How the Heck Am I Going to Keep this Weight Off?

[mom2zeke]

Repost from NK thread so that I can find it in the future:

Yesterday my maintenance intake was:
Protein: 82.4 (19%)
Fat: 153.9 (79%)
Carbs (not net): 17.2 (3%)
Calories: 1750
This morning:
Weight: 146 (down 2.2)
Ketones: 1.0
BG: 98

Whoa! Unexpected whoosh this morning. I've been up and down on my intake this past week, and if there are any two weeks of the month I'm going to lose it will be this week and (possibly) next. I'm not actually trying to lose, but I'm also actually totally satisfied with what I'm eating and not inclined to eat more just to eat.

Today also marks 4 weeks since I hit my goal. I've been testing ketones daily since then and have consistently been in ketosis (lowest reading was .6). I'm not sure how much longer I'm going to keep up the daily ketone readings. I'll probably take 2 weeks off when I go on vacation a week from Friday and then probably test to make sure I am still in or getting into ketosis when I get back.

[Buffy45]

Wow Kristn, there's that wiggle room for vacation we were talking about!!!

Good for you, can't wait to pass that on to my DD's who are trying NK. One of them only has 10 lbs to lose and she is just testing the waters, not quite ready yet to say she is doing it. But, her problem has always been those last 10 lbs and then maintaining, she needs to know about you and how it is working. I have told that about your loss and that you are the one who got me interested.

WTG girl!

[mom2zeke]

Originally Posted by Buffy45

Wow Kristn, there's that wiggle room for vacation we were talking about!!!

Good for you, can't wait to pass that on to my DD's who are trying NK. One of them only has 10 lbs to lose and she is just testing the waters, not quite ready yet to say she is doing it. But, her problem has always been those last 10 lbs and then maintaining, she needs to know about you and how it is working. I have told that about your loss and that you are the one who got me interested.

WTG girl!

Thanks Buffy! I am so grateful for the wiggle room.

I hope that your daughter gets on board and that it works for her! Those last 10 pounds are rough! I'm sure that you are a huge inspiration for both of your daughers.

I read on the other thread that today is your official weigh-day and your weight is up slightly. That's so frustrating, but you know that you are actually down 10! Congratulations on such amazing success. Keep pinching yourself, this is real!

[Buffy45]

Ahhh, thanks!!!

[mom2zeke]

Yesterday my maintenance intake was:
Protein: 77.1 (20%)
Fat: 144 (75%)
Carbs (total): 19.9 (5%)
Calories: 1576
This morning:
Weight: 146.2 (up .2)
Ketones: .6
BG: 87

Hmmm. My ketones and BG are both down this morning. My protein and carb intake has been pretty steady. I did work out yesterday evening which should raise ketones, but I ate my evening meal after working out which may be hindering ketone production? I've been tracking daily for almost 30 days and I still get stymied by ketone readings.

Even though my weight is okay I'm kind of hooked on these ketone readings. I'll probably continue until vacation and then rip the band aid off. I'll test ketones again when I get back, but when I run out of glucose strips I probably won't purchase any more.

I have an industry networking event after work that I'm not thrilled about going to. There will be wine, beer, and apps. I won't eat anything so I probably shouldn't have a glass of wine.

[Buffy45]

Morning Kristn, your cheerleader and president of your fan club here,

You know this but don't forget to eat before you go to that affair. Worst thing you can do is go hungry, and drink some kind of diet drink with a lime twist, will actually be more refreshing than the wine or beer

My ketone readings are staying about 1.2 each morning, I keep thinking they will go up but not yet, I had one day at 1.6. I am hooked too but now just testing once a day, first thing AM.

[mom2zeke]

Originally Posted by Buffy45

Morning Kristn, your cheerleader and president of your fan club here,

You know this but don't forget to eat before you go to that affair. Worst thing you can do is go hungry, and drink some kind of diet drink with a lime twist, will actually be more refreshing than the wine or beer

My ketone readings are staying about 1.2 each morning, I keep thinking they will go up but not yet, I had one day at 1.6. I am hooked too but now just testing once a day, first thing AM.

Good morning Buffy--great to see you here (as always)!

I'm definitely going to eat something before I go!

I think that if you're losing 1.2 in the morning is a good reading. This is the lowest reading of the day, so you're probably much higher the rest of the day.

It's strange about the ketone readings. For me they used to be consistently higher and seem to have settled into the .5-1.5 range since I've been in maintenance mode (with a few higher days). I did increase my protein so I think that is the reason. I'm not sweating it, especially since I want to build muscle.

And I hate to admit it but I'm kind of liking how I look at 146. I may try to keep my weight right around this number from now on--but I'm not sure if it's even possible. It truly is vanity and fitting into smaller sizes. I'm afraid if I go too low my face is going to start to look a bit drawn. I guess there's always botox and restylane.

The owner of the kettlebell studio where DH and I train made a comment last night about my loss. I tried to figure it out and I think I'm down ~20 pounds since we started in early June. I really started getting serious at that point because if I was going to put all that effort into training I wanted it to show.

[Buffy45]

I think you are going to be able to maintain that loss and stay around where you are now. You are doing it the right way, not just reaching your goal and going off the diet, which is what we all used to do. Bada bada bing, the weight came rushing back.

I'll bet the higher protein is the cause of the lower ketone readings but isn't that the great thing about tracking and keeping our records, makes it so much easier to pinpoint these things.

Keep on doing what you are doing.

Yes, one of my sisters lost about 30 lbs really fast a few years ago on a very restricted diet and her face developed wrinkles almost overnight. OTOH, me, who has maintained my nice fatness, have a lot less wrinkles. But, yes, wink wink, botox and restylane are not bad little helpers. I take really good care of my skin and I get a lot of compliments on it for my age, now, I want a thinner body to match. I set 150 as my goal but at 66, I might even find that I am happy at say 170, we will just see, wow, see, I really have my hopes up. I have not been below 190 for years.

[mom2zeke]

Well I made it through the networking event without eating or drinking alcohol. It actually wasn't that hard because I had planned from the start to leave after an hour. I went home and dinner was waiting for me. The other weird thing about the event which made me feel okay about living early was that I was the only woman there! It really felt a bit strange.

[Buffy45]

Good job!!!

[mom2zeke]

Yesterday my maintenance intake was:
Protein: 77.5 (28%)
Fat: 145.3 (75%)
Carbs (total): 28.8 (5%)
Calories: 1706
This morning:
Weight: 147.4 (up 1.2)
Ketones: 1.3
BG: 82

I've felt hungry mid-morning and mid-afternoon for the past few days. Not sure what that's about. Since I'm at work and only have what I've brought with I haven't deviated from my plan.

The funny thing is I'm not hungry in the evening.

[mom2zeke]

I had a pretty busy day at work and now I'm bracing myself for kettlebells. Tomorrow there is a work lunch "tailgate" party. I know that they're having hamburgers but I'm not sure what else I'll be able to eat. And I don't really want to waste all of my daily protein on not-very-good burgers. I haven't fully formed a plan yet. I might bring some cream cheese and hope for a green salad (maybe I'll bring my own dressing). I want to be more social at my work, but the food stuff is really hard for me. This is actually one of the better ones. Last year's holiday lunch was lasagne. They always have an option for vegetarians and vegans, but there's often not much for me to share and I feel like a weirdo bringing my own food (but I do it anyway).

[Buffy45]

Kristn, all I have to do to avoid explaining about what I eat or don't eat, or bring mynown food is just say I am diabetic, I have never had anyone say another word. And, I tell my dds to just say oh, diabetes runs i our family or to say they are pre- diabetic.

Without meaning to, I went 24 hours without eating, didn't cheat but could have easily, note to self, do not get that hungry!!!

[mom2zeke]

Originally Posted by Buffy45

Kristn, all I have to do to avoid explaining about what I eat or don't eat, or bring mynown food is just say I am diabetic, I have never had anyone say another word. And, I tell my dds to just say oh, diabetes runs i our family or to say they are pre- diabetic.

It's great to have something to say about how you eat that people accept without question.

Without meaning to, I went 24 hours without eating, didn't cheat but could have easily, note to self, do not get that hungry!!!

Yikes, how did that happen? I'm glad you were able not to cheat. You really did put yourself to the test!

[Izzysdream]

Kristn, I wanted to pop in and congratulate you on reaching and doing well in maintenance (the hardest part!)
Denise

[mom2zeke]

Thanks Izzysdream!

How long have you been maintaining?

[Buffy45]

Originally Posted by mom2zeke

It's great to have something to say about how you eat that people accept without question.



Yikes, how did that happen? I'm glad you were able not to cheat. You really did put yourself to the test!

Had a Dr. appt. yesterday at 11:15 for which I had to fast. Then, was going to lunch but just kept running errands and lunch did not happen. Hunger kind of passed so kept on going. Got home about 5:30 and BAM, I was sooo hungry. But, I quickly fixed dinner and I was fine. Surprised but I really wasn't tempted to cheat, good thing I have stuff on hand but that is pretty easy with this WOE. As I always tell people, just eat some buttah!!!

[Buffy45]

Yes Denise, please tell us more about your WOE and your story, would love to hear it.

[Buffy45]

Kristn, saw your post on the NK thread about taking your meter and scale on vacation with you. I would take the meter for sure, won't hurt to test and reassure yourself. The scale would be harder although I also of wondered if there were some kind of itty bitty one that a person could use to discreetly weigh out their protein, LOL.

[Buffy45]

BTW, I am going away tomorrow for a 4 day weekend trip with my sisters. I am taking my meter but other than that, just going to try to eat just protein, veggies and fat. I don't think it will be too hard, we will eat all meals out.

[mom2zeke]

Originally Posted by Buffy45

Kristn, saw your post on the NK thread about taking your meter and scale on vacation with you. I would take the meter for sure, won't hurt to test and reassure yourself. The scale would be harder although I also of wondered if there were some kind of itty bitty one that a person could use to discreetly weigh out their protein, LOL.

LOL--I'll probaby have to hide my meter from my DH. I wonder if heat effects the ketone strips? It's pretty mild where we live so I have never worried about it.

[mom2zeke]

Originally Posted by Buffy45

BTW, I am going away tomorrow for a 4 day weekend trip with my sisters. I am taking my meter but other than that, just going to try to eat just protein, veggies and fat. I don't think it will be too hard, we will eat all meals out.

Have fun Buffy! Please report back how it goes just eyeballing and eating. Any tips you can pass on will be really helpful.

[Buffy45]

I also plan on eating a lot of fish Kristn, breakfast will be bacon/eggs I hope at least, that is easy to judge. I usually just eat 2 meals a day so hope we eat breakfast late, then an early dinner, but I will just go with the flow and do as best I can.

We can be thinking of each other, out there eating out and doing well, ok?

[mom2zeke]

Originally Posted by Buffy45

I also plan on eating a lot of fish Kristn, breakfast will be bacon/eggs I hope at least, that is easy to judge. I usually just eat 2 meals a day so hope we eat breakfast late, then an early dinner, but I will just go with the flow and do as best I can.

We can be thinking of each other, out there eating out and doing well, ok?

Absolutely! I'll be thinking of you over the long weekend. You're going to do great.

Where are you and your sisters going? I hope some day I can do something like that with my sisters. They are both in such different places in their lives and so far away from me that it's hard to make it happen.

[zay]

Kristn, wondering if you would mind sharing what some of your staples are? Like what is typical meals for you. Thanks!

[mom2zeke]

I had a great day today. I didn't eat the work lunch, it turned out to be pulled-pork with sauce and potato salad. Not even a green salad. Luckily I brought some cream cheese as a backup so I was covered.

Good things are happening at work too. It's amazing how that can make eating on plan so much easier. I've been planning on looking for a new job when I got back from vacation but that might not be necessary.

zay--I eat almost the same thing every day. Breakfast is eggs scrambled in coconut oil with cheese, salsa, and sour cream. Lunch is usually mostly fat. Cream cheese and fat bomb, or sweetened cream cheese with cocoa and chopped macadamia nuts. Dinner is usually my main protein meal with beef, chicken, or fish and roasted veggies or a salad. I also have coffee with coconut cream in the morning and mid-afternoon. I really like to keep it simple and I don't do a lot of complicated recipes. Proteins are usually grilled or roasted. Salad dressing is usually olive oil and vinegar. What can I say, I'm pretty boring.

Buffy--have fun with your sisters!!!

[zay]

Thanks Kristn! That helps a lot!

[mom2zeke]

I'm thinking about not tracking so closely over the next week if I'm basically eating the same thing every day. My fear is that I'll add a few things here-and-there if I know that I don't have to write them down.

My tentative plan is to weigh myself daily, take ketone and am glucose readings, and eat the same breakfast and lunch every day. Dinner will be 5-6 ounces of protein food and a salad or roasted veggies. I'm going to measure out the protein before I weigh it so that I can get used to living without the food scale.

Hopefully this will go well.

[zay]

Sounds like a good plan Kristn!
I had your eggs with cheese, sour cream and salsa - it was delicious. I added some onions first before scrambling and added garlic powder and a dash of chili powder to the mix. What a nice change. Thanks for sharing.

[mom2zeke]

Originally Posted by zay

Sounds like a good plan Kristn!
I had your eggs with cheese, sour cream and salsa - it was delicious. I added some onions first before scrambling and added garlic powder and a dash of chili powder to the mix. What a nice change. Thanks for sharing.

I'm glad you liked it zay!