Connorcream Checkin

[connorcream]

For me, those foods I avoid, are starches & grains. I do better without them in many ways. I am not celiac, I have no wheat allergies per se. I just do better. Salt is last on my list when making decisions. It doesn't mean I like gobs of salt, far from it (I get organic canned beans no salt, and use sea salt when I want a salty addition) it is just that there are only so many variables that I can control when someone else is cooking. Especially a restaurant, and salt isn't what makes me fat. Perhaps bloated, but not fat.

Black Eyed Pea- Blacked Cajun Catfish, no rice, double veggies, no rolls, no honey, no cornbread, no sweet tea.

Cracker Barrel- Low carb chicken smothered in cheese, sides are green beans, turnip greens. No bread, no jelly, no honey.

Applebees- Asiago Peppered Steak, no potatoes, double veggies.

Chipotle- Carnitas, sour cream, sometimes guacamole, salad, no bowl, 1/2 corn relish. Green salsa. No cheese, no cheapo tortilla. See below, I have better choices. Love this place.

Mac Donalds- Southwestern salad, no dressing. Do eat the tortilla chips.

I haven't been to Chilis yet but I have wanted to try the shrimp you ordered. I would not have gotten the starchy side, subbed out for double veggies.

Wendy's- Large chili bowl, with cheese & sour cream. No potato, small salad with fresh squeezed lemon juice. I also always have prepackaged lemon juice for salad occasions. Salad dressings, if ordered, are always on the side. Some salads taste better with lemon juice, salt & pepper.

TexMex- I like enchiladas. In my fair city, tortillas whether flour or corn, are ASSUMED, to be made by hand- fresh. Often times, the ladies are out where one can watch them. This is a starch I indulge in at times. With enchiladas, I order 1 green (salsa verde) chicken, 1 cheese, no rice or beans, salad instead. Pico de gallo (or salsa used with the chips) is used as my salad dressing. Sometimes, I will eat 10 crispy corn chips. But as of late, for me, I enjoy so much a hot fresh flour tortilla with a butter pat and a sprinkling of salt, that I forgo the chips altogether. I have the calories for the chips, but I really do not like carb cravings and that is what I am monitoring closely these days. My weight is great. I am now fine tuning what foods I enjoy, and what are their effects.

If I am in hotel/suite with micro & refrigerator (I call ahead), that is awesome. Instead of following the herd to the nearest fast food joint with a wait and, I go to a marvelous deli or if driving would have brought something from home. Trader Joes was close to where I was staying 2 weeks ago in VA, I researched what would be good choices to eat, DH & I had a delicious salmon dinner, green beans, sparkling water. Hazlenut chocolates & hand crafted beer for dessert with friends in our living room. I had the 1-2 # bounce up, but after 48 hrs of lower carb, lower cal eating, the bounce comes off. I do not indulge in a treat, until this bounce has settled back down. I want to see that it is water retention ( I think more from carbs than salt), it leaves, then I can enjoy my treats.

If I am staying in a friend's home, I chalk it up to doing the best I can do, still recording all that I eat, and notice if anything causes a reaction. 2-3 meals is not what caused me to get fat. Let's be real and keep perspective. Also I use these infrequent opportunities, to learn more about my body. Cravings, flushing, lethargy, mind wandering to a particular food and thinking about it too often are the types of reactions I key to. For example, this happened when I had chips & sour cream dip a few months ago. I found this combination to have such a pull on my desires that I refuse to ever eat it again. I have never binged, nor did I do so on this occasion. It was the strong desire to eat more that I did not like. I found myself distracted by them, so that the pleasure of the taste was out weighed by the discomfort of the attraction. I have seen some mention of various food combinations having this effect of people. Food companies have spent vast sums of money to know what most people like to eat. I take this knowledge, and decide for me that it isn't worth it. Does this happen often, no. In fact, I have a very experienced handle on it so that when I notice these reactions, I really enjoy the self discovery. I write it down in my journal to further help me remember.

While losing, I did not want a self induced plateau, so I did not risk it with useless calories. But with maintanence, I am allowing so foods back in, with careful thought.

[TexArk]

connorcream,

Thanks so much for taking the time to write the travel suggestions in your post. I have copied it to my check in and I am sure there are others who will appreciate this as well.

TexArk

[Teemuh]

Hi Connorcream. Your continued weight loss is incredible At this point are you just rolling with it until your weight stablizes, or do you still have another lower number you're trying to reach?

[connorcream]

I do not have a lower number in mind. 121 is the lowest weight for my height and age so that is the bottom. Never, ever thought I would ever be near this number again. My hair is healthy and full, nails are strong (if kept trimmed), new fillings allowing me to eat blackberries again. Facial color is great. I will see dermatologist after the holidays for ipl treatment. I look forward to the feedback on that visit.

I love moving but not compulsively so. I walk about 2 miles a day. Some days less, some days more. No gym. Resistance bands for weight training.

Right now, I am enjoying the weight cushion with the holidays. I was at the symphonythis morning, followed by lunch at the zoo with DD, grand baby, twins, & youngest DD. A nice lady had brought in white trash party mix for the children but we had missed the Bible Study because of the symphony. DD brought it with her for the picnic. So, I enjoyed about 400 calories worth of the stuff, 1 cup, happily munching away. Total cal count for today is 1383 including the trash. I get the sugar attraction but it wasn't as compulsive as the salty, carby, fatty one. I will also be interested if I see a bounce up. I am not set on my carb level yet. It takes many months of clear recording to see these patterns.

I really enjoy my foods. There is no hardship in eating 2 poached eggs, over steamed spinach with greek seasonings (no msg), with black berries (50 gm) and strawberries (5 med) on the side. Coffee with sf pumpkin pie spice and I have a breakfast I look forward to each week that also is satiating for hours. No need to worry about snacking when I have foods that keep me full until the next meal.

Lunch (195 cal) feta cheese, pepitas, garbanzo beans, roasted beets, grape tomatoes, red bell peppers, ff balsalmic dressing (16 gm-8cal) on romaine. I will have pomegranate seeds on my salad tomorrow. I look forward to my beautiful salads or soups.

Dinner tonight, pork stir fry (370cal), roasted brussel sprouts (100gm-36 cal), with an apple crisp for dessert (131 cal).

I haven't found the hard yet. Maybe it will come but for now, I am enjoying the ride. So I am enjoying my low weight. What a better place to be in than a year (or many years) ago. My life is so much happier.

[connorcream]

Heading into the holidays for which there is so much to be grateful. I am on a high with my body and I don't know if it will stop. I do know that for today, it is fantastic.

I am keying in on my carb range in general but need to overlap that with my hormonal cycle. I might find my carb desires and sensitivity are tied to it. I found another banned food yesterday, french fries to go with potato chips & dip. Ate about 250 cal, certainly fit on my plate quite easily. They pushed my carb count up even though cal count was 1270 for the day. I saw a bounce up immediately this morning. The bounce isn't the part that is a concern as I will eat low cal/carb today & tomorrow. It is the desire to eat more and more of those things. So much easier to just not start. They aren't worth it for me. Nothing tastes as good as trim feels. I have never regretted not eating something. I appreciate this new found knowledge but I do not need a repeat experiment. So avoid them I will.

2 miles of walking exercises, resistance bands, heading to the stables for riding with the children, meals planned out on my pda for the rest of the week. So much easier to stay on plan when I have one.

[connorcream]

This post was in response to how to deal with Hanakua. This is applicable for any holiday, religious or secular. Somehow, if it is religious, there seems to be more permission to indulge. I did exactly what this poster did last year during my weight loss. It is possible to lose weight during the holiday season and be happy as well. It is highly unlikely it will happen without a plan. What is your plan?

We've got no shortages of food challenges that's for sure.

In September, we had 20 Thanksgivings in one month if you are just counting the days of the holidays X 2, plus the one meal before Yom Kippur and after. That's a LOT of food.

Did I mention my key to navigating them all is definite NO's and planning? It's the only way. It is essential given the over abundance of food we are faced with.

You've got to learn how to honor the holidays, while still honoring yourself. You (I don't mean you in particular, just you as in general, as in - people) can't use your religion as an excuse to overfeed yourself. It's really just the opposite in fact. We are taught to be constructive, not destructive. G-d sure did make it challenging though! But the truth is, you will see as you go along, that once you get through a holiday unscathed that you can do it. And it's empowering and you build confidence and it propels you to do it the next time and the next time... And each time you will be less fearful.

It takes time though - and definite NO'S and planning and definite NO's and planning

[nowornever83]

Hi Connorcream!

Congrats on your tremendous success! That is so impressive and inspiring. I would like to incorporate calories counting as well because I don't think No S will give me the loss I am looking for alone.

Can you please share how you calculated the number of calories needed to lose?

Thank you!

[connorcream]

Can you please share how you calculated the number of calories needed to lose?

This is a question posed very often. How I did it, was to go online and find several calorie calculator suggestions, including the LoseIt App. I did not use exercise calories burned. I used the sedentary lowest level. I think I came across a coma level somewhere, I didn't use that:-)

This was my starting point for calorie counting minus 750 cal (1 1/2#/week loss). Then I started tracking. I knew this was a rough, ball park, lets pick something not completely random but close to it, kinda of number. Actually, I started tracking a few days before this in a buffet continental breakfast area of Hampton Inns. I was searching my small ipod in the lobby for this other information.

I thought it would take me a couple of months to fine tune this budget number. It really took 1-2 weeks. It is easier creating a deficit when fat in most cases, and it was in mine. So this loss is motivational while learning new skills.

As I got better at counting calories, my calorie budget became more tailored to me. I almost got side tracked with the losing too fast is bad for maintenance myth. So glad I had saner advice to rely on. I never counted any "calories" burned due to exercise. If any occured, it would be considered a bonus and not the purpose of exercising for me.

For clarity, today I walked for 2 miles, did resistance bands for strength training and rode for an hour. Cantered with some polish on the rails. This time last, I wasn't doing anything exeercise wise.

I must single out Bright Angel at this point. She was a font of good sense and wise counsel. I would sadly be remiss in not publicly thanking her. She is one of the many things for which I am thankful for at this time of year.

All of my life is better with the excess weight history. I really cannot state this fact to strongly.

[connorcream]

Can you please share how you calculated the number of calories needed to lose?

This is a question posed very often. How I did it, was to go online and find several calorie calculator suggestions, including the LoseIt App average this nubmer together. I did not use exercise calories burned. I used the sedentary lowest level. I think I came across a coma level somewhere, I didn't use that:-)

This was my starting point for calorie counting minus 750 cal (1 1/2#/week loss). Then I started tracking. I knew this was a rough, ball park, lets pick something not completely random but close to it, kinda of number. Actually, I started tracking a few days before this in a buffet continental breakfast area of Hampton Inns. I was searching my small ipod in the lobby for this other information. Nothing like starting a major overall of one's life in a chaotic place. But I had had enough of being fat. I was sick and tired of being sick and tired.

I thought it would take me a couple of months to fine tune this budget number. It really took 1-2 weeks. It is easier creating a deficit when fat in most cases, and it was in mine. So this loss is motivational while learning new skills.

As I got better at counting calories, my calorie budget became more tailored to me. I almost got side tracked with the losing too fast is bad for maintenance myth. So glad I had saner advice to rely on. I never counted any "calories" burned due to exercise. If any occured, it would be considered a bonus and not the purpose of exercising for me.

For clarity, today I walked for 2 miles, did resistance bands for strength training and rode for an hour. Cantered with some polish on the rails. This time last, I wasn't doing anything exercise wise.

I must single out Bright Angel at this point. She was a font of good sense and wise counsel. I would sadly be remiss in not publicly thanking her. She is one of the many things for which I am thankful for at this time of year.

All of my life is better with the excess weight history. I really cannot state this fact too strongly.

[nowornever83]

Thank you for sharing! Like others, you have inspired me to incorporate calorie counting. I am done with feeling icky about myself!

[BrightAngel]

Thanks for your kind words.

[connorcream]

Copied from Bright Angel's thread

No So Forum Member wrote:
Gary Taubes said it was carbohydrates that triggers appetite.
The problem with eliminating carbs is you need them so you end up craving them.

The above-quoted statement is inaccurate.

There is a difference between Hunger and Appettite.

Hunger is the "body's call for nourishment".
Appetite is the "desire for gratification of some want, craving, or passion;
therefore appetite is eating and drinking for relaxation and pleasure.

But...of course...Cravings and Urges don't ONLY originate in the Body.
Some, due to conditioning, originate in the Mind.

The craving for Alcohol by an Alcoholic seems to have a physical element,
and these cravings are reduced and even disappear via abstinance.
Low-Carbers believe that cravings for carbs--especially refined sugars and starches
have a physical element,
and these cravings are reduced and even disappear via carb-restriction.

The Low-Carb position is:
Insulin is what drives physical Hunger.
A reduction of carbohydrates is a reduction of insulin.
Therefore, reducing carbs...and thereby reducing insulin...
will reduce the physical craving for excess food.

Research studies have proven that the Human body
will SURVIVE and THRIVE without carbohydrates.

While the Body can USE Carbohydrates, it does not NEED them. .

Furthermore,
Low-carb eating is only a reduction, not a total elimination, of carbs.
Almost every low-carb plan includes green leafy vegetables,
and other low-starch vegetables like green beans, broccoli, cauliflower,
cucumbers...and father along, nuts and berries etc., all of which have carbs.

Even those hard-core, zero-carb people get a few carbs from their eggs,
cheese, yogurt, trace amounts of onion, garlic and spices for seasoning.

I find it interesting to note that studies clearly show
that meat and other animal products contain,
every single vitamin and mineral...except for vitamin C,
and in much larger amounts than what is found in fruits and vegetables.

and these studies also indicate that
eating a high amount of sugar and starch
actually DEPLETES the body's vitamin and mineral supply.
and that this process actually causes the body to need more of them,
including vitaman C.

For example--the famous scurvy that English seamen got
which was remedied by eating lemons ..citris fruit...,
only happened to those whose diets were Very High Carb,
while the seamen who ate higher protein with few carbs
did not suffer from scurvy.

So WHY aren't these dietary facts commonly known and understood?
I think this becomes very clear when we are wise enough to..
FOLLOW THE MONEY.

[connorcream]

Copied from TexArk's thread.

While thinking about how every bite counts, I came across this post from a blog that says it all. I want it on my thread so I can refer to it. I think the podcast on S Days Gone Wild is great, but I never overcame the S day mentality until I admitted that every bite counts. This blog refers to a thread on 3 Fat Chicks as well as the blogger's ideas.

Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Every Bite Counts
I had a huge light bulb moment last night as I was reading this thread on the "3 Fat Chicks" website (GREAT place for support, by the way!) It's a thread about "cheat days," which is what some people call it when you plan a day to go off your eating plan and eat whatever you want. The theory is that if you PLAN a day like that every so often, it makes it easier to stay on plan the rest of the time. Whenever you are craving something, you just tell yourself that you can have it on your cheat day, but you have to wait until then to have it. The problem is that for some people (like me), a cheat day turns into a cheat week or a cheat month and it's really hard to get back on track. Or if you have problems with bingeing, it isn't any hardship to ingest upwards of 4 or 5 thousand calories on a cheat day (yes I have done that), and it really messes up all your hard work you did eating right all week.

Anyway, reading through that thread, it hit me. Every bite counts. EVERY. Now, maybe this sounds obvious, but how many times have I gotten up, started a healthy eating day, and then at lunch "slipped up" and had pizza? Then I would tell myself, "oh well, I ruined my day, so I may as well have candy bars and burgers and fries for dinner and start over fresh tomorrow." Isn't that something a LOT of people are in the habit of doing? We look at our eating aka "diet" in terms of a UNIT. One good day (eating the right number of points or calories or whatever your plan is) is a Unit of Success, and a Bad Day (eating over your limit, not counting calories, eating junk) is a Unit of Failure. Sometimes we even try to string days together, as in "I will start on Monday" or the first of the month or after Christmas or whatever, which is an excuse to eat badly and not count anything until we "start again" on that special date.

WHO came up with this idea??? Why is a "DAY" the unit of success or failure?? Who decided that if you eat badly for lunch, you can just eat whatever you want for the rest of the day and start over in the morning? It's as if we think that "one bad day" is a single unit of failure, whether we ate 2000 or 5000 calories, it's the same because it is just ONE bad day. It makes no sense!! EVERY BITE COUNTS, people, whether you eat a Hershey bar on a "bad" day because you are bingeing or eat it on a "good" day and add it into your calorie count, it is STILL 210 calories going into your body. You HAVE to stop looking at it as good and bad days. It is your LIFE.

What I mean is this. Say you are aiming to eat 1500 calories per day to lose weight (substitute WW points or whatever other unit or plan you are using). Now, say your week looks like this:

Monday: 1500
Tuesday: 1470
Wednesday: 1460
Thursday: 1520
Friday: 1460
Saturday: 3200
Sunday: 2900

You slipped up on Saturday and told yourself you would start over on Monday. You had only 2 bad days. But now you have eaten 13,510 calories for the week which averages out to 1910 per day... way over your limit. And you wonder why you haven't lost weight. Because every bite counts, and the unit is not a day, or even a week. It is a lifetime. When you eat something you shouldn't have, it's over. Stop, and eat right from that very moment on. Have a healthy dinner. Keep going. A bad meal is way better than a whole bad weekend.

You want a cheat day? Every bite you take counts, because it still goes into your body, counted or not. Every bite either helps you get closer to your goal or slows you down from reaching it. So the question becomes, how badly do you want it? Do you want to lose weight more than you want that cookie? Then put it down. Every time you eat something unhealthy or go over your calorie limit, you are effectively putting a speed bump... or even a roadblock... in between you and your goal. Every bite you take determines whether you will reach your goal weight in 6 months, 12 months, 3 years, or never. What do you REALLY want?

[connorcream]

Howdy,
I had my IPL treatment for Rosacea today. The nurse was delighted to see how good my skin looked. I attribute it to 1. lower weight & 2. lower grain/carb consumption.

9 mon ago this dear lady was trying nutrisystem. It didn't work for her and told her what I did. I have so many thoughts now that I didn't have a year ago, when I was in the process of losing. Many of these ideas have originated here. Such as Fitday, food journaling a variety of reactions and not just weight loss/gain, swapping out breakfast foods for lunch or dinner options, knowing wl is possible for everyone, it wasn't only for the lucky, the nutritionist, the wl corporations. This absolute confidence that she can learn what her body needs is a wonderful and critical component to a healthy weight. It certainly escaped me for years. The isle of denial as I call it so often.

She can't have dairy in the AM because of her medicine, but she could rearrange her meals to have dairy products in the lunch or dinner slot.

One idea that has come to me that I have learned from Taubes, Lustig & others and that I shared with her is that perhaps being overweight is not a result of sloth & gluttony but rather an energy process in the body not working properly due to the types for food eaten combined with genetic predispositions. I have a limit of calories I adhere to, however, where those calories comes from really matters. I learned that 1#=3500 cal and so I aimed for a 750 cal deficit to create a 1 1/2# wl each week.That has been adjusted over time to where I know what my cal & carbs need to be to lose. I cannot really back the 3500=1# for me but one does need to start somewhere in the creating a calorie deficit plan. I think of it like calorie calculators which gives people such trouble. One has to START somewhere realizing that number is going to need to be adjusted. Yet, isn't that true for the rest of my life, that this number will need to be adjusted (downwards) over time. Figuring that out now along with daily weighing will help me to maintain. As I get older, I will not need more calories

I have the best present, the best body possible. It makes everything else so much better.

[connorcream]

I felt after reading another post that I needed this disclaimer: very few people know I record my food intake. Only if asked directly, as the nurse did yesterday, or a close friend who is struggling, will I speak of particulars. Otherwise, I speak in generalities.

There is no franctic recording of food on my apps at social events. I do not need to, usually, I have done it ahead of time, in the comfort and sanity of my home. I know what my boundaries are. Same thing with spending money. I do not just go blindly into a store without knowing what I will buy and how much I can afford. Same principal. This has given my life a pleasure and joy for which I am ever grateful. Off to lunch with a friend at Jason's Deli, tonight party at the parish. All POP.

[Pernetty]

I agree, there's nothing worse than a "I'm on a diet, so I can't have this or that" conversation. Much debate given on this topic but bottom line - keep it to yourself. Diet talk is capital B Boring.

Once calorie counting becomes second nature, there's no point making a big deal about it.

P

[TexArk]

I wanted to tell you that I really think you are on to something fundamental when you compare CC to staying within a financial budget. I think this is a way of thinking that is vital for success. Fortunately my husband and I have always been on the same page when it comes to spending, saving, and being debtfree. I always think before I buy anything, asking questions such as, "Do I need this?" "Do I have room for this?" "Can I afford this?" And I certainly keep up with the money I spend. I don't want to have cash going out that is not accounted for.

When you made the connection between the two, a lightbulb went on. This is why the cc add on is working for me. I don't mind monitoring my spending...I actually make a game and challenge out of it and that is why this way of eating is such a perfect fit.

[connorcream]

Howdy,
I weighed in at 127# today. Last year on this date I weighed 180#. I had already lost 12#, I did not know where the journey was going except I was glad to be on it at last.

Some Things I have learned
1. I did not need to have it all figured out to start. I did not know about fat cells dividing and remaining from being over weight, carbs and their deleterious effects, watp, various strategies on how to manage food situations at meetings, in restaurants, TRAVELING, muscle training, resistance bands, etc..
2. What I did know was that to lose weight I need to create a calorie deficit. I used the equation of 3500 cal=1#. I needed to find my burn rate and I needed to know the calorie content of foods. I then could create a deficit.
3. I also knew, I was responsible for MY weight loss. No one else. So I needed to educate myself accordingly. So I started reading, studying, thinking. I began to weed out diet fact from fiction, an amazingly twisted mess at times.
4. I knew maintance was where my true success would be. What I was doing to lose weight, I would continue for the rest of my life. So I had better like it or I would not keep doing it.
5. I also tagged off other successful behaviors I had in other areas of my life during this transistion period.

Just a few thoughts for those who might be interested, including myself. Heading out to lunch with DD (9 month pregnant & dear friend). It is so cool to be at this weight, as I will be baking tomorrow with the kids. Last year, no self induced plateaus, this year some wiggle room.

[BrightAngel]

I weighed in at 127# today.
Last year on this date I weighed 180#.
I had already lost 12#

1. I did not need to have it all figured out to start.

2. What I did know was that to lose weight I need to create a calorie deficit.

3. I also knew, I was responsible for MY weight loss.

4. I knew maintance was where my true success would be.
What I was doing to lose weight, I would continue for the rest of my life.

Congratulations connorcream

[connorcream]

Howdy,
I thought a summary of how I plan during another stressful eating time might be helpful. General principles are good, lived examples are good too.

DD, 9 month pregnant was over yesterday afternoon. We nibbled about 300 cal on sweet treats from a dear friend, while planning the holiday menu and various activities. Ancillary things wew had to consider were but not limited to: dear granddaughter who is potty training (2 1/2); a son who has had flares from Crohn's off and on from Thanksgiving gratefully no hospitalization; aantoher college age son in from college; usual day to day business; and another DS coming in for a week for festivities 12/24. I started to feel anxious about my eating plan. I do not want to weigh in Jan 3 to see a 10# bounce up. I have learned to recognize this unsettled feeling as a warning sign to take preemptive action. I am responsible for every calorie that goes into my mouth. No one has ever forced me to gain 1#. I did it of my own accord, true with ignorance, but none the less, it was my fault. Mea culpa, mea culpa.

So, I wrote out the menu with DD getting suggestions from other family members what their favorite must haves are, along with upcoming activities: strolling River Walk, Mass- Daily & Solemnity, more light looking, etc..., for the next 2 weeks. I have different colored calendars on my iMac for my different meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner note I do NOT have a snack one) along with various activity colored calendars too (doctors appts, general, horse riding, and so forth). I inputted these meals into the calendar and synced it to my itouch. This way, I have at an easy glance, what I am eating for the day. Writing before biting during these high stress times has been a marvelous calming tactic. I have used this method when travelling, remember the 3 week 2010 summer car trip out west covering some 4,000 miles). Using this basic structure, set the logistics for shopping, baking in stages with some foods (blintzes-crepes I make about 150 & German cheesecake yeast breakfast bread, to name a couple).

How long did this take, about 30 minutes, after DD & I had nailed down what we wanted to do. I had already in my data the calorie counts for go to meals, I now what my carb levels should be, I have a kitchen stocked with foods that are good for me long after I have finished chewing them. This is the longest amount of time I have spent calorie counting in a while. Thanksgiving, was only a week, where as this was until Jan 3. There is also some wiggle room for unexpected situations. But really, there will always be unexpected events (just like spending money). Knowing my budget will help me make good choices and to continue to maintain.

A new baby coming, will cause some time adjustments, but not a fundemental structure change. In addition, DH said our oldest DS got a call from a head hunter recruiting him for a job in town. That would be another stress factor to consider. But that is for another posting.

Do you have different parameters to work with? I am sure you do. When I am visiting at other peoples homes (including family) I used to think I had little control. However, once I took responsiblity for MY health, when it became my tiptop, #1 priority, I started saying and doing things differently in those situations. Having a plan was key to my success in losing during the holidays. Do you have a Mac and an iTouch? I seriously doubt it. But you do have access to the internet and there are many sites and helps to be found. I use Fitday every day for some features.

Off to my Christmas coffee, egg white omelet, loaded with veggies, and a side of fresh blackberries & strawberries. Baking with the children today. With my menu preplanned, I know how much tasting I can and cannot do.

[connorcream]

Reposted by TexArk
http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2009 ... ntPage=all

Outstanding. Thanks TexArk, I missed this article so glad to have seen it. It is fascinating.

[connorcream]

Howdy,
I am very interested in a reduced carb appraoch for optimal health for my family.

DS, 21yrs, Crohns, moderate to severe, $5,000 meds/month before insurance, substantial out of pocket expenses, missed work (Geek Squad), and is going to community college (Computer Engr, 3.7 GPA) instead of university while we get his intestines under control. Thanksgiving last major crisis, we will see after this weekend.

DS#1 14yr (identitical twin, genetically tested) intermittent cramps, not Crohn's (only one of 6 markers came back postitive) and continual nasal stuffiness. Adnoids (he was scoped) and tonsils not the source. Regime of nasal steroids has been the standard course of treatment.

DS 14yr (twin) Unlike DS#1, he is more distracted during his studies and his grades reflect this.

Myself, I want a sustainable, enjoyable, maintenance approach that will keep me out of denial, is adaptable as I age, minimizes cravings (constant food thoughts), eating peace.

I have done a considerable amount of reading, watching of a variety of lectures, talked to many doctors & specialists, and have decided to give a moderated to low carb approach a scientific try in our home. The twins will monitor their food and symptoms on loseit, analyze their data, and write up a science report on their findings due in May. Being home schooled allows them tremendous opportunity to monitor, study nutrition, geared towards results they are very interested in.

My 21 yr, is a tougher nut, as he is an adult. However, his health is quite precarious, and is willing to try this. Meds will be continued as well as his regular doctor visits with a leading GI in Crohn's.

For myself, I too will continue to monitor. I have found the assertions of Taubes, and others to be true for myself. Who knew that I could be healthy, fit, active, vibrant skin, healthy hair and nails, at 127.0#.

Stay tuned to the familial science experiment in connorcream's home. I thank our dear Lord, that I have both the lived experience as well as scientific expertise to do this. DH, a physicists, is fully supportive and will oversee the data for causal vs correlation errors. If we only get 50% respite, that would be a tremendous success for us. If not, then we can move on to other possible solutions knowing carbs were not contributing factor.

Taubes could very well be a watershed moment in health care.

[TexArk]

Do keep us posted. I like your scientific approach. It is difficult to find true cause/effect relationships when there are so many variables.

My goals are weight loss, high energy level, and satiety. That is why I am starting with cutting down on carbs first and also trying to eliminate the gluten. I will see how I feel and how well I am satisfied. As far as weight loss is concerned, I think that the high protein, enough good fat, and low carb diet results in lower calories and more satiety, but I still think that calories must be counted.

It sounds as if your household will have homeschool science covered for the spring semester with each one tracking his own individual results. A good friend has a grown son (in his late forties now) who has Crohns. She and he actually had to self diagnose this back in his late teen years. Never underestimate the power of a mom--many hours in the library with medical journals. This was before the internet! He has done very well making himself an experiment of one and has been very successful with his nutrition. The doctors seem to have caught up better now.

[connorcream]

Bright Angel post I wanted for easy reference

As I understand the Concept,
the idea is that we won't want to eat as much,
not that we have to find a lot of substitutes.

Those who are extraordinarily sensitive to carbs,
eat primarily animal products, like meat, pork, chicken, fish, eggs,
hard and cream cheese, cream, butter, plain greek yogurt,
olive, peanut or coconut oil...
along with all leafy green vegetables and other low GI/GL carbs like brocoli, cauliflower, etc.

Those who are less carb-sensitive can also eat nuts and berries,
and higher GI/GL veggies.

The less carb sensitive people are, the more carbs they can add to their diet...
Whole grains appear to be only for those fortunate enough to be less sensitive.

The first thing almost every diet in existence limits is sugar and starch
However, this limitation might be a necessity, rather than an option,
for those who are highly "carb-sensitive"
in order to eliminate extreme hunger and ongoing cravings.

You might want to read my Check-in Thread.
It contains a quote from Taubes about this.
I have just begun personally experimenting with the concept.

[connorcream]

Finished Breaking the Vicious Cycle & Primal Blueprint
Taubes Why We Get Fat arrived. Reading by the fire with decaf
Twins enjoying their science project. DD likes watching
DS, finished Vicious Cycle, on to Primal Blueprint

[connorcream]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RE4cXeX7Po&NR=1
Blood Sugar: Why you can't lose the weight YouTube

[BrightAngel]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RE4cXeX7Po&NR=1
Blood Sugar: Why you can't lose the weight YouTube

Connorcream,
Thank you for posting this link. I had not seen it before.
I watched all four of the videos linked together
and was impressed with the simple, yet informative, presentation,
and will be copying the link to my personal check-in Thread.

I like the way she started with the Basic issues,
and then made a natural progression to those more complex.

I was interested in her confirmation that individual bodies differ,
...which is one of the more intriguing things I find about diets....
and I plan to watch that 4 part series again later
to more specifically watch the way she addresses that issue.

This goes very well with the issues in Taubes' new book.
Especially with chapters in the first part of his second section,
which I am now involved in briefing.

I know that you have read the book,
and have expressed an interest
in joining the discussion.
When you can find the time,
I would love to see your comments
about how these concepts relate to you.

[connorcream]

There are many low carb approaches and many different desired outcomes. One might even say, that there as many low carb plans as there are people. We are in the midst of a medical crisis with DS 21 Crohn's. Just back from the ER after a night of pain. His definition of low carb and desired goals of success (he is 5'11" 116# before this flare) will be much different than mine. We are hoping for intestinal inflammation to subside, healthy tissue growth to start (insulin effects both of these processes), and thus allowing DS to process the food he eats properly so as to GAIN weight.

The ONLY way I know of to find out what is a sustainable plan for ANYONE, is to start a detailed food/symptom journal, while keeping this record, continue to read everything one can get a hold of, try incremental changes one at a time, again noting symptoms (weight is only one of many), then for a man (no hormonal swings to take in to account unlike a woman) after about 2-3 months assess the patterns. It will take a woman much longer 6-9 months due to hormonal shifts and this is assuming the woman even knows what those patterns are. I get the reticence with these ideas. What 21 yr wants to limit carbs, record his food, and have his mother & father hovering over him while he is crying with pain needing morphine?

At the end of this experiment, which I myself have done since Oct 6, 2009, one knows the cal/carb levels, the foods one enjoys or not, trigger foods if any, of the various symptoms experienced, and the boundaries (budget) from which to work. Bearing in mind, as we all age these levels will drift downwards. So with daily weighing, undesirable trends will be dealt with quickly. Daily recording of food may not be necessary for those who eat the same foods with known food counts regularly. A surprisingly high number of people fall into this category. They call it unintentional eating, but really, they have just mindfully figured out what works for them, and then just stay the course with that. At some point previously, they were "mindful".

DH started to roll his eyes last night with food journaling for DS in the ER, when I pointed out to him 66% of DH meals are preplanned. The other 32% is determined by me after I have sifted through possiblities. So he really, only has less that 1% of variability with his eating. No wonder he does not see the value in a journal. He had never considered this truth before. Honestly, I did not either before Oct 6, 2009.

Should the symptoms start to reoccur, just start to reassess as before assuming a fairly constant diet.

It felt good to type this out. I love knowing what I can eat in the midst of an emergency, that is sustaining for me while helping me to maintain. I even got a bit of exercise in the WATP. Also so glad, I am not weather or gym dependent. Not pleased with our well noted no show GI. I see more black clouds on the horizon.

[TexArk]

I am sorry to hear of your son's struggles. I know he just doesn't want to deal with all of this. The pain is more than enough I would think. But I am glad that you have your life under control and have found resources and have practice with them to help him do all the tracking and journaling that is necessary. I will be praying that he will accept your help and that you will soon find a pattern of eating that will help heal. It may be a long time before he can take control and that is hard for a young man to accept. I am thankful for good doctors, but I have had enough experience to know that nothing takes the place of a mom's vigilance.

I noticed that you have read Primal Blueprint. I am curious about your reaction. I appreciate his 80% philosophy and the fact that he doesn't seem to be insistent on a "caveman reinactment" but it seems almost impossible to stay on this regimen unless you have your own farm/ranch. I can find free range eggs easily, but non grain fed beef is another story. There is a source locally, but it is very expensive. Are you going to try these foods with your son?

[BrightAngel]

Connorcream, thank you for sharing this information.
You have a great deal of insight about your situation,
and I wish you well.

[connorcream]

I noticed that you have read Primal Blueprint. I am curious about your reaction. I appreciate his 80% philosophy and the fact that he doesn't seem to be insistent on a "caveman reinactment" but it seems almost impossible to stay on this regimen unless you have your own farm/ranch. I can find free range eggs easily, but non grain fed beef is another story. There is a source locally, but it is very expensive. Are you going to try these foods with your son?

I have a theorectical answer and a what I do answer. Theorectically, I think very little science supports the clean, pure, organic bent of some. Mark Sisson lives in Malibu, we lived in San Diego but spent most of our time in La Jolla for 6 yrs. These people do have a different view of what the rest of the country as access to. In the list of importance, food types (carb, fat, protein) is more important than these other things. I got fat eating clean.

That being said, I do like these types of foods and do have local food markets with very reasonable prices to chose from. Sun Harvest, Central Market, Asian Market, Wal Mart for some things, then when needed Whole Foods. I have had a beef lady and an egg man but at present do not have these suppliers. We have a farmer's market, not as big as other city's, but it is very enjoyable and local. I get no salt added foods because I think the taste better. I like sea salt from the Mediterranean, instead of cholrinated types for example. My spices are exquisite, organic, fresh. This goes a long way towards making my veggies & meats taste fantastic. Whenever possible I will choose local over organic and sometimes organic over not.

I have a cash budget of $800/month for 7 mouths, plus 2 extra sprinkled in a couple of times per week. I must save from this amount to cover parties, celebrations, etc... which I do. This also covers cleaning supplies and most office materials, but not printer cartridges. It is possible to eat well, though I do see why carbs are at the basis of most third world populations and displaced persons. It is the cheapest way to feed people per calorie.

Sometimes, we get what we pay for.

[connorcream]

A post from another forum member who I value greatly. Her experiences have mirrored mine in some ways.

The problem with saying that "a balanced diet is best" is that even the experts in the field disagree on what constitutes balance, and whether there even is a diet that is universally best. It's quite likely that my perfect balance will be different than your perfect balance.

For example, there are some persuasive arguments against grains, especially gluten grains. But grains are a food group, you can't eliminate a food group?

Grains have been a significant part of the human diet for a comparatively very short time. We did fine on a low-grain or grain-free diet 98% of our existence, why do we need grains now? And insects have been a significant part of the human diet (even present day humans in many societies) from the beginning, why is no one worried that many of us have eliminated that food group from our diet?

I used to believe in a universal "healthy, balanced diet" (even the FDA has rethought that). I thought that a diet consisting of less than 70% of calories from carbs was unbalanced (although a recent study found that a carb intake of 90% calories from carbs isn't unusual in the USA). I used to think that grains were a necessary food group.

When I got sick with autoimmune and immune disfunction disorders, I began researching autoimmune disease and diet, and learned that there are many apparent links between high carb (especially sugar and grain) consumption and autoimmune disease. Not enough to say that carbs/grain causes autoimmune disease, but enough for me to consider experimenting with different carb levels, and to continue researching the links between high carb/grain consumption and my health issues. I found many. I have fibromyalgia and there's both anectdotal and research evidence that reducing carb consumption decreases symptoms for many. I found it true for myself, keeping a meticulous food journal for months to "prove" it to myself. The food journal also helped me discover that I have negative reactions to wheat (increases my joint pain and dramatically increases skin issues. I'd never gone wheat-free long enough to realize that I could have a beautiful complexion just by eliminating wheat. The skin issues I had, such as combination oily/dry skin, acne breakouts, rosacea, and severe seborrheic dermatitis (at times severe enough to be extremely painful, itchy and disfiguring - crusty and oozy), disappear when I'm eating lower carb and no-wheat.

If I eat more than about a third of my calories from carbs, I start getting adverse symptoms. Some people may find 40% optimal. Some people 60%


I think there's more variability of healthy diets than is commonly thought, and I think there are many factors that determine a person's optimal diet. I definitely was surprised at finding that the diet I feel best on, is so much lower in carb than I ever thought healthy (and I've been studying diet, nutrition and weight loss all of my life).

So "eating a balanced diet" is more complicated than it seems.

SW 394
CW 306

[connorcream]

The carb trap - once you start on them, you feel ok as long as you don't stop - then you crash. Avoiding the crash keeps you going back for more even when you're longing to stop. That is addiction isn't it?

Sugar is my crack. I plan on having a piece of chocolate lava cake at the luncheon today. I have the weight, cal, carb budgeted for it. However, if I find that the rest of the day is a pull towards more of the sugary stuff, I will have to ask, "Is it worth it?"

DD, 24yrs, said something so true. DH&I had gone to a pretentious Italian restaurant after on Open House. Again, seafood cannelonni budgeted for, low weight, etc..., Aside from the annoying service, mislabled menu ( i had called ahead as is my custom), and other problems, after the meal and into the next day I felt out of sorts. I had 2 pieces of rustic italian bread w/evoo and 2 cannelonni. Independently, DD (no weight problems) had come to the same point saying, these italian places are over priced, service is poor (most of the time), and she would rather go to a steak house. I had decided the same thing. Rather get a nice piece of beef with veggies & salad, than pay a heavy price for cheap carbs. Pasta is cheap in terms of ingredients cost as well as health costs.

I appreciate these lessons. It will be a long time before I get another pasta dish. It is not on my forbidden food list. I just expect foods to not only taste good but really be good for me long after I have finished chewing. My standards for eating are high, I expect more for myself.

Enjoying the magic bullet by the way.

[connorcream]

http://www.atkins.com/Science/Understan ... rview.aspx

(C.H. is the interviewer)

G.T.: The argument I’m making is that low-carb eating is not just a viable alternative to low-fat, low-calorie diets, it’s that the only way to get fat out of your fat tissues and burn it for the long term is to lower your insulin levels. (And the only way to accumulate fat is to raise insulin levels.) For a diet to work, it’s got to lower insulin levels. And if you look at virtually every mainstream diet, you’ll find that one thing they all do is cut carbohydrate calories and improve the quality of the carbs consumed: they recommend low glycemic impact carbs and they get rid of the sweets, the fructose. If you actually look at the mathematics, most weight-loss diets will restrict carbohydrates more than they restrict fats, even if they describe themselves as low-fat diets, because it’s virtually impossible to lower calories significantly on any realistic diet just by reducing the fat content. Add to that the change in the quality of carbs consumed, which every diet program now includes. That’s why researchers can get people to lose almost as much weight on other diets as they do on Atkins. One you get rid of white rice, potatoes and sugars (in soda and fruit juice), you’ll almost certainly lose weight.

C.H.: Are you saying that any diet will help you slim down if it cuts down on all carbs and includes only low glycemic carbs?

G.T.: The question is what is the dose of intervention you need to solve the problem? The effective intervention is restricting carbs and lowering insulin levels. For some people, only a mild dose of intervention is required and a low-fat, low-calorie diet will work as long as you get rid of the sugars (sucrose and high-fructose corn syrup) and the other high glycemic impact carbs. If you can tolerate the hunger on a low-fat, low-calorie program, you don’t need the Atkins Diet, which is not to say that it wouldn’t work better. However, the heavier you are or the more predisposed to be obese, the greater the dose you need. The functional intervention is always the same: lowering the quantity and/or improving the quality of carbs. Only the level of intervention changes.

[connorcream]

This is a nice summary of GCBC in 6 pages

http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cac ... IPs6xfhieg

[connorcream]

I think what made my weight loss easy (never starving, bingeing, uncontrollable cravings,food lustings) is that by cutting out what was the big calorie counts rice, bread, potatoes, beer/alcohol, I also cut out the carbs which produce the cravings. I substitued veggies, veggies, veggies and some fruit, and some lean protein in delicious, I want to eat them meals. I really did not know if I was going to plateau, if my body was permanently damaged in the weight loss area. I just knew, I would want to look at myself in the mirror, and honesty say, "I did my best." If someone paid me to devise a weight loss program, I would have given them the best program possible.

At around 1,000 cal, this was my best. I kept waiting to be hungry but it never happened. That was a huge surprise at the time. I then, wanted to exercise regularly. I became more focused on exercise and its varied forms the more I lost weight. This again parallels Taubes. I never, exercised so much that hunger would result. I never counted the so called calories burned to add back in. I did not get into the need to eat x number of protein grams for muscle mass. As it turns out, I did not need too. I now have steadily increased my calories/carb counts during maintanence. This is presently an ongoing process. I have seen that I can eat higher calories on lower carbs but I do not have enough data to make definitive conclusions.

I did not have it all figured out Oct 6, 2009. I did not know the rudimentary facts of bio-chemistry, ancestor diets, IE, starvation mode (not that it exists as most of the diet world thinks of it), resistance bands, etc...

My previous successful dieting attempts had made the need for me to study this topic in depth irrelevant. It was my dismal failure with Nos over 18 months, thinking I would never be thin, being ecstatic at the thought of ONLY a 30# loss, and thinking at my age that too was impossible, thinking my body had a new set point for middle age, blaming the media's obsession on thinness, do not weigh on the scale, let ones clothes be the guide, yada, yada, yada.

The fault was mine. The mess was mine. And by darn, I was going to fix it. I decided this in the Hampton Inns Lobby, Nasau Bay, TX at the buffet breakfast, on a field trip with the kids in October before the high holy days of eating were about to begin.

I knew two things- one I did not want a self induced plateau, and two I needed a calorie deficit. Where this ties to Taubes is that I had come across women discussing how much easier it was getting rid of some calories as opposed to others. It took a while figuring out what those calories were as most people are reluctant to post menus because the food police show up cluck clucking about their choices. I did not have enough knowledge to refute the police and at times, I got nervous about my path. This is where excellent friends on a few forums really helped me out.

To be clear for you, I eliminated grains, starches, alcohol and sweets. How could I really whine about my plight when I knew so many other people (and soon to be my son) had even worse constraints of food.

I brought my calorie count to 1,000 calories and never felt hungry. This strange result puzzled me until WWGF was published and I saw Taubes interivew. My body, was easily supplying the needed calories in the form of fat usage. I "stalled" in the beginning, but what I think occured was my body shifting into an efficient fat burning organism.

I did not post this figure because of the starvation myth people as well as the "if you lose it fast you will regain it fast crowd". I do not really care now. I am too well armed with knowledge about me and biochemistry in general to be bothered ever again. I thank God that I did not piddle around, especially with the health crisis of DS looming. Crohn's focuses the mind. I also would have missed so much fun and pleasure with the traveling of the past year or so. The longer it takes to lose, the more I doubt one will. There are exceptions of course, but the travails of life coupled with our bodies slowing metablosim with age guides this conclusion.

I have drank coffee, tea, diet coke throughout this entire process. I remember being alarmed by this same chatter. Same with Splenda, If I had a $10 for every thread on artificial sweetners, I would be quite rich. These things did not keep me fat. They had absolutely no bearing on MY body processing anything. I like Splenda, even though I have 4 artificial sweetners (I count Sweet Leaf Stevia as an artificial sweetner), 2 natural ones (white sugar, and local raw honey) in my house at all times for the various guests that visit. If you like them use them. If you don't, don't. wl & maintenance is difficult enough without adding to it unnecessarily. Did using coffee with Splenda make me fat? Get real.

Again, take what fits, discard the rest, worry about weighing yourself once per day, in the AM first thing after potty. No more, no less. Get used to your body's fluctuations. Don't be so dependednt on the scale to determine your mood for the day. Weighing scientifically will help to overcome this obsession. Buy a reliable, quick scale. Tanita. You do not need one that measures your body fat or transmits it to the computer. You do not need body calipers. Buy a food scale, and start measuring your food. Preferably in grams. Tare it out as you add more items. Use an online food journal, record all of your data- cal/carbs, symptoms of various stripes. Figure out the foods that you like, convert them as you go along to make them user friendly for you. Read recipes and posts. You do not need 1,001 recipes if 4 or 5 dishes satisfies you. It is surprising how many people really only like a few meals, rotated through. If that is you, be grateful and use it. If not, then you will need to modify numerous recipes, which gets easier over time.

Find some exercise you like realizing wl is 90% food (some might say 80% others 99%). I did not start exercising regularly until I had lost about 25#. This will vary according to how much you need to lose. It is not number 1 on the list, it just becomes desired as the body has more enegy to draw on.

I must also add, people are shocked when after they ask how much I have lost I then tell them. It is not information I volunteer. I did not look obese. My height provided many a spot for fat to accumulate. My family was not ashamed of my appearance and I certainly seemed busy and organized with the various activies I had going on.

You can do this. Your body wants to be at a trim healthy weight more than you do. It was designed for it. Do not settle for something less than your very best. Why should you? I had no idea how much better I would feel, how much more I can do for others by being trim. There is absolutely no comparison to the life I have now (125.6# on 2/8/11), and the one I had when I weighed 192#. NONE!

[connorcream]

I think the wheat causes a little bloating--rings tight, etc.

I notice that very thing last night. I also noticed a bit of flushing a few hours later as well. We celebrated St. Valentine's day last night, which included a roll and chocolate cake & wine. Chocolate cake & wine did not effect ME as much as the roll even though it was dipped in butter.

The ring on my right hand was hard to get off this morning. Going to be low cal/carb, and enjoy my Godiva chocolates tonight.

A symptom I will be monitoring.

A very happy report, DS is up 4 pounds by following a somewhat most of the time reduced carb diet. This carb thing works both ways, as it should if it is a fat metabolism disorder.

[connorcream]

From another forum

Most people don't understand low-carb. Very few low-cab diets are as high in protein or as low in carbs as you're implying. Even Atkins isn't so low, except during Induction (I do have low energy and other weird symptoms on induction-level, which is why I don't reduce carbs to induction-level).


There is no set definition for low-carb, and that's probably part of the problem. By one definition, any plan that contains less than 50% calories from fat or less than 200g of carb per day is low-carb, another definition is less than 40% or less than 100g, and even low-carber's themselves often squabble over the definition.

In both Atkins and Southbeach, and in most low-carb diets you begin adding carbs almost immediately. Atkins has you adding 5g each day of carbohydrates per week until you reach the point your stop losing (this could be 80g, or it could be 400g. Then you back off 5 to 10g so that you lose at a slow, but steady rate. People tend to forget or ignore this part of Atkins and assume it's the eat until you're gorged, prime-rib and bacon diet.

I was just as ignorant of low-carb diets when my doctor suggested I try low-carb for my IR. I thought he was nuts, because of what I thought I knew about low-carb.

I eat less meat and more vegetables on low-carb than I did on standard diets. Mostly because I was so hungry on high-carb diets that I ate more of everything. I was constantly hungry, and eating more only made me hungrier.

Most low-carbers who stick with it, eat plenty of carbs, they're just very choosy about where their carbs come from, making sure they come from sources that digest slowly and affect blood sugar slowly and gradually.

I'm surprised at how low-carb I do have to eat in order to lose weight. I use an exchange plan and have reduced starch exchanges (80 calories each) to 1 or 2, and fruit exchanges (70 calories) to 3-4 per day, and I don't limit nonstarchy veggies at all (usually I eat about 5 to 6 servings). This is higher than Atkins induction, but it's lower than many people on Atkins are eating a few months into OWL (the stage where you gradually add back carby foods. I'm not on Atkins, but it's the LC diet most people are familiar with, so I used it as a reference point).

I use an exchange plan because it helped (and helps) me compare the difference between different food plans. Comparing 1800 calories of high-carb and 1800 calories of low-carb, I learned that to lose weight on high carb, I have to cut my calories by about 500 more than if I choose low-carb.

Essentially to lose the same amount of weight I can eat 1300 calories of high-carb (and feel starved and have more flares of my skin and pain issues) or I can eat 1800 calories of much lower carb.

SW 394
CW 306
Female mid 40's

[BrightAngel]

Great Quote, connorcream!

I see you've registered at www.diethobby.com
I'm so excited to see you there,
and am looking forward to furthered friendship.

[r.jean]

I have really only tried two mainstream diets in the past: Weight Watchers and Atkins. I did not maintain my weight loss on either plan, but I was more satsified with Atkins.

Currently I do not count calories or exchanges or carbs, I just stick to vanilla no S and also track my exercise. However, my meals tend toward lower carb/higher protein choices. I have to have the protein or I just get hungry and eat more. I agree that people have an unjustified negative reaction when they hear low carb. I eat plenty of carbs but watch which carbs I choose.

[connorcream]

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php ... 5&comments

[connorcream]

http://www.marksdailyapple.com/health-b ... more-19683

Thinking about it. I normally go 16 hrs from Friday night to Saturday & from Saturday night to Sunday. This generally squeezes a middle meal out on Saturday & Sunday. Glad to see this is good. Nothing I planned per se, it just occured over time. Mulling it over to see if it is connected to low carbing. I do not feel famished. I look forward to all of my meals but it is not desperation eating.

Tonight, we finished dinner at 5:45 PM (twins have lax practice). Breakfast will be at 7:00 AM tomorrow. This is 9 hours. 1333 cal, 101 carb (net) for the day.

I do not graze, snack, or binge. When the kitchen is clean, I am done eating. This HABIT is something I am very grateful for.

[TexArk]

I am praying that your son can get relief from a low to zero carb regime and more importantly that he will take ownership of his health and give this a long enough trial to see results if they are possible.

My lifetime best friend and college roommate had Type I diabetes. We went through it together during junior high and high school and all was well. However, in college, she just rebelled and suffered several severe diabetic comas before finally taking charge of her own well being. I think the early 20s is a difficult time for those with chronic diseases to accept their reality and the appropriate responses that are needed.

[connorcream]

I think the early 20s is a difficult time for those with chronic diseases to accept their reality and the appropriate responses that are needed.

It really is a difficult age and I try and remember that. However, he lives in our house, I see his meals, and then he says, "I have tried THE diet (i.e. low carb) I wonder what planet is he living on.

I do appreciate and treasure the prayers.

[connorcream]

123.2# 5'8" 4/9/2011

Today, I have submitted my information to join the National Weight Loss Registry, which marks my anniversary of a 30 pound loss which was 162#. This was my first goal attained. It qualified my to attend WW meetings for free as this was my goal weight as a lifetime member. 162# seemed like a wish when I started CC and managing MY weight loss. My second super secret goal was 145#. Never did I envision happily and energetically being at 125# which is where I currently reside. The knowledge I have for me and loved ones is priceless. Life is a blast.

[TexArk]

Congratulations!

You have been good to share what you have gleaned on this journey and now this is another way to give back what you have learned. And you have real data not just "feelings." I think the Registry is going to be an important part of the research bank of information for a long time to come. And, you for one, will actually enjoy filling out all the lengthy questionnaires!

[BrightAngel]

Congratulations on achieving another one of your goals.