Lessons learned from your Holiday eating?

(Splotchy) #21

I simply found it easier to think: ‘Nah!’ when loading up my plate - ie I took loads of meat, sprouts, a few chestnuts (I also took a big slab of butter to soak them with). The roast spuds and pastry looke really delicious and I would have loved the taste. But I knew I had loads of good food and that was fine.

I also read ‘The Obesity Code’ a few months ago and it’s like a big psychological shift has taken place re grazing/snacking. I now think it’s crazy to snack when waiting a few hours I can really feast on a huge filling meal. I visualise all my flab melting, even as I’m stuffing up on steaks, butter, cheese, eggs etc. Part of this mindset is not having the hunger caused by insulin, and it’s part psychological as I now have this calm happy feeling that I’m ‘winning’.

Merry Keto Christmas everyone!

(Mrs. Christine Neeley) #22

Same here. I have been eating “way off plan” holiday treats. Back on today! I have been doing Keto since Feb 21 2018 lost 22# and feeling great. Stalled the last few months so thought I would ease off keto for the holidays. Big mistake, like you, I am quickly reminded how easily I can regain weight and feel just awful, bloated, tired and cranky. Keto on everybody!!

(Cindy) #23

I hope so, but don’t have any real expectation of it. She’s dropping weight like crazy, even though her last chemo treatment appt was early November. She did get one round of a clinical trial medication earlier this month, so maybe that’s causing some problems. If she’s not doing better in a few days, I’ll probably get her in to see her oncology doctor, see if he has any options.

(Eric - The patient needs to be patient!) #24

I got the Obesity Code for Christmas from my keto daughter. I’m keto also but she is more successful then I have been because I have many decades to unlearn and undo to my deranged body.

I’m reading the CICO chapter now.

(Scott) #25

I really enjoyed this book. I think I may try the Diabetes Code next. I have a grandson that is type I and want to explore if his diet could help reduce the amount and frequency of his insulin injections.

(Bob M) #26

Try this book first, written by a doctor with type 1 diabetes:

(Randy) #27

I’m thankful that the knowledge that all of those things are essentially poison to me has made it very easy to abstain.

On Christmas eve I worked all day. The break room was loaded with cookies and candy. I allowed myself 1 Hershy’s kiss. Otherwise I fasted all day until I got home at 2PM.

On Christmas day, I had half of a cookie. Oh, and a 16 oz Ribeye. :smile:

(Doug) #28

Well said, Marie. In reading the responses, I see many references to “where we are,” for better or worse.

Best I can say is that I did not go as crazy as I used to. Took it relatively easy on the carbs, though this boils down to probably 300 grams being better than 700 or 1000. Eleven hours of drinking wine, a Guinness, and about 3 ounces of a really good single-malt Scotch. Never got really sleepy, even after eating, and I think I used to get reactive hypoglycemia - was a pretty safe bet to go to sleep at some point.

So perhaps I’ve gained some metabolic flexibility and better regulation. Going to need it - even my hands are swollen up some today, joints aching… Feel okay overall after 11 hours of sleep, but don’t think I’ll be having any wine today.

(Banting & Yudkin & Atkins & Eadeses & Cordain & Taubes & Volek & Naiman & Bikman ) #29

The same things I learn every year.

  1. portion control makes a huge difference.
  2. eating lots of inflammatory food inflames my systems which leads to:
  • various pains
  • gastric discomfort
  • tightness
  • reflux
  • sleep disturbance
  1. I’m more metabolically flexible
  2. carb excess makes me cranky
  3. carb excess makes me depressed
  4. I enjoy carbs, still

What I do with these repeated lessons, that’s where the value comes or doesn’t.

(Joanna Parszyk ) #30

Same here! Even if it is Keto, or at least very close (red wine carbs might pile up).
Feeling stuffed but on so little food it is ridiculous :wink:

#31

Good thread! It’s like I’m in an AA meeting where half the people went out.
I stayed Keto throughout. I did however eat millions of pounds of meat and cheese. Millions.

(Scott) #32

I generally stayed true to keto WOE with the exception of beer. Going to several craft breweries put about four pounds on but no worries here. I know how to get them back off. The lack of running didn’t help much either.

(Eric - The patient needs to be patient!) #33

I ventured into the carbs just a few grams. I’m sure I never went over 25. one night of red wine. 2 1/2 glasses, very dry. But you know what, alcohol screws with my sleep and I like my sleep.

I did eat too much keto food the night I drank the wine. No bloating but a little guilt for a few minutes after not sleeping well then Keeping Calm. Rib Eye for dinner xMas night and a normal portion size. I have never had normal eating patterns on xMas till now.

(Natasha) #34

Just what I’ve been thinking about myself… biggest lesson is how susceptible I am to overeating once I give myself a bit of leeway. I have actually ‘only’ been overeating keto-friendly foods (except some roasted-in-sausage-fat carrots, yum!) but I have eaten waaaaay too much (cheese, cream, keto treats) simply because ‘it’s Christmas’ bleurgh!

(Laurie) #35

Previous posters have covered most of it, so I’ll just add this:

  1. I feel better on keto. A few carby vegetables last night and I slept until 1 pm today, and I feel too stiff and tired to do much. At my age (66), it’s hard enough to get through the day without this nonsense.

  2. I’m an addict. Sure there was a perfect storm of circumstances, and there was delicious free food in front of me just begging to be eaten, but I didn’t have to eat it. I see my alcoholic friends with their hangovers and car accidents and so on. I’m the same, even if the results are a bit different.

#36

I managed to at least maintain my weight over Christmas, but I will know for sure when I weigh myself in the morning (my usual time, but I did a check weight this evening).

My sister had Christmas dinner, and she had lots of great keto choices without knowing anything about it. Prime rib, Brussels sprouts with bacon/parmesan, asparagus with olive oil and garlic, guacamole, cheese, etc.

I brought a few things from home like low carb seed crackers and heavy cream to complement the food served. But I did allow myself one small treat each day.

So big lesson learned is be prepared with options, but having a little special treat can help you not feel deprived.

#37

I discovered my true vice over Christmas.

I thought for sure it would have been potatoes or breads (which I surprisingly had none of) but my downfall was chocolate, fresh fruits and custard. I gorged myself on all of those over Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Luckily the only downside I experienced was bloating and my weight gain has been lost again, so I’m basically back to the weight I was before Christmas.

So in that respect it was a good opportunity to find out that occasionally falling off the horse for me doesn’t result in too many negative effects.

#38

I ate what I normally eat, and my treat at Christmas dinner was butternut squash fries with my steak and mushrooms. I’m really not interested in eating crap anymore, and I’m so grateful for that.

#39

I discovered that my friends and family don’t care if I eat SAD food or not. Sticking to KETO is my best option.
Another holiday down without carbs or sugar.

My only “cheat” was to diet sodas on Christmas.

Seems like everyone forgot how bad carbs and sugar made them feel and only remembered the good times. So many holiday relapses. :smirk:

(Joanna Parszyk ) #40

I sticked to keto but ate a bit too much. My carb intake probably went up but l still estimated less than 50 a day. Mostly from nuts, dry red wine, mushrooms, some veg and a handful of grapes on 25th/3 lychees on 26th. No sugary treats/deserts or sweets (I made a cake but didn’t eat it, however had to try it while preparing and adjust the ingredients). Tiny amount but felt so “not right” and artificial in a way. Just far away from the taste of meat/cheese and green veggies that are my staple now.

I do not have to stuff myself silly any more, besides l noticed that eating my feelings (l’m going through the most devastating brake up) gives me no relief, joy or pleasure, just brings me the feeling of discomfort and disappointment.