Deb_N's Journal, 26 June 2014

Dreamcatcher, I couldn't do Atkins the second time around because it made me feel sick to my stomach all the time. Went back to eating my eclectic way with lots of whole foods, and trying to keep calories averaging 1200 per day, I recently bumped it up a bit.  

I lost 30 lbs with Atkins on 3 different occasions. I could not eat that way forever and kept gaining the weight back when I went off the diet. Now I am happy with just eating healthy and walking every day.  

I think you've done amazingly to have lost 41 pounds! I weigh most mornings, and I know how one's weight can fluctuate. I just use the fluctuations to keep me on track. If I have much of a fluctuation on the up side, I try to pay more attention to what goes in my mouth. The really important weight are the ones where I have to weigh-in and record my weight.  

Deb, I did Atkins twice, gained it back plus more. When I tried it again a couple years ago, it. Simply made me sick. Took a good look at how I like to eat and cook, decided whole foods, around 30% fat, and 1200 calories. Add in exercise. 50+ pounds lighter somewhat fitter, have a ways to go on the fitness, don't know yet on the weight it will settle in to good on a fitter body. Size 16 down to a size 6, 7 , or 8.  

Thank you, everyone! From a size 3x blouse and 2x Petite slacks, I am now Petite XL blouse and 16 Petite slacks. I'm really happy now. If I never lose another pound, I am good enough and like the way I feel, healthy enough to walk 2 - 5 miles, and like being able to easily find clothes in my size. :) 

I'm taking a maintaining break until August 4th, but I am thinking about all of you and I am cheering you on to lose your weight!  

Deb have you tried Leslie Sansone's walking dvd's? They helped me get super toned when I did Atkins 10 years ago and I am back using them again, working like a charm in the inch department. Hopefully you're taking measurements as the scale doesn't tell the whole story just look at the sizes you're down in your clothing! I know the scale can beat you up but go with how you're feeling and run with that :) It's what keeps me going....Wednesday I was 5.6 lbs heavier than I am today....TOM and fluctuation. Don't beat yourself up....don't look at it as a diet or you'll gain the weight back like I did on Atkins, make permanent life changes and you'll continue to rock it! You got this Deb!!! 

I have watched Leslie Sansone at youtube for free! Thanks for the reminder! 

Hi Den_N I hope you don't mind me chiming in on the take a break til August comment but what exactly are you taking a break from? You are still going to eat, you are still going to move your body somehow whether it's walking to do chores, prepare meals, go to your car etc. People who lose weight don't necessarily diet. They change how they think. Taking a break, and forgive me if I am saying something offensive to you, doesn't make a bit of sense. Staying healthy means a lifestyle change, not a diet. Change to eating more fresh fruits, vegetables and lean protein. Change your physicality by being more active. We got this way because of bad habits. they say it takes about 30 days to create a new habit but that's only if we didn't have a bad one in the first place. Before you take a break, determine what is really is that you are taking a break from. And then go from there. I hope you decide not to take a break. Good luck to you. 

I'm taking a break from FS. I log my food on my armband website and still log my weight over there. I have a lot of stress in my life right now. One relative is going through a messy divorce! Not me. ;) One is getting married soon and leaving home! My baby is tired of all the stress and drama and has decided he is going to quit his job and move to another state 1,200 miles away! I just want to cry a lot! I don't feel I can give too much to the people here, because I am so not myself these days!  

Deb at least there are video calls now so you can see your son and talk to him often. I wish you all the best, stay strong :-) 

Thanks! I hadn't thought of that! 

Wasn't going to check in this weekend, but am glad I did. Hang in there, Deb. You're stronger than you think you are.  

And, just for perspective, even though your last weigh in was up .2, you were down two full pounds from the previous Thursday. Big picture. Hugs... 

sweet Dreams deb_N <3  

♥ 

Deb, I wouldn't worry about fractions of a pound. I have an old style scale not digital for two reasons I didn't want to spend the extra $$ and I didn't want to stress over tiny amounts. Mine seems to weigh within 2 pounds of the doc's digital one so I'm happy.  

Deb_N, I'm sorry that you are going through so much stress right now, and that you feel the need to kind of step back a little. I know how it feels when you experience the empty nest, and my heart goes out to you. I also know how it feels to lose a son forever. My youngest son, middle child, passed away in Nov 2009, a month after his birthday, leaving behind his 7 year-old daughter, my only grandchild. It's hard, and it does make it difficult to continue eating right and taking care of yourself. By all means, take a little break, but continue to keep track of your weight, at least once a week, and don't let yourself start slowly gaining again. You know by this time that it's a lot harder to get it off than it is to put it back on! Drink plenty of water and get at least 8 hours sleep a night. You have lost 25 pounds, and that's a great accomplishment!!! We all reach a plateau, and stop losing weight for a time, and it seems like no progress is being made, anymore. But that's not true ~ you WILL start losing again, as long as you don't give up and fall back into your old habits. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this stressful time, and I hope to see you back, making new strides, on Aug 4th!! Hugs. 

Thanks, everyone. In addition to what I complained about before, I found out last night that I will have someone from out-of-town coming over in a few days to talk about the messy divorce my relative is going through, and there is no time date of when the person is going to leave! This puts even more pressure on me. It is just one thing after another. I'm overwhelmed! I kind of feel like I've been kicked in the stomach. I'm still alive, but it hurts so much. PS: The good news is that the 25 pounds is not what I've lost but how much I have left until my goal weight. :)  

It seems that if I don't really focus on every lick, taste, nibble I am fluctuating! Man oh man is this challenging. I have finally relented to adding about 25 miles a week of walking to my life. I'm not sure if it will help but one thing is for sure, it certainly isn't going to hurt! Take care Deb!