Hey Connie that’s awesome to hear!
Logging foods is easy and fun for me. I think it gives me a sense of relief and self-control.
When I first started KETO I was obsessive about writing evyehting down. Once I got into the swing of things, I usually log at the end of the day OR when I’m Trying to decide what to eat.
Welcome to the Class of 2017!! 
KCKO
10/28/17
Well here’s a funny update.
Last night, for the first time in 3 years, I joined my husband’s company party. They have quarterly parties for morale, and it was a bowling nigbt.
I had not seen anyone since the July 4th picnic, imagine the awesome love, support and comments I got when people saw my weight loss! There were tears, hugs and cheers as people heard and that I was sharing about it.
Yet, I still slunk off to the snackbar to order my dinner. The company had ordered pizza, beer and gourmet cupcakes. I didn’t want anyone to know what I was going to eat. I ordered 2 all beef hot dogs, sans bun, with a side of queso fresco.
See, I was thinking, I could hide out in the snackbar, dipping my grilled dogs in cheese sauce, happily eating my Keto dinner without judgement. I was horrified when the server said,“Oh we will bring it out to the lane for ya!”
Yikes! Oh crap! I’m so humiliated. I just don’t know how I’m going to handle being so fat, and eating giant hot dogs dipped in melted cheese–in front of the company owners, other managers and employees and all of their significant others! (Face palm)
When my plate arrived, a couple of the owners were favorably interested, curious and envious of my dinner. They set my mind and stomach at ease as they chomped on pizza and chatted casually. One even swiped some queso fresco to splash it all over her pizza.
What a loving, kind, fun bunch of people. I’m so blessed my hubby works with this company. I went on to really enjoy bowling, laughing and chatting. My hubby said he was proud I was able to be physically active again, enjoying myself and the game.
So my takeaway today is, I need to learn to understand WHY I was ashamed to eat my healthy meal in front of others…chalk that point up for my next psychology appointment.
Thanks for listening!
~Class of 2017 KCKO
This resonates because something (kind of) similar happened to me, and I didn’t react the same way. On Thursday, a friend who hasn’t seen me in about 6 weeks noticed immediately that I lost weight and was super happy for me, and I thought that would be enough motivation to get me through my camping trip. I had been pretty nervous about going on a trip so early on before really establishing the habit and being fat-adapted, but that made me feel so happy, that I felt (in that moment) more determined to stick to it. But when everyone arrived and we had everything spread out for our bonfire potluck, I caved. I told some people that I wasn’t eating carbs, and they seemed to get it but we’re disappointed - especially because some of the items had been made with me in mind because I have a wheat allergy and was previously vegan. Lots of people walked up to me very proud of the fact that they had found a way to create a gluten-free vegan x, and looked so sad when I told them I was now pescatarian and not eating carbs.
Anyway, I ended up partaking in waaaaaay too many carbs. I felt guilty at first but told myself that as this is a lifestyle change, there will be days I will mess up as a human, and I will need to accept that and just get back on the horse. I am back from the conference almost 7 pounds heavier (plus all the bloating, tummy aches, and sinus inflammation - bleh), but I know I have the tools to get back into gear. This obviously cannot be a regular thing, and I know I will need to learn how best to navigate these situations to be more successful at sticking to my convictions and/or to ensure I get back on track as quickly as possible. My net loss since starting keto is now exactly a pound after 8 days, which is imperfect but still better than when I couldn’t lose ANYTHING and was in a state of steady weight gain before starting. Here’s to saying bye to those pounds again, but forever this time.
@curlybri Um, Hello?? You lost 1 pound in 8 days, that’s 52 pounds in a year.
Silly goose.
The self-flagellarion we all practice must be key to why we went overweight in the first place.
It sounds to me like you listened to your body, had a plan, knowingly changed your plan to accommodate your loving friends and then felt sick after. No need to beat yourself up, it was a GREAT learning experience.
And you lost 1 lb, so Woohoo! What a great time! Camping with friends, eating consciously and learning something new.
I’d chalk that up to a great experience.
But then again, I’m not you, so hugs, hugs and more hugs. Cheering you on as you recover.
Thanks so much for sharing. Now we only have to get through Halloween 
~Class of 2017 
KCKO
Thank you! You’re right. I hadn’t thought of it like that. 1 lb in a little over a week is definitely not bad, but I was so close to finally getting out of the 150s that it felt pretty crappy to be back up to almost the 160s. I’m not devastated like I would’ve been on one of my countless “diets,” though, because I know what I have to do to get it to come off again, and keto doesn’t feel like a punishment.
I did have a very good time, but I definitely went overboard with the carbs - once I started, it was hard to stop. I ate to the point of sickness with all of the vegan, gluten-free treats they’d made on Friday. And then I ate much less on Saturday because I felt so sick but still much more than I should’ve and definitely not within keto macros. I had pretty severe carb cravings last night as well that I had to fight through, and the keto BO is back today. I know I don’t want to have to continually go through this readjustment phase after my trips, so I definitely made sure I let everyone know that I will not be eating carbs in the future!
I have faith for Halloween because candy has pretty much lost its appeal. I think I struggle most with baked goods because I used to bake weekly before my wheat allergy arose and since I have to avoid that, when I come across something gluten-free, I’m always really wistful! I know I don’t have to worry about that until Christmas, though, when I know some family members will want to make me things I can eat no matter how much I protest.
Great!
I had heard about intense carb cravings and have definitely been experiencing them. I thought I could have 9 tortilla chips and 1/2 c pinto beans as my carbs one day. So I ate them, tallied my macros and went on my merry way. The next day, I took a bit of bread with my burger. The third day, I had some crackers. Then I was able to finally stop myself, Very crazy!
I’ve been so close to giving in and grabbing a cookie that’s it’s scary. Kinda reminds of how people explain drug addiction. You know it’s not good for you, but you can’t stop yourself because the urge is so strong. And focused, like nothing else matters, including the consequences.
So glad we have this support system Class of 2017! KCKO
YES! What you described is typically what happens to me! I think, “oh, I will just have something small” and then the next day, I justify having something small but slightly larger, and then again, and then again. That is how I gained the weight back last time - I tried to moderately add carbs back in and just spiraled. This weekend, I pretty much binged on carbs and got so sick that I really didn’t want them at all yesterday until right before bed last night. The craving was VERY strong then, but only for about an hour. It seems like it is all or nothing for me, which doesn’t surprise me given my personality. I know from the past that I just do better longer term when I limit carbs to greens and wine, which is what I’m doing now. Somehow the process of trying to fit other carbs in just doesn’t work for me psychologically - maybe because I get a taste of it and am not satisfied with a limited amount. It somehow feels more like a sacrifice to only have a little than to just not have it at all. I think it’s in the feeling that “I can’t” have more than x amount of carbs versus an empowered stance of “I just don’t” eat that. Does that make any sense?
Sure makes sense to me, Curlybri. The cravings come and go, and what works best for me is to just shut them down all the way, i.e. by saying, “Not eating that.” Going in for “just a little” - too much of a slippery slope, personally.
@OldDoug @curlybri I agree! It’s going to have to be “no thank you” from me too!
And just when I thought @curlybri and I were all alone on this thread, up pops sage advice from @OldDoug
Grateful for everyone who reads and helps us newbies stay in track as we learn the WOE! Thank you.
~Class of 2017! KCKO
Thanks, Cailyn, but my best contribution will usually be “Don’t do as I do…” 
The mental aspect of diet is so huge.
This is a very wise statement.
I’m adding we are so quick to beat up on ourselves and so very slow to see the good progress we make. This has been the end of many a “diet” for me in the past, and I know lots of others too.
Ketogenic eating, and fasting, for that matter, are easier than anything I ever tried before, which is a great saving grace in addition to being effective. My usual pattern was to try some diet, go strong for 3 or 4 days, then quit out of boredom, cravings, etc. Did that many times. For me, the worst were calorie-restricting deals where you really watched everything you ate - this just plain tortured me.
We have a saying in A.A. that “one drink is too many, and a thousand isn’t enough.” Like you, I am finding that leafy greens are about the only carbs I can eat safely; most other stuff starts me down the slippery slope. I seem to be okay with brocolli, but I have already had one cauliflower binge, and I have learned that potatoes might as well be crack cocaine, where I am concerned.
One technique for staying sober is to avoid telling yourself that you have quit forever—you just postpone having that next drink till tomorrow. I’m finding the technique works equally well with carbs—when I remember to apply it! Not “quitting forever” takes the pressure off, and even the worst addict in the world can go 24 hours without his or her drug of choice.
I have found postponing yielding to the craving to be enormously helpful: “I’ll definitely have that (bottle of Scotch/couple dozen glazed doughnuts) tomorrow; just not right now.” And of course when “tommorrow” arrives, I no longer want any such thing.
@collaroygal aw thanks! I agree about beating ourselves up. It seems to be a common thread, even those who are long-term seem to default to that behavior.
It has helped me to realize this is not a diet. This the lifestyle choice I’ve been searching for my whole life.
Sniff. So beautiful to have discovered KETO.
~Class of 2017! KCKO
I can relate. I was a champion athlete, model and hiker. When I lost all of those abilities, I desperately began every diet under the sun. Nothing ever worked. It was a miserable life, slowly dying by food, filled with such helplessness and despair.
Now, I eat intuitively the foods I’ve always enjoyed and craved. Losing the guilt is harder than the weight!
And right now I’ve struggled this week as a knee-jerk reaction to my nutritionist recommending changes to the macros. I’ve been all over the place (still in Ketosis but just struggling with decision making and beating myself up.) this is even with a nutritionist who supports my Keto!
So enjoying sharing and learning with the group. Thanks for your story.
~Class of 2017! KCKO
@PaulL great analogy! I like the way of saying I’ll have it tomorrow. I’ve been naturally doing that (I’ll have it later or on Friday etc) those are what I call my “backroom deals.” I convince myself that I will do something later, if I don’t do it now. And it really works!
I definitely love me some cauliflower rice or mash at times. I make it to replace Mac and cheese or twice baked potato type dishes. And I always toss in some
Bacon…
I’ve been hovering around some squash lately, it’s the time of year where I love baked squash. With butter and sausage. So I’ll be pushing my carbs on a few days for some squash soup or stuffed squash. My plan is to eat 20 g of squash in one sitting!
Thanks for the advice and for sharing! ~Class of 2017 KCKO
11/1/17
Wow! No problem at all resisting the Halloween candy. 
I consciously indulged in two glasses of champagne and two King Hawaiian Jalapeno slider rolls with meatballs and marinara. All told, it says 61 grams of carbs. Usually I log my carbs as I go to make the best decisions. Last night I didn’t think it was a big deal, especially when the rolls were 15 grams of carbs each. I was assuming ( ASS-U-ME, I know 
) that would be it for my carbs. However, at the end of the night I scanned the meatball package and found there was .8 gram per meatball plus the marinara…oops
Sooo, guess who is doing her first extended fast?? Yep, that’s me. I know I have to get my body back into Ketosis. Today, I’m drinking my bone broth, a bullet coffee and water.
I’m hungry, rumbly tummy because I know that’s my body coming down off the carbs. But I have a goal, I last ate at 8pm on Halloween. I will fast until Thursday 11/2 around 3pm. So a planned 43 hour fast.
My re-feed will be at my parents house and I already sent Dad the recipes for Brie Stuffed Burgers and Keto No Bake Cheesecake with ganache! Something tasty to look forward to tomorrow.
Anyone else fasted yet? How long was your longest? What do you do instead of eating?
Thanks! ~Class of 2017 KCKO