Need to Make Some Changes

When we returned from the cruise, I started a low carb/high fat way of eating.  I have adapted my food intake to it rather well.  I like meat, fish, and chicken.  I can handle lots of above ground vegetables.  I do miss fruit, but I don't miss breads, pasta, rice, and desserts.  I like the idea of eating until full and not eating until hungry.  I have to admit that those two are difficult for me because I tend to finish what is on my plate and it is hard to leave anything there.  But the most difficult is not eating if I am not hungry.  That means not eating at normal times (such as around noon or around 5-6).   If I am not hungry, then I don't need to eat.  That makes it difficult for Gary since he likes to eat three meals a day.   Now he is just grabbing a sandwich or eating a bowl of cereal.  We haven't been eating regular real meals for dinner for a while.  

Benefits so far:

• appetite has changed. 
• ankles/feet not swollen
• more energy
• clothes are looser and fit better
• lower grocery bills (no junk food)
• I am using the IP to hardboil eggs and perfecting my recipe for deviled eggs
• I love bacon and have been enjoying it.

Negatives so far:

• no appetite - nothing sounds good
• limited choices on food for meals (getting tired of certain things)
• I miss fruit and yogurt in the mornings
• Gary is eating more sandwiches and we are missing out on meal time together
• my right knee hurts
• weight isn't coming off as fast as it did when I was on WW
• eating eggs gets old
• sometimes the grease from the bacon upsets my stomach
• the two KETO FB pages that I was a part of were driving me crazy with their continued discussions of fasting, intermittent fasting, whether it were 1 cup or just 1/4 cup of fruit that was allowed.  Some would eat SF jello; others said it was bad.  Some would eat endless cauliflower, but others said the amount needed to be limited.    There were so many variables, and I understood that everyone is different, but I finally had to remove myself from their groups.

Conclusions:

We talked about it this morning and decided that while I am doing well on this new WOE, I don't seem to be happy with it.  I miss some things that I really like to eat - like fruit.  I really enjoy  a fresh bowl of fruit with vanilla yogurt in the morning.  It fills me up and I like it so much better than bacon and eggs.   

Gary's suggestion is that I return to WW and follow that plan.  I lost more with that plan and was more consistent with it.  The plan allowed me to eat what I wanted to eat as long as I counted the points and watched the portions.

I am not sure what to do.  The weight loss was slow to start, but I have lost 10 pounds since we returned from the cruise a month ago. I weigh only on Saturday mornings, and the last two weeks I have seen 2 pounds lost each week.  I didn't see that on WW.

But I felt good when I was able to order a burrito or an enchilada at a Mexican restaurant and enjoy it, and count the points) instead of suffering through a vegetable soup in a chicken broth base that was so spicy I couldn't eat it.

I do know that portion control is essential.  I do know that I need to stay away from potatoes, rice, pasta, sweets.  I did have a small piece of chocolate cake with white icing last weekend. I ate a small square of brownie on Easter Sunday.  I taste tested a few of the cookies I made for the kids.  I didn't feel any ill effects from them, like some of the more diehard Keto people do.

I also can't attend the meetings on Wednesday nights in Monticello. I like Sharon, the leader there, but Wednesday evenings are hard for me. Gary suggested attending a morning meeting somewhere, which would be easier.  Maybe when we return from the South Carolina trip I will check on that.

Bottom line is that it is important to me to lose some weight so I can wear size 12 clothes comfortably.  In the lower 180s or 170s is not my goal weight, but it is where I feel comfortable and I don't think I look fat.  My feet aren't swelling, and I have more energy.  I am hoping to feel more healthy in the process, and I need to find something that really works for me.  It is a lifestyle, a way of eating, and I need to focus on that and stick with something that works for me, is comfortable for me, and that makes our lives happier and easier.