janiegirl's journal ----unwrapping me

[janiegirl]

Well, this journal is for me (and any of you who want to keep an eye on me)lol!
I decided after Christmas that I would re-begin my LC journey.
Jan 4, 2007 wt. 336 (my highest)
Last year, I lost about 25 pounds doing Atkins. I never really completed induction. I guessed that I was consuming around 35 carbs per day. I set a goal to learn how to cook one new dish per week. I prepared all my food on Sunday afternoon and Wednesday evening. This allowed me to have convenience food prepared at home for those days that I walked in the house and was starving. Planning is everything in being successful! In the past, I would say to myself, I am too tired to fix anything healthy (which translates into basically I am too tired to take care of myself). But last year weighing in at 336 I felt like I had to do something or I would be dead pretty soon. I spent 6 months just slowly losing 25 pounds, dropped a size, began getting new clothes and complements, got the big head about it and did not really want to lose anymore (stupid me).
Over the summer of 2006 I just maintained, gradually gaining weight until I was back up to 336 again. I never seem to go over that (must be a set point).

In 1989, my brother died suddenly (a very fit athletic 37 year old) and at the time I weighed 280. I completely freaked out over his death and decided immediately to lose weight. I went on a liquid fast of mostly protein for 6 months and lost 110 pounds, down to a size 12, wt. 170 with 19% body fat. I felt fantastic and maintained that for about 3 years until the birth of my child. At the same time, I tried low fat dieting and had so much trouble keeping my weight down. I would gain up to 280 and lose back down to 209. Finally around 1996 or 97 I began gaining up to my current weight of 336 and have stayed there give or take for the last 9 years. I have always been able to keep active with my child, until the last couple of years. Mobility has began to decline with me. I have developed arthritis in my knees, my lower back hurts most of the time, I have PCOS and migraines.
I was diagnosed with PCOS about 3 years ago and went on Metformin. That has caused me to feel better, but I still have 3 times the normal level of insulin in my body. I am pre-diabetic now. I want to be able to reduce my insulin levels to the point where I can turn my metabolism around. I am convinced the only way to do this is through Low Carb dieting. Dr. Atkins is so impressive to me. He was so far ahead of his time. So I am convinced that I must do this for me through Low Carb eating. Celebrate the insight.

It is nice to finally make a decision that I know will change my life. This website has helped me to formulate my plan and to find comfort and support in people who have walked in my shoes. I see all kinds of people on here who are successful and wise beyond many other people I know. The thing that just blows me away is how willing they are to help and their deep committment to the health of others they do not even know. I work with people who know less about me than some people on this site. Those workers do not connect with the deepest core of what makes me the person I am. Everyone here is bound together by common concerns and struggles as well as celebrations and victories.

I am excited to begin unwrapping the package that has contained my essence for so long. Who knows who I will be down the road...time will tell.
Come read and celebrate with me......

Welcome to my journey to success!!!

[janiegirl]

Whew!! What a day yesterday! My life is so busy yet I maintained my LC eating style. I guess I need to take today just to recoup.

Today, I went to Western Sizzlin where I had steak tips, onions, peppers and a salad with blue cheese dressing. I spent the rest of the afternoon feeling nauseated and headachy. I don't know if there was something I ate that didn't agree with me or what. Oh, I did have 4 sugar free cookies too. Maybe they had something in them that did it. Either way, I just had a protein shake for supper and have taken it easy.

Yesterday, I did a new DVD exercise routine. Latin dancing to dance off the inches. I REALLY loved doing that!! I hope some of my inches will dance off! LOL

Wt. is still 325.4

[janiegirl]

Jan. 30, 2007

LC still maintaining my plan. Don't really know exactly how many carbs I am having. I think it is probably 35 or so a day.

My weight continues to be 325. I want so desperately to get below 300. What is it about those carbs that I just can't maintain induction? 5 carbs or 15 carbs...what is the difference....a whole lot of weight lost.

How can it be that I am still goofing around with this weight thing? My biggest fear...that I will end up just like my mom (there I said it)...dead at a young age. All because of my stubborn inability to follow a plan? How ridiculous is that? I have bit by bit over time put myself here in this place right now. Now, any reasonably intelligent person could figure out that I must get myself out of it. No body can do it for me.

I have to step up to the plate and take responsibility for my own choices, my own actions...I have to take charge of MY OWN LIFE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I just used a Ketostix and it was negative...I am not in ketosis. So, I will go back to 20 carbs tomorrow.

[janiegirl]

Feb. 8, 2007

Day 4 of new start on induction. I have read several of these different posts and have decided what I need to do. This time I have gone from 325.2 to 321.8. That is exciting. I found a girl on here named Heather who has similar stats to mine. When I pulled her picture up, I could not believe it!! It looked like me when I was thinner (100 pounds). I printed out her after picture and am carrying it with me. Today, I took it to school and asked people who they thought the person was. Everyone thought it was me. It was really cool to see "myself" since I can't really picture myself in my mind. Strange, huh? I have discovered an awesome sandwich to eat out...wendy's jr. bacon cheeseburger with no mayo (don't like it) and no bun. It is 1 dollar, comes with cheese, bacon and a good sized burger patty that really tastes good. I can buy 4 at a time, eat 2 for lunch and save 2 for lunch the next day. It comes with one tomatoe slice and a large piece of lettuce.

I have found that my hunger is gone. I have decided that I can do ANYTHING for 2 weeks. I just thought "2 weeks and I can change my life" "just 2 simple weeks" so when I complete that I think I can go on past it and continue to lose. So far I have lost 15 pounds since Jan. 4, 3 weeks of which I was stuck (cause I increased my carbs too much too fast)

I have re-read the Atkins book. Everytime, I find more info that makes more sense.

I am actually doing it this time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YIPEE!!!!!!!!!!

[janiegirl]

I watched the Oprah show on "The Secret" last month and it profoundly changed my life. I was already doing LC and struggling with induction. I had done it and then slowly uped my carb intake to about 65 a day, way too much for me. I read some of the message boards and saw the Secret. I decided I had to BELIEVE I was already thin. I came up with the saying "act as if you already are". That was profound for me. How would a thin person act? Would they say "Oh, well, I don't care. I am going to eat this?" No, I don't think so. A thin reaction would be to try to maintain the "thinness". So, I am thin. That means I watch my carbs and portions (action, doing). I am acting as if I already am thin. Everyday, I tell myself that I am thin. Since starting this new way of thinking, I have lost from 325 to 314. I weigh about every 4 days. I have not gained since my decision.

Current goal....25 pounds by Easter
Next goal...25 more pounds by end of Summer
Next goal...25 more pounds by Halloween
Next goal...25 more pounds by New Years
100 pounds in 1 year...236 by New Years.

Staying on track so far.............

[nosugartalking]

You are focused and that is great. You are moving right along.
We are here with you. And we are many.
Taking the steps together and riding the rough waves.

God Bless, Sheryl

[janiegirl]

Well, finally I found my original post!! I am focused. Visited the doc yesterday...am down to 300#(minus 36). My triglycerides were 113, glucose 90, and my insulin is down to 7 (from 50 in 2004!!) Oh my Gosh!! This is so exciting. I am actually doing it this time. I feel great, I look better and I am so busy living my life. This is the easiest thing I have ever done...besides liquid fast of course. But, much healthier!! My doc actually listened to me and wanted to know what turned me around. My hubby said he had decided that my weight was gonna kill me. That made me really think. As one of the characters on Finding Nemo said, "Just keep swimming" and so I will. Anyone who reads this can do this too. There is no difference from me and the one who hasn't started yet, just actions. If you can go through the first two weeks, you have it licked. Just step up to the plate and go for it!! After all, you ARE WORTH IT!!!! Good luck, and God bless you.

[janiegirl]

Again, here I am. I have stalled for the last month but am happy to report I am at 282!!! Yeah for me!! People have been so shocked to see me! I am now down to a size 20 (in some pants) and a 16-18 top. All from a size 26!! Low carb is the only way for me. I continue to increase my physical activity and feel wonderful!! Thanks to everyone on this website. I could not have gotten off to such a good start without all the wonderful support here.

[Tommyswife]

I'm so happy for you honey. Keep up the good work.