tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13260386.post2429549082572057333..comments2024-03-13T06:54:20.063-05:00Comments on Weight of the Evidence: Is There a Secret to Success?Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13260386.post-5993612824588179902010-07-13T08:23:23.761-05:002010-07-13T08:23:23.761-05:00Magnificent ideaMagnificent ideaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13260386.post-56979580092597075262007-11-15T15:36:00.000-06:002007-11-15T15:36:00.000-06:00How do I break sugar and starch addiction? It see...How do I break sugar and starch addiction? <BR/><BR/>It seems easy to me in concept, but my body seems to really "cry out" for them if I go a day completely low carb. At that point it feels literally impossible for me not to give in, which makes me feel helpless. Also, I get down about feeling "weird" about eating differently than everyone else around me. It just seems that sugars and starches are in EVERYTHING! It feels like trying to quit an addictive drug while mainstream society is innundated with widespread and constant "using".<BR/><BR/>Any help appreciated!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13260386.post-10496417769475214552007-08-01T14:11:00.000-05:002007-08-01T14:11:00.000-05:00The real key to success is patience. Any sudden ch...The real key to success is patience. Any sudden changes to your body are unhealthy and can have dragged out side effects. I've read here that it has taken many people years to loose the weight they have. Patience, Determination, and healthy habits the secret to success.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13260386.post-90764142233224773122007-07-12T15:25:00.000-05:002007-07-12T15:25:00.000-05:00Charles, I think our parents were smarter than the...Charles, I think our parents were smarter than they thought. My mom advocated eating a variety of foods and not too much starch. Dessert once in a while. The weight of the average American was much lower back then - before the "low fat" nonsense hit.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13260386.post-11452425185342572962007-07-12T05:25:00.000-05:002007-07-12T05:25:00.000-05:00I have lost 140 lbs following a low carb diet. It ...I have lost 140 lbs following a low carb diet. It took me 2 1/2 years.I have maintained this loss eating 30 to 40 carbs a day and 1200 to 1400 calories. There is no secret to success, it is hard work.I started Curves 5 months into my diet and walking 5 mon later. As a result I have minimum loose skin.In order to keep it off you have to realize it is going to take effort for the rest of your life. Until you achieve that mindset your weight will go up and down.TESShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04354025359300489391noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13260386.post-37812692854168559682007-07-10T12:17:00.000-05:002007-07-10T12:17:00.000-05:00Thanks Regina for your excellent blog. Growing up...Thanks Regina for your excellent blog. Growing up, I was active and my parents just didn't feed me much starch. I got married to a beautiful woman who would fix two or three starches with every meal. I gained 75 pounds over 14 years. I was 221 and went to the doctor who told me he would put me on medication within a couple of months for cholesterol, high tri-glycerides, you name it, if I didn't do something. He told me to basically eat brown everything, you know, rice, bread, etc. I began running and eating low fat and lost 43 pounds to 178. I began lifting weights and my weight started to creep up. I was always hungry and I guess my muscles were crying out for protein. I got back up to 207, seven months ago. After eating a plate of french fries, I felt really bloated, like someone just filled my stomach with air. At that point I remembered something my doctor said. "You have to reduce your starches." I immediately cut out bread, rice, pasta, potatos and simple sugar, and I began to lose weight immediately. I did not change my workout routine. I continued to lift 3 days and run 5 days. I got back down to 178 within 3 months, and then I stalled. I read Dr. Atkins book and began to do it his way, and now I'm down to 165 and I'm reading Atkins for Life. Even though I'm 15 to 20 pounds heavier than high school, I have the same high school waist and a new six-pack! I love Atkins! It seems that if I stay at around 30 carbs per day, I lose and can easily maintain. It's easy to stay this way simply because I feel bad when I eat too much starch, plus I'll admit to a bit of vanity! Keep up the great work.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11679266571603526922noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13260386.post-35705919710141646602007-07-10T08:50:00.000-05:002007-07-10T08:50:00.000-05:00I'm with you Regina. I tried to follow the low fa...I'm with you Regina. I tried to follow the low fat dogma for several years. First I did Weight Watchers to try to stay below 200. Then I balooned up to 350 and foolishly went back to WW again, stubbornly clinging to the low fat dogma I thought to be true. I did get below 300, but eventually crept up to over 350, how far I really don't know. I was frustrated and gave up on losing weight. Then I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. In diabetes education, they told me to follow the low fat dogma. I eventually found low carb and am down 100 lbs with much better blood sugar, blood pressure, and lipids. Sugar is the enemy, starch is bad, and fat & protein are my friends.renegadediabetichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11710855525093861921noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13260386.post-22246630216868317002007-07-09T17:31:00.000-05:002007-07-09T17:31:00.000-05:00I lost about 40 pounds in the first six months, wh...I lost about 40 pounds in the first six months, when I started about five years ago, and I have kept that off, with ease. Recently started watching portions, and dropped a few more. <BR/><BR/>maintaining my weight loss is very easy, I just eat the right foods, eggs, meat, low starch vegetables, etc. and avoid the bad ones... I never count carbs per se, I just eat as much as I feel like from the "legal" foods. <BR/><BR/>I cheat here and there - some bread at a nice restaraunt, or a few beers too many, etc... but it doesn't seem to make any real dent. I recently had an extravagant dessert at a nice restaraunt-I gained a pound or so in the next couple of days, but lost it just as fast. When I go on vacation, however, I binge like crazy-I go out of my way to eat ALL the bad stuff... I always gain 10 pounds or more (depends on how long the vacay lasts), and feel truly wretched at the end... and I cant wait to get back to my normal diet.<BR/><BR/>I should add that I drink a bit more than I probably should, but a lot less than my pre-low carb days. I just can't drink like that anymore! I used to down 10 or more pints of guinness on a Friday night, now I can only handle four or five...Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15606061098538457496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13260386.post-5800193110405704712007-07-09T15:01:00.000-05:002007-07-09T15:01:00.000-05:00Thanks for the info and congratulations on your su...<I>Thanks for the info and congratulations on your success! You truly are an inspiration!</I><BR/><BR/>Why....thank you!.https://www.blogger.com/profile/09224160356421549054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13260386.post-44192316768235922612007-07-09T14:58:00.000-05:002007-07-09T14:58:00.000-05:00"Ooops, sorry, my bad - I thought my starting weig..."Ooops, sorry, my bad - I thought my starting weight was in my profile - my highest weight (pre-WW) was 275-pounds; I lost 20 with WW and the rest with Atkins, settling into maintaining at 185-190."<BR/><BR/>Thanks for the info and congratulations on your success! You truly are an inspiration!<BR/><BR/><BR/>And thanks to werebere for detailing his daily carb consumption - it's very helpful.Darwinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09166523097869417295noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13260386.post-52123507852575857122007-07-09T12:14:00.000-05:002007-07-09T12:14:00.000-05:00This month marks 4 years of eating Low Carb (about...This month marks 4 years of eating Low Carb (about 60 grams a day.)<BR/><BR/>I lost 50 pounds in 4-5 months when I first started, and it's pretty effortless to keep it that way. Aside from living on the 3rd floor (no elevator) and taking walks, I don't exercise.<BR/><BR/>Sticking with low carb has been simple for me because of two main factors (aside from the fact that IT WORKS):<BR/><BR/>1) I don't have those late night prowling hungries a few hours after my "healthy" low fat meal, I eat a low carb meal and am very satisfied.<BR/><BR/>2) I feel much better. I sleep better, have more energy during the day, my disgestive upsets have vanished, my skin is clearer, the benefits go on & on.<BR/><BR/>People have to find what works for them. But with me, it was a metabolism issue; eating 300 carbs a day on my low fat regimen was making me tired and overweight. Low fat only worked for me when I also exercised like a maniac. When health issues made me stop that for two months, I could never make it work for me again.WereBearhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17746779803342657146noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13260386.post-33264506288858070472007-07-09T02:05:00.000-05:002007-07-09T02:05:00.000-05:00Because vegetable oils are unhealthy. Best fats a...Because vegetable oils are unhealthy. Best fats are organic butter, virgin coconut oil, cold-pressed extra-virgin olive oil.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13260386.post-7685789484472169482007-07-08T04:10:00.000-05:002007-07-08T04:10:00.000-05:00A couple of you have said you avoid veg oils, can ...A couple of you have said you avoid veg oils, can I ask why?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13260386.post-50169374595935253662007-07-07T14:22:00.000-05:002007-07-07T14:22:00.000-05:00I figure I lost about 35 pounds of fat, but from w...I figure I lost about 35 pounds of fat, but from weight lifting gained about 25 pounds of muscle, very strong by normal standards, not by weighlifting standards. I am curious if my body 'wanted' to weigh more, and added muscle when it couldn't add fat. RobAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13260386.post-77708983208283806512007-07-07T13:28:00.000-05:002007-07-07T13:28:00.000-05:00Posting from email received:For some reason, your ...<B>Posting from email received:</B><BR/><BR/>For some reason, your web page was not accepting my password, and I wanted to send in a response.<BR/><BR/> <BR/><BR/>I was never that overweight, but did lose 22 lbs in five weeks after starting to eat LC. I went from 155 to 133. (I am 5'8") I maintained that weight for seven years, eating between 50-60 grams/day of carbohydrates and about 75 grams/day of protein. I also maintained a vigorous exercise regimen and did both resistance and aerobic training.<BR/><BR/> <BR/><BR/>Lately, I have developed a painful back condition (unrelated to anything metabolic), which precludes my going to the gym. Without the exercise, I dropped another 10 lbs and now weigh around 125. Strangely, I've had to increase my caloric intake in order to maintain that weight.<BR/><BR/> <BR/><BR/>Chuck Berezin.https://www.blogger.com/profile/09224160356421549054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13260386.post-33477457055849954692007-07-07T13:10:00.000-05:002007-07-07T13:10:00.000-05:00I grew up normal sized (5'4" and 125lbs). Then in...I grew up normal sized (5'4" and 125lbs). Then in college I decided I needed to be "thin" and dieting/extreme exercised down to 108lbs. I was WAY to skinny. Because I couldn't maintain the starvation long, I went back to "normal" eating and ballooned up 60lbs in 6 months. The doctors said that's when the PCOS/IR kicked in. I had screwed up my body/metabolism with the dieting.<BR/><BR/>I gradually ballooned up and down - my highest weight was 301 - 2 years ago. I have been on about every known low-cal/low-fat diet and always stalled about around 200lbs. I just couldn't go down to 800 calories a day and not be STARVING. That was the level I needed to eat to lose weight. I felt like I was really screwed. I had a lapband installed in July 2005 and funny enough, stalled at around 215lbs. Sure I'm not hungry at 900 calories or so, but the amount of food I was eating was not getting me sufficient nutrition. I was seriously worried about that. Plus, what a bummer, to sit with you family and literally be eating a tabl. or this and a tabl. of that.<BR/><BR/>I had my 15 year old daughter tested for IR (I have PCOS and so does she) and her insulin levels were CRAZY high but her blood sugars were fairly normal. She had slightly elevated blood pressure (she showed Metabolic Syndrome). I knew that Glucophage worked for some women with PCOS (not me), but it worked BETTER for young girls. At the time that my daughter had her 3hr GTT, my husband had one with her (in support with her and his BS levels looked "suspcious"). Well he ended up being "early-diabetic" IR and her high insulin levels were confirmed. My husband also has VERY high cholesterol.<BR/><BR/>I knew at this time that I HAD to do something for my families health. For the first time in my life, eating right was about keeping my family healthy and LIVING. I really "got it" this time.<BR/><BR/>I actually got some of the best information at your website and started us all on a low-carb lifestyle. We are also taking Omega 3's avoiding vegetable oils and here's the results. My daughter is also taking Glucophage and from what I can tell will always be taking it.<BR/><BR/>My weight is dropping by about 2-4lbs a WEEK now (I still need to lose another 50-60lbs in order to start on Plastic surgery for all the hanging skin issues), my 15 year old has dropped 41lbs as of this week and is an advocate at school for the obese teenagers, all the while promoting a low-carb lifestyle to them (and believe me she tells me every single day how she's NOT dieting and NOT suffering - she loves this WOE) and my husband's cholesterol is super normal now and his blood sugar is very very controlled. We don't every forsee him going to insulin!<BR/><BR/>This WOE works and my family is a testament to that!Low Carb Band-Ithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16464909591754639325noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13260386.post-84748180182909381452007-07-07T05:22:00.000-05:002007-07-07T05:22:00.000-05:00I was glad to have found your blog as the low-carb...I was glad to have found your blog as the low-carb is not yet very known here in Finland where I currently reside and it makes you feel lonely as nobody understands what you are talking about. Relapses for me come most often when invited for dinner. The Finns are quite keen on their potatoes and an endless discussion seems to go on about which variety is the best and tastiest and having the opinion that potatoes are not really good for you, they are prefect for fattening pigs up, well they do not take me seriously.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13260386.post-13588585577497422692007-07-06T21:13:00.000-05:002007-07-06T21:13:00.000-05:00After I reached 255lbs at age 17 and 5'10", I star...After I reached 255lbs at age 17 and 5'10", I started out with a low fat, fairly high carb diet, with calories intake between 900-1200 cals/day. I got down to 170 lbs and maintained that weight for 30 years. <BR/><BR/>Then I noticed my weight slowly creeping up and found it difficult to eat fewer calories and still feel OK. I was eventually diagnosed with IGT and switched to approx 100g carbs a day with no grains except a small amount 2 meals per weekend. I replaced the carb calories with more fat a bit more protein. Also eat 5-6 smaller meals a day. I have FBG of 84mg/dl now and rarely go past 120mg/dl pp. Great cholesterol numbers and an A1c of 4.8%. I also lost 20 lbs without trying to lose weight.<BR/><BR/>SteveAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13260386.post-47259747334046144412007-07-06T18:51:00.000-05:002007-07-06T18:51:00.000-05:00Low carb to lower the weight and then low-ish carb...Low carb to lower the weight and then low-ish carb to maintain. It's the only diet where I can eat as much as I want. Without that aspect of it maintenance is impossible for me. And it's the only diet that improved all my blood metrics.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13260386.post-11745428549002293862007-07-06T17:45:00.000-05:002007-07-06T17:45:00.000-05:00Male, 39. I'm just at the end of another failed c...Male, 39. I'm just at the end of another failed cycle of standard low-cal dieting. Took 30 lbs off for a reunion last year and looked pretty good. But the only way to maintain that was calorie counting. As soon as I relaxed my counting, the weight returned, and now I'm right back where I started, almost exactly one year later.<BR/><BR/>For me, it's the <I>convenience</I> factor of fast foods that makes weight regain too easy. If we could just drive through any restaurant and order a <I>good tasting</I>, calorie-controlled meal, I think things would be a lot easier. I enjoy intense-tasting foods like Tex-Mex, Thai, and Indian; unfortunately, most of those come loaded with calories, too.<BR/><BR/>I haven't tried low-carb yet, I'm almost afraid to. Over the last 15 years, I've re-cycled and brought my set-point weight up from 175 to 195, and am about 25% bodyfat right now (I would like to maintain around 10% -- LOL and "good luck").<BR/><BR/>If programs like Atkins really can keep you from feeling hungry all the time, that would be wonderful. That's really the hard part about dieting, is the being hungry all the time (and the difficulty of trying to "work out" when you're hungry and weak).<BR/><BR/>I do believe that having a personal trainer who would force me to do the exercise, and be accountable of your eating, might help me a bit.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13260386.post-1252392906578499602007-07-06T17:29:00.000-05:002007-07-06T17:29:00.000-05:00If it's this link, I did. It doesn't list actual w...<I>If it's this link, I did. It doesn't list actual weights.</I><BR/><BR/>Ooops, sorry, my bad - I thought my starting weight was in my profile - my highest weight (pre-WW) was 275-pounds; I lost 20 with WW and the rest with Atkins, settling into maintaining at 185-190..https://www.blogger.com/profile/09224160356421549054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13260386.post-90167090826047889802007-07-06T17:13:00.000-05:002007-07-06T17:13:00.000-05:00See my profile...If it's this link, I did. It doe...<I>See my profile...</I><BR/><BR/>If it's <A HREF="http://www.blogger.com/profile/09224160356421549054" REL="nofollow">this link</A>, I did. It doesn't list actual weights. Again, it's not an issue if you don't want to discuss them. Thanks for detailing your protein and carbo intake though - I'm always wondering about what constitutes a "low-carb" diet - it varies so much from person to person.Darwinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09166523097869417295noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13260386.post-38907055547580245522007-07-06T16:38:00.000-05:002007-07-06T16:38:00.000-05:00Also, if I may ask, what was your original weight ...<I>Also, if I may ask, what was your original weight (pre-WW) and how much weight did you lose before plateauing and switching to a protein-heavy diet? (And how much weight did you lose after going low carb - was it more than with WW?) </I><BR/><BR/>See my profile...<BR/><BR/>Also, my weight loss was not with a "protein heavy" diet, but a fat rich diet that was adequate for protein (essential amino acids) and remains protein adequate for my current weight (96-100g average a day)....I continue to control carbohydrate (60-120g per day) and whatever fat is in my diet is in my diet - it is what it is, I don't specifically pay much attention to fat other than to take a fish oil supplement (for omega-3 fatty acids) and avoid vegetable oils. So, my diet is still "high" in fat by current recommendations..https://www.blogger.com/profile/09224160356421549054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13260386.post-1401473737844299762007-07-06T16:30:00.000-05:002007-07-06T16:30:00.000-05:00Also, if I may ask, what was your original weight ...Also, if I may ask, what was your original weight (pre-WW) and how much weight did you lose before plateauing and switching to a protein-heavy diet? (And how much weight did you lose after going low carb - was it more than with WW?) No problem if you don't want to share this information. I was just curious.Darwinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09166523097869417295noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13260386.post-62493237198880990412007-07-06T15:35:00.000-05:002007-07-06T15:35:00.000-05:00I was one of those dieters who gained and lost and...I was one of those dieters who gained and lost and regained over and over again---even suffering from bulemia for 30 years---until I reached a whopping 375lbs, I'm only 5'2". I ended up having gastric bypass surgery. I've now lost over 200 lbs.<BR/>The thing that keeps my weight off is following a ketogenic approach->70% fat. But the big thing is now I have motivation--I didn't go through major surgery just to regain it all back once again. So many do.<BR/>Even though I went through a serious bout last summer and regained 35 lbs---all because of re-adding carbs back into my plan. I got a handle on it ---now I have done my research about real nutritional science, so I know what and how much to eat. The regained weight is coming off once again.<BR/>Also working with a therapist dealing with my emotional issues with food has been a lifesaver too.BGhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17518968315887863047noreply@blogger.com