New to low carb and looking for a support network
AreteAndWhimsy
Posts: 150 Member
I recently came to the conclusion that I haven't been eating enough. Seems a bit silly for a 280lb woman to say, but the evidence has been overwhelming. After a 40lb weight loss, my weight has been stable for about two years, with less than a three pound flux. Yet when I was paper tracking, it really seemed like I wasn't eating all that much. I've been averaging about half my TDEE or less, with the occasional day at my TDEE. Not on purpose, that was just how things went when I just ate what I wanted whenever I was hungry (I work from home, so I had this luxury). I also haven't been very active, and have a three-hour nap every day that I just can't shake. If I don't take it, the rest of my day is completely shot, and I'm less productive than if I had just taken the stupid nap. All signs were pointing to this being due to a major energy deficit.
I started researching in earnest, not planning on making immediate changes. While I was reading I decided to experiment with cutting sugar out of my coffee to see if I could do it. I hit on the magic formula right away and I immediately ditched my habitual 4 shots of espresso in 16oz of milk with 1/8c sugar every morning--and sometimes a second one in the afternoon--for 2 shots of espresso with cream. I also made a concerted effort to be eating a bit more, but all the food I added was low-carb and I started feeling SO much better in just a couple of days. And I lost four pounds--of water weight, to be sure, but this immediately broke my weight plateau. From eating more. And cutting sugar out of my coffee. Something was definitely changing, and since I already had one foot down the rabbit hole, I decided to jump.
I'm heading into day four of roughly 20 net grams of carbs, and it's been... surprisingly easy. I decided to jump start with keto as a baseline and am feeling my way forward. I had heard that some side effects of the transition can be alleviated with broth, and as I'm prone to low-salt headaches anyway I recognised them immediately and dealt with them. It's already better. I am not really craving anything, though I do really miss fruit and carrots. I'm a produce nut and love to garden, so I'm looking forward to testing my tolerances as things go forward to see where I go!
Mostly I just want people to chatter at while things are happening. People whom I can swap recipes with, and commiserate and celebrate with.
I'm glad to be here.
I started researching in earnest, not planning on making immediate changes. While I was reading I decided to experiment with cutting sugar out of my coffee to see if I could do it. I hit on the magic formula right away and I immediately ditched my habitual 4 shots of espresso in 16oz of milk with 1/8c sugar every morning--and sometimes a second one in the afternoon--for 2 shots of espresso with cream. I also made a concerted effort to be eating a bit more, but all the food I added was low-carb and I started feeling SO much better in just a couple of days. And I lost four pounds--of water weight, to be sure, but this immediately broke my weight plateau. From eating more. And cutting sugar out of my coffee. Something was definitely changing, and since I already had one foot down the rabbit hole, I decided to jump.
I'm heading into day four of roughly 20 net grams of carbs, and it's been... surprisingly easy. I decided to jump start with keto as a baseline and am feeling my way forward. I had heard that some side effects of the transition can be alleviated with broth, and as I'm prone to low-salt headaches anyway I recognised them immediately and dealt with them. It's already better. I am not really craving anything, though I do really miss fruit and carrots. I'm a produce nut and love to garden, so I'm looking forward to testing my tolerances as things go forward to see where I go!
Mostly I just want people to chatter at while things are happening. People whom I can swap recipes with, and commiserate and celebrate with.
I'm glad to be here.
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Replies
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One of us! One of us!
Oh, wait, they say I'm not supposed to be creepy.
Hi! Welcome!0 -
What an inspiring story (yes, already!) I'm so excited to see what you can achieve with LC. And a special hello from just over the 'river' - I'm in Perth, Australia.0
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Welcome! It sounds like you're already on your way.0
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Welcome! I'm new too. This is day one for me. Well, not my first day one, but I'm motivated and I recognize that only when I'm truly eating low carb consistently do I feel and look my best. It's hard for me. I actually dream of eating carbs and wake up in a panic, relieved that it was just a dream. I'm a horrible addict and emotional eater. But here we go!..... Cheers!!
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Welcome, glad to have you here
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Hello I love my support network here on the LCD couldn't do so well without them. 0
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Welcome! This is a great group. 0
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Hi! I'm not new to low carb, but new to this community. I'm so happy to have found support and non-judgmental place to ask questions and brain storm!
I'm also sending out friend requests to build a support network!
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Welcome everyone, we're glad you're here too !0
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Glad you're here! Lots of support in this group.0
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I am about tree weeks in, and learning a bit every day. Thanks everyone! I am also dairy free.0
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I can already tell you guys are a great group! Thanks for all the welcomes!0
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Welcome! I've been doing low carb for about four weeks. You can add me as a friend as my diary is open. Although some days I don't get this diet right 0
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Welcome, im new to low carb too and so glad to have found this group they're a very helpful bunch of people 0
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Welcome!
And I wanted to add that I too, am/was?, an American that moved to Australia.0 -
Hello... I'm a newby too and have just found this forum. Two weeks in for me, so far so good... Would be great to compare notes with others too x0
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Welcome I am an American that moved, well not to Australia, but Norway 0
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Good for all of the newbies! Weird to say, since I'm one too. I'm almost two months into this journey and with the results I am seeing it will be lifelong! Welcome to the best group on mfp! Diary is open to friends so feel free to send a request!0
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I'm really new to low carb, too. Anyone is welcome to send me a friend request. Mutual support is always a good thing.0
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It's amazing how fast you feel so much better on this woe. I've been on it since mid January, and LOVE it! Add me, I can always use new low carbers to bounce ideas off!0
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I'm regaining weight that I struggled to lose and want to nip it in the bud. Do you still count your daily calories on this app or just carbs! I appreciate all the help I can get!!!0
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Welcome and congrats on feeling better and learning and listening to your body. You're off to a good start! You can add me as a friend as well0
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@Sweetpea0163, counting calories is up to you. You will see both opinions here. I track calories, carbs, and fats. It helps me stay accountable to myself.0
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