People of Keto:
I joined your way of eating just before the beginning of the year – so about five months ago. In the first four months, I had a lot of positive reinforcement with my new eating habits in the way of weight falling off and a more stable mood.
I still feel great mentally, but I have noticed that since I went on vacation at the end of April, I’ve had a harder time mentally keeping this up, and my weight loss has halted. I remained keto on vacation – my husband (on keto, too) and I rented a cabin and we brought our own food to cook. We didn’t fall off the wagon, but we did allow more Lilly’s chocolate, macadamia nuts, wine and champagne. Damn, I love all those things.
Although I’m not eating those things as much, I haven’t nipped them in the bud entirely and, perhaps as a result, I’m having a harder time walking past all the carbage. I work at a university, and we just had commencement ceremonies. Cookies and cakes have been EVERYWHERE I go. While I haven’t slipped, I do feel I’m losing some of my mental toughness. A few times, I’ve almost reflexively picked up cookie. At a recent event, I brought string cheese and almonds with me as food insurance in case I couldn’t handle all the carbage being consumed in front of me. I felt like it was good planning for the occasion, but I also worry I’m losing my keto advantage of not giving a damn about the crap everyone else is eating.
I have tried a few 48-hour fasts and exercise sessions in an attempt to reset, but I’m feeling wary.
I generally eat two meals a day. Lunch is often a cobb salad and dinner is usually a piece of grilled meat and some vegetables. I have a feeling what’s tripping me up are the “extras” – nuts, the occasional glass of wine, an Atkins bar or fat bomb with Lilly’s chocolate chips.
FWIW, I’m down 40 pounds and just 15 pounds from an “overweight” BMI and not “obese.” I appreciate any words of wisdom you have to end bad habits and keep ketoing on. Although I haven’t gained, I’m just worried about the weight swing up that I’ve experienced so many times. I’ve failed so many times. I don’t want to anymore.