Ready to quit

On 19 Aug 2004 10:13:13 -0700, (Linda) wrote:

I started low-carbing in May 2002, one year ahead of my wedding, at
the weight of 152 (I am 5'6"). By my wedding date, I was 25 pounds
lighter, at 127 (yay!) On my two-week honeymoon in Tahiti, I put on
14 pounds (yikes!), 7 pounds of which I was able to take off the first
week back.

Since then (one year and four months) I have been basically taking one
step forward and two steps back. During my pre-wedding weight loss, I
was pretty much keeping around 30-40 carbs a day. Almost a year ago I
cut back to 20 grams a day, and rarely go over that.

What was the reason you decided to cut back to 20 -- sounds like you
were doing well with 30-40, so why the change? Also, are you or were
you following any particular plan?

Once every
couple of months, either on a business trip or a weekend getaway, I
eat whatever I want, gain about 4 pounds, and then over the next few
weeks lose about 3 of them, so I've been slowly going backwards. I am
now at 142.

That likely puts you at a size 10 and about a 23 BMI. Not model thin,
but not fat either.

It may be a wise move to maintain the 142 for now and work with what
you've got. In fact, it would be one heck of an accomplishment if you
could do just that. Add some serious weight training to your exercise
routine, if you haven't done so already. Work up to it, of course.
Building some significant muscle mass will help *considerably*.

Even when I go for months at a time staying faithfully at
20 grams or less, I can't lose anything, and often gain.

A year is a darned long time to stick to 20 carbs/day, and can
frequently be counterproductive. Try increasing your carbs a bit and
eating a much wider variety and quantity of vegetables, not just
salads.

I feel so frustrated, and deprived and angry at passing up the food I
really want to eat, exercising 3 times a week, following all the
rules, and still…I gained two pounds this week! What the heck is that
all about? I eat meat, cheese, salad, and that's about it.

I'd imagine this draconian eating plan you've had yourself on for
almost a year now is probably not helping in controlling the
occasional weekend binging either. Time to start moving towards
something you can live with long-term.

(snip)

Try eating less and doing some exercise, fatty.

--
You take stupid to a new level. -- MFW


"Linda" wrote in message
om...
I've been lurking here for quite a while, and have gotten much support
and information from this group (thank you!) But now I've reached the
end of my rope and need some advice, and I thought some of you might
be able to give me some words of wisdom.

I started low-carbing in May 2002, one year ahead of my wedding, at
the weight of 152 (I am 5'6"). By my wedding date, I was 25 pounds
lighter, at 127 (yay!) On my two-week honeymoon in Tahiti, I put on
14 pounds (yikes!), 7 pounds of which I was able to take off the first
week back.

Since then (one year and four months) I have been basically taking one
step forward and two steps back. During my pre-wedding weight loss, I
was pretty much keeping around 30-40 carbs a day. Almost a year ago I
cut back to 20 grams a day, and rarely go over that. Once every
couple of months, either on a business trip or a weekend getaway, I
eat whatever I want, gain about 4 pounds, and then over the next few
weeks lose about 3 of them, so I've been slowly going backwards. I am
now at 142. Even when I go for months at a time staying faithfully at
20 grams or less, I can't lose anything, and often gain.

I feel so frustrated, and deprived and angry at passing up the food I
really want to eat, exercising 3 times a week, following all the
rules, and still.I gained two pounds this week! What the heck is that
all about? I eat meat, cheese, salad, and that's about it. I'm ready
to chuck it all, but I'm afraid to because if I gain weight staying at
20 carbs a day, what's going to happen if I quit? I don't want to be
one of those statistics that gain back everything they lose and then
some.

Can anybody out there give me any advice?

Thank you in advance,
Linda

Try eating less and doing some exercise, fatty.

--
You take stupid to a new level. -- MFW


"Linda" wrote in message
om...
I've been lurking here for quite a while, and have gotten much support
and information from this group (thank you!) But now I've reached the
end of my rope and need some advice, and I thought some of you might
be able to give me some words of wisdom.

I started low-carbing in May 2002, one year ahead of my wedding, at
the weight of 152 (I am 5'6"). By my wedding date, I was 25 pounds
lighter, at 127 (yay!) On my two-week honeymoon in Tahiti, I put on
14 pounds (yikes!), 7 pounds of which I was able to take off the first
week back.

Since then (one year and four months) I have been basically taking one
step forward and two steps back. During my pre-wedding weight loss, I
was pretty much keeping around 30-40 carbs a day. Almost a year ago I
cut back to 20 grams a day, and rarely go over that. Once every
couple of months, either on a business trip or a weekend getaway, I
eat whatever I want, gain about 4 pounds, and then over the next few
weeks lose about 3 of them, so I've been slowly going backwards. I am
now at 142. Even when I go for months at a time staying faithfully at
20 grams or less, I can't lose anything, and often gain.

I feel so frustrated, and deprived and angry at passing up the food I
really want to eat, exercising 3 times a week, following all the
rules, and still.I gained two pounds this week! What the heck is that
all about? I eat meat, cheese, salad, and that's about it. I'm ready
to chuck it all, but I'm afraid to because if I gain weight staying at
20 carbs a day, what's going to happen if I quit? I don't want to be
one of those statistics that gain back everything they lose and then
some.

Can anybody out there give me any advice?

Thank you in advance,
Linda

(Doug Freyburger) wrote in message . com...
Linda wrote:

Almost a year ago I
cut back to 20 grams a day, and rarely go over that.

Have you considered trying Atkins? In the book where it says it
is safe to stay at 20 for as long as six months if you satisfy
a long list if qualifications. I notice at least 3 from the
list that you miss, thus you aren't qualified to stay that low.

The ones I notice a 1) It continues to work at 20. 2) You
have "a lot" to lose (and general experience says he means 100+
to mean a lot). 3) Six months except for folks who are under
direct supervision and still have a lot to lose.

There are several other qualifying questions in that section
and you may well fail even more of them.

Less is not more. Remember that you did better at 30-40 than
you are now doing at 20.

Are you still in ketosis? If yes then move up and find your
CCLL by spending a week out of ketosis, then settling in at
5-10 lower than that. Sure, right now you want to quote the
book that CCLL is about loss rate, but your stall just
conclusively disproved that for you.

No, I'm not in ketosis. I've NEVER been in ketosis. Even during my
active weight loss period, I've never registered anything on the
strip. I've always wondered about that. I thought maybe I got a bad
batch of strips so I bought another bottle, and still nothing.

I'm afraid to increase my carb intake because I know my body pretty
well, and I'll start gaining immediately. I mean, obviously if I'm
gaining at 20 grams, I'll gain more at 40, won't I? It just makes
sense to me.

(Doug Freyburger) wrote in message . com...
Linda wrote:

Almost a year ago I
cut back to 20 grams a day, and rarely go over that.

Have you considered trying Atkins? In the book where it says it
is safe to stay at 20 for as long as six months if you satisfy
a long list if qualifications. I notice at least 3 from the
list that you miss, thus you aren't qualified to stay that low.

The ones I notice a 1) It continues to work at 20. 2) You
have "a lot" to lose (and general experience says he means 100+
to mean a lot). 3) Six months except for folks who are under
direct supervision and still have a lot to lose.

There are several other qualifying questions in that section
and you may well fail even more of them.

Less is not more. Remember that you did better at 30-40 than
you are now doing at 20.

Are you still in ketosis? If yes then move up and find your
CCLL by spending a week out of ketosis, then settling in at
5-10 lower than that. Sure, right now you want to quote the
book that CCLL is about loss rate, but your stall just
conclusively disproved that for you.

No, I'm not in ketosis. I've NEVER been in ketosis. Even during my
active weight loss period, I've never registered anything on the
strip. I've always wondered about that. I thought maybe I got a bad
batch of strips so I bought another bottle, and still nothing.

I'm afraid to increase my carb intake because I know my body pretty
well, and I'll start gaining immediately. I mean, obviously if I'm
gaining at 20 grams, I'll gain more at 40, won't I? It just makes
sense to me.

(Linda) wrote:

I'm afraid to increase my carb intake because I know my body pretty
well, and I'll start gaining immediately. I mean, obviously if I'm
gaining at 20 grams, I'll gain more at 40, won't I? It just makes
sense to me.

I don't pretend to know the specifics of why, but if I stay at very,
very low carbs, like 20 or less, I don't lose weight. I don't gain,
but I don't lose. I have to eat about 40 grams a day to lose weight,
which for me means adding at least a cup of yogurt or 1/4 of a
cantaloupe a day to boost it up a little. Weird, but that's how it
goes, so maybe you should try it for a week or two?

It's probably mentioned why in Atkins' book somewhere, but I'm on the
Anti-X diet, from the book "Syndrome X," and it doesn't get into that
sort of detail.

Hope that helps,

Kristen

--
"Who is the patriot, I ask you? Those who wrap themselves in the flag and pledge
allegiance to it, or those who keep the pledge and wrap themselves in what the
flag represents?" -Ira Glasser

In article ,
(Linda) wrote:


I'm afraid to increase my carb intake because I know my body pretty
well, and I'll start gaining immediately. I mean, obviously if I'm
gaining at 20 grams, I'll gain more at 40, won't I? It just makes
sense to me.

It depends. I view low-carb as a tool for lowering overall calories.
While there have been some studies showing that you may be able to lose at
a higher caloric intake on low-carb than on low-fat, it makes sense to me
that this will only work up to a point.

The reason I think low-carb works in general is that you end up eating less
because low-carb foods are more satisfying. But, this doesn't lead to
weight loss for everyone. My father, for example, can eat obscene amounts
of meat. He got used to huge portions when he was a young man with a high
metabolism, when he was much more active. He was one of those muscular,
athletic guys who could eat huge amounts of food and not get fat. Once he
got hurt, got older, and got less active, it started to catch up with him.

Now, if you're staying at 20g but your portions are small, then it
shouldn't hurt you. But, you may run into the same trap my dad did, if you
have a big appetite. Instead of having a side salad and some steamed
broccoli with his steak, he'd rather have another steak. It could very well
add up to too many calories to lose weight. Some people find that if they
add more vegetables (which all have some carbs) they can keep the bulk of
the food the same, while lowering calories, and result in more weight loss.

It's all about finding the balance that works for you. Some people can get
full at 20g and at whatever calorie level they need to eat at to lose
weight, and some people need to add more carbs in order to keep calories
low enough.

--
Michelle Levin
http://www.mindspring.com/~lunachick

I have only 3 flaws. My first flaw is thinking that I only have 3 flaws.

In article ,
(Linda) wrote:


I'm afraid to increase my carb intake because I know my body pretty
well, and I'll start gaining immediately. I mean, obviously if I'm
gaining at 20 grams, I'll gain more at 40, won't I? It just makes
sense to me.

It depends. I view low-carb as a tool for lowering overall calories.
While there have been some studies showing that you may be able to lose at
a higher caloric intake on low-carb than on low-fat, it makes sense to me
that this will only work up to a point.

The reason I think low-carb works in general is that you end up eating less
because low-carb foods are more satisfying. But, this doesn't lead to
weight loss for everyone. My father, for example, can eat obscene amounts
of meat. He got used to huge portions when he was a young man with a high
metabolism, when he was much more active. He was one of those muscular,
athletic guys who could eat huge amounts of food and not get fat. Once he
got hurt, got older, and got less active, it started to catch up with him.

Now, if you're staying at 20g but your portions are small, then it
shouldn't hurt you. But, you may run into the same trap my dad did, if you
have a big appetite. Instead of having a side salad and some steamed
broccoli with his steak, he'd rather have another steak. It could very well
add up to too many calories to lose weight. Some people find that if they
add more vegetables (which all have some carbs) they can keep the bulk of
the food the same, while lowering calories, and result in more weight loss.

It's all about finding the balance that works for you. Some people can get
full at 20g and at whatever calorie level they need to eat at to lose
weight, and some people need to add more carbs in order to keep calories
low enough.

--
Michelle Levin
http://www.mindspring.com/~lunachick

I have only 3 flaws. My first flaw is thinking that I only have 3 flaws.

Hi Linda.

Now, believe me, I KNOW how frustrating it can be to do 'everything
right' and not lose a pound. I stalled for 4 damned years doing
'everything right'. It turned out that a large part of my problem was
medical, which wasn't picked up until earlier this year. When that
problem was dealt with, the weight loss started happening again.

During my pre-wedding weight loss, I
was pretty much keeping around 30-40 carbs a day. Almost a year ago I
cut back to 20 grams a day, and rarely go over that.

snip

I feel so frustrated, and deprived and angry at passing up the food I
really want to eat, exercising 3 times a week, following all the
rules, and still…I gained two pounds this week! What the heck is that
all about? I eat meat, cheese, salad, and that's about it. I'm ready
to chuck it all, but I'm afraid to because if I gain weight staying at
20 carbs a day, what's going to happen if I quit? I don't want to be
one of those statistics that gain back everything they lose and then
some.

You were losing nicely at 30 -40 g before your wedding. So why cut
back? There are MANY people here who can attest they do better at
slightly higher carb counts! It would seem that you found your
critical carb level for loss a year ago. Try going back to THAT carb
count and seeing what happens. If you have food diaries detailing
what you were eating so much the better - you can try your old menus
for a few weeks, which you KNOW were successful for YOU, and see if
that's the problem. You might be one of those people who CAN eat at a
higher carb level and still do fine - which means that you CAN have
some small portions of those foods you're missing, instead of making
yourself frustrated as you are now.

As to your current 2 lb gain - where are you in your menstrual cycle?
I know (from bitter experience) that I start to gain (water) weight at
Ovulation and can gain easily 10 or more pounds before it all goes
away at the start of my cycle. It's a pain, I know, but cyclical
water weight is something we women get to deal with. Even women who
no longer have a cycle (from hysterectomy, for instance) but still
have working ovaries can see this kind of cycling up-and-down.

Best of luck.

Aramanth

Hi Linda.

Now, believe me, I KNOW how frustrating it can be to do 'everything
right' and not lose a pound. I stalled for 4 damned years doing
'everything right'. It turned out that a large part of my problem was
medical, which wasn't picked up until earlier this year. When that
problem was dealt with, the weight loss started happening again.

During my pre-wedding weight loss, I
was pretty much keeping around 30-40 carbs a day. Almost a year ago I
cut back to 20 grams a day, and rarely go over that.

snip

I feel so frustrated, and deprived and angry at passing up the food I
really want to eat, exercising 3 times a week, following all the
rules, and still…I gained two pounds this week! What the heck is that
all about? I eat meat, cheese, salad, and that's about it. I'm ready
to chuck it all, but I'm afraid to because if I gain weight staying at
20 carbs a day, what's going to happen if I quit? I don't want to be
one of those statistics that gain back everything they lose and then
some.

You were losing nicely at 30 -40 g before your wedding. So why cut
back? There are MANY people here who can attest they do better at
slightly higher carb counts! It would seem that you found your
critical carb level for loss a year ago. Try going back to THAT carb
count and seeing what happens. If you have food diaries detailing
what you were eating so much the better - you can try your old menus
for a few weeks, which you KNOW were successful for YOU, and see if
that's the problem. You might be one of those people who CAN eat at a
higher carb level and still do fine - which means that you CAN have
some small portions of those foods you're missing, instead of making
yourself frustrated as you are now.

As to your current 2 lb gain - where are you in your menstrual cycle?
I know (from bitter experience) that I start to gain (water) weight at
Ovulation and can gain easily 10 or more pounds before it all goes
away at the start of my cycle. It's a pain, I know, but cyclical
water weight is something we women get to deal with. Even women who
no longer have a cycle (from hysterectomy, for instance) but still
have working ovaries can see this kind of cycling up-and-down.

Best of luck.

Aramanth