Changes

Still need to check those days to know exactly where I’m at with both the diet and the year of change. I know I have lost weight and my body is changing for the better. I know have have been making positive changes and my life is improving.....but.....

I’ve been having moments of anxiety and sadness. 

I’ve been through two weeks of an emotional roller coaster with a sick cat. He’s now a week post surgery and doing well but the emotional upheaval goes on as he’s reached the, “I’m feeling better so I’m turning into bored, constantly crying and demanding grumpy cat” stage. 

I was feeling better about getting my disaster of a house fixed up because of a pact that my friend Ginny came up with where we take day about helping each other with our projects. It’s a genius idea because it not only gets those chores that take an extra pair of hands taken care of but also motivates me to move forward and get more done. 

Then I let some unkind remarks from someone, I hadn’t seen in forty plus years and barely knew then, steal my happy buzz. 

The day after that happened, I was sitting in my therapist’s waiting room and reading a magazine article on happiness. It said that we are programmed to hold onto those negative remarks because of our ancient ancestors’ need to be aware of danger. So, I decided then and there to forget the embarrassment and hurt I’d felt the day before because of hurtful remarks from a stranger and concentrate instead on kind and loving words from several friends in recent days. Those should hold far more importance. 

When I later talked to my therapist and told her of my week which had been emotionally exhausting but still contained many blessings, she told me that any change, any deviation from our usual schedule, good or bad, brings on stress and the sadness and anxiety I’m feeling had to do with that stress. So I’m hoping, I can get back on my schedule soon or at least create and adjust to a new schedule. I think I’m not built to handle too much excitement in my life. Lol

What a difference a month can make!

Hair uncombed and not a speck of makeup but can you tell how much my face has slimmed in just one month on this Keto diet? Really starting to love life again!

I hit one month on the Keto diet on Thanksgiving Day. I’ve lost fifteen pounds and eleven and a half inches. I’ve been worried about saggy skin at my age but so far, everything is firming up nicely. The physical changes are great but the increase in energy, drive and just plain old enthusiasm about life that I haven’t felt in over twenty years are the best benefits. If I’d realized how much my life would change with this diet, how much it would elevate my moods, I would have done this long ago. Despite the stress of this last week with my sweet kitty being so sick and the up and down emotional rollercoaster that ended with the final ultimatum of surgery or death, I am content and happy here today, spending a lazy Sunday morning snuggling with my Baby Bubs.

One Month

I’m back but I need to find my last dated post to see what day we’re on. I’m thinking today makes a month on the Keto diet. I need to add up the inches Lost but I can tell you, as of this morning, I’ve lost 14.6 pounds total this first month. Here’s a photo where you can see how much my face has slimmed. I’m beginning to see my cheekbones again! Please don’t judge, I’m wearing no makeup in the photo and I’m not certain I’ve even combed my hair, lol, but my face is much less round. 😊

After one month

Before I started diet. 

Lunch

Chicken and spinach in a Keto friendly, cheesy Alfredo sauce topped with walnuts and sweet pepper and tomatoes on the side. 

Sorry for the long delay since my last post. My plate has been full lately and I don’t have but a second for an update today. My weight is still coming off but slower, one pound this week. My clothes are getting looser and that is a terrific feeling. My eating has been erratic mainly because of stress and so much keeping my attention. Exercise hasn’t happened but it will be waiting when my life returns to normal. 

In this week of thanksgiving, I want to say how grateful I am for the friendship of Ginny Irving. She has not only been so supportive but spent an entire day helping me when I know she always so many obligations herself. You don’t find many people that good in this world and I’m grateful to call her my friend. Love you, Ginny!

Day 160 and Day 18 on Keto

I somehow got my days mixed up. I counted the days since I started and today, I’m 18 days on Keto. So, a bit over two and a half weeks and I’ve lost 12 pounds so far, one more today! Doing better with my meals and the topsy turvy nutritional balance, 75% fat, 20% protein and 5% carbs. I’m feeling better both physically and mentally and have more energy. 

For those of you thinking of starting on a Keto diet, here is the link to an article that gives you lots of information: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/ketogenic-diet-101. 

Day 159 and Keto day 18

How is the Keto diet working for me? The weight loss has been great. I’ve lost 11 lbs total in about 2 and a half weeks. I didn’t have any trouble adjusting. There were a few days of mild flu like symptoms but nothing overwhelming. My energy has been hit and miss. It was staying pretty high until I overdid it on our hike a week ago. I pushed myself to muscle exhaustion and I still haven’t fully recovered. I did manage a 24 minute workout yesterday but today, my leg muscles feel weak and shaky again. I do realize that prior to this, I hadn’t really worked out much for over a year, nearly two. I was doing a dance workout but now, even that has become difficult.  I do realize that it takes my older body longer to recover from over exertion but I am not a patient woman. Still, I’m sue it will come. I was telling my friend today that I worry about that after Thanksgiving hike I signed us up for. She encouraged me, saying I would be ready. I’m going to trust her insight and keep pushing through....and try to restrain from pushing too hard. I see the oncologist again in four months and I’m really hoping I show another significant weight loss. I’m also hoping I’ve made significant progress in other areas of my life and work. That’s my plan; fingers crossed that I’m able to pull it off. 😊

Day 158 and Day 17 Keto

Yesterday was another four month check up with my oncologist. I’d thought I’d be going to six month checks but the doc said I have one more four month before switching to six. Oh, well, the good news is, I’m still okay. And the nurse noticed I’d lost weight...12 pounds since my last visit! Happy dance!!!! I’ve lost eight of those on this diet in the last 17 days. 

A funny thing that made me feel good. The nurse didn’t recognize me from my old file photo taken last year. I wouldn’t necessarily think that was a compliment but when she was going through the obligatory questions and asked if I’d gotten the shot for pneumonia, I said, “No, but I probably need to now.” , she looked shocked and asked how old I was. I told her 63 and she told me that shot isn’t required before 65. She added, “I didn’t think you were that old. I thought you were younger.” I asked, “two years younger?” She laughed and said, “No, much younger than that.”  That one sentence made the dreaded trip to the oncologist, worth it. Lol

Here is something I posted to my personal FB page that I want to share with you all. I recently read a list of things that you should do once a month at least. There were suggestions like, lunch with friends, date night and a day without electronic media but I think one day of grace is a wonderful idea, too:

This was part of my daily devotional. I don’t always take the time to read these but these words were much needed right now. The article went on to say, what would happen if we lived one day totally in grace, seeing miracles in every little thing, seeing everything that happened as part of a plan and relishing every tiny blessing? It might be nice to find out. 

“Grace is always with us. It flows like a river through our lives, artfully reminding us that there is magic and power beyond what our eyes can see. At times we catch its subtle beauty, like during chance meetings, near misses, and insights that seem to come from nowhere. Other times we experience grace in all its powerful surety such as when a job or relationship comes to an end. Though we may forget that this is grace at work too, it is indeed influencing our lives, helping us to move forward and take the next step. Grace exists in all situations, in every moment, yet all too often we may overlook its presence”

Day 157 & Day 16 on Keto

I think my pep may be back.  I lost it for awhile when we overdid it on our hike last Sunday. I honestly thought a hike called Meadow Loop would be easy but its 4 miles (once you add in the additional trail loop we took) were mostly uphill. My husband, Steve, commented that the hardest part was actually the Meadow itself which was a constant upward incline.  For me, I think the hardest part was that last climb up to meet the Ridge Trail. It was steep and relentless.  I thought it would never end. My muscles were quivering and screaming, “What are you doing to us?!” I realized it would take me a day or two to recover but it’s now four days later and I’m just starting to feel my strength again. It has taken effort just to walk the quarter mile to feed my horses and the walk back is even harder. And any incline? Oh, my! I feel weak as a new born pup.  So, I’ve once again been taught the lesson that slow and steady wins the race and I’m hoping it sticks this time. 

The good news is, my weight is finally back down to the before hike number, I’m gradually starting to exercise again and I’m regaining my energy. So, I think I’m still on track. The sad news, I’m actually growing tired of bacon! I never thought that would happen. I guess you really can have too much of a good thing.....????

I’ve said before that I won’t venture into politics on this forum even though, it has been a huge part of our lives lately. But I do want to say something about staying true to yourself and your beliefs. My sister and I are polar opposites where politics are concerned. I’ve always known this but it was like other differences we have, I love her so I accept her beliefs and opinions and her right to have them. So, I kept my mouth shut while she talked and never argued or expressed my own thoughts. Then a few days ago, a mutual friend posted an endorsement of a candidate I supported on FB. I commented about my support and my sister responded with shock and dismay. I responded gently that yes, those were my political views but I respected her choices and opinions and would not attempt to push my views on her or disagree with hers because I loved her. She thanked me for that but went on to state that she could never agree with me. And, I haven’t heard from her since except for a short message of two words on my birthday.  Yes, I do hate this seems to have erected a wall between us but I don’t regretting finally letting her know how I feel. Actually, the admission was freeing.  And I’ve learned to express myself in a way that is gentle and thoughtful of the other person but still honest. I’ve been having a discussion with someone of opposing views for the last few days. I’ve seen so much ugliness on FB and every where concerning politics. People turn to name calling and quoting scripture out of context and otherwise making the holder of the opposing view feel belittled, stupid and even sinful. There is no discussion, only screaming and compassion and understanding seem to have hopped a freight and left the country.  Where my sister is concerned however, I don’t want to discuss politics. It seems we are both firm in our opposing beliefs and no amount of discussion will change that. But I also want her to respect the boundaries and differences in our relationship. You don’t have to always agree with someone to love them. Honesty does not always bring harmony but we each deserve to be be loved and accepted for who we are. 

All of that being said, I came across an article this morning that expressed exactly how I’ve been feeling: “It is our respect for the fact that our lives exist independently of the lives of others that allows us to set emotional and physical boundaries, to explore our interests and capabilities even when people close to us do not understand our partialities, and to agree to disagree. Maintaining healthy barriers is a matter of recognizing the point at which our principles and those of our loved ones and peers no longer overlap. 

Human beings must relentlessly fight the temptation to follow the crowd. Naturally, we want to be liked, accepted, and admired, and it often seems that the easiest way to win approval is to ally ourselves with others. When we assume that our standards are the same as those of the people close to us without first examining our own intentions, we do ourselves a disservice. The barriers that exist between us are a reminder that our paths in life will be unique, and we must each accept that "I" and "we" can coexist peacefully. Our reactions, our likes and dislikes, our loves, our goals, and our dreams may or may not align with those of others, but we should neither ask others to embrace what we hold dear nor feel compelled to embrace what they hold dear. “

Ranch, bacon, cheddar and pepper fat bombs.

8 Oz. Original Cream Cheese

2 Tb Bacon

3Tb Kraft Mexican Mix Creamy Melt shredded cheese

1/2 Red bell pepper chopped

Makes 11 servings

Per serving

Calories 78.5

Fat 8 g

Protein 2.34 g

Carb 1.25 g

 

Day 155, Day 14 on Keto and MY BIRTHDAY!

Gray and gloomy here today but we were lucky and missed the worst of last night’s storms. Still, all of the weather warnings and the dog barking at the thunder kept me awake most of the night. I’m trying to motivate myself to move this morning. I don’t feel like exercising and my weight is up two pounds (although still two pounds under that awful weight I never want to see again.) I am grateful for another year of life and good health and that I am making great progress at getting healthier and living my full life once again. I feel stronger now, both physically and emotionally, than I have in a long while and I just turned 63. I have every reason to celebrate yet I’m feeling low today, which probably has more to do with the weather than the date. So, I’m going to push myself out the door. Doing something is always better than doing nothing. 😊

Day 154 and Day 13 on Keto

I wasn’t going to post today because it’s been kind of a blaaa day but I had to share one bit of news, I’ve lost 2 more inches in my waist! That’s a total of 3.5 inches that have disappeared from my waist since I started measuring a week ago. And, after nearly two weeks on the diet, I’ve lost close to 10 pounds. True, Steve and I both were up a few pounds this morning but I assured him that is common after a big workout like we got hiking Sunday. After checking my app, it looks like we did over five miles. It sure showed me that I’m a long ways from my fitness goals but still, Steve told me he was proud of me for pushing through after muscle exhaustion set in (on that last very long climb.) wish he could have been proud of me for not complaining constantly during the thirty minutes it took to do that last mile. Lol

Correction, it was just five days ago that I measured for the first time. I’ve lost: 3.5 inches off my waistline, 1.5 inches off my hips and 1.5 inches off my stomach (I measure the biggest part that sticks out.) Also four pounds...give or take. Yay!!!🎉🎉🎉💥💥💥

Day 153 and Day 12 on Keto

I was down another pound this morning. 😁. 

We went hiking at Fort Loudon State Park this morning. We had intended to walk just the one and a half Ridge Trail but I had the bright idea to add in the Meadow Loop trail and Lost Shoe Loop. Four and a half miles, two and a half hours and, according to my fitness tracker app, nearly a thousand calories burned later, we finally made it back to our truck, exhausted but happy.

Our dinner carbs:

What’s for lunch? ...chili and guacamole!

Day 152 & Day 11 Keto

Down two pounds this morning! Yay! That makes 7 pounds down in 11 days. Happy dance!!!! I’m still having trouble finding the right balance with my diet. I’m not so concerned with the 18 excess calories but I can’t seem to hit that protein goal without going over. Work in progress but I am losing weight and gaining energy.

How my friend, Ginny and I spent our Halloween. Our patient model was Ginny’s cow, Scout. 

Food: a big bowl full of avocados. Mashed one up at lunch to make guacamole to top our delicious all beef-no bean chili!

Day 151 & Day 10 on Keto

It is easy to get discouraged when your fast weight loss slows down and actually leaps back up a couple of pounds but the good news is, it has slowly dropped back to where it was on Monday. The even better news, I’ve lost (insert drum roll) four inches since Monday!!!! I have been going through some of that infamous Keto flu. The worst symptom is having rapidly dropping energy. That has been a bit astounding not only for how quickly it comes on but also for how extreme it is. I think it is an electrolyte issue because I’ve been “fixing” it with high sodium foods like pickles, olives and jerky. 

Today, I’m feeling much better and even did 30 minutes of exercise this morning (Latin dance which I find extremely fun.) so, all is going well and my body is adjusting and getting on board with this crazy, flip the food pyramid upside-down, diet that actually delivers on weight loss and energy.