Keto and Set Point.....

​​     We made another disappointing attempt to hike to the Ka' ena bird sanctuary. This time, we hiked from North Shore. However, it rained during the week, so the pathway, which is basically a four-wheel drive road, was too muddy to navigate. We realized this after having gone nearly a mile and a half.  At Steve's suggestion, we turned around and walked to our car.  We still planned to stop by our favorite garlic shrimp shack on our way back to Waianae. However, just as we arrived, a group disembarked from a tour bus and lined up at the window, so we decided we could live without our garlic shrimp. It was a big disappointment, especially for Steve, but he will survive. We also discovered several shrimp shacks had closed, particularly the one we liked. The one with the tour bus bought them all out and added some shops selling other things tourists might enjoy. On our way home, we stopped by 24-hour Fitness, where Steve did his swimming, and I finished the rest of my cardio and my steps. We will try again this week, and I hope I have a better hiking report.  On a happier note, I'm losing more quickly these past two weeks. Also, I'm continuing research regarding semaglutide.  As I said, it mimics GLP-1, a naturally produced hormone when the body operates correctly. Nutrients stimulate GLP-1, so when eating, it is activated. It then influences several processes in the body. It slows down the stomach, resulting in a slower emptying of its contents. This effect contributes to a feeling of fullness and reduced appetite. It also signals the brain's energy center, the hypothalamus, to stop eating. Semaglutide mimics GLP-1 when it is not functioning correctly, signaling the brain to slow the emptying of the intestines and stimulating the pancreas to make more insulin. Before beginning my keto diet and then supporting it with semaglutide, my appetite sensors in the brain were not working correctly. Also, hormones in my body likely prevented weight decrease, maintaining a set point that became normal for many years. However, the changes I've made over time and my gradual weight loss should allow my biological systems to adapt to the new, healthier weight. Hopefully, I've done this slowly enough that my body will stop trying to return to my previous weight.  My systems that control hormone levels and neurotransmitters must adapt so my body's set point can change. The semaglutide support is essential to achieving weight loss, but my commitment to the keto diet and exercise over the past several years paved the way for everything. I hope that continuing it will serve me well in the long run.