How do you kill the crab?
Replies
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Stella3838 wrote: »Okay, wow. I've got to say this is one of the BEST threads I've read in along time. Way to go MFPers!! This is such an uplifting conversation! I kinda feel like a proud parent!!
OP - SO glad you've seen the light!! You've got an awesome path ahead, with support here when you need it. Stick with it, good or bad. You've got this. Best of luck to you!!!
Thank you so very much!! I'm feeling super uplifted and encouraged right now. Thankful for this community
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Kristeenewd wrote: »It will pass! I find this happens to me when I change my eating drastically. Usually by week three I have stabilized. I would say make sure that you are eating at least 1350 calories, 3 meals and snacks throughout the day ( keep your blood sugar from dropping). Long walks (solo walks if i'm grumpy, hot epsom salt baths, extra sleep, LOTS of water and patience
All great tips.. Thank you so much! And I'll be looking forward to the coming weeks. It's gotta be uphill from here! 0 -
Mine lasted for about 3 weeks and then went away on its own as I continued with the new lifestyle. The biggest thing is make sure you're not eating too little (1200 is often too little for emotional health, IMO). Also try cooking in bigger batches (so you cook less often - something that you might be finding stressful) and getting lots of sleep at night. Give yourself a small treat once in a while too. Make room for the foods you love once in a while too.
Missing Coke too much? Try diet or zero versions. You can also pour some in a cup and cut it with some cold water to make it seem like more (it will be slightly less sweet). Or just make room for a can once a week. Like a Saturday treat or something.
If you're cooking for the whole family... I say they eat what you eat - in different amounts, or they make their own.0 -
Changes pissing me off:
3. Cooking separate meals for my fam because they aren't into eating my stuff.
Don't understand this one at all, I see it more often but both my husband and I were brought up with the cook the determines the meal, suggestions are welcome but may not be used by the cook at will.
If my husband does not like what is being prepared he can cook for himself I will only prepare one meal.
Once you install that policy chances are that they'll be eating your stuff pretty soon.2 -
HealthierRayne wrote: »Try focusing more on all the awesome things you've done so far and less about what you feel you are deprived of.
If stopping those old habits will get you to your goals and is making you feel healthier and you're already seeing pounds and inches lost, then know that those old habits were truly holding you back from what you really want.
If I were to give up my coffee I would have a huge headache and turn into a complete psycho. Maybe it's just caffeine withdrawals that are hitting you really hard these first few days why you feel not like yourself. Ride it out. You've got this!
Lots of truth! Good, good stuff. Thank you! I so appreciate your input... It really helps my mindset. Thanks for the encouragement as well!1 -
You're doing great so far! Overall: it gets easier, stick to it and ride out.
And just a shot in the dark here: did you replace those "5 cokes per day" with some other caffeinated item? Coffee/tea, or even diet soda?
Quitting caffeine cold-turkey would turn me into a raging kitten!2 -
Love it when someone yells at all of us for our processed foods, and their diary shows just as much processed food as I eat in my dirty little corner of the world!
OP, on the caffeine front, I just wanted to say that I used to drink coffee with several TBL of creamer and I dialed it back to just a quarter cup of 2% milk with no sweetener which is like 30 cals. I also converted myself to Coke Zero, I used to think I hated diet but it didn't take long for my taste to change and it helps when I need a little caffeine. Nothing wrong obviously with getting off caffeine if you want, but if it's too tough that's just something to keep in mind.7 -
SarahBelle43 wrote: »One thing that I haven't seen mentioned yet is caffeine! Unless you were drinking caffeine-free, you must have had a pretty steady flow of caffeine throughout the day with five cokes! I know I get cranky as all get-out if I skip my morning coffee, and weaning off caffeine at the same time I am trying to cut calories sounds like a disaster for me personally, maybe you are battling this?
Good point.. She is/was very likely feeling the caffeine withdrawal if she hadn't replaced it.1 -
annieberical wrote: »Seriously, folks, this lady is not looking for you'all to play devil's advocate re: what she's decided she needs to do to lose weight and stop bad habits. All the body builders/extremely active people with super in-shape metabolisms in the house can stick it when you talk about "eat whatever you want as long as it's below your TDEE." If you wanna say processed foods have nothing to do with calories and weight loss, just TRY getting your macros right with processed foods and sugary drinks. Ain't gonna happen. The original poster has the right idea, so stop tearing her idea apart.
No one is "tearing her idea apart" - we're politely making suggestions for how she might cope with the issues she's been having and asked for advice on. Sure she could struggle on with the way she's been eating, but she and her family are clearly unhappy with the effect it's having on her and on their lives in general. Telling her that an "all or nothing' attitude is not necessary and that it's okay to have some of the foods she loves in moderation is not bad advice in general.
Notice also that I did include the disclaimer in my own reply that "eat whatever you want" does not mean "ignore good nutrition". It's probably easier for most people to meet their nutritional goals with a diet composed mainly of whole foods, but there is nothing wrong with including a treat or two. Going gung-ho right off the bat, changing everything and cutting out all the things you're used to eating and drinking is a good way for many people to give up pretty quickly and decide they can't ever lose weight. For some people it's easier to start with the basics of just keeping their calories under control regardless of the actual food, and then progress to making better nutritional choices once they've got a handle on that side of things.
There are some people for whom certain foods or additives might cause health issues. Those people are not usually in the majority and we can't cover all the possible bases. In general, for most people, the advice being given here is appropriate. It's up to the OP how much of it she wants to incorporate into her eating plan.
And I'm neither a bodybuilder, extremely active or have a "super in-shape metabolism". I'm a very sedentary unemployed 51-year-old who's doing just fine with this method, which may not work for everyone but is very much worth exploring for people who struggle with too much restriction.6 -
Take a minute to appreciate what you are doing. Try to feel really good about yourself and the changes you are making...it will get easier.
I try to eat a healthy base diet and then fit in the things I love...just not all in one day. If I am having a crave everything all at once day I try to exercise a bit more to mitigate the damage. It's hard to be perfect all the time and just start each day anew. Remember, as long as you don't quit, you will succeed.
As the habits become second nature and you feel you have a handle on everything I think you will feel less crabby and more empowered. You will feel in control, again.2 -
annieberical wrote: »Seriously, folks, this lady is not looking for you'all to play devil's advocate re: what she's decided she needs to do to lose weight and stop bad habits. All the body builders/extremely active people with super in-shape metabolisms in the house can stick it when you talk about "eat whatever you want as long as it's below your TDEE." If you wanna say processed foods have nothing to do with calories and weight loss, just TRY getting your macros right with processed foods and sugary drinks. Ain't gonna happen. The original poster has the right idea, so stop tearing her idea apart. She's made personal decisions about what she needs to do. The point is, answer her original question. NOW, to answer your original question, poster, I totally feel you. You're taking care of other people, and they aren't (with their own actions and decisions) giving you any support, and that sucks. Main thing to remember is: the only thing you can do is control YOU. What other people are doing is irrelevant, and I know it doesn't FEEL that way, but you have to think of it that way. Pretty soon, thinking becomes habit. You can't make decisions for others, but you can make them for yourself. You will get resistance from others when you make decisions about your own life that they feel may affect them (i.e., making meals), and realize that's just their own self-preservation mode. After about month of a lower carb diet, you will adjust to it, and it will start to feel good and sustainable and the crabbiness will subside.
Were you maybe reading a different thread and responded in this one instead? I don't see anyone tearing OP apart. In fact it has been a refreshing thread. Too many people assume that low carb is the only way to lose weight, and for many people that is simply not the case. It certainly wouldn't work for me and for many others, that doesn't mean I'm sitting around eating nothing but nutritionally void foods. I have found a happy balance that works for me and I'm not miserable because I'm trying to force myself into eating a diet that I just simply don't enjoy. For others low carb works, but it is not the only way.7 -
annieberical wrote: »Seriously, folks, this lady is not looking for you'all to play devil's advocate re: what she's decided she needs to do to lose weight and stop bad habits. All the body builders/extremely active people with super in-shape metabolisms in the house can stick it when you talk about "eat whatever you want as long as it's below your TDEE." If you wanna say processed foods have nothing to do with calories and weight loss, just TRY getting your macros right with processed foods and sugary drinks. Ain't gonna happen. The original poster has the right idea, so stop tearing her idea apart. She's made personal decisions about what she needs to do. The point is, answer her original question. NOW, to answer your original question, poster, I totally feel you. You're taking care of other people, and they aren't (with their own actions and decisions) giving you any support, and that sucks. Main thing to remember is: the only thing you can do is control YOU. What other people are doing is irrelevant, and I know it doesn't FEEL that way, but you have to think of it that way. Pretty soon, thinking becomes habit. You can't make decisions for others, but you can make them for yourself. You will get resistance from others when you make decisions about your own life that they feel may affect them (i.e., making meals), and realize that's just their own self-preservation mode. After about month of a lower carb diet, you will adjust to it, and it will start to feel good and sustainable and the crabbiness will subside.
Have a Snickers. 14 -
How long does it take to prepare for a marathon, or a climb up mount Everest? This sort of life-change is built on one small habit at a time. Trying to do it all at once will just make you....crabby.
Yes, your life is at stake, but you have some time to do this right.
What one change this past week are you most proud of? Keep doing that one. What change makes you want to claw someone's eyes out? Postpone that one.
Every week re-evaluate the week before and decide to either stay the course or add a new self-improvement bit.
I guess I have this "all in" mentality. I'm either all in or I'm not.
Changes I'm proud of:
1. Cutting my 5ish Coke/day habit
2. Drinking water instead
3. Sticking below 1300 calories a day/portion control
4. Meeting my protein goals
5. Cutting sweets and processed foods
Changes pissing me off:
1. Cutting coke when others in the house drink it in front of me...
2. No sweets/processed foods when it's all still in the house.
3. Cooking separate meals for my fam because they aren't into eating my stuff.
But you make a great point. All the changes take time and I think regardless of whether I make changes one at a time or all at once, I'm going to take time to adjust. I just hope this irritability phase doesn't last long. Sucks.
Breath and forgive yourself. Apoligize to the ones you love and whom love you. Dont worry about the people you dont live with or love. But whatever you do dont give up on yourself!2 -
Love it when someone yells at all of us for our processed foods, and their diary shows just as much processed food as I eat in my dirty little corner of the world!
And she burns more calories weekly with her exercise than I do...have to agree with @nutmegoreo that she must have been reading a different thread, but responded to this one since the rant doesn't really make much sense in the context of what the OP said or the follow on postings.
However, for full disclosure...I lost my weight using more of a 'IIFYM' mentality, but am far from a body builder or extremely active...and I'm dealing with a whole host of menopausal/hormone issues. It worked for me, but everyone has to find their balance. I have plenty of processed foods in my diary, but have "whole" foods too (most days) -- though oddly not so much yesterday, yet my macros were more in line with my goals than days when I'm eating more "whole" foods. Meh, to each their own.
One of my favorite comments in the forums is "Do you"...and that is so applicable here too. Figure out what works for you, figure out what doesn't work for you...do more of the things that work for you. It's not the same for everyone.
Oh, and kudos for those bringing up the potential caffeine issues if you nix it completely...yea, I learned the hard way (by doing the same thing) that I need some caffeine in my life daily else I am not pleasant to be around. Good catch!2 -
cerise_noir wrote: »You're probably pissed because you mistakenly think you have to turn your world upside down to lose weight, you don't. You probably also have your deficit set to lose 2 lbs a week. I'd be pissed too. Drop the unnecessary "all in" BS mentality. All you need is a caloric deficit and it doesn't have to be big. Set your goal to 1 lb/week and eat normally up to your allotted calories. You don't need to cook separate meals, cut out sweets or processed foods or only drinking water. Now go have a fun-size Snickers and a mini-Coke (maybe diet) and be happy
Agreed with this one.
No need to cut foods out to lose weight. Heck, I've had chocolate almost every day since dropping over 100lbs. No wonder you're crabby. I would be too, if I did what you're doing. :laugh:
You have no idea just how encouraging it is to hear of someone who's lost 100+ while still having sweets! Just in case I doubt the math, you're living proof it works. Thank you so much for sharing!!
You're so very welcome! I've had many setbacks throughout the weight loss, but getting back into it is the important part. I've binged after my mom passed and binged some more (as in 6000+ calorie binges at least). I have around 40 to go.
Firstly: I pay attention to my protien, fats, fibre and micros (vitamins and minerals). I do this by pre-logging the night (or even while week) in advance. It took me a while to figure out a good macro balance for satiety. I need equal amounts of protien, fats and carbs as well as adequate fibre. I purposely leave a few hundred calories for treats. Sometimes I eat take out. A food scale a necessity. If I don't weigh my food, I don't lose weight because I suck at estimating.
Don't let any setback knock you down. You've got this.2 -
Chef_Barbell wrote: »annieberical wrote: »Seriously, folks, this lady is not looking for you'all to play devil's advocate re: what she's decided she needs to do to lose weight and stop bad habits. All the body builders/extremely active people with super in-shape metabolisms in the house can stick it when you talk about "eat whatever you want as long as it's below your TDEE." If you wanna say processed foods have nothing to do with calories and weight loss, just TRY getting your macros right with processed foods and sugary drinks. Ain't gonna happen. The original poster has the right idea, so stop tearing her idea apart. She's made personal decisions about what she needs to do. The point is, answer her original question. NOW, to answer your original question, poster, I totally feel you. You're taking care of other people, and they aren't (with their own actions and decisions) giving you any support, and that sucks. Main thing to remember is: the only thing you can do is control YOU. What other people are doing is irrelevant, and I know it doesn't FEEL that way, but you have to think of it that way. Pretty soon, thinking becomes habit. You can't make decisions for others, but you can make them for yourself. You will get resistance from others when you make decisions about your own life that they feel may affect them (i.e., making meals), and realize that's just their own self-preservation mode. After about month of a lower carb diet, you will adjust to it, and it will start to feel good and sustainable and the crabbiness will subside.
Have a Snickers.
:drinker:
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How long does it take to prepare for a marathon, or a climb up mount Everest? This sort of life-change is built on one small habit at a time. Trying to do it all at once will just make you....crabby.
Yes, your life is at stake, but you have some time to do this right.
What one change this past week are you most proud of? Keep doing that one. What change makes you want to claw someone's eyes out? Postpone that one.
Every week re-evaluate the week before and decide to either stay the course or add a new self-improvement bit.
I guess I have this "all in" mentality. I'm either all in or I'm not.
Changes I'm proud of:
1. Cutting my 5ish Coke/day habit
2. Drinking water instead
3. Sticking below 1300 calories a day/portion control
4. Meeting my protein goals
5. Cutting sweets and processed foods
Changes pissing me off:
1. Cutting coke when others in the house drink it in front of me...
2. No sweets/processed foods when it's all still in the house.
3. Cooking separate meals for my fam because they aren't into eating my stuff.
But you make a great point. All the changes take time and I think regardless of whether I make changes one at a time or all at once, I'm going to take time to adjust. I just hope this irritability phase doesn't last long. Sucks.
This same thing happened to me when I gave up Coke. I was extremely irritable for two weeks. My poor students. It went away. It wasn't lack of caffeine, though.
Maybe take it slower and don't make so many changes at once.1 -
This kind of sounds like me all the time
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Changes I'm proud of:
1. Cutting my 5ish Coke/day habit
2. Drinking water instead
3. Sticking below 1300 calories a day/portion control
4. Meeting my protein goals
5. Cutting sweets and processed foods
Changes pissing me off:
1. Cutting coke when others in the house drink it in front of me...
2. No sweets/processed foods when it's all still in the house.
3. Cooking separate meals for my fam because they aren't into eating my stuff.
I'd be crabby to if i didn't get my caffeine fix, but personally i think too many changes were made in one go, resulting in withdrawal symptoms. Perhaps try to fit a least one coke in your meal plan or even switching to coke zero or diet coke so that you can still have that 5ish soda can a day and not be pissed at others drinking it in front of ya. After drinking zero drinks for a while, you might find that coke as become too sweet for you to drink.0 -
I agree with a few people who said your doing to much to fast. Instead of giving up cokes cold turkey you may need to lower your intake before you go without. Study's have shown caffeine is one of the most addictive drugs their is. You may going threw withdrawal people may laugh at that but it true. Caffeine is harder to give up than nicotine. I went from 5-6 cokes i call all soda coke becuse i from the south to 1-2 a day and most of the time not drinking a whole can. Then its water or Gatorade due to me working out in the heat so i through in Gatorade.0
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