What I Wish I Knew During Keto
Three years ago, I found myself "skinny," but at the toll of being mentally "cray-cray" (I don't know if I'm cool enough to use this word, but I thought it would be fun).
I had jumped on the keto bandwagon. The only amazing part of this diet was that I got to eat as much avocado, peanut butter, and coconut oil my heart desired…like a dream came true…
But not really…
I had started the diet in May. Everything was good. The kids were still in school, I had a routine, and there weren't many celebrations to contend with.
Then summer hit. The lure of ice cream treats or a cold brew at the end of an evening was too much. My attention was focused on ways I could leave myself a couple of carbs just so I could have a lick of a potato chip.
My mind started to become consumed.
"Did I hit my fat goal for today? I had those blueberries. Maybe that was too many carbs. What if I kicked myself out of keto? Now, I screwed up! I might as well have the whole pan of brownies then."
"Wait, maybe I did have a few carbs left. I can eat these 5 pieces of broccoli and then have one chocolate chip. Maybe just one fresh strawberry too. I really shouldn't push it, though."
I was a little extreme with my "ketoing."
Every time I would eat something that I thought I shouldn't, I would beat myself up. Along with that, I would negotiate with myself as to how much I could eat, when I could eat, and how much I could eat.
I can't tell you how much time was spent fixated on FOOD!
Now some ketoers do not have this problem. Bless them. If they can make it work, all the more power to them!
But I was crazy. If I THOUGHT I might have gone out of ketosis, I made it mean I was a failure. Then a spiral of mental abuse would ensue.
Here is the not so surprising ending. I gave up.
I think mentally I was exhausted. Somewhere, inside of me, I knew that this was not how I wanted to live the rest of my life, nor was this healthy.
Looking back on it, I can see exactly where I went wrong.
I think we can learn something from other people's mistakes. So, I'm going to share mine with you!
If you are in a place where you become obsessive over a diet only to find yourself always "failing" and hating yourself for it, please read on. If not, still, please read on...
Here are the top three mistakes that I made:
- Beating myself for "failing" by eating off my diet plan did not stop me from eating it next time. Also, NOT beating myself up didn't mean I was giving myself a pass to eat more "forbidden" foods. Actually, quite the opposite is/was true.
- Eating how I would at my natural weight is the best way to LOSE WEIGHT. How I would lose the weight is also how I maintain my weight now.
- The fruit of the SPIRIT is self-control. Trying to live with self-control but not putting God into the equation of weight loss was FRUITLESS. I needed HIM more than I needed another diet.
If you're thinking to yourself, "Oh, thanks for the tips. I have no idea exactly what you mean or how to implement them, Amanda."
NO WORRIES! I have you covered!
Stop by this blog for the next three weeks. I am to tell you exactly why these are important to lasting weight loss and how to take steps to implement them into your weight loss strategy.
Do you know you don't have to hate the time spent losing weight?
I didn't know that before. I thought weight loss had to be frustrating, challenging, and mentally tough work.
It doesn't have to be.
It can be as easy as learning to brush your teeth.
Do I sound really "cray-cray" to you now?
No worries. Stop by next week, and you'll see what I mean!
Until then, friends, I pray for many, many blessings in your life!
If you want to find out more about how to create weight loss that lasts, sign up for a FREE 45-minute coaching session. Click HERE to get started on creating your lifestyle you love that takes care of your temple!
