[artinformation]

Hello Everyone
I just found this site and I am so happy. First some background on me. 2007 was worst year of my life. In May 2007 I got laid off from work. I found a new job but my back pain (herniated disk) got so bad that I couldn't work. I had back surgary in Aug 2007. During blood work for surgery I found out that I also have 1.High blood pressure 2.Very high cholestoral 3.Diabetes. I weighed around 220 to 225 around Aug 2007. I started medication and I watched what I ate and by Dec 07 I weighted 200 to 205. In Jan 14 2008 I started the Grapefruit Diet. I know this is a crash diet and my intention is to stay on it for 1 month. (Jumpstart 2008) and then switch to Atkins or South Beach. (I did Atkins in 2003 and I lost 50 plus lbs. I regained about 20-25 back. Yesterday while reading this site I found out about fitday and I put in my daily menu and I am sure that I am eating too few calories. I want to lose 2 to 3lbs a week. I currently do not exercise but I plan to start walking 30 minutes a day. I have posted by typical menu below:

Breakfast:
Bacon(2 slices baked) 80
Eggs (2 boiled) 180
1/2 Grapefruit 53
Half tomato: 15 Total 328

Lunch:
Roast Beef (canned in beef broth) 100
Aspqragus Spears (1 cup) 40
1 tomato: 30
1/2 Grapefruit 53 Total 223

Dinner:
Salmon (FROZEN---bakeed) 245
Broccoli (2 cups boiled) 50
Onion Red (1/2 baked) 40
1/2 Grapefruit 53
1 tomato: 30 Total 382
Daily Total: 943!!!

If I am still hungrey I add the following to lunch or dinner:
Romaine Lettuce Hearts 40
Newman's Own Caesar 300
Daily Total: 1283!! (If I add the lettuce and dressing)

Sorry about the long post but I want to do this once and for all.
Since Jan 14th I have lost 8lbs (Probably its all water)
I have also cut out coffee and I drink 8 to 10 glasses of water.
The major craving that I have is lime with salt so I have one or two a day.
I need to get my energy back. I am so tired (sp) all the time (Since my Surgery not this diet)

[artinformation]

Hi everyone I am back and I need your expert help:
Perhaps my post was too long and my questions were not clear:
1.Is it safe to stay on Grapefruit diet for 1 month?
2.I am concerned about the eggs and bacon everyday and worried it might affect my cholestoral (sp) to get higher
3.How many calories do I need to lose weight (2-3lbs a week) safely and not go into starvation mode? Right now I weight 195.
4.I don't know what my cholestoral levels are since being on the meds in July 2007. (Unfortunately I lost my insurance in Dec 07) I was planning to check my blood levels in Jan 08.
5.I am planning to start South Beach or Atkins after 1 month
6.Which one is better in your opinion?
Thanks again for all of your help

[THINBYJUNE]

artinformation
Congratulations on your success so far. 8 pounds is impressive no mater what is what made of. If you're worried about the bacon an eggs how about egg whites and turkey bacon? Calories are a tricky thing. You need to cut about 500 from what your body needs to maintain its current weight. My understanding is there is some trial and error to this process. I have done both Atkins and SB. I think the one that is right for you is the one that you can adapt into a maintenance lifestyle once you've lost all the weight you want. For some people no one structured diet is right and it ends up being an adaptation of several diets. Based on that my opinion of the two is not very valuable for your personal situation (i.e. what works for me may not work for you) Have no fear though, everyone here will support you through the difficulties and celebrate your triumphs. Keep posting and keep up the good work.

[fitbyforty]

Are you on meds for your high blood pressure?You are not supposed to be eating grapefruit on bp meds.

[fitbyforty]

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/FS088

[CountingDown]

Originally Posted by artinformation

Hi everyone I am back and I need your expert help:
Perhaps my post was too long and my questions were not clear:
1.Is it safe to stay on Grapefruit diet for 1 month? I'm not a big fan of fad diets. While it may be safe, I don't think it is smart. Learning lifestyle changes that you can maintain forever are far more productive.
2.I am concerned about the eggs and bacon everyday and worried it might affect my cholestoral (sp) to get higher This is a question for your doctor. No one here can tell you if bacon and eggs will hurt you. I am a vegetarian, so I have no experience on the dangers of bacon, though my reading tells me that you do have cause for concern.
3.How many calories do I need to lose weight (2-3lbs a week) safely and not go into starvation mode? Right now I weight 195.This really is individual. Trial and error will answer this question better than anyone here can. Theoretically speaking, you would probably need to drop your calories to around 1400 to lose 3 lbs. per week. Why not try 1800 and see how that works for you?
4.I don't know what my cholestoral levels are since being on the meds in July 2007. (Unfortunately I lost my insurance in Dec 07) I was planning to check my blood levels in Jan 08. Since you do not know your levels, it makes sense to monitor your cholesterol intake. Thus, this diet may not be the best for you.
5.I am planning to start South Beach or Atkins after 1 month
6.Which one is better in your opinion? I have no experience with either diet (calorie counter here), but why not post specific questions on the SB and Atkins forums? They should be able to give you some assistance
Thanks again for all of your help

Good luck! I hope you find a plan that works for you. Come back often and let us know how you are doing.

[artinformation]

Hi
Thank you Fitbyforty so much for the link about grapefruit and meds. I do take blood pressure med but it wasn't on the list but Lipotor that I take for cholestoral is on that list. I better get off this diet.
Thinbyjune thank you for your words of encouragement. I am so glad that I found this site. One more thing how do I calculate how much calories I need a day to lose weight. Is there an online calculator

[rainlips]

I Love dailyplate.com. You can log all of your cals and excerise for the day. It is really easy to find the food you eat. Have you thought or heard of the sonma. Google that, it is more of a lifestyle change then a diet...good luck. You can do it!!!

[THINBYJUNE]

There are on line caluclators but be aware they are not 100% accurate. I put your info in the calculator I use and it says you should be getting 1530 calories a day. I did not figure in any exercise. Be careful about cutting out too much all at once 1) your body goes into starvation mode and 2) when you lose weight its harder to take 500 calories from 1200 a day than it is from 1700.

[fitbyforty]

Check here for an estimate.
http://nutrition.about.com/library/b...tion_guide.htm

[srmb60]

Welcome!

You've already recieved a great welcome. I just wanted to add a link to the South Beach forums. Successful losers and maintainers speak very well of it.

http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=110

[artinformation]

Thank you everyone
You have all been so helpful and given me lots of good info. I have learned so much. I will keep you all posted on my progress. Hope I will also be able to help someone

thanks