6 Months – Binge Free

This summer, I was so frustrated with not being able to get my weight loss started.  Since  September 2012, I had been really focused on changing this… found HSM, joined Weight Watchers, started a blog, focused on my binge eating issues, low carb, carb cycling,  exercise consistency, getting out of slumps, juicing… but nothing worked.  I was on this vicious cycle of being motivated and on track and then being totally off track.  I’d lose 2 lbs., then gain it back.  I would have clean eating days, and then binge days. I did manage to stop my weight gain that had been consistently occurring over 5 years, but it wasn’t going down.

I took a close look at all aspects of my life to determine how I could change this cycle. I had accepted the fact that I had a binge eating issue and that the major influence fueling this problem was sugar and processed foods. If I could eliminate this issue, I could better focus on losing weight.  I took a look at previous attempts at losing weight and realized I was most successful when I was in ketosis.  This occurs when you follow a very low carb diet (usually 30 grams or less) which causes your body to burn fat instead of sugar as fuel. The major aspect for me was it eliminates cravings and urges to binge.

On June 8^th, 6 months ago today, I started the ketogenic lifestyle – very low carb, high fat, moderate protein. I gave up sugar, grains, and processed foods.  I increased my fat intake substantially with ratio of 60-65% fat, 25-30% protein, and just 10% carbs. I have been in constant ketosis since June 12^th.  Being in ketosis gives me the strength to really focus on the nutrition I am putting into my body.  I have been binge free since day 1.  It motivates me to work out and to strive to improve my performance.  I’ve improved my running, biking, and swim times.

I’m very close to hitting the 20 lb. weight loss mark, but I really have not put any weight goals to this point. My main goal was switching to a lifestyle that I could maintain long term and that would eliminate binges.  I feel I have this accomplished.  I have experienced triggers since June that in the past would have sent me off on a sugar binge (stress, unachievable timelines, fatigue, boredom, screaming kids), but I’ve worked through them without losing control. I feel amazing, in control, empowered, confident, proud, motivated, ecstatic, aware, and strong!!!!!

So now I’m ready to put my focus on my weight goals.  I was very inspired after listening to Tom Venuto’s interview on the HSM podcast.  I know my vision for lifestyle is to be athletic, passionate, happy and healthy. I like the idea of setting outcome and behavioral goals and to use these goals as a focusing device. I also like the idea of weekly check ins and progress charts as a feedback loop to help you adjust to meet short term goals.  The reward is not what you get, but what you become.  The more challenging the goal, the better person you become! So with this, I am getting on the activity monitor bandwagon (asked Santa for the BMB) and will start tracking calories in and out. 2014 is going to be my ‘getting to goal’ year!