Third week: really struggling

jennybird99

So I am enjoying this WOE, and made my way easily into ketosis. I am not religiously eating this way, as I let myself have a carbolicious Saturday, full of beer and a hot dog while out with friends at a Blue Jay game and concert. No probs.
Except, I think that and having pasta yesterday at dinner at my daughter's new place, and cake and ice cream has made me starving today.
Today I had an apple, and berries that put me way over in carbs, and am about to go to the movies. I have not had any cravings until today.
I really am not as worried about calories as perhaps I should be, but over calories AND carbs is dangerous.
My plan is to start again tomorrow, fresh and strict.
About half the time I'm also fasting for 16 hours a day.

Well , now I'm just rambling.
Help from those you have screwed up and recovered? Please?
Jenny

gsp90x

I think it's actually normal and good that you did that. I don't see it as a screw up at all. It's experience and proof that you will remember. When you go over on your carbs and calories, you're going to get hungry and cravings. Not generally a good feeling. But in the future you can use it to guage if something is really worth it (going over on carbs or cals) and/or how difficult it will be to get back on track. It's great information.

Also, if it's really difficult, you will really remember it because it's gonna suck! And you want want to go through it again.

Finally, again, it's not a screw up. It is what it is and there are going to be times where you're going to say "you know what? I DO want to eat (whatever) that." Unless you're at severe risk of dying from your condition, I don't think you NEED to be militant about it. I mean, there is a limit if you still want to reap the benefits of course, but from time to time, you just gotta cut loose. On week three however, you might want to reign it in a bit until you're well on your way.

One thing at a time. focus on what you can do. Listen to your body. Keep getting those electrolites and sodium and you're golden.

I actually spent two whole months "screwing up" and didn't even know it!! But it again was just proof, experience and information. I did NOT want to have to go throught that awful hunger again. I did NOT want to get the keto flu for 4 excrutiating days again even though my first time was easy. That is enough to keep me on track. One day however, I will stray. Likely at the end of this month on vacation. But, then again, we'll see. I have discovered I need to be zero carb. So, straying doesn't take much. But the things I have gained (not weight) oh the benefits and the improved life, I cannot even begin to make you understand. ONce you start to see the benefits it will be easier and easier. Once it's habit, you will likely not even consider going back.

You can do it! You just need to dig your heels in for the first bit. It gets easier every day. After that, if it's hard, there is probably something that needs to be tweeked.

Chin up! Drink up! And when all else fails.... sleep!

gsp90x

OH and P.S.

If you are really struggling to stay on track, make sure you're getting enough saturated fat. FAT FAT FAT!! Make sure you're eating lots of salt. And if possible cut back on your artificial sweetners. My opinion FWIW. Other wise, let us know in specifics what you are struggling with. What trips you up. People will have all kinds of experience and tips.

AngInCanada

^ how do I top that? Lol. I second everything gsp90x said

GaleHawkins

I did that for the first two months then just left carbs cold turkey < 50 grams daily. For the next two weeks it was hellish then cravings faded. Some do fine but I was a long term hard core carb eater. You will get it figured out.

Twibbly

Don't get back on track tomorrow. Get back on track with the next thing you decide to stick in your mouth. Tomorrow is always a day away.

SlimBride2Be

I lost a bunch of weight low carbing last summer. I just made up the diet and didn't know anything about it - I didn't count anything I just didn't eat carbs. Every time I ate carbs in any significant amount I struggled for 1-3 days after. I began to work out the connection. I found eating nuts to satiation on those occasions was a good way to get back on track. Must have been the fat!

Now I log and I have much more sensible ideas and generally don't risk carbs any more as I know it makes me feel bad. Hangovers once a week or so are another matter though!!

jennybird99

Thank you!!
Do y'all think I should even worry about calories? Some LCHF articles I have read seemed to say that if the carbs were low enough, and the fat high enough, over-all calories were sort of beside the point. Potassium, fat, protein, magnesium seem hard for me to reach goals set by MFP. Potassium might be an artificially high requirement, according to some of my reading. Possibly on this site?

I am woozy right now. Over half a bag of super-buttery popcorn, a cappuccino and some diet coke.
And I NEVER drink/eat anything diet or low fat. I actually am a little dizzy.
And you are all completely right. Failure talk leads to an "oh well, I've ruined this, may as well binge" attitude. I haven't ruined anything. And I never want to feel this way again. Even a full day of beer, and I mean FULL day of beer last Saturday did not feel like this.
It's ridiculous to be hungry a couple of hours after consuming that carby popcorn.
Water water water. And a trip to the grocery store tomorrow for easy grabs, as I am not much for cooking right now.
Cheers, and thanks again.

Can you see my daily eats? Comments/criticisms/suggestions welcome. I am still bad at navigating this site.
Jenn

SlimBride2Be

Yes count calories. For now. I put on weight eating keto without calories at the start of the year. For me and many others, LCHF is a way of controlling appetite to make it easier to stick to a calorie goal.

Put down the popcorn and the diet coke. They are not what you want to be eating.

Green leafy veg, eggs, any sort of meat and fish, nuts. Coconut oil, ghee, butter, olive oil. Those are your new staples. Go buy them and eat them.

It's not hard but you need to sit down and spend an hour thinking and planning. Do it for yourself and off you go!

deksgrl

I did it after a week doing low carb. Went to an event that had beer and a chicken BBQ with potatoes, a roll, and sugary baked beans and who knows what sauce on the chicken. I only drank 2 beers. I felt awful a couple of hours later and all of the next day. I decided I don't want to feel like that again. I'm not being militant about things and do occasionally eat a little bit of higher carb foods, but a whole meal full or a whole day full, no, just can't do it to myself.

I agree, stock up on foods you can eat that will keep you satisfied. Keep a stock of sliced up veggies to grab. I like to put cream cheese on veggies. Bacon and eggs is an easy and quick meal.