N=1=needing serious help

(Matt) #1

Hey everyone,

As the title says, I need help. I am truly a lazy Ketoer. I am horrible at tracking my intake and I know that I have cheated on this several times. I am not as metabolically challenged as many of you but due to family history, I decided this lifestyle was the best option. The stress at work is really high and I have been stress eating. I have been trying my best to get back on the horse but, when I put my foot in the reins, the horse takes off! I am the only one in my household who is doing this. My wife supports me but thinks its a bad idea (Believe me, I tried showing the science). My co-workers think I am on a “Heart attack diet”. Since I started, I have not had the whoosh of mental clarity or the boundless energy. I am really struggling with this and I know I need to lose weight. I currently have zero motivation to work out (I don’t even want to walk the dog) or pretty much do anything. My sugar or sweet cravings are at an all time high!! I am confused, scared, and depressed. Sorry for the incoherent rambling. I need to get this all off of my chest. Please ask all of the questions you can think of to help me narrow down my options. I know this post is kinda vague(I’m so tired and not sure what other information you guys will need).

(Empress of the Unexpected) #2

First off, how long have you been doing keto? Second, meat, veggies, berries, some dairy and some nuts is not a “heart attack diet”, it is a healthy diet. Yeah, the first couple months can be rough - are you eating enough salt? You will get some serious help on this forum. Just enjoy meat, veggies, and keep your carbs under 20 grams to start. I went cold turkey, but at five months can eat more carbs every few days. It takes time.

(Empress of the Unexpected) #3

And don’t worry about exercise for now, and don’t talk to co-workers about the diet. I go out to eat, have a steak and salad, no one comments.

(Empress of the Unexpected) #4

When I started I was asking questions every day! Everyone here is helpful - you have come to the right place.

(Frank) #5

In my experience keeping my woe to myself at work made doing it much easier. I had similar reactions in the beginning. I was excited about it and pretty militant. After a short period I chilled out and just did my own thing. The results came and now the coworkers are coming out of the woodwork asking about it and some are adopting it as well. Regarding the stress. You’re definitely going to have to address these issues and possibly make sacrifices in order to reduce your stress load.

(Matt) #6

I’ve roughly been doing this since February(I don’t remember the exact date). As far as salt intake, I do not measure. I do try to add as much as I can.

#7

You don’t have to track but you do have to keep your carbs low. Stress can be a very big factor in stalling weightloss so you may want to try to find ways to reduce it as much as possible. Just eat real food and take it one day at a time.

(Frank) #8

So you started in February 2018. What were your stats then vs now (weight, height, etc) and also what was your goal? 8 months is a long time to be banging your head against the wall if you haven’t been making any progress.

(Frank) #9

I’m more of an aleman myself. Lagers take too long.

(Matt) #10

My goal weight is to be around 180. When I started I was around if not over 240 pounds. I’m 5’6". I dropped down to 220 by June. Then I went on vacation… I packed on 14 pounds, lost 6 within a couple of weeks. As of Monday, I am sitting at 238. I know I’m off the wagon. With the stress in my life/work the sweet cravings are through the roof!!

(Karen) #11

Stay full, and keep it really simple bacon and eggs bacon and eggs bacon and eggs bacon and eggs And when you’re with your coworkers have a big salad and a piece of meat it looks pretty normal.
K

(Frank) #12

My thoughts are until you get a handle on the life/work stress any attempts at changing your nutrition will be difficult at best. Some stress we bring on ourselves and can be reduced with some difficult decisions. Other stressors are out of our control. It’s up to us to decide how those impact us. There’s no reason why you can’t remove the garbage food off your plate in the meantime but I would encourage you to focus your efforts primarily on the stress reduction. Talking about it is key. Family, friends, and even professional counseling can help in this regard. I hope this helps.

#13

yes ^ ^

(Frank) #14

Yes x3

#15

It can really help to have a go-to food that you can turn to when you stress-eat.
Stress-eating is obviously not ideal and at some point you can find ways to breathe through those moments - but I think it’s hard to make a lot of changes at once, and I would vote for keeping keto and not worrying about much else in terms of food until you’ve found a bit more balance. If you can stay away from carbs when you stress eat that will help enormously, and eventually you should find that the cravings subside.

The energy, though - it would be great to be feeling better. Folks on here should be able to help you a lot with that.

Agree with everyone NOT TO TALK about it. Don’t say “keto,” don’t say “high-fat,” just say (and only if you’re asked) that you’re avoiding processed foods (true), and pick the most keto options. There are folks that I’ve worked with for years that actually have no idea that I’m LC. They just see me eating stews or cheeses or dark chocolate, and if they offer me cake I’ll say something about needing my energy for the next work stretch and then I change the subject. Folks often come to me for advice on food or health - I look good, which definitely helps in this arena - and I give them the best guidance I can but even then I don’t use the word “ketogenic.”

#16

Belive me, I’m almost in the same boat as you. Can be very disciplined for a few days or weeks, and then once I have a bad moment - or my hormones/period orders - i ruin it all in such a short time. And I mean ruin - I have massive and quick binges, like a spastic obsession that doesnt stop and then it’s a vicious circle because the food doesnt let me sleep and then I dont sleep and have less motivation and eat crap.
The trick is maybe, (not guaranteed), as others say - to start slowly and gently but be very strict about, millintant. Then your body gets used to let’s say healthy food and fasting. Then when you trespass it won’t be as hard to pick yourself up, but you’ll still have to apply a certain amount of willpower. It’s all hard, its a struggle - but think of the results - you’ll look and feel better and you’ll have a better life in general. Even if you fail at times, you will go back again.
Star maybe with paleo - reduce carbs slowly, buy only good foods, get rid of all bad foods viciously, get rid of it, clean your fridge, cupboards and start with a clean slate. It will give you a plan and perspective.
keep my fingers crossed for you - I’m another lazy one and the advice I wrote basically applies to me.
I write my next day plan of what I eat (usually 2 meals a day, no snacks) in a diary and try to stick to it. I alter it but altering too much is not that good.

#17

That response was meant to be for lagerman42, not Madeleine, sorry.

(Garry (Canada)) #18

Since you don’t track, I’m going to give you the basic plan I did for the first couple months. If you stick to it without cheating, you will lose weight and feel better. I’m similar to you, being 5’6 and (was 200ish) now 170-175.

Breakfast:
Black coffee/tea (as much as you want during the day)
3 eggs fried in 1 TBSP butter.
1 oz low carb cheese. (I prefer old cheddar.)

Lunch:
6-8 oz mixed salad greens with 2-3 TBSP EVOO and 1TBSP low carb vinegar (Balsamic)
4-6 oz of real fatty protein. (Steak/Fish/Chicken/Pork)
A few olives or 1oz Feta if you choose.

Dinner:
Same as lunch. Switch the protein choice. (Fish for lunch, have steak for dinner.)

If you need snacks, have a handful or 2 of pecans or almonds.
Just drink water. (with 1TBSP real lemon and/or ACV if you choose)

NO BOXED/PACKAGED or TAKEOUT FOODS & No alcohol/pop/etc.

Stick to this basic meal outline for 6-8 weeks. You can adjust it by having spinach instead of salad greens etc. Just stick to the basic plan. It works. You can add other goodies like avocado, dark chocolate, low carb cookies, etc into your plan later. Right now, keep it simple and on track. You need to get your mind in gear first with a disciplined eating regiment. Your cravings will diminish in time.

Don’t cheat… If you do… you throw out all your progress, and you’re only cheating yourself. This is a lifestyle change, not a quick diet. If you’re serious about your health…You’ll make it happen today.

Good luck.

(Marie Dantoni) #19

At this point I think you need to start believing in yourself. Don’t look for other people to be accepting of what you have chosen to do. Redouble your efforts by tracking what you eat for a while. If you are diligent you will gain power and sense of purpose. You may have to white knuckle for a couple of weeks to see improvement. Then you can build on success.
Take heart. We’ve all been there.

(Carpe salata!) #20

Put olive oil over everything to make you feel full. Put apple cider vinegar over everything it has a tang you get to like that makes you less hungry.
Keep up your salt. Get to bed early and get plenty of sleep (less time to be hungry and great to reduce stress). Do you have a food that makes you feel sick and puts you off food? For some people it’s Brussels sprouts. Keep them handy and eat that when you’re craving. (Yes, mind games.)

Just some ideas that worked for me :slight_smile: