Where Do I Start???

If you are desperate to lose weight and feel better, then you cannot rush it. You can make daily small changes building up to this, like increase water intake, sleep at night, cut sodas out, but to be successful you have to research, educate yourself, and plan, plan, plan. I started this site to use what I have learned to cut down on some of that research for you so you can get started earlier. Two suggestions: 1-Watch a documentary on Netflix called "The Magic Pill." (Hint...it's not about a pill) This film will give you so much information on the ketogenic and clean eating lifestyle, and will motivate you more than any mirror or scale possibly can. 2-Follow my Pinterest board called "The Healthy Stuff." It has infographics, food lists, sample menus, and recipes that are very do-able. I am always adding to it, and when I make something I comment on it. It is the place where all of my research is gathered. 3- Plan a start date. Don't plan to go hard core a week before vacay, then blow it on the trip and feel defeated. This is a lifestyle...not a quick fix. The weight WILL come back immediately. 4- Make a grocery list and a meal plan. You do not have to follow it day by day...you can just have foods to switch around or have leftovers from. Here are some of the "keto" items you will want to have on hand for some common recipes and fat bombs. (Will explain that later) Coconut oil, avocado oil, almond oil, or MCT oil *a little expensive, and you can wait to get it til week two or three when you are really getting the hang of it... almond flour, baking soda, nuts, cream cheese (like four boxes), different cheeses that you like, sour cream, heavy cream, grass fed butter. Most of these are inexpensive and found in any grocery store. MCT oil can be ordered online or found in GNC, Vitamin Shop, Trader Joe's, etc., and powdered stevia and/ or granulated erythol sweetener. These are used for snacks and sweet tooths. (I know that is not really a word) Also, purchase Ketone urine test strips...I pay about 8 bucks for 100 of them to check for ketosis. 5- Have snacks and fat bombs prepared and easy to access. I make chicken salad, tuna, cut up blocks of cheeses, cut slices of summer sausage, breakfast casserole, containers of broccoli and cauliflower to be able to grab and cram in my mouth when I start wanting to graze. Drink A LOT of water!! These steps are the best for getting started. Now, understanding ketosis and why it works it imperative!! You can read about that in my next post. Live Well! Rhonda

My Story

I have a strong family history of obesity, Diabetes, Heart Disease, High Blood Pressure, and addiction. I recognized these things, fortunately, at an early age, and as I pursued a career in health care was able to get ahead of the game for the most part. Health wise my numbers are in great shape.... except for the scale. I have a history of a 20-30 pound swing on the scales.... of which I am currently on the higher end. For many years I was involved in weight lifting, was around 18% body fat, and extremely fit. I cannot stand to do cardio... not sure why....but I am not a runner or a biker. I was in great shape, and then life happened. 11 years ago I was thrown from a horse, and injured my hip, back and neck, causing pinched nerves, herniated disk, and pain every second of every day. I also had Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, Endometriosis, and the combination was my own living hell. I was 40 years old. I married in 2004 to an amazing man that was a C-5 quadriplegic. He was very outgoing, independent, a spiritual leader, and everything I ever hoped for in a husband and father to my two children. Life was relatively normal for us for the first six years.... then he began developing pressure sores and bone infections that took months in the hospital in Atlanta, and in bed. This forced him to retire sooner than he wanted to. During this time I had a decent grasp on my weight... a total hysterectomy and pain management helped tremendously.... and in January of 2014 my mom became ill, and I watched her suffer every day for the next 8 months until she left this earth. Shortly after her death, I lost a tremendous amount of weight... without even trying. Then about a year later, my husband was in a car accident that broke his femur and pelvis, and as a result of some Spinal Cord Injury things, he had a stroke. That was the game changer for me. Because the fractures changed the way he "sits" he has had chronic pressure sores, three surgeries, bone infections, etc., and has remained in the bed 90% of the time. I have had no activity, and most of the time pick up dinner because I am too exhausted to cook. Most days after 5pm and on the weekends, I am bound to our house because he cannot be left alone. The pain I have began having over the past six months in my hips and back are some days unbearable..... the weight I have gained is to blame, and I simply have not had the motivation to do anything about it. Until now. I knew I had to get control of this now, or I might not ever be able to. I will be honest... if I had insurance that would pay for gastric sleeve, I would have done it by now. Honestly...I do not believe there is any shame in that or that it is a cop out at all. I know several who have done it and I have actually been a little jealous that they were able to. (FYI...SC Medicaid pays for it...but SC State Employee insurance does not....don't even get me started..) We all have our reasons and set backs...I stay away from the term "excuse" because we who find ourselves spiraling out of control are working, tired, raising kids, caring for homes, parents, etc., and simply put ourselves last and pay the price for it. I hope you and I both find balance and health through this journey together. Live Well, Rhonda

Rules of the Site

I do not claim to be a professional... I am new to this journey, however, I am not new to nutritional knowledge and how the body functions. As I researched all of this information, I learned new things and will continue to. The purpose of this blog is to share what I have learned, recipes I have tried, and even learn from those who read the posts. Many have asked me questions about so many things, and I respond as soon as possible, so I was asked by several to compile all of my research into one place...so I am. Please understand that I have zero tolerance for hateful, mean posts, and because this is MY blog, any comments in that category will be removed. If you feel that something I post is incorrect, simply explain why, and where your information comes from so I can explore it. Anything I publish here will be appropriately cited so you can do the same. I hope by doing this I hold myself accountable and give others much needed information. Good luck on your journey!!!