I have been a big girl my whole life. Not always bothered by it, I have a big personality that usually overcame any insecurities I may have been feeling. I have never been disgusted or ashamed of my size, however I have never really embraced it as I have often felt uncomfortable in certain situations.
I have a phobia of photographs, I do not take a good picture. I simply can't stand to see photos of me, period. I do some amateur open-mic stand up comedy and the first time I was video taped I was mortified. I guess I just don't see my self as others see me. I never thought I was that FAT! I have always tried to look my best and was sure that I did. I am friendly and outgoing and I thought that would be enough to make up for my obvious weight problem.
I can't say that I have tried every diet fad out there, but quite a few. Every time I would try and fail I could fall back on the man who loves me and the friends that surround me, none which care at all about my size.
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| My husband Bob and his pet squirrel Rock |
I have lost and gained at least 150 lbs over the years and I have 5 different sizes of clothes hanging in my closets. 32 being my largest and 14 at my smallest.
I finally said ENOUGH!
My dad is a large man, probably where I got the fat gene ('ya think) and when he was diagnosed with diabetes, in his late 50s I realized then I need to do something now. I wasn't getting any younger and the older I got the harder it would be for me to take it off.It was a no-brainer to cut all sugar out of my diet. I never considered that pasta, rice and bread were also effecting me in the same way.
Researching the effects of carbohydrates on the body and trying to understand the way my metabolism works. I read an article on a Ketogenic lifestyle (no carbs).
When I found out that a diet similar to this is also used to help control epilepsy I thought this is not for me. I read on and found out it just might control the insomnia I have had my whole life. Most people just assume I have sleep apnea 'cause I'm fat. Nope, I been checked, by the way I don't have high blood pressure, high cholesterol or problems with high sugar (never have).
The doctor says I am an anomaly, but the it will catch up with me.
I made a commitment to try this way of eating and living for a month.
The plan was 0 carbs and high protein, basically meat, seafood and poultry. I made a plan and followed it to the letter.
The one thing I did not want to do was fall into the high fat trap, and I knew that I had to track absolutely everything I ate and drank. Two weeks before I started I spent time tracking my food consumption and I found out even though I cut out sugar, I ate a lot of carbs. I am a bread and pasta junkie. I really never did eat a lot of sweets. Maybe the occasional piece of cheesecake, pecan pie, or a donut. It has been the high carbs, bread and pasta that have added a lot of calories to my diet. I mean it's hard to practice portion control when you make a mean fettuccine Alfredo with crusty garlic bead and a good bottle of wine. Especially when you love to cook with friends and enjoy hosting dinner parties as I do.
I was FLOORED to add up my calories and see that my carb count was through the roof
I started to back off the carbs for a week to prepare for my plan.
On a Monday (you can't start on a weekend, are you crazy) with high hopes that I could do this for a month.
I had my fridge and pantry cleaned out. I gave all my food to the boy scouts for their food drive. I had replaced it all with fish, chicken, turkey, tuna and eggs.
I logged into sparkpeople.com where I could log my food intake everyday and It would help me keep track of my carbs, calorie, protein and fat intake. (great site)
Most of my problem has always been my work schedule. I work 13 hour days with 2 hours of driving 5 and ½ days a week. I would have to prepare my lunches to take to work.(no ordering out as usual)
I rarely made breakfast because I left so early for work, I usually grabbed something on the way. Not anymore. I would now have to make breakfast, and get up a little earlier!
I was warned by negative nay sayers that I would have no energy and I would not be able to concentrate.
The reality is that I felt no different until 6 days into it when I felt really tired all of the sudden. After a good night sleep, (notice I said good night sleep) I woke up feeling great! This was expected, I just didn't know when it would happen. It is when your body stops converting carbs into glucose for energy and starts burning fat for energy instead. The process is called ketosis. After this took place I had ample if not more energy. Now back to “a good night sleep”. I never have a good night sleep. I now sleep fairly soundly and longer than my normal 4 hrs. a night. I feel rested and have energy to burn all day.
I never was on a diet where I watched the scale move so steadily in the right direction. This was the motivation that I needed. After a month I decided that this a lifestyle that I could live with, I just feel better (even though I have had 2 instances of having too many drinks with friends and craving sugar for my hangover remedy)5 months later and 65 lbs. Lighter. I have given away 2 sizes of clothes from my shrinking wardrobe. I no longer feel the need to keep them around “just in case”. I celebrate this choice with learning as much about it as possible. I have a book of recipes, tips and knowledge to live by and share with others. This has become a way of life as I have 100 lbs more to go.
Recipes to follow.
Talk to 'ya soon
Jeanette
