This is probably gonna sound kinda sappy
auntstephie321
Posts: 3,586 Member
It's been over a year since I found this group. I was just starting back trying to lose weight and my Dr suggested I may have insulin resistance and to reduce my carb intake. I came back to mfp after many years and started logging. I posted on the main forums about whether I should track net or total carbs, and I was guided over here.
I didn't know at that time how much this group would change my life.
I still remember the incredibly warm welcome I received. On the internet you just never know what will happen when you open up. At first I was nervous to post, I didn't want to annoy anyone or disrupt the group's that may have already existed. It can be scary trying to find your place even in an online forum.
I'm so thankful that my nerves and fear of rejection didn't get the best of me. Without all the knowledgeable people here I never would've reached my goal or set new goals, or even had any understanding on how my body worked or how good it could feel.
Since my first posting I have met so many incredible people. Each one of you seems to bring out a different part of my own personality that I didn't even realize was there. I'm not one to have lots of friends, I'm the kind of person that in real life literally has my family my boyfriend and some long time acquaintances, that's it. But there is something incredible special about this group of people that the battle with carbohydrates has assembled here.
Many of you have had major impacts on my life and I hope you all know how incredibly special you are to me and the others you help by sharing your uniqueness, knowledge, compassion, humor, and friendship.
I want to say a special thank you to both my endocrinologist for starting me down this path and to @jpw1990 for referring me to this group, what seems like a lifetime ago.
I sincerely mean this when I say, if I'm ever wealthy enough I'm flying us all someplace wonderful for one big low carb/keto party.
Stephanie
I didn't know at that time how much this group would change my life.
I still remember the incredibly warm welcome I received. On the internet you just never know what will happen when you open up. At first I was nervous to post, I didn't want to annoy anyone or disrupt the group's that may have already existed. It can be scary trying to find your place even in an online forum.
I'm so thankful that my nerves and fear of rejection didn't get the best of me. Without all the knowledgeable people here I never would've reached my goal or set new goals, or even had any understanding on how my body worked or how good it could feel.
Since my first posting I have met so many incredible people. Each one of you seems to bring out a different part of my own personality that I didn't even realize was there. I'm not one to have lots of friends, I'm the kind of person that in real life literally has my family my boyfriend and some long time acquaintances, that's it. But there is something incredible special about this group of people that the battle with carbohydrates has assembled here.
Many of you have had major impacts on my life and I hope you all know how incredibly special you are to me and the others you help by sharing your uniqueness, knowledge, compassion, humor, and friendship.
I want to say a special thank you to both my endocrinologist for starting me down this path and to @jpw1990 for referring me to this group, what seems like a lifetime ago.
I sincerely mean this when I say, if I'm ever wealthy enough I'm flying us all someplace wonderful for one big low carb/keto party.
Stephanie 24
Replies
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Yes, this group is amazing, and you're an amazing part of it!
Dan the Man from Michigan
Keto / The Recipe Water Fasting / E.A.S.Y. Exercise Program
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@DittoDan thank you, as are you 2
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Awwww @auntstephie321 you're awesome! You've given so much yourself! I really appreciate you!3
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@Sunny_Bunny_ thank you so much, you have as well, I know how much time and love you put into this group 4
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I can "ditto" everything you've said! We "grew up" together here, and these wonderful people deserve more credit than they receive! You @auntstephie321, have been a true inspiration, and I've enjoyed learning right beside you! I consider all here to be better friends than I have in my daily walk too! The support is amazing!!2
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@Karlottap Yep! You're one of my original girls and will forever and always hold a special place in my heart and soul. Thank you for all they time and support you have put on to help guide me. always
I certainly don't feel like I could inspire anyone, I suck so bad at low carb, I swear I must "cheat" more then anyone lol. But I keep coming back every day0 -
auntstephie321 wrote: »@Karlottap Yep! You're one of my original girls and will forever and always hold a special place in my heart and soul. Thank you for all they time and support you have put on to help guide me. always
I certainly don't feel like I could inspire anyone, I suck so bad at low carb, I swear I must "cheat" more then anyone lol. But I keep coming back every day
You still have a dog in the fight, so to speak, so even though you're fighting through issues right now, you are still trying. You haven't given up. And that is something HUGE. It makes me sad when people disappear because they've given up. We're human; we're going to screw up. It's the nature of being human. NOT quitting is better than dropping out. Persevering, compliance only 70% of the time, is still better than zero compliance. And maybe one day you'll work yourself up to 80% and then 90% compliance. But something is much better than nothing. It isn't perfect, but it isn't an all-or-nothing thing anyway.
The only recommendation I can give is something I heard on a podcast. And it's related to the idea of baby steps. Find one thing, ONE thing, that is an improvement for you (like replace one not-so-good choice with a better choice all week) and work on that ONE THING. Juggling too many balls is too overwhelming. Work on one thing you want to improve at a time. Which is way easier, less stressful, and more likely to be a success. Because that ONE improvement yields better results than not succeeding at 4 other things you are trying to change (and are failing to lock down) at the same time.
You'll notice I don't log on Saturdays. I suck at them. And kept sucking at them. I kept getting upset about it and beating myself up. I have enough stress. So instead of beating myself up, I gave up on Saturday. But Sunday through Friday I focus on perfect, and that works really well for me. It's pretty effortless for me to hit that "perfect" during the week. FATurday satisfies my inner rebel, so all week she shuts up and lets me live my healthy life. Some day soon, after I can figure out all this BS my body is doing, I'll see if I can pick one thing to improve that day and get it better in line with where I'd like to be. One step at a time gets you further than stumbling in the same spot over and over trying to fix everything, then getting more and more frustrated with yourself for not being Wonder Woman. We're not octopi. If we don't have 8 "hands" we can multitask with at once, it's better to use what we can handle at the time to achieve our purposes.
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I found this group shortly after you, and you were one of the many who helped me out last year. Thank you to you as well. You've more than paid it forward.
As many have said, keep calm and low carb on.2 -
@baconslave your advice is always spot on. This is exactly what I'm so thankful for, even when I'm derailing I never feel like a failure in here. There have been many times I was off track for weeks at a time but kept checking in everyday. I knew where I wanted to be and listening to others helps me keep that in my mind even if I'm struggling to make myself follow it.
In all honesty I would never be where I'm at right now health wise and physically without this group. Even better I'm still motivated to get my body to where I want it to be. That's over a year of dedication to restoring my body to what it once was, that's a big deal for me. thank you for all your guidance, support and the reality you bring to every conversation 4 -
@nvmomketo I remember, it's like we were all freshman starting a new school at the same time lol. It's kinda fun to see newer people come in with the same questions we had back then and be able to offer advice. It still makes me sad for some of the others that used to post back then to that have vanished, maybe they'll find there way back to us someday. 2
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Yeah... There are a few I wonder about on occassion. I hope that they are garduates and just don't need us anymore. 2
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I'm sorry, I think I took it, we can share
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Last December when I decided to try for the 3rd (or 4th?) time to go from low carb down to "very" low carb levels, I came across one of your posts in the main forums, referring the op to this group and I joined myself that day.
The camaraderie and support of this group have motivated and inspired me immensely. I've never posted in the main forums and had never even looked in there before that day. If I hadn't seen your post, I would probably never have peeked into MFPs "community" features ever again and would have missed out on a life changing opportunity.
You're making a difference to others too @auntstephie321 and you're appreciated.6 -
@PaleoInScotland you have no idea how good reading that makes me feel I'm so glad you found you're way over here. It's like all of us were brought together at precisely the right time it's really amazing how fate works 4
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Stephie I think out of everyone in this group I relate to you the most 4
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Christine_72 wrote: »Stephie I think out of everyone in this group I relate to you the most
we definitely follow a similar path and struggles. I admire your bravery in venturing through the main forums lol 3 -
auntstephie321 wrote: »Christine_72 wrote: »Stephie I think out of everyone in this group I relate to you the most
we definitely follow a similar path and struggles. I admire your bravery in venturing through the main forums lol
Haha it can be a frustrating minefield out there
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Oh I know it0
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I cannot stomach the idea of using the main forums. I would get confused with mixed messages, and feel too disheartened for others struggling and sticking to ideals that just would set me up for failure. Thank you to those who have the guts to be on the main forums to pick up and lead others to this thred. That's how I found this group. LCHF and IF and my life is now different, 37kg (82lb) down, blood work has largest improvement Dr ever seen, and I'm not hungry & know I'm onto a lifestyle change I can easily stick to.
I can only echo a huge thankyou to those who have invested in my life. Even if I don't post much, boy do I read your posts and love it, learning and learning all the time. I'm now obsessed with reading ebooks where I am also learning, learning. All an investment into my health.5 -
Stephie, I joined this group about the same time as you, January 2015. I lurked for a bit before posting so I don't know the exact date. I have to echo the things you said. I've gone from a guy who could barely climb the four steps to my front door to one who averages 20 flights of stairs per day often carrying a grandchild. I now have hope that I can someday carry a great-grandchild up those stairs.10
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@KeithF6250 that's so awesome, I wish everyone who struggles as we all have could find this supportive group to help them all figure things out and feel better and live longer healthier lives.3
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This is a great group. Everyone is nice and willing to share their experiences which has helped me immensely.3
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It's fun to watch the newbies come along with the same questions we had, then watch them bloom and turn around giving the same advice as they have been given! My chest swells with pride, as I'm sure others, before us, did while watching us too!
I also use many of you as examples when talking with others about their experiences, and it's always prefaced with, "My friend in ......". I do consider you all to be my friends!
The thought of a LCD group get together is fun, and would be such a great thing! My husband's friends wife travels yearly, and meets with friends that she met online! I used to think it was weird, but now understand completely!6 -
@auntstephie321 thanks for your lovely post. I am 6 mths behind you and sincerely appreciate the wisdom of the warriors here, like you, who continue to blaze the learning path. I have done more push ups, planks and squats largely thanks to you and our fellow posters who kept reporting in on our progress (or lack there of). Lovely thing about this is that on days when life goes pear shaped, I realise that I can be kind on myself and with good grace continue to learn n do the best I can. Thanks for being open and sharing the roller coaster ride with me.2
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@auntstephie321 - Sappy works just fine for me. Many times it is the struggles we all share here that keep me going in my darkest times. I feel kind of like I'm in the place of treading water, that I can't seem to find my "swim lane," but it's easier to keep fighting back now that it is to give up, and that says something. Thanks for being there when it matters. I would tag everyone here who's made a difference, but that would probably take up three or more pages, so I'll just say, "Thanks to all my LCD buddies!"3
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No matter how many times I log on to the LCHF posts I learn something new and am encouraged by what you all have to say about your individual efforts and challenges.3
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You've come a long way Stephie ! 1
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Well... I'm a newbie and rely heavily on this discussion. Been a ton of help and certainly was the springboard for me to do a bunch of my own research. I am absolutely convinced that this is the way to go and would not have found it if I wasn't directed here a few weeks back.
I've been averaging about 25 carbs/day (always sub 30) for just over 2 weeks now. Just today, for the first time, I went to my regular lunch spot and realized that I had no interest in eating. I wasn't hungry in the least. I only ate 369 calories for breakfast... I should be starved.
Had amazing keto coconut curry chicken fingers for dinner last night with broccoli and real butter... a great salad for lunch yesterday with chicken and a great breakfast with the kids.
I haven't eaten so well in a really long time. I'm dropping 4 lbs/week. I worked out for 2 hours on both Saturday and Sunday (felt like I could have gone longer). I feel like a million bucks.
It is criminal that most people are unaware of this model and this WOE.
Thanks for all your help folks. Keep up the good work.
It must get repetitive to you... but for us newbies its all new and kinda unbelievable.
Thanks again. I can't imagine how many lives you have given back to people.5
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