Just want to live

(Becky) #21

Congratulations for wanting to live! Right before finding Keto, I just wanted to die as painlessly as possible because it seemed like nothing was going to help me. In fact my first several Keto meals, were eaten with “oh well, if I’m going to die, might as well die eating bacon.” I am so happy for your progress! Keto has transformed unbelievably. Enjoy the journey!

(Todd Allen) #22

I love that this thread is generating a great list of books. I’ll add in some of my favorites, The Big Fat Surprise, by Nina Teicholz and anything by Gary Taubes.

I’ve been able to get all of the books mentioned in this thread through my local library. Even if your local library is small many participate in inter-library loan programs and can obtain these books for you when requested. For the rare times when one might not be able to get a book through a library one might consider Library Genesis though it isn’t really a library or legally sanctioned. But if your funds are limited and you can only afford to buy keepers, books you’ll find valuable to reread or as references, library genesis does provide a way to check out many books and then hopefully you can buy legitimate copies of the ones you want to keep.

(You've tried everything else; why not try bacon?) #23

My sentiments exactly. If keto turns out to be hogwash and I die from fat overload, I’ll die happy! :bacon:

(Carpe salata!) #24

Unfortunately that’s how a lot of carbaholics feel about their thick crust cheesecake with side of ice cream and chocolate topping.

Luckily bacon wins :sunglasses:

#25

Thanks everyone for such kind encouragement. I had a good weekend, I hope eveyrone else did! It’s fall here in the upper midwest, which is a beautiful season!

I don’t know if weekends are a struggle for others, but they are for me. I’m super lucky to have a very very supportive partner who is by my side on this journey. I kept keto all weekend, and made bone broth! I haven’t consumed any yet, but it was a great achievement for me :slight_smile:

Am I, in the opinion of anyone reading this, doing myself a big disservice by not tracking? I know I might be going over 20g carbs (I may be still doing 20 net, but it’s probably between 20-50 net), but I feel like the most important thing is to just build this way of eating into my “normal” way, and for that it needs to feel not like a diet. Is there anyone else here who just tries to feel their way?

(Doug) #26

Oh yes, Hannah. :slightly_smiling_face: Keeping track of everything may or may not appeal - and it doesn’t, to me. Ketogenic eating and fasting have worked well for me, thus far, and I haven’t felt like I need to focus too hard on the details or look to see what I can change. My battle is with just staying on the general program.

#27

Yes, I feel like that’s going to be my battle for a while! But I am starting to think it is the best thing for me in terms of learning to really listen and feel and trust my body in ways that I never have.

(Brian) #28

Hannah, it sounds like you’re doing quite well. Just settle into your new way of eating and enjoy the ride. I am not of the opinion that tracking every morsel of food will really help you a whole lot. A basic understanding of about what amounts of protein you should be eating would be helpful but that doesn’t need to be measured on a scale. (Often a unit of measure is the size of the palm of your hand.) You can get an idea of how many carbs certain veggies have by various charts online and eat accordingly. From some of the diets you’ve mentioned, it’s probably hard to drill it into your head that fat is OK, especially after being told over and over and over how evil fats are. Butter, avocado, coconut oil and olive oil are probably my most used along with some full fat dairy and cheese.

I hear ya about the mortality thing. Three months ago, I was kinda feeling like if I didn’t do something to take charge of my own health, I was really not long for this world. Didn’t know if it would be a heart attack or a stroke or what, but wasn’t feeling like the future had much in store. Found some videos on YouTube by Dr. Eric Berg and decided to give it a try. And I’ve noticed a lot of good stuff happening. I’m down over 30 pounds, that’s good. And the clothes are getting much looser, that’s good. But I have more energy. I am able to do more and not feel like I’m over-exerting. I find that I want to do more. I don’t mind taking the steps. I don’t find it as hard to get up out of a chair. I don’t find it as hard to stay awake after eating. And I find that if I skip a meal, or two, or three, or four, it’s really no big deal. It’s as though there is some hope again, hope that maybe the ol’ body could actually last a few more decades. (I’m 53, btw.)

Wishing you much more success in your journey! And glad you’re here. :slight_smile:

#29

I go between tracking and not tracking. Some only track carbs (total or net). I’m of the opinion to keep doing what you’re doing as long as it’s working. If you hit a stall then consider tracking if you want to tighten things up.

Welcome and congrats on great progress!

#30

I track a couple of days a month to get an idea. I was surprised when I did recently and found that I am eating less in calories than I thought I was

The rest of the time I limit carbs as much as I am

#31

Just want to add a belated welcome to you!

Mostly these days I don’t track anymore, but every month or so I’ll track for a couple of days to make sure my instincts aren’t way off. Like you, I want this to be my normal way of eating and normal to me means not writing down every single thing.

The best thing has been cutting out the carbs, because for me that stopped any tendency I had to pig out right in its tracks. It really broke the food addiction for me. That alone has convinced that carbs are like a drug. Anyway…

So excited you’re here with us!!!

(Mike Glasbrener) #32

Also, a belated welcome. It sounds like you’re on track and starting out very well. I’ve never tracked macros for a single day… However, I’m a hair OCD as most engineers are. I don’t eat anything w/o reading the label or looking up the macro if it’s produce. If you’re feeling well and making progress, keto on! If you stall or struggle look harder at what you’re eating and see if there’s more carbs in your diet than you thought and cut more. Sometimes there’s hidden stuff you missed the first time or two… If you struggle please realize that your perception of progress may not include things you are used to tracking, fat adaption, body composition etc… You’ll find the community here is very helpful and search posts or post away if you need guidance…

(Sandy) #33

Hi Hannah.

Thank you for your honest and vulnerable post. I feel as though I’m in same boat. I just turned 55 and am getting concerned about health and longevity. I’ve been on every plan/program there is. I’ve done 2 W30 too. I think I’ve finally settled into Keto and I believe it is sustainable. Consistency has been an issue as long as I can remember, self sabotage is a close second.

I think you are doing well. Bras never lie :wink:

I appreciate the book recommendations. I will check them out.

Best,
Sassy

(Linda Culbreth) #34

If you are a T1D or T2D, you probably ought to track. And, if you stall, you might ought to track - those carbs have a way of creeping up on you.

#35

Thanks…I’m neither of those, and I don’t know how I’ll know that I stall?

(Linda Culbreth) #36

Hannah - should you stop losing inches and your clothes stop getting too loose and you are not at or near your ideal weight then have probably stalled. Weight can slow down when you are really close to your goal weight. You can’t go by the scale, but the clothes and the tape measure don’t lie.
To be real honest, I didn’t think I was ever going to start losing or changing sizes. Once I cut out all snacking and then added in fasting, it has been good - real good on weight loss and especially size loss. It took a lot longer for the energy to catch up. Everybody is different, so be patient with yourself. My fat adaptation has been a roller coaster, even though I had carbs below 20, moderate protein, and good fats to satiety.

#37

I track because I constantly second guess myself and it’s comforting for me to see it in black and white.

(Carpe salata!) #38

I don’t track because I want this to be natural and easy. But having been on a plateau for a while I have been toying with the idea of either tracking or fasting … leaning to fasting.

(Jim Russell) #39

The nice thing about fasting, the only thing to track is time.

#40

thank you!! I really appreciate your encouragement!