If youโre participating in the Summer Low Carb Challenge itโs time to weigh-in!
Youโll find the Week Two Weigh-In thread in our private Facebook group, or leave a comment here on this post with your weight loss lost since June 25th.
Join us today if you havenโt already! New people join in every single day. The challenge is FREE, just go to: 90DayLowCarbChallenge.com to get details & sign up.
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My Weigh-In: 148 pounds
I started this Summer Challenge on June 25th at 148.2 pounds, but yesterday I weighed 149.4 pounds โ so Iโm going to take todayโs drop as a WIN. ๐
I mentioned in my last post that I gained 10 pounds over the last four months.
I donโt want that to concern you, so I want to talk openly about whatโs going on with me.
Gaining 10 pounds in 4 months is a LOT when youโre eating keto, and especially when youโre hardly eating most of that time.
This is not a case of me failing the diet OR the diet failing me.
Itโs something else altogether.
I canโt make any specific claims about what caused my recent weight gain, but Iโll share my โguessesโ โ and Iโm seeing my doctor this month for a full workup to eliminate any health concerns (thyroid, etc). Because thatโs the smart thing to do.
This is not the first time this has happened to me, by the way. It happens to most of us actually, at one point or another. See:
Mysterious Weight Gain or Stalls While Eating Low Carb
Before I dive into all that, let me show you what I ate yesterday โ which wasnโt much.
You can look back at last weekโs food diary too, which was under 1500 calories and 16 net carbs.
That food diary and the one below are both good examples of how Iโve been eating most days for awhile nowโฆ
My Low Carb Meals Yesterday
For breakfast I made 4 eggs scrambled in real butter with colby jack cheese. I couldnโt eat it all in one sitting, but I did finish it finally โ by around 4pm maybe.
Iโve really been struggling with my appetite lately (or rather: a total lack of appetite) so for dinner I went out for this meal since that seemed to work well last time.
Itโs the Delmonico Ribeye with roasted broccoli & cauliflower at the Gondola Pizza & Steak House โ a Greek/Italian place:
I hardly touched my vegetables, but I did eat about half the steak.
I also ordered a side salad and ate a few bites of the lettuce. As finger food. What I like to call the keto version of chips & dip. ๐
I packed up most of the salad, all of the vegetables, and the other half of the steak and took them to go โ which is what I had for dinner tonight.
Hereโs how my macros worked out yesterdayโฆ
Sundayโs MyFitnessPal Food Diary
1148 Calories
7 Net Carbs
Protein: 82 grams
66% Fat, 31% Protein
Water: 24 ounces
Thatโs not enough food, and I am not recommending you eat so low carb or so low calorie. You should always eat enough to be satisfied, stop eating when you are, and definitely eat when youโre hungry. The goal is 20 net carbs max and 70% fat minimum. Iโm just in a โfood funkโ lately so I wanted to clarify that. ๐
How To Get Net Carbs In MyFitnessPal (Free)
LCHF Keto Macro Tracking Made Simple
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My 10 Pound Weight Gain
Four months ago when I went to San Diego I weighed 139.8 pounds. Yesterday (July 8th) I weighed 149.4 pounds.
Iโve been as low as 134 pounds, which felt too thin. 138-139 feels really good.
In this post about that trip, I said โI like the way I look now, and I like the way I feel.โ And you can tell it in the photos. ๐
So what happened?!
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It was a few weeks later that my weight started climbing. Actually it was fluctuating up and then back down again through late March and all of April. Then in May it just started climbing consistently.
I was just about to tell you that things were going good in my life during those months, until I looked back at this hike in mid-April where I said:
โWhat Iโm realizing is that I seem to have lost my drive, ambition, enthusiasm. I lost sight of my goals, and canโt seem to get motivated again.โ
And then something happened (or rather DIDNโT happen) in May that I kept trying to sweep under the rug and ignore, until I finally had a total meltdown on June 7th.
Itโs finally time for me to face the obvious fact that Iโm dealing with a pretty severe case of depression. That became glaringly obvious over the last four weeks, and Iโve been going downhill ever since โ hardly eating, either sleeping too much or having trouble sleeping at all, lethargic and just generally disinterested โ in anything.
I know that this all started with me โbeing sad for a legitimate reasonโ but I worry that itโs turned into more than that. I do NOT want to try another antidepressant, as the side effects last time were horrible โ fast weight gain, loss of my vision, etc.
My vision was permanently ruined from taking Lexapro, which I discovered in hindsight (ha!) is a common side effect. I finally (yes, more than a year later) got glasses โ which are REALLY hard to get used to because they have bifocals built in.
This is a picture of me at dinner last night:
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What Am I Going To Do About It?
Stress, depression, sleep quality, and yes โ even NOT eating, can all cause weight gain. Iโm going to see my doctor like I said just to rule out any obvious health issues, have my thyroid tested, etc. But since Iโm being totally honest with you, I think just getting HAPPY (or less UNhappy) is what itโs really going to take.
My biggest concern right now is not my weight, itโs my health. The lack of appetite and not eating enough is really concerning me. Thatโs why I felt exercise would be a good solution โ to help stimulate my appetite. And also because exercise is a natural โmood enhancerโ that releases feel-good chemicals in your body.
Truth: being SAD is concerning me as much or more as my lack of interest in eating.
Iโve gone round and round about whatโs bothering me and what to do about it, and WHY itโs bothering me so deeply and yada yada yada. To the point of exhaustion actually.
Interestingly something happened last night that broke me out of my funk and pissed me off. Can โgetting madโ cause you to release 1.4 pounds overnight? I dunno. Getting sad can obviously pack on pounds for some crazy reason โ even when youโre eating super clean and VERY low carb.
It seems crazy to be in ketosis (Iโm testing, yes) and GAINING weight. That goes against everything I know, everything Iโve experienced personally, and everything I share with you here.
But then, we are not just our weight. We are so much more than that, and itโs all tied together. And I am simplyโฆ not well right now. And havenโt been for awhile.
I did something today to turn things around a bit, which Iโll share with you in my next post. I realize I have some work on this ahead of me, and Iโm ready to tackle that and get back to a good place.
To be totally clear, I donโt feel like exercise is the key to losing the weight Iโve gained. I feel like exercise is PART of the key to my overall health & happiness โ which I feel is the TRUE culprit behind my recent โmysterious weight gain.โ
What Iโve been feeling unhappy and unsettled about over the last year is kinda personal, if thatโs okay. I prefer not to talk about *that* and instead just focus on solutions. Iโve talked about losing my joy ENOUGH over the last year as it is, lol. *sigh*
How are things going with you lately?
Donโt forget to weigh in todayโฆ
Leave a comment and letโs chat!:)
Best,
Lynn Terry,
aka @LowCarbTraveler
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Discount Code: LOWCARBTRAVELER
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Just a thoughtโฆ. could you be pregnant?
That thought made me smile. ๐ Iโm 45 and had a hysterectomy almost 6 years ago. My children are in their 20โs, so hopefully Iโll have grandchildren some day. Or maybe Iโll get another dane puppy. ๐
Oh wow, thought you were younger than that. โบ
Not drinking enough water.
I stopped Keto in June after 6 months of stall and gaining. I also did full checkup, blood work, etc and nothing. One thing I know is I am not going on antidepressants, I have struggled with other depression all my adult life and antidepressants made it worse. My lack of exercise and sleep and pressure from work and school Is a contributor. I plan on restarting kEto again tomorrow despite no change in my situation. I liked the feeling I get when I am on keto, my mind is clear and I can function.
Ditto that, Issa! ๐
Question: During your 6 months of stalling/gaining โ was that your total keto experience, or were you losing weight prior to that six months?
Also, how were you tracking โ were you doing 20 net carbs max and 70% fat minimum consistently during that whole time? Six months is definitely a legit stall so Iโm curious!
I have never NOT lost weight eating a ketogenic low carb diet, so this last few months has been puzzling to me โ the fast gain, I mean. Very odd, and definitely a first. But like I said, I donโt think it has anything to do with what or how Iโm eatingโฆ
No, I wish, I have done keto off and on for 6 years and I stick with the Rules. I have two Keto books that I follow strictly and I have never lost more than 10 pounds, I often end up gaining while I am strictly doing Keto. It is not even muscle gain since I donโt work to out much. I still feel great but no weight loss. I successfully did Atkins induction years ago when I was in college which is really close to Keto but even induction doesnโt work for me. My body feels healthy when I am doing low carb but I donโt lose the weight even with very low calories. I have no idea what else I can do.
I had my doctor do so much blood test, I thought they would drain the blood out of me and he looked puzzled at how healthy everything came out.i thought maybe my cholesterol since I am overweight but no! I am as healthy as can be. He now wants me to do one of those breathing tests where I sleep with machine for a few days.
I have two Keto books one by Dr Joseph mercola and Leanne Vogelโs book and yum yum paleo book which I use when I need ideas. When it comes to the diet I am very good at keeping my carbs at 20 grams, it is just my body that doesnโt budge.
Look into nutritional response therapy. Itโs all about getting your bodyโs organs healthy and working in harmony so some arenโt stressed and overcompensating for others. It is amazing how great I feel while eating keto with a happy body. My symptoms of depression and anxiety dwindled to nearly nothing.
Nutritional response therapy? Enlighten us please?
Your honesty makes you even more of an inspiration to me. Thank you. Coincidentally I had my usual doctors appointment today (every 3 months for a variety of issues). About a year and a half ago one of those issues was high blood sugar. Thatโs when I began my low-carb adventure. Itโs been almost a year and a half and lately I have stalled. I am usually about 140โ142, but currently I canโt seem to get under 146. I told my doctor today I have been able to maintain but I canโt seem to take off anymore weight. He told me that that is not unusual for a low-carb diet. He told me that I may need to change up the types of food that Iโm eating. Go more plant-based than animal-based. Regardless of the reasons behind the gains or stalls, it is reassuring to know that Iโm not alone.
I just saw a few posts about menopauseโฆ never thought of that! Iโm 54 and just started fighting the menopause battle the last 3-6 months. Hmmmmmm??
Thatโs so true about sadness and stress! I had lost a lot of weight until I had aone stressful events (still ongoing) and have put back on 25lbs in two years, regardless if how kuttlw I eat and exercise I do. Iโm trying to work on my mental health as I know my physical health will follow! Big hug to you x
I have gained 10lbs over the last several month and have not been able to lose the weight, my mother because very sick and 4 weeks later passed. I have not been able to sleep well and have been very sad, I realize this is part of the weight problem it is just going to take some time to bounce back. Also I had a job change which Has been somewhat stressful in the middle of my mother passing. It was all just to much for me.
I know what you are going through, the same thing has happened to me, I managed to put on 15 lbs. since October of last year and no matter what I do it has not come off. I too go in bouts of depression and refuse to go on meds because there are so many side effects. People always talk about fasting, when I tell them I go all day without eating and gain weight they look at me like I am crazy, but it is so hard to explain things to people when they have success in something that you do not.
It really is all a mindset thing, I discovered this the first week of the challenge when I lost 7 lbs. just by eating LCHF, but I ate natural unprocessed foods and was determined to do this. All that changed my mindset when by the end of that week I put back on 5 lbs. due to pmsing, and when I saw the scale creep back up I was falling back into that depression, even left the group because I didnโt want to talk to anyone.
The struggle is real, but we can do this, we just have to take one step at a time and stop being so hard on ourselves. We are not all built the same, our bodies handle emotions and stress differently, pills are not the answer, they only mask the problem, but getting our heart right is the answer.
Thank you for your honesty! This may be the trouble with a bunch of us and I appreciate you candidly putting it out there. I have been frustrated with the stall I have been facing and finally feel like I have a possible answer to what is going on. We can feel alone and isolated in the wonderful world of depression that many women face when they reach menopause. Facing a stall or a weight gain can make that depression spiral to a even deeper depression before we know it and lead to a โI donโt careโ attitude which in turn leads us away from the very WOE that makes us feel better! To all my girls out there facing the ugly depression demonโฆ keep on track, hold on tight, fight the fight against the depression and remember that your not alone!!!!
Hi Lynn,
Iโve also had a 10-15 lb gain since last summer. Which kinda shocked me. Iโve been fouced on work this year and been a little lonely and dressed which might have contributed to over eating. I ate Keto but probably ate more than I needed. Plus I was too tired to go the gym after work so that could have also contributed. After two years of Keto I am going paleo. It is close to Keto so it would be too big of a change. Iโll see how it goes.
If you had not been following keto consistently through all this, the weight gain might have been way more than 10 lbs. Maybe 10 is a win still. Also, do you have inflammation? I know I have been very consistent May and June, but stalled out. However, I know going back to non keto lifestyle would result in worse things than maintenance. I hope you have a better, happier July.
Hi Lynn
Iโm very interested in your experience.
Iโve recently re-committed to keto eating.
Iโve been keeping my fat intake at
85-88 gms, my protein at 25-30 gms and my carbs way below 20 gms. Still no budge in my weight. Iโm probably not eating enough calories but Iโm simply not that hungry because of my fat intake and I suspect probably a little depression also. I do crossfit 4 days a week. I just had a physical and all my labs came back good. However, I am 50 years old and think I just entered menopause I have hot flashes and no menses for 3 months. Iโm not sure whatโs going on with me but Iโm paying close attention to my body and trying to keep my stress level down.
Iโll be following your posts closely. Thanks for sharing your story
thanks lynn for your honest sharingโฆsure hope the doctor can help! I call it a โfunkโ & I hate when I get into it ;(
Interesting fact on the Lexapro. I wore contacts for years and then all of sudden my eyes couldnโt tolerate anymore. I was on Lexapro for 2 years after I started having panic atracks triggered by taking care of my terminally ill mother and death. I was weaned off Lexapro last October. The panic atracks are gone but still canโt wear contacts anymore. Would be interesting to know if the Lexapro caused all this?
Hi Terry, I feel your pain about weight gain but you are definitely doing the right thing about seeing the doctor. I to have gain weight over the last several months. I was doing so good and then my husband was diagnosed with Lyme disease. He cannot eat red meat, pork, and very little milk products. We were doing the low carb together and now this has thrown my schedule out the window. He says to keep eating the red meat but it is really hard when you want to support your husband when he is struggling with a disease.
His doctor says it can take up to 3+ years for your body to get rid of the Lyme disease. So today is a restart (again) for me.
My belief is stress hormones are as powerful as the starvation response in preventing our bodies from shedding fat. Look for new ways and revisit old ways of resolving stress. You are such an inspiration โ your honesty and transparency are so refreshing. We are cheering for you!!
Lynn โ
I think that Mary may be on the right path. Seeing as you have had a hysterectomy, your signs and signals of peri-menopause and menopause will be totally different than the average woman. I have been menopausal for the past year (age 53), and have struggled MORE in this past year than the year prior with losing and maintaining any weight loss, despite being more active than ever. Peri-menopausal symptoms for me were identified going back to age 45-46, though. Going to your medical provider will be a help. Hopefully they will offer to do some testing to see where your hormone levels are currently. That will help. This being said, hormone levels may ALSO be part of your depression complex. It all goes together hand in glove. Lately I have changed up my intake and macro ratios, continued to exercise, focus on drinking a lot of water (donโt forget it is suggested you should drink one ounce of water for every pound you weigh โ canโt remember WHO told me that, but it has proven to be a good rule of thumb for me). I think your focus is VERY appropriate. The weight doesnโt make a person. I brought my daughters up to treat others with the respect for others keeping in mind the size of their jeans isnโt what makes the person, itโs the size of their heart. You appear to be a very caring and kind person. Get out there and do some volunteer work. Help at a food pantry. Your smile is contagious, and the good you can do by simply smiling and caring about someone elseโs well-being will come full circle. Keep fighting the fight. Keto brings big losses quickly in the beginning, but when you get closer to that healthy/fit state we all know, every weight loss plan slows down. I have posted on my PC a saying by Winston Churchill, โSuccess is not final. Failure is not fatal. It is the courage to continue that counts.โ I just take it day by day, week by week, examining my food logs, changing things up. Trying different items. Things I would have thought โyuckโ in the past. I stopped weighing weekly, now. I weigh monthly. I KNOW daily would kill me, and weekly got to be a bit of a problem. I do monthly checks and have lost about 5 pounds in the past month, FINALLY!
Iโve gained 20 and struggling with wanting to get it off, in a funk as well. Just get tired of trying I guess and I really miss fruit, but I started back 2gym and walking. I want to lose this weight for me so onward I go, goal today is drink more water, ha, ha. Hanging in ther & God is good!
When you get your thyroid checked have the doctor do a full panel. TSH and t4 is not enough.
Weigh in 148. No change. I will keep plugging along.
Weigh in 148. No change. I will keep plugging along. Thanks for sharing your story.
Your post could not have come at a better time. I suffer from bi-polar disorder so not taking antidepressants is NOT an option. I lost over 100 lbs and have stayed on keto since but lately I have been in a slump too. Last 4 months, stress, a dip in mood, and a knee injury that has left me benched from going to the gym and gardening. A recent check up showed Iโve gained 30 lbs!!! I am not going back there! So I took have been re-evaluating whatโs working and what I need to change. Glad Iโm not alone. Keep strong and keto on!
Are you open to try alternative modalities for the depression/sadness? There is a really effective treatment called EFT (emotional freedom technique). It has great success in treating depression as well as physical issues. You can go online and look for someone certified to help you. They can even do it over the phone. You can google Gary Craig, who is the founder of this technique. His website offers a lot of resources as well as a list of certified practitioners. It is easy to do and can be done by yourself once you learn the tapping points, but very helpful with a practitioner the first time. it pretty much changed my life 9 years ago for the better. Good luck with this journey!
Lynn,
This is TOTALLY me. THANK YOU for sharing and being so open.
I have been testing and in ketosis and slowly gaining or unable to lose for the last several months. There is some major stress, and I TOO have lost the mojo that felt even better than a lower number being on the scale. I just need that feeling back.
I have all good things happening in my life. Iโm in a good place, just need the other side to balance out. Your post was a good kick to me FINDING and FOCUSING on my happiness, my well being and continuing with consistency.
ONWARD!
First, thanks so much for this post, itโs really helped answer a few questions about my journey lately. Iโve been dealing with sadness for the last few months but kept on track with my eating (stopped going to the gym, though) and saw a stall then gains. This set up a vicious cycle of feeling even worse when I was doing everything right but still gaining weight. When I went on vacation I decided to just eat what I wanted, what I chose wasnโt crazy but definitely not keto, and I gained a few more pounds โ probably wouldโve been more if there wasnโt so much activity. The good thing was by the time I was home I was really looking forward to getting back to keto. Next week Iโm starting the gym again as that always helps me feel better and keeps my eating on track. Now that I know my sadness is likely influencing the scale Iโll be able to ride this out and keep keto; knowing my weight will likely go down again when my mood starts going up helps.
I hope the changes youโre making help with how youโre feeling and thanks again for the transparency!
How amazingly honest of you to share this with us! I will keep you in my prayers and do hope that nasty cloud stops following you around!
Lynn, what an awesome post!!! I have survived severe clinical depression so I can totally relate to what you are feeling. Good news is this funk you are in can be resolved though it may take some time so donโt get discouraged if you canโt โjust snap out of itโ like some people think you can if you suffer with depression. I hope all your test results come back totally normal and you can take the next step to feeling better.
Thank you for your message and truthfulness on what is happening with youโฆโฆI love reading the responses of your followers. As you know I have been following you since 2014 and I really started with the Jose Cruseโฆโฆ.the 100 grams of sugar way of eating which is basically a low carb diet, and I started it because of blood pressure and the stall of weight lossโฆโฆ..could not get my blood pressure under control even with meds, well it worked, I have always exercised as I use it for stress, I am a walkerโฆโฆโฆโฆ.NOW after reading all these comments and knowing your life habitsโฆโฆโฆWhen you had that burst of energy and were running thru the mountains of Tennโฆ..You were at your lowest weight and feeling pretty goodโฆโฆ..COULD YOU HAVE BEEN BITTEN BY A TIC,,,,,,and have lime decease โฆ.you have all the symptoms?????
I posted a comment but donโt see itโฆ..so a quick commentโฆโฆagain from me:
I have been following you since 2014 and lost my final weight with you, 21 pounds from 156 to 135, 21 pounds and have maintained it within 5 pounds, this morning I am weighing 137, I am usually within 3 pounds of weight. I have never been as strict with it as you, as I did it for my blood pressure about eliminating sugar and a little fruit onlyโฆwell anyway after reading the comments, when you were lowest weight you were running around the mountains of Tennโฆcould you have been bitten by a tic and have LIME decease You have all the symptoms?????
Hi Lynn,
Iโm sorry to hear you are feeling this way. Depression is an illness. It is a big part of why I am overweight and have never been able to lose my weight. I started my battle with depression in my early 30โs. Iโm 64 now and though Iโm much better, I still have my days. I had many panic attacks in the early days and was afraid to leave the house much. So I stayed home and I ate. And I started taking all the meds the doctors gave me for high blood pressure, high cholesterol and depression. And now I am paying the price for that. I have issues with my kidneys from all the meds over the years and I am prediabetic. And I canโt seem to get my blood pressure under control. Depression can take over your life, so do everything you can to fight it. You have been an inspiration and help to so many people. I hope that we can all somehow help you through this by letting you know you are not alone and we care about you. Sometimes just talking about it (like I did above) helps so much. So we are here for you. โค๏ธ
Oh Lynn, I feel ya on this so deeply. I hope you can figure out how to get your happiness back. Although Iโm โokโ I do not feel well either and some of it might be from life stresses, some might be from changing birth control because of awful complications with finding the right ones, some might just be the depression Iโve been trying to drink away for years. We just have to keep fighting and taking care of our health, like you said. I eat fantastically keto these days and I work out more than I ever have and I still struggle so many days w/ sadnessโฆdeep sadness that I canโt put my finger on really either. Working out helpsโฆbut the happiness that comes from it fades quickly. I am also fighting getting back on an antidepressant as Iโve been off of them for years and just take an โas neededโ anxiety pill. Just wanted to say my heart is with you and I understandโฆSending love and hugs. Iโll take some back my way too. Thank you for your honesty. I wish I knew who to be more honest w/ about all of this myself, so thank you for letting me have an outlet too.
128 becauseโฆ PMS.
I know thatโs lame excuse but itโs honest. I gained 3 lbs in a week. Pms seems to be where I continuously fail keto. I go strong 3 weeks a month and then it strikes. I canโt help but feel like a complete failure. Iโve definitely had more carbs than I wanted this past week. Your post recently about motivation couldnโt have come at a better time. I have been struggling to get back to my routine of walking daily and seeing that post and your quote where you said โstart where you areโ rang home to me and itโs helped me the last two days at least to be more motivated to start where I am instead of waiting for specific day or for the weather to be just perfect. I just have to do it. Hereโs to another week.
I hope you can find your happy place. I know itโs easier said than done. Iโve been down the road of anxiety/depression/lack of motivation and the weight gain associated with meds (Paxil). Even years later i still have issues with anxiety and bouts of unexplained sadness. Depression and anxiety isnโt a one size fits all diagnoses and itโs hard to work out what help you.
You are an amazing lady and I will never forget the kindness you showed me after my cancer diagnosis. You took the time to PM and offer youโre assistance with meal planning etc.
Thank you Lynn for always being honest and real with us. โค๏ธโ
Lynn,
So very sorry you are going through all of this. Depression is no joke. I too suffer w/bouts of depression, more so after my hysterectomy last year. (I am in my late 40โs) I would not rule out any type of medical help just based on your experience w/Lexapro, we all react differently to medication. Lexapro is one not to try again for sure but there is also a test you can take to determine what type of medications may work well w/your โbodyโ I took it, it is not cheap but I was able to narrow down some options. I am currently NOT taking anything and just taking it day by day but if I need to go back on something, I have a guide of what may work the best for me.
I also have been reading/listening to, โFeeling Good, The New Mood Therapyโ by David Burns. It has been helpful as well. No one form of treatment will work for everyone, we just have to have patience and trust things will work out.
Thank you for always being so forthcoming with your experiences. Social media can paint a โperfectโ picture of people but in reality, we all have struggled.
Hugs
Aww thank you for sharing that. Most people dont like to admit when they are sad or depressed. You are awesome for even recognizing that. Last time I was not so happy, i went into a food spiral. (It IS possible to eat an entire dozen of Krispy Kreme donuts. Not my proudest moment). I found exercise made me feel better. Getting the motivation to get out there was the toughest part, but slowly but surely I did and zumbaโd my butt off! I love it and it makes me happy.
If it at all help, just know your posts and comments, thoughts and experiences about food has really helped me change the way I eat. You are treasuredโฆat least by me ๐
I wonder how much of this widespread overwhelm, sadness, weight gain, etc is related to the current political climate in our country? Hmmm.
I too have gained about 10 pounds without explanation. My dad died last August and I got caught up in the whirlwind of having to sell his house and do the estate stuff. Then in October my city was decimated with those horrific wildfires, where we were evacuated for nine days, not knowing if weโd have a house to return to. Then the regular holiday stressโฆ
I started a strict Keto plan in January, despite being LCHF for many years. The group I joined was pushing more and more high fat foods, which felt contrary to what I know for my body.
So here I am, back to one of my highest-ever weights. Just started DDPY yoga, and adding in hikes at a nearby lake, all in the hopes that Iโll get my metabolism a bit of a boost. Back to LCHF and trying to pay attention to hunger levels, emotional triggers, and more.
I appreciate your honesty so much, Lynn, as well as those whoโve shared here!
Iโve so been there. โฅ๏ธ I definitely donโt have the perfect answer for the weight part but the emotional part I have some thoughts that have helped me. Sometimes when we have a hurt we accidentally start to believe false truths about ourselves, others, (and God even). So often it manifests in our behaviors and then we attack our behaviors or emotional responses with sheer will but they wonโt budge until we go back and evaluate what false truths (or lies) we had in our self talk during the painful time, and what the actual truths are. Change the lies to truths and then the behaviors and emotions will follow in most cases. Iโm a believer so I invite Jesus into the painful memory with my eyes closed and visualize asking him to help me see truths and where he was in it. Itโs amazing. But if thatโs not your position, maybe the other part can still lend a hand. โฅ๏ธ
Iโm right there with you โ I unfortunately went off Keto during the last 4 months after having much success. My mother passed away in May and I was her caregiver during the last 3 months of her life. Stress and grief got the best of me but Iโm getting back on track slowly. Sending you positive thoughts โค๏ธ
Sending hugs and feel good vibes to you!
Have you read about the effects of low carb diets on our ability to make serotonin?
Could it be an overgrowth of Candida? Iโve heard that can be a cause of a stall.
Hi Lynn โ
Just wanted to let you know how helpful your posts are. It sometimes seems social media and blogs are often over-curated, super-perfected versions of life and the person who posted them.
Your openness is really refreshing and as a 40-something woman working with the ups and downs I see on the scale, I really appreciate it.
How can I find out my macros? Please and thank you
Hi Michelle,
You want to do 20 net carbs max, 70% fat minimum and 25% protein max. If you focus on the 20/70, the protein pretty much takes care of itself. ๐
See this page: https://www.travelinglowcarb.com/7006/macronutrients/ for a simple explanation & illustration.