Day one, please chime in :-)

[owensmath]

Be careful with the ranch dressing. It's usually very high in carbs.

[easytoforget]

Hi Owen,

The bottle I have lists one gram per tbsp. I count it as two to be safe and only have it once a day, or have been so far.  I'm really trying to be diligent about my intake, but I know I've had tendency to get little manic when I've counted calories and things before so I'm trying to avoid that. 

On other notes. I'm coming down with something. My first reaction was to have tea with honey to soothe my throat, but I went for hot cinnamon tea with a bit of cream to sweeten it instead.  I had a 2 egg omelete and sausage for breakfast along with my tea and now I'm drinking water.  I'm still having hot flashes as well. I'm currently listening to Doug read his book while working.  I hope everyone is doing well today!

[mouseissue]

Hope you feel better soon, easytoforget!

[easytoforget]

Thank you, mouseissue!

[easytoforget]

Whew! So, the past few days have been a  bit of a struggle, but I'm here and I haven't slipped.  I've been feeling a really bloated and overall chubby, but I'm enjoying this new style of eating How is everyone else doing?

[mouseissue]

Whew! So, the past few days have been a  bit of a struggle, but I'm here and I haven't slipped.  I've been feeling a really bloated and overall chubby, but I'm enjoying this new style of eating How is everyone else doing?

Hi easytoforget!

Congrats on hanging in there!

The first couple of weeks are the toughest.
But once you get pat them, you will feel SO much better.
And, cravings for high carb foods will diminish a bunch!

The best (and healthiest) way to deal with bloating is to drink lots and lots of PLAIN water and reduce sodium (salt) intake.
The water will also help expedite your weight loss!

[easytoforget]

Happy Saturday mouseissue!

Thank you for the advice I've definitely increased my water intake.  I was told that celery can help, but it tastes salty to me so I wonder.

I also have been having what I consider mini successes.  I went to a restaurant today and confidently asked the waiter to hold all breads, potatoes and heavy, flour based sauces.  It wasn't nearly as hard as I thought it would be and I enjoyed my meal very much.  With past dietary changes, I've often ended up a reclusive, manic nut job feeling as though I could't eat out or enjoy food. I totally made changing my eating habits into a punishment without even consciously realizing it. I would always be asking myself, "Why do I have to eat differently to lose weight? Why can't I just eat what I want and be happy?" Every dietary change felt like another separation.  Not only was I an abnormal size, but I had to eat abnormally to be "normal". I would eventually go back to eating terribly, often worse than before I started.  It was self sabotage at it's most effective. 

I'm still having a few cravings, but somehow this doesn't feel like a punishment.  I am genuinely enjoying this so far

[mouseissue]

... I've definitely increased my water intake.  I was told that celery can help, but it tastes salty to me so I wonder. ...

Hi easytoforget!

Celery without added salt, is very low in sodium.
All whole cup of raw celery has only 81 mg of sodium.

Look it up at: http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/foodcomp/search/

If you are enjoying your journey thus far, trust me, it only gets better!!!
The benefits of living a low carb lifestyle are many and quite noticeable!

[easytoforget]

I've been chomping celery like mad I made chicken parmesan and zoodles tonight. Still drinking nothing but water. Well yesterday and today I had some senna tea and magnesium with no sugar.  I've been extremely hungry the last few days and feel generally heavy.  I'm also having cravings so I think I may be getting some hidden sugars in somewhere. I haven't given up though.  Any ideas?

[beth823]

Post your last couple days of meals. Someone will help!

[Amber]

What is the magnesium for?  Just curious 

[joagain]

I think it helps you go to the potty

[mouseissue]

I think it helps you go to the potty

That's right!... If you don't get enough magnesium, constipation will be in your future.
Muscle weakness, tremor, and spasm are also symptoms of deficiency.
But if you get too much, diarrhea, drowsiness, and/or feeling weak will usually result.

Some foods high in magnesium include:

Halibut,baked or broiled
Almonds
Pumpkin seeds
Spinach
Soybeans
Sunflower seeds
Sesame seeds
Peanuts and Peanut Butter

I take a daily vitamin-mineral supplement to be sure I'm getting enough.
Also, since I tend to eat a lot of foods that will bind (like cheese), I take fiber supplement capsules daily too!

[easytoforget]

Actually the magnesium was "prescribed" by my acupuncturist.  The product is called "natural calm", but the only ingredient listed on the canister is magnesium.  Maybe pooping has a calming effect? Lol The natural calm and senna/green tea tastes wonderful though.  The magnesium powder has a sour taste that kind of mimics lemon. And something about hot tea feels like a treat at night.

[mouseissue]

...  Maybe pooping has a calming effect? Lol ...

Hi easytoforget!

Magnesium does MANY things that aid in hundreds of metabolic functions.
You can "google it" to see for yourself.

The more efficiently our metabolisms are working, the calmer we'll be.
But I must admit, I do feel better after taking care of business.