Based on my observations here, I wouldn't count on that being the case. Low Carb is still helpful even if it's not someone's first time doing it, but most people report slower losses on subsequent attempts than from their intial run.

I certainly hope it works out well for you, of course, Ken. I'd just suggest that as "food for thought" because the "it will be easier/faster" after time away from LCing is far from a foregone conclusion.

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Gregg, What I find helpful is not to focus on "I can't (or probably won't) be able to have XXX again." Instead, I focus on "It took me 40 years to realize that my body processes carbs too damned efficiently and takes them straight to fat, so I choose not to eat XXX now." It is also helpful to find low carb alternatives that can serve as a treat or recognition for a special occasion. That way, I can prepare a good tasting treat from time to time and have no pangs of being forbidden to eat something. Even if you are kitchened challanged, you should have no problem whipping up a 3 min chocolate cake, add some splenda sweetened whipped cream, and think of all those poor low fat followers that can't enjoy this simple pleasure.

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Henry

That's a good thought process Henry, I like it. I need to get a little more adventurous in the kitchen and try more new recipes and such. I tend to make the same things over and over and over again.

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"Failure is not an option" ~ me


01-03-09 213/213/180
01-11-09 213/205/180
01-18-09 213/204/180
01-25-09 213/201/180
02-07-09 213/200/180
02-15-09 213/198/180
03-01-09 213/197/180
03-08-09 213/195/180
03-22-09 213/194/180
03-29-09 213/193/180
04-06-09 213/194/180
04-13-09 213/193/180
04-20=09 213/192/180

For me, it's easier to tell myself that I will probably never be able to eat that piece of cake (or whatever) again, because it will throw me completely off plan, I'll start craving stuff I shouldn't eat, and gain back weight. So, it's better, for me, to just resign myself to the fact that eating "whatever" (insert treat of choice) is just not feasible for me. Do I feel deprived when I didn't eat those biscuits or breadsticks the waiter put on the table? No, because I had a very satisfying meal without them. And, like Henry, an occasional low carb treat helps, but even then, I find that I have to be careful and severely limit them.

I've never felt deprived eating low carb. When I ate high carb, I was deprived of good health. Now I'm doing pretty well in that department, thank you! I think doing w/o high carb stuff is no sweat anymore.

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Nita

Time for another update! After 2 weeks back on plan, I have some interesting news. I have lost 6 lbs, which is the same amount I have traditionally lost when starting/re-starting LCE. I'm now at the weight that I STARTED out at in Apr 07. Yup, I gained so much weight this time that I ended up heavier that I've ever been in all my 44 years. Here's one of the lessons to be learned from this case study: if you completely abandon LCE for a free-for-all eating style, you can gain back all the weight you lost even over a 2-year period, plus about 5-10 percent more. I can't say for certain if this is particular to LCE plans or not. But it seems to be true for me (this being a case study, my results can't be translated to the population at large...not enough "statistical rigor"). There are a lot factors here such as age, body-type, activity level, genes, etc.

I feel I MUST point out here that I am by no means discouraged by any of this! On the contrary, because a few of the good folks at this forum held my hand through a 2-month stall when I likely would have given up, I feel like I've got a good handle on how my body reacts to high AND low carb situations. I know exactly what to expect from here on out.

I will have stalls at certain "notches" where my body has felt comfortable before. These stalls will last weeks, or even months. No matter. It isn't a race. I have arrived at the first notch, 215 lbs, which is where my body had stablilized before I started my LCE in 07. I expect that in another couple of weeks, I will lose another 9 pounds, arriving at 206, where I will reside for about 2 months. After that 2 months, I will lose fairly steadily until I get down to 191 or so. At that point, I'll be able to wear my size 36 jeans again. But I will still eat low-carb! That is the way I eat...not a tool to lose weight.

Here is one more interesting factoid from this case study. I calculated that during my "free-for-all" holiday break (which would NOT have represented typical eating!), I ate about 600 grams of carbs per day! Part of the reason I paid no attention to carbs or fat was that I knew I was going back on the LCE plan in January. There was no question of that.

Now I'm back at a level of between 30 and 50 grams per day, more than 10-times fewer (no such thing, I know, but it gives a bigger impact than saying "less than 10% of ) carbs than I took in per day during the holidays. Interesting huh?

Ken

Ken, when I was on the weight roller coaster of low fat-low calorie diets, I also found that I gained more than I had lost when I went off the "diet" resulting in a higher starting point for the next weight loss cycle. It sounds like you have your head around the reality of stalls and that should help you maintain your focus on your weight loss journey. Good Luck.

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Henry

Hey Ken,

I think I have lived your "eating style" life. Around Halloween, I cheated a teeny tiny little bit here and there. Thanksgiving and Christmas, oh boy, its the holidays, time to eat. But I mentioned to others in my introduction, I host a weight loss contest on my radio station each year at this time. Like you, I could hardly wait to get it started and now this is the first week and I am loving it. I am just going through that weak feeling thing but that tells me my intake of carbs is extremely low. Next week it will be much easier. Thanks for your story Ken, it really helps boost me up.

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Every meal is a feast, everyday is a parade and everypaycheck is a fortune!!

No Problem Rick! Good luck.

Ken

Great story.... been there, done that too. I started back last January... at my heaviest ever and fortunately, the weight fell off me (pretty amazing, given that I was a 40-something female). But now that I'm down to these last 20 or so lbs... GEESH! ... it's a struggle! Restarting induction today -- and like others, I ate the bad stuff for the Super Bowl, all the while looking forward to not eating that junk after that game.

Thanks for the reminder that this can be done

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Chell

** will come up with pithy quote eventually **

Well it has been almost 4 weeks back on plan, and there has been no cheating. I typically choose Friday as my weigh-in day. Here's the update. I haven't budged a micron from 215. I attained an initial loss (likely all water) of about 6 pounds during the first 2 weeks, and I have stayed there. Having been through this before, I'm not surprised.

One difference from last time is that this first stall is at a higher "notch" than 2007, when I started at 215, and dropped the water weight immediately to settle into a really long stall at 206.

Another difference is something I'm not entirely certain is a difference. I'm going to post this question on the general board, but I am significantly fatigued. My arms get tired just combing my hair! I don't remember this, though my wife says she remembers me complaining about it. I'm hoping it's just the symptoms of my body re-engaging the process of not getting energy from quick-burn sugar in my blood, but from the slower-to-do fat cells.

So that's my status for Feb 6th, 2009.

Happy LCE-ing!

Ken

Time for another update.

When last seen, I was complaining of significant fatigue, just lifting my arms made me tired. I did a bit of research and testing, adding all the other instances of extreme fatigue I experienced while exercising last year. Here is what I discovered:

1. I was not eating ENOUGH carbs to allow my body to draw on glycogen stores in my muscles. I was moving into hypoglycemic states every month or so, and cramping badly after most workouts!
2. I posited at the time (last year) that my problem was electrolyte imbalance. I was wrong. My body (unlike most, from what I understand) cannot effectively make the transition from burning readily-available muscle-stored glycogen to drawing on the energy in my fat. I don't think it is efficient for anyone, but my body can't seem to pull it off without skirting dizziness, weakness and cramps.
3. I was not drinking enough fluids on days when I worked out. I think I've posted something similar before...about underestimating how much I need. Well even THAT was short of the mark! In order to forestall extreme fatigue during workouts I need to take in around 200 ounces of fluids in the 7-12 hours before my workout (good thing I work out in the evening!). The fluids are about 85% water and 15% sports drink.
4. Since bumping my complex carb intake on workout days, and upping my fluid intake to freakish levels, I have had more energy, and no cramping!
5. Don't ask me how much I weigh. I don't know. I have not gotten on the scale. What I will say is that although I know I'm not below 200, I seem to look better with my shirt off (at least on the days where I didn't drink a gallon-and-a-half of fluid). I can't wear size 36-waist jeans yet, but the 38s look pretty good on me.

That's it for now.

Cheers!

Ken