I thought we needed a place to share our thoughts. I tried to use my imagination for the thread title. I hope it works for the group. I hope you have a nice weekend. I will write more when I get a chance.

Ilse

"It's kind of fun to do the impossible"
Walt Disney

I changed my user name to make it more consitent with some things.

Ilse

"It's kind of fun to do the impossible"
Walt Disney

Has anyone had any success with the Carb Additcs diet??
I am brand spanking new today........

SouthernBelle,

I use the CALP form of the diet. That is from the book "Carbohydrate Addicts Lifespan Program". Some people who read the original "Carbohydrate Addicts Diet" interpret the RM as a carb fest. It is not intented to be a place to overdo on carbs.

Yes, the diet does work. I started on in in March of 2000 at 380 pounds. I lost 45-50 pounds the first month, then the other 50-55 pounds in just less than a year total. After that year was up, I got somewhat lax on watching carbs and started regaining some weight (for a total of 40 pounds regained). Last October, I started on WW at 304.6 pounds. I decided after almost 2 months, that I needed to go back to CALP. Over the last few months, I have been stuck at the same weight with a fluctuation of 4-6 pounds almost every week. I think I have started losing again. I am under 235 at this point. When I get to 230, I will have lost 150 pounds from my highest weight.

Ilse

380/304.6(WW)/154
"It's kind of fun to do the impossible"
Walt Disney

Ilse,

I've read your journals and see you are still incorporating points into your tracking. As former avid WW converted to LC, what is your take on mixing them. I am still attending my weekly WW meetings and am losing on LC but pretty slowly. I'm worried I'm overdoing my portions (or is that the WW speaking !!) Anyway, I've just wondered how you're mixing the two, LC & WW ?

Sheri

Sheri,

Yes, I am still tracking points and doing LC. No matter how many points I've eaten, I do journal them. I keep track of my points in several ways. I have a 12 week paper journal book I get at WW. We got the new style to keep track of the plan the new way. I start using mine in two days. I also journal on my pocket pc. I downloaded a computer program called Plog that has a database of the common foods and I can add anything I want to the database. It also tracks my exercises and keeps track of my points for the day.

As far as compatibility of the two plans....I think it can be done, but it's not an ideal situation, if one is concerned about staying near the points. For example, the last few nights, I have wanted a late night snack. I have thought about cream cheese and ham, but haven't done it, because it would add up to at least 5-6 points and I didn't want to have that many. But, I have found tricks to help me cope. When I am craving something yummy, I might make a shake with a bit of heavy cream (no more than 2 T-2 points), some sf kool-aide packets, some ice and water. It gives me a fruity-flavored shake to drink and fill up on. I also figured out that a good way to eat on WW WI day (which is around 5pm) is to have one or two protein shakes during the day and to go swimming just before. The protein shakes don't weigh me down and the swimming helps with a better weight loss just before. (protein shakes are one scoop of whey protein powder, decaf coffee, 2T heavy cream, some SF chocolate syrup(which I am out of), Splenda, vanilla, egg white powder, and ice). It tastes good, stays with me for a good part of the day, but isn't in my system when I WI).

If I weren't on WW, I would eat more protein, more fat. Is that good or bad that I don't? I don't know. (for example, I like the Wendy's bacon cheeseburger without the bun. I would eat more than 1 if not on WW, but at 9 points each without the bun, I only have one.)(I eat salads, but dressing on the side, so I don't use enough to count the points. I would love to use salad dressing again!)

I hope I didn't ramble too much and actually addressed your question. Otherwise, ask away, I am happy to help.

Ilse

380/304.6(WW)/154
"It's kind of fun to do the impossible"
Walt Disney

SouthernBelle,

I've lost almost 42 pounds since Jan. 12th of this year. I still have 25 or 30 to go.

I took a week off in March and a month off in May/June. Exercised in Jan and Feb. Started again in July, but have been waning the past couple of weeks. Need to get into gear in that area again, as I know it helps.

I've been considering switching to Atkins. My mom just did and it's better for her. She says she feels better and has no cravings. But, not sure I'm ready for that. This plan is so simple - no counting carbs and I can eat pretty much the same meal as my family (thin hubby and 19 month-old daughter). It works out really well for me right now.

Debby

206.5/164.5/140?
CAD/CALP since 1/12/13

Ilse,

Thanks for the reply. I'm still trying to determine if I want to worry about the points. I've considered tracking points for everything except the fat (i.e. - not count the butter, oils, salad dressings, etc.) That way I would still be paying attention to portion size but not limiting the consumption of the fats which help keep me away from the carbs !! I'm also really interested in Dr. Schwarzbein's work and may just have to combine everything into my own LC program !!!

Keep on keeping on !!!

Sheri

P.S. It warms my heart that you use your quote from Walt. He's a very special man to me ... even named my last son after him !!! (OK everyone, you can stop rolling your eyes !)

Sheri,

I have condidered not counting certain fats, like olive oil. Other fats, like butter, I think should be counted. However, I am trying to be honest about what I am doing. The one thing I do not follow with WW is the fiber points. I have a computer points calculator that allows me more than 4g of fiber and I use it to calculate what I am doing.

There are times when I get frustrated with WW. It sometimes seems like the seven days is up sooner than I am ready when I am suffering from a bloat, (which happens quite often) and I am trying to recover from it. Also, I would eat more of certain foods sometimes (like sausage or bacon) at a buffet if it weren't for following the points. I hope you keep with it, I would love to have someone in a like situation to compare notes with.

Ilse

380/304.6(WW)/154
5'7"
"It's kind of fun to do the impossible"
Walt Disney

Oh, I'm keeping with it ... at least I'll continue to go to the meetings. I've been on Atkins for 4 months and still go because these people have been my support team for 3 years and I need to have the accountability. It's worth the price. My leader is very pro-hi protein diet so we freguently discuss limiting carbs. I just pretend I'm on the hi protein option (see Book 6, The Right Mix) which limits carbs to 3-5 points a day. The only part I avoid is the fat intake (although the plan does say to eat extra points in fats vs. sugars).

Sheri

Yesterday, it rained most of the day. I spent much of the time on the computer copying recipes from the Suzanne Somers discussion board. They are going to revamp that board and get rid of everything on it sometime today. I have gotten a lot of good ideas from that board.

Ilse

380/304.6(WW)/154
5'7"
"It's kind of fun to do the impossible"
Walt Disney

I think it's great that you all are very committed to your success. Keep up the good work!

However, are there others out there looking for a way of eating for life that isn't a "diet" and doesn't require much thought?

I'm hoping CAD is it for me. That I can control my hunger and thus my eating life throughout the day, enjoy sensible meals with my family in the evening, and not have to "think" about my eating so much. I guess I want to find a thin lifestyle that feels naturally do-able without a "diet" and counting this and that. Anyone else?

CAD since 8/24
194/190/145
"You must do the thing you think you cannot do"

[quote]Originally posted by writermom:
looking for a way of eating for life that isn't a "diet" and doesn't require much thought?

I'm hoping CAD is it for me. That I can control my hunger and thus my eating life throughout the day, enjoy sensible meals with my family in the evening, and not have to "think" about my eating so much. I guess I want to find a thin lifestyle that feels naturally do-able without a "diet" and counting this and that. Anyone else?
[quote]

That's exactly what CAD/CALP is for me. This plan is so simple - no counting carbs and I can eat pretty much the same meal as my family (thin hubby and 19 month-old daughter). It works out really well for me right now. It's also easier when eating out or at someone else's house for dinner. It's simple and flexible.

Although, I have considered switching to Atkins for 2 reasons -

1. Wonder if I might have more energy and less cravings (like my mom does who just switched)

2. Don't know how CAD/CALP will work out when I'm pregnant and nursing again (which I hope to be within the next year). I know you can do OWL of Atkins when preggo or nursing. Not sure how CAD/CALP would work out or if I could stay on it. My freind says that her midwife says you can do it while nursing, but I don't know about when pregnant.

What has kept me from switching over...

1. Simplicity and flexibility of CAD/CALP
2. CAD/CALPs still working for me. I'm losing weight at a good rate.
3. Don't want to have to count carbs (although wonder if I'll need to when preggo/nursing)
4. Ease of eating with my family and in social situations

As you can see, I still have more weight on the CAD/CALP side and have decided to stick with it.

Debby

206.5/164.5/140?
CAD/CALP since 1/12/13

I "Did" Atkins first. Lost 14 pounds in two weeks - felt GREAT. No cravings, high energy. A whole new way of life!!! But ... (you just knew there'd be a but right?)

There is an *emotional* craving for me. I couldn't stop the running litany in my head of "are you NEVER going to enjoy pizza again? Brownies? Your daughter's birthday cake? An ice cream cone after a bike ride with the kids? Ever???"

I'm not anti-Atkins, and I think it's great for many - but for me it was simply too restrictive. So maybe that'll help you feel good about CAD/CALP. I think with the latter you get to live a little more

CAD since 8/24
194/190/145
"You must do the thing you think you cannot do"

I certainly enjoy the freedom to chose on this plan. If I want to eat my favorite Chinese dish, a noodle platter with shrimp and scallops, I make that my RM and I can enjoy it. If I want to eat a burger witht the bun, an Italian beef sandwich on french bread, birthday cake at the end of a celebration, whatever, I can enjoy it and still lose weight. However, I do find that I have to be careful about portions. Most of the time, I don't have high calorie desserts, mostly because they take up too many points away from WW. I have tried to find tasty alternatives.

I tried Somersizing, but over-did the carbs by way too much.

Ilse

380/304.6(WW)/154
5'7"
"It's kind of fun to do the impossible"
Walt Disney