jmb3450's Journal, 15 Dec 15

Yes, many of us are finding ourselves in similar 'funks' and predicaments to yours in this precarious time of year . . . and it sometimes takes more extreme measures to push past it . . . wishing you support and luck and an eggseptional outcome! :) 

I just decided to do alternate cut days/bulk days. Cuts in my favour. <-- correct spelling 

In the coming months, i'll be starting a challenge based on long term maintenance for LCHF'ers... I like LCHF, but damn it I also like Pizza, Pasta, Beer, I nice night out a restaurant with desert, etc....not to mention a good burger and fries. So one afternoon/evening per week is when that happens....just one, next day back to LCHF. 

Carbs are not good to me, I am better off not going to the high carb breads and vegetables. It just sets off a craving I can't handle. 

Your tellin me. My boss bought in a basket of home made sweets and I hate about 10 of them in total of yesterday and today. I usually do not pick on things people bring to my workplace but golly she is a god baker. All of it home made. Hard to turn down that stuff. And vegas for me is right around the corner =( If anything you may cheat a bit because of the holidays, just dont sacrifice the workouts. Keep working out because then you wont rebound  

I am saving myself for Christmas Eve,, I can refrain until then,, but I will most likely put a little life into living that night and have a Nice beer and a cookie or 2. I went to a Cookie bake off on Saturday,, and I didn't have a cookie or a beer . don't get me wrong I partake in beer or wine most weekends,, 1 or 2. But its not a good IPA and that's what I am having at Christmas . But its only for 1 day . but I will be up for a that Challenge MahJohn put me on your list please . 

I KNOW you can do it. Know it. Absolutely.  

Jim I know you have been putting in a lot of hard work and exercising a lot of discipline. I seem to be struggling myself so I have some understanding of what you are going through. My only advice is to not give up...  

Good for you for taking action and making a plan. You got this!!! 

Thanks friends. @Mahjohn - what you're referring to sounds similar to a cyclical ketogenic diet? @NM - that sounds like a workable plan, balanced out, good luck w/ it. @Paningale1199 & Tamarah Jo - a cookie swap my wife went to really put temptation in my path. 6 dozen assorted cookies, really good stuff, made a big dent in that number last night plus some other stuff. Totally dumb and I knew it while doing it. @John - Yup, I've been good with exercise, no problem with dedication to that. Just haven't been able to stick to my original eating plan for the holidays so time to go to plan B. So far so good, for some reason I can usually stick it out LCHF for a couple weeks at least w/o much problem. Quitting is not an option! 

Haha that is the WORST part- I knew exactly what I was doing yet I kept eating the stupid baked yummies 

Friggin holiday food and smells  

There are various types of CKD, and anything that incorporates low carb high protein/fat intervals of high carbs is classified CKD (Cyclical Ketogenic Diet). As liver and muscle glucose levels are depleted, high intervals of carbs refeed these instead of filling fat cells. If not lifting weights, once a week, if lifting weights (heavy weights), then you can eat higher carbs after workouts. A few pounds of water gain is normal, expected, and disappears in a few days. When on maintenance, give yourself a buffer, i.e, 10-15%, over your ideal weight is sustainable long term without incurring any health complications. 

Congrats Jim! Glad to see you recognized you needed a change and went to plan B. I know you can do this :D  

I always run into a problem with the HF part of LCHF. I generally try to stick to a Low Carb/High Protein eating plan. I let the fat fall where it may, but still try to stick to lower fat proteins like turkey, chicken breast, game meat and lean pork. Good luck with your plan. 

I make jalapeno poppers you would swear were candy. Treats don't have to hurt! 

TXSnowman, you may want to reconsider that High Protein, here's why. Your body operates on no glucose, not protein, not fat, but Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP). We could produce ATP from Fermentation, however, unlike Gorilla our stomachs are small. Instead we breathe in Air, lungs remove Oxygen and push it into the blood stream, supplying Oxygen rich blood for the body to use. This oxygenated blood is used to oxidize available fuel sources, creating ATP. So what is the best source material to create ATP?....Glucose, Fats, Ketones. We know that carbohydrates are used to store Triglyceride Fat in cells for later conversion to Fatty Acids and Oxidation to ATP, however, while this is good, it leads to excess weight gain and excess storage of body fat. Ketones are derived from eating Fats, and Fats themselves. So why not Protein? Long-term it is just not healthy to large amounts of Protein as your primary energy source. Carbs and Fat are comprised of Carbon, Hydrogen, and Oxygen, however, Protein adds Nitrogen. When Protein intake is high, extra strain is placed on the Liver and Kidney (any kidney transplant patient is on a Low Protein Diet as soon as they are diagnosed). The excess Nitrogen leads to a build up of Ammonia in the blood "hyperammonaemia" (toxic by the way). I high fat diet has none of these problems. So how do you know if you are potentially at risk for hyperammonaemia? Smell your breath. For those starting Low Carb, a metallic taste in the mouth late in the afternoon is a sign of Ketosis, most look for this and welcome it (mints help), however, if you have an Ammonia smell to your breath, this is either the breakdown of muscle fiber to fuel the body (not enough incoming fat), or excess Protein intake. To lose the weight you want to lose (Fat), you want to eat only enough Protein to supply the necessary Fat you want, why?....57% of Protein is converted to Glucose, and as long as you have Glucose circulating, you are storing Fat, not burning it. ....#JMB....apologies, sorry to hijack your thread.  

Majohn no apology needed, I appreciate your sharing this information and I personally appreciate the input on my journal. :) 

@Philmck - care to share your poppers recipe? Sounds like something I would like. 

Well done on fixing your problem, Jim. Sometimes setting yourself hard rules to follow is easier than following a more flexible plan. Hope you enjoyed all the cookies, though!