CARB CREEP CHALLENGE
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I went to a buffet for lunch today and had some sugar free key lime pie which means I have tempted myself two times this week. This is not a good sign. It could mean that carb creep is trying to get inside my head. I definitely need to pull back on the eating.
Last night I did a summary of my diary plus I added information that I got off of my android version of mfp. My average daily carbs are at 7% of calories and I want it to be at about 5%. My protein is okay, but I could add fat into my diet without a problem. While I doubt if these changes will effect carb creep, it will be interesting to see if it effects fat loss. I have been losing about 1 pound every 6 days.0 -
Do you think a little extra fat, like you said, would help to prevent the carb creep?0
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In the past, extra fat has helped me resist ice cream. Apparently, the idea is that my body wanted more fat so it caused cravings for ice cream. I don't know if this is true, but it makes a good excuse.0
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I believe I read in this new book that the additional fat has the additional benefit of stopping some of those cravings. Give it a try and see how it does. I've been blessed with no cravings this time but I'm still taking the fish oil. Let me know how it works for you.0
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I've stuck to below 20 carbs a day for the last week and 2lbs has dropped off me, so I've reached a new low since starting MFP. I've had the same 4-5 lbs going on and off for the last 5 months so it's good to see a bit of real progress. It really is about the carbs for me no doubt about it.0
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Awesome, Keep it up. So happy for you.I've stuck to below 20 carbs a day for the last week and 2lbs has dropped off me, so I've reached a new low since starting MFP. I've had the same 4-5 lbs going on and off for the last 5 months so it's good to see a bit of real progress. It really is about the carbs for me no doubt about it.0 -
Thanks. It just the motivation I needed today when there were bad things at work today (like homemade shortbread and chocolate biccies!) I've totally stayed on this Wagon all week and I'm feeling great. One day at a time, I'm getting there.0
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Sweetie, sometimes it is ten minutes at a time. As long as you keep plugging at it. You keep coming in here and you can do it. You have lots of friends in here who are in the same battle. Me included.0
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I think I am starting to get sucked in by carb creep.
Tomorrow is going to be a crucial day even if I am still in ketosis. I have been thinking of doing the lower carb and higher fat idea that I mentioned above. I hate throwing out perfectly good food like bell peppers, tomatoes, and I just bought an avocado, but I will if I have to.
I will plan on starting this new idea no later than Monday. The idea I had was to replace the bell peppers and tomatoes with more non starchy carbs, and eat less empty carbs. Why not? I am still in the overweight range, and women who are past menopause have no room for flexibility.
But anyway, I want to give this a little more thought before I change anything.0 -
First you ARE doing very very well.
What are defining as carb creep? Are you starting to eat more carbs without thinking/ Have you found that even though you log--sometimes you don't weigh and measure everything, adding a little more empty carbs like sweetner or diet soda. Or after this time do you just crave a food that you like and have not had for over a month.
I don't think peppers, tomatoes or avacado will hurt you--as a matter of fact avacados have alot of the good fats in them so they will help. BUT does an avacado just mix it up with tomato and pepper for guacamole--and then you want something to spread it on.
Losing weight is at least 50% mental and I think that is where you are right now. You are doing so well, not obese, within sight of healthy and have been successful in figuring out some foods that are not good for you.
Dr. Atkins said (in his old book) that after the beginning of induction and as you go through the phases you will get your hunger back and some cravings.
The big question for all of us is that when we get to 15 or so pounds from a goal weight how will we transition to a way of eating for the rest of our lives. Do you plan on eating fewer than 20 carbs and staying in ketotsis forever--of course not, but you have learned to avoid wheat and dairy.
Ask yourself exactly what you are craving--instead of just "carbs". Is it bread, pasta or desserts. Is it corn on the cob or fruit? Does the craving go away or do you think about the food all the time? Is it an old habit that is the trigger (like wine cheese and crackers at 5pm)?
You are doing so well (did I mention that) and it seems that you have a nice balance of food that works for you I would look more at how you are feeling instead of changing things by eliminating more foods that are on the acceptable list.0 -
Thanks for your response. It’s always good to get other people’s ideas.
Regarding thinking that I am starting to get hooked by carb creep: I didn’t lose a pound this week because I think my portions are getting bigger. I am eating until I’m stuffed and not stopping when I am satisfied. I guess you can say I am not satisfied until I am stuffed. I know this is one of my old ways of thinking which leads me to carb creep. Obviously, this is a mental thing that I have to work on.
I just got home from the grocery store and decided that I am not going to stop eating bell peppers, tomatoes, and avocados. But, I do plan on eating a bigger variety of vegetables that are more non starchy.
Regarding the cravings, I have environmental triggers that cause cravings. Maybe, I should start keeping track of those cravings so I have a better idea of when and where they might happen. I need to figure out ways to either prevent them or ways to reduce the impact.
Thanks for your ideas.0 -
I am still in ketosis even though I didn’t lose a pound this week. I need to give some serious attention to eating only until I am satisfied and not stuffed. This is one of my goals for next week. I also need to learn to identify more triggers that are causing me cravings.0
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I re-discovered recently that if I don't drink with my meals (30 minutes before or after), I can feel when I am full. And the feeling of "fullness" stays with me longer.0
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I wish I didn't have to drink water with my meals. But, I take my food supplements twice a day after a meal so they can digest with the meal. If I take them between meals, I get indigestion. But that third meal is when I don't have to drink anything.0
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In one of my files, I found a couple of articles by Michael R. Eades, MD, that I had forgotten about. The articles give reasons, both physically and mentally, why low-carb is harder the second or third or X time around. I saw myself in several of the issues.
They both are located on the internet in the Blog of Michael R. Eades, M.D., on January 16, 2009, and January 18, 2009. The first article is call "Why is low-carb harder the second time around?" and the second is "More thoughts on why low-carb the second time around."
I recommend these articles to anyone who feels things are slipping or not moving at all.0 -
I just reread Dr. Eades' article "Why is low-carb harder the second time around?" I really like the following paragraph because it helped me get remotivated:
"If you want to be successful the next time around on a low-carb diet, you’ve got to follow a low-carb diet. And it takes commitment. You’ve got to realize it’s going to be a little more difficult than it was the first time, and you’ve got to go on an honest-to-God low-carb diet filled with quality low-carb real foods. And you’ve got to stick to it. You want to hang in there until you get to what was called in the old medical literature the dynamic weight stage. The dynamic weight stage is when weight is changing rapidly in either an upward or downward direction. Anyone who has gained or lost a lot of weight has experienced this. You can gain rapidly once you get into this phase, but ultimately you stabilize and hit the static weight phase. It works the same going the other way. Once you get your weight loss momentum built up, you seem to lose effortlessly while in this dynamic phase. This is where you want to be. But you have to commit for a few solid weeks to get there. You can’t just diddle with it, go on a few days and off, fill up on calorie-dense, low-or-no-carb junk, say you’re doing a low-carb diet, and wonder why you aren’t losing. You’ve got to get up into the low-carb saddle and ride."
Last week, I was starting to "diddle."0 -
Thank you, I read the articles. I also like when he said that you have to be careful of all the low-carb products like bread, waffles tortillas etc wwhere you are not really changing to a low carb lifestyle because you are not really learning how to eat real food. I think this was right around this paragraph. Fortunately I can't find any low carb options around here so I have to deal with real food. My only splurge is MIMs. Again--thank you from those of us who are second time arounders.0
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A couple of years ago when I started Atkins for the first time, I tried eating the Atkins bars and got indigestion. That was my introduction to low-carb foods so I never started eating any that stuff. I was lucky.0
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I am late joining the challenge but just restarted my low carb yesterday. This is day 2 and so far, so good.
I will have to try the fish oil. My cravings are not that bad YET! hahah! I know they will be as I have done this before but I have found that if I eat 1 small tea spoon of peanut butter (i buy mine at whole foods which is peanuts ground to make peanut butter so it is all natural) my craving disappears!
Good luck! We will definitely succeed on our journey
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BCsurvivor1962: I’m glad you are joining this challenge. Everyone who reads this tread will be interested in your journey.
I am assuming you have gotten the idea of where this thread is headed for me. I’m in Week 6, day 5. At first, it was about meal planning, with snacks, to stay in ketosis and not get entrapped by carb creep. But as things evolved during the last couple of weeks, the challenge (for me) is now about resisting carb creep from a mental aspect. My biggest problem now appears to be that I need to combat negative mental habits and environmental triggers.0 -
Thanks! I think you are doing GREAT to be at week 6! Kudos for you! Just keep thinking, you made it this far, just one more day! And tomorrow, the same thing You can do this I am sure! I know I will!! 0
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what is carb creep?0
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Carb creep is when my total carbs start increasing so slowly that I don't realize it is happening. Then when I fall off the wagon, I'm surprised and wonder what happened.
But, I love mfp because I can see when my carbs are increasing. But, tracking my carbs everyday is time consuming, and I don't plan on doing this forever. This is why I want to figure out how to prevent carb creep and also falling off the wagon.0 -
Today is the last day of my 6 week carb creep challenge, and I stayed in ketosis the entire time. I think weeks 3 and 5 were the hardest. The weekends seem to be the easiest to stay on low carb.
I am going to continue posting in this thread for a while. My problem seems now to be mostly about the mental aspects of staying on low carb and not falling off the wagon. Obvious will power is an important aspect, but I need to change some poor mental habits. And, it helps me to get feedback from the members of this group. Thank you.
My daily diet is becoming comfortable, and I enjoy the foods that I eat. This is about habit, habit, habit.0 -
Joining the challenge with you0
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I'm just about hanging in there too. TOM started yesterday after a few days building up, that's always a tough time for me as I really crave carbs then. But it settles down and I can get back under control again. I really didn't do that badly this month, just the odd slip up.be interested to weigh myself in a day or two, see if I've actually lost any weight. I'll let you know.0
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Jaygirl3: Welcome to the challenge.0
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Vonnywaft: I looked at you diary, and your numbers looked great. I'd be really surprised if you didn't lose any weight.0
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I went to a buffet for lunch and didn't do too bad. However, I didn't need the sugar free ice cream. But, I didn't want to feel like I was being deprived and start feeling sorry for myself. Of course, this sounds lame now, and I'll get a runny nose in the morning as a punishment.
What's interesting is that now that I am trying to pay attention to my thoughts regarding eating food, it’s as if that negative voice in my mind is watching and waiting for me to slack off so that it can start pressuring me again to EAT, EAT, EAT.0 -
I did a little diddling the last couple of days, but I am on track today. I must learn to eat in restaurants/buffets, and with friends, without falling off the wagon. Posting in this thread really helps me to “stay on the path.”0
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