The Stabilization of MissM

I don't love calling it a "cheat" day or meal or whatever, but I do think planning for diversions from the regularly scheduled programming as far as food is concerned can be exactly the kind of release valve we need to stay the course long term. In fact, my doc's office pretty much recommends keeping to a dairy-free P3 indefinitely but with one to two "cheat" days per month. I think that's pretty livable.

And I agree that having a plan for getting back on track is absolutely crucial. A small eating window of low carb, high protein, moderate fat tends to do nicely for me. Sounds like many of us are in that same boat. Maybe not with the IF part, but in terms of meal composition. It helps curb the sugar/carb runaway train.

Also, it seems to me what we're craving is the illusion of freedom when things go haywire, so whatever we can do to cultivate that without causing harm, the better. I think of you, mrsstrong, and your way of having a little chocolate every day. Funny thing, that's what the Ayurved prescribed for me in the two weeks leading up to my period. You know what you're doing. And Dubbles, if you can make those plantain chips work in that way, then rock on with yo' bad self.

I think we're finding our way, ladies. :)

MissD
I love the bond you have with your Ayurvedic therapist... friends of mine went on a trip to India to a retreat and loved every moment.... they brought back some real hand made raw chocolate for us.... it was sooo rich... you could only have like half a small at a time

But I also think that we are our own worst enemies..... we crave the things we are not ‘allowed’ to have... Our brain hears what we tell it... we tell it we are on diet... then it tells you about all the things you crave

I don't know how many of you practice affirmations in your daily lives... we use affirmations to teach our brain how to react positively to what we tell it... When using affirmations... one should not tell our brain anything negative... so we tell our brain.... i tell my brain its a healthy eating plan... its late and I can go on forever.. but in short, me mindful of your thoughts and what you tell your brain.... if you tell your brain this is hard... it will make it harder for you... because you told it it is hard.... dont know if I make sense
More later.....
be mindful in thoughts and actions...

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Originally Posted by DivineMissM

I don't love calling it a "cheat" day or meal or whatever, but I do think planning for diversions from the regularly scheduled programming as far as food is concerned can be exactly the kind of release valve we need to stay the course long term. In fact, my doc's office pretty much recommends keeping to a dairy-free P3 indefinitely but with one to two "cheat" days per month. I think that's pretty livable.

And I agree that having a plan for getting back on track is absolutely crucial. A small eating window of low carb, high protein, moderate fat tends to do nicely for me. Sounds like many of us are in that same boat. Maybe not with the IF part, but in terms of meal composition. It helps curb the sugar/carb runaway train.

Also, it seems to me what we're craving is the illusion of freedom when things go haywire, so whatever we can do to cultivate that without causing harm, the better. I think of you, mrsstrong, and your way of having a little chocolate every day. Funny thing, that's what the Ayurved prescribed for me in the two weeks leading up to my period. You know what you're doing. And Dubbles, if you can make those plantain chips work in that way, then rock on with yo' bad self.

I think we're finding our way, ladies. :)

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I think so too, Miss M. And I think this forum everyone is really trying for long term solutions to eating well, healthy, and balanced. I was on the forums a long time ago, and loved the people. But when I think back, most of us didn't talk long term. I don't think it was the dynamic going on with us. And I enjoy this forum because I really think healthy is important to us, as well as weight loss. I do agree, think we're finding our way.

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Originally Posted by Dubbles

I hear you mrsstrong, aren't Miss M's postings wonderful. Sometimes she seems to write what's in my head, and I think WHAT, HOW DO YOU DO THAT? That's why the forums are helpful, I think, some people can just articulate things better than others, better than me anyway.

Now your post really is making me think. We have all been talking about mindful eating, and I can see having a planned day, or meal for a treat might be helpful, and if planned, definitely mindful. And I thought the sentence "I just need a strong plan for the next day to get off the carb without jeopardizing my metabolism. Maybe a planned high protein and fat day without it being a correction/steak day per se" so interesting and may be for me a viable stratergy for future.

Which begs the question, Leez, or anyone--on P3 is it okay to just do a high protein/fat day at any time? Or would that sabotage stablization. I am exactly 1 lb over last dose weight, no need for correction. But today so far I have had only sausage patties, and grilled chicken nuggets--if I wanted to continue and have only protein and fats for the day would that be a bad idea? Any feedback from anyone. I've never done just a protein day during p3, except for correction days in the past, which were really Full Fat Fage days. Thanks.

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I guess as much as mindfulness is important, I don't want to be all the time! Maybe that is the honest truth: that I want my cake and eat it too. Literally! And maybe planning for a day without being mindful will help me if I really commit to my own plan and rules better. I mean, the recipe is all there for P4: eat, weigh, and adjust. Gah.

It really looks like me dancing on a mountain like that Sound of Music meme where Maria is singing and dancing when I can eat what I want. Such a strong image for me. And feeling. So maybe something to heal. I often wonder how many of us have food/eating issues that come from infancy. Feeding on demand was not a thing when my mother had me and I can't help but think about this. Many babies were on a schedule and then overfed each serving (emptying a bottle). Not that that why matters. Just have to find a solution.

To your question: It is how I live/maintained until Covid hit :) High protein/fat. Keto works well for me. Until I allow carbs. We had a baker in the house and I have a 14 year old who loves to cook. What mother heart can say no to a 14 year old cooking? He knows my diet and does his best to adjust but also just wants to cook what he wants to cook.

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Originally Posted by DivineMissM

I don't love calling it a "cheat" day or meal or whatever, but I do think planning for diversions from the regularly scheduled programming as far as food is concerned can be exactly the kind of release valve we need to stay the course long term. In fact, my doc's office pretty much recommends keeping to a dairy-free P3 indefinitely but with one to two "cheat" days per month. I think that's pretty livable.

And I agree that having a plan for getting back on track is absolutely crucial. A small eating window of low carb, high protein, moderate fat tends to do nicely for me. Sounds like many of us are in that same boat. Maybe not with the IF part, but in terms of meal composition. It helps curb the sugar/carb runaway train.

Also, it seems to me what we're craving is the illusion of freedom when things go haywire, so whatever we can do to cultivate that without causing harm, the better. I think of you, mrsstrong, and your way of having a little chocolate every day. Funny thing, that's what the Ayurved prescribed for me in the two weeks leading up to my period. You know what you're doing. And Dubbles, if you can make those plantain chips work in that way, then rock on with yo' bad self.

I think we're finding our way, ladies. :)

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I think I only call going off protocol a cheat. I need to watch that. It is important to change our language when in P3 and P4.

Yes, chocolate is a must! I don't eat anything lower than 85% and buy fair trade etc. so it is not cheap, but I feel I must support the local farmers/families and will not go without.

Doing IF once or twice a week was pretty normal for me. I eat between 12-2 for the first time on those days.

A local restaurant makes delicious fried plantains. I may just have plantain on the occasion we order from there. Self-restricting!

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Originally Posted by FlirtyFlo

But I also think that we are our own worst enemies..... we crave the things we are not ‘allowed’ to have... Our brain hears what we tell it... we tell it we are on diet... then it tells you about all the things you crave

I don't know how many of you practice affirmations in your daily lives... we use affirmations to teach our brain how to react positively to what we tell it... When using affirmations... one should not tell our brain anything negative... so we tell our brain.... i tell my brain its a healthy eating plan... its late and I can go on forever.. but in short, me mindful of your thoughts and what you tell your brain.... if you tell your brain this is hard... it will make it harder for you... because you told it it is hard.... dont know if I make sense
More later.....
be mindful in thoughts and actions...

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Truth! My mother dieted all the time so I never use that word out loud. When my kids ask me why I am not eating what they eat I tell them I am back to my healthy eating plan because I was uncomfortable in my skin and head. They were too young to know when I started and lost my bulk years ago and I never complain about my weight. All very much on purpose.

Working with laboring moms, I always talk to them about how labor is 80% between the ears and then we talk about their inner dialogue, things they don't want to hear, things they do, and ban negative thoughts about what is going on. I should apply this more to myself!

mrsstrong, I love how your work as a midwife (or doula?) creates a framework that helps you think in terms of feeding yourself as mothering yourself. Makes wonderful, compassionate, loving sense to me--and also explains to some extent why forcing/restricting/dieting, etc. is so distasteful. Anything we choose is best chosen with love. That's how I feel anyway, at least when I'm in my right mind!

Yes to good, fair, sustainable chocolate! I pay ridiculous sums for mine, too, and it's money well spent. The best, however, including best tasting, does seem to have a touch of sweetener in in, even if a bit of honey. Saving that for once I'm through P3 proper. I just love the stuff, and it's actually helping me to think of it as medicine. I have much less of a desire to overeat it that way. Just a bit and I'm satisfied. That feels really good.

Love that image of you on a hilltop a la Sound of Music, free and happy. Choosing to eat as you desire. Maybe we can get there. Why not? My guiding force lately has been "only eat as long as you're truly enjoying whatever you're eating." It's a powerful and indescribably simply plan. I've done enough nutritional repair in terms of nourishment and gut health etc. to have rerouted my taste buds appropriately for the most part. And I've noticed lately that my sweets cravings at this point are very nearly gone, which is a miracle unto itself. I'm not even feeling all that compelled toward fruit. However I'm also not entirely willing to commit to keto proper. I know it works best for you. Avoiding starches and sugars is a really good guideline for me. Steers me toward low carb but not necessarily high fat--which can be my undoing. Not that I shy away from fats, but low carb, moderate fat and moderate protein seems to be my best way of eating. I've said that here before, but repetition, if only for myself, doesn't do any harm!

Glad to know some IF works for you, too. I also am finding it to be good to not be so overly rigid about it. Delaying food in the morning and walking in a fasted state has been a really wonderful practice for me. Then eating when hungry and stopping when satisfied, having a cut off point sometime before sundown, is working quite well for me, too. I'm also in that good place of my cycle when I'm not feeling under the influence of any dark (hormonal) forces that make me less than sane about food and eating. Oh to elongate my time in this place. . . .

Late posting today. Loooooong sleep last night because I went early to bed and was late to rise. It was dreamy and much needed. No doubt my epsom salts bath last night helped.

All is well over here. My boiled dinner was such a delight. I opted not to do an almond flour Irish soda bread. My sense is that nuts and seeds aren't the best for me in general, but especially in P3 as I aim to stabilize. I'll start adding them in more in a week when I've completed my three weeks proper. Today marks two weeks done!

I discovered a low carb "bread" made from fresh cauliflower and parmesan cheese. It's sold as little circular bread thins as well as small pizza crusts. Even though I generally avoid dairy, ghee, butter, and hard cheeses seem to be OK, so I don't mind enjoying them on occasion. Ghee whenever. But butter and parmesan occasionally. Anyway, the brand is Outer Aisle for anyone who's interested. I made a kind of toasted reuben with the leftover corned beef and it was unbelievably enjoyable. And small. Built-in portion control is a bonus. Looking forward to trying out a pizza, maybe tomorrow.

Also planning on trying my hand at making coconut yogurt. Anything I find in the store is full of garbage like gums and fillers and stabilizers I know are gut disruptors. And they're not all that tasty anyway. But it sure would be nice to have some homemade yogurt for sauces and such on hand.

Must turn some bone broth I made into soup, so something coconut creamy and Indian spiced with cauliflower is probably going to be for supper with air-fried chicken thighs coated in an egg wash and pork rinds. This will be a fun experiment.

And then early to bed again. Oh how marvelous a good night's sleep can be. I think I crave it more than most things these days. A sure sign of middle age, no?

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Originally Posted by Dubbles

I think so too, Miss M. And I think this forum everyone is really trying for long term solutions to eating well, healthy, and balanced. I was on the forums a long time ago, and loved the people. But when I think back, most of us didn't talk long term. I don't think it was the dynamic going on with us. And I enjoy this forum because I really think healthy is important to us, as well as weight loss. I do agree, think we're finding our way.

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Oh, yes. it's all about the long term for me, and to your point about the forum, Dubbles, Yvonne helped me really focus on that in the last round. Her knowing that P3 was the most crucial part helped me refocus what began as a simple way to drop a few pounds and reset some bad habits. But it's turned into something else altogether--and I'm every so grateful!!

Yvonne, I don't practice affirmations as such, but I am constantly working with a sankalpa, a resolution, as a seed I plant in my daily meditation. I absolutely believe with all my heart that the language we use and the way we talk to ourselves is critical to our outcomes both large and small. I hope you're backing away from the ACV if it's causing you burning. That can't be a good sign. Maybe a spoonful of yogurt would have the intended benefit without the negative consequence? Yogurt seems to do well for you and it is fermented, after all. Just a thought. . . .

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MissM
Avoiding starches and sugars is a really good guideline for me. Steers me toward low carb but not necessarily high fat--which can be my undoing. Not that I shy away from fats, but low carb, moderate fat and moderate protein seems to be my best way of eating. I've said that here before, but repetition, if only for myself, doesn't do any harm!

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As I always say.... just because we CAN do it... does not mean we HAVE to.... and in my case having lived a very very low fat lifestyle, I see no reason to tip the scale completely, but rather keep a healthy middle ground... Once we figure out what works for ourselves... than that becomes the long term habit going forward

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MissM
Yvonne, I don't practice affirmations as such, but I am constantly working with a sankalpa, a resolution, as a seed I plant in my daily meditation. I absolutely believe with all my heart that the language we use and the way we talk to ourselves is critical to our outcomes both large and small.

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Re the affirmations.. it was really late for me and I struggled to find the right words to express myself,.......for me it is the internal conversations we have with ourselves and to be mindful of how we speak to and of ourselves... the words we use habitually that cause negative impact on our actions....

a simple example is when a friend asks.... can you have this or that - my reply is usually, I can have it but I don't want it at this time... even when on P2.... I will usually say.... this is a choice I made for myself and I feel good not wanting something on offer

I think so much damage is done when we tell ourselves we CA'T have something - because that's when your brain railroads us

I have a few words I am so mindful of.... for example, I avoid at all cost using the word 'hate' in any conversation... because hate can begin small and end up consuming us when we are not guarded.... it can easily slip out...and I do not want to give negatives like that power over my life....silly me...

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I hope you're backing away from the ACV if it's causing you burning. That can't be a good sign. Maybe a spoonful of yogurt would have the intended benefit without the negative consequence? Yogurt seems to do well for you and it is fermented, after all. Just a thought.

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I think I learned my lesson in terms of the ACV...just really intrigued why one day it was no problem and the next day i was in agony?? the mysteries of our bodies are mind boggling.... As for Yogurt, as you know that is my go to breakfast most days... thanks for reminding me it is a fermented food

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Miss M...
My sense is that nuts and seeds aren't the best for me in general, but especially in P3 as I aim to stabilize. I'll start adding them in more in a week when I've completed my three weeks proper. Today marks two weeks done!

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You do remember that with every round you have to add an extra week to P3 and P4?.... so we should on this round do 4 weeks P3.... and 4 weeks P4
(But as I already mentioned I will do my 4 weeks P3 but cycle around after 2 weeks of P4) I could cut P4 short but not P3.... just to keep in mind....

But I am interested in the Coconut Yogurt? do you have a recipe? years ago we used to get cultures to make home made Yogurt, I would love to lay my hands again....