Third Times a Charm?

I started this blog, facebook, instagram, twitter over a year ago.  At the time, I thought I was so gung-ho that there was no way I would go back to eating carbs.  I lasted a month.  It was a camping trip that did me in, with intentions of just eating carbs while camping and going back to keto immediately afterwards.  My two days of eating carbs turned into weeks, turned into months, turned into a year.  I regretted having the carbs while camping and let carbs take over my life again.  This was the second time I had lasted a month and 'fell off the wagon.'

I would often think fondly about doing keto, but convinced myself that it wasn't the time.  To me, I didn't look like I weighed around 225 pounds and wore size 18.  So, it wasn't vanity that was pushing me.  Have you ever heard about finding your why? You know, WHY you are committing to the keto WOE?  Finding my WHY was easy.  I've had high blood pressure since having my youngest daughter by emergency c-section more than 11 years ago; plus, diabetes runs in my family.  My why has been the same since first hearing about the ketogenic diet.   

I started keto again on May 20th of this year, the day after my son's 14th birthday.  This time I chose to not weigh myself before hand (a decision I now regret.)  I have my measurements from last year when I had convinced myself that I wouldn't quit, so that's helpful for documentation of my progress.  I also still use the higistation at a local store, so that keeps track of my weight, BMI, body fat, and blood pressure from when I very first used it in 2014.

I'm not really sure why this time is so different for me.  It's my third real effort.  The first time I suddenly started on New Years because my husband was doing it- no planning- just dove right in.  I kept thinking about what I was missing out on eating.  It didn't work for me.  The second time I made sure to eat everything I knew I would crave before starting, so as to not sabotage myself.  This time I planned to start on the 20th and kept it basic.  I started with dirty/lazy keto- and am still using that method.  Because I've done a keto workshop I feel like I can judge pretty well what I'm eating.

In the past I would be hard on myself and last the month in order to reward myself with a cheat day.  This time I don't have that mentality.  If I eat carbs, its okay.  It doesn't ruin everything.  I'm not thinking 'I'm having a cheat DAY-I need to eat all the carbs.'  I just get right back to it the next day.  I'm coming up to three months.  Have I eaten things I shouldn't?  Yes.  Do I let it ruin my week or month?  Nope.  It's actually a very liberating way to think about it.

I haven't set any goals, aside from getting off of my blood pressure medication.  However, last week I made it to 'onderland'- which is something that I felt would never happen.  I'm also intermittent fasting- my feed window is about seven hours.  I will write about that in the next post.

If you have questions or comments please feel free to leave them.  I will respond and help in any way I can.

Ketofied Foods & A Little About Me

I know some die hard keto people frown on sweets.  They think that if you have a 'ketofied' food that it is a gateway to cheating and eating the foods that may have gotten you into trouble in the first place.  I don't agree.  I think that if you make smart choices and have your keto desserts within your macros on an occasional basis they can actually be useful at keeping you on track.

The thing is, you know yourself.  If you can't eat a quarter cup of pecans and then stop, it probably isn't the best call to eat those types of things.  Personally, I can measure out that amount and stick to it.  I know someone that has a count for how many days she has been without pecans.  You don't want to set yourself up for failure.

The last time I started keto (before this time) I did a very strict version.  I weighed everything I put into my mouth.  I didn't have anything sweet, no snacks-just my three meals.  I took my supplements and drank my sole.  I'm pretty sure I drove my husband nuts.  He was doing keto too, but his was the dirty/lazy version.  But, I stuck to it for an entire month.  Did I have days where I messed up?  Yes.  My mess ups were going over on fat though, not carbs.  It was really eye opening how much fat is in ground beef - I learned the hard way.

Right now I am doing dirty keto with my husband simply because I just don't have the time to weigh everything.  I try not to beat myself up for that because I know I'm not going over on my carbs and that my carbs are mostly vegetables.  I do still take my potassium and magnesium supplements and drink Mio so I can keep my electrolytes in check-that is very important; no matter which type of keto you are doing.  Once things calm down for a bit I'd like to go back to the more strict version.

We just started on Memorial Day (again) and I already notice a change in my body.  This is maybe the fourth time I've started.  Usually I have this big lead up-telling myself "I need to eat this, that and the other before I can start" or "I need to start on the 1st of the month."  But, this time my husband made me bacon and eggs for breakfast and I just said "okay we are keto again."  That was that.

The scale never moves much for me.  I've lost a few pounds, but the most remarkable thing so far this time is that I've had a normal blood pressure reading for the first time in years.  I have been on medication for more than 10 years, since having my youngest daughter by emergency c-section and it is always still a bit high.  So, I take that as a win; and hope that soon I get to go off of my medication for good.

As a side note--This post started out about cake.  I just baked a keto cake tonight and wanted to share the recipe and how it turned out.  I will do that post later this week.

Why did you start your keto journey?  What do you struggle with?  Are you doing strict or dirty/lazy keto?