I’m feeling a bit down today. I was just reading back over last week’s low carb diary and love how positive and patient I’ve been through this whole ordeal, being basically handicapped for the past year. I really appreciate those of you that have stuck this out with me too… a lot. 💕
What to do when you’re having a bad day…
I’ll share some food pictures & updates with you too (below) but I thought this was a good topic for us to discuss, given how common it is to “stress eat” or turn to food when you’re having a bad day. Not that it ever makes anything better, which took me a long time to learn. 🤪
These are just some random thoughts, in no particular order, but I hope you find them helpful…
Realize that it’s JUST a tough morning, or a hard day – not a bad life. It’s easy to let your mind spiral down a rabbit hole. Reel it back in!
Go back to bed. 🙂 I personally think that’s a perfectly acceptable response to a sh*t day!
Remind yourself what’s GOOD and focus on the things you’re grateful for in your life.
I do try to focus on the good points, and remind myself anything hard or bad usually passes pretty quick, or does pass eventually, or get easier at least. But it’s not about forced “positive thinking” or trying to resist negative thoughts. But rather…
Accept what is, then decide how to respond to it and/or what to do about it.
Not everything can be “fixed.” Sometimes you just wake up in a funk and it’s a matter of getting through the day or working through a mood. I tend to go on autopilot: just do the things, or do nothing, and ride it out.
Mindless tasks help like dishes, laundry, cleaning out a drawer or closet, or at work: switching to bookkeeping or data entry vs creative work.
Better yet, find something to do that makes you HAPPY or warms your soul!
I can’t really do much today, but I did take my big goofy dog for a short ride in the car with the windows down for some fresh air, just a couple of miles and down by the dam to look at the river and enjoy the sound of water for a few minutes. 🥰
Or often I’ll pop online, and find someone else to support or encourage. It only takes a few minutes and I can do that on my phone from anywhere.
There is always someone out there having an even harder day than you (or me), and I find that always helps me put things in perspective. ✅ Plus the act of doing or saying something kind is a great way to take the focus off yourself and your own thoughts or issues.
If it’s something that REALLY has me wound up or bothered, journaling is my go-to. One of my favorite journal prompts is the “Worse Case Scenario” – because it’s never as bad as it seems in your head. Or if it is, just putting it on the paper or screen in front of you is a really great way to sort it out.
There’s nothing new or terrible going on in my life, by the way. Just the usual. I’m currently on day 8 of covid, on top of still managing Long Covid Dysautonomia from having it in 2020. I’m doing pretty okay all things considered – just wiped out, and sick of being sick. 🙃
That snack plate ^ looks great, doesn’t it?
I haven’t had much of an appetite this week, but that picture from a catered event a few years ago crossed my screen the other day – and I’ve been craving it ever since. 😋 I love finger foods!
On that plate: fresh berries, brie, sliced ham, various cheeses, green olives, sliced cucumbers and raw zucchini sticks. 🍓🧀
I lost my sense of smell yesterday, or maybe the day before. I’m not quite sure exactly when that happened actually. I can still taste, but just barely. Not a big deal really, but I will say… bacon is kind of an odd food if you can’t taste it or smell it. 🤔
That’s what I had yesterday: bacon & eggs. 🍳🥓
Otherwise I’ve just sort of been snacking here and there, or having a protein bar if I feel a little hungry (or need to take meds).
Truth: I mostly just picked out the salty pecans. Those are my favorite. 🙃
Ooh – I had a Pineapple Pork Stick the other day too. 🍍 Those are SO good. And I ate that before I lost taste & smell, lol – yum! If you haven’t tried Roam Sticks from Singing Pastures, I highly recommend those! (and I don’t even like meat sticks usually)
Hmm, the other night I had chicken thighs with roasted broccoli:
I feel like I’m missing a day, but I’m fading fast. I really haven’t been eating that much so far this week. I did eat half a protein bar earlier today, and had the full plate of bacon & eggs yesterday.
I’m thinking tonight I’ll have fried smoked sausage with steamed broccoli, or maybe grilled chicken with roasted broccoli. I’m still trying to work up an appetite. 😉
I’m resting a lot, drinking plenty of water, a bite here and there of easy or salty things, having my usual collagen coffee every morning still – and also adding in electrolytes.
Speaking of, I really love adding that Perfect Keto black cherry electrolyte powder to the BodyArmor Lyte watermelon or tropical coconut – then pouring it over crushed ice. 🍉🍒
That’s SO good together!
The crushed ice melts quick, but if it’s too strong I just add a dash of cold water.
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That’s ^ where I get my unflavored collagen powder too, and the protein bars I use.
I have plenty of things here to snack on, make or cook. I just feel rotten, zero energy, and honestly don’t feel like eating much. So my apologies for not having some better examples to show you this week. 😉
I have bone broth, that’s easy enough to warm up and sip on. I have 4 farm eggs left too, and that smoked sausage – which would go great together. And I have lots of salty/crunchy things I can snack on for a “quick fix” out of my recent Keto Krate boxes:
That was the July box. Did you get that one?
I haven’t opened my August box yet, but I can do that and show you what’s in it if you’re interested?
This link will take you to their best deal: Get 25% off the August Keto Krate. Right now it’s $10 off your first box plus a free guide with a 7-day Keto Meal Plan included.
Oh – and I had a plain ribeye one night!
How are things going with you?
I mostly just wanted to reach out and say HI! 👋 and share what was on my mind as I navigated the funk I woke up in this morning – figuring it might just be helpful for someone else out there… too. 😉 xo
I look forward to getting through this “flu” (I’m SO over it, grr!) and back to doing daily food diaries like I used to do – once I’m eating like a normal person again. 🤣
Here’s a recent one for example:
One Week Keto Food Diary (And What I Would Change)
I’m at least keeping it sugar free and very low carb. 💁♀️
If I had my way about it, I’d prefer to just have a fried egg and hamburger patty or a good plain ribeye every night, but I’m too sick to care (or cook) – and just using up what I have on hand already. I don’t even feel like doing a grocery pickup. Although that’s going to have to happen soon, because I’m out of ranch dressing now – lol…
Best,
Lynn Terry
aka @LowCarbTraveler
Discount Code: LOWCARBTRAVELER
Hi, Lynn! I’m very sorry you’re still having so many health issues. My prayers continue for your healing.
Thanks for this post. I’ve been having an especially emotional time lately and have slipped back into my old snacking in the evening and eating more than I need to satisfy real body hunger habits. My weight has remained stable luckily (70 lb. loss maintained 7+ years), but I just don’t feel good or in control. Your post is so positive—you’re always so positive—and was just what I needed to hear.
I think of you often and am sending hugs. xo
Cindi
Thank you, Cindi 🙂 I appreciate your note, and the prayers & hugs! Kudos for maintaining your weight loss all those years. That’s inspiring, and I remember very well how GREAT that feels! I’m sorry to hear you’re going through a tough time right now too. Here’s hoping things shift soon, to a better phase.
I like to keep that in mind: “this too shall pass” – the poor man’s greatest hope, the rich man’s greatest fear (who said that??). It’s helpful when things are hard, but also good to remember when things are wonderful, as it makes me appreciate and enjoy the good times even more!
Back when I was first kicking the mindless snacking habit, I used “pattern interrupts” to make it easier. I rearranged my go-to stuff that I was used to grabbing, then when I reached for it and it wasn’t there – it gave me pause to decide if I *really* wanted it.
I moved the low carb ice cream to the downstairs freezer for example. Then it actually required effort to go get it, lol. And put away the sugar free chocolates instead of leaving them on the counter or table, etc. Just little things.
I also put a tall kitchen chair in the kitchen door too there for awhile. Ha, that works just fine if you live alone! 🙂 Anyway, if I went for a snack, I would stop there and do 10 tricep dips first. If I still wanted it after, I’d get it (but usually not).
That’s how I ended up getting pretty consistent with my little home workout actually! It turned into 20 tricep dips, then 30 – then 30 tricep dips + 30 donkey kicks and 30 glute bridges. I could do all of that in under 10 minutes, and it became “habit” during that usual time I got restless and started wandering through the house. 😉
I just want to thank you for this post this morning. It is just what I needed before I go into surgery in a couple of hours. (4th back surgery) You have been an inspiration to me, I started following you 6 yrs ago. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers! Thank you again
I love the simplicity of the tips you have shared here, Lynn! When we are having bad days, it’s easy to get emotional and lose hope. Simple things like doing house chores or something that doesn’t require much creativity are calming and grounding. Feeling grateful for what we have, the good days we have lived through and the ones to look forward to makes us see the big picture, not just parts of it.
Those snacks and meals look yummy by the way. I’ve just made myself some fried eggs and broccoli for breakfast/lunch. No bread for a change, and it feels good. I am going to keep cutting down on carbs.
Sending you love and wishes for a full recovery. 🙂
Hi Sweetheart, been following you since 2014 and thru you I achieved my goal and kept it up, now I watch the scale to see that I am not losing too much weight, but then I am much older than you and that’s what I appreciate about you as you have a old soul, God Bless You , and you will get through this as you are pushing through every day the best you can and I too find routine the best to keep moving. Be aware that friends are very important, so give them a call and check to see how they are doing, and pretty soon my dear after a phone call here and there, your spirits will be lifted.
Love you, Bonnie Whitworth Portland Oregon
“It’s helpful when things are hard, but also good to remember when things are wonderful, as it makes me appreciate and enjoy the good times even more!”
BOOOM! Spitting from insightful truth there. The bad doesn’t last forever, neither do the highs, so be happy and grateful where you are – in each moment, in each season, for it won’t last forever. There are lessons to learn in each season and good to also be found.
Much love to you, friend.
Nell
You have been thru so much..yet you post & try to help others!! I appreciate YOU & sending good thoughts & prayers your way!