lunch:  3 eggs sunny/over easy, 1 C spicy beans, plain nonfat greek yogurt

 

I know a lot of people don't like plain yogurt, but I do.  Not sure the carb budget really allows for the beans, but they sure do go well with the eggs (and meat - I forgot I was going to have sausage too).

Dinner:  Keto bowl

 

Been a while.  This was a very good effort.  I enjoyed it.  Very full, however.

Exercise:  Nope.  Not super active today.

111.0 

The Trudgery

Thursday, August 21, 2025

Okay, the faucet is officially off.  Now the drudgery begins, just trying to be good day after day.  It's not really that bad, but there will be plenty of days where that pizza, that donut, that coke with lots of ice sound SO good.  But so far anyway resolve is good.  I need to feel better.

And boy do I.  I was hurting last night and was hurting again this morning.  I need to remember to take some electrolytes tonight, I woke up twice with cramps, which were minor but enough to get me out of a sound sleep.  And I need to order a new box.

It was nice to at least have a small drop on the scale.  I half expected a rebound which isn't unusual after a sudden water drop. 

Breakfast:  2 slices sharp cheddar, coffee

 

Again.

Lunch:  3 eggs over medium, 1C spicy beans with ~2 oz chorizo, 3 strips bacon

 

Excellent.  I saved a couple ounces of yesterday's chorizo to pump up today's lunch - I was going to eat the bacon for breakfast but didn't take the time.  Beans and eggs are a tasty combo.

Dinner:  Chicken fajita bowl - chicken breast, cheese, fajita veg, sour cream and guac

 

I impulse bought the chicken (Tyson) since it was on sale and could be air fried.  It was ... fine.  I'll eat this again, mostly due to having at least 3 more servings of chicken in the freezer.  But in general I prefer beef. 

Also cleaned up the Meijer pork cracklins.  Still meh. 

Exercise:  Nope.  As mentioned, hurting.  Edit: Less so tonight though.

111.4 

Spigot Off

Wednesday, August 20, 2025

It was vaguely amusing (only to me, nobody else would be such a nerd) to see the water spigot switch off with the carby dinner.  It had continued during the day, I had a reasonable amount of liquid in the evening, and I didn't even have to get up once over night as my body held on to the liquid like it was parched.  Now we see if it switches back on or if we're just in lose if you're good mode.

Nothing else of note this morning.  I don't want to overstate how I felt last night, it was just for a moment and on flat ground.  It was still a struggle on broken ground and I won't feel like I'm back until I can do a flight of stairs normally.  Yes, that's how far and fast I've fallen over the last couple months, with my bad leg and knee plus the strain I take the stairs very slowly.

Breakfast:  2 slices pepper jack, coffee

Again.  Last of the pepper jack package.

Lunch:  3 eggs scrambled w cream cheese, 3 strips bacon

Again.

Dinner:  CF chorizo, spicy beans, sour cream

 

Pretty good.  The beans had been in the freezer a while, but were still tasty.   I thought about putting a couple over medium eggs on top and that would have been great, but I only have three left for lunch tomorrow.  Need to restock.

Later:  Some Meijer brand pork cracklins.  Meh. 

Exercise:  Nope.  I did do my grocery shopping after dinner and jeez am I getting old.  Everything hurts.

111.8 

Flow On Some More

Tuesday, August 19, 2025

The water keeps flowing.  It will be interesting to see if a post-golf sandwich tonight puts a stop to it, even temporarily.  Regardless, I enjoyed the look in the mirror this morning - face is notably less puffy.  Of course the rest of the body is still a complete trainwreck, but I'll take a small win.

In the stupid things department, I just noticed this week how much darker things get when I really screw my eyes shut in a room that's dimly lit.  Close eyes, kinda dark.  Really close them, pitch black.  Like I said, stupid but it was something I'd never thought about or experienced before.

Breakfast:  2 slices pepper jack, coffee

 

Back to cheese for speed and (hopefully) satiety.  

Lunch:  3 eggs scrambled with cream cheese, 3 strips bacon

 

 

Was going to eat an avocado but it was wayyy past edible.  Oof.

Pre-golf snack - some deli sliced turkey breast.  Cleanup. 

 

Did the job.

Dinner:   French dip, 12 oz Miller Lite

 

A Tuesday standard.  Should find a better choice but a pizza and sub place is tough for low carb - salad, sure, but seed oils. 

Exercise:  9 holes with cart.  For a very brief period, walking felt good.  It's been a while since I can say that.  Still have lots of physical issues but for a few minutes I felt ... normal.

113.2 

Betting On Water

Monday, August 18, 2025

Not ready for another week, but I will say that I am more rested than usual.  A bit less stressed.  It was nice having yesterday completely off.

The losing of the water has commenced, with nearly five pounds departing yesterday.  Had to get up a couple times overnight.  Guessing that I may get at least one more day of that, not sure what the final total will be but it's significant.  Would be a good thing to bet on.

Breakfast:  Plain nonfat Greek yogurt and a few blueberries, coffee

 

Something different.  While it was reasonably tasty, the satiety, unsurprisingly, sucked.  No fat.

Lunch:  Leftover tri tip, tomatoes, 2 slices pepper jack

 

Leftover steak was good.  I'm going to have to eat more steak. 

Dinner:  3x mexican tacos, avocado

 

I was going to add some jarred jalapenos but somehow I seem to be out ... I thought I had at least two jars in the pantry.  On to the list they go.

Exercise:   Nope.  Some work-related walking but not that much and honestly I'm not up to much.  While I already feel some small improvements there is so far to go.

119.4 

Execute Plans

Sunday, August 17, 2025

Okay.  Here we go.  I have five weeks until vacation.  I need to drop some weight.  Long term I need to drop a LOT of weight, but for right now, I need to get rid of some.  Today is the day to start - I don't have the usual Sunday obligations.  I have the day to do what I need to do.  So let's do some of it.

Got a bit of a head start by getting more sleep last night.  I was pleased by that - fixed a minor issue with the setup and it produced a good result.  But for a very minor foot cramp at 3:30 it was a restful night and a lazy morning.

Breakfast:  Coffee

Not in a hurry to eat anything just yet.

Lunch:  3 eggs, 3 strips CF applewood bacon, cream cheese

Paying the price for cooking the bacon, it's about three degrees warmer in here now.  Sigh.  Come on fall.  Anyway, made an omelet and it was good. 

Dinner:  Grilled tri-tip steak, tomato

 

Steak was excellent, the tomato disappointing.  I bought it from a farm stand, it looked much better than it tasted.  Oh well. 

Exercise:  Nope.  Fine with a day off today.

125.2 

Fevered

Saturday, August 16, 2025

Not feeling great today, kinda feverish.  Didn't sleep well or much.  Hopefully better tonight.

Lots to do.

Breakfast:  Egg mcmuffin, hash browns, coffee

Early time today.

Lunch:  16 oz Coors Light, gatorade

Later, a mushroom swiss burger, fries, pepsi.

Later yet, donuts.

Dinner:  Deluxe pizza, Coke

 Too much.

Exercise:  18 holes with cart, little extra walking

123.2 

Fried

Friday, August 15, 2025

As usual I'm toast by the end of the week.

Breakfast:  Pretzel bagel w veggie cream cheese, coffee

Okay.

Lunch:  Italian beef, fries, pepsi

Good.

Dinner:  Chili cheese dogs, fries, pepsi

Very good.

Also, some semi sweet chocolate chips. 

Exercise:  Nope

124.4 

Made Plan

Thursday, August 14, 2025

Made a plan today.  Doesn't kick in until Sunday, but it's a plan.  We'll see.

Busy morning, unproductive afternoon.  Disappointing.

Breakfast:  Wendys 2x BEC biscuit, coffee

Cheap, filling.

Lunch:  Pizza slices

Kinda cheap, filling.

Dinner:  Qdoba brisket bowl, chips and queso, pepsi

Not cheap, overly filling.

Exercise:  Nope

123.0 

Disappointment And The Wall

Wednesday, August 13, 2025

I had great hopes for last evening.  For a great night of sleep.  For reasons that aren't worth going into, it did not happen.  I am disappointed.  I've very tired, no pun intended, of the fatigue.

And, relatedly, it kind of feels like I've hit the wall.  Barely making it through.

Breakfast:  McD BEC biscuit, egg mcmuffin, hash browns, coffee

Mid-morning after a blood draw.

Lunch:  Olive burger, fries, Dr. Pepper

Local chain, first time I'd tried it.  Pretty decent.

Dinner:  BK texas whopper, fries, Dr. Pepper

Excessive.

Exercise:  Nope

122.0 

Maybe Off The Juice

Tuesday, August 12, 2025

It's about time to try and get back off the beetus juice.  Might be making that push tomorrow.  Ugh.  It'll probably be replaced on an interim basis with various zero sugar beverages, which I am increasingly wary of.  Honestly, I just need to drink water.  Black coffee.  More water.

Anyway, I didn't sleep particularly well, but at least it was comfortable.  I shifted the box fan slightly and got the air flow I wanted, that was nice.  I also got a few things accomplished last evening - laundry etc - that made it easier to shut down the brain.

Breakfast:  Bread w butter, coffee

I don't know why I have this mental block about spending two minutes fixing the breakfast I should have.  Instead I spend one minute fixing this.  Which is fine on one level, I have lots of bread.  But it's very much not optimal in terms of what I should be eating.

Lunch:  Turkey and cheese sandwich

 

Again. 

Dinner:  Sack of Taco Bell, pepsi

Tooooo much. 

Exercise:  Nope, rained out.

119.4 

Much Not Ready

Monday, August 11, 2025

Extra not ready for the week.  I didn't get my laundry done or bed made or lots of other typical weekend chores.  I need a cool snap but I'm not going to get one.

Also need to eat less. 

Breakfast:  Coffee

I was so late this morning that I didn't even take the time to grab something.

Lunch:  Turkey and cheese sandwich, a few cheezits

 

Had to take out the middle slice, it was too fat to eat as is.  Cheezits are gone.

Dinner:  3x mexican tacos w avocado, avo oil fries w ketchup, pepsi

 

Cleaned up my bag of frozen fries.  Tacos were good.   

Exercise:  Nope.  More active around the house than usual tonight, at least there is that.

118.6 

Boom Roasted

Sunday, August 10, 2025

I'm definitely ready for some fall weather.  Another hot, humid day, though we had some good wind for much of it.  It's going to take a significant cool down to get the heat out of my house.  

Breakfast:  Donuts, coffee, a few cheezits

Bought the donuts with my groceries yesterday and I can say with complete certainty that they were possibly the worst donuts I've ever had.  Impressively bad.

Lunch:  McD 2x double cheeseburger, Dr. Pepper

Standard.

Later:  orange Powerade

Dinner:  Shish kebobs, mashed potatoes, 12 oz Miller Lite, ice cream w choc sauce, pepsi

Tasty.

Exercise:  18 holes with cart, standard walking.

Whew.

119.6 

Wheww

Saturday, August 9, 2025

Whew indeed.  Glad it's the weekend.  I'm sure it won't be super restful - it's going to be hot - but hopefully I can get some at least.

Breakfast:  2 eggs over medium, bacon, hash browns, raisin toast w jam, coffee

 

Usual.

Lunch:  12 oz Miller Lite, a couple mozzarella sticks w marinara

Post-golf.

Dinner:  BK texas whopper, fries, Dr. Pepper, pepsi

Ate early.

Also a few Cheezits and some fudge coconut cookies.  Sigh. 

Exercise:  18 holes with cart, average walking 

123.0