Eat More Fat! The Nutritional Ketosis Challenge continues... page 219

[eKatherine]

I'm wondering if the kitchen visits were more about bad habits (always scrounging for snacks) or if it was still carb cravings. I wasn't hungry, but I sure felt like I needed *something*. It's interesting to be paying attention to things I normally don't give a second thought to.

When you open the refrigerator looking for something to do... Consider a hobby or a good book.

[Ddraig Goch]

Ddraig Goch I need my Lean Body Mass guru(ette) I posted this in my journal, but in case you miss it.

I have done 9 days at the 65 gram level and have seen no marked change in my FBS. I think in order to reach Dr. Seyfreid's ideal FBS level, the second part of the formula has to be low calories. Dr. Ede got to the ideal FBS and the 4.0 mmol ketone level (and was miserable) eating around 1000 cals and 50-60g protein. I do not see that as smart or necessary for me at this time.

This week I gained 1.5% body fat, but still lost weight. My fluid intake was steady. This tells me I lost lean body mass, not fat. (Ddraig Goch, I'd love to hear your thoughts on this.)

I've replyed in your journal - we have a time zone difference remember

[demuralist]

you know, organizing or cleaning as long as you are in there is not a bad way to spend a trip to the fridge. And if you have to do that every time you open the door I can guarantee that, unless you enjoy cleaning your fridge, it will cut down on the trips you take there.

I don't do the fridge though, there isn't anything fast and off plan in there, I am usually prowling the pantry where all the fast carbs and nuts are.

[Deborah105]

you know, organizing or cleaning as long as you are in there is not a bad way to spend a trip to the fridge. And if you have to do that every time you open the door I can guarantee that, unless you enjoy cleaning your fridge, it will cut down on the trips you take there.

I don't do the fridge though, there isn't anything fast and off plan in there, I am usually prowling the pantry where all the fast carbs and nuts are.

I bet I said fridge, but I meant kitchen. I open every door when I'm on the prowl. Rowwrr!

Today has been much better.

[OzK]

Blanket woots to everyone for their ongoing pursuit of health, happiness and success! This is such an inspiring crowd.

And now, something to share.

As I mentioned upthread, I was experiencing a significant loss of appetite as a result of being pretty deep in to NK. That kind of threw me a bit because I could feel I wasn't eating enough, or getting the right nutrition, but didn't want to force myself to eat without appetite. That culminated in strong low blood sugar cravings yesterday. After a bit of a wrestle with the inner me, I ate some high fat ice cream, some higher sugar content chocolate and baked potatoes in butter for dinner. By the time I hit dinner I couldn't finish all the potato. So I didn't force myself. I ate till I was satisifed and ditched the rest.

This morning I've worked out, I'm experiencing a comfortable level of normal hunger -- and I don't have the least desire to eat anything with sugar, or another potato. I also have good levels of energy.

So this leads to me think that I was letting my macros get too low. While the body doesn't need a lot of glucose it does need some, and I think I was so carb restricted and so low on protein (so no protein conversion) that the inner alarm bells triggered. Which means I need to reassess my macros, because I don't want to be cravings carbs.

Main lesson learned for me is -- treat this as an inside-out journey, not an outside-in. Don't fall into the trap of imposing a program on myself and then ignore the clear signals my body is sending me that something's not working. Instead trust my body to guide me to the optimal way of eating for me. Up till now I have always put myself inside the 'diet mentality' straitjacket, rigidly sticking to the external rules, refusing to deviate out of fear of failure. This time I feel far more relaxed, and I'm really working hard to trust myself, trust my body, and know that I can and will succeed by being open to adjustments.

Has anyone else reached this point? Any other suggestions?

[eKatherine]

Three weeks ago I started eating according to a fast-5 protocol. That's IF with a 5 hour window of eating. I broke the fast at 3:00 pm with a snack, then had a meal around 6:00 to 7:00 pm. In a week I lost 8 pounds, which I totally didn't expect, as I wasn't bloated when I started.

This week I was feeling a bit dizzy or out of it in the mornings, and the other morning I felt the need to eat breakfast. And so I did. Mmm... cheese omelet and pork sausage. I haven't felt the need to do that again. But if I do I will.

I'm trying to eat more for the time being, but I'm also trying to listen to my hunger.

[Ddraig Goch]

And now, something to share.

Ozk sounds like you are in a great place. To be able to listen to my body & understand what it wants is something I am striving for. Your experience has given me hope. Thanks for sharing.

[OzK]

Ozk sounds like you are in a great place. To be able to listen to my body & understand what it wants is something I am striving for. Your experience has given me hope. Thanks for sharing.

You're welcome. *g* But it's taken me a long time to get here. I think if I can consistently listen to myself, trust in myself, and let go of all the 'good' and 'bad' labels that actually make things worse, I'll succeed. I've always known that the smart thing to do (even within the context of PB/NK) is say -- I can eat whatever I want. No exceptions. And from that basis make choices that serve me well. But what's held me back is the fear that if I say that I'll start stuffing my face with food that won't help me. And in the past I have stuffed myself, because I never really believed what I was saying. I was always in a 'last chance food' binging contest mindset. So that's what I'm working on to truly really let go of, once and for all. And if I can achieve that, then I really am in control of what goes into my body. And then I'll know I can eat well, without self-punishment, find my healthy weight and stay there till the day I die!

[Deborah105]

you know, organizing or cleaning as long as you are in there is not a bad way to spend a trip to the fridge. And if you have to do that every time you open the door I can guarantee that, unless you enjoy cleaning your fridge, it will cut down on the trips you take there.

This is a very good idea.

[252dlp]

That is my goal is to be able to listen to my body and have TRUST in what it is telling me! Love that Ozk!

I never really put my trust in anything totally (as far as diets/health goes) until it works. I'm the kind of person who needs a little structure or plan to get started, but once I get started I have no problem tweaking things if it's not working...one reason why I decided to try the EMF thing. I've been hungrier the last couple of days, so just decided to eat more--yesterday that included macadamia nuts and Black & Green 85% chocolate (about 6 tiny squares). Today I'm back down to my EMF low weight.