Thread: My 11-month weigh-in

I got weighed again at the doc's today.

288 December 10 2002 (when I started)
252 May 1, 2003
237 July 31
231 today November 6.

Total weight loss = 57 pounds.

The sad part was that I only lost six pounds in the past three months. I was disappointed, although, yeah, I know better, I shouldn't form such expectations. I haven't been able to exercise as much because of a back problem; that's my lame excuse for the year.

On the other hand, my doctor was very, very pleased. She was surprised I was still doing Atkins. She wanted to know what I was eating and everything because she thinks she should go back on Atkins.

Six pounds... *sigh* I figured out why that's so disappointing. It takes some of the shine off my "low carb guru" status. I could strut around here like a rooster if I'd lost more. But competitive weight-loss will not be part of my game-plan. Been there, done that. I think the reason things are going so well for me this time around is that I'm trying to think long term and not worry about the pace. As long as the long-term trend continues to be down, I'm happy.

**************
"Sometimes I think you have to march right in and demand your rights, even if you don't know what your rights are, or who the person is you're talking to. Then on the way out, slam the door."

57lbs is wonderful..and you've kept it off, and stuck to this woe'n! You have been a hugeeeee insperation to me since I began reading the posts here - you're insite into this wol is genuine and caring and always thought out!
you've done incredible!

Erin

Wow! It's people like you who help keep the rest of us motivated. Don't feel let down for a 'mere' few pounds - heck, it's not often that a doctor wants to take some health advice from a patient! Be proud! We are!

"The more I meet people, the more I love my dogs"

202/187

Good goin, Dr. I!

YOU KNOW, better than most, that it's not a race.

Main thing is: How're ya feeling, guy? That proved to be the main motivation for me, since I stuck at a few different weights for months on end at various points along the way to where I wound up. If the answer is "better" (content, alert, acute mentally, and not hungry or deprived) then you're doing fine.

It's understandable if the metabolism slows with inactivity. I have some spinal problems caused by congenital rotoscoliosis - currently C5-C6 on the left is a problem. Before that it was L4-L5. Hell, if my spine were completely straight, I'd be normal height ... well, close, anyway. LOL!

I've always slowed down or halted (or even gained) during periods of forced reduction in activity. As long as you focus on how you feel, it's no problem to stay on course. When the pain's gone, and activity returns to normal, so does everything else.

Hang in there, guy. You're still a guru, even if you lost less than you had originally anticipated at this visit. Projections are approximations. Metabolic rate doesn't always cooperate.

Maggie
5'1" ~~ Atkins since '98 (160)/Maintaining nicely (110) ~~ Redhead until further notice!

Awesome Doc! I can't wait til I can say I've lost 50 pounds!

Congrats!



Melinda B
240/229/150
Atkins 10/12/03

I think that since the scales were heading in the DOWNward direction you have achieved SUCCESS!

My scales... on the other hand have decided to creep UP since I discovered the Mock Danish recipe.

I've been reading "Living Low Carb" by Fran McCullough. She addresses the plateau phenomenon by suggesting lots of things such as readjusting your balance of nutrients -- even adding more fat. She says that you can do an Atkins "all fat diet" or "all fruit" diet for a couple days. (I personally have not heard of an ATKINS all FRUIT diet). Or you can switch to the caveman diet for a few days. For her to break her plateau she emphasized Omega 3 fats and raw foods.

You didn't really experience a plateau though... cause you've managed to keep losing. But I think if you find you're extremely comfortable in your WOE it might be a sign to rev things up just a little bit.

But you didn't ask for my opinion so I won't be the least offended if you disagree.

Michelle -- 208/196/140
Started Atkins 9/03
Days exercised in November ***

I'm not going to rev anything up. The way I'm eating now is the way I'm going to eat for the rest of my life, or such is my plan, anyway.

I'm pretty sure I've had stalls and weight gains and losses in the past three months. I think I'm blessed that I don't have a scale in the house or I'd be weighing myself every ten minutes (instead of every three months). I sort of accept that that's the normal procedure with the way I'm doing things. In many ways, I'm more liberal with my eating habits than others on this forum. I try to make this as easy on my body and my reptile brain as possible. I know many ways to force a faster weight loss, but I'm purposely abstaining from that.

How do I feel? Urk... I don't know if I should even get into that question. My personal life is coming unglued. I've had a lifelong problem with depression which has usually been well-controlled by anti-depressants. The past few months have seen it gradually getting worse, although not so bad as to necessitate asking the docs to play anti-depressant roulette (Changing anti-depressants over and over to find a good one -- a horrible exhausting process). There's a slim possibility the low-carbing is making things worse, I suppose. I think it's more likely a number of other things, like the changes in my synthroid medication (God, I hate medicine) and this back problem and a suffering financial situation and a certain bumbling politician whose face makes my blood boil everytime I see him.

**************
"Sometimes I think you have to march right in and demand your rights, even if you don't know what your rights are, or who the person is you're talking to. Then on the way out, slam the door."

Hang in there Doc!!! WOW, 57 lbs. WTG!!!
I've lost about 25 so far. That's how much my granddaughter weighs. I picked her up the other night paying close attention how 25lbs FEELS. Man, she's getting heavy. So now when I pick her up, I think, "that's how much tonnage is off my body." It is a good feeling.
I figure I'll pass her poundage up, she's held at 25 lbs for quite sometime now. (and I can't believe she weighs THAT much, the kid never eats.) She will be 2 the end of the month.

Hang in there, Doc. You are a true inspiration to me, and I love reading your posts. I have learned much from you!!!



Barb
Atkins-3/14/03
174/146/135
"A little knowledge is a dangerous thing."

hey doc, you are doing great. you've been a great help to me in reading your posts. i think u give some very interesting advice that always makes sense to me.
i have heard that this woe can cause depression or worsen it. i don't know how true it is. still even with being depressed you managed to still lose weight. that is great. i wish you well with your back probs & everything else.

christine

166/147/120
L/C 8/04/03

Dr I.
Congratulations on the 6 pound loss! Nothing to be ashamed of.
I've lost 1/2 A pound in the past 3 weeks while doing the same things I was doing to lose 67 pounds so far. So I can understand your disappointment. But I also understand your optimistic attitude about this wol. I just figure that since this woe is so effortless and natural that any weight lost is a bonus. Like getting paid to do a favorite activity.
I think you'll do much better both weight loss-wise and mood-wise once you can add exercise back into the mix. I always find a good walk a tremendous mood enhancer.
As to the bumbling politician - I have only 2 guesses - can I have a clue?
Rob

Dr. I. So sorry to hear about your depression. I've been down that road. I played anti-depressant roulette. I did that for 14 years.

Now I'm completely off the meds and feeling GROOVY. But I don't think it is the low carb WOE that helped. I think for me it was getting rid of the source. (My EX husband)

Hang in there and let us know if there is anything we can do.

Michelle -- 208/194/140
Started Atkins 9/03
Days exercised in November ****

Hi Doc!!!

Just wanted to say Hi!! And hope your feeling better soon!!!

And I agree with Rob!!! 6 pounds is Great!!!

Take Care!!!


Old age ain't no place for sissies.
-Bette Davis-..
215/178/160
37 Gone
18 to go!!

hi Doc
for depression get a tape of a baby laughing and giggling it works every time,

BigLez

Dr. I, you are doing terrific!!!

I loved that your doc was asking you for advise on Adkins. I imagine that made you feel great .

Being in pain, which I am sure you are with your back problems, can worsen depression. I always get depressed when the weather starts to change. I hate fall because everything is dying . You need to feel good about the progress you have made. Do you feel that on your back? That is me giving you a BIG pat for all of your success .

BTW, are you still in ketosis? better check your sticks! Just ribbing you . To me you are the ketosis expert.

Susan ( AKA Northwest)
207/171.5/160/
size 16/12/8
LC since 4/03

Hey Dr. I:
Just wanted to check in here and tell you how great you are! Wow! What a great weight loss from your body! You are a real inspiration. I totally agree with you about just chilling about losing and see this instead as a wol. That's what I'm doing too. I'm losing very slowly. But, I've decided that it's all right. I'm not into competitive weight loss either.
I consider myself an expert on depression. Not only because I've had it most of my adult life, but also because I'm a trained therapist and yada yada. I REALLY understand what you mean about anit-depressant roulette. I've been there and done that too. I'm taking Effexor XR (extended release) now. I had tried it before when it came out and it was terrible for me. But when I started it a year ago now, I had relief within a couple of days!! Amazing. I've also found that after taking a certain drug for a number of years (varies) it loses it efficacy, and I need to start the search again. This has been especially true with the SSRI's. I disagree strongly that this wol is the cause in any way. The side effects of increased self esteem (weight loss), more energy, mental acuity, etc. are in themselves enough to offset symptoms that crop up while on meds. I think its more likely your pain, and the forced inactivity of it. Without writing a book, I'll just say: "I've been there!"
Peace,
Peg
1/1/03
205/177/165 5'8"