Struggling...

InADarkRoom

I've been struggling (and failing) to get into ketosis for a bit now. And things are....difficult at the minute to say the least. And when things get rough, like so many others, I turn to food. Carb rich food. So I'm pretty much off the wagon right now. That's not to say that I'm going crazy and scoffing everything in sight though!

But how do I pick myself up and get back on the wagon? And stay on it regardless of what is going on in my life? So that no matter how bad things get, I don't run for the carbs (not hills, carbs!) I so need to get to the point where I don't actually want carbs anymore but that seems like a near impossibility right now.

Not sure if I just need a kick up the butt or someone stood beside me the whole day or what! All I know is that I'm finding this way more difficult than others seem to and that I need help!

kuranda10

what's your favorite comfort food that doesn't have a lot of carbs in it?

InADarkRoom

Don't think I have one....aaaaalllllll my fave comfort food have carbs in! That's why I am where I am right now I guess!

me_ona_diet

For me, it's the promise I made to my DH that, for me, is way harder to break than a promise to myself. That has given me the right mindset and determination to stick to it. I don't know if that's helpful at all, but it is what has helped me.

plumwd

You just have to stick to your guns and not give in. Much easier said than done I know. You have to decide "Are you worth it?" The answer is "YES!".

Almoshposh

InADarkRoom wrote: »

I've been struggling (and failing) to get into ketosis for a bit now. And things are....difficult at the minute to say the least. And when things get rough, like so many others, I turn to food. Carb rich food. So I'm pretty much off the wagon right now. That's not to say that I'm going crazy and scoffing everything in sight though!

But how do I pick myself up and get back on the wagon? And stay on it regardless of what is going on in my life? So that no matter how bad things get, I don't run for the carbs (not hills, carbs!) I so need to get to the point where I don't actually want carbs anymore but that seems like a near impossibility right now.

Not sure if I just need a kick up the butt or someone stood beside me the whole day or what! All I know is that I'm finding this way more difficult than others seem to and that I need help!

I know exactly how you feel. Last year I practically made falling off and climbing back onto the wagon a sport. This year I decided to take it one day at a time and recommit to keto every morning. The problem before was that when I fell off I'd lie there feeling sorry for myself and bury myself in carbs for a couple of weeks. Now I get up IMMEDIATELY and make sure the very next thing I put into my mouth is keto friendly. Its now eleven weeks on the wagon and counting. Just keep going one day at a time, they add up so fast and before you know it you'll have broken your carb addiction.

InADarkRoom

I don't live with my man and he is where the tough stuff in my life is right now so that's great that it works for you but that's not gonna cut it with me!

Definitely easier said than done!

I don't know if I'm making this more difficult or it seems it because of the crap going on right now but this seems to be so freakin' hard! Sorry for the whining guys and I really appreciate you taking the time to reply.

InADarkRoom

I don't live with my man and he is where the tough stuff in my life is right now so that's great that it works for you but that's not gonna cut it with me!

Definitely easier said than done!

I don't know if I'm making this more difficult or it seems it because of the crap going on right now but this seems to be so freakin' hard! Sorry for the whining guys and I really appreciate you taking the time to reply.

InADarkRoom

I don't live with my man and he is where the tough stuff in my life is right now so that's great that it works for you but that's not gonna cut it with me!

Definitely easier said than done!

I don't know if I'm making this more difficult or it seems it because of the crap going on right now but this seems to be so freakin' hard! Sorry for the whining guys and I really appreciate you taking the time to reply.

Almoshposh

Whine away . We've all been there. Sometimes just getting it off your chest makes it easier to process and gives it some perspective.

GSD_Mama

Do you have carby food laying around? First you need to eliminate anything that is triggering your cravings. Just clean it up and make it a priority.bnever go shopping hungry, eat good foot before you leave the house that will keep you full.
Second, the craving only last few minutes, gove it time to pass, 10-15 min should be sufficient. Stop thinking about things you can't have, change your mind and concentrate on food that is actually will benefit you in the long run and is good for you. It takes time to break the addiction to carbs, it's hard, but it worth all the misery you have to go through. You will thank yourself later and be proud of your accomplishments instead of feeling guilty all the time. Make a goal each and every day, maybe start a journal and note why and when you have a craving, you can break the pattern once you know the cause. Do something else, drink water, have a bacon and other food that you like to kill the carb thought. Go for a walk, clean, work out, anything! You can do it, rip the benefits and feel good about it!
We can only help and encourage you but your health is in your own hands, don't give up!!
Hugs!!

InADarkRoom

Thank you @GSD_Mama . That's really helpful....and I got a little tearful at the end of it!! Just shows what a wreck my mind is right now! Help and encouragement is definitely what I need so thank you so much!

annieboomboom

exercise. walk. think and walk and meditate about what it is that needs prioritizing. Make an effort to do something kind for someone else; a trip to the food shelf with your carbs, clothing or volunteer work with a child. I always find my problems are quite small compared to others who struggle. Give back and you will find it makes you kinder and gentler on yourself . You can only give people or things power over you , if you choose to.

KnitOrMiss

I find that when I'm craving something like mac and cheese, I really just need to take some broccoli and smother the crap out of it in butter and cheese. Hits the spot. When I'm craving chips, I make cheese crisps, eat pork rinds, bake chicken skins to crisp like chips, bacon, etc. When I want something rich, I have dark chocolate or homemade chocolate mousse. Etc. So let us know what your favorite foods are - even carby, try to figure out what it is about that you crave the most and satisfy that portion of the craving. I have yet to find a craving I can't meet mostly with a low carb option. My fiance had some cool ranch doritos. I baked some cheese crisps and sprinkled them right out of the oven (the topping can burn in the oven) with the ranch popcorn seasoning... 1000 times better than doritos, which now taste like sawdust and paste to me! I was a carb junkie of the worst degree! Now my stress cravings are bacon, salami/pepperoni, extra sharp cheddar, pickles, and homemade chocolate mousse, or my LOADED TEA.... Yeah, baby. Most of the rest of the crap isn't even more than a fleeting thought worth of temptation. The stress thoughts are still there, but the true desire isn't... You can make it through. If the girl who could eat an entire large jar of nutella in one sitting with a spoon (or 2-3 large pizzas) all by herself can get past the cravings, it's a likely bet that you can too, with diligence and support. (HUGEST HUGS EVER!)

InADarkRoom

Aww thanks @KnitOrMiss it's amazing what some encouragement can do! I've had a bulletproof coffee this morning (my first) and that was actually pretty nice. I haven't had my almonds yet and I've normally scarfed them by now.

As for the major cravings - they tend to be for chocolate, flaky pastries, chips (crisps here in the UK!) and cookies. So ideas to replace them...aaaannd go! Seriously though, all ideas are appreciated.

I'm a little more positive this morning, things are still pants but what will be, will be I guess so I just have to suck it up and get on with it. And what's helped me? The fact that I can come and whine to you guys and you're nothing but supportive. I love this group! Thank you so much people

wheatlessgirl66

You'll have to go hunting a little, but there's a whole thread of snack suggestions on this forum. Stock up on your favorites so you'll always have something to grab when you're hungry. You can do this, you really can!

KetoGirl83

InADarkRoom wrote: »

As for the major cravings - they tend to be for chocolate, flaky pastries, chips (crisps here in the UK!) and cookies. So ideas to replace them...aaaannd go! Seriously though, all ideas are appreciated.

I feel your pain, chocolate used to be my main problem (that and chocolate ice cream).

I emptied the house of anything that was less than 70% dark chocolate and bought the best quality, darkest chocolate I could find. Over the last few months I've increased the dark content of the chocolate and now eat mostly over 90%. Your palate evolves but you need time to adapt to the darker chocolates, especially if you're hooked on white, milk or candy-like chocolates.

I no longer have chocolate cravings often but when I do I have a couple of squares, let it melt slowly in my mouth and feel no guilt about it. At 1 or 2 carbs per square, it's easy to fit it in your macros. And it is amazing to reach a point when you can control how much chocolate you eat and still enjoy it (at least it was for me!). 99% chocolate has an amazing flavour and is so strong it is almost impossible to eat too much!

Plus, very dark chocolate has plenty of health benefits!

InADarkRoom

@KetoGirl83 Thanks!! I'm going to have to invest in some dark chocolate then.....

KnitOrMiss

InADarkRoom wrote: »

As for the major cravings - they tend to be for chocolate, flaky pastries, chips (crisps here in the UK!) and cookies. So ideas to replace them...aaaannd go! Seriously though, all ideas are appreciated.

Chocolate has been addressed. But I also like to make homemade chocolate mousse. About 4 TBSP of heavy cream, a packet of sweetener, and 1/2-1 TBSP of Hershey's Special Dark Cocoa Powder (or better quality if you have it - if you use the regular boring stuff, you might need to add some vanilla). Whip it to thickness. Eat with a spoon. This should be an occasional treat. You can also add cocoa in that BPCoffee (or a SF syrup, though I don't like this option)... Just a few options.

Flaky pastries for me was mostly about the rich buttery taste. Find other ways to indulge this. I was a dessert person before, but nowadays, I'm really not missing these too much. I tried one croissant donut, one tiny bite, and OMG - binge city urges. I resisted, but it was HARD. No more! If there is another factor here, fill me in, and I'll make a better suggestion. (I like the rich creaminess of jello fat bombs - it's like a custardy yogurt pudding...)

chips/crisps. My favorite is cheese crisps. Google for "recipe" but it's all loose. Small piles or slices of cheese on parchment paper at 350 degrees (US) 5-7 minutes, keep watching it until they are browning around the edges. I like to sprinkle seasonings on them. My new favorite is sharp cheddar with "popcorn seasoning" onto them when I pull them out. I do it with the ranch seasoning, and it's better than doritos! Just watch the salt factor on any seasoning. It gets out of control quickly! You can use pepper jack with jalapeno slices or bacon crumbles in colby. The combinations are positively endless!!

Pork rinds with a dip you make are another great one. I like them with chunks of cheese. I haven't made a dip myself. But a tub of sour cream or cream cheese with a soup packet are a quick one. Someone said to try them with guacamole, too...

There are other cracker type things you can make too. I personally like baking chicken with skin on to make it juicy, then pull off the skins and bake them until super crispy... YUM!

Cookies - if you're looking for the gooey factor, see the mousse above. If you're looking for sweets, try fat bombs. If you're looking for sweet crunch, maybe try one minute muffins? This was one of the first cravings I lost, and I was an Oreo junkie.

Hope this helps a TON! But they key will end up being breaking the urges altogether, but some of these things can be transition foods or occasional treats...but they're easy to binge on too if you don't fix your brain too.. Let me know if you need any recipes.

Dragonwolf

Speaking of Oreos, one of the things that I noticed was that it was individual parts of the Oreos that I liked, not so much the cookies as a whole -- the creaminess of the filling and the chocolate flavor in the cookie, to be specific. One thing I realized after not having them for a while was that I didn't particularly care for them as a whole, but I felt almost "compelled" or "driven" to eat more. I have the same thing happen with certain varieties of M&Ms, too (namely the peanut butter ones). Yeah, the people who say abstaining just leads to deprivation and craving has clearly never dealt with this type of issue.

Nowadays, I find that when I'm craving sugar, chocolate, or whatever, it's because I need more fat, or more food in general.

KnitOrMiss

Dragonwolf wrote: »

Speaking of Oreos, one of the things that I noticed was that it was individual parts of the Oreos that I liked, not so much the cookies as a whole -- the creaminess of the filling and the chocolate flavor in the cookie, to be specific. One thing I realized after not having them for a while was that I didn't particularly care for them as a whole, but I felt almost "compelled" or "driven" to eat more. I have the same thing happen with certain varieties of M&Ms, too (namely the peanut butter ones). Yeah, the people who say abstaining just leads to deprivation and craving has clearly never dealt with this type of issue.

Nowadays, I find that when I'm craving sugar, chocolate, or whatever, it's because I need more fat, or more food in general.

Yes, YES. All of this ^^!

InADarkRoom

So when I posted this, my SO and I were having difficulties. He left on Saturday. I'm understandably devastated. And it's making me want to eat everything bad! I caved and had a chicken wrap and fruit pot yesterday for lunch...and spent the day feeling rough. That on it's own hasn't stopped me wanting to eat the world's supply of chocolate though......

I know I need to be my own cheerleader but any encouragement would be helpful and appreciated. (And maybe a kick up the butt too!)

LemonMarmalade

Now is the time to pick yourself up and do what you need to do for you. People will come and go but you have to wake up and live in the same body every day.

No more pity party...it is just an excuse to get unhealthier. Not worth it!!! Life can really stink sometimes....I have been there and we will all cycle through different tough times more than once. You've had a few days to process things. Now take care of you.

InADarkRoom

Thank you @5marshallsstrong that's pretty much exactly what I needed to hear! Though a pity party is easier than being strong and getting on!!

LemonMarmalade

Please know that I am not being mean. I wasted years of my life overeating based on emotions and others actions.....rather than knowing they are fleeting and WILL pass. It is not worth it. I don't want anyone going down the same path I did. I wish one of my friends had screamed all of that in my face like a drill sergeant! Maybe i wouldnt be where i am at 40.

InADarkRoom

I get it. And it's exactly what I need. It is so easy to just give in and eat the carbs, telling myself that it's ok because I'm going through some crap yada yada yada. But tough love is definitely what I need. So thank you And if you have any other little tips that may help please feel free to share! I'd forgotten how hard it is to go through a break up..

Dragonwolf

If you have the money, go get a spa day. A massage and/or facial and/or mani/pedi would do you some good without derailing your diet. It sounds like you could use some self care like that right now.

InADarkRoom

Unfortunately @Dragonwolf I'm a single mother to a 5 year old...who uses up every last penny I have! Would be nice though. On the notion of self care - I had a really good run yesterday! Not quite the same I know...

Kitnthecat

That's great that you could go for a run, probably made you feel good. You could consider that self care. Pretend you are at the spa.....eat well and according to your goals....have a soak in the bubblebath, listen to your favorite music, take time to read a book or watch a favorite movie. Tell yourself that you are worth all the above. Self care can be luxurious pampering, but can also mean taking care of your basic needs for good food, a good sleep, and getting some exercise.

Here's what I do when I am on the treadmill before work. I repeat affirmations to myself as I walk. Right now, it is " I am beautiful, I am strong, I am valuable", and this gives me strength to value myself.

Maybe you can think of other things that make you feel good that are not expensive but for whatever reason, might not get around to it, because after all we are busy Moms who don't take enough time for ourselves...but we should ! Take care.

totaloblivia

Ummm...no-one is ever convinced when I suggest this, but I've found a really helpful book to be Byron Katie's book "I need your love...is that true" to be a fantastic book for helping to put all kind of relationships into perspective. Just a thought, but it has helped me tonnes. Big hugs, sorry you are feeling so down.

35in90

oh, that stinks. but make sure you do what's best for you. One of my very favorite comfort foods is chicken wings (or drumettes) broiled in Buffalo sauce dipped in blue cheese dressing. Very decadent--and very low carb. if you make a big batch, they freeze pretty well. Also a couple of teaspoons of cream whipped with unsweetened cocoa powder is delicious in coffee...