My journey

[Avy]

I would like to preface this by saying, I’m ranting, not necessarily looking for advice, although it’s always welcome. I’ve been reading these boards and others for a long time, and just want to share my own story, frustrations, etc! Mostly, I just want to say them out loud.

I slowly started my low carb journey June 1, 2012. At first cutting out processed foods, then milk, fruit, etc, until by the end of the month I was more or less at inductions levels, but with nuts, and only eating whole foods, nothing processed. By October 1st I lost 30 lbs. Since October 1st I have been maintaining that weight loss pretty easily, eating what I want when I want, but staying low carb. For a week at Christmas I went nuts, had all the treats I wanted and didn’t enjoy it. :P December 29th, I went back to weighing and measuring everything and tracking. Of course, I immediately lost 10 lbs of mostly water weight and am back to the maintenance of 30 lbs lost.

So, throughout my weight loss, I track, weigh and measure everything, I know how many calories I consume a day, the grams of fat, protein carbs and fiber. I seldom have any cravings, and I’m never “hungry” although I do have to be consciously aware, constantly about whether or not I’m actually hungry, and wait it out. I could eat constantly, all day every day, out of boredom, habit, whatever. But, I don’t. Oh, and I drink 64-100 oz of water a day, plus decaf coffee and tea.

I have never used Ketostix in the past, I’ve always relied on just being low carb and tracking to lose weight. I did spend $8 on the weekend and bought some. I’ve tested at various times of the day and night, in the morning on waking, an hour or two after meals, etc, and it’s always a pretty shade of purple.

I have lost weight since January 1, no denying that. And I know from reading these boards, doing my own research, etc, that weight loss day to day fluctuates up and down due to bowel movements, hormones, water retention, lack of sleep, stress, and I’m sure there’s more! I weigh every day but I write it down, and I take solace in the downward trend.

This month I’ve had a new IUD inserted, and have been “settling” into it. So I’m sure that has a part to play in my weight fluctuations. My boyfriend moved in, sleeping patterns changed, back to work facing tax season after Christmas break…all good reasons to see the scale bouncing around. I’m logical and rational, but it’s still annoying!!

I’ve posted below my daily progress since January 1, and I’ll post a few menus which are representative of the way I eat. I don’t know if I want advice, but hearing other people’s stories of what they do and what works for them is always nice. I know some will say “you’re eating too much” “you’re not eating enough” “too much protein” “too little protein”… on and on… and everyone will be correct, because we all have different bodies and we all react differently and process foods differently. My boyfriend is 6’1” and 145lbs and eats more carbs in a day than I do in 3 months. We’re all different. But I still like hearing how everyone deals with it and copes and what works.

Without a doubt, I'm losing. Although that first week's weight loss I don't attribute much to actual fat, and more to shaking off the Christmas carbs.

Oh, I'm 5'4", 36 years old, and 201.8 lbs this morning. Back in October my lowest weight I've seen on the scale was 197 lbs.

01/01/2013 205.20
02/01/2013 202.80
03/01/2013 203.80
04/01/2013 203.80
05/01/2013 203.40
06/01/2013 202.80
07/01/2013 202.20
08/01/2013 203.20
09/01/2013 202.40
10/01/2013 202.40
11/01/2013 202.60
12/01/2013 200.80
13/01/2013 201.60
14/01/2013 201.60
15/01/2013 202.80
16/01/2013 202.80
17/01/2013 203.00
18/01/2013 202.20
19/01/2013 202.20
20/01/2013 202.80
21/01/2013 201.80

Meals sample (956x1280).jpg

[svenskamae]

Hi, Avy. I think that a useful resource for you might be the daily threads of "what are you eating today?" (As you know, the name changes day-to-day, but that seems like a systematic way to get concrete information about what other people are eating/doing.)

What helped me--but I speak only for myself--was to limit protein as well as carbs (nutritional ketosis, with under 60 grams protein/day, under 30 grams carbs) and then to add JUDDD calorie cycling (300-500 calories on my down days, 1500-1800 calories on my up days, alternating). Those are a couple of things that I noticed other people doing to kick start the weight loss, and that I've found helpful, though they do require a lot of planning ahead and tracking everything (carbs, protein, calories, every day). And even with those approaches in place, I've found myself in a plateau for the past few weeks, and am just trying to be patient and focusing on health goals (like exercising to get stronger, more toned, and more flexible).

I hope you find something that works for you to get the weight loss going again. I'm sure your diet is very healthy, at least, since you are eating unprocessed induction-friendly foods.

[creseis]

It looks like you're doing really well! Are you also on any exercise plan?

[LoriWants2Lose]

You're losing about a pound a week. That's a decent loss. I think you're doing great. If you want to lose faster, I would add exercise maybe, but remember that if you lose slowly, you are spending that time learning healthy eating habits and developing patterns that will last you a lifetime.

[Arctic_Mama]

You're doing great - right on target for a woman losing actual fat mass, who isn't new to the game. Our bodies can only empty fat cells at a certain rate, and it is limited, so I'd say that if you're not restricting hugely your losses are at a good pace.

Keep it up! Are you working out at all?

[clackley]

You are losing at a normal rate which is 1-2 lbs. per week. Seems good to me.

[snowmop]

Slow and steady wins the race! You're doing great!

[LiterateGriffin]

If your IUD is a hormonal one (most are), that WILL affect your rate of loss. (Also, your body's initial reaction to the insertion will result in a little water-retention, which is a separate issue, but will still show on your scale.)

I happen to be one of those women who's absolutely forbidden to use any form of hormonal BC (I get blood clots), so I'm a little biased against them. Just be aware that it's going to make your body resistant to weight-loss (read, "inclined to gain").

Frankly, I'd LOVE to be down almost 5 lbs this month. Remember: You didn't get this way overnight -- you're not going to get BACK overnight, either. That's OK -- just stay with it, and you'll get there eventually.

I second the "integrating exercise into your plan" vote. It's one of those small things that can start increasing the degree the scales tip in your favor.

[Avy]

I have been working out at Curves 3 times a week, although I don't contribute weight loss to exercise. Sure, it's good for me health wise, and helps with body composition, that goes without saying. I know I'm losing, it's just frustrating having those other things all at the same time causing fluctuations. For instance, last Monday I was 201.6, yesterday I was 201.8. And I was lots of weights in between lol. It'll keep going down eventually, cause I'm not changing my low carb lifestyle!

I had Mirena IUDs for 8 years prior to this one, and have always lost fine, I don't think it's causing a problem with weight loss or making me gain, but, it's a new one after 3 months without, so I'm having all the PMS symptoms of water retention, bloating, etc. It'll settle down and sort itself out!

This is why I love these forums, being able to share my frustrations and know there's so many other people out there who understand! <3

[Trigger828]

you are ranting about fluctuations on the scale?

LOL

then get rid of the scale. Seriously. You are doing wonderful. You know your pattern, your food, you are losing, feel great, staying on plan and all that great stuff that goes with a lifestyle change. But to let that scale make you insane like that isn't right. Why add that stress. Weigh in every 10 days or something and give yourself a break.

the scale is annoying if we track every day. I sure know that

From what I read I think you are doing great and keep up the good work. And ONEderland is on its way. (for you and me )

[SeaMaiden]

I agree... ditch the scale. If you do feel the need to weigh, do it once a week, or every 2 weeks. And start measuring yourself. It's a more accurate reflection of your weight loss! Somedays you may only lose a pound but you can lose inches... It's really awesome.