Thank you all so much for your support and sound advice. I feel much better for getting it out (including a screaming sesh last night! Lol!)
Anyway, I start tomorrow, I have decided! Again, thankyou so much, I don't think anyone has a clue how hard this is unless they have it or live with someone with it.
I will stay in contact and you will prob get fed up with me asking stuff.
This is brilliant - well done you! I especially love that you talked it over (honestly) with your partner and daughter: now they know what you're going through, they'll be able to support you. You're literally not alone in this now - it can only get better.
A couple of years ago, I may have bought a cheap dining set and broken every piece int he garden which screaming obscenities at the sky. I don't care that I looked like a crazy person - it was absolutely the best therapy ever (- and a steal at £15!).
I'm just starting on my 4th week of low-carbing and am already an absolute convert. My health, confidence, energy and BG levels have all improved significantly already. Things I've noticed are:
- Carb cravings suck but don't last for long. One evening I gave in and ate a packet of crisps and felt terrible about it after. But I realise that you have to be reasonable about what you will and won't cope with. That packet took the edge off my cravings and I was able to cope with anything after.
- My initial target was 120g carbs / day, but I've found that I've naturally gravitated to around 80g. It's happened completely unconsciously, without pushing, starving or micro-managing. I filled the house with stuff I can eat freely and I grab and munch whenever I'm hungry.
- I'm hungry far less and, when I do eat because I'm hungry, I'm eating far less. I'm eating more meat than before, but it's unprocessed and traditional cuts. Protein and fat are far more efficient fuels than carbs for your body.
- I haven't given two figs about the calorie content of my food, though I keep a note of it out of curiosity. What I've noticed is my daily calorie consumption has (largely) dropped alongside my carbs. While not caring what I eat, I'm generally eating much better - vegetables and salads eaten raw as often as possible (I'm lazy) or things I can shove in the oven. I've not used the microwave in 2 weeks.
- In spite of my lack of concern for fats and calories, my weight is dropping and my health improving. While I'm on a medication (Jardiance) that promotes weight loss, I'm confident that not only is the low-carb thing helping it along but because I'm embracing it as a lifestyle (and not a diet) the weight will stay off.
- The only numbers I'm worrying about on a daily basis are my total carb intake and my BG levels.
Other people will have different targets, methods, advice - that's just my 4-week experience now I seem to have hit the plain sailing, easy bit. Set your own targets, pay attention to what your food does to you, let your body tell you what it needs. It doesn't have to be difficult at all.
And please, please, please do keep in touch. I have fingers and toes crossed for you and questions are how we all learn!
I'm not wishing you luck - you really don't need it!
Sock x