The New Me: Part 1

I've had something of an epiphany recently and I thought I'd blog about it. This is very personal to me, and not something I usually talk about.

I've always struggled with my weight, and although I've never said to a doctor "why can't I lose weight?" I have often asked myself "why can't I stick to a diet?".   In the past I've dieted and lost weight only to regain it, and more (despite promising myself I wouldn't) later. 

This past year has been something of an extra struggle due to the lack of energy etc since my aneurysm, and I've gained back all I'd lost previously. I was planning on going back to Slimming World but I wasn't too keen on the group since my friend Beth stopped being our SW consultant. 

Anyway, I had bought a book about carb addiction, which was beginning to make perfect sense to me in that the more carbs I had, the more I craved them and my insulin levels were all over the place. I was looking forward to starting to eat low carb, but I couldn't quite get my head around the diet plan. 

Then I saw my birthday party pictures and nearly had a heart attack!  Well, I thought I looked pretty good in them.... from the neck up. I was appalled at how big my belly had got because although I know I'm overweight, I don't feel like an overweight person, strange as that may seem.  In the same way, I don't feel my age either. My brain obviously likes to play tricks on me, ha ha. I knew I had to act fast.

At the same time, a blogger I have followed for some time said she was doing a low carb diet, which piqued my interest. She chose to do the Cambridge Diet and has done really well in a very short time.  I had often thought that my last resort might be Lighter Life, because I know several people who've done very well on it, but I knew just drinking shakes every day would not be enough for me.  I was also afraid of what would happen as soon as I started to eat "real" food again. Believe it or not, I have even contemplated having a gastric band fitted but ruled that out as too drastic.

As it happens, I had read about a similar programme a couple of years ago, and filed it away in my memory for future reference. It's called All About W8. A couple of weeks ago I took the plunge and ordered my first two weeks of meals.  I didn't really want to talk about it sooner, because I've been there before - told everyone and then looked stoopid when I dropped out.

Anyway, the good (great!) news is that I've already lost....... 14 lbs. Yes 14 lbs in 14 days.  I know, I know, I've always subscribed to the wisdom that a sensible weight loss is 1 to 2lbs a week. But I've got a LOT to lose and I ran it past my GP first.  He was happy for me to try, and I'm beyond thrilled with the results. 

I've chosen to do the 50/50 plan, which means I have two Mealpaks a day (breakfast and lunch), plus 3 snacks (made up of protein + fruit together), and then in the evening I eat a sensible meal with the family - chicken/fish plus 3 veggies but no carbs. I also drink 3 litres a day but then I was doing that since my op anyway as the brain needs hydration.

The strange thing is that I don't feel particularly hungry, and, stranger still, I don't feel the least inclined to cheat. I'm only cheating myself if I do that, and, well, I can't explain it except I have no desire to cheat. I can even sit next to people eating biscuits/crisps/sweets without being bothered. This is SUCH a new feeling for me, I can't begin to tell you, as I've always had cravings before.

Now for the epiphany: since I've started the diet I've felt better and better. In fact, I realised after a few days that my joints hardly ached and weren't so stiff. This is the stuff of miracles, I tell you, because my psoriatic arthritis has been extremely bad, especially since I can't take my old anti-inflammatories any more on doctors' orders.  Just after I realised this, I came across an article that mentioned a link between certain foods and inflammation. It suddenly dawned on me that I hadn't had any of the foods mentioned for over a week. Coincidence? I tend to think not!  

  

So there you have it, I'm losing weight, feeling great, eating proper food yet learning portion control. I am so excited about how it's going and long may it continue.  Two dietitians have told me in the past that my general diet is great, if only I could cut out the snacks, so I'm confident I'll be able to do the maintenance.

Am I finally turning a corner? I hope so....

(Note: I would not recommend this type of diet for people who only have a little to lose. Sensible diet and exercise is the way to go).

Comments

[liz d]

good for you jen, i need to find the sdame inspiration .

[Chrissie]

Told you so, told you so. Hey congrats. I am very happy for you. This time.... stick with it. Start exercising daily. A daily walk at the beginning, and then progress from there. Also, remember to drink a lot of water. If you purchase mineral water, don't get anything in your system that comes from a plastic bottle as it contains, estrogen. Also, cut out the soda pops if you drink any. Take a picture of yourself naked at the beginning of your program, and take another one... two months from now. I am proud of you. Keep up the good work. Love always. Moi or mezigue.

[Jen]

Thank you Chrissie :) I don't usually have your steely determination, but this time it feels different.
Lyzzy - you should totally do this! We'll both by sylph-like for Debden :)

[Caroline]

Sounds very interesting - have bookmarked it for a better look later on, and may very well give it a go - I am totally struggling with weight loss/diet once again.

[SR]

well done you!!!! Sounds like you've broken into a 'positive' spiral: feeling good, and good about yourself, generating feeling even better etc etc! Am very happy for you :)

[Carolyn Rigg]

Good for you, Jen! A great time of year to start, too ;-) Wishing you all the best...