4 Months and 40 Pounds down 100 to go!

[ChiCityGuy]

Hi all! I'm a long time creeper on these forums but a first time poster. I started out at 342 Lbs and have reached my Goal of 300 LBS by august a few weeks early (I started in April)!!! I still have another 100 LBS to lose and need a little motivation and support. First, a couple questions: I was very strict the first 2-3 months and lost about 30 LBs. Over the last 3-4 weeks I have really laxed up (an occasional beer, a taste of someones birthday cake, 3 oreo's last weekend... etc) But I still managed to lose 10 pounds over those 3-4 weeks. I know that the extra sugar is bad, but the diet is still working. I'm fearful if i continue that habit, I will slip further and further, slowly going back to my high carb ways! Can someone explain, why while I was slipping up I still lost weight, and can you also motivate me back to a strict plan! Also, what are you thoughts on total carbs. If 3 oreo's is 20 net carbs, and 4 cups of broccoli is 20 net carbs, is there a difference between having 4 cups of broccoli, vs 3 oreos each in one sitting? (these are hypothetical net carbs, I have not checked in my carb counters) what are your thoughts on calories, are unlimited calories OK, as long as you are eating good low carbs? Finally, with 150 LBs to lose, how many do you think it will take before I (and others) see a noticeable difference in my appearance? Thanks for all the great posts and I love reading everyones stories!

[svenskamae]

Hi, ChiCityGuy. Congratulations on moving out of lurkerdom to post and on reaching your first goal of 300 lbs. You should be in the 200s any minute now!

Here are some thoughts in response to your questions:

Why were you still losing weight when you were slipping up a bit? I guess the reason is that you hadn't yet regularly surpassed the carb level that you need to stay at (or the calorie level that you need to not surpass) to keep losing. Bigger people need more carbs and calories than smaller people just to maintain their weight, and so usually lose more easily. Men, physically active people, and younger people tend to lose faster or at higher carb/calorie levels than women, sedentary people, and older people. But I think "laxing up" is kind of a slippery slope, and I feel and lose best when I stay on plan as much as possible. If you want to not just lose weight but also be healthier, it would be better to add carbs from vegetables or nuts or low glycemic fruits than to be eating oreos.

Is there a difference between eating 20 carbs of oreos and 20 carbs of broccoli--yes, indeed. Many of us here have turned to low carb as a way of losing weight and maintaining weight because our bodies don't handle insulin/blood sugar spikes well. Oreos--or anything made with regular sweeteners and grains--will push up your blood sugar levels and make it harder to lose weight in a way that just won't happen with non-starchy vegetables like broccoli. Sugar/grain based foods are much likely to set off extreme cravings and raging hunger for insulin/blood sugar peaks and drops; broccoli and other low starch vegetables will not set off such cravings and will keep your blood sugar nice and stable, because they don't convert into a bunch of sugar and they carry lots of fiber that takes a while to digest.

As for counting calories--I'd say that many of us would like to focus on just keeping our carb counts low, but we reluctantly start tracking calories as well when we stop losing or when weight loss happens only very slowly. If you are losing regularly by just tracking carbs, you can stay with that approach.

I'll bet there is already a noticeable difference in your appearance, since you have lost 42 pounds. If you are comfortable doing so, you could post pictures here. I've lost about 40 pounds, and nobody I work with and none of my friends have commented on this yet, but I think that's because people either don't notice the change if they see you every day or because they are afraid that it might seem rude to comment on someone's weight. (If they show that they notice when you get thinner, will you think they notice also when you gain weight? Does it seem to personal?) If your clothes and your scale shows a difference, then your looks show a difference, too. Of course, with each 10 or 20 or 50 pounds lost, there are more positive and dramatic changes in your appearance, too. Try to keep your mind on small goals, and staying on plan, so you don't get overwhelmed by the 150 to go.

I suggest the book "Why We Get Fat and What To Do About It" by Gary Taubes as a way to better understand why not all carbs (oreos versus broccoli) are treated the same by our bodies, and why low carb works well for most of us.

You are off to a terrific start. Stay the course and keep posting here. And

[GreytMuse]

ChiCityGuy, welcome!

Glad to see you transform from a creeper to a poster! This is a great community of people -- they've definitely been a major factor in my weight loss so far. So much knowledge and support... Keep up your good work and let us know how you are doing!

[cfine]

For me, the reason one little slip would turn into a downhill slide is because I am allergic, or sensitive, to wheat!! It will cause me to go into a tailspin.

The book "Wheat Belly" explains the science behind it. I highly recommend it. If you are going to "cheat" I would recommend that you stay away from wheat.

[iminit4me]

Hey ChiCityGuy - Welcome and congratulations on your amazing success so far. I'm jealous. I've only cheated once since I started in the middle of May and I've not made the progress you have. How much would I love a BEER!!! Planning on a Mic Ultra for my birthday in October. It will probably be gone in about 5 seconds. Also planning to stop at one...or else!

I think svenskamae did a great job of cluing you in on the what, how and why. I just know that if I want to lose weight, I have to step away from the sugar. I still use Splenda in my coffee and have a diet soda every once in a while, but water has become my best friend - especially in the heat this year - and I'm losing, even while splurging on the occasional LC cocktail. But no Oreos!!! My biggest occasional treat is the LC Breyer's ice cream bar - 5 net carbs. Can't eat more than one a day though and only have one when I really need something super satisfying. It's usually at the very end of the day when I know I won't head back to the kitchen for anything else. Eat it, brush my teeth and head for bed.

So best of luck. Browse around and find some other threads to post on too. Hope to see you and track your progress often. You're certainly doing great so far.

[Hot Tamale]

Yes, I have to agree with what others have posted... I just wanted to say you're doing a great job! I also wanted to say that posting often can really help your motivation. I come to this site several times a day to see what has been posted in threads I've contributed to, in addition to just learning from reading what other people have to say. You CAN do this - you ARE doing it! Keep up the great work!!

[Terri B]

ChiGuy,

The pictures are very important. I know we all look in the mirror and see the fat girl/guy no matter how much weight is gone. The pictures are the reality.
Take a gander at my 40 lbs. See the diff?

I'm like others. I treat carbs like the addiction they are. I'm an addict. I try to stay far away. Let's see if I can keep that up once I reach goal!

[sya_unit]

yep, I'd say people started noticing my weight loss around minus 40 lbs. All the girls at my work are asking me my "diet" now. I've gone from a 22 to a 14 since January, so I can pick some cuter styles - so expect that when your clothes are baggy and you purchase some cheap filler clothes you will see a lot of comments.Being that you are a gentlemen I am guessing people are not going to say something unless you bring up that you have been working on losing some weight.

But you are doing a fantastic job. Keep it up! We are so proud of you.

Oh, and I've learned to not say I am doing atkins, but I say low carb or cutting out the crap diet. Right? We are jokers at my work and I've grabbed my belly and told them "no mas carnitas" which means something like no more pork..and then I eat pork chops and ham all the time. Carnitas is a style of pork meat. Shredded with spices. So yummy and actually prolly okay in moderation, but sounds funny in spanish. (When I tell the girls at my work no tortillas, no beans, and no rice they laugh and walk away..., maybe I should tell them I can eat chichirones (pork rinds))

[simplyatomic]

Way to go!