TNC 12 Week KETO Update!
Holy cow, what a journey these last 12 weeks have been! When I think back over this time one quote comes to mind:
It sums it up perfectly....and I love Earl Nightingale. If you haven't read his stuff you really need to! So, time passing by.....yep, it's true. It keeps on clicking by.....and rapidly too, I might add. I can't believe it's been 12 weeks! So, what has happened for me in that time? LOTS!!
I honestly can't believe how easy it's been to stick to my KETO diet (I say diet as it pertains to the daily food I consume). I never started this to go on a DIET. Remember, I believe DIET stands for DIE with a T. I don't do diets. Diets to me indicate a starting date and an ending date. I began this as part of a huge lifestyle change that I began almost 38 months ago. It's been in stages and it's been done with a growing understanding of who I am and what works for me. You see.....diets never worked before because I put unrealistic expectations in them. You know.....lose 20 pounds in 2 weeks! Sure it's possible....but it's not sustainable for most of us. So, when you do things like that repeatedly with unsuccessful results you lose faith and eventually give up. That was me. And as fate would have it.....I was turning 40 years old. I had to do something. My body was revolting against me and I felt like I was 80 years old.
Then a rare gift found me wrapped up in an unfamiliar package. I was skeptical and it took me 5 months to say yes. Once I did....my entire world changed. It wasn't without being open-minded though. I believe in order to change and I mean truly change....you have to want it more than anything. Change involves doing things you've never done before. It involves being open to new ideas and truly being willing to do new things in order to achieve what it is you are going after. That's what I've done for the past 3 years. Once I got to a higher level of myself I knew I needed more. When I looked inside myself I knew I wasn't doing a whole lot for myself or for my family in terms of the foods we were cooking or my activity level. So, I began to look around for ideas. That's when the Ketogenic lifestyle found me. I really don't take credit for finding it.....much like the beginning of my lifestyle change. I believe things find us for a reason.....what we do with that gift is entirely up to us.
The gift of this Ketogenic lifestyle (KETO for short) has been nothing short of amazing. I have NEVER felt better in my entire life! At 44 years of age I feel better than I did in my 20's! That says a lot doesn't it?! So, what am I doing and what does it entail? Well, I have kept it extremely simple these past 12 weeks. This means that I haven't really dove into making elaborate KETO recipes like KETO cinnamon rolls, KETO ice cream, KETO bread and such. I figure I will open myself up to things like that when I go into maintenance (once I get to my goal). For now, my simplicity means that I stay at consuming NO MORE THAN 20 CARBS PER DAY. This is WHOLE carbs also and not NET. There are a lot of conflicting things out there when it comes to KETO. I feel I found some really great resources out there in terms of books and websites. This is what has been serving me well and I plan to keep doing what I'm doing......growing as my journey continues.
Here is one book that is a must to understand what KETO is all about:
So, what am I eating for 20 carbs per day? Well, I have my vitamins/minerals first thing in the morning, which includes a shake. That shake has 9 grams of carbs. It also has 15 grams of protein in it so I consider it my breakfast. I am satisfied until 11 or 12. At that time, I make brunch. I love breakfast foods so this has served me well. I eat bacon or sausage, eggs, and cheese. When making omelets or such I use a few mushrooms, a tad bit of onion, and spinach. I keep it very simple. For supper I usually eat meat and greens. This is usually steak, pork chops, hamburger, or chicken. I'm not a big fish eater, but I will eat shrimp or other seafood. I then have a small salad with real ranch dressing or baked cauliflower. That's usually it in terms of food. I drink a lot of water, which is essential to our bodies. When I say a lot of water I mean at least 50% of my body weight in ounces per day (at least). Oh yes, I do drink decaf coffee once or twice per day with heavy cream in it. I've added butter to it as well or MCT Oil. It really does fill me up and keeps me from feeling hungry. It's funny, but hunger isn't really something I've felt in 12 weeks. I don't mean I don't get hungry, but I never feel like I'm starving. When I'm full I am full....no binging, no snacking, and no overeating. It's a beautiful thing!
Here is what I have noticed since I began:
*No more bloated belly or gas
*No more brain fog
*Amazing sleep
*Less joint aches
*Waking up feeling refreshed and ready to go
*Better mood
*I'm never hungry
*I get full quicker
*Better female/monthly cycles (no cramps)
*No headaches
*Clearer skin
*My hair and nails are growing faster and are stronger
*I get smaller every week
That list is pretty impressive if I say so myself. So, the question everyone wants to know.....how much have I lost since I started 12 weeks ago? Drumroll please.......
I'VE LOST 21 POUNDS!!!! AND THAT INCLUDES THANKSGIVING AND CHRISTMAS!!!!!!
Are you impressed yet? Like, are you leaving here and Googling KETO and how to get started right now?! I don't blame you.....I would be too! Here's the deal.....don't worry about knowing too much. Just dive in....that's what I did. I started on a Wednesday for crying out loud. I didn't wait for a Monday or the first of the month. I began when the mood struck me....why wait? You only get one life and it's up to you to live it to the best of your ability. If you are wanting to do KETO go for it. I will tell you this though.....with anything, if you have medical issues definitely discuss it with your doctor first. It's only wise to do so. If you don't have those concerns like I didn't then it's up to you what you do. I chose to dive in.....and I learned on the way. I'm still learning every single day. My diet is changing too......I downloaded a KETO diet app so that I can count my macros (yep, that's a KETO thing). I want to do what's absolutely the best for my body.....this will help. I know that I will also get into meal planning and things like that to make it easier for me and to ensure that I am providing meals my family will enjoy too. The fun things about this is that when it's your idea you are in control. You decide......and then you go with it. I like being in control of myself this way....it's a really empowering feeling.
I will be updating my pics before long. With it being Christmas break I am no in town where my denim dress is.....but just for tracking sake here is the first comparison I did in that dress.
I can't wait to put it on and do a 12 week updated transformation photo. I honestly can say I've never been this excited about a diet in my entire life (did I really just say that)! LOL!
Here's to an amazing next 12 weeks. I've decided to do this in 12 week increments for tracking sake. I also got myself a Smartlife Push Journal. I will be holding myself extra accountable in 2018. This really excites me to tell you the truth. I've often heard the saying....plan your day or it will plan you. This is so true and especially so when you are doing KETO and making a lifestyle change. Make sure that you are doing this for you.......do it with intention, excitement, and vision. Be sure to use a superb quality vitamin system too. I know that's been influential for me in my success. I have big goals for 2018 and I hope you do too. I wish you well on your journey! Be sure to email or message me on FB to let me know how you are doing. We all need friends on this journey!
~Cheyenne