No Simple Carbs Support Thread

[Mrs. Gumdrop]

I just finished a berry and greek yogurt smoothie. I am starting my day off right. And thankfully, yesterday was much more comfortable than day 1! I did dream last night about breaking my diet but I know that doesn't count.

 

[rubato]

It's always good to start your day really healthy! Great job. And, I agree that the first week is a nightmare, but it gets so much easier!

Okay, I looked into things. Apparently, I'm pretty much primal already, minus Splenda, which I just can't give up! I guess I was confusing primal with paleo. So, I'm in too!!!!

I'm 7 pounds away from my dream weight as of this morning. Lost 10 pounds over the last 2 months, and just plugging away. I spend most of my time over on the running threads, because I love to run. I am finding that, now that I'm eating better, my running is going much smoother. My stomach isn't hurting all the time. I do still occasionally splurge, but not like I used to.

 

[Mrs. Gumdrop]

Rubato, I am glad to hear you are along for the ride! There are so many different eating plans, it's isn't surprising you got confused!

In made a calculated risk today and while out today I needed to eat lunch and chose the BLT Cobb Salad. It was delicious, and while note low-cal OR low-fat (Hello! Bacon!) it is very low-carb (17 carbs) and tasty! I am calling this a win.

 

[Mrs. Gumdrop]

I am little down this morning, and not in a good way. As of two days ago I was down 3.5 pounds, and this morning I am up by 2. So frustrating! And I haven't totally kicked that sugar craving feeling. I just expected to be feeling better and weighing less by now.

I am not ever thinking about giving up, but I am wondering if I need to make other changes. Eating things like rolled oats, agave nectar and kernel corn worked for me last time, but maybe not this time? I don't know?

Any thoughts to share?

 

[rubato]

I weigh myself every morning, but I don't let my weigh in effect me on any day but my actual weigh in day, Monday. That's the only one I take as anything. I can gain or lose 2 or 3 pounds during the week that just aren't there on Monday. So, try to ride it out if you can. You may, eventually, have to do some fine tuning on your diet, because what once worked may not. But, I'd give it a little more time before going that route.

You're doing a great job. Cutting carbs always has created huge withdrawal issues for me. Just keep it up!

I managed another pound this week! Losing weigh is completely personal. I know that my piddly little 17 pound goal isn't anything when faced with a 50, 100, or more weight loss goal. But, once you're down close to your goal, .25 pounds a week is a big deal. My hubby, stepson, son and I have been on this so called diet for one and a half months now. I've lost 11 pounds, my son (who is only 11) has lost all his weight and met his goal, my husband has lost 30 pounds and my stepson lost 40ish. Both my husband and stepson have a long way to go still, but I know they can get there. I am so happy to be eating only natural, healthy foods. And, being meat free has really taken away a lot of my food addictions. When we go out to eat now (which is really rare), I have almost no choice on what to get. So, I can't go in to a restaurant with a craving. I'm at the mercy of their 1 or 2 options. It's helped me to break free of a lot of mental issues.

Keep up the good work everyone!

 

[Mrs. Gumdrop]

First of all, Your husband lost 30 pounds in 6 weeks? WOW! Men, they don't know how good they have it! Secondly, as some one who has been very heavy my whole life, I used to scorn those folks with 10 or 20 pounds to lose. I am happy to say that I have grown up and came to understand how much a smaller person has to cut back to lose those pounds.

All that is to say...congrats! 1 pound down is one less to carry around! Well done!

And I am going to take your suggestion and stop weighing in as often. I will weigh-in tomorrow and then set a weigh-in day. I want to develop healthy habits, not develop a new obsession! Also as the day went on today, I did notice that I am not as hungry, and my hunger is satisfied more quickly than in the past. Whoo hoo for non-scale related progress!

 

[Mrs. Gumdrop]

I am so excited to have reached this day! I didn't weigh in this morning, and since I only weigh first thing in the morning before breakfast, I won't get a read today. BUT I do have a non-scale victory. This is the kind of thing people who don't have weight issues won't "get". I made myself a bowl of oatmeal and about 2/3 full I got tired of it and put it down. What? Walk away from food of a carby persuasion? That is not something I would have done a week ago. So yay for non-scale victories!

With non-scale victories in mind, I am going to count down (not here every day, I will spare you!) to 30 days. It is supposed to take 20-30 days to build a habit right? So in 23 days I will have something else to celebrate.

 

[rubato]

That's fantastic! I completely understand.

And, yes, it's not fair how easily men lose weight is it?

 

[LiloH]

How are you doing, Mrs Gumdrop?

I'm hoping your answer is better than mine. I am on a carb bender for the last ten days or so. I am 11 lbs from my goal weight (after losing 74 lbs!) and I am pigging out on donuts and cake and soft pretzels at every chance. I need an intervention!!

 

[Mrs. Gumdrop]

How are you doing, Mrs Gumdrop?

I'm hoping your answer is better than mine. I am on a carb bender for the last ten days or so. I am 11 lbs from my goal weight (after losing 74 lbs!) and I am pigging out on donuts and cake and soft pretzels at every chance. I need an intervention!!

Hi LiloH! A bender? I've certainly been there.

Did something change in your life? A special event, new stress or really bad day? Can you pin point what set you off? I am reminded of the unfortunate truth that set backs are a natural part of the "recovery" process. You have worked really hard to get this far and you can do it! I have every faith that you will wake up one morning very soon and rededicate yourself to the healthy habits you have formed. And I will be here to hear about it when you do.

I am doing groovy. I have hit a good stride. At the end of the first week I was down 4.2 pounds. Not monumental, but certainly worth celebrating. Soon I am going to start integrating walking into my regimen, but maybe not until the semester is over. But so far, it's all good!

 

[LiloH]

Thanks Mrs Gundrop! I really needed that.
My bender has lots of excuses; birthdays, late nights at work, celebratory donuts after late night at worm, PMS... but, I'm done.

This week is the one year anniversary of my diet change. I came home from the hospital after having my daughter and started my new life.

Here's my exciting news... I went clothes shopping tonight at Loft. I haven't shopped anywhere other than Lane Bryant in like ten plus years. I wasn't sure if anything would fit me but I desperately need new spring clothes so I gave it a shot and... I can not only buy clothes there but I apparently wear a size 12. That's NUTS. I wasn't even a size 12 in high school.

My point for sharing this is I have always been a "chubby" person, even as a kid and adolescent. In one year, just by changing my diet, I went from a size 24 to a 12. I would wager no one in my life ever thought I wouldn't be fat, myself included.

So... Keep going everyone! If even *I* can do it, anyone can!!

Thanks again, Mrs Gumdrop. I am so rooting for you too!

 

[rubato]

LiloH: That is just fantastic!!!! Congratulations on such a huge accomplishment. Are you feeling a little more in control now? You know, life happens. Events happen. There is no need to beat yourself up once you're in the downward spiral, because that can just make it worse. You've already accomplished so much, you just need to get right back in there!

Mrs. Gumdrop: 4.2 pounds is awesome! That's a great number. I think we see shows like the Biggest Loser and get false expectations of what we should lose in a week. Those people work out all day long and eat so little. Not permanent health, in my opinion. You are doing great!

I'm feeling so good and energized right now. The clean eating has just made me feel so amazing! I have added back in my powdered creamer with Splenda. I just love it so much. I figure, if that's the only thing, I'm doing good. Right?

 

[Mrs. Gumdrop]

Happy Anniversary LiloH!

I am really proud of you! You are a terrific roll model and I know pulling on those size 12 close felt amazing. Congrats, big time!

Rubato - You are doing so well and reaping the benefits of your choices. That's wondferful, Keep going! And thanks for the support.

As for me, a couple days ago I made a "body image dream board" to try to wrap my head around what not being plus size would look and feel like. Like many of us here, I don't remember the last time I didn't shop in plus sized store. I seriously think it might have been middle school. I do have a hard time visualizing walking into the Loft and even try things on. But I do believe that if you can't achieve your dreams unless you have true faith in them <insert stirring Disney music here> and you keep moving forward. So I am working on the complete faith thing.

 

[LiloH]

Thanks to both of you for your kind words. I really appreciate it after a long week. And it's really been encouraging me to do the right thing for the past few days. I needed that too!

Mrs Gumdrop, what do you mean by a dream board? I've never heard of that before.

My (sorta) secret ambition right now is to run the Princess 1/2 next February. I am so not athletic so it will be a stretch for me. I am on week 2 of Couch to 5K and it's so hard! But, it's nice to have a goal, right?

 

[Mrs. Gumdrop]

That is an amazing and worthy goal. If you can dream it, you can do it! Just imagine how amazing you will feel when you cross that finish line! I know it won't be easy, be so so worth it. Awesome!

Dream board's are also called vision boards. You pull together pictures and words that represent your dream. There are websites where you can do it digitally, or you can make a poster with magazines, scissors and glue. I pulled images from the internet and "pasted" them into a PowerPoint Slide. Then I printed out my slide and posted it in my bathroom to look at every morning.

You can see other peoples dream boards here: http://www.visionboardvault.com/

 

[Alice_in_Wonderland]

Mrs. Gumdrop-I think you are like the 5th person I've heard mention a vision board during the last month. Do you really feel they are that powerful???

 

[Mrs. Gumdrop]

Mrs. Gumdrop-I think you are like the 5th person I've heard mention a vision board during the last month. Do you really feel they are that powerful???

Hi Alice! I think vision boards CAN be powerful. Personally, I don't think the very general, "I want to be rich, beautiful and thin" approach is very helpful. If you have a specific goal you want to achieve, and are a visual person I believe a board can be helpful. For my needs, I am trying to achieve something I have a hard time imagining. Having visual representations of my goal is helpful to me.

 

[Mrs. Gumdrop]

Hi! I am just popping to say that I hit the 2 week mark! And I am down 5.5 pounds!

I am still working on inserting more water and veggies into my diet, to help increase my progress, and general good health. But I am happy to say that my urges to stray have been few and I am feeling good!

How is everyone else out there feeling?

 

[LiloH]

Congrats! 5.5lbs in 2 weeks is a great accomplishment! Don't be discouraged if it slows down at all, that's normal and you're still making healthy and positive changes for your life.

I'm doing good! Busy, but sort of keeping up with my good eating habits and I ran for 10 minutes the other night. I know that doesn't sound impressive but a year ago I literally couldn't even run one minute without stopping so ten is a miracle for me!

How are you feeling? That's important too!

 

[JessicasMom]

Hi! I am just popping to say that I hit the 2 week mark! And I am down 5.5 pounds!

I am still working on inserting more water and veggies into my diet, to help increase my progress, and general good health. But I am happy to say that my urges to stray have been few and I am feeling good!

How is everyone else out there feeling?

Hi! I don't know if you remember me, but I remember you from the EBTA last year and don't recall my first impression of you being anything other than what a beautiful smile and friendly demeanor you have. Of course, I am quite Pooh-sized myself and don't judge anyone on size/shape...it's a life-long battle for many of us.

DH and I both started the low-carb lifestyle (I do not consider it a diet) in Feb 2010, just after we booked the EBTA. History: Overweight since age 6, not genetically blessed . I had lost 65 lbs. about 10 yrs. prior while doing Atkins (too restrictive for me, long-term) and had kept 40 of it off, but I was stuck at a still incredibly unhealthy weight. I was concerned about having the stamina to do the port excursions and decided to go cold-turkey on "white" foods/simple carbs. DH only needed to lose about 20 lbs max but willingly tried the same plan. He had never restricted carbs before; his extra pounds had always just melted off with portion-control (men are so freakin' lucky!!!). Anyway, I lost 45 lbs. over the next 5-6 months (I've lost count). On the TA in April, we only gained a few pounds, eating whatever we liked, because we were soooo active; the excess weight fell right off once we resumed eating low-carb. And we've had other vacations since, when we splurged as desired, but once we're home again...it's back to "the lifestyle". DH reached his goal weight easily and keeps it off with exercise and proper eating.

Occasionally, I have cravings, but there is usually some acceptable food to satisfy the urge...and I feel so virtuous when I'm strong! Yes, there are those moments when I give in (for ex., today I ate the ears off a bunny sugar cookie at work, figuring if I only ate a bite, I wouldn't want the whole thing...yep, it was enough).

However, I have been stuck at the same weight for months now, and we've booked the WBTA for Sept. I'm once again motivated to really kick myself back into gear, but I'm struggling to start exercising ...the only way I can really lose the pounds. I rarely consume anything with sugar, but I do eat whole-grain breads. No potatoes or white rice....the standard low-carb plan. I feel healthier than ever and love eating this way, since I'm a protein and veggie girl, but I've plateaued big-time. I know part of the problem is portions-I'm consuming more calories than I need overall. Soooo, if we can all support and help each other ....I'm in!