[Ptefabulous]

Hi everyone,

My name is Sheila and I'm sick of being this size. I am 24 years old, 5'4, and 170lbs. This is the heaviest I've ever been! In the last 4 years i've gained 30lbs since I've been in grad school. I've tried a few times to actually lose the weight but I always fall off the bandwagon when I get busy. It's hard because I believe that I can lose weight by eating well and exercising, but it takes so long to get results that I end up getting busy and don't have time to run or I start eating terribly before I see results.

So this time I've decided to come on here for moral support!

The plan:

1. Diet - Unlimited veggies. Some fruit as study snacks and for breakfast. Moderate protein in the form of protein shakes and vegetarian friendly protein options with meals. Lowish amount of carbs with meals, but no chips, no french fries. Since I have a super sweet tooth I don't think I can just cut out sweet treats, but I'll limit it to a taste at most once a day.

2. Exercise - Running at least 4 times a week. Weight training or yoga during the week as well.

3. Weekly weigh ins. 19 Oct 2013 = 170lbs.

4. Monthly photo log.

Ok. So that the plan! Hopefully I can stick too it! Any tips, and words of encouragement is greatly appreciated!!

PS. Any tips on good sections of this forum to browse??

[Annik]

Hi Sheila,

Going low carb/moderate protein has really worked well for me. The science behind it says that one ends up burning stored fat instead of the daily carbohydrates one eats (these are more readily accessible for energy so it is an easier source for the body to draw from than the stored fat).

Some books about it:

The Art and Science of Low Carbohydrate Living
Good Calories Bad Calories
Why We Get Fat and What To Do About It

A general website about low carb living is Jimmy Moore's Living La Vida Low Carb.

The American Bariatric Association has recently endorsed low carb (ketogenic) nutrition. It is a way of eating that flips traditional nutritional wisdom on its head. The more reading I do, the more I come to understand that a higher carb content diet is pushed at us -- and it's not good for all of us. Especially if you struggle with insulin resistance or have what's called Metabolic Syndrome X, anything that spikes sugar levels in the body make weight loss problematic.

A recent re-broadcast by CBC radio of an interview with ketogenic investigative journalist Gary Taubes gives the science about it in a nutshell. The link to the programme is here: http://www.cbc.ca/ideas/episodes/201...iles---food-1/

I am in my 50's. Many years ago, I would have freaked out at the thought that I might ever weigh 170. Unfortunately, I made it all the way up to 287.

Exercise is important for health but I now believe it is not the best route to weight loss. Tackling fat is. Low carb eating/ketogenic nutrition does just that.

I am doing the Ideal Protein Diet which is one form of many versions of ketogenic eating.

If any of this resonates, I encourage you to explore it. It has been a life saver for me. I was considering bariatric surgery. Low carb has been my liberation.

Annik

[Annik]

ps There is an Ideal Protein forum on 3 Fat Chicks on a Diet if you are interested in exploring.

Look for posts by Lisa32989, 65x65, RainbowSmiles, and Showgirlaz (the latter two don't participate so often now but you can read their posts if you go through the older threads). They are super well informed and if you take in their wisdom should you decide to go down this path, they'll steer you in very good directions...leading to success!

[Annik]

and other advice: cut out aspartame if you now use it. It is known to cause blood sugar spikes. These set you up for cravings. Especially bad if you've got a sweet tooth!

[Jacqui_D]

Hi Shelia! As you can see by Annik's example, you'll find lots of support here! I am also doing a low-carb diet and agree with Annik; however, I'm not doing Ideal Protein. I am doing a modified version of the Slow Carb Diet, which was first introduced in Tim Ferriss' Book The 4-Hour Body. I've learned over the years that I'm not good at following a strict diet, so I've become a big fan of tweaking diets to make them work for you, as long as you don't tweak so much that you just maintain or even gain. Your eating/exercise plan sounds like a great one! I don't see how you could go wrong with it. Good luck! You can do this!

[kidjng]

Hi Sheila. Welcome! I'm back on here for moral support too - after achieving my goal weight, maintaining for a year and a half and I've now gained 12 pounds. You are not alone. Weight loss can be a slow process for some BUT YOU CAN DO THIS and it is so worth it!!!

There is lots of good advice here. I learned so much through Weight Watchers but one thing that has stuck with me is FOCUS ON SMALL GOALS. First and foremost -- losing 5% of your bodyweight which is 8.5 pounds. Or, lose 2 pounds, 4 times. Small little goals that are easily achievable. Then, do it again until you get to your goal.

You have a great plan in place. Pre-plan your meals and have lots of healthy stuff prepped and ready to prepare or snack quickly.

Keep us posted weekly, monthly or whenever you need a check up. Good Luck!

[Ptefabulous]

Thanks guys!

I'll check out the diet plans you guys have been following but honestly will probably just do my best to just keep calories from carbs low by my own calculations. Hopefully things go well!