Another swing at weight loss!

[CarolAnn]

Yesterday I had my third visit to a doctor to see if she could help me with weight loss and other issues I've had. She's so thorough and takes as much time as I need to understand the test results! Last week I lost 8 pounds. That's the good news.

The bad news is that those 8 pounds cost about $210 a pound, counting prescriptions!

I think the program she has me on would help lots of people even without the tests. The hallmark of this condition is a round middle - not an even distribution of weight, but weight on the front, where it interferes with the lungs and heart. Great. Now you all know I'm shaped like Ziggy!

My first blood test showed that my glucose and insulin levels were high, even after a 12 hour fast. (10 points insulin; should have been under 5.) The second blood test was taken 2 hours after eating. Then my insulin was 27, and it should have been under 15.

What this says is that my poor lil' pancreas is being called on for more and more insulin, but the cells aren't using it. So all that glucose that should be generating energy is being saved as fat. (Now why don't those darn fat cells stop being so efficient?!)

What I've done is to eat a FEW carbs at breakfast, and almost none for the rest of the day. I eat lean protein at EVERY meal and non-starchy veggies at every meal. I can't skip any meals and I'm not supposed to snack or eat after 5:00 p.m.

She put NO restrictions on how much I eat. Why is it that it's so easy to eat too many cinnamon rolls or cookies, but not zucchini? ;)

So this diet is a little like the Atkins diet - but better balanced. I'm only using a small amount of fats, with a treat once or twice a week, like a BLT on toast for breakfast.

This morning I started on Metfornin - a prescription drug that is often given to diabetics. Although I'm not diabetic YET - my condition often slides into it. So this is sort of a deterrent to diabetes. I take one in the morning before I eat the carbs of the day.

For me now, it's no soda, no candy, no sweet rolls or cookies, no potatoes, green peas or corn. (boo-hoo - no corn on the cob this year!) I don't drink, or it would also be no alcohol. All that glucose is poison to this body.

Have you had a struggle with weight? If so, have you gone to a doctor, and did it help?

[Shamrock1121]

If you aren't familiar with the glycemic index of foods, you may benefit from studying the subject. Nearly everyone would benefit from choosing foods on the lower half of the index, especially anyone with diabetic tendencies.

Some foods you may not be familiar with that won't raise blood glucose and may be good substitutes for those that do:

- agave nectar - a natural, honey-like sweetener. I avoid chemical sweeteners and use agave nectar almost exclusively as a substitute for sugar.

- chana dal - these are an immature garbanzo bean and look and are used a lot like split peas. I get them through Bob's Red Mill (www.bobsredmill.com). Here's a couple recipes at a web site that also has information about the glycemic index of foods - http://www.mendosa.com/chanarecipes.htm.

- bread - choose sprouted grain bread - found in the freezer at most health food stores (www.foodforlife.com), or learn how to make wholegrain sourdough. Choose ancient grains (spelt, kamut) because they are naturally lower on the glycemic index of foods, as well as barley and rye.

- choose small portions of new potatoes over large mature potatoes. New potatoes are immature and don't have the developed sugars in them that mature potatoes do.

- choose whole foods over processed foods. They nearly always are lower on the glycemic index of foods. Choose an apple over applejuice, whole grains over processed grain foods like cereal.

From things I've read lately, many people have chronically high insulin levels because they are insulin resistant. Over the course of the day, the insulin levels increase, so many people end up burning more carbohydrate and less fat, which some experts believe encourages increasing fat storage over time.

Compounding the problem, the carbohydrate stores in our bodies are thought to act as hunger barometers. When stores are low we feel hungry (whether or not we have burned the calories that we've previously eaten); when they're high, we feel satisfied. But if carbohydrate stores fluctuate widely throughout the day under insulin's influence, the net effect may be an excess intake of calories, causing weight gain. (Source: The Glucose Revolution Life Plan by Jennie Brand-Miller, Ph.D, et al)

-Karen

[CarolAnn]

Shamrock, THANK YOU! I've never heard of the glycemic index. I'm going to go read your links now - sounds like exactly what I need!

[humbug]

Carolann,

Good luck in your weight loss journey. Unfortunately genetics are involved in this. Parents don't get to choose what they pass on to children. Being overweight is a national epidemic. Over half of americans are overweight, so don't feel as if you are alone in your struggle. Diet modifications, exercise, drug therapy and surgeries are your only options. Surgery is usually only done as a last resort, when the health issues associated with weight gain out weigh the risks of the surgeries themselves.
The diet that you describe sounds a lot like the South Beach Diet. One of my neighbors is on this and has lost a tremendous amount of weight. She said she doesn't feel hungry. She never eats processed foods. She eats only whole grain breads, and lean protien and vegatables. I know it is based on the glycemic index too.
All weight loss is beneficial to your health.

Good Luck!!....hum

[new-attitude]

A few years ago I weighed over 300 pounds. It was literally killing me.
I had tried every diet in the book and failed miserably at all of them.
So, I made my own diet.
I did a juice fast for 3 days to cleanse out my body. (That was hard)
Then I ate nothing but salads. I could eat anything I wanted, as long as it was in a salad with at least 80% greenage. Lettuce, spinach, any green veggies at all.

The weight came off.
I still struggle with my weight and agonize some days over every pound.
When I see the scales creeping up, I go back on my *salads only* diet for a few weeks or months.

It is the only thing that works for me.

[nancy1340]

Arggggggggggg

I started going back to the gym (24 Hour Fitness) two weeks ago. Several years ago I was going to a weight lifters gym. None of this pretty boy stuff. Hard core body builders.

I was luck enough that one of them took me on and everyday would help me train. I lost over 40 lbs. I ate chicken, broccoli and salad almost every day. I'd have chicken sandwiches for breakfast and lunch. For dinner grilled chicken and the veggies.

I also walked four miles in the a.m. and after I had lost about twenty lbs. I started walking four miles in the p.m.
I also went country western dancing at least once a week.

I got down to a size 5-6 Rocky Mountain jeans. But if I wanted to breath it was a size 8. :D

[CarolAnn]

SIZE EIGHT? ! Huh!

I'd like to get down to a size 18! Last week's trip to the doc said I'd lost an inch from my upper arms and 1 3/4 inches on my waist. Not as much poundage gone this trip, but things are firming up. Cool!

Got a new catalog in the mail today, and "large" sizes were 16. Boy, that's poor merchandizing. When I loose that much weight there is NO Freaking WAY that I want any "X" or "L" on my labels, and tripple-X better mean naughty!

[gypho]

A few years ago I weighed over 300 pounds. It was literally killing me.
I had tried every diet in the book and failed miserably at all of them.
So, I made my own diet.
I did a juice fast for 3 days to cleanse out my body. (That was hard)
Then I ate nothing but salads. I could eat anything I wanted, as long as it was in a salad with at least 80% greenage. Lettuce, spinach, any green veggies at all.

The weight came off.
I still struggle with my weight and agonize some days over every pound.
When I see the scales creeping up, I go back on my *salads only* diet for a few weeks or months.

It is the only thing that works for me.


That sounds like a good healthy way to do it. I've got a strict regimen too... and it includes not being able to eat any meal that's larger than my own fist. Of course, I do the calorie counting thing too... so I space my meals out, do the size/portion control thing, and it's working. I have a bowflex, but with a garden, working, yard to mow... I don't have time to get on the danged thing. Maybe this winter I'll find 20 minutes in the evenings... *sigh*.... looking forward to my 7's again... I hope.

gypho

[DBackFan]

When I loose that much weight there is NO Freaking WAY that I want any "X" or *"L" on my labels, and tripple-X better mean naughty!

You go girl! I am in the same boat with you. Met a gal today I hadn't seen in years and she was sooo thin! Said she had a ring out on her stomach or something? I was going to check that out.

[Mrs._B]

Wow! :o What a wonderful thread. Thank you for sharing, Carol Ann and I wish you good luck.

Shamrock! Thanks lady :D Great info.

I've struggled for years. My doctor has kindly asked that I go to Weight Watchers or something. I have a big problem with the carbs. I can eat a full meal but without carb, I feel like I'm missing a nicotine fix or something. I end up running out to the kitchen for a slice of break (or worse... Ice Cream ::)) an hour after I've had protein and veggie.

Oh, did I mention if I don't eat often, my blood sugar drops and I get real shakey. I think I need a nutritionist or herbalist.

Hey CarolAnn: Keep this thead rolling!

Susan

[nancy1340]

I am so sad I could just :'( all day.

My neighbor is having a garage sale and so I thought it'd be a good time and for a good cause (she's the single mom that I think I have mentioned here) to clean out closets and cabinets.

I had over 100 Harley shirts that I will never wear so I started with those. Except the ones I am sending to HBP. ;) I kept a few of the sentimental ones. Went on to shoes and handbags I don't wear anymore then started on the rest. I pulled almost everything out of my closet. Including the :'( :'( :'( size 5/6 jeans I will most likely never get into again.

Giving her those size 5/6 Rocky Mountain jeans just broke my heart. I EARNED them about 10 years ago when I was going through a divorce and was going to the gym real steady.

Out went the red leather jacket and very short skirt also. :-[


Why in the world did I quit going to the gym? >:(

[CarolAnn]

Nancy,
It doesn't matter why you stopped - why not start again?

I have so far to go that it will me months before I can go to the gym. But I will as soon as I am healthy enough to! It starts with a short walk - and the walks get longer. Later, I hope to run. It's been years! If I haven't waited too long, and let my health get too bad, someday I WILL.

I'm not dreaming of just running - I'm dreaming of being able to do the things I've wanted to do since I was a kid: Kayaking on a river. Riding a bike on a long trip. Shopping with friends ALL DAY LONG without having to stop and rest.

;D

My boss told me I was crazy to want to kayak, that it could kill me. Well - that's sure better than dieing in the chair, never having tried it! It doesn't sound like you have as long a road back to healthy size as I do - don't wait until you get here to start back! 8)

[gypho]

Carol Ann, your positive attitude will make all the difference in the world. Keep looking up! ;D

gypho

[nancy1340]

Carol Ann, I think I posted some where here that I HAD started back to the gym four weeks ago .

But thanks for the encouragment . ;)

And your right on about taking one step at a time . I don't know how far you have to go but you can do it . :-*

We kayak in St. Croix . There are several places around the island where it's really great for it .

If you don't start now , in five years where will you be ? But if you DO start now, just think where you WILL be by then !!!! The only thing slowing us down is ourselves .

We're babes now but we'll knock 'em dead in a little while . ;)

[Mrs._B]

Ladies. We can do it.

I've always wanted quick fixes... but ya gain it all back. Next week Weight Watchers start. Guess I"ll need to exercies some, too.

Although living in a city is NOT where I want to be, the Y is on 5 blocks away -- but a bit expensive

Susan

[MYellowRose]

* Hayes I imagine what that lady had is what is called a "lap band" on her stomach. *Surgery for it is said to be much easier on the person than "gastric bypass" and it does basically the same thing. *Also, the "lap band" can be removed if necessary for medical reasons much easier than the "gastric bypass" reversal surgery. It's also said to cause fewer complications than the bypass surgery.

[Terri]

Wow! * :o *What a wonderful thread. *Thank you for sharing, Carol Ann and I wish you good luck. *

Shamrock! *Thanks lady :D *Great info.

I've struggled for years. *My doctor has kindly asked that I go to Weight Watchers or something. *I have a big problem with the carbs. *I can eat a full meal but without carb, I feel like I'm missing a nicotine fix or something. *I end up running out to the kitchen for a slice of break (or worse... Ice Cream ::)) an hour after I've had protein and veggie. *

Oh, did I mention if I don't eat often, my blood sugar drops and I get real shakey. * I think I need a nutritionist or herbalist.

Hey CarolAnn: *Keep this thead rolling!

Susan

Mrs. B, you sound glucose intolerant.

For me, I found that if I ate a few crackers,( perhaps 5), or a piece of toast I did not get those carb cravings. I ate a few crackers between meals, too, wjhen I found myself weakening.

The culprit is the low blood sugars between meals. A SMALL snack prevents the shakes, though if I waited until the shakes started I would binge EVERY time, so I try VERY hard to eat a light snack.

I promised myself a little black dress once I had been on the diet for a while. I only wore it a few times, but that little black dress was IMPORTANT to me! ;D

[sma]

i started gaining weight after i got married. it kinda crept up on me before i realized it, i'd gained 30 lb! then i got pregnant with daughter #1 and after she was born, I needed to lose 50 lb. :-[

i started walking alot and went on Weight Watchers flex points plan. i lost 20 lb before i got pregnant again. now that daughter #2 is here, i'm going to start again.

i really liked Weight Watchers. i found myself eating better, healthier meals, my portion sizes were smaller, and i was still able to treat myself on occasion.

i'm borderline hypoglycemic so i do need some carbs in my diet or else i get shaky and sometimes will pass out. :o i make sure to only eat whole grain breads and i eat high fiber cereal for breakfast, like mini wheats or total. i also eat lots of fresh fruits and veggies.

i need to lose about 30 lbs, maybe more but i'd be happy to lose 30.

good thread... it's nice to have the support of others! :)

[nancy1340]

It is soooooooooo nice to step on the scale and see that you've lost another pound or so .

Yesterday I spent about a hour + on the bike and did some free weights for a total of 2 1/2 hours at the gym . Everyday I think I can't do it but so far every day there I am .

It's off to the gym for me. :)

[Mrs._B]

How's everyone doing with their plans?

I'm in my first week at WWatchers. Amazing.. when you start portioning out what ya eat, it adds up fast. I definately have been eating more than what I'm supposed to. It's going to take a few weeks to get down to my allotted points for the day.

I even walked today -- okay only 1/2 mile :D but it's the most I've walked in some time. :-X

Susan

[sma]

way to go Mrs. B! you start small and then just work your way up! i've started loosely keeping track of my points, just to see where i'm at right now. not too bad. alot of the stuff i eat is fairly low points. if i could just convince dh to stop bringing home potato chips and ice cream! ;) ;)

we have a membership to the Y. we have a family plan and i got a huge discount on the initial fee through my job. also, if i can show that i go 2-3 times a week then my job will reimburse me on the monthly fee! you might want to look into that!

[Mrs._B]

Hey SMA. I think just always keeping what is going in our mouths is a good point to start. I'm trying not to beat myself up about going over some points.... it's like having to cut points in half all of a sudden. I'm going to work up to it.

Great to hear you're going to the Y. I've had a long-term membership for years.. just never go! :-[ AND... it's 3 block from my house :D

I told dh, he's going to have to start cooking his own dinner if I start going after work. (I'm not sure if it has sunk in his big skull yet... ;D

Susan

[nancy1340]

Hey all , I am sticking to my diet and exercise plan pretty well . On Saturday's we always have steak , veggies and share a bottle of wine . But that is the only day I really veer off course a little and even then I watch my serving size . :(

I didn't go to the gym on Tuesday because FTWB had his hand operated and today because I had a job to do . But I will be back at it tomorrow . ;)

Seems like the weight is slow coming off but at least it's steady . :)

Hang in there fellow dieters . We can do it .

[sma]

cool nancy! glad to see you're sticking with it. don't beat yourself up over a small treat. you need to treat yourself a little bit cause if you completely deny yourself then you're more likely to go on a crazy junk food binge...at least, that's what happens to me.. :-[ so i give myself small treats, i just plan them out. so if i'm going to a cookout or a party or out to eat, i can have dessert or some potato salad or whatever as long as i've been very careful the days prior to the occasion. hope that makes sense...

mrs. b...you should definatly start going to the Y after work. i would suggest that on the days you plan to go you throw together a meal in the crockpot that morning so it'll be ready for dh when he gets home. or make up some stuff ahead of time on the weekend, freeze them, and all he's gotta do is pop it in the oven or something. that way, it'll free up some time for you a couple days a week!

i work 3rd shifts 2 nights a week. so i will probably go to the Y monday, thursday, and saturday mornings. thursdays a friend of mine is going to start going with me (i'm more motivated working out with a friend) and on saturdays dh could probably come with. but i don't like working out with him. he's about as encouraging and fun as an army drill seargent. ::)

i haven't weighed myself, but i was able to button a pair of pants that i couldn't button a couple weeks ago...so i guess i'm losing the weight.. ;D

[nancy1340]

Very good sma .

And your right , ya gotta have a treat now and then .
Not everyday but once or twice a week .

We're going to Toronto this weekend so there will be some eating going on . ;D

But quite a bit of walking also .

[Mrs._B]

How is everyone doing. Although I only dropped 2 pounds in 2 weeks, Dr. says one lb a week is what she wants to see.

Replaced cereal for breakfast with yogurt and banana. If I do it cereal, I at least have a banana. Put some apple sauce and canned fruit in the fridge at work -- HEY! no more dizzy spells!

Haven't gotten to the Y yet. (But, I keep paying them.) (Crazy.) I'll get there sooner or later.

How is everyone else?

Susan

[nancy1340]

I am very pleased that I didn't gain any weight while we were in Toronto . And eat we did . :o

Back to the gym tomorrow. :(

[Boldylocks]

Mrs. B., a girl at my work lost alot of weight from counting calories that she learned at Weight Watchers. She joined for a time- but now just counts calories.

CarolAnn, I read that if you also get some apple cider vinegar in you-- a little dixie cup of raw apple cider vinegar a day- as well as chew on a cinnamon stick, this will balance your glycemic index, and help your body break down sugars better.

Raw red beets cut up with some olive oil, raw onions, olive oil and some apple cider vinegar are great for the pancreas too-- and also very cleansing for the colon.

A week of colon cleansing may clean out any built up fecal matter in your lower intestines, and colon and speed up your metabolism!

fruits low in the glycemic index are:

1- Any berries

2- Green apples

3- Concord Grapes (raw-seeded)

4- Hard pears

5- small plums

6- Papaya

7- Pomegranites

[nancy1340]

Dango! I now have a real goal to reach for. Next May is FTWB's 50th high school reunion. :o

I want to be sleek and lookin' goooood.

[Mrs._B]

Okay 5 lbs in 6 weeks. Not too bad.

Apple cider vinegar is supposed to be for many things. The old timers swears its great for lowering cholesterol.

I mix a little with grape and apple juice. I too heard it is supposed to help keep things cleared out.

Hang in ya'll

Susan

[daphodil]

Hi All! I have been dieting seriously for one month and I have lost

SIXTEEN pounds!

My inspiration has been my dd's dance teacher. She eats really healthy and has a super body although she's I forget how old--but maybe in her 50s?

I basically fast all the time and have one meal a day. Maybe a snack in the evening.

I don't want to be so heavy when I hit 40 and figure it better come off ASAP :)

[MYellowRose]

I found a diet book at the library recently that I actually like, both the advice and the recipes! Yeah!! One of the author's is Mollie Katzen, she of The Enchanted Broccoli Forest cook book and others, so I checked it out to read. I'm about half-way through since I read the portable menu plan and the 21 day menu plan pages, along with many of the recipes, first. Now I'm on something like point 5 or 6 or so.
The book is: Eat, Drink, & Weigh Less by Mollie Katzen and Walter Willet, MD. Copyright 2006 by Tante Malka, Inc. & Walter Willet, MD. Put out by Hyperion and the ISBN is: 1-4013-0249-1 with a price of $23.95. I'm seriously debating on seeing if I can find it at Barnes & Noble next month.
I'm going to stock up on what I can, pantry wise, before beginning the program since it uses a lot of fresh veggies and fruits and they can be somewhat costly. I really think if I can get back down to the 135#'s I weighed in the early '70's it will help my arthritis pain in my knees and ankles and so on.
I think I can afford his ideas if I use the portable plan as it calls for fewer different items than the 21 day plan does.
You guys might want to check the book out and see if you like it.

[daphodil]

I have lost 30 lbs! I have had to go out and buy new clothes. . . only have 30 more to go. I started back last November. I'm a couple pounds away from my driver's license weight and hope to get down to my college weight.
I have only one pair of pants that fit me really well. My MIL says she's doesn't feel sorry for me ;D My dds say, "yeah, you used to be so huge." (okay, you don't have to be THAT honest. ;D)

I'm so sorry that I gave away so many nice dresses, thinking I'd never fit into them again >:(

I love shopping again! I love walking into a room and counting all the women that are FATTER than me now! :D

Here's a bumper sticker to motivate you girls: I may be fat, but you're UGLY and I can diet ;D

[daphodil]

I weighed myself this morning and I lost another pound. I'm seven lbs. under my driver's license weight.

Basically, I'm hungry all the time. . . but it's working :D

[Mrs._B]

Good job, daphodil. Have fun shopping!

[daphodil]

Thanks :) The only disadvantage to losing weight is trying to walk my GSD. . . when a car goes by I REALLY have to hold on to him now :D (he wants to chase them)

I'm down to a size twelve and I want to just get to a ten, but even now is okay.