Pro tips: If you get bored on LCHF
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macchiatto
Posts: 2,890 Member
Any suggestions for what you all do once you start getting bored on LCHF? I have had a harder time sticking to it consistently the past couple of months; I've just gotten bored, especially of foods in the snack and lunch variety. Dinners are fine. Well OK, I'm bored of breakfasts, too. And dinner leftovers can only go so far. 
I have less time and energy these days for food prep; I'm sure that's a factor.
I have less time and energy these days for food prep; I'm sure that's a factor. 0
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Call me crazy, but I was glad to get out of the "food is entertainment" mindset.
Time for a new hobby? I find musical instruments endlessly entertaining.16 -
75% of the time, food is fuel for me. I don't get bored - I love what I eat - but I am with @wabmester in that I no longer entertain myself with food, which is really freeing. Sometimes I do miss just losing myself in snacks on the couch, but it passes.6
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For me, I know that I start "getting bored" when I let carbs creep up. It's an excuse to eat stuff that is not good for me. Snacks are especially dangerous and when I'm eating enough at lunch/dinner I almost never want them anyway. So I treat boredom as an early warning sign that I need to lower carbs and eat bigger meals until it goes away.
But plenty of people get creative and ketofy a variety of recipes. I'm just not one of them. As long as I'm properly nourished I'm happy to not think about food.
::flowerforyou::7 -
I look up recipes when I feel like I'm getting a little bored.
I've had eggplant parm, jalapenos wrapped in bacon and stuffed with cream cheese, steak kabobs with cauliflower rice...etc.
So if you're feeling like you're eating the same things, just see if you can find a low carb recipe that appeals to you.
This diet allows for so many combinations of foods. Salads, soups, meats and veggies, cheeses...etc, that you CAN eat something different almost every day.2 -
Thanks, guys!
Earlier in this woe I felt like I'd gotten into that zen where I viewed food more as fuel. At this point that's partly my issue but more that a lot of my staples like cheese (!), processed meats, almonds, chicken and eggs have started sounding unappetizing to me; I've lost my taste for them. So that makes it harder to grab a quick breakfast, lunch or snack. (Doesn't rule out all my options but a lot of them.)
This might be complicated by me having stomach issues over the past month. They'd cleared up when I first started keto and started again a month ago, but I think that's contributed to my stomach having feelings of protest when I think about eating a lot of my usual staples.0 -
macchiatto wrote: »Any suggestions for what you all do once you start getting bored on LCHF? I have had a harder time sticking to it consistently the past couple of months; I've just gotten bored, especially of foods in the snack and lunch variety. Dinners are fine. Well OK, I'm bored of breakfasts, too. And dinner leftovers can only go so far. I have less time and energy these days for food prep; I'm sure that's a factor.
@macchiatto - For me, it comes down to defining what I mean by "getting bored."
Am I craving carbs? That usually means I'm neglecting my fats.
Am I wanting something different? I have a few "go to's" that I rotate between. I get bored, I just switch gears.
Am I missing feeling indulgent? I can't afford things like pedicures, but I think indulging myself in other ways would help this, but if not, I get a more decadent ON PLAN treat. I don't buy macadamias often, so when I'm getting down in the dumps about crap or feeling bored or listless, I'll get some. Or my local grocer has salami wrapped around smoked provolone (or prosciutto, etc.). Sure, I can make that myself, but it's so...indulgent to do something like that - BECAUSE I CAN. Or maybe I'll buy an ingredient that isn't as cost effective - or that I won't share with my guy. Sometimes I'll get a super fancy twice as expensive aged sharp cheddar that's grass-fed or exotic or what have you. Just that feeling of decadence and indulgence helps. Or I'll do something just for me. Spend an hour guiltlessly reading a book. Go buy a new pair of tennis shoes even though I should spend that money on something more responsible (as long as I'm really not neglecting anything, etc.).
Am I just tired? Prepackaged "convenience" foods that are still low-carb friendly (read the last one) can get me through a lull. Not the best for the long haul, but if I can get through a work-week, then get an extra hour of sleep on a weekend or something...or meditation...or hiking in nature...anything to rejuvenate me, the rest will follow.
And energy? Focus on getting to the root of it (physical, emotional, what?).
Most of us get tired of a routine once we do it for a while. We as humans like things new and exciting. Sometimes we have to go back and look at what got us jazzed up to start with - where did we start? Just about every time I want to give up because it's too hard (as anything worth having always is!), I go back and look at the horrifying pictures or blood lab reports to remind me what I've really accomplished. I kind of have a love/hate thing with Facebook memories (prompts you to revisit posts from "years ago to date." It's been kind of shocking to see the difference in my face alone despite not major scale changes in 4 years...health improvements yes, but not as much scale as I would have wanted to achieve in that same timeframe, etc. Perspective is sometimes the exact slap in the face I need to bring me back to reality...
(HUGS)8 -
I've hit two stages of the stomach woes in the 18 months I've been eating low carb... The first time, I literally switched EVERYTHING I was eating. It was hard as heck. I hated it. The second time, I dug in - and that's when I discovered my low stomach acid issue - and I swear, as cheesy as it sounds, IT CHANGED MY LIFE. It's not "just me." I didn't just "fail again." Something was alterable. And made a legit difference. And the "freedom" from feeling guilty and failed and pathetic and all that - it was just so...insanely freeing, for lack of better words to express.
I can eat food again, enjoy things, not die from stomach distress, all of that... MFP has taught me so much, within the groups. You have this - do you have that? Check this out. Take that quiz. My doctor is so impressed with how much I've taken charge of my health. She went so far as to tell me that even though I still have a way to go before getting into healthier categories and weight and such - that I've mainly made progress and fought back every time I started to lose ground - that people just don't do that anymore. Mostly we stop fighting, and then we lose all the ground we took, gain more weight and more health issues... This group, this site, has kept me from feeling that hopelessness to the point where I just said, "Screw it!" and gave up permanently. Any backslides are viewed as just a learning part of the process. That alone for me is a life altering, life changing alteration to my typical all or nothing, doom and gloom mindset of old...12 -
And another thing, and this may sincerely just be me - but there are two ways I can attack "boredom" from repetitiveness, etc.
1) I embrace the routine. Having a fallback plan, even when it is boring and unappealing is a comfort unto itself.
2) I mix things up to the point where people wonder, "Is she off her meds? Is it a midlife crisis? Is she losing it?"
One of those two things usually helps. Sometimes both, heartbeats away. I stopped caring how wacky, insane, or mental other folks thought I was (especially my guy who still buys into all the old, fat will kill you/heart attack waiting to happen crap - and is very vocal about reminding me - but I just laugh, because I know what my body is doing, mostly...). Well, I mostly stopped caring about it, and certain things, well, I just have to put myself first or not care about anyone else's opinions/criticisms for spending money on things for my health/naysayers, etc. It's terrifying, but also sometimes feels so perfect and right... I was raised to take care of my family first, myself last, but I realized at some point that I didn't want my own child doing this - so what the heck was I teaching her. It's still a daily struggle to prioritize myself sometimes, but it is getting easier.4 -
It's not boredom with LC.
Tired of the same recipes?
---Google, Pinterest, Facebook food groups, although I do have some fave sites I can share.
Are you falling into lazy and relying on convenience LC foods?
---Look at new preparation methods. If you're crunched for time or motivation, look at doing multi-meal prep.
Are you thinking about carby foods?
---Why? Are you neglecting your protein and fat? Logging accurately and faithfully?
Are you just so comfy with LC that you no longer spend hours of mental effort in doing it?
---Get a hobby or add a workout.
Are you tired, not bored?
---What else changed? New job, new relationship, added stress?
You need to examine these feelings and find the root of it. It's not boredom with LC. You don't get bored with eating. Eating is good and fun. It's something else that's you're just calling boredom. So figure it out, then figure out the fix.
I haven't been as active on MFP because I got involved in helping with some research. I noticed I was finding LC "too easy" meaning I'd figured it out and I was "bored." But it wasn't boredom, it was just that I wasn't using all the brain power and knowledge I'd learned. So I found something to do. That something has been experimenting with carb cycling and documenting the results to help some doctors get grants for more in-depth studies. It keeps me busy, very busy actually.8 -
I don't consider my self to be a "pro" after eating this way for almost 16 months (geez time flies!!). I still learn from each of you everyday!
My struggle has been to reject the feelings of "deserving" at this point. My mind goes into feeling that I deserve a treat since I've worked so hard to get here! This has occurred with every new low I've managed to accomplish! If I allow one treat it leads to two...
Then my mind tries to tell me that I'm bored with this woe!
Our mind games are difficult to overcome! I've managed to overcome these feelings by reminding my mind that I "deserve" to feel better, that I "deserve" to wear clothing from any shop I enter, I "deserve" to take up less space in the world.... I "deserve" all of these things, not what eating the junk I used to eat would bring!
At first I got into rewarding myself with material things (a new this, or that, when I accomplished this much weight loss), but I don't do that anymore. Once I realized that it was only replacing the food, I decided that wasn't good for me. I just celebrate the changes and keep eating the foods that got me here.
Good luck with being an "overcomer"!!8 -
I made pizza protein bread, with lots of cheese and olives. That helped, and it wasn't hard or time consuming.3
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You guys are the best. Thanks so much for all the thoughtful replies! Very helpful.4
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@baconslave - I think as this post goes on, it maybe should go under the lessons learned section or something in the sticky. There has been some great stuff in this post from folks that I'd love to see kept and not lost. Thanks in advance!6
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I am in a similar boat. I tend to get very compulsive about new interests and like to research and learn like crazy. Once I have reached a certain level of knowledge I lose some interest. That's where I am now. There aren't many LCHF or keto books that I haven't read at this point. I feel like I mastered this way of eating. There is no challenge now so it is less interesting.
I also came to this WoE to solve some health problems and for a while, the first 7-8 months, it really helped but now it isn't as much. My arthritis has creeped back on me - autoimmune and osteoarthritis both. My hips are driving me crazy and I wouldn't be surprised if I have hip replacement in my mid 40s which seems just stupid. My hands are swollen and my pointer fingers are not very happy; it has been worse but it has been better too.
Also, my BG in the mornings is not under control. It bounces up to a 7 something (~130) and within a day it is a 3.8 (~65) for no apparent reason. The only thing that seems to keep it at a happy place every time is fasting a day or two, and I am not going to do that often.
Anyways, I find it hard to stay committed to LCHF when I am not getting all of the benefits anymore. But that is my immature side shining through. I tend to forget ALL of the benefits because I have become used to having them over the past year. I am use to being 40 lbs lighter, having better skin, improved cognition, steadier energy, overall better BG and no reactive hypoglycemia. Feeling bad is not normal anymore, and I am used to feeling good so when a few bad things happen I resort to a pity party... Boohoo. I hurt. Yeah well, I hurt more before so suck it up. LOL
I rambled. You're not alone. I am wavering after a year LCHF too, but I know too much to walk away from this WoE completely. To do so would be foolish. And you are in the same boat as me, I bet. I feel less than perfect so I want my carby comfort food of yester year. Deep down I know it won't help though. It will just taste good for a few minutes.
Hang in there.2 -
I feel like I mastered this way of eating. There is no challenge now so it is less interesting.
Happens to me too, but it's just a temporary plateau.
Try to understand the bioenergetics of mitochondria, for example:
The Vital Question: Energy, Evolution, and the Origins of Complex Life
@macchiatto, I go through various snack phases. I used to be nuts about nuts, but they've recently lost their appeal. I switched to parmesan cheese crisps for a while. And I recently tried parsnip chips for the first time. So the trick for me is to have a "deep bench" and cycle through the many snack options.2 -
I was thinking the same thing! Great responses and insights here. It's given given me a lot to think about and experiment with.KnitOrMiss wrote: »@baconslave - I think as this post goes on, it maybe should go under the lessons learned section or something in the sticky. There has been some great stuff in this post from folks that I'd love to see kept and not lost. Thanks in advance!1 -
It was "bashert" (translation: Kismet or fate) that I read these posts today- especially @Knitormiss. I've been at such a low point for the past few months and the weight is starting to creep back up. Thanks for the honest and comforting comments that reinforce that this is not a one-time thing. It is the LCHF combined with exercise combined with this forum's amazing support that helped me lose 30 pounds last year...and will help me lose 30 more.2
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I am in a similar boat. I tend to get very compulsive about new interests and like to research and learn like crazy. Once I have reached a certain level of knowledge I lose some interest. That's where I am now. There aren't many LCHF or keto books that I haven't read at this point. I feel like I mastered this way of eating. There is no challenge now so it is less interesting.
You sound like me, with literally everything. I would call it ADD, if not for the fact that the interests usually last for at least months, if not years in some cases.1 -
Gallowmere1984 wrote: »I am in a similar boat. I tend to get very compulsive about new interests and like to research and learn like crazy. Once I have reached a certain level of knowledge I lose some interest. That's where I am now. There aren't many LCHF or keto books that I haven't read at this point. I feel like I mastered this way of eating. There is no challenge now so it is less interesting.
You sound like me, with literally everything. I would call it ADD, if not for the fact that the interests usually last for at least months, if not years in some cases.
@Gallowmere1984 - Hyperfocusivity is a HUGE component of ADD or ADHD for many folks, me included... Look it up. That covers you COMPLETELY.1
