My Big Fat Meltdown

[blue996]

Re: My Big Fat Meltdown

Misplaced...I think you are beautiful!!! I am sorry to hear you're going through a bad time. I don't have any suggestions other than to stick with it and keep your chin up.

[jrnyback2life]

Re: My Big Fat Meltdown

Greetings, I haven't read fully pages 3 and 4 of this thread so if its a repeat, I apologize.

First of all, i realize this is a major focus for your almost an obsession for most of us and i could imagine the stress you are putting yourself under with regard to "THE GOAL." But Stress many times can hinder weight loss and/or cause weight gain. Its putting your body in a concept of OMG something is going on and so what does your body do? Stops everything and heads straight to survival mode until it can identify, sight and eliminate whatever is making it say huh? So maybe instead of trying to fix it with obsession you turn your "focus" away from your obsession so your stress level about it comes down. Stressing about it could be hurting every positive and "right" thing you are doing. Find some way to take your focus -- not your sight -- but obsessive focus off of it. Being this close to goal, its time you start learning the concept of not making your weight and weight loss a obsessive focus but instead make it simply part of how you live, just like you do working or cleaning etc. Sometimes i think people forget your brain also needs to be brought into maintanence and premaintenance... Perhaps your body IS trying to tell you something with regard to the stress you have been feeling with regard to what its doing -- its probably performance shy and would like some time to be out of the spot light for a bit -- if that makes sense.

Also, are you getting enough sleep?

[hopejoy]

Re: My Big Fat Meltdown

Hi Betsy,
Sorry I haven't been around much so I totally missed this thread til now!!! Sorry you had such a bad day/meltdown... but I totally relate! It's so scarey to get to goal and then start gaining again and feel out of control. I have been there so many times (not with Atkins of course) but on other plans... but you are a beautiful lady and you're smart... you will definately figure out what's going on and what you need to do to get where you want to be. I think that you expressed so well what we all fear though... losing control ... I felt that way yesterday... wanted to go crazy and eat a ice cream bar and keep going... Today I did an induction day just to get control again. It wasn't easy. I was afraid of putting on my size 10 pants this morning... but TG they still fit!!! Anyways girlfriend... sending you a giant big hug! You are an awesome inspiration and you will get through this!
liz

[ValidRouge]

Re: My Big Fat Meltdown

Betsy, I was going to PM this to you, but I thought that everyone out here on the main boards would benefit from it, too.

I think it's time to start eliminating your diet down to the bare bones. IMO you are eating something that you are intolerant of. It's probably been there all along, which is why you've had these wild fluctuations all along. I remember you having the same frustrations before the wedding.

Dairy is known to be a food that a large portion of the population cannot tolerate. Some of us have strong reactions to dairy products and others (like me) have a much lesser reaction, but a reaction just the same. I will bloat and retain water and have cravings. I ate dairy (large quantities of it) during my weight loss phase, it has only been in premaintenance and maintenance have I found my problem foods.

Some people are intolerant of vegetables from the nightshade family like peppers and tomatoes and eggplant. Some people are intolerant to wheat gluten (I'm in that category as well).

My point is that many of these foods (outside of the gluten) are ALLOWED FROM DAY 1 (induction). It is not until we get to maintenance that we really find out these intolerances. Probably because we get to the point that you, and I, and Julie have and start making the eliminations until we figure it out. Some are lucky and find them right away.

Another place to look is at anything you put in your mouth that is not a FOOD. Beverages other than water have SOMETHING in them. It is critical that you closely scrutinize EVERYTHING. I don't care if the carb count is "0". If there is corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup, corn syrup solids, cane sugar, raw cane extract or ANYTHING like that...you MUST eliminate it. This means most processed foods will be eliminated. For me, over a year ago, it meant that the UNSWEETENED iced tea concentrate I was drinking had to be eliminated (I lost 7 lbs the week I eliminated the tea).

Just this morning I found another product I have been ingesting is giving me problems. I'm up a pound and a half today. 179. Now, just last night I was okay that I was up to 177. This morning I am NOT okay with 179. Especially since I've been being VERY strict. I *think* I just realized where the problem is.

I've been using GNC's Women's Ultra Mega Bone Density w/o Iron and Iodine formula for about a year off and on. I hadn't been taking it for over a month. Monday night I went and bought some and began taking it Tuesday night. Anything I ingest usually will show up a day or two later on the scale. So, I looked at the vitamins this morning, the "other ingredients' are: Cellulose, Titanium Dioxide (natural mineral whitner). Vegetable Acetoglycerides, Natural Vanilla Flavor, Carmine Color, Sucralose. Sounds, okay, right?

There is another little line that says: "Contains: Fish and Milk"

How much milk? I've eliminated almost all dairy from my diet. So, I highly suspect that these are the culprit. It's not a food, it's something I've been ingesting for over a year off and on. If I had the data recorded, I could probably look back and see that whenever I was taking these supplements I would gain (water retention I'm sure) a few pounds, and whenever I was not taking them, I would lose.

At this point, you're not "going" anywhere with this WOL. You're not losing, you're frustrated, but you're not QUITTING either. So, it's time to start eliminating. Then you can add things back in very slowly, very cautiously until you pinpoint the problems. This is a process that can take MONTHS and YEARS. But, that's okay...because this is the way we're going to eat for life, right?

[misplaced southerner]

Re: My Big Fat Meltdown

joy you are SO RIGHT....it does not matter how long it takes we ARE lifestyle girls and this IS the way i plan to eat for the rest of my life. i got some really great info from others here as well.....i plan to spend the weekend reading, digging deep and planning for a new week. and we will see what happens. i remember when you discovered the problem with that darn sugar free tea!!! sheesh. i will also dig thru my supplements. if your vitamins had sucralose in them, isn't that a form of sugar?

you are probably too young to remember "rose ann, rosanna danna" from saturday night live...."just when you think you got everthing all figured out......"

i will surely keep you posted and thanks for the extensive response....i WILL figure this out and i WILL plow forward and i WILL drop this nasty 10 and i am NOT GIVING UP!!!!!! i BELIEVE IN ME!

[quotidianlight]

Re: My Big Fat Meltdown

The previous poster mentioned fluctuations before the wedding, that got me thinking... have you been under stress lately? This may not be a diet issue at all. I found this is Livin the Low Carb Life (Jonny Bowden) p.231

Can stress stall weight loss

You bet. Not only can stress stall weight loss, it can reverse it. Stress-which can come from lack of sleep, extremely low-calorie dieting, and of course, from life itself-causes the release of hormones such as Cortisol and adrenaline. These stress hormones send messages to the body to break down muscles for fuel, resulting in a low metabolic rate. They send compelling messages to the brain to eat (i.e., the well know "stress eating" phenomenon). Cortisol also tells the body to store fat around the middle. Because Cortisol basically break down biochemicals in the body, chronic elevated levels of Cortisol can trigger insulin secretion (since insulin builds up structures in the body, including, of course the fat cells). This makes chronically high leves of Cortisol one possible cause of insulin resistance.

Another way stress can screw up weight loss is by its effect on Serotonin. Stress eats up Serotonin. Less Serotonin is produces because stress interferes with the good deep restful sleep needed by the body too replenish its Serotonin stock. The demand for Serotonin becomes greater, while the production of it is lower. Serotonin depletion is never, ever conducive to weight loss, as it works against you in very powerful ways.

If you diet is already on target are you are getting enough fuel and not under or over exercising (causing more stress to the body), I would seriously and honestly look at your stress levels and maybe take some meditation or relaxation exercise classes or pick up a couple books and work to de-stress you life. People really underestimate the power of our mind and emotional states on our bodies. H*ll stress about the weight could be making this into a horrible cycle! Regardless, hope it helps.

[mitzimarie]

Re: My Big Fat Meltdown

if your vitamins had sucralose in them, isn't that a form of sugar?

Betsy, sucralose is Splenda. Now, why it has to be in a vitamin, I don't know. I've noticed it in a lot of supplements.

you are probably too young to remember "rose ann, rosanna danna" from saturday night live...."just when you think you got everthing all figured out......"

LOL! I remember her (my hair kinda looked like hers when I had a perm ). And I remember how she finished that phrase you quoted above... "IT'S ALWAYS SOMETHING!" She's right.

And, I'm a lot like Joy... we've had a lot of the same issues. Dairy can cause me problems, too.

I am THRILLED that you are hanging in there. You'll do this, I have no doubt.

[misplaced southerner]

Re: My Big Fat Meltdown

ha ha ha!!! stress is an UNDERSTATEMENT. .....work is murder right now, home is great but way too busy, nosey ex in laws and the devil ex, my hubby's job battles (which are looking much brighter). i really don't think i have any more or less than most people but the body has a mind of its own!

i think i "handle" it pretty well but maybe my body doesn't. the exercise really seems to help but i know that the body often internalizes things we don't realize. i am going to talk to my doc about a referral to an endocrinologist just to see how things are in that dept....just ruling out any and all problems and cleaning house so to speak. thanks so much for that information!!! isn;t our body an amazing (and sometimes frustrating machine?)

mitzi....wasn't she the FUNNIEST!!! i used to love her skits...and hey, not to worry......i am NO QUITTER....i am a lot of things but NOT a quitter..mama didn't raise no dummy!

[DigitalMocking]

Re: My Big Fat Meltdown

Stress and the cortisol reactions in your body have a LOT to do with weight loss, and a lot more than most people realize.

Just a quick list of things what abundant cortisol levels tend to do to people when they're stressed: (This comes from my wife's anatomy/physiology class notes for her masters)

Impaired cognitive performance
Suppressed thyroid function
Blood sugar imbalances such as hyperglycemia
Decreased bone density
Decrease in muscle tissue
Higher blood pressure
Lowered immunity and inflammatory responses in the body, slowed wound healing, and other health consequences
Increased abdominal fat, which is associated with a greater amount of health problems than fat deposited in other areas of the body. Some of the health problems associated with increased stomach fat are heart attacks, strokes, the development of , higher levels of “bad” cholesterol (LDL) and lower levels of “good” cholesterol (HDL), which can lead to other health problems!

Dr. Atkins talks about sleep and how important it is. I think a lot of the long term members here who do yoga have had soem of their continued and long term success because of the overall calming effect a practice like that has on your day to day life.

Getting a good night's sleep is just as important as not having that donut for your weight loss. It's a part of the weight loss cycle we tend to forget a lot.

[misplaced southerner]

Re: My Big Fat Meltdown

thanks for that info DM!!! i am really trying to get more rest. it will be interesting to see what the endo will have to say. does your wife know much about that? thanks for your post and the help!!! BTW, i think you are doing GREAT! keep up the good work!

[DigitalMocking]

Re: My Big Fat Meltdown

thanks for that info DM!!! i am really trying to get more rest. it will be interesting to see what the endo will have to say. does your wife know much about that? thanks for your post and the help!!! BTW, i think you are doing GREAT! keep up the good work!

She started working towards her Masters right when we started Atkins the first time, she's like a class or two from completion but with a 3 year old and another on the way, we've shelved it. We spent a lot of time together studying for her classes, me because I'm fascinated by it and her because she wants to finish it up

Learning about the kreb cycle, insulin reactions, cortisol and your thyroid and how they all tie together to help you or stop you from losing weight was really interesting stuff.

There's a lot of great information online about stress and diet, you may not have such severe food sensitivities causing your stalls, you might just be stressed out. It might be worth committing 30 or 60 days to a yoga/meditation path and making SURE you get 7 - 8 good hours of sleep a night, and see how you feel and how your body reacts.

I appreciate your frustrationa and I empathise with them. The first time I did Atkins I got down to 265 FAST and just stayed there for almost 6 months until I gave up. I really believe I was stalled by two things: Extreme stress and low carb "products". I've learned my lesson, none of that for me this time around

I'd say good luck, but you don't need luck, just more of the awesome determination you've shown so far.