HCB's Journal, 10 Aug 15

LOL at the 'Frankenstein' reference -- but racking (sp?) my brain trying to think of an attractive (yet well-known) scientist as a better alternative/comparison . . . glad you got the results you were hoping for -- maybe you've inadvertently identified a new 'chemical formula' for boosting energy both short- and long-term! The social part can be challenging/tricky, especially since several studies have indicated that we tend to adopt/mimic habits of those with whom we associate on a regular basis -- guess you just have to think of yourself as the one to 'set the tone/standard' for your group rather than 'following the crowd'? I'm thinking of that old cliche' many moms have used -- "If all your friends jumped off a bridge, would you?" ;) 

For me the tough part of social times is control. It's ok IMO to go off a little bit at those times if you adjust for it ahead of time and keep sensible. Plan ahead as you said, if I do that and stick to it I'm ok, adjust afterwards too if needed. Then there are times I have a difficult time going off just a LITTLE bit and end up falling off the deep end. However I'm much better than I used to be and if I do splurge I get back to the plan quickly. So I'm better at it now then I used to be and hopefully a year from now will be better still. This old dog takes some time to learn new tricks. :) 

As long as I stick close to my carbs I am pretty happy... Only had 1 day all summer seriously over carbs and that was for pizza, and worth the sacrifice. And you have to still live. But for me if I can plan, I do.... not that my life has been all that social this summer save for mom's visit. Was not social even when we took the trips back and forth to their Dad. Upcoming Convention will be hard, 5 days away from home with no fridge, so a lot of easy foods as we will avoid meals out. The hotel we are staying in has breakfast and other meals available and I will go out with my mom once while we are in Columbus on Saturday afternoon. Otherwise, it will be almonds, jerky, apples or some kind of fruit or raw veggies, Atkins' shakes or meal replacement bars - not ideal but better than potato chips and candy. Hard to tell what the meals they will have at the convention offered. I do not drive tour van and Ron and I do not leave the building once we are there as we are vendors so we are stuck with what is available. NOT EASY. In the past we have chose to go off plan, but this time we have decided to try and stay on as best as possible. I do not want to go in and out of ketosis - that is harder than staying on track. 

What is MCT oil? 

I 'socialize' for the most part by having people over so I control the menu or by going to the gym with one of my bf's . If I do go out, i eat before, or stick to a side salad and unsweet tea. When I 1st started out, i never went out bc I couldnt trust myself but now Im ok . some one here told me, nothing taste better than skinny.. words to live by  

I still struggle with the social side of things. I have gotten a lot better as portion control. I was just thinking this morning that chips are not worth it. I am better off never getting a taste. (I have successfully avoided the chips leftover from our party Saturday and I am hoping they disappear when my son has his friends over for movie night tonight!) I have been able to do much better at restaurants, choosing foods in advance if they have an online menu or just making careful selections and avoiding the bread basket! All of it just takes planning before and mindfulness during the event. If I stop thinking about it, especially if I have had a glass of wine or two, I can get to nibbling and that is not good. This is not an issue that will go away, as I plan to continue to hang out with friends and throw parties and it has been much on my mind after my less than stellar showing at my party this weekend. I am interested to hear what everyone else does to succeed. 

It is hard when others want to eat whatever. I find when I come prepared I do much better.  

Most of my life I have spent thin (with about 3 exceptions in life where I medicated tragedy with food- am working on this), and have never gained weight by eating only a dessert plate's amount of food. Use the mouth for conversation instead of eating, circulate a room holding a glass of water instead of a caloric drink and you'll be fine.