Johanne

I'm 66 years old. Who woulda thunk? The years go by so fast!

I've been fat off and on since my mid 20s. I always lost weight while I was pregnant (50 lbs. with my third and last child . . . I was 28) and as soon as I quit nursing, I would gain it back. I've never dieted because I thought yo-yoing put more stress on the organs and was more unhealthy than just staying the same. I've spontaneously lost weight a few times when I was REALLY unhappy, but as soon as life settled down again, I gained it back. 250 lbs./260 lbs. seems to be my "set point", whether I eat a lot or a little.

I have been diagnosed and am being treated for hypothyroid and severe anemia. I've had them all my life. I also have congestive heart failure so I can't follow the normally recommended fluid intake. It's a pretty tricky balancing act.

I've been studying whole foods for about 1 1/2 years, and in March I decided to go that route. I was not eating less food, just healthier foods and without calorie restriction, I lost 11 lbs.

The first four months I ate this way:

Cholesterol 262 (1 Mar), 202 (1 July), 186 (30 Dec) 2010.

Triglycerides 645 (1 Mar scary), 264. (1 July), 336 (30 Dec) 2010.

LDL couldn't meas. (1 Mar), 105 (1 July), 77 (30 Dec) 2010.

HDL 29 (1 Mar), 44 (1 July), 42 (30 Dec) 2010.

A1c 6.1 (1 Mar), 5.9 (1 July), 5.7 (30 Dec) 2010.

My Dr. was gobsmacked. He called it a "dramatic" improvement and told me to keep doing whatever it was I was doing. I fully intend to.

7/25/10, I figured out my RDI and started staying under that. It's no hardship yet and you really can't call it dieting because my present RDI is 2100 (1st decrease, 9/10/10, 2000)(2nd dec., 12/23/10, 1900)(3rd dec., 2/15/11, 1800). I know that will change as my weight loss continues, but hope I will be able to work my way down gradually.