Charlotte's Journal

Charlotte · October 26, 2019, 4:10pm

I’m so excited for this journey!!

I’m coming out of a really stressful long term situation. I have so much more hope and freedom now, but I’ve also kind of been going crazy with food and alcohol because of all the emotion.

I’m so busy with the kids, work, and school that I realize I’ve been numbing the rest of my emotions to handle my day to day life. It’s taken a toll, and I can’t keep handling stress like this.

I want to feel sexy, not frumpy! I want to be calm, present, and mindful. Not anxious and distracted. I want to heal my gut, have more energy, learn my triggers, and get back to my spirituality.

I’m going to do 14-21 days. I’m so ready to get out of this funk and be the woman I want to be!

Compdude · October 26, 2019, 11:43pm

You may want to add meditation to your daily routine. Stress raises your cortisol levels which studies have shown lead to fat retention. Specifically they compared people who ate the same thing and those that were stressed gained weight. Even as little as 10 minutes will have an impact. Good luck!

Charlotte · October 26, 2019, 11:50pm

Thank you! That’s definitely something I try to do along with yoga, it’s just so hard to stay consistent lately. I think it’ll be a lot easier to make time when I’m waking up earlier due to fasting (before the kids wake up lol)!

Charlotte · October 28, 2019, 6:18am

Day 1

Good day! Not really hungry at all. Looking at cute workout clothes for when I’m not self conscious about my belly lol.

Omg my skin is suddenly so soft. So crazy to notice a difference like that this soon!

Yasemin · October 28, 2019, 12:27pm

Isn’t the skin thing incredible?!

Charlotte · October 28, 2019, 8:35pm

Day 3

40 hours in and feeling so good! A little irritable this morning, but journaled about my triggers. Not hungry and lots of energy. Had some pickle juice which tasted AMAZING even though I hate pickles lol.

Charlotte · October 28, 2019, 8:38pm

Yes, I love it!!

Charlotte · October 29, 2019, 6:25pm

Day 3

Almost 62 hours in and whew, food is much more tempting today! I still feel really good though and I have a lot of energy. I’m really motivated about my "why " and excited for where I’m going to be by Thanksgiving!

I ordered an Oregon Grape Root tincture because I think it’s likely I’ve had Giardiasis. It’s an anthelmintic herb and will help get rid of parasites.

Charlotte · October 30, 2019, 10:46pm

Day 4
The day started off great, but a lot of family stress has been tempting me to eat. I’m not going to give in, but it’s actually been a difficult afternoon. I hope the next couple of days go by more quickly!

Compdude · October 30, 2019, 11:00pm

Look into ways of relieving that stress, like meditation. Studies have shown that stress raises your cortisol levels which is hormone that leads to weight gain and hinders weight loss.

Charlotte · November 1, 2019, 1:35pm

Day 5
Yesterday was my day 5 and I did great until the evening. I ALMOST gave into a piece of pizza. Carbs are my weakness way more than sugar. But I held through and didn’t eat the pizza!

It seems like cravings on days 1-3 were frequent but short lived, while my temptations on day 4 and 5 were only in the evening but more intense.

Charlotte · November 1, 2019, 11:07pm

Day 6
Doing good today and I’m content with moderate energy. Noticing more mental clarity as well. I’ve lost 8.8 lbs so far and I’m excited to continue! My record is 7 days, so I’m ready to make it to 10, and then 14. Definitely have belly fat to lose and I’ll be making a trip to see my family soon, so I want to feel lighter and happier than the last time they saw me.

*So, I came so close to breaking my fast. This mental hurdle is so much harder to overcome than the physical cravings. It’s almost like I can’t really see myself being as thin as I want to be, that it’s just unattainable and then I self sabotage. I finally snapped out of it though. I remembered my why, chugged some water, saved some sexy stomach inspiration pictures, and did some ab workouts. I really hope this is easier after day 7

Charlotte · November 2, 2019, 4:32pm

Day 7
Yay! After today it’ll be my longest fast. I was actually a little discouraged today though. I lost more weight by this time on my last fast… but I honestly think I just need more sleep. My daughter kept waking me up the last 2 nights.

I took my measurements again, and I lost a 1/2 inch on my arms, 1 inch around my belly, and 1/2 inch around my hips. I’m ready to make it to 14 days!

Compdude · November 2, 2019, 7:07pm

Sleep is very important. Studies have shown that a lack of sleep hinders weight loss. Glad you recognize the role it played in your current fast.

Yasemin · November 3, 2019, 1:09am

Charlotte! You’re doing amazing! Look at the non scale victories as well! When it comes to sleep, have you tried taking magnesium before bedtime at all?

Charlotte · November 3, 2019, 3:03am

Thank you so much!! I have actually, I love magnesium because it often calms my anxiety lol. I think I just need to get my daughter sleeping in her own bed at night again… toddlers can kick hard Thank you for all the encouragement, I’ve learned so much from you and this journey!

Charlotte · November 3, 2019, 10:31pm

Day 8
This is the longest I’ve gone! I feel pretty good for the most part. I did get news I won’t be visiting my family and friends as soon as I thought, so I briefly felt like having a few refeed days and continuing, but I know it’s only my cravings talking. Still keeping my eyes on 14 days since I’m over halfway there.

Charlotte · November 4, 2019, 2:59pm

Day 9 (or 1)
Soo… I let stress, sadness, and excuses get the best of me last night around 9pm. I ate the tacos I made for dinner and a few pieces of chocolate. I’m going to hop right back on and keep fasting today through Saturday though.

What sucks is that I woke up feeling great yesterday. It was the first day in a while I actually got dressed, put makeup on, and was getting things done. I got an unexpected call, and then I spent all day helping my soon-to-be ex husband taking him to the ER, getting prescriptions, etc. When I drove him back he degraded, insulted, and gaslighted me the whole time, then we got there and said he was like, “oh sorry, I didnt mean to.” My grandpa also passed this week from Alzheimer’s and it’s been hard on my family.

It’s been a complete 360 for my emotions and by the time I got home I didn’t even care anymore. So I ate. Then I couldn’t stop crying. Anyways, that’s my sob story.

Thing is, the food didnt even taste that great to me! I’ve been so excited to fast til Saturday and then do Keto. I have all kinds of awesome recipes saved, and I still plan on doing that. I just had an emotional setback last night

Compdude · November 4, 2019, 3:03pm

Please don’t be so hard on yourself. It’s completely understandable. Take care of yourself first. Big reason is when your stressed your cortisol levels rise and its a hormone that promotes weight gain and hinders weight loss. When you’re ready you can start again.

Charlotte · November 6, 2019, 4:00pm

Oh. My. Gosh. I’m so happy about my measurements!!!

So, on Day 8 of my fast I ate a meal, and I did the same on day 9. They weren’t healthy, but they were within a 2 hour time frame. So I figured I would just continue with OMAD rather than get down on myself. The next day (yesterday) I worked out and had a SUPER awesome keto meal within a 4 hour time frame. I’ll do the same today. I already worked out and I’m not even hungry. I feel awesome and have had SO much energy. No dip in energy or bloating like when I eat carbs!

Just for gits and shiggles I measured myself (was too afraid to weigh myself). I’m down another 1/2" in my belly and arms, and 1" in my hips- just from 4 days ago!! OMAD + keto and occasional water fasting will be my saving grace.