IF: 003 done, 004 in progress

Last night was the end of fast period 3.

I was hungry for a bit, but carbonated water with lemon did a good job keeping me hydrated and fighting the empty stomach feelings.

I had some pizza for dinner with the kids, and it didn't taste the same, kind of weird and off tasting, but the rest of the family didn't seem to notice. I ended up just picking the pepperoni and cheese off and leaving most of the bread. It's almost like my body is telling me to get into the keto zone, even though that's not my goal right now.

So, diet aside, I want to talk about mental health and medications.

A year ago this spring, I was diagnosed with major depressive disorder (MDD), Bipolar disorder, and adult ADHD. I also have PTSD, but not related to my military service - it's from when I got mengeoencephalitis and ended up in the hospital for 9 days in December of 2014. I don't remember that Christmas, or most of that December, really. It's bizarre.

I take Seroquel (quetiapine) 300 mg, which levels out my bipolar swings. I have to take it at night because it forces me into an 8 hour sleep cycle (it's used off-label as a sleep medicine). It raises my heart rate and blood pressure while it's in my system. My resting heart rate went up an average of 10 bps, and my blood pressure is in the mild hypertensive zone now. I cut out iodized salt and only eat non-iodized, which lowered my BP significantly.

My psychiatrist just recently added Rexulti (brexpiprazole) 1mg to my regime because I was having depression. He is hoping the combination will keep me from feeling depressed and angry while not triggering a manic episode. After 4 days taking it, the wife told me today that she definitely feels like I seem happier.

The problem: 2 days in a row now I've gotten sudden nose bleeds when I strain or bend over to do something like tie my shoes. I got 2 yesterday - one when I stretched in bed, and another when I moved position on the couch last night. That last one lasted over 30 minutes and triggered a panic attack. I ended up taking a Xanax to both lower my BP and try to stop panicking (dudes aren't used to bleeding, and I'm a real baby about it). Eventually the combination of the Xanax, a ton of paper towels, and some Afrin, it finally quit.

I don't know if it's related to the Rexulti that we just added this week, or just because of the cold, dry weather...but I hope it stops soon.

IF: 002

Day 2, Intermittent Fasting (IF)

I got some flavored water last night. I thought I was getting LaCroix-like unsweetened, but instead what I got was "Clear American" which has aspartame in it.

So, today I felt more hungry. I stayed home from work due to a broken down car, so I was around the bacon and eggs smell from the kids' breakfast. I didn't have work to distract me, and I had the sweet taste of the water.

I still stuck it out until 2pm, so it was a success. But, I found myself prowling the kitchen for carbs. I'm not allowing myself processed sugar, but I haven't gone "full keto" yet - if I ever do. I just love bread and pasta too much for keto to be a sustainable lifestyle choice.

Anyways, in 30 minutes, my 3rd fasting period starts. I'll let you know how it goes.

Science-Based Six Pack

I got pulled in by an ad on Youtube before a video I was trying to watch.

It was by Thomas DeLauer and it was about his program Science Based Six Pack.

It appealed to me because it lets me eat the same things I eat, while just moderating my schedule of eating, and adding some core exercises.

I don't have anywhere near the $100 he wants for his program, so I'm just winging it based on the basics: 16 hours of fasting with 8 hours of feeding between. For my schedule, this works out to eating between 2pm and 10pm and fasting from 10pm until 2pm the next day.

I already do much of this, between sleeping and eating late lunches at work, so all I have to do is cut out snacks.

I don't really care about a six pack, I've never had that even when I only weighed 150 lbs in my 20s. I just want to get below 200lbs again.

So, this is day 1, January 8th, 2018.

Keto Failure

Well, I'm back to sugar and carbs. Keto didn't survive the holidays...again.

Oh well, time to pick up and get back at it.

I also restarted my gym membership, so there's that.

Keto Day 22

I started #Keto again 22 days ago.

As of day 20, I was down 19 lbs to 273.

This weekend I had a little trouble hitting my macros and getting in my water, so I have sort of plateaued here for a minute. Getting back on schedule by having to get back to work, I should pick right back up again.

CW: 273
SW: 292
Lost: 19
GW: 180
Left: 93

Week 2, Day 3 (day 10) Progress

Today marks day 10 of my #keto lifestyle change.

I feel good, I feel like I can continue this for a long time (this time). I'm more motivated than last time because I'm older and have an increased sense of mortality.

Starting Weight (SW): 292lbs
Current Weight (CW): 277lbs
Total Lost: 15lbs
Goal Weight (GW): 190lbs

I still have a long way to go, but I feel like it's a journey I can make.

Week 2, Day 2 - Progress

Starting into my 2nd week, the habits are starting to form, and the cravings are pretty much gone.

I've lost 12 lbs and am now hovering at 280 lbs. I'm thinking I'm not drinking enough water, and that's what's caused this stall.

I just found out that Green Giant has a whole line of low-carb offerings that replace potatoes and rice with cauliflower and broccoli, so I'll be hitting up the freezer isle at the supermarket to see what kind of prices those are at. From what I've seen, they're pretty good on the net carbs, so I'm hopeful that they're not priced too high.

On a side note, I'm struggling a bit with depression. I'm not sure if it's related to the change in diet, or just seasonal, or based on how I feel about my job, but it's definitely there.

Starting weight: 292
Current weight: 280
Total lost: 12
Goal weight: 190