What works for me

[SashimiMark]

I started lc'ing for the 3rd time this past January (isn't that when most diets start?). At that time, I weighed 355 lbs. My past two attempts, I lost around 30-40 lbs after a year, and then put it all back on because I would get tired of low carbing while not really seeing much results.

What I didn't realize in the past was that I was being too restrictive. I was trying to maintain no more than 20g of carbs a day. For me, that just does not work. My food choices are just too boring. And I stop losing weight.

Well, this third try... I was doing the exact same thing again. I lost quite a bit of weight quickly... and then nothing. By the end of February, I was completed stalled... and bored. I was ready to give up.

Now in the past, I had read about people upping their carbs as high as 60-80g a day. But in my screwed up head, that just seemed wrong. I couldn't possibly lose weight unless I was being VERY strict. After all, that's the only way I ever lost weight doing low cal and low fat diets. But hey, here I was still over 300 lbs (been carrying that much weight around for the past 15 years) and quickly approaching 40. I needed to try something new.

So I upped my carbs. I allowed myself a piece of toast once in a while. I ate more veggies. Hell, I started giving myself a free weekend every four weeks. Now by free weekend, I don't mean I spend the entire time at Coldstone Creamery. But on my free weekends (which start at 7pm on Fridays and end at 10pm on Sundays) I let myself eat anything I want. Luckly, I typically don't want anything TOO bad for me. But I'll admit, I sometimes buy a pint of Ben and Jerry's on my free weekend. It doesn't last too long.

After my free weekend, I do one week of induction and then the last three weeks before my free weekend are back to the routine. I don't overly restrict my carbs during those three weeks, but I keep it between 40 and 80g a day. So far, I haven't had any gains. And my weight keeps going down. I think that by doing the free weekend, I'm resetting my body, and that is helping me lose faster.

Also, I highly recommend the wii fit for any of you coach potatoes. I hate to exercise. HATE HATE HATE. But I love exercising on my wii fit. I use it at least an hour a day, and it helps me keep track of my weight and my exercise progress. Fabulous product.

[iamcrazy]

Congrats on fihuring out what works for you, wishing you continued success!!

[fawn]

Congratulations on finding what works for you! And congrats on that weight loss! Quite awesome.........

Do yourself a favor and stay away from high fructose corn syrup and hydrogenated oils. There really is no safe level of either of these products and there's plenty of options out there without ingesting these highly processed unhealthy disease promoting foods.

Just my little .02 for the day!

[SashimiMark]

Yep, I know about the high fructose corn syrup and hydrogenated oils. I avoid them both like the plague when I'm low carbing. I'll admit, I'm not so careful during my free weekends (the ben and jerry's for instance). But it's something I should do better about, even during those free weekends.

Mostly, I've finally accepted that this is my new way of life. It's not just to lose weight. It's to stay healthy.

[foxieroxie]

Congrats on your progress so far and thanks for the heads up on the wii fit. I have been debating about buying one but now I think that I will. It sounds like fun and not so much like exercise.

[Moretta]

Congrats.

[SashimiMark]

I can't say enough positive things about wii fit, Roxanne. It's just fabulous. I look forward to getting on it every day. Granted, I wish it had a tell-me-my-damn-weight-right-now mode. But it's only a few steps to get to the weigh-in.

[ElleMarie]

I totally LOVE my wii fit. It is the ONLY thing I have ever used that doesn't feel like exercise. I wish they would hurry and come out with another game for it that uses the step games. I can't get enough of that part of it and usually it leaves me sweating by the end of about 15 minutes. I continue for longer but while I am doing it I don't even realize that I am working out a sweat.

The skiing is fun but the step is my favorite. Great to do with another person too especially if you are competitive it keeps you trying to beat the other person!! In the end you both win with better health.

[Deb79fl]

Excellent Information! And WTG on the weight loss.

I did a similar plan on my diet,as well. I found I got burned out after a month or six weeks, then I would go off plan. Sometimes a few days, sometimes longer. I always regained a small amount, but as time went on, I ate off plan less often and became increasingly more "balanced". Then I would plan a "cheat day" so to speak and then go back the next day w/o any weight gain. I really found that this has enabled me to feel more empowered about my choices while working towards my goal. Maybe I didn't lose as fast as I might have if I stayed on strict low carb the entire time, but I'm happy and I did reach my goal weight.

Wish I hade the money for the WII, sounds like a great item to have.

Look forward to hearing about your continued progress and success!

[SashimiMark]

My favorite games on the wii fit are also the aerobic step games. I do about half an hour of just that. I too hope they make more games using the wii fit board. I was just so happy to see that Nintendo released a version with a higher weight limit. Originally, it was 300 lbs. The US version is 330.

[mamachi]

Congrats on the weight loss. I'm looking forward to getting the Wii Fit but I live in Canada in one of the largest cities and there are no Wii Fits to be found in any of the stores here. When they first came out, only a few were shipped to each store and since then nothing. Even finding the Wii console was hard and took weeks of almost daily phone calls waiting for a shipment from Nintendo. Hope the Wii Fits come soon as I have heard so many good things about it. Anyways, keep up the good work, you are doing great.

[SashimiMark]

Yeah, the day the wii fit came out, there was a kiosk at my local BJ's with about 2 dozen or so units. I came after mulling over whether or not to buy it... they were ALL gone. But then I found one behind some boxes of other products... someone was trying to hide one! I bought it.

[flatferenghi]

sometimes, it takes quite a bit of tweaking and experimentation to find the right combo. Over the years, I also felt that i would best be served by staying on induction for as long as it would take to get me from morbidly obese to just overweight. I was living in the real world, where everyone was eating everything for which i lusted. It was just a matter of time before i was turned by the dark side. Or, i would plan a 1 day cheat every 3 months. the 3rd time, i could not pull out. In this case, for me, 3rd time was NOT the charm. Now, i am going by the book (DANDR), and stay on Induction for only 2 weeks. This is my choice. I wish u success in yours. Love & Profits: FLATFERENGHI (a troll with a goal).

[flatferenghi]

what, by Zeus, is wii fit? FF

[Diana]

Congrats on losing and figuring it out!!! I have learned the same!

I also love my Wii Fit!! I just got Dance Dance Revolution Hit songs for my B-day, Can't wait to jump on it too!

[roamer723]

hey man, way to go on finding something that works for you and is going to keep you on the path.

I guess I'll go ahead and respectfully say I'll disagree with all the Wii accolytes. Get ready, I'm about to preach...

<startofrant>
Get outside and do something! You're most likely inside all day sitting at a desk, then you go home and you're either doing stuff in the house or watching tv, or doing the Wii, and the only time you're outside is walking to and from the car!

I personally think a big part of the obesity problem in America is that we all have jobs or school where we sit on our butts all day then we come home at night and veg out in front of the tv on our butts too.
<endofrant>

but hey, if the Wii works for you and you love it and that's your way, more power to you and keep it up! I'm just gonna keep biking to work. until somebody hits me.

[Beth1121]

Originally Posted by roamer723

hey man, way to go on finding something that works for you and is going to keep you on the path.

I guess I'll go ahead and respectfully say I'll disagree with all the Wii accolytes. Get ready, I'm about to preach...

<startofrant>
Get outside and do something! You're most likely inside all day sitting at a desk, then you go home and you're either doing stuff in the house or watching tv, or doing the Wii, and the only time you're outside is walking to and from the car!

I personally think a big part of the obesity problem in America is that we all have jobs or school where we sit on our butts all day then we come home at night and veg out in front of the tv on our butts too.
<endofrant>

but hey, if the Wii works for you and you love it and that's your way, more power to you and keep it up! I'm just gonna keep biking to work. until somebody hits me.

I completely understand your point and don't disagree with you, but have you tried Wii yet? It is awesome! Some like to be inside and in front of a tv. This lets you do just that while being active at the same time, which might just lead to getting outside for more activity. I find it to be not just fun but extremely motivating, as well.

[roamer723]

Hi beth

I do not have a Wii, so really I can't judge it. However, I just have no interest in getting one. To me, it's just another gaming system, and with 2 young children and a small house, I just like to get exercise away from the house.

just my situation. Wii's not for me. Give me the wind in my ears and a nice cool morning biking towards the sunrise anytime over some simulation on a tv. I sit at a desk and stare at an LCD all day, really not interested in doing more when I get home.

again, just my preference. if Wii's for u, I think that's great.

[Kitt*Tenn]

Hey Mark.. sounds like you have it figured out. I am on my 3rd try to lose on Low Carb WOE. Last time, I went down to 168 and stalled for 3 months.. and soon just gave up. Now, with my GERD kicking up, I had to restart... so now after reading what you wrote, it may very well be my ticket also...

BTW, I grew up in your neck of the woods... in Oakham... A long long long time ago..

[whatjelly]

I like the super hula-hoops one! That really gets my heart going... skiing is pretty fun too, and I don't quite have the snowboarding down yet...

The last few times at start up I've had perfect balance... That's kinda cool... (well I think so anyway )

[Sandi76]

Originally Posted by roamer723

hey man, way to go on finding something that works for you and is going to keep you on the path.

I guess I'll go ahead and respectfully say I'll disagree with all the Wii accolytes. Get ready, I'm about to preach...

<startofrant>
Get outside and do something! You're most likely inside all day sitting at a desk, then you go home and you're either doing stuff in the house or watching tv, or doing the Wii, and the only time you're outside is walking to and from the car!

I personally think a big part of the obesity problem in America is that we all have jobs or school where we sit on our butts all day then we come home at night and veg out in front of the tv on our butts too.
<endofrant>

How is Wii fit (which by the way involves NOT sitting down) any different from using a DVD to exercise or walking on a treadmill? My mom who is hardcore exerciser says she wants one. I for one am extremely sensitive to heat, and doing any exercise outside during the summer means I am usually curled up on the couch with a headache for the rest of the day, thats with proper hydration BTW. I'm sorry I jsut found this post very judgemental,and at least he is DOING SOMETHING to get some exercise, and you shouldn't "chastise" him for doing it his way. Adding the obligatory "Hey if it works for you" at the end of your "rant" doesn't make it better.

[whatjelly]

Well to each is their own... I don't think he really meant it to be jugemental? I think he might be saying that personaly he'd rather be outside. That's ok too...

Their stats are similar, and I think Mr "rant" said that he actually does sit all day in front of a screen at work... so....

We all have our own path... and it's all good

WE ARE LC FRIENDS

[roamer723]

Hi Sandi

wasn't trying to be judgmental. If that's the way that's gonna work for you, I think that's great for you.

Was just presenting a differrent viewpoint. No offense meant.

for me, I just want to be outside after being couped up inside all day.

and Mark, sorry about the threadjack.

[Beth1121]

Originally Posted by whatjelly

Well to each is their own... I don't think he really meant it to be jugemental? I think he might be saying that personaly he'd rather be outside. That's ok too...

Their stats are similar, and I think Mr "rant" said that he actually does sit all day in front of a screen at work... so....

We all have our own path... and it's all good

WE ARE LC FRIENDS

That's how I took roamer's comment, as well. That's what work's for him, and that is wonderful.

To the OP, good for you on finding out what works for you. Much continued success to you!

[soon]

What is w11?? what does it stand for. Sandy I understand I get hives just going out to water the yard .

[SashimiMark]

The Wii with Wii Fit is so much better than an aerobics dvd... dvd's don't track your progress for you. They don't give you suggestions based on that progress, either. They don't do very much to keep you motivated at all.


As for the outside over the wii... I don't do well in hot humid weather. Which is what we're having right now. In the past, if the weather was bad, I just didn't do any working out at all. Unless it was just my weight training. Now, every day, I wake up and want to get on the wii to do some wii fittin'. It has kept me motivated every single day. And every single day my progress goes up, and my weight goes down.

Once I've lost probably another hundred pounds, I plan to buy a bike and start biking a lot. Especially for doing my errands. But for those of you who just think of the wii as another gaming system, you're wrong. Most game systems, you're just sitting on your butt on the couch playing a mindless game. That's not the case with the wii.

[WendyK1974]

I think this is what clicked for me as well. Not being too restrictive.

[SashimiMark]

Oh, and for those wondering what a wii or wii fit is... Wii Fit

[roamer723]

I forget I've lived in Florida for a long time and hot/humid is the norm and I've become accustomed to it.

Worcester MA is gonna be 88 today with 52% humidity
Palm Bay FL is gonna be 88 today with 68% humidity - that's nothing for us, actually going to be a nice mild day

I'll have to edumacate myself more on the Wii fit, but I still advocate getting outdoors more.

Mark, best wishes to you and all others who have found, or are finding their own way.

[Califrog]

Originally Posted by roamer723

Hi beth

I do not have a Wii, so really I can't judge it. However, I just have no interest in getting one. To me, it's just another gaming system, and with 2 young children and a small house, I just like to get exercise away from the house.

just my situation. Wii's not for me. Give me the wind in my ears and a nice cool morning biking towards the sunrise anytime over some simulation on a tv. I sit at a desk and stare at an LCD all day, really not interested in doing more when I get home.

I will go outside willingly only if the temperatures are in a certain range.

I am a Princess, and Princesses do NOT march in freezing rain, enjoy having their ears get too cold from very windy days, or approve of baking themselves in the heat unless it is for the purposes of sunbathing with a nice pool to jump in afterward!

There! That's MY rant!!

(I love the outdoors, but only when it behaves - otherwise I'd MUCH rather be on my Wii Fit and treadmill!)