Low Carb and Life Stress

Everything about a low carb lifestyle is constant work and dedication. Counting carbs, trying not to make mistakes, deciding to weigh or measure your inches, and just the struggles of balancing a "normal" life into the mix of low carb can be time consuming.

With that being said how do you go on in case of something catastrophic? Life changes constantly and with that they are not always good changes. Things like divorce, death, job loss, and any number of other things can happen.

July of 2017 a series of events happened to me that just blew my life apart. My husband told me our marriage was over, I had to immediately vacate our home, and I changed jobs. My head was everywhere and in the midst of all this chaos I still managed to worry how I was going to continue my low carb lifestyle with any sanity. 

The first few days I really had no appetite trying to adapt to my new changes and living situation. We all know just not eating isn't a good thing so I started off with small things, more of a snacking type of eating. I just made sure everything was low carb, which was hard because where I moved to they didn't have much in the low carb section of their refrigerator, lol!!

The stress was enormous and non stop. I remember now, looking back, that I was positive this lifestyle was just going to go to hell. Fast. That too, became a stressor in itself.

Perseverance pays off. I figured since I worked so hard for over a year to lose 70+ pounds I wasn't going to let a divorce and career change steal what I struggled so hard for. That was one thing I wasn't going to have taken from me. I stayed the course and because of the stress I was not losing weight as fast, but once I acclimated to my new life, the stress diminished, and the weight started coming off once again.

Everyone is different. Everyone handles life differently...good or bad. Set backs happen and that is perfectly fine. If you encounter one, just remember to climb back on. It's only failure if you totally give up and never look back. All you can do is always give it your personal best. Until next time, low carb on my friends!

Keeping The Goal

Maintaining is important. I am within 10 pounds of my original goal of 85 pounds off. I kind of like where I am at 75 pounds lost. I may settle for 80 and call it a day.

I have maintained under 20g of net carbs a day for 1 year and 3 months. Since I have reached my 75 mark, I have allowed myself to go to 25g of net carbs twice a week. This has proven successful to me and I have pretty much stayed right at 142 pounds, down from the 217 where I started. If I decide to go to the 80 to 85 pound loss, I will cut out the 25g net carbs twice a week. 

It's amazing where I started out until now. The days, weeks, months became easier and easier. Where I once thought I wouldn't make it past 3 weeks has became a lifestyle you don't even second guess. It's amazing all of the foods I thought I couldn't live without have now became a faded memory. I no longer crave anything other than low carb deliciousness. 

This is where the true test begins. Reaching, or nearly reaching your final goal isn't a green light to get lazy or to say, "Oh, a little bit won't hurt" You've come a long journey and nothing is worth going backwards. 

Just remember maintaining is important too.

Stallllliinnnggggg: It Sucks

Stalling happens. Just like that. Don't fret. UNLESS you did it to yourself because you did what you weren't  supposed to do. If that's the case no boo hooing for yourself. Many factors can cause you to stall. Carbs creeping up because you didn't count correctly, certain foods such as dairy and artificial sweeteners can stall you. Also, not variating your meal patterns, processed foods, eating too few carbs can slow down the metabolism. Too much protein and not enough fats and/or carbs can also slow and stall you. Nix the alcohol, fruits, and consuming too many nuts are contributing factors. Who knew so much could cause a stall!? The hardest for me to absorb was, too much caffeine can stall you. This coming from a girl who drinks 138 ounces of coffee/tea a day. ouch!!!

Also, for the beginners, it is common about week 3 of low carb to stall. It's all good. It is your body preparing for ketosis. Monthly cycles can stall as well for the females reading this.

Some stalls are good. They can be a resting place as your body begins to adjust to rapid amounts of weight loss...true story. These stalls should be expected. Avoid salt, another staller. For some calories do matter and can cause a stall. Luckily for me that has not been a factor.

I've been reading so many stories lately of people really down over their stalls. Don't give up. Tweak what you can, avoid what you are supposed to, and you'll find what it is causing your stalls. If you need to keep notes to see what you need to take out or adjust, do it until you find the recipe that works for you. It bothers me so much seeing so many discouraged over stalls. Don't quit. being fabulous doesn't come easy, and you are all fab!! Until next time #carb-on

1 Year Low Carb Anniversary... I Survived 😃

"You've come a long way baby" sums up my attitude for today. A big pat on my back, a bigger pat on the FB group I❤️LC/Ohio, and super dee duper hugs to Lisa P, Susan H, and Staci M for taking a newbie low-carber and leading that horse to water. 

What a year it has been. Ups, down, highs, lows, smiles, tears and progress. Looking back 67 pounds ago I cant believe this  journey. What seemed to be a lifetime at the moment of not having what everyone else got to enjoy seems so not a year ago. Satisfaction fills every oracle knowing I never gave up and always had a great support system. 

All the fears I first felt, appear kind of comical now. Worrying if I added up carbs correctly. Was I supposed to subtract fiber? Add it in? Sugar alcohol, what?? I am blessed. Blessed in having a healthier weight, blessed to be on this ride w other amazing people who have shared their issues, good and bad. 

Honestly if you want to succeed, just go for it. Balls in! You have nothing to fear, except fear itself. Failure is temporary. You can aways get back on track. Whether its low carb, whether its a simple diet, exercise whatever,  you just go for it. Be your own warrior. Be inspired, be someone's inspiration. Just never give up. 1 year down, a milestone. Many more to go. Get in, buckle up, and lets hit the better for yourswlf highway! I'm proud of myself and I am proud of anyone doing anything to make themselves a better person. Physically, spiritually, mentally.. Pick your poison. Until my next post Keto on! 

NSV (none scale victory)

Wanting to jump on the scale is ingrained, but as I discussed earlier in a post, not always a good thing. Whether you're losing inches or actuality weight it's good to relish in your non scale victories. 
Realizing it's much easier to tie your shoes, walking a flight of stairs and not having body parts hurt or being winded. Finding you no longer have heartburn. Not urinating as often because your weight isn't laying on your bladder. No more achy back is a pretty good NSV too. Notching your bra tighter or for the men who suddenly need a belt. It's a great surprise to notice these NSV. To me they are just as important as what the tape measure or scale read. So, folks, relish in the delights of your continue weight loss. Tons of treasured along the way❣️👙👖🏆🏅🚫

Took a hiatus, back from vacation

I want to apologize because it's been a hot minute since my last post. Vacation preperation and other obligations kept me quite busy.
Surviving low carbing during a vacation IS possible. Wasn't sure I could do it to be honest. Temptations everywhere, especially all the scrumptious items at the various buffets we visited and all the fruitylicious beauties at the Wawas. I left for vacation at 157. I stringently counted carbs so I could have a taste of of this or that. Hoping like hell I didn't miscalculate somewhere. Came home 8 days later to jump on the scale at 155. Next months marks my 1 year non-carbiversary. My 1st vaca in that year. I am so happy to know I survived the food temptations. Having one bite of lemon cake on Tues and one bite of bread pudding on Thurs is enough. I don't have to devour a plate of desserts to feel satisfied. It's possible!! I believe it's all about control. You can control what you choose to eat and how much. So you CAN do it!!

The Ups And The Downs...And Oh, Don't Cheat

You wake up and you are suddenly 2 pounds down from your previous week. WTG!! Then two days later you decide to weigh in and you are up 2.5.  You have a rush of angst, pissed off, and maybe even deflation. Well that is perfectly fine. Your entire journey can be comprised of up and down weight. Hormones, menstrual cycle for us females, too many carbs because you miscounted, and certain foods such as dairy or artificial sweeteners can all cause this to happen. This too shall pass. Count on each month during your cycle to fluctuate weight. Make sure you accurately calculate your carb intake. If you think certain foods are causing you to stall on weight, cut them out for a few days, a week, and see if there is a difference.

Every person's body is different. For example, on my 43rd birthday, I had been doing this for 6 months with NO CHEATING. I decided to have a half inch piece of cake, a bite of bread, and a taste of potatoes. Literally the next morning I had gained 3 pounds from less than 2 oz of cheating. The bigger downer was it took me 4 days, extra water intake, and a 24 hour fast to lose it in 4 days. So keep it simple, don't cheat because it isn't worth the extra work or pounds.

My advice is unless are at least 90% ready to commit your failure rate will be high. Like body builders work their asses off in the gym to be chiseled, this is also work and commitment.