FantasticDisFamily
<font color=navy>Sent <font color=red>on a <font c
- Joined
- Jul 26, 2002
Those of you regularly reading the weekly weigh in may already have seen this news, but "sometimes you just gotta crow" (that was Peter Pan 
)
It is official - from my all time heaviest weight I have lost 100 pounds!
2 years ago I was at 250 pounds. Throughout late 2001 & early 2002 I managed to take off 40 pounds. Not bad - but then I sort of stayed put, found lots of excuses not to exercise, rationalized the way I was eating, etc.
In January I went through a series of health related issues - most of which turned out to be false alarms and are completely behind me. The bit that turned out to be really something seemed pretty minor in comparison but required a significant alteration to my eating patterns. As with many of you it was health issues that began this leg of the journey.
On my doctor's recommendation I met with a dietician who was wonderful. The first thing she did was not to lecture about what foods were "good" foods and which were "bad" but rather explained how different foods did or did not impact the condition I was trying to control. She also spent a great deal of time understanding the realities of MY life - including work schedules, how easy it is or isn't to prepare meals to eat while away from home, involvement in volunteer and kids activities, how often we eat out, and much more. She also discussed ultimate weight goals in addition to the health related considerations (and losing weight was one thing that would help control my particular condition).
Based on all of that she recommended a program that was based around consuming a set number of carbohydrates each day (in my case ~135 g) spread out over 3 small meals and 3 snacks a day. Added to this was 6-8 protein servings spread throughout the day, and a limited amount of fat. While that 135 g may seem like a lot to those of you on Atkins, it is generally considered to be a moderate level as it makes up 45-55% of my daily calorie intake (right around 1200 calories). However, my learning approximately how much of a wide variety of foods are a "carb serving" or roughly 15 g it makes it quite easy to select foods when not at home. It also makes it possible to work "treats" in on occasion.
I'm also blessed with a relatively yound, up to date doctor on the use of diet and exercise in health management. I was directed by the two of them to several books that provided reference information and additional insight into the basics they had given me.
As for exercise I began slowly - it was a real effort to get in 15-20 minutes several times a week. But sheer will power (I can be pretty stubborn when I set my cap to accomplish something) I inserted some exercise into EVERY day. Six months later I generally get ~30 minutes every day. Sometimes that comes in the form of two 15 minutes sessions - but it is there.
At the 4 month mark not only had I taken off a significant amount of weight but all of the bloodwork my doctor was monitoring was looking terrific! Essentially right where she wanted to see it! She was happy, I was happy, and we were able to head off on our June cruise with "doctor's orders" to relax and enjoy the food with the added comment that she knew I wouldn't go crazy and would be right back on plan upon return. And I was.
It has truly been a journey and the help and encouragement of everyone here on WISH has kept me motivated the last couple of months as the loss rate has slowed. Those of you who have lost large amounts know how that goes. But I see it as a positive - it is still coming off and at a rate that indicates it is more likely to STAY off.
Today, for the first time in many years I am solidly (8 pounds) withIN the normal range for my height and build according to the BMI charts, at the goal I originally set with the dietician and looking forward to taking off the remaining 15 pounds to get me to the "ideal" weight for my height and build.
Even more important in the bigger picture, is the health picture. Just last week we received word that several of the issues that had been resolved as being "not a threat" last winter had the final follow up and were declared officially over. The remaining considerations are under control from all indications I have.
I attended a retirement party with DH last week and a large number of the folks there didn't recognize me! I'm picking up my brother from the airport Tuesday night and he hasn't seen me since I began this leg of the journey. I'm wondering how he will react!
Well, thanks for letting me crow a little. Back to work, the water intake, and walking later today!
Deb
)It is official - from my all time heaviest weight I have lost 100 pounds!
2 years ago I was at 250 pounds. Throughout late 2001 & early 2002 I managed to take off 40 pounds. Not bad - but then I sort of stayed put, found lots of excuses not to exercise, rationalized the way I was eating, etc.
In January I went through a series of health related issues - most of which turned out to be false alarms and are completely behind me. The bit that turned out to be really something seemed pretty minor in comparison but required a significant alteration to my eating patterns. As with many of you it was health issues that began this leg of the journey.
On my doctor's recommendation I met with a dietician who was wonderful. The first thing she did was not to lecture about what foods were "good" foods and which were "bad" but rather explained how different foods did or did not impact the condition I was trying to control. She also spent a great deal of time understanding the realities of MY life - including work schedules, how easy it is or isn't to prepare meals to eat while away from home, involvement in volunteer and kids activities, how often we eat out, and much more. She also discussed ultimate weight goals in addition to the health related considerations (and losing weight was one thing that would help control my particular condition).
Based on all of that she recommended a program that was based around consuming a set number of carbohydrates each day (in my case ~135 g) spread out over 3 small meals and 3 snacks a day. Added to this was 6-8 protein servings spread throughout the day, and a limited amount of fat. While that 135 g may seem like a lot to those of you on Atkins, it is generally considered to be a moderate level as it makes up 45-55% of my daily calorie intake (right around 1200 calories). However, my learning approximately how much of a wide variety of foods are a "carb serving" or roughly 15 g it makes it quite easy to select foods when not at home. It also makes it possible to work "treats" in on occasion.
I'm also blessed with a relatively yound, up to date doctor on the use of diet and exercise in health management. I was directed by the two of them to several books that provided reference information and additional insight into the basics they had given me.
As for exercise I began slowly - it was a real effort to get in 15-20 minutes several times a week. But sheer will power (I can be pretty stubborn when I set my cap to accomplish something) I inserted some exercise into EVERY day. Six months later I generally get ~30 minutes every day. Sometimes that comes in the form of two 15 minutes sessions - but it is there.
At the 4 month mark not only had I taken off a significant amount of weight but all of the bloodwork my doctor was monitoring was looking terrific! Essentially right where she wanted to see it! She was happy, I was happy, and we were able to head off on our June cruise with "doctor's orders" to relax and enjoy the food with the added comment that she knew I wouldn't go crazy and would be right back on plan upon return. And I was.
It has truly been a journey and the help and encouragement of everyone here on WISH has kept me motivated the last couple of months as the loss rate has slowed. Those of you who have lost large amounts know how that goes. But I see it as a positive - it is still coming off and at a rate that indicates it is more likely to STAY off.
Today, for the first time in many years I am solidly (8 pounds) withIN the normal range for my height and build according to the BMI charts, at the goal I originally set with the dietician and looking forward to taking off the remaining 15 pounds to get me to the "ideal" weight for my height and build.
Even more important in the bigger picture, is the health picture. Just last week we received word that several of the issues that had been resolved as being "not a threat" last winter had the final follow up and were declared officially over. The remaining considerations are under control from all indications I have.
I attended a retirement party with DH last week and a large number of the folks there didn't recognize me! I'm picking up my brother from the airport Tuesday night and he hasn't seen me since I began this leg of the journey. I'm wondering how he will react!
Well, thanks for letting me crow a little. Back to work, the water intake, and walking later today!
Deb
and by the way!!! CONGRATS!!!!!
