Debbie Cousins's Journal, 27 January 2021

Yes! when I went back two weeks ago, it was like "mmmm butter" lol. and I hear you on the butter beans, man I love those and lima beans! Last night I dreamt I was out with friends at a restaurant and I looked down and I had just finished a big bowl of pasta! But there is so much to enjoy on the Keto diet!  

Just remember-calories still count and being in ketosis does not ensure weight loss. Good Luck!  

Wow you had a keto nightmare Pixie. LOL.  

You are determined so know you will get there. Remember, stress doesn’t help either so try to relax with meditation, relaxing music, for me- a bubble bath 🛀! I have a bottle of lavender/ vanilla bubbles that I just love! 

I've never really tried keto because I still worry about the overall calories and long-term heart considerations for eat too much fat, but, it sounds like you have had success in the past...so...go get'em!! 

Can I just ask, did you lose weight on keto long term? I was on it for 8 months, I lost in the first 2 months and then gained all back and more (20g net carbs so that should have been ok) 

Or do you combine keto with also calorie counting? 

sophie-I did lc back in 2015 and lost over 100 lbs. I kept calories no more than 1200 calories a day. One of the things people like about keto/lc is that they aren't hungry so they don't overeat. I am not that person, I can eat whether hungry or not. My first go round with it, I actually gained weight because of overeating. Once I figured out I needed to watch my calories also it was pretty smooth sailing, very consistent weight loss. My problem with it thought was I lost a lot of lean muscle and ended up 'skinny fat'. It's taken a long time to build a little muscle back while losing fat. I always tell people PLEASE eat enough protein! I was warned back then by some of my fellow FS people but was so happy with the downward number on the scale I didn't pay attention. Good Luck! 

jdstore - In terms of fat in blood and heart health, I have some anecdotal evidence so take this with a lot of skepticism. There are better more credible sources than my sample size of 1. I had a health screening done at work while I was on keto vs when I was eating normally. My triglycerides, HDL, LDL were all within normal ranges while on keto. When I ate normally with some fat free products, my triglycerides were high (bad), HDL was low (bad), LDL was high (also bad). These tests were done a year apart. Of course, this is my personal experience and everyone is different but it made a significant difference for me. 

Good luck Debbie. I couldn't live without carbs, but we each have to do what works for us. 

I preface every conversation with "Keto isn't for everyone." We are all different. What works for one, may not work for another. I personally have never had to watch calories, nor exercise. But that is *ME*. I watch my carb intake very very VERY closely. I'm strict, so under 20g net carbs or 5% of calories. I keep my proteins within 55-75g, usually under 20% of cals. The higher my protein, the slower my loss. I did Keto in 2016 for over a year, and lost over 100lbs. I let carbs in when I started emotional eating and regained a lot of it back. I've been back on Keto since March 2020 and am closing in on my previous Keto weight. This is my new way of eating. It works for *me*. Like Eidetiker, my blood work comes back all within normal range thanks to Keto. My diabetes is under control, and am considered by medical officials "no longer diabetic".  

Eidetiker- Interesting and thanks for the info. It’s be nice if one thing worked for everyone because all this stuff gets very confusing at times. Lol.  

I tried Keto when I lost all my weight two years ago, giving up sweets and high carbs like bread, potatoes, rice, carrots, bananas, and the like. I never achieved true Keto because I couldn't keep my protein or carbs quite low enough, but never the less it was enough to lose weight drastically when I combined it with Intermittent Fasting. I allowed myself an 8-hour eating window each day, somewhere near 12 pm to 8 pm. You go to bed early anyway, don't you? If you could eliminate during the night snacking and just drink hot herb tea, you would have it "made in the shade". Yes, I know it would be hard, but as time goes by, you may panic a little about the money you would miss out on if you don't lose the 60 lbs. We do not want you to crash diet. I.F. is actually good for you and very healing to the body. When you get hungry, if you just wait for a half-hour, it will usually pass for an hour or two, and then you go through it again. It would be an extremely healthy thing later if you could wait a couple of hours to eat after you get up in the morning. If you have ANYTHING to eat during the fast, it actually breaks it, even though some say you could have 50 calories and get away with it. Read about Autophagy and the healing that goes with it. I could never fast like it says to in the Bible, but when I found I could still eat 2 meals a day, I found I could handle that. It was wonderful for my moods, my thinking power, and my overall health. My bladder stopped hurting for the first time in many years. It will be a matter of making up your mind, and we all struggle with that. We all want your best. I love you and know this is important to you. For a year, or year and a half, I fell in the same trap you were in. It is our time again for a more healthy way. I think things are going to get tough. It's no telling how long it will be, but as we are more healthy, we can handle things better, emotionally, physically, and even spiritually. I feel so much better and stronger now that I am back doing I.F. and giving up sweets and high carbs. It's lousy eating cauliflower instead of potatoes, but it's part of the cost. You are already giving up some or most of the diet drinks that kill all the friendly bacteria in your gut. Maybe as you give up all of it, you can start getting some nutrition out of what good natural food you do eat. Woo-hoo. What are you going to spend your money on in July? A new wardrobe?  

rckc - thank you for the insight. :) 

@Sophie713713, I am primarily doing Keto, but I am watching my calories, as well. Yesterday, I found that I was able to omit a lot of the food I had PLANNED to have and could still keep my macros on target and reduce my calories. Going for the double-whammy here! Very much needed an encouraging boost - which is what this morning's 1.5# loss did for me! 

@Debbie Thank you. I guess it is the counting calories then. I didnt, I thought the whole point of keto is not counting calories just watching what you eat. I have to admit I felt great on it, after the first 2 week "detox", but it just wasnt doable long term with my lifestyle. If I need to count calories on top of that, I think it is not for me then. Thank you very much for sharing guys! I have been getting very contradicting messages about keto, but what you said makes most sense. :) 

When I did Keto a couple of years ago, @sophie713713, I was eating about 2,000-2,500 calories a day and still losing weight. I've got a significant financial wager on losing 60 pounds in 6 months (down 12 so far, in one month), so I'm trying to make doubly sure I continue to lose. Everybody has to do what works for their own individual body. 

@Debbie really? Thats great though! 🙂 Good luck, maybe you are right, maybe it doesnt work for everyone like that, but it varies from person to person. 🤔