Hey ๐ Itโs been awhile! How are you? Iโd love to catch up, hear how youโre doing, and jump back into some great discussions together ๐ฌ about health & happiness and life goals.โฃ๏ธ
Iโve missed our chats!
I havenโt shared updates on the blog or sent an email in awhile because, well โ to be honest: itโs been a really hard year. I think Iโm finally ready to talk about it all. Especially what Iโve learned, whatโs working for me, and โhealth hacksโ Iโm testing that might be useful for others that are struggling with various issues too.
If you like the idea of a safe space to have some great talks with a fun community, sharing our goals and wins, getting MOTIVATED, working on health & happiness togetherโฆ I hope youโll rejoin me here โ even if youโre no longer eating low carb. ๐ And if you want to start back, or would like to drop a few pounds, Iโm definitely here to support you for that! ๐
What Do You MOST Need Right Now?
I think for me, now that Iโm more well again (Iโm getting there at least!) I really miss and most need our sense of community, and positive encouraging discussions. Iโd love to hear what you feel would ADD to your life right now, and talk about creative ways we can achieve ALL the things together. ๐
The last time we talked (earlier this year, months ago) my daughter had just come back home and was eating low carb with me, and losing weight right along with us! So much time has flown by since thenโฆ Iโve had a hard time figuring out where to start back.
Iโve also been very sick this year, so with hardly eating (and barely cooking) I didnโt really have many helpful food diaries or good recipes & meal ideas to share with you. Thatโs also why I havenโt hosted a low carb challenge this year (yet!!), because: zero energy. ๐ฅด
I think though, that a lot of the ways Iโve coped and the meals Iโve been eating, would have been really helpful โ if I had been up for writing. So we can definitely discuss those things too. ๐
As a super quick recap and catch-up, if youโve been reading along for awhileโฆ
Aaron left last winter, almost a year ago now, and I havenโt decided to date again. I got sick โ and have stayed sick, so working through a long recovery (still). My father passed away in December (you might remember I was taking care of him for awhile), my adult daughter came home and โwent ketoโ with me, Slim died in April (my senior dane and sidekick of 12 years) โฆ and I have since fostered and ultimately adopted Luna Rose โ a two year old female dane pup. On good days, Iโm teaching her to hike ๐ and we spend as much time outdoors together as possible. ๐ฅฐ
Iโve remained โconsistently ketoโ through it all, eating very low carb, with a big focus on nutrition and my overall health. I stay as active as I can, given the circumstances and health challenges, but even with both combined โ Iโve gained weight over the past year.
Post-viral syndrome has knocked my metabolic health totally out of whack. ๐คฆ
Iโd like to share what Iโm doing to correct that, or things Iโm testing at least. Plus how Iโm not just coping through it all, but actively working on JOY and overall mental health โ and on being the HAPPIEST healthiest version of myself, no matter what the day brings.
(thriving vs just surviving!)
Hopefully some of those points interest you? That plus new meal ideas, low carb grocery finds Iโve been loving lately (like: bread cheese!!), weight loss motivation, and getting refocused on things that bring JOY and positivity.โฃ๏ธ
Iโll leave it there for now, and see where the discussion takes usโฆ
In closing, for now, Iโd like to ask:
How can I be of service to you? (I miss that!)
Whatโs going on in your life, what are your current challenges or struggles, and what do YOU most need right now as we get through the rest of this 2021 year?
I look forward to catching up!
Best,
Lynn Terry
aka @LowCarbTraveler
p.s. ChocZero released some brand new keto treats including coconut cream topping, blueberry & raspberry syrups. Plus their sugar free peanut butter cups on sale this week (still!). ๐ And if you havenโt tried them yet, their new Peanut Butter Chips are *AMAZING*. On top of the sale & bundle discounts, you can add my coupon code at checkout to save even more anytime you place an order at ChocZero: ๐ฒ Use discount code TRAVELINGLOWCARB at ChocZero.com
ย
Discount Code: LOWCARBTRAVELER
ย
I am so glad you are feeling better and hopefully you will be back hiking and doing what you like to do soon. I would love to order some of the products but I am in British Columbia, Canada and I donโt think they ship here. Oh well, I would love to be kept up to date with your progress. Take care of yourself,
Mary
Hi Mary, thank you! ๐
You can get a lot of the same products on Netrition, all in one place: http://www.netrition.com/cgi/goto.cgi?aid=3558 but Iโm not sure if they ship to Canada โ or if they are right now, I mean.
There are Low Carb Grocery locations in Ontario and BC, at the bottom of this page:
https://www.thelowcarbgrocery.com
And another site:
https://www.lowcarbcanada.ca/collections/keto-products
How is Amazon shipping right now? I have two close girl friends near Vancouver and I havenโt thought to ask them if there are any issues with their usual packages lately. Iโm glad you asked!
I have been starting to hike more and more lately, just short hikes, but otherwise spending as much time outdoors as I possibly can, even if itโs just taking my float to the creek โ or sitting by the river with the pup. ๐ On GOOD days I get out to see my favorite waterfalls! Thank you again. I look forward to sharing some simple recipes and ideas, and getting back to our great discussions. ๐
oh Lynnโฆhoping you are on the mend. I have gained weight thru this entire time since last march myself. Just had an ear drum reconstruction surgery last month and not allowed to do anything but walk and last November sneezed so bad my sciatic nerve got messed up from allergies so more months of PT to help but walking then for a few months was tough. So have to get some of this weight off even from a few years ago of a big weight gain from anxiety med which I no longer take but 40 lbs is 40 lbs that has to go. I truly appreciate all of your help and suggestions. I am not one for the keto bars but willing to try other things for sure.
I totally get that. I have gained 20 pounds over the past year while sick, even with hardly eating. Interestingly the virus spiked my blood sugar, and continues to cause me bizarre metabolic health issues. But I am with you โ the weight has to go! Itโs awkwardly uncomfortable. ๐ So weโll do this!!
The good news is, I lost all my weight originally โ when I first started about 10 years ago โ JUST eating low carb. ZERO exercise (at all). Then I started exercising later when I got closer to my goal weight. But the body fat, I got rid of that just by getting and staying in ketosis and letting my body burn that off. So thatโs easy! ๐
Are you eating low carb already, or maybe looking to get back to that soon? I think a lot of us would enjoy a group year-end challenge to get back to feeling our best.
Hi Cris โ coming back around to ask: Howโs your sciatic nerve now? Thatโs such AWFUL pain. I suffered with that for years from a car accident and I wouldnโt wish it on anyone. :-/ I hope youโre fully recovered from the recent surgery too. I love to get out and walk, so hopefully with the weather cooling down and both of us feeling better, weโll be able to do that more this coming year than the last! xo
Iโm having horrible cramps in my legs! I take some supplements but still is bad. I must not be eating enough, so what can I do.
Hi Gwyn,
That can be caused by several things. The most common issues when eating very low carb are either: not enough salt, or too much water. Itโs also common with keto flu the first week or so, as getting into ketosis is a diuretic process. (youโll notice you pee a lot the day your body switches to fat burning aka ketosis!)
I donโt personally take any supplements. Which ones are you taking?
The quick fix is a hot mug of chicken broth. It replenishes your sodium and electrolytes quickly โ and itโs cheap! I like the original canned Campbellโs condensed broth mixed a little stronger than 1:1 with a pat of butter. Itโs very soothing in the evenings too. ๐
Are you drinking too much water by any chance? That can flush out your sodium and electrolytes, causing headaches and/or leg cramps.
Glad to see you are back and feeling better! I love your blog!
That made my day, Kristie โ thank you!! So great to hear from you. ๐ ๐ How are things on your end?
I have missed you! I hope you keep getting better every day. It sounds like it has been a very hard season for you and I am sorry. I too have gained weight and perimenopause has not been fun to deal with. I am glad you are back and look forward to more posts.
Thank you, Nichole. ๐ I am definitely getting better, itโs just been a super slow recovery โ but otherwise Iโm doing very well and super happy lately! Hopefully now that Iโm able to research & write again, we can work out some of the issues each of us are dealing with and explore solutions. ๐ Thank you again, I missed being here, and look forward to picking up where we left off!
Awe ,,,Iโm so sorry that you have been thru so much this past yr.So glad that you are back. Welcome Back! I canโt wait to get to know your new Dane she is beautiful.I am at a weight loss stall right now and trying to figure out how to get this 55 yr old metabolism in gear.Thanks for your posting. You are always inspiring.
Thank you, Vikki. ๐ Itโs great to see you here still! Any idea what is stalling your weight loss? There are so many potential culprits โ everything from stress to sleep quality to medications and underlying health issues. I always like to start with an elimination diet so I can get to the root of things and work up from there. I look forward to discussing some of those ideas for others going through this too! xo
I always enjoy your posts and consistently follow you on Facebook. I appreciate your honesty, and respect that youโve taken time to take care of yourself. The other moderators also give great advice, so your followers are well taken care of.
I have become a Perfect Keto convert. I eat a Perfect Keto keto bar for breakfast every day. I have your concoction of cream cheese + berries + pecans for lunch. I add collagen + protein into my 1st cup of coffee and coconut oil into my 2nd cup of coffee. I also cut way back on alcohol. As a result of all of this, Iโm now consistently losing for the first time in several months. As always, once you make the switch and stay consistent, it becomes easier to stay low carb.
Thanks for your guidance and inspiration. Take care!
Thatโs awesome, Stacie โ Iโm so glad to hear that!! Iโm always surprised how well their bars hold me over, especially compared to other โketoโ bars. I also like that they use collagen as the protein in those. ๐ Thank you too, that time of rest and recovery was so necessary, but Iโm really glad to be back and excited about slowly getting back to my life & work! xo
You have been such a source of inspiration over the past few years. I have saved your blogs that really spoke to me and when Iโm discouraged I read them again. I have gained 18 pounds since Covid began. I am working on getting those, plus more, off right now. I eat very low carb and really struggle with finding vegetables I like to eat some days. Itโs been a hard year, but when I find myself wanting to whine I think of the year you have had and I count my blessings instead!
Itโs totally okay to whine sometimes. ๐ I try to allow myself the space for grief and other feelings, but then: feel them, and get back to focusing on the present โ and on gratitude. It sounds like youโre doing a great job of that!
I had a smile becauseโฆ I also go back and read some of those stories, and feel inspired and encouraged, too. ๐ lol โ and I wrote them! haha
Thank you so much for the kind words. Oh โ and you donโt HAVE to eat vegetables, or ANYthing you donโt like! I did totally fine just eating meat, eggs & avocado there for awhile when I was doing an elimination diet (for gut health issues) and actually felt better, had more energy, and got leaner than I ever had. Just pick the things you DO like with a focus on the simplest healthiest foods (anything thatโs plain real food) and make up your own menu to meet your macros!
Or is there a reason youโre trying to force the vegetables or eat more of those? If itโs a certain reason, maybe we can look at other sources/options. Iโm all about โeating happyโ and finding the right swaps!
Iโm so glad you are feeling better. Iโm really struggling with depression and loosing my Mom last year. Iโve gained some weight back and canโt seem to get started again. I canโt remember how I started last time or what I ate. It worked so well. Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thatโs really hard, Cindy. ๐ Iโm so sorry. Grief is tough and itโs terrible, but itโs also necessary. I had a lot of losses too so I get it, and understand. xo
When youโre ready, I keep it really simple: just eat 20 net carbs a day max. Thatโs the best way to start (simple & easy). Things like meat & greens, eggs, nuts, cheese. I started out using the Atkins website, and the food list for Atkins Phase One (now called Atkins20) โ that was very helpful while I figured out how to count carbs.
Let me know if you have any questions. Iโm happy to help!
So happy to hear from you again. Iโve left FACEBOOK completely, so I donโt follow anyone there any more. 2020 was a terrible year. Hope you are feeling better.
I canโt blame you โ itโs not a very happy/fun place most days. ๐ Iโve pretty much avoided the main content stream there and focus just on our community at my Facebook Page and Group โ which fortunately has stayed friendly & fun. Iโm grateful for that โ we truly do have a great community!
Thank you. And I can relate. I did pretty good through 2020, until there at the end. Ack! I am feeling better, not 100% well yetโฆ but Iโm working on it. ๐ Iโm happy to hear from you as well! xo