RETURNING TO KETO AF A LONG TIME?
/Weight Loss Fluctuations (9.1.2025 to 9.7.2025)
If we're fortunate, we live many years. Over those years, we've all made plans to 'do better, to 'be better.' We strive to change this thing, that behavior, to correct our shortcomings and to make the most of our gifts. But planning, hoping, and resolving use different muscles than doing, doing again, and doing again tomorrow.
Blerg. It is a vexing characteristic of humans—the silliest species—that we stop doing what we know is best for us and return to doing the opposite, sometimes repeatedly. After a while, it's tempting to throw up our hands and give up. Whether it's keeping our checkbook balanced (does anyone still use a checkbook?), or getting ahead of the mounting clutter in every closet, shelf, drawer, and garage in our lives, or laying off the carbs and laying off the excuses, we can mark our years in the fits and starts, the great intentions and lousy follow-throughs. And the time between some of the various efforts can be expansive. When that's the case, we're left wondering where the time went and what caused the derailment of our 'success train.'
While it might be discouraging, even a bit demoralizing sometimes, no matter how long ago our most recent strumble—a portmanteau of 'stumble' and 'struggle'—we can take ourselves off the bench and jump back into the game. In my experience, having talked with and heard from hundreds of people who are trying to protect their health and resurrect their self-image to where it was in happier times, all of us have had several 'at-bats' when it comes to following the ketogenic, low-carb protocol. Changing eating habits is hard. It's the way it is.
But just because something is difficult doesn't mean it's not doable. Since we often eat out of routine rather than due to actual hunger, we can change that. It's behavior, and we can learn new and implement a new practice, and 'practice' in its meaning as a noun and as a verb. Even if we frame chasing as being a struggle, that's okay. Learning comes from struggle. And even if previous efforts fell short of the mark, the next effort may be the one that gets us where we want to be. If you need an example of someone who repeatedly tried and failed, started and gave up, promised to finally get a grip and get it done, you're looking at her.
Well, you're reading her words, but you get my point.
I knew that low-carb worked for me since 1977 during my sophomore year at university. I only wanted to lose about a dozen pounds. I bought the Atkins book, followed the induction period for a month or so, lost the weight, and tossed the book. And in the early 2000s, I knew exactly what to do to lose weight, which by then was several multiples of a dozen pounds. I lost some weight, and then did what so many of us do: I encountered a traumatic bump in the road (the infamous "life came at me", which is feeble, in that life comes at us every day, as I opined in this post) and thought a bagel would make things better.
It didn't.
The point is, I was the definition of failing at sticktoitiveness. But then one day I did stick to it. And the next day I did so again. And then the next day.
If you feel like your past experiences determine your future, disabuse yourself of that notion. Because if I can do this, you can do this.
I promise.
Disclaimer: I’m not a medical doctor, researcher, or Ph.D., but instead, I’ve been fortunate to have had the time and resources to research the ketogenic diet, also known as LCHF (low carb/high fat). The information I share is based solely on my understanding of that research. We are all responsible for our own choices, including what we put in our mouths, and there’s no substitute for each of us checking things out ourselves. And I’m not a medical professional in any way. Go Keto With Casey is not a medical site. “Duh,” you might say. But best to make it clear to all. I welcome questions, comments, and even civil criticism. I’m still learning. So, if you have something to add, go for it. Links in this post and all others may direct you to affiliate links, where I will receive a small amount of the purchase price of any items you buy through those links. Thanks!
