I'm doing well in general, but I'm kind of frustrated about my muesli situation. (For those of you who recently arrived, I was on strict Atkins induction for a while in the fall, and then went into a brief but very severe depression. Then I suddenly recovered, and I attributed my recovery to the fact that I ate a bowl of muesli. Some people who go on strict Atkins do get depressed. But alternatively, it could've been the change in my meds. Sort of superstitiously, ever since then, I've modified the Atkins diet to include a bowl of muesli every day around noon.) Yesterday I had a weird experience shortly after eating my muesli that I'm pretty sure was a panic attack. Some people who get depression also have panic attacks, but they're super rare for me, and when they do happen, usually there's some kind of trigger event that sets off the escalating anxiety. Yesterday there was no trigger at all: the panic state just blew in like a sudden storm. Well anyway, as a result, I got sick to my stomach, and eventually my whole gut acted up.
After I described it all to my husband Bob, he said maybe there was something off about the muesli, or about the cream I put on it, and that's why I got sick. I didn't think that made much sense because I had all the other symptoms of a severe anxiety attack. So today I sat down at noon again and had my bowl of muesli. I didn't have a panic attack, but my gut acted up again!
So Bob volunteered to be a guinea pig, and he ate a bowl of my muesli with cream. That was hours ago, and he hasn't gotten sick. So now we don't know what the heck is going on. I'm tempted to just bag the muesli and go back to eating only eggs, meat, cheese, occasional nuts, & salad greens. Maybe I'm not one of those people who get depressed on Atkins, after all. I sure would like to be on strict Atkins, because I like the food and I lose weight really well on it. I think I'll take the risk and see what happens...
Ubee— I'm glad to hear your Grain Brain diet is going so well. I'm tempted to read that book, but not until I read the other ones I've downloaded recently. I must say, I'm pleased to hear you're going to list your weight. The reason I came to 3 Fat Chicks in the first place is that I was reading about people who are successful in accomplishing big longterm projects, and one of the recommendations was to "go public" about your plans. You don't have to hold a press conference =laugh= but it's supposed to be very helpful to tell a group of folks who support you exactly what your plans are. In this setting, that means listing your weight and your goal weight. Besides, it would be nice to know how much weight you've lost so far, so I can congratulate you on the accomplishment! =smile=
Larry— I had an 18-pound whoosh myself when I started this project nearly two years ago, but alas, it does come to an end, doesn't it? It sounds like calorie counting is working well for you, especially because it gives you a sense of not being deprived of anything. That's so important for these longterm diets, not to feel deprived.
pjvw34— Welcome back! Turning 50 is an excellent motivation. I turn 60 next year, and that's motivating me a lot. Have I got it right that your name is Pam? Can I call you Pam?
Betsy— Thanks for your kind words about the blog posting I wrote, and I'm thrilled to hear it's motivating you to go binge-free. I am so relieved to have that nasty monkey off my back, I just can't tell you...Remember when you do get the urge, the trick is to separate yourself from it, but not fight it. If you fight it, the urge just gets stronger. Instead, you take the role of being an observer, that's all. Let it yap at you all it wants to. If you just observe it, it will fade, sooner or later.
Donna— That's terrific you walked a mile and a half! Way to go! It sounds like you're starting off the new year with lots of movement: that will help keep your mood up, which for me is the single most important benefit of exercise.
silentarctic— Enjoy your brief "spring"! What's the story with your weight these days? I could be wrong, but I don't think you've updated it in a while. Just curious, because I'm rooting for you! =smile=