Maintainers Non-Specific/General Discussion thread....

[Jonahsafta]

Originally Posted by Kissa

That is horrible, what is the treatment? My father had a duodenal ulcer which had to be removed surgically. But that was in the 60s. Is it a drug centred threatment?

I can't wait for the new scales to enter your life..

Well a scope upper is where I hope it starts and ends..if they find it they then cauterize it...then Im back on omeprazole..or maybe something else.

Im trying to avoid 1. a blood transfusion ( Mon they will know abt how bad it is blood loss wise) and 2. the prep for the lower gi...( I started to cry when I was talking to the dr. abt that part)


Eh Im a wimp..
BTW the dietary changes have gone great EXCEPT Ive got a headache from tea withdrawl...Im going to ask if I can do decaf coffee ( sigh I know..but I dont like decaf tea less)


re: scale..anyone have any brand of scale that they like? My brother loves his dr type scale..any thoughts?

[Jonahsafta]

Originally Posted by peanutte

Thanks for that recommendation, Doug. I think it's important to find books and blogs and other resources that resonate with our own experience--both in terms of reinforcing ideas we already have, and giving us new perspectives. We are affected by what we choose to expose ourselves to. My mom used to say "garbage in, garbage out", and I often think of that expression when I see diet commercials on TV, or too-good-to-be-true claims and promises about fast, easy weight loss, or when I hear about the latest popular pseudoscience making the rounds.

I took a quick look at that blog and will check it out more thoroughly later.



Yes, I find that kind of thing inspiring too. You don't have to be a sugar addict to understand the reasoning behind an addict's approach to abstinence, and you don't have to be (or have been) bulimic to understand this blogger's ongoing work with her relationship to food. I don't think maintenance looks that different from plan to plan or situation to situation. In fact, one of the humbling things about maintenance is that no matter how we got here or where we came from, we're not special snowflakes.

We're all aware that those who keep the weight off are in a very small minority compared to those who don't, so it's helpful to look at all sorts of different challenges and lessons that others have experienced--and continue to face. I think for any formerly obese person to claim he or she has no food-related issues to work on is like someone getting a DUI and claiming he rarely drinks and drives, and it was just a fluke. Possible, I suppose, but statistically unlikely.

lmg607, to answer your question, I started Atkins at 188 pounds on Jan. 3 2009, and at that time I was absolutely dead-set that this had to be it. I reached 140 pounds--the upper limit of a healthy BMI for my height--in mid-October 2009. Then went into pre-maintenance/maintenance and very slowly reached 120 pounds in August 2010. I've been between 117-120 ever since.

Peanutte and Doug..thank you..Ive been reading that blog for the last week..love it

[Jonahsafta]

Caffeine is the culprit...and I really dont like decaf tea..or herb teas...I am a true tea addict...and yeah Im a bit embarassed...LOL do they have a 12 step???!

[Kissa]

LOL! Sorry, I think you are on your own on this one.

[girondet]

Check this out Deborah...

Good News - A Cure For Ulcers | CDC Ulcer

[girondet]

The only reason I posted this is that 90% of ulcers have been found to be caused by H.Pylori bacteria. Can be treated with antibiotics and healed, for good. The Dr. who proved it got a Nobel for it. No one would listen to him for many years and then he gave himself one and cured it. Did your dr. Test you for this?

I hope I'm not being annoying, but I would check that out, with wanting to see lab results...just trying to help....The site I linked is the CDC

[Doug K]

Originally Posted by Jonahsafta

Caffeine is the culprit...and I really dont like decaf tea..or herb teas...I am a true tea addict...and yeah Im a bit embarassed...LOL do they have a 12 step???!

Have you tried rooibos tea, aka African redbush tea? Celestial Seasonings Safari Spice and Trader Joe's Ruby Chai are two brands I like. I don't care for most herbal teas, but I like rooibos (though not with sweet spices, eg, Celestial Seasonings Bengal Spice, or lemongrass/hibiscus/sour flavors). Amazon has plain boxes of unseasoned rooibos tea bags from South Africa that I keep meaning to order.

I used to enjoy a brand of Ayurvedic Kapha tea that went out of business. It had black and red pepper, and some other warming spices. There are different "Kapha tea" formulations on the market, and online recipes, all based on pungent spices, to perk up a sluggish temperament. Sadly, none are as stimulating as caffeine. That is the last substance I am clinging on to.

[Jonahsafta]

Dr. called...no peptic ulcer this time..BUT checking for parathyroid disease...and I found out this disease can cause peptic ulcers...sooooo last years foray into the ER was possibly caused by the parathyroid thing..good news ? 1. the 147 lb weigh in wasnt because of blood loss!!! wooohoo so I can keep it...2. the disease once properly diagnosed is treated by a 20 min surgical procedure..relatively simply!!!



so Im guessing thats good news...so the next step is testing...
thank you all for your support

[Kissa]

What a hopeful outcome Jonahsafta, I especially love the 147 weigh in being true.

Keep us up to date and let us hope the tests prove positive and it is easily dealt with.

[Jonahsafta]

Originally Posted by girondet

The only reason I posted this is that 90% of ulcers have been found to be caused by H.Pylori bacteria. Can be treated with antibiotics and healed, for good. The Dr. who proved it got a Nobel for it. No one would listen to him for many years and then he gave himself one and cured it. Did your dr. Test you for this?

I hope I'm not being annoying, but I would check that out, with wanting to see lab results...just trying to help....The site I linked is the CDC

well shoot..now its supposed to be parathyroid disease...so they are chasing down tests toward that hypothessis...so I have the ok for caffeine!!!! and I can have my weekl glass of merlot....and apparently if they are right..that could have been the cause of my ulcer last yr!


hmmmm..Ok maybe thats not ALL good news

[peanutte]

Jonahsafta, I'm glad for you that parathyroid might be identified as the problem, because it really is a very quick procedure. I know a woman in her early 70s who had this done last summer. She had high levels of calcium in her blood, and had been experiencing foggy thinking and memory lapses that resembled early signs of dementia, as well as fatigue, and not feeling well in general. The procedure went fine and she was only kept overnight as a precaution; once at home and recovering, she felt tremendously better very soon. She's back to feeling like herself again; she and her adult kids are so relieved.

I hope if this is the problem, you will have good results as well.

[Kissa]

That would be good, fingers crossed for you.

[Jonahsafta]

Originally Posted by peanutte

Jonahsafta, I'm glad for you that parathyroid might be identified as the problem, because it really is a very quick procedure. I know a woman in her early 70s who had this done last summer. She had high levels of calcium in her blood, and had been experiencing foggy thinking and memory lapses that resembled early signs of dementia, as well as fatigue, and not feeling well in general. The procedure went fine and she was only kept overnight as a precaution; once at home and recovering, she felt tremendously better very soon. She's back to feeling like herself again; she and her adult kids are so relieved.

I hope if this is the problem, you will have good results as well.

thank you guys for the support and caring..

yep the doc put two and two together when she saw my high calcium labs...and apparently Ive had high calcium labs since I first saw her 1.5 yrs ago...I guess she thought it was a fluke..I have 16 of the 19 symptoms on the chart..Im relieved if this is the correct diagnosis since the fix really is short and sweet...

[Kissa]

So relieved for you Jonahsafta.

[TBipp]

I see that some of those on Maintenance are using JUDD. I am curious as to whether you lost your weight on JUDD and now are on Maintenance OR did you decide to try JUDD while on Maintenance?

I am reading the book now and I could see where it would be easier on JUDD to have two down days a week during Maintenance and eating more normally the remainder of the week instead of every day strict low carb. I would continue low carbing but not as strict. I weigh myself daily so could catch the pounds before they packed on.

I become frustrated as one "normal" meal with carbs packs on 2 pounds at a minimum. It comes off in 2-3 days but it is discouraging. It occurred to me that maybe by JUDDing a couple days a week (day before or after a day with a high carb meal), it may be easier--just not sure.

[Kissa]

I think that Lorreta does something like that, TBipp. I will allow her to speak for herself.

I do straight JUDDD including all the carbs.

I lost most of my weight with Atkins in 2001. Over the years in between I mostly maintained around 4 or 5 pound up which is okay. Unfortunately, more and more often often I saw myself 10 or 12 lbs above my 126 goal.

I am almost 65 and it has definitely been harder to lose the older I got.

In October 11 I started JUDDD, at first doing it LC and then after around 3 weeks incorporating carbs. After 5 weeks I hit my goal weight and have generally been between 2 and 5 pounds below that for the past 3 months.

I don't claim that is is the only way to eat at all. Many people have valid health reasons to never eat carbs freely. A lot of JUDDDers do LC, Primal, Vegetarian and Vegan style.

I will always respect Atkins and Taubes etc. but JUDDD helps a lot of people, though not all.

[TBipp]

Originally Posted by Kissa

I think that Lorreta does something like that, TBipp. I will allow her to speak for herself.

I do straight JUDDD including all the carbs.

I lost most of my weight with Atkins in 2001. Over the years in between I mostly maintained around 4 or 5 pound up which is okay. Unfortunately, more and more often often I saw myself 10 or 12 lbs above my 126 goal.

I am almost 65 and it has definitely been harder to lose the older I got.

.

Thank you, Kissa. So, when you say JUDD including all the carbs, does that mean you pay no attention to your level of carbs? If so, good for you! I am concerned that if I bump up my carb level too much, I will have cravings kick in again.

[Kissa]

I feared that too. I was so astonished that I didn't lose control. I am not saying it never happens but it didn't happen to me.

[peanutte]

I become frustrated as one "normal" meal with carbs packs on 2 pounds at a minimum. It comes off in 2-3 days but it is discouraging.

If you know it's water retention from extra carbs, I don't think this needs to be discouraging. As I added different foods in OWL and maintenance, I began to weigh myself daily, or at least more frequently during the week, rather than once a week. That was so I could become aware of how my scale weight fluctuates regularly--which I paid no attention to during weight loss, since I weighed every Friday morning. By checking the scale more often, I could see that f I had some higher-carb foods on the weekend, and weighed a few pounds more on a Monday morning, I didn't need to freak out because I'd be back to regular weight in a few days. And I could see how different types of carbs affected my water retention--which I found to be useful information.

I only eat my "extra" carbs on the weekends, and I don't find it difficult to stay simple and low-carb during the week. That's my version of "rotation". (I still make mostly default low-carb choices on the weekends too, at restaurants--omelettes without the toast and potatoes; steak with veggies subbed for starch.)

Regardless of the plan he or she is on, I don't know a single person whose weight stays the same every day; we all fluctuate within a few pounds--some people more than others.

The best plan is the one we can stick to, so I hope you will find whatever method seems to suit your style of maintenance!

[Kissa]

[girondet]

I'm glad things are looking optimistic for an easy fix, Deborah

Just plugging along here. Tracking my weight made me aware of daily fluctuations too, so I don't freak out so much, but I am aware that if I have a couple of drinks on the weekend and a bit extra of this and that it can take all week to get back down in weight.

[TBipp]

Originally Posted by girondet

I'm glad things are looking optimistic for an easy fix, Deborah

Just plugging along here. Tracking my weight made me aware of daily fluctuations too, so I don't freak out so much, but I am aware that if I have a couple of drinks on the weekend and a bit extra of this and that it can take all week to get back down in weight.

Me TOO!! A whole darn week sometimes to get back to "normal" after dining out on a Saturday night and I try to be fairly low carby when dining out; i.e., no bread, never order pasta (and my area is huge on pasta), if the dessert is appealing, I may eat 1/3 or 1/2.

Thanks for the posts and ideas everyone. I am lucky to live in a rural area as I eat home all week, both lunch and dinner, and only dine out on weekends and even, then, not every weekend. Our only restaurants are fast food, one Mexican, one Asian (closed weekends), and a steak house that is not too good.

[Leo41]

TBipp- Have you found your CCL (critical carb level)? Did you go 'up the ladder' to add various carbs as you were losing?

I ask this because I am very, very sensitive to carbs and cannot eat more than 25g without cravings and weight gain. Adn this is something I learned by following Dr. A when I first read his book in 1973 (and I've tested myself since, and it's still true for me.) However, most people are not that sensitive, and that's why Dr. Atkins advises learning about how many carbs you can safely tolerate for lifetime maintenance.

I have some experience with JUDDD, but I did it entirely low carb because of my personal sensitivity. I began losing when I was already post-menopausal and undiagnosed hypothyroid. After I was diagnosed, I continued to lose at the same slow rate, but after I'd lost about 80 lbs, I had a significant stall. I realized that my smaller body needed even fewer calories--and I'd have to go to <1000 daily to lose (my endo confirmed this).

That's why I went to JUDDD. It's a really helpful way to restrict calories without being too frustrated. I lost my next 120 lbs with JUDDD and did that in about 2 1/2 years. For the past 8 months, I've been maintaining with a 'looser' version of JUDDD--i.e., still trying to find the right calorie 'mix.' I stay with JUDDD because, as you know, in maintenance, you really can't eat much more than you were when you got to goal, and I still need to keep calories very low.

I guess my point is that if you want to do JUDDD simply to eat carbs, then you'd be doing basically what you're doing now. If you eat enough carbs to get out of ketosis, then you will 'gain' water weight because your muscles re-fill their glycogen stores (what's depleted in the initial loss of low carb). Then when you go back to low carb, you lose those glycogen stores.

Personally, I don't know how healthy that is--i.e. gaining and losing that water. If I wanted to eat carbs (and I know I can't), I think I'd follow Dr. A's plan and learn how many carbs I can tolerate and plan my WOE accordingly.

By the way, a doctor advised me that because I have to eat so very low carb, I should have a 'high carb' day every 4-6 weeks to replenish my 'leptin.' I don't know whether that's essential, but I've done that regularly, and it really hasn't affected me negatively. I don't get any cravings or appetite surge, and I return to my basic WOE immediately without difficulty.

Sorry if this is TMI; I'm sharing all this in the hope that any info will help you plan what will be best for you.

[Jonahsafta]

Originally Posted by peanutte

If you know it's water retention from extra carbs, I don't think this needs to be discouraging. As I added different foods in OWL and maintenance, I began to weigh myself daily, or at least more frequently during the week, rather than once a week. That was so I could become aware of how my scale weight fluctuates regularly--which I paid no attention to during weight loss, since I weighed every Friday morning. By checking the scale more often, I could see that f I had some higher-carb foods on the weekend, and weighed a few pounds more on a Monday morning, I didn't need to freak out because I'd be back to regular weight in a few days. And I could see how different types of carbs affected my water retention--which I found to be useful information.

I only eat my "extra" carbs on the weekends, and I don't find it difficult to stay simple and low-carb during the week. That's my version of "rotation". (I still make mostly default low-carb choices on the weekends too, at restaurants--omelettes without the toast and potatoes; steak with veggies subbed for starch.)

Regardless of the plan he or she is on, I don't know a single person whose weight stays the same every day; we all fluctuate within a few pounds--some people more than others.

The best plan is the one we can stick to, so I hope you will find whatever method seems to suit your style of maintenance!

[TBipp]

Originally Posted by Leo41

TBipp- Have you found your CCL (critical carb level)? Did you go 'up the ladder' to add various carbs as you were losing?

I ask this because I am very, very sensitive to carbs and cannot eat more than 25g without cravings and weight gain. Adn this is something I learned by following Dr. A when I first read his book in 1973 (and I've tested myself since, and it's still true for me.) However, most people are not that sensitive, and that's why Dr. Atkins advises learning about how many carbs you can safely tolerate for lifetime maintenance.

I have some experience with JUDDD, but I did it entirely low carb because of my personal sensitivity. I began losing when I was already post-menopausal and undiagnosed hypothyroid. After I was diagnosed, I continued to lose at the same slow rate, but after I'd lost about 80 lbs, I had a significant stall. I realized that my smaller body needed even fewer calories--and I'd have to go to <1000 daily to lose (my endo confirmed this).

That's why I went to JUDDD. It's a really helpful way to restrict calories without being too frustrated. I lost my next 120 lbs with JUDDD and did that in about 2 1/2 years. For the past 8 months, I've been maintaining with a 'looser' version of JUDDD--i.e., still trying to find the right calorie 'mix.' I stay with JUDDD because, as you know, in maintenance, you really can't eat much more than you were when you got to goal, and I still need to keep calories very low.

I guess my point is that if you want to do JUDDD simply to eat carbs, then you'd be doing basically what you're doing now. If you eat enough carbs to get out of ketosis, then you will 'gain' water weight because your muscles re-fill their glycogen stores (what's depleted in the initial loss of low carb). Then when you go back to low carb, you lose those glycogen stores.

Personally, I don't know how healthy that is--i.e. gaining and losing that water. If I wanted to eat carbs (and I know I can't), I think I'd follow Dr. A's plan and learn how many carbs I can tolerate and plan my WOE accordingly.

By the way, a doctor advised me that because I have to eat so very low carb, I should have a 'high carb' day every 4-6 weeks to replenish my 'leptin.' I don't know whether that's essential, but I've done that regularly, and it really hasn't affected me negatively. I don't get any cravings or appetite surge, and I return to my basic WOE immediately without difficulty.

Sorry if this is TMI; I'm sharing all this in the hope that any info will help you plan what will be best for you.

Thanks so much! I did not go up the carb ladder that much after induction. I was not bored with the WOE and kept at it. After thinking about this Maintenance challenge all weekend while weeding my garden, I think that it is mentally adjusting to the fact that with my height and age, I just do not require a lot of calories or carbs to maintain. When I was struggling with maintaining a few weeks ago, I started journaling and realized I was eating quite a few calories even though carbs were generally quite low--about 30 a day.

I researched more this weekend and also tried JUDDD on Thursday, which I did not like as I was hungry all day, and I do not feel like learning a new WOE or recipes. I also read up on intermittent fasting (IF) and thought that may be a solution. My version--19/5 by skipping dinner on Saturday. Needless to say, this was easier for me because I was only hungry for about 3-4 hours in the evening and I kept so busy (gardening, horses) that I paid less attention to hunger. I am thinking that if I skip dinner 2 nights a week, I will be able to be less strict on Maintenance which is what I am hoping for--be able to enjoy some nuts as a snack, a low carb baked goodie, have a meal out once a week, etc., and maintain a little lower where I am happier.

One aspect of skipping dinner that I surprisingly liked is that I did not have to set aside time to prepare it on Saturday (DH was out of town fishing so that helped). Normally, I would cook a meal for myself as I would have been concerned about missing a meal (decades of dieting indoctrination). Such freedom to work in my garden until dark!<G> Keep in mind that I love cooking but this was liberating.

Interestingly, on Sunday I had boundless energy--do not know if it was from skipping dinner on Saturday night but it was great as I had quite a few household chorses/gardening to continue with on Sunday. Or, it could have been psychomatic because I was happy that my French dinner on Friday evening did not have the usual big 2 pound hit.

I know this is a very lengthy explanation of what I tried and how it worked but it occurred to me that others may find these ideas helpful on Maintenance as well.

Finally, I only did this once so who knows if I will decide I do not like skipping dinner OR if it does not work in Maintenance as I had hoped. BTW, I could see this being much more challenging in the Winter when I am not busy outside until dark.

[Leo41]

TBipp- IMO, what you did is what we all need to do in maintenance--find a system that works for our personal lifestyle and temperament.

I have found that I'm a 'morning person,' so I typically eat earlier in the day and have only a small snack at dinner time, but when that 'small snack' becomes too large, I run into trouble!

Like you, I can eat only low calorie, low carb--and how to do that effectively will probably be unique to each of us.

By the way, in the winter when it's dark early and colder, you might think about simply a cup of soup or broth for dinner. I find that very satisfying, and I always make my own so it's low calorie and low carb.

[TBipp]

Originally Posted by Leo41

TBipp- IMO, what you did is what we all need to do in maintenance--find a system that works for our personal lifestyle and temperament.

I have found that I'm a 'morning person,' so I typically eat earlier in the day and have only a small snack at dinner time, but when that 'small snack' becomes too large, I run into trouble!

Like you, I can eat only low calorie, low carb--and how to do that effectively will probably be unique to each of us.

By the way, in the winter when it's dark early and colder, you might think about simply a cup of soup or broth for dinner. I find that very satisfying, and I always make my own so it's low calorie and low carb.

Thanks so much for your response. I am a morning person so eating more food early in the day will be much more satisfying for me. After logging my daily food intake for a few weeks, I realized it was the dinners that put me over the top. I love your idea of broth for winter--that would be most satisfying. Another post suggested the addition of shredded zuchinni which would be low calorie and filling.

I skipped dinner last night and although hungry for a couple hours, I was more than pleased with the scale results this morning and that meant I could try my low carb chocolate chip cookie recipe and not be too concerned about the results.

I just ate two of them, and I am so full--so may not eat dinner again tonight if I am not hungry.

[TBipp]

It has been awhile since several have posted, and I know some of us (including me) have had maintenance balancing challenges. How is it going?

[Jonahsafta]

Im doing a 3 day M/E fast with my dearest friend... weve finished day 2..we both realized that tracking our food on ****** has been an eye opener.....this is the second 3 day fast we've done

carb creep is a problem for my friend and I....we also noticed we both eat a tremendous amt of cheese.. this weeks weigh in will give us more info to further modify...she lost 110 lbs but has gained 9 back....

we both realized that we need to resume some kind of exercise regimen..for out health and to maintain our lowest wts..

[Jonahsafta]

I went to the store today to try on sz 4 pants...capris and shorts...fit in a couple more pr...the really cute sz 6 capris i wore today are LOOSE...but I cant with good conscience claim sz 4...but it was a boost