Still trying but I need some help

[dreamof145]

Re: Still trying but I need some help

I had bad knees also when I began...but as the weight goes off, the knees feel better. I finally had new knees, but having lost the weight helped me in the long run. I had less weight to go through the recovery and I was able to do the physical therapy easier and bounce back. The orthopedic surgeon told me that most of his patients gain up to 50 pounds after knee surgery because they are not active. I already had a routine of exercising, so I jumped right back into the schedule right after surgery and didn't gain the weight. It is difficult at first, but not impossible. You go for it and develop good exercise habits now so it will be easier for you later. Maybe after you get the weight off you won't have knee problems anymore. Best wishes.

[jersey]

Re: Still trying but I need some help

Jersey -- what is cla/gla? Is it specifically for beach ball bellies?

cla is a fatty acid supplement that's supposed to address belly fat - not proven but quite popular plus it has been seen as a metabolism booster. GLA is also a fatty acid that has been shown to help with pms and extreme dry skin issues - here's a link with some info:

http://www.netrition.com/pbl_clarinol_plus_page.html

some low carb veterans believe that CLA flattens the 'menopause belly' - I'm hoping I'll see some results in that area

glad to see you've decided to stick with us, Small.

Catherine

[APanthesilia]

Re: Still trying but I need some help

Wow, that's ENCOURAGEMENT!!! Two more posts while I was writing one...

This place is fantastic, whenever I need help this board offers all I need!

About the personal trainer (I have one as a customer and she has been begging me to get one) Do you think it would be worth it with my bad knees?

I think it is worth it, but be upfront with the trainer at the beginning and let her know that you have knee problems. It is probably even better having the trainer because they should know what exercises are good and bad for your knees even better than you do.

Because of my migraines, I know I can't start with it from ground zero.

I have had migraines all my life and I know how bad they can be, but an amazing thing has happened since I started this WOE. My migraines have seriously diminished. Talking to my doctor and my sister (who is also a chronic migraine sufferer and has been on a special diet for years just because of her headaches) has made me see some real reasons why! On this WOE I have cut out processed foods, caffeine and aspartame- all huge headache triggers. I can't have much cheese either because it is a trigger. Maybe this WOE will help you reduce the headaches, too? Even if I wasn't losing the weight, the benefits mentioned earlier (skin, nails, energy) and a reduction in headaches would make this WOL worth it.

I think this is going to work out just fine, and I changed my mind, I'll just do the straight Atkins for a while and see if I can get some weight loss started before I add Stillman's.

I think that's a great idea! I'm glad you have decided to go straight Atkins. You can do this and we will all be here for you!

[chicamarun]

Re: Still trying but I need some help

I will tell you I have been on that roller coaster. Had 1 knee surgery when I was about 26 and was flat out told that I would need knee replacement by the time I was 30 if I didn't lose weight. So I did (Atkin's #1) - got down to 140 and was happy in myself but right then my life was a disaster area and after a couple of months I just started eating again. Hence - knee surgery #2 & #3...... still have my knees because I refused replacements. Living on a farm I don't have much choice but to lift stuff and move. I knew I needed to lose the weight as I was about 182-185.

I started in October cold-turkey. Seriously - didn't plan for it or anything just decided I was done. Why? I knew I would need knee surgery soon if I didn't and I don't think they would listen to me this time if I said no to replacements.

Now I'm down almost 40lbs and still going. I can actually do squats! It took forever (because of my knees) and I JUST started doing more than 10 per day.... I started with 2 per day. I don't get to go to a gym - but I do take a 1x per week pilates class (awesome because it works you hard yet there are so many modifications!)

You can do it - you just have to want it.... one thing typed here about a month ago.... "if you want to cheat, you can - but you have to eat it in front of the mirror naked" - it was something like that - and it just makes me laugh whenever I want to cheat.

Make this board part of your daily ritual and that will help as well!

[Evermind]

Re: Still trying but I need some help

DEFINATELY get a personal trainer! They know exactly how to accomodate things like bad knees, everything from avoiding strain to strengthening the muscles around the joint.

My dad, who is 76 years old, had bad knees, they recommended knee replacement surgery but he thought it would be too long of a recovery time (he's a busy guy!) so he hired a personal trainer. Now he walks, outdoors, 6 miles a day. Go figure! That all happened within 8 months.

[Smallerizing]

Re: Still trying but I need some help

Woo HOO! This is not a "blocked site" at work!

Okay, ya got me convinced -- I'm gonna start (slowly) on the Gazelle again and just put ice on the knee afterward. I'm really doing it for the knees anyway so I guess a little short term discomfort/injury is better in the long run. And I'll call that personal trainer this week!

Chickamarun -- looks like I'm in the same place you were. 40 lbs would be SO nice to lose!

""if you want to cheat, you can - but you have to eat it in front of the mirror naked" - it was something like that - and it just makes me laugh whenever I want to cheat.
I'm in No Cheating Mode. Someone at work brought in a strawberry cake today which smells HEAVENLY and was asked three times if I didn't want some -- No I want to be healthier, thank you. It's gone now, I'm safe.
Thanks for the help!

[FunnyActressInLA]

Re: Still trying but I need some help

I have TWO books, 2002 and 1999 - and read them a few times. I guess it would be a good idea to start them over..... It's not that my technique is wrong so much as the problem of hormones etc. slowing down the weight loss to almost imperceptable. The first time around I didn't cheat by even a mouthful for 6 months, but I was motivated by a visible weight loss - something that eluded me on low-fat, low calorie diets. I was ecstatic! I even made a Black Forest Cherry Cake for my son, from scratch, and didn't cheat.

Now my life is more like, low-carb and exercise for 2 months, drop a pound, watch my family and co-workers indulge in the carby things I love, cheat, get back on the wagon, take a round of steroids for whatever (last time it was bronchitis), give up since I'm not in ketosis anyway, get back on plan for another 2 or three months, a holiday comes up and I'm not losing anyway, binge, gain 15 pounds in two weeks --- the cycle goes on.

The sad fact is that I'm doing what I should be doing for about 80 - 90% of the time, but the other 10% allows me to gain more weight that I then can't lose. And to top it off, my hormonal issues right now are telling my body to deposit most of the new fat right on my belly! I look like Santa! None of my shirts button all the way to the bottom!!!

Here is what I see as my choices:
1. Eat "normally" and become a beached whale
2. Rob a bank so I can afford Lipo
3. Do a sensible low-carb lifestyle and feel better but put up with losing a half pound a month. It should take me only 6 years to get to goal.

Sorry I sound depresssed. Maybe I'm looking at this WOE as too bleak, there might be a way to tweak the slow loss. I'm really willing to try. I don't like the other two choices.....

((((Christine)))))
You've definately come to the right place for support! And I think it's KEY to successfully making Atkins a WOL and not just a diet. I too did the same things you did, on and off Atkins for the past 5 years, not losing enough and feeling deprived watching family and friends eat things I couldn't. But now I realize that I need to focus on the things I CAN have and the other benefits to this lifestyle other than weight loss. Especially when losses can slow down or plateau all together. Go back and read the link that says "What I love about Lowcarbing" it was only a couple days ago that it was started. There are some great reasons on there that my help motivate you. And don't let the scale rule your world. One thing I'm gonna do after my two week re-induction is have my hubby hide my scale because the scale can mess with my head! Definately hang out here...there's lots of great support and advice! Oh and go and look at the before and after pictures they are so inspiring!!!!

[FunnyActressInLA]

Re: Still trying but I need some help

You can do it - you just have to want it.... one thing typed here about a month ago.... "if you want to cheat, you can - but you have to eat it in front of the mirror naked" - it was something like that - and it just makes me laugh whenever I want to cheat.

ROFLMAO!!!!! I love it!!! Boy I bet trying to eat some ben and jerry's naked in a full length mirror would stop me from eating it! LOL! I've got a picture of myself at my heaviest, I briefly tipped the scale at 290, almost 300lbs and that scared me. And that picture is HORRIBLE my stomach is HUGE and protrudes out and my arms are big and flabby. I edited the photo with paintshop and put arrows pointing at my stomach, arms and double chin (maybe triple!) and wrote: "Every time I want to eat Doritoes, Fried Rice or Ice Cream I will remember that those are the things that got me to look like I do in this picture". I keep that photo on my computer desktop to motivate me to not stray!

[Smallerizing]

Re: Still trying but I need some help

Are you starting re-induction today? I gotta get me some more meat and then get started.

I will definitely use that "visual" about cheating - WHAT a deterrent! I puke at a mirror anyway, and seeing myself cheating THAT way would NOT be enjoyable in the least.

I am down SIX pounds now -- I feel like that's some progress since I can't ever count the first five. I have set a mini-goal of 150 by the end of May and I'm planning on getting exercise going tonight. You can do this to me if I don't - I never saw that smiley before - kind of useful once in a while.

[colleenieweenie]

Re: Still trying but I need some help

Welcome Christine! You've gotten some awesome advice from some of the most knowledgeable folks here - this board seriously rocks!

I think we've all had our trials and tribulations being on this WOL - that's why we are on the STACer board - we've all been naughty and decided enough was enough!

Congrats to you for making the leap and starting again - you deserve this!

Best of luck to you on your journey

[FunnyActressInLA]

Re: Still trying but I need some help

Are you starting re-induction today? I gotta get me some more meat and then get started.

No I started Wednesday of last week, today is day 6. I was going to wait until today when I made the decision on Wednesday but I just thought "NO! I'm gonna start NOW!" And even though I hadn't went grocery shopping I figured for me, I had to start and not wait another day. And to my surprise I had a few things in the fridge/freezer/cupboards like eggs, hamburger patties, tuna, cheese, salad fixings. So I just jumped in feet first! And I finally went grocery shopping on Saturday and got more meat, veggies, cheese, cream cheese, more eggs, ect. I think I was just in the mindset to get started. It could've been risky not preparing first by going shopping and batch cooking and planning menues but for me I felt it would be riskier to wait another 5 days before starting yk?
Congrats on the 6lbs. already! WOO-HOO!

[Adena]

Re: Still trying but I need some help

Yay for 6 pounds, Christine! What do you mean you can't count the first 5? It all counts, babe!

After months of struggling, I finally went back to induction 7 days ago. I can't tell you how glad I am that I did. It really does make a difference in terms of getting the crap out of your system, quieting the cravings. I TRIED numerous times doing it my own way -- making up my own rules. Picking my own rung to start on, allowing this or that, for some reason or another. Only now, by the book, do I seem to be feeling like I remember it's supposed to feel... I think that Dr Atkins guy knows what he's talking about.

I really enjoyed your first couple of posts, and am very glad to see you're still posting. They were heartfelt and funny. We see a lot of restarters/new folks, who then disappear from the board. Glad you're not one of them -- keep it that way!

Best of luck to you -- onward and downward....

[Smallerizing]

Re: Still trying but I need some help

Oh, thanks, Adena! I actually got on the board in September and posted a couple times and then quit. This will be my lifeline to NOT cheating. I need to have some people who I somehow feel responsible for and vice versa. I CAN'T do this without help! AND IT'S WORKING!

Last night I had Dreamfield's pasta withmeatballs, lots of cheese, and veggies, and this morning I was horrified to see that the ketostix was NEGATIVE. The first thing I thought was (as usual) "Oh, well, I've blown my ketosis, I might as well enjoy a big ol' Cadbury chocolate bar!" But I am committed to posting once a day if I can, and didn't want to let you down! I also did 18 min on the Gazelle last night and it didn't hurt all that much!

I know these are small victories, but I also know that I can't get to goal without the small victories. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR YOUR HELP!!!! If I hadn't gotten so much response I'd be back in the giving up mode, since winter is so depressing to me with SAD syndrome it would be easy to do. You all have NO idea how much your support means to me. It's not really stretching the truth to say Life-or-Death, because the WOL I was getting into would have killed me slowly.

FatActress, I admire your jumping into Induction right away. I think I seriously forgot how to do it the right way, just stuff like how much cream can I have, etc. but I promise I'll read up by Thursday.

[FunnyActressInLA]

Re: Still trying but I need some help

FatActress, I admire your jumping into Induction right away. I think I seriously forgot how to do it the right way, just stuff like how much cream can I have, etc. but I promise I'll read up by Thursday.

Thanks hon, but reading up and preparing are just as important! And sometimes the preparation of that helps you get in the right mindset. For me I just kept gaining weight and I knew if I waited until Monday so that I could grocery shop and batch cook, prepare ect., that it would put me in a binge eating mode, like "Oh I'm starting Atkins again on Monday so I better eat all the pasta, ice cream, doritoes and fried rice i can handle for the next 5 days!" And that would've put another 2-4 lbs. on my already waaaaay heavy body. Each person starts this out differently and in the past I would've planned more, this time around I was in EMERGENCY mode and just jumped in. This time I want to fully commit and stick this out and not give up after I lose 15 lbs. when I've got over 100 to lose! We can do this!!! And i can't wait for you to be in re-induction cuz you're gonna feel great!

[Smallerizing]

Re: Still trying but I need some help

O MY GOODNESS that's exactly how my twisted mind works!! I can't believe I didn't binge yesterday but got right back into ketosis by 6 pm.

You will not have to wait any longer -- I'm in Induction today! I read the chapter last night and the only thing I can't do right now is quit caffeine - or I'll get a big migraine and have to eat Krispy Kreme to stop the hurt.... Bad thing to know, and I always conveniently forget that it will bring on a carb-withdrawal headache later.

I did want to wait until I had time to make Stuffed Jalapenos, but it looks like if I don't eat the whole batch they would be Induction legal -- I'm pretty sure peppers are now allowed for the Induction phase and the other ingredients are cheese and pepperoni. Mmmmmm......

The scale was not kind to me yesterday and today, 4 of my 6 lbs lost re-found their way back See why I don't count the first 5 lbs?!?! Of course I did have that Dreamfields accident. I won't try that again until Maintenance!