Staying low-to-no carb most of the time, I assume I'm in ketosis most days. However, after a day of carbs, I'm also positive that I'm OUT of ketosis. What's the fastest way to get back in and get back to fat burning? Do you lose all progress already made? Is my body still a fat burner now if I'm consuming lots of CO and protein? Or, am I back to a glucose burner after binging on chocolates and candies one night?

Maybe using ketostix would let you know?

I'm guessing eating fats and protein would be the fastest way back into keto.

We will wait for quelsen to chime in.

Any reason you WANT to be in ketosis? You're at your goal. I'd be adding in more carbs and living normally. Not grains but things like sweet potatoes. I have 1/2 of one every day now. And I've added in some fruit.

i woudl sat that without fasting insuline it would be hard to tell. I think i am out of ketosis but i dont know that as truth.

so lets think.

we are designed ot be fat burners and we have choses to be sugar burners.

You and I have focused on returning to spec by eating more fats and protien than the majority of people. for me it has been since august 28.

I think that after the three week adaptation period one would begin to tilt the scale to more fat less sugar. and that the insulin would send the glucose to the liver and brain and muscles begore showing up in adipise tissue.

SO
did the scale bump but the tape hold steady?
did you get a headache or become antsy?
Are you bloated?


If you got ansty or had a lot of nervouse enrgy you were probably burning the glucose
if you got bloated ( and it isnt tom ) then you probalby kept it in the blood ( not a good sign)
if you weigh more but the tape is fine you probalby plumped up your muscles.

try some HIIT and see if you can do more work than mornal.

As for the Keto perzactly given that you have been a good girl for a long time i suspect that you will return to ketisis rapidly, however Amanda you and me may never see ketostix work again we have keto-adapted and dont waste them.

Grammy, I've pretty much stuck to the keto diet since mid-October. My carbs rarely go over 25 grams, and even Kruse says this time of year he is at pretty much zero carb. I've noticed when I carb up, I gain, and I'm really quite happy with proteins and fats. However, when I'm traveling, I will eat more carbs in the forms of veggies and fruits, but when I'm home, I try to be more strict knowing that the traveling does set me back a little bit.

Itsy - That's my hope, too! I've eaten zero carbs now since Sunday, so I'm sure I'm back in. I don't waste my money on the testers though.

Quelsen - I like your considerations. After my cheat, I have no idea what the scale did because I've been traveling, but I do know that although I had a stomach-ache when I went to bed, I wasn't bloated in the morning like I get when loading before p2. I was on a sugar high that day, but the last couple of days, I've been crabby and lethargic, so I know it's on its way working out of my system. Where I wasn't even thinking about carbs before, now I am. I just have that urge to snack. Of course, I'm refraining, but I'm happy to know my efforts haven't totally been wasted.

Back on the keto train I go!

I'm with Grammy here. The whole point is to return to a healthy weight and way of eating. Any other way of eating is temporary in the sense that it is designed to correct a condition. In maintenance and on the Reset, we are in recovery to rebuild our metabolism and healthy functioning endocrine rhythms and levels.

Granted, we may discover our body does not do well with certain specific foods. So we leave those off the plate at the buffet.

I get concerned that some may have an unrealistic idea of what is a healthy weight and border on obsession or an eating disorder. Maybe the reason why eating a bit of normal carbs causes a gain is due to being too skinny and the body is trying to reach a healthy minimum.

Muscle toning and shrinking skin will take care of appearance over time as all systems continue to RECOVER from the rapid weight loss.

I am not a doctor or psychologist or nutritionist, but I am a mama. Just my layman's 2 cents.

Itsy,
I agree it is a razor thin line. It is also something that is far to specific and subjective. I may be at my ideal weight although the thought of that as truth is not so overwhelmingly suicial thought causing it woudl still none the less hurt me to think that my genetic heritance is THIS body.

I have flab and I may have flab forever, not just excess skin but pure flab. My goal is flat, i gave up the scale 4 months ago i just want flat.

I do sympathise with the above who are concerned about gaining. it can become the end all and be all of the struggle and letting that go doesnt necessarily mean that you have an eating disorder it means you intend to not be the reason or cause of the problem.

I encourage each of us to look for other methods ot measure health as we all know the scale is played out and patently incorrect to assess health.

I want to be 175. It isnt going to happen. too much water under that bridge, so i want flat. I hope flat is achievable.

I am not certian what Mandy's goal is but i think Shells goal is to match her peer groups over all body composition, it is a worthwhile goal in my opinnon, however i hope that she can feel free to allow the time it will take.

None of us set out to do this to ourselves. It happened to us, but not in a VICTIM mentality. ALL of us have the courage and dermination to "make it right" or at least to get right with it.

It is difficult for me to provide much more than specifics as I have learned in these two years that YOUR MILEAGE MAY VARY to be the only truth. I think we hav collectivly signed up for the work of our AGE, coming to grips with the body.

+1000

to both itsy and quelsen!

where do you get it. the incredients are pretty dirt simple

Purified Water (Aqua), Cetearyl Alcohol, Squalane, Teprenone, Caprylic / Capric Triglyceride, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Hyaluronic Acid, Polysorbate 60, Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3), Concentrated Tea Blend Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin.



looks like Hyaluronic Acid,cocconut butter or mct and Teprenone to me

Good thoughts Itsy and Quelson.

Those who are doing Vitamin K2, remember, it helps rebuild any bone loss that may have come about in SAD eating. Bone building will weigh more. Also, it builds muscle ... which weighs more.

I agree that many of us think the scale tells us our health. Have to change that thinking in order to change your DNA (do I see Dr. K here?)

Also, I've seen Dr. K. tell SO many on the MDA forum to forget the scale. Stressing over it WILL increase your cortisol and make becoming Leptin Sensitive impossible.

If you can weigh and not stress over what morsel might have boosted the digits by .4 then go ahead and weigh. But if it makes you panic, then STOP. Seriously, STOP. This Leptin Reset is about getting healthy, not about the scale. If you are ONLY doing it to maintain between HCG rounds and are gaining, then you have some hormone issues you need to test for and resolve. No amount of cutting our micronutrients will help you until those are resolved.

This is a recording.

Thanks for being a good mama, itsy. I think I have many underlying hormone, thyroid, and emotional issues to fix before I'm optimal, and that's my goal. I don't think I have an eating disorder, but I do think it's a problem that I seem to be all or nothing. I'm perfect on protocol until one day I binge. Why do I do it? Why do I abuse my body so? When I know what will help me get to optimal health, why do I choose to derail my efforts? These are the issues I need to resolve, as well as figure out why, since this diet, my response to stressful situations is becoming incredibly agitated and overwhelmed. This is one thing my husband would like to change.

I'm actually going to see a naturopath soon. I hope he can help me resolve some of my underlying issues.

Kaleein, I need that constant reminder about bone density and muscle mass. My second goal is to get stronger and healthier. I think I have been extremely concerned about the scale because when I gain even a few pounds (not muscle, but water or fat), it's extremely noticeable on my small frame. I just worry if I stop worrying about the scale, things will get out of hand, and I will be pushing 200 lbs. again.

Quelsen - a great source of knowledge and wisdom as always, friend. I truly do feel best on the keto-diet with low to no carbs, although about every week or so, I feel I need to carb up for energy purposes. Otherwise though, my body craves fats and more fats.

I have always had a sweet tooth, so if I'm going to eat something, it's going to be that. I guess that's a good reason to eat more cocoa crack, huh? I do drink NaturalCalm for the magnesium each night. Do you think I need more?

hard to tell without testing but some of the people over at MDA have had success stopping binging by eating more fat so may be worth a try

Quelsen, I think you're right that my binging is connected to emotions.

I binged on chocolate this weekend. It was more of a choice then a stress reliever, but I was at a wedding with my mother-in-law. This brought up bad memories from my wedding, where she told Tyler not to marry me and pick SD, instead to choose MN and come back to the farm. She also criticized everything about the day, and when Tyler got ill -- had to get a shot in the butt and take nausea drugs to keep from puking an hour before the ceremony -- she was more concerned about the chip in her manicure and her hair and getting drunk. To say I have bad vibes when I'm around her is an understatement. (Throughout our marriage she has also told us not to have children and asked us over Christmas dinner if we died, would they get our property. Yes, she is a crazy woman).

The time I binged before that was at the state fair in September. I was on p2, and my relatives were giving me a hard time about my weight, my eating habits and the fact that I was too thin and would never have children. They got me all worked up with their harsh judgment and vocal criticisms. I think I'm stronger now that they wouldn't get to me at this point, but I freaked and binged...again chocolate and sweets.

Finally, I binged in early August. After a long two weeks of traveling (much like this trip), I rounded out the week by covering an all-day outside event, serving as the press secretary. I was exhausted, drained and an emotional wreck. I didn't want to do it, and what's worse, the people who hired me were very difficult, especially for the pay they offered me. On my way home that night, I binged and made a tour of fast food restaurants all the way home -- DQ Blizzard, Arbys jalapeno bites and french fries, and a stop at the grocery store for bavarian cream donuts. (By the way...I gained 9 lbs. from this and slept for 14 hours straight two days in a row!) SCARY!

I think this shows a few things: I need to learn to say no and not do so much. I need to be stronger in my own convictions around my family, and I need to forgive my MIL. One of my worst traits is letting go. I'm a fiercely loyal friend, but if you do me wrong, I never forget. I have thought about getting counseling to try and forgive my MIL, but everytime I think I'm moving forward, she says or does something that reminds me of every hurtful thing she has done to me in the past. This has lead to lots of fights between my husband and I, and it's really put a damper on our first year of marriage.

Sorry this turned into a counseling session. Q, what you said about emotions being tied to binging struck a cord with me. I may have to explore further. Does Dr. K have exercises to become more calm, mindful and easy-going? I have tried deep-breathing, and I'm always up to watch the sunrise. Yoga is boring, and my budget is limited for spa days or vacations. (After briefly exploring a quick sunny vacation, my husband put the kabosh on it...sad.)

Any advise is welcome. Thanks in advance.

PaleoCowgirl, just a thought that's helped me in these types of situations... your MIL's actions speak to who SHE is, not you. It's so easy to let others' behaviors become our issues and for us to take the blame, so to speak.

Second, when I recognize I'm feeling annoyed or angry or insert-negative-emotion-here, I take a step back from my emotion and think about the situation. Doing so can help the negativity go away and give me another way to think about whatever is going on. Like you, I am fiercy loyal, but when someone does me wrong, I don't forget. However, I've learned to let the emotion go and simply remember that there's now a red flag for that particular person.

Up until recently, all through my life I've wanted approval because I didn't get it from my parents, so whenever someone says or does something negative to me, I have a tendency to take it personally when it's really THEIR issue, not mine. Maybe it's a maturity or life lesson thing, but I'm no longer willing to let people push me around or base my worth on others' opinions. I'm happy with who I am and am less apt to seek approval from others. I admit, it's tough to do at times, but stepping back from the emotion and reviewing the situation helps.

So, I guess I'm saying, if you can step back and think about the situation after removing the emotion, it could help. Try it with a little issues that pop up to get a feel for the exercise. At some point, you will be able to dismiss your MIL and not let her get to you and inside you will be doing this --->>

Journalling also helps me to understand my emotions better.

I have an exercise I do when others are involved in my anxt. I write a letter (not intending to mail it, so I can truly do this freely) asking forgiveness for my part in the problem. No, I haven't always FELT I had a part in the problem, but when I began doing this I discovered that when I searched deeply, I DID have a part.

It might just be that I come from a different background than the other person and perhaps THEY didn't even notice anything was wrong. THEY thought they were being helpful, and I took offense.

Or, in one instance, the "other" wasn't raised in a disfunctional home as I was, so she had no clue about keeping unspoken "secrets" of the family. Once I recognized SHE was the healthy one, I could forgive her ... and it helped me to stop the secrets, myself.

Or, I said something, myself, that started the problem and I knew when it came out of my mouth it was not smart ... but I didn't want to own up to it so everything from that point forward was a huge emotional issue with that person.

Sometimes, I have to admit I was not well rested the day "it" happened and was probably overly sensitive.

More than one time, when I dug really deeply I discovered that the reason what "they" did bothered me so much was because they did something I do, myself, and never realized how it felt to be on the other side of the situation. "The problem" became an issue because of my own discomfort on that other side of my personal issue... like I was seeing a very unbecoming reflection of myself in that other person.

The most difficult ones aren't easily written, for sure. With my own mother I had to practically do a time line of her life, seeing her own issues that had built up since she was a child. This was a several year project and I had to write all the pain out. I had to cry a lot ... and in the end see that she did the only things she knew to do. I could forgive her, finally ... and then I had to forgive myself for staying so angry with her for so long. She died long before I did any of this, so I never ever had a chance to have a good relationship with her. Not sure I would have been able to, but I'd like to think if I'd done this inner work sooner much would have been improved.

With my mother-in-law, I had to realize that she saw her son in such a PURE light it bordered on the ridiculous (even his brother told me that long after we were divorced ... my husband could never do anything wrong ... even when caught with a bee-bee gun in hand after he shot a childhood friend. For HER, he did NOT shoot his friend ... he laughed about the ridiculousness of her loyalty to him). So everything she ever told me was to protect him from any harm (even cooking and cleaning "tips" that hurt my feelings). I learned to internally shake my head in wonder and say, "Thank you, Audrey!" No matter what she was saying.

Whatever it takes to "center" our minds will help us. Unfortunately, it isn't until AFTER I've eaten through the whole pizza or pint of ice cream that I think to write out what's "eating me" inside. But every time I do I'm a step closer to peacefullness.[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

THANK you Quelsen, Kaleein and J Beanie for sharing your personal stories and fights to become more mindful, forgiving and at peace. Last night, I was in a fit of tears; I'm so tired of being crabby, irritable and sluggish. I feel like an 80 year old woman in a 24 year old's body. I shouldn't be tired all the time, and I know there's something missing to make me feel this way.

My mom last night told me it was my diet. I asked her if she thought I was flour and sugar deprived as she made a quadruple batch of sugar cookies. Grr....

My husband told me I just need to wake up and decide to be happy...I have tried journaling, meditating, yoga, naps, teas, reading books, music, spa days, the works...and I'm still not content or enjoying life. I need a vacation badly, but I fear not even that would help me.

My internet was down this morning, so I'm working out of a coffee shop. The Christmas music, hot coffee and cushy couch are sure nice. I'm trying to make a point to enjoy the little things. We will see....

My appointment with a naturopath this Thursday is what's keeping me going this week; I'm so anxious to hear what he has to say!

And, it's nice to know I'm not the only one with one of THOSE mother-in-laws...have our Christmas with them this weekend. Say a few prayers for me! HA!

Amanda, emotional stressors asside, your symptoms are really very much like mine when I'm not on thyroid meds. In my old age I'm living the results of living without them for 35 years ... isolated because NOBODY could avoid hurting my feelings! Kind of embarrassing making new friends now ... like I've just emerged into LIFE at the age of 64!

So glad you'll see your naturopath this week! I'll just bet you find something gone astray with your thyroid.

I KNOW I will! And, if it's not thyroid, it's adrenal fatigue. I'm convinced of it!

I'm hoping he can also recommend the appropriate solution to my problem! I want to feel like me again!

Unfortunately, my family just sees my diet change and how awful I feel, and they assume the first caused the second. I know I'm much more healthy in all areas; there is just one piece of the puzzle left to fix. Unfortunately, it's the biggest piece.

Is it Thursday yet?

I too have a difficult MIL. She also believes her son(s) can do NO wrong and anything wrong with my hubby (his weight) or anything wrong in his brother's lives is somehow the DIL's or my fault. I'm the first DIL of 6 for her.

It wasn't until she made the mistake of literally physically coming after me when she was drunk (and I was pregnant) that my hubby started to believe what I'd been telling him for years (12 years into our marriage) that his mom wasn't that nice to me--especially when he wasn't in the room. His brother actually ran outside to get my hubby that day and then everything changed after that. Up until then, he also believed that his parents could do no wrong and were always right about everything because that's what they told him constantly when he was growing up.

So once my hubby validated me about this issue, I started to calm down a bit about her. Oh, she's still a pain to be around but I no longer feel threatened by her. She'll make all his "favorite" foods when we visit like the poor guy just doesn't get any decent food the rest of the year. And I just let her go on and on about her great cooking. Then when we get home, he'll tell me that her cooking just isn't as good as it used to be and he likes mine better. (She smokes and has no sense of taste anymore) Whether he's lying or not, at least he's SMART!! It's natural to feel threatened by someone who appears to be trying to divide you from your hubby.

And lastly, I try to remember that SHE raised the man I wanted for my husband. So I talk about how wonderful a man he is to her whenever I get the chance and that seems to calm her down as she, of course, takes full credit. Which is fine. And then I vent and laugh about it as much as I can with friends or the other DIL's to deal with it for the next time. We DIL's all realize that it's not personal. NO ONE will ever be good enough for Sharon's boys. We've been married over 29 years now. Having my hubby "leave his mother and stick to his wife" has been the biggest fix to this otherwise painful problem. Tell your hubby how you want to get along with his mom and that UNTIL he chooses you over her (or supports you when things don't go well), she won't back down cuz she has no reason to as long as he doesn't stand by you 100%. Hope your hubby gets smart faster than mine did!!

AMEN!

My Mom is a little like that too... She has given Mrs Steveo plenty of grief over the years. I had to step in a few times and had to make it painfully clear to her that I chose my wife and there is good reasons for that.

As a for instance, she has decided to join me on the Leptin Reset journey, even to the point of eating Dex's VILE Leaky Gut concoction!

I was going to keep to myself about this, because I didn't want to make anyone feel bad, we all need to vent and WOW Cowgirl, your MIL sounds pretty darned out of her mind... BUT I decided for my emotional health, I couldn't just sit here and suck it up... reading these MIL stories really made me realize,

I miss mine.

She was batty and always stuck her nose in our business, but she was kind hearted underneath it all. We butted heads a lot but never outright fought (except when she stayed with us for a week when we lived in Houston, she left on rocky terms but it smoothed out). She's the reason my hubby is so screwed up, he was an "oops" baby 10 years younger than the next one, she was a single mom and worked evenings so he got to do pretty much whatever he wanted from middle school on, and she spoiled him rotten to make up for not being around... yeah that's a whole other issue...

But, she passed away almost 6 years ago. She got to meet both of our kids, but Thing 2 was only a little over a year old, and he doesn't remember her. She didn't get to know the awesome people they are turning out to be. I'm somewhat spiritual, and I feel that she gets to observe from afar, and I still "talk" to her on a regular basis, but it is so hard for her to not be around anymore. I have a horrible awful no-good relationship with my mom, and while Judy wasn't perfect, she made a decent substitute when I needed comfort. And it's so hard to see my hubby go thru every holiday having to rely on MY dysfunctional family for support (his dad passed away 9 years ago so he's an orphan).

I didn't bring any of this up to make you guys feel bad about venting, everyone has to vent and I would probably be right there with you if she was still around. The only reason I posted this is because I'm sitting here at my desk at work feeling sad and emotional with no one around that I can pour this out to, to get it off my chest and let it go, otherwise it would totally be building up the rest of the day. Anyway, I feel a little better now, thanks for listening and I hope I didn't bother anyone with this...

a[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] *big huggs* Rhi

Rhibert, sorry for your loss, especially for your DH. I think your post has reminded me to find the good in others instead of focusing on the negative. I will try to see my MIL through different eyes this Christmas.

Hugs, friend. And, you're welcome to vent to me anytime!

Thanks, guys. I just needed to get it off my chest... I appreciate the support!

I know this is late to the party, but two words come to mind: nanny cam. If one needs to provide proof of bad behavior... I'm just sayin'.

I remember this...

everyone is doing the best they can in the moment, whether we think they're right or wrong, it's just what they can do

we are on a journey and everything that happens is leading us further and ultimately, all the tears, frustrations, pain and anger are taking us to the joy we are

it all makes sense if we let it

we're lucky to be here

we're lucky that we have stumbled onto all of this and each other

been quiet lately, working a lot so catching up on some reading...you guys are all amazing!!!

Quel,
I see you asked on mda why so many if us have been feeling down with cravings and strong emotions....great question. Did you ever get it answered?

Wow, I didn't set out to write a book but here it is...

Something to remember is that how we feel is HUGELY determined by how we hold our bodies. If I sit in my chair, slumped, with a slack expression on my face, and ask why does this always happen to me, I'm going to feel depressed, and my brain is going to search for an answer until it finds one to satisfy me. The same is true of positive emotions as well.

It's also about asking the right questions. Things like, What good things are happening today? How can I turn this around and make it better? From now on today is going to be a great day.

Don't dwell on what is wrong, and don't look for an answer of why you feel that way. As soon as you do, your mind will come up with answers. Instead practice changing your mind. If you start wandering down those dark corridors, put on some upbeat music, get up and shake your hands, whatever you have to do to get out of that mood. CHANGE YOUR MIND. Don't let yourself think in that direction. Mind you it takes practice, and over time it will get easier and easier. Don't journal about how bad you feel, instead, think about positive goals, and then ask yourself how to get there. Let your mind come up with the answer to THAT question!

Anthony Robbins is a great source for how to do this. If you haven't read The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle, that would also be a good read. He would tell you that you are not your mind. What you think, and how you feel are nothing but a product of your past experiences and are not you, simply because you can sit there and watch all these thoughts float by... We are all capable of controlling what we think, and Anthony Robbins should be a required course in grammar school or high school.

I've been there, done that, have the t-shirt to prove it. I had a doctor tell me I'd be on anti-depressants (and heavy duty ones at that) for the rest of my life. I've been clear of them for at least 8 years, probably more, and will never need them again. TMI, I know... I just want you to know you have options at your disposal. I have thyroid issues, hormone issues, adrenal fatigue, and a bunch of other things I'm not thinking of right now, and every day I set out to have the best day I can, and I'm always looking for some way to make it better. What else can I say besides it works? The easiest thing to forget is that we always have a choice. Make sure that it's a conscious one!

Well said, Maggie. Thanks for sharing your story.

Maggie, what you wrote was so very wise, and I felt as if you were speaking directly to me. I keep a sort of journal (no, more just a record) of quotations that inspire me. What you just wrote is my latest addition. Thank you so much for posting this.

...though what it has to do with getting back into ketosis, I really don't know!