sjcoray's Journal, 06 June 2022

Lifestyle change is the difference. 

There’s a successful member here whose mantra is “make it, log it, eat it”. Track everything. Try to get some exercise in the fresh air if you can. I probably spend more time in this app than I should but it helps keep me motivated. Today is a new day to start again and I’m glad you’re here. 

Thank you :) I appreciate both the comments, and all the support. When I decided yesterday to start counting again, I considered doing it incognito - maybe supporting others, but not posting my own entries or replies to others, but I know how amazing this community can be with cheers, suggestions, holding me accountable, all the good things. So my goal is to post every day. To lean in to the whole thing.  

Yes, it feels like the movie Groundhog's Day. I'm in your position, just started back about 1.5 weeks ago. Read my bio---ugggghhhh hasn't changed. Started back in 2009 or 2011 like a yo-yo. This time I posted pics of myself and my big belly for the 1st time as I'm usually somewhat private. Idk why, it just felt right. So another start in the hopes of turning it into a forever style. A bright new day for us to kick some tushy!!  

Right there with you - I'm chipping off some of the weight I gained last year, but a couple of lbs have snuck back on. Yes, tracking helps. So does meal planning. But maintenance isn't something I've figured out yet. All we can do is keep trying, sounds like you've got a good reason to! 

Hey there SJ! I, and nearly all of us, have gone down gone up gone down and back up. No reason to be tough on ourselves. You have motivation, you’ve done this before, and you’re right, this community is with you. It’s why I never left. Slow and steady and we are with you. 

I have heard many returning members share the same experience. They reach their goals by logging and tracking their food intake and exercise. CICO worked well for them as it always does. Then they abandon what worked and return to their old way of eating. IMHO, maintenance is easier than restarting and that is a true lifestyle change...  

Your 3.5 year old is the perfect why! ♥️ My granddaughters are mine. I have two.  

That's definitely good motivation! Maintenance can be tricky. I find logging keeps me accountable! I prep my snacks as well. I allow treats but mainly stay with healthy eating. Best of luck and you have my support! 

I tried CICO for YEARS. It never worked because FOR ME any food moderate-high in carbs would trigger my blood sugar to rollercoaster which triggers my hunger to therefore rollercoaster. it's like tipping a row of dominoes. I was diagnosed with T2D around 5 years ago. After trying to manage it with Metformin and diet, I was prescribed INSULIN, causing me to GAIN another 25 pounds! My blood glucose was better controlled but the INSULIN needed to do so kept going up. I finally said ENOUGH. I did my homework. Purchased a CGM, (which my insurance now covers), and discovered what I already had learned from my research: for ME, carbohydrates of EVERY kind are my enemy. I don't need them to live. They are not a necessary macro. I don't eat potatoes & veggies that grow below the ground/bread/pasta/pastry/cookies/cake/ice cream/some dairy/candy. Dinner is meat with it's natural fat and a green vegetable of some type. If I have a sweet tooth, I have some berries or a piece of citrus. I don't need to eat breakfast. It makes me tired and sluggish. Start the day with a big glass of lemon water. If I feel hungry, I have a cup of chicken broth or a glass of V8. I don't eat after 7pm. I don't eat until the NEXT day at 2-3 pm. Daily Intermittent Fasting. Eat between 2-3pm through 7pm. I walk 2-4 miles per day. I am starting a weightlifting program this week. My doctor prescribed Ozempic, which has helped tremendously in reigning in my roller coasting blood sugar levels. I keep busy. for me, an idle mind heads right for the pantry or the fridge. I have lost 30 lbs. I have plateaued several times. I weigh myself everyday and if that scale goes down even a few ounces-I WIN. I journal my food. I journal my weightloss in a list and on a graph. I created a binder with all of these resources in one place. I'm not saying you need to do all of these things. But after YEARS of experimenting I discovered what works for ME and what it takes to keep me on track. I couldn't do it alone. I discovered I needed support technology and medication to get that scale moving DOWN instead UP. I wish you strength and focus. The time for research and discovery. Believe in yourself. Sometimes this is a moment to moment effort. You can do it.