Long Intro because I gotta tell someone

[PetaMarie]

I’m 43 and recently quit smoking. Part of me was like, well you already did it for so long, the damage is done, you’re a smoker just keep smoking but the other part of me was a 70 year old me looking back, smoking cigs and thinking how awesome it would have been if I had quit in my 40’s and not smoked for another 30 years. The older I get the easier it is to imagine the elderly me and listen to what she thinks I should do now.

Anyway, yours would be watching and holding her breath for you about ditching the alcohol, I think. When you do, she starts to feel better immediately and is thankful for the past three decades of clean living. (And sees her pals struggling and is thankful for her choices)

Keep up the hard work and introspection. It’s tough stuff but well worth it!

[Maisri]

I kicked those too about 6 years ago. It’s a funny shift to look back on. Initially I couldn’t wrap my head around “I’ll never get to (get to?) smoke again!” so I just didn’t think about it. I never dreamed there would come a day that not only would smoking rarely even cross my mind, but that when it did, I would gag a little thinking about doing it. Lessons like these are good to remember Thanks for that, and great imagery.

[andesite]

Yep. Sometimes I think we need to touch the stove more than once just to really reinforce that it’s hot, and that we can make the choice not to touch it in the first place.

This has been true for me. I spent the last two years in a deep, deep depression and I was drinking WAY too much. I stopped drinking in December when I started getting help for the depression, but I’ve twice had to touch that stove again. Depressed again for a couple of days after trying. So not worth it. Not at all. But the lesson wasn’t learned on the first go, at least not for me.

So glad to have you here. I love your openness and honesty. You’re a brave woman!

[Maisri]

Thank you for that Andesite. Seeing someone write that to me really touched my heart this morning. I think, in return, that you’re a brave woman for reaching out for help. I continue to be a hard head about that option.

It’s a beautiful, sunny morning here. I’m making two kinds of soup to have in the freezer for lunches and listening to music. Isn’t it nice when simple things can be such a pleasure?

[Maisri]

Annnd…big changes.

With my new mental clarity (haha) something snapped Monday. I am miserable in this town, far away and isolated from my entire family and my pups. I have been for a long time. I really like the job here, so it was a hard decision and not without consequences, but …I am going home. Like tomorrow. Life is too short to be this lonely. Besides, my mom and sis are both keto as well and I’ll have keto buddies
But really, I feel like a thousand pounds is lifted. A little nervous/scared about financial risk in doing this, but in my line of work getting a job is incredibly easy. It’ll be okay.

In an on topic note, in the last two days I haven’t really fasted, just skipped lunch because it was convenient with all the packing chaos. I had coffee with collagen and MCT (also because convenient when your dishes are packed) for breakfast and meat and veg for dinner. I’ve gone from 233 to 229.8 in two days?! Funny how I should be thrilled at the big drop (for me) but I’m just skeptical. Did a one month comparison photo this morning though and I can definitely see it. That puts me right at 30 lbs down since January. Woo hoo!

Wish me luck on my long miserable drive! Can’t wait to see my puggies, sons, mom and sister. And some mountains.

Edit: And I bought a cooler. I am not leaving my meat behind!!

[non2free]

Welcome! And thank you for sharing your story!

the thought occurred to me looking at the bread isle that those items may as well just be poison to me.

I’ve found that thinking of it as poison is helpful and, for me, it truly is. I haven’t been feeling well for a long time and recently got a “borderline positive” result on a stress test. A friend of mine had been doing keto and he suggested I take a look; so I started learning about it. I got myself a glucometer that measures ketones and, lo and behold, discovered that I’m diabetic!

I’ve been doing keto a couple of months and my blood sugars are under much better control and I’m noticing that I’m having more energy and less depressed. The reduced depression is a big deal because it’s been dogging me for years.

I’m done feeling horrible.

[idunno]

Thanks for posting that, gives me even more fuel for sticking hard to max 20 carbs a day. The most important thing I noticed so far after three weeks is the lack of craving. I used to get cravings so bad and so intense, that if I was run out of candy, sweets, sweet soda or other snack I would actually get up in the middle of the night and make a trip to the any 24/7 shop that could stop the cravings. I can still feel momentary urges for something sweet, but now the craving passes quickly. And it is not really a craving, more like a soft gentle urge that I can make go away just by shifting focus.

I’ve been suffering from depression, never thought my diet could be the reason why. Hopefully after a while now I will become stable and not have those deep valleys. I got some skin issues as well, psoriasis and your post makes me hopeful that will clear up as well.

I am so motivated now to have a better life with keto that I am actually starting a 72 hours fast tomorrow. Me, the fat guy that never ever missed a meal before. Going three days with black coffee and water. Imagine that. And I think of it most like a challenge that I shall conquer. Will now monday morning how that fast went. Now I need to turn in for the night.

[idunno]

Inspiring story, really glad to see you are making yourself a better life. Are you still on keto, and how are the new job going? What about booze, been able to stay sober?

You are doing a grand job here. Remember to stop up and really think about what big changes you have done and how much these changes has improved your life.

Keep up the good work, I am cheering from the sideline.

[idunno]

It’s crazy what your own brain can do for you just by changing how you look at something.

Words to live by, I think I will barrow that line actually.

[Momof5]

Welcome to the forum, Maisri, and congratulations on all you have accomplished thus far in your Keto Journey to health and happiness! You have done really well, you can certainly be proud of yourself. You have a great attitude and I am sure if you keep that up, and immerse yourself in the positive energy and support that is here, that you will be able to continue up that energy and success!

[JulesyMcJulesface]

Well done on making some positive changes.

I am a midwife and your heel pain must be terrible! I am guessing you are back “on the floor” nursing now? Very hard physical work for sure. I had awful plantar fasciitis as do many of my colleagues. Keto weight loss has made it mostly a non-issue now. I hope you can have similar relief too.

Keep up the great progress, welcome to the forum!