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BS - 98...Day 1
As so many of us often do, I have been very inconsistent with my way of eating. Maybe that is why 'way of eating' is shortened to 'WOE'. The definition of the word 'woe' is great sorrow or distress, or things that cause sorrow, distress, or trouble. It seems fitting that this term would be shortened to an acronym that matches a word with this particular meaning! My story definitely seems to be surrounded by this word and all of the emotional baggage it carries with it.
I have always been on the 'thicker' side when it comes to my weight, but truly drifted into the obese category some time ago. At my highest, I reached a staggering 312 pounds while only standing 5'9" tall. Forget the obese category, every doctor worth their diploma would have called me morbidly obese. And they would have been right!
Back in 2015 I was introduced to the LCHF and Keto lifestyles, and for the first time in my life I found a WOE that seemed to work for me. I followed this WOE, learning as I went. I put so much time and effort into researching it, following it, tailoring it to fit my situation...and I was successful with it! I lost a total of 116 pounds in the first year and over 140 pounds total. Not only did I lose weight, but I honestly felt and looked healthy.
So I was a believer! I learned that my body didn't respond well to carbs. I learned that the potatoes, pastas, breads, and sugars that I grew up on were slowly hurting my body. I learned about insulin resistance, diabetes, blood sugar, the need to stay hydrated with water, the impact of lactose, and so much more. I went from being a girl that had never heard the word 'macro' to being a girl that could back up her WOE with science and true understanding. And again, I BELIEVED in it.
I loved my WOE. I believed in my WOE. I thrived with my WOE.
So what is different now? Well, me, of course!
Like I said, I lost over 140 pounds before my weight finally settled down to a consistent number. I went from a size 24 and 3x down to a size 6/8 and S/XS. I still had fat on me...and was considered overweight by the standard of a doctor (who makes up that chart anyways???), but I looked good and felt good. I also maintained that weight. I didn't claim that weight and then immediately start gaining again and I wasn't bouncing up and down. I was more active (partly because I could be...taking off 140 pounds changes what you can physically do), I was satisfied with the types of food I ate, I was educated on why my WOE worked or me, and I knew that I couldn't turn back to the old habits and mindsets that had gotten me to my worst point ever again.
So what changed?
Despite my actual fat loss, I also knew that it was important for me to work on building muscle and toning my body. I had been doing minor workouts during the time that I was losing weight (things like walking, biking, minor workouts at the gym, and Zumba), but I wanted to up my game and build actual muscle. No more of this zone B mindset! But that was something that I didn't know how to do on my own, so I sought advice.
You would think that others would stick to advising me on what I needed advice on...but that is not exactly how it went. Instead of advice like 'strength train with barbells', I got advice like 'you can't work out unless you up your protein'. And I listened...instead of just doing what I should have and educating myself on the situation.
My WOE (Keto) is not always accepted by folks. Despite seeing my awesome results, a lot of people had a lot to say about how it was "hurting my overall health in the longrun". I even had people criticize how much water I drank throughout the day (on average 12-15 water bottles). Now mind you, no one had told me how to go Keto...I literally researched it on my own and made adjustments as I educated myself. I always say that I was blessed to start Keto before it was trendy (it has always been around, but it has become very trendy the past few years). As the trend grew, so did everyone's 'I know all about it and can tell you everything' attitude. And I fell right into the trap!
Despite that what I had been doing for almost three years had worked for me, I started listening to everyone's advise. I started uping my protein limit (because I was told I couldn't build muscle without it), lowering my fat (because so many said it was unwanted calories and just a lever for satiation, and I got sloppy about drinking water (because everyone said that I was overhydrating).
You know the old saying, "You live and you learn." What did I learn? That I was doing just fine with my WOE and that I should have done my own research if I wanted specific results instead of heeding the advice of others. Advice from others does not necessarily mean truth or facts...it is just others giving their opinions (often times, uneducated opinions).
But I did it.
I should have known better, but it just seemed so easy to listen to it. My biggest advise flaw? YOU NEED MORE PROTEIN!
I am a 39 year old mom of 5. Everyone in my family has diabetes BUT me. My grandmother died of complications of diabetes at the age of 54, only after a few amputations. My mother was prescribed Metformin by her doctor, but feels like she is not a diabetic simply because she doesn't actually take the medication that was prescribed to her. My dad has major heart problems, but no body seems to care that he is 375 pounds and diabetic...they are just looking at how to maintain his heart. My brother is a diabetic, all my cousins are diabetic, my aunts and uncles are diabetic.
I am not a diabetic, but I regularly check my blood sugar. I absolutely believe that I am insulin resistant. I believe that diabetes could be in my future if I am not diligent about my WOE. I believe I have a choice to make. I believe I can prevent potential future health problems by what I do right now.
I did my best when I kept my fat macros at around 85-90% (no less than 80%). I did my best when I kept my protein under 60 grams per day (remember, I am a female...I don't need as much as a man). I did my best when I stayed under 20 grams of carbs (counting net carbs DOES NOT work for me), I do best when I drink water (I am not even sure how this should be an argument), I do best when I avoid sugar alcohols, I do best when I avoid mock recipes (do you really need to know how to make a keto version of brownies, cake, cookies, and the like???), I do best when I research instead of taking the advice of others, I do best when I track my macros, I do best when I journal (hence, this long entry), and I do best when I remember where God is in all of this!
I lost over 140 pounds before. Over the past two years, I have gained back about 75 pounds. Today is day ONE (yes, again!). I am committed, determined, motivated, supported, and encouraged. There will be no more excuses, no more 'I start again tomorrow', no more 'but I don't have time'...this IS happening. I have a husband and 5 kids, a full time job, a house to care for...but I also know my health CANNOT be last. Today is day 1.
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235.4 lb
Lost so far: 67.6 lb.
Still to go: 0 lb.
Diet followed reasonably well.
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gaining 2.1 lb a week
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