Brewer5: A Fresh Start

[kirkor]

Well, I suppose it had to happen sooner or later: I tore my pants while doing squats.

And this was a FULL rip --- from "down there" all the way to my belt line!

[ladyshanny]

Well, I suppose it had to happen sooner or later: I tore my pants while doing squats.

And this was a FULL rip --- from "down there" all the way to my belt line!

Why were you doing squats in khakis?

[kirkor]

Welllll I was trying to practice the mindset of getting past all those little barriers that crop up re: going to the gym ... wrong clothes, bad weather, traffic, not feeling 100%, etc.

So today I learned that some of those objections have merit!

[Brewer5]

kirkor, so sorry to hear of your assident...  but thanks so much for sharing!  

[SimpleNotEasy]

Oh wow. Lol. Were you at work? 

[kirkor]

Hehe no I changed my shirt before going to the gym but not my pants.

[Kmlynne]

Headed to the gym myself tonight - too cold to walk outside in the dark.   Finish 16000 steps today - and Brewer is still 5000 steps ahead of me this week.  Meh. 

 

 

(No split pants for me, but the running pants that I pulled out of the drawer have gotten quite loose.....  they kept sliding down....  not too much of a problem, except they were taking the underwear with them......  - no picture of that thank goodness!)

[Brewer5]

Aw, come on, Karen -- where is your gym picture spirit?   

[thegoldengrahamgirl]

I get a kick out of the low volume aspect of LCHF eating --- it's like the food is more efficient!Less to cook, less to chew, less dishes to wash.

 

I'm so glad that I finally tuned in and started reading this lovely not-so-little thread. I should have started multi-quoting st least 10 pages ago, but I would have had a ridiculous number of quotes and way too much for my iPad to handle. I'm so curious about ketogenic eating. I'm at that fork in the road, but I'm not quite at the "want it" stage yet (like it's much easier to quit smoking when you actually want to quit smoking). I just had ten months of weighing, measuring, tracking and counting food in MFP and it was crazy-making and I had major anxiet and deprivation. Mind you, most of that probably came from my 30-50g max grams of fat for an entire day, with some days <20g. No wonder my brain was screaming at me and I would end up bingeing on nut butters or coconut butter. I'm just afraid that I'll get obsessed and compulsive about tracking again, although I'm reassured to hear that I might only need to do it for a few weeks before hitting my groove.

I'm also worried because I am a notorious volume eater and I still don't trust eating to metabolic cues. Mind you, today was a banner day: I was still hungry after lunch so I opened a packet of coconut butter and did not eat the whole thing (first time ever I have NOT finished a pack). I just ate what I felt I needed and carried on. I also had a long internal debate about a square of 85% dark chocolate and herbal tea after dinner. I finally decided to go for it. I took two squares out of the package but realized I was satisfied with just one and PUT THE OTHER SQUARE AWAY. No eating it just because I had already "committed" to two. A small version of forgetting to eat dessert. Very liberating because i *could* have had it but I CHOSE not to.

So far I've been thinking about fitting keto to my lifting lifestyle vs. the other way around that you came to, Brewer. There IS appeal in dropping some of the muscle mass I've put on but I'm so competitive with the guys I work out with that I hate sacrificing strength. My own balance to work out.

Final nail in the coffin holding me back is an upcoming family vacation to Guam. I'm cool with sticking to Paleo-esque eating there but don't want to miss out on local fruits and specialty items. Especially since I don't have any monitoring equipment of any kind yet. Maybe something to explore in a month or two.

Oh, and I watched the Ted talk. Of course no one wants to tell people how to reverse diabetes throu LCHF; there's no money to be made from healthy people. The insulin/insulin pump/blood sugar monitoring industry would never stand for it. There's probably a cure for cancer, too, but more money to be made off of cancer treatments.

 

I'm laughing out loud at the exchanges on here...

 

Kirkor - coconut butter is THE BEST THING EVER.  It is a nut butter - so use it like you would other nut butters, not on salami salad  I don't think it will work in a blender, but I might be wrong.  Even my old crappy food processor couldn't do it.  My fancy-shmancy-wedding-registry food processor does it perfectly.  Now, with that in mind, if you find yourself with an extra $15 around... the Nutiva coconut manna is somehow better than all the other brands and my homemade stuff.

 

Brewer - glad you like the wings.  We keep planning on making them but wings are so expensive around here  Every once in a while I get luck at the co-op and they mark down the pastured stuff because it is at its sell by date - that is when I stock up.  

 

I was listening to a bulletproof podcast the other day and the founder guy was saying that his MCT oil is better than the rest... per him (maybe mumbo jumbo) there are 4 MCTs C-6, C-4... etc.  Two of them are supposed to be the ones that cause GI distress.  So *his* oil doesn't have any of that chain length triglycerides in it.  I was wondering what kind you got since you'd mentioned it before.  But I see it is the NOW brand.  I can only buy a 32 oz jar of it so I've been holding out.

[thegoldengrahamgirl]

Oops meant to post more: Brewer, those coconut butter shots were serious food porn. I was salivating. I've used "helper" oil making certain nut butters with the "drier" nuts like hazelnuts.  (Roasted macadamia nuts with a little bit of sea salt make a GORGEOUS nut butter - no help needed!).  And technically it's a drupe butter, not a nut butter  ! And a sweet-tasting one at that.  Fabulous on roasted squash, if you ever have enough carbs (plus the desire) to "splurge" on that.  I agree on the superiority of the Nutiva brand. For my own safety, I have to buy the individual packets from Artisana instead.

I want in on the 2016 in 2016 challenge. I guess I PM Brewer? I've got a lots of catching up to do ("Lucy, you've got some 'splainin' to do!").

Cheers,

-Lauren (GGG)

[SimpleNotEasy]

Hehe no I changed my shirt before going to the gym but not my pants.

Thank goodness! Did you wrap yourself in a towel to walk out to your car? 

 

Headed to the gym myself tonight - too cold to walk outside in the dark.   Finish 16000 steps today - and Brewer is still 5000 steps ahead of me this week.  Meh. 

 

 

(No split pants for me, but the running pants that I pulled out of the drawer have gotten quite loose.....  they kept sliding down....  not too much of a problem, except they were taking the underwear with them......  - no picture of that thank goodness!)

Good job on getting 16,000 steps, Karen! That is a lot.

 

Funny about the loose pants.

 

Yay, Lauren! Glad you want to join us on the 2016 miles in 2016! My husband and I are doing it, too. If you have a Fitbit, we can become friends on there to keep up with one another. If you are a runner, you will have NO trouble catching up. Since I am only walking (I did do one marathon back in 2006 using the Galloway run-walk method, but I don't run anymore), I have to stay on top of it daily bc getting more than about 7 miles in a day is pretty challenging - you probably saw us posting that 5.5 miles/day is what we need to average. And surely there will be some days in the year ahead where I have a tough time getting the 5.5. But so far, so good. 

[kirkor]

So far I've been thinking about fitting keto to my lifting lifestyle vs. the other way around that you came to, Brewer. There IS appeal in dropping some of the muscle mass I've put on but I'm so competitive with the guys I work out with that I hate sacrificing strength. My own balance to work out.

 

I might be missing some context here, but are you concerned that keto will affect your mass and/or strength?

[Brewer5]

I might be missing some context here, but are you concerned that keto will affect your mass and/or strength?

 

Right.  I think we need to have a conversation about this, here.  Because I haven't lifted for 2+ months, and....  damn, I'm pretty happy with how well I've maintained.   Some days I look in the mirror and can't quite believe it... because I used to think (well, long ago) that if I wasn't constantly busting my ass in the gym -- what? it was all going to magically disappear?     ha, not happening.  It just isn't, with keto.  This is part of why I haven't felt a desperate need to get back out there and lift just yet.

 

Two differences that I most certainly noticed on my other two 30-day stretches of keto:

 

1)  I did have to decrease volume.  I think that's a given, especially when not doing re-feeds of any sort.

 

2)  Muscles do look more "flat" when they are not full of glycogen.

 

kirkor can weigh in with his experience, but this was mine -- twice -- and I think it's reasonable for women to expect that things ARE different when lifting on keto.  At least in the beginning.  

 

THIS is my longest keto stretch ever (8 weeks so far) and what I mean is ~ I am going to see how lifting goes when I ease back into it... pay attention to my body, and adjust accordingly.

 

I've already been down the road of pushing myself too hard.  I can see the repercussions of that pretty clearly now, and I think I'm over it.  

 

So I will be fitting lifting into my keto lifestyle, not the other way around -- which is what Lauren is talking about doing, and I know many try to do.  My point is just that sometimes we have to let go of some (arbitrary) goals, in order to achieve others.

 

And I may have commented that I am fitting into smaller jeans, and happy about that.  That is true.  I made peace with what I had for quite awhile ~ because my GOAL was gaining muscle ~ but I am enjoying this new version, also.  That may be where the "loss of mass" comment came from.  I'm sure I have lost some muscle, since I haven't been working it like I used to -- but I've also lost fat.  The muffin-top area don't lie.  

[Brewer5]

Lauren ~ welcome!  

 

A few thoughts:

 

The coconut manna just does not have the same effect on me that it does for some other folks -- although I could see it may have been a problem, in the past, when -- as you say -- my body was probably screaming at me for FAT and I did. not. understand. its. message.  I made that batch several days ago, and I have literally had three spoonfuls, on three different days (and no, I don't mean the largest spoon in my drawer, and no, I don't mean as much as I can possibly fit on it.)  

 

In fact, the whole idea of "food porn" made me sort of pause ...  Because I realized that I did not even remotely have that in my mind when I posted the pics -- it was simply a "how-to" for Jess -- and also, that I just don't feel that way about food anymore.  I can't tell you how many magazines I got this year for cookies, baked goods, popcorn, all the usual holiday crap -- and they didn't even get a first glance, let alone a second glance.

 

I know you ladies have been working on getting off the recipe sites, etc. -- and I think that is a good idea.  I have no interest, but I can't imagine having these pictures shoved in my face every day while I was still struggling.  That would be no help, whatsoever.

 

I also wanted to tell you that if you ever find yourself going back to IIFYM ... with the obsessive counting, weighing, measuring -- it's wrong.  It just is.  There is nothing natural about it.  I have been there with the back and forth, back and forth, and I can tell you that I always ended up back HERE for a reason.  It's what makes sense.  I know there are a lot of folks out there who are doing it -- I know, I know.  I've been to bodybuilding.com and many others.  Just because a bunch of people are doing something does not make it right -- and most certainly does not mean it is right for you.

 

From what I can tell, you've made A TON of mental and emotional progress since you've come here.  Don't ever discount that.  It is more important than any short-term goals you have for what you want to see in the mirror.  Your little moments with the coconut butter and the dark chocolate -- these are good signs.  Great signs.  I hope you'll stick around and not get distracted by everything "shiny and new" along your journey (like I did.)  

[Brewer5]

Lauren, a couple more thoughts:

 

Re: cancer.  I don't know if you saw any of my posts on the new book I've been reading:

 

Tripping Over the Truth: The Return of the Metabolic Theory of Cancer Illuminates a New and Hopeful Path to a Cure

 

http://smile.amazon.com/Tripping-Over-Truth-Metabolic-Illuminates/dp/1500600318/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

 

It's all about using a ketogenic diet in conjunction with other treatments for cancer, and it is PROMISING.  Very, very interesting stuff..... and the cancer research is actually what initially brought my attention to keto.  I've had abnormal pap smears for a couple of years now, with no explanation.  I had a lot of anxiety about it (in the past) and did a lot of research.  I even emailed back and forth with Thomas Seyfried himself -- one of the leaders in this new area of research and author of the HUGE, huge book that I would love to read but has been way too expensive:

 

 

Cancer as a Metabolic Disease: On the Origin, Management, and Prevention of Cancer

 

http://smile.amazon.com/Cancer-Metabolic-Disease-Management-Prevention/dp/0470584920/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1452102485&sr=1-1&keywords=thomas+seyfried

 

Ready for the bottom line?

 

Cancer cells cannot use ketones like regular, healthy cells can.

[Brewer5]

Lauren ~ if you want to send a PM to me, Karen, and Sara, with your fitbit email address, we can add you as a fitbit friend.  So far it's just us (and Sara's husband who does not have a fitbit... well, and my husband who has a different step counter through a work program -- but he's in).  

 

Poor Jess is SICK ~ plus she cannot find her fitbit!  She may join in late, if we really bug her about it.  haha  Just kidding, Jess.  Just feel better!

[Kmlynne]

Lauren - feel free to PM me about being fitbit friends

[SimpleNotEasy]

Cancer cells cannot use ketones like regular, healthy cells can.

 wow!

[JessRN]

Alright, my friends.  As my beloved friend Brewer pointed out, I'm sick as all hell.  But the cheese is gone, and the butter will keep for a month.  So commences the 30 day diary-free keto experiment!  Breakfast was.... not breakfast.  All I could muster was an ounce of nitrate free organic salami and a sparkling water LOL.  But now the Dayquil has kicked in somewhat, and I was able to cobble together an acceptable lunch.  It's not too different than a meal I eat most days around here.  But the butter on the veggies is now ghee, and the creamer in my tea is coconut milk.  Which, btw, will take some getting used to for me LOL.  All that aside, here is my meal.  And no, the deviled eggs weren't made with home made mayo as I planned, since the UPS man thought it fitting to not deliver my immersion blender yesterday as promised  So I used Trader Joe's real mayonnaise, which is *almost* compliant except for that whole pesky canola oil bit.  At least there's no sugar!  

[Brewer5]

Hey ~ looks good! And you're feeling good enough to post. That's a good sign!

[JessRN]

Thanks, girl!  I woke up with a TERRIBLE headache, but medicine is helping with that.  I honestly think my low-inflammation diet is really helping me, since I almost ALWAYS end up with a sinus infection after a virus.  No signs of one yet!  

 

[JessRN]

In other news, I heard back from Ketonix Corporate.  Their refund policy is extremely strict.  Also, they will not refund your shipping costs, and you must pay to ship the unit back to them, and when they receive it they have the option to say your packaging was inadequate and reject your refund.  Well, turns out they box got thrown away Christmas morning with the rest of the trash, so it looks like I'm stuck with this thing.  

[JessRN]

Update from Ketonix Corporate:
They had agreed to take the unit back without the original box.  However, they wanted to know what the issue was with it.  I detailed all my issues with the unit, and they wrote back that they would consult their "colleagues in Sweden"regarding my unit.  So, that's interesting.  Maybe mine really is broken hahaha.  I'd rather that be the truth than product itself be crappy.  So I will let you guys know what they say.  

[kirkor]

That's cool they are going to work with you! Did you see earlier where I linked to the other threads? Maybe if you end up not keeping it you can try one of the ebay alcohol meters at some point.

[thegoldengrahamgirl]

I might be missing some context here, but are you concerned that keto will affect your mass and/or strength?

I am concerned that keto will affect my strength.  I'd be okay if I dropped some mass (lean muscle mass I'll part with grudgingly because along with it goes strength and it was hard-earned; body fat I'll happily say goodbye to.  And I realize the muscle-sparing effects of a keto diet, so I won't necessarily be losing as much muscle mass as on a "conventional diet."). 

 

 

Lauren ~ welcome!  

 

A few thoughts:

 

The coconut manna just does not have the same effect on me that it does for some other folks -- although I could see it may have been a problem, in the past, when -- as you say -- my body was probably screaming at me for FAT and I did. not. understand. its. message.  I made that batch several days ago, and I have literally had three spoonfuls, on three different days (and no, I don't mean the largest spoon in my drawer, and no, I don't mean as much as I can possibly fit on it.)  

 

In fact, the whole idea of "food porn" made me sort of pause ...  Because I realized that I did not even remotely have that in my mind when I posted the pics -- it was simply a "how-to" for Jess -- and also, that I just don't feel that way about food anymore.  I can't tell you how many magazines I got this year for cookies, baked goods, popcorn, all the usual holiday crap -- and they didn't even get a first glance, let alone a second glance.

 

I know you ladies have been working on getting off the recipe sites, etc. -- and I think that is a good idea.  I have no interest, but I can't imagine having these pictures shoved in my face every day while I was still struggling.  That would be no help, whatsoever.

 

I also wanted to tell you that if you ever find yourself going back to IIFYM ... with the obsessive counting, weighing, measuring -- it's wrong.  It just is.  There is nothing natural about it.  I have been there with the back and forth, back and forth, and I can tell you that I always ended up back HERE for a reason.  It's what makes sense.  I know there are a lot of folks out there who are doing it -- I know, I know.  I've been to bodybuilding.com and many others.  Just because a bunch of people are doing something does not make it right -- and most certainly does not mean it is right for you.

 

From what I can tell, you've made A TON of mental and emotional progress since you've come here.  Don't ever discount that.  It is more important than any short-term goals you have for what you want to see in the mirror.  Your little moments with the coconut butter and the dark chocolate -- these are good signs.  Great signs.  I hope you'll stick around and not get distracted by everything "shiny and new" along your journey (like I did.)  

Thanks, Brewer!  I was actually just kidding about the coconut butter.  Those weren't super-sexy photos.  I'm just very, VERY fond of the stuff (which is why eating half a packet because that's all I NEEDED - vs. WANTED - was so great).  I'm sure that soon need and want are going to get even closer together.

 

Yes, I know the obsessive counting, weighing and measuring is not natural and is particularly dangerous territory for me.  That's my hesitation around keto.  I think I'd have to do some "obsessive" tracking for the first few weeks to actually achieve ketosis (or ketogenesis - sorry if I'm getting the lingo mixed up; I'm new to this).  You know what I mean.  What YOU guys have, but my own version, lol!

 

Thanks so much for helping me not fear the fat.  It's SO great.  Today is oat reintro day (per my random, slow structured reintroductions) and I had a half serving (1/4 cup) of oatmeal with a few tbsp. of coconut cream and sea salt (plus three eggs and mixed green salad with EVOO & balsamic; I'm still pretty much Whole30-template although I realize protein will need to come down some for keto).  It was delicious and I was worried what the carbs were going to do to me, but I just enjoyed them and moved on.  Feeling steady-eddy all morning.

 

Thanks!  I'll pm you guys about the FitBit.  I'm going to have to start running/walking in earnest to catch up!

 

Cheers,

 

-Lauren (GGG)