Dropping the pounds.... (page 3)

AK - Jeff

My wife had GB surgery about 6 years ago. She dropped close to 100 pounds in a few months after that.

It pays to be careful though - you have a new 'tool' - but it can be disregarded and overrun. I know a fellow at work that had GB 10 or 12 years ago. He is now probably 400 lbs! I actually think someone said he weighed less before the surgery, than he does now! What happens often [and I know you know all this] is that once the bypass regrows, many people can eat sugar again. Also you stretch the stomach out and can be right back where you started. This guy can eat a horse! He never passes food up. I am saddened by the whole thing.

But - cheers to you! You have a new lease on life. Keep us posted.

Just a little update: I am down around 12 pounds now - depending on the time of day I weigh myself. I am drinking a lot of water, as the doc told me that high protein content can create renal issues if one does not drink enough. No prob with that - it is part of my strategy anyway. I have backed the percentage of protein down somewhat also. Still no sugar, or very little.

I might blow it a little tonight. Two thirds of my grandmunchkins are away for the night - and we might go out to eat. Still I think I will eat salad mostly anyway.

Peace

Jeff

cameo-d

What is 7000 miles high?

Were you on Mount Kilimanjaro?

PrimateDave

A friend of mine and I are the only participants. We weighed in this morning. We are going to go three months, with the highest percentage of loss the winner.

I remembered that you had posted about this before. Is the bet still on? If so, who is ahead?

I've never done a high protein diet, so I don't know what it is like. I'm still on my vegetarian (almost vegan) lifestyle change. I have meat about once a month and try to avoid products containing meat, milk, and eggs. I'm on a low fat, high carbohydrate diet. I have mostly complex and fiber rich carbs while limiting the sugars. Cutting out sodas made a big difference. I drink mostly water and iced tea lightly sweetened with real sugar.

Breakfast is usually oatmeal. I eat bananas for mid morning snacks. When I'm at work I eat peanut butter on whole grain bread for lunch. On the weekends I just eat when I feel hungry, so there's really no lunch per se. Dinner can be any number of things like homemade pizzas, bean and vegetable soups, burritos with refried beans and salsa, corn chips with refried beans and salsa, vegan "hamburgers," etc. I've really been enjoying my pizzas lately. I make my own crust and experiment with different toppings, and I don't miss the meat or cheese. I've found a great ground beef substitute for some recipes. There are some other meat substitute products I want to try soon.

I have never been a large person. The most I ever weighed was 170 lbs., and I did look overweight then. My body frame is just too compact to carry excess fat well. I'm about 5' 7". Last time I weighed myself I was down to 132 lbs. I bought some new jeans a few weeks ago with a 31 waist, and they feel a bit loose even with a belt.

Dave

AK - Jeff

PrimateDave -

Yep - that challenge never got going really, but I was reminded whenever I thought of that. So, in a way, that challenge has lead to this effort.

What lead to the semi-vegan approach you live by? Seems to work for you. I thought of trying to move toward that thinking, without total adoption as a lifestyle. Just haven't made the committment yet. One of my problems is that we raise our grandkids - and it is hard to stick to those kinds of restrictions with them around.

Update - this morning I was at 193. That's down around 12 pounds in three weeks. After discussion with the Doc last week, I have set a long term goal of around 170 for my height and frame. Right now that looks a long way off. Breaking 190 [hopefully within a week] will be real incentive for me.

Peace

Jeff

carla

Congratulations on the weight loss Jeff! One note about high protien diets- please invest in large quantities of breath fresheners if one goes the Atkins route! my husband did that a few years back and I think when the body goes into ketosis (?) it creates really, really bad breath! The Atkins worked for him but is difficult to sustain that sort of diet. He has since regained any weight he lost. My girlfriends husband did the same thing and he also did not notice he was unapproachable. I know your not doing the Atkins but for those who may be considering it.

Did you see that those who use carb blockers or Alli can actually crap their pants?! side effect they don't seem to mention. I was researching the current fascination with carb blockers and people were saying how they deal with the side effect especially if you cheat on the diet. Some suggested getting Depends or bringing extra clothes to work! ewww.

AK - Jeff

Yea - Wow. I would rather not be having to change diapers at work. Yuuuuuk.

I know that Atkins will create the halitosis you mention. It is a result of the ketosis process. Breath mints seem much easier to deal with than depends BTW! LOL

I have taken a middle road with Adkins thinking. I use relatively high protein to curb cravings, but not as my diet in general. I might eat almost all protein for breakfast [eggs, ham ] as example. But I have been eating grains [oatmeal and bran flakes] also at times. Sometimes in the evening I will eat a fairly large steak, with just minimal amount of veggies.

I have cut out almost all refined sugar and breads, and nearly zero processed foods - and that is the best choice probably I have made here. It is sustainable over long term as part of a life-strategy.

Moderation feels good to me - it feels right. Nothing real radical - lots of veggies, nuts, fibre and fish/chicken. No soda except the occasional diet Pepsi.

Jeff

PrimateDave

Jeff, I admit it is not easy to go vegan. I really do like the taste of meat, dairy, and eggs. That's why I think that an occasional indulgence is a good thing. It keeps me from feeling deprived. When I do indulge, I enjoy it more than before because it is a treat.

Before I embarked on this major dietary change, I was not feeling well. I felt tired all the time, suffered from frequent headaches and poor digestion, and had borderline hypertension. I found a copy of Diet for a New America last December at a local book depot. On a whim I read it, and then I began to do more research on-line. It made good sense to me to attempt a vegan diet based on the information I was learning.

So far it has worked well for me. I don't feel deprived, and I eat when I feel hungry. This is definitely not a starvation diet! My blood pressure is back in the normal range without medication. My blood sugar is normal. I have taken up running on a regular basis. I'm feeling better all around. I'm becoming a better cook, too!

I hope you can achieve your goals. There's a wealth of information on-line to help keep you motivated. Moderation is a good thing. Eat what you like in smaller portions and fill in the "gaps" with nutrient dense foods.

Dave

AK - Jeff

Thanx Dave.

At some point future, I could actually see myself thinking and learning through the vegan lifestyle. I am definately on the track of fueling and feeding my body, as opposed to just eating to fill. But I love flesh too much at this point. One of my favorites is fish - I prepare it differently and savor every bite. I also like eggs. But someday, who knows.

I appreciate your sharing that info. I have known a few vegetarians, and a couple of total vegans. I agree that the occasional treat is important on any strict dietary program. One vegetarian that I knew always set aside Sunday afternoon to treat herself to whatever she fancied, candy bar, or chicken, whatever. Then she returned to another week of careful eating habits.

My biggest fear is that I will get apathetic and return to the poor habits that ruin bodies and health. But I am committed to healthy life and nutrition, and hope to remain so.

Peace

Jeff

AK - Jeff

Update.

I had to check back to this thread to see when I started this lifestyle adjustment. I guess I must have started this the first week of June. So, I am now about 6 weeks into this plan.

I have now managed to break thru a couple of important levels. Currently I am just about 20 pounds lighter than I began. The scale is moving downward more slowly now [as expected]. I have truly adopted a changed perspective regarding food. Water has become my favorite beverage. I have become a little less paranoid about sugar, though not much. I still have very little, but am not obsessed. If a little craving comes on - and I must say that after the first couple of weeks that has been a relatively small problem - I look for a suitable substitute rather than total denial. In a couple of cases I have just allowed myself the 'treat' - and I call it that. I don't want it to become habitual to eat empty calories - and I haven't.

One really big side benefit - my blood pressure is falling too. I am on two presciption drugs to keep it in check. About a week into the plan I met with my doctor, and although I had been unable to get my pressure where we wanted it, he suggested no changes in the dosage or meds. He believed that if I stuck to the plan I had chosen my BP would fall and that over time we might actually have to reduce the dosage.

I checked my BP several times in the past few days - the overall average is around 130/80 most readings. That is a sizable downward movement - my pressure was around 155/93 at that visit a month ago.

My energy level is sky high. My attitude is up.

Jeff

compound complex

Good for you, Jeff!

I'm doing well myself in the same department. Walking 5 to 8 miles a day, complex carbs in place of bread, pasta, no dairy, lots of water, fruits, vegetables, fish and fowl. Since I've always cooked from scratch, the changeover has been comprised mainly of eliminating the no-nos. I am similar in stature to Dave but was heading toward 200 pounds. I'm at 182 now.

Keep up the good work!

CoCo's Cookin'

Dropping the pounds....

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