Health and weight
Nov. 17th, 2008 11:00 amI remember exactly when my metabolism crapped out. I gained 50 pounds over the course of about 3 months. Losing the weight has been impossible and every failed attempt resulted in an additional weight gain. The worst was shortly after my wedding. For months before the wedding, I ate around 1,500 calories a day (I cut out all starches) and ran 5 miles every day after work. I lost 9 pounds total and I still didn't fit in my wedding dress. All of that effort and I can't look at any wedding photos without wanting to cry. By the following February, I'd gained 30 pounds. And then I got pregnant.
I've done the fad diets and I've done the reasonable ones. The sensible advice, "Just burn more calories than you eat," failed miserably. After a year of 1,300 - 1,500 calories a day and 2 1/2 mile walks in the evenings, I lost only 15 pounds and since the days have shortened, I've gained 5 of those back.
I tried to embrace body acceptance. Live a healthy lifestyle, be fat, but love myself anyway. Then I went to see my doctor about numerous problems I've been experiencing and all of those problems added up to pre-diabetes. So now my health is at risk for weight I can't get off.
On Saturday morning, I met with my doctor to discuss diet and exercise. He put me on what he calls the "last resort diet." This is what they put people on when everything else has failed. This is what people do before bariatric surgery. I'm upset that it's gotten this far, but I can't say I didn't try. And I don't want surgery.
"Protein-sparing modified fast"
3 oz of lean protein for breakfast
5 oz of lean protein and 1 serving of vegetables for lunch
5 oz of lean protein and 1 serving of vegetables for dinner
That's it. Oh, and the megabuttload of supplements I have to take: multivitamins plus calcium, potassium, magnesium, and fiber.
One of the plusses of the this is so long as I am in ketosis, I should not be hungry. Another plus is I won't be on this diet for the rest of my life. I'm on it until I reach my goal weight and then I can start eating like a normal person again.
Justin's been supportive so far. We went out yesterday and bought some items we'll need to follow the diet exactly: a grill pan, broiler pan, and food scale. It'll be easy enough to cook noodles, rice, or potatoes for Dominic and give him a fruit cup in addition to the protein and vegetables that I'm allowed.
So here I go. I'll keep you updated on how it goes. Also, I'm following up with my doctor in a couple weeks to make sure my liver and kidneys aren't overly stressed.
Starting weight: 235 (taken last Tuesday; the same day my thyroid levels were checked)
Current weight: 231
I've done the fad diets and I've done the reasonable ones. The sensible advice, "Just burn more calories than you eat," failed miserably. After a year of 1,300 - 1,500 calories a day and 2 1/2 mile walks in the evenings, I lost only 15 pounds and since the days have shortened, I've gained 5 of those back.
I tried to embrace body acceptance. Live a healthy lifestyle, be fat, but love myself anyway. Then I went to see my doctor about numerous problems I've been experiencing and all of those problems added up to pre-diabetes. So now my health is at risk for weight I can't get off.
On Saturday morning, I met with my doctor to discuss diet and exercise. He put me on what he calls the "last resort diet." This is what they put people on when everything else has failed. This is what people do before bariatric surgery. I'm upset that it's gotten this far, but I can't say I didn't try. And I don't want surgery.
"Protein-sparing modified fast"
3 oz of lean protein for breakfast
5 oz of lean protein and 1 serving of vegetables for lunch
5 oz of lean protein and 1 serving of vegetables for dinner
That's it. Oh, and the megabuttload of supplements I have to take: multivitamins plus calcium, potassium, magnesium, and fiber.
One of the plusses of the this is so long as I am in ketosis, I should not be hungry. Another plus is I won't be on this diet for the rest of my life. I'm on it until I reach my goal weight and then I can start eating like a normal person again.
Justin's been supportive so far. We went out yesterday and bought some items we'll need to follow the diet exactly: a grill pan, broiler pan, and food scale. It'll be easy enough to cook noodles, rice, or potatoes for Dominic and give him a fruit cup in addition to the protein and vegetables that I'm allowed.
So here I go. I'll keep you updated on how it goes. Also, I'm following up with my doctor in a couple weeks to make sure my liver and kidneys aren't overly stressed.
Starting weight: 235 (taken last Tuesday; the same day my thyroid levels were checked)
Current weight: 231