My Progress!

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

More Tweaking....OUCH! That hurt!


Ok, so on with the diet-related post of the day. I've been doing fairly well since my burger bungle the other day. On program, but ate relatively little yesterday. Back on track today although I think I overate at lunch today so having a light dinner of sandwich and orange slices tonight.

I'm having to re-evaluate the whole treadmill thing. My knee has started to flare up and my doctor has basically told me that I need to stick with strength training or water training for now. At least until I get some more weight off or my knee heals completely. So, it looks like I'm going to have to find a way to scrape some money together to pay for the pool at my bariatric center until the YMCA opens their pool. It should only be for a few months.

I think he really wants me on a low carb diet too which I'm not all that jazzed about, but I know with the PCOS, thats what I really need to be doing. When I've low carbed in the past, I've felt much more "normal" than I am when I'm just counting calories and fat. I know it has to do with the insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia I've been diagnosed with. When I am low-carbing, I don't have those crazy fluctuations in blood sugars that typically cause the intense and constant hunger I experience when I'm eating unhealthy or following a more low-fat diet.

I remember the first time I did Atkins as an adult. About two weeks into it, I was finishing a dinner, which was probably 6-8 chicken wings and a small salad. I wasn't all that hungry but knew that I needed to eat to get enough carbs and calories in for the day. I turned to my husband and said "you know, I get it now." "I get why skinny people who don't have issues with food can look at someone like me and not understand WHY we eat like we do...WHY we can't just eat when we are hungry and stop when we are full." When I'm low-carbing, I finally feel like a skinny person. I don't obsess about food. The chronic hunger and cravings are GONE. I eat when I'm hungry; many times I have to actually remind myself to eat.

Conversely, when I'm not watching what I eat, I am ravenous ALL the time. I obsess about food and never really feel "full." Actually, when I'm eating low-fat, this does improve somewhat, but I tend to lose MUCH more slowly on a low-fat diet. I really think that that is what will eventually make me transition into a low carb diet. I don't want to have to have bariatric surgery, but at this weight, I need to get it off as quickly as possible. I have too many co-morbidities now and I'll be honest with you...bariatric surgery isn't completely off the table. I want to do whatever is necessary to get me healthy for myself and for my son.

Anyway, I have a call into the gym at the bariatric center. Hopefully I'll hear from someone soon. Until then, I'll keep up with my at home strength training. I know that as I strengthen my muscles around my knee, it will help it heal properly so it isn't like I'm doing NOTHING. More muscle burns more fat too!


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8 Comments:

Katie said...

I think the hardest part of dieting is choosing a plan that works for you. I follow Atkins and it works for me, but I realize that it is really hard to stick with for a lot of people. I hope you are able to figure out what works best for you.

I'm sorry to hear about your knee. :( It sucks to be motivated to workout but have your body rebel.

Libby's Library said...

I had to drop by, after seeing your comment at Tatersmama. I wish you the very best luck, on your journey to a healthier life. I've stuggled with being overweight ALL of my life, and I know the difficulty of your task ahead.
Please, take care of your knees. I've just had my second knee surgery, and it ain't no picnic.
I'll be checking back in to check on your progress

Beth @ Kitchen Minions said...

as a fellow pcoser and former low-carber I agree with you. I just can't do it (low-carb) It's soo hard. However, it is SO much easier to lose weight on low-carb. I've thought about it, but just can't... I'd rather lose super slow and eat well than do low carb again...Good Luck!

fatfighter said...

So sorry about your knee. I hate it when I have pain that keeps me from doing what I want. I hope you can get to a pool soon.

Ria said...

Sorry to hear about your knee! I can imagine how frustrating it is to have an obstacle pop up in your path so soon, but don't let it discourage you. The pool idea sounds great for now, and as you say, with a little time to heal and a little more weight off you'll be able to hop back on "Jessie" soon enough.

I wish you the best in your search for the right plan. I have mild insulin resistance - my endo offered meds, but I passed on those in favor of diet and exercise. I've never done strict low-carb, but I definitely try to limit the high-glycemic index carbs - sort of "South-Beachy". If you're interested in alternatives to strict low-carb that offer many of the same blood-glucose control benefits, you might want to check out South Beach and/or a book called "The New Glucose Revolution".

Good for you for getting back on track after the burger incident! A strategy that has worked well for me is to develop healthier versions of things I love (definitely a burger girl here too). So when I'm in that mood, I make my own - 95% lean beef on the foreman grill, a 100-calorie Arnold whole wheat sandwich thin, lower-fat cheese with some baby spinach and red onion and I'm good to go, for a reasonable calorie price.

Having some computer issues at the moment, but when they're resolved I'll definitely post pics of the ridiculous sunglasses :)

Catherine said...

I'm so glad I found your blog - you and I have a lot in common and I'll be watching your progress and cheering from cyberspace :)

LC is the answer and you can absolutely do this!

Anonymous said...

I can relate to pain...mine is in my back but I have had it in the knee's too and it's no fun :(

I agree with everyone else...you have to do what program works for you. Everyone is so different. Just do what feels most comfortable for you and your lifestyle.

Best of luck!

A Daunting Tale of Scale Warfare said...

Whatever you can stick to is the program for you! I personally havent ever been successful for more than a few weeks at a time (if that) on low carb, but there are so many others that have found that to be the life style that works best for them!

You are doing all of the right things, you are attempting whatever excercise you are currently capable of, you are working through which life style changes you need to make, so be proud of yourself.

Something that Jillian Michaels always talks about in her workout DVD's is how doing boxing moves is such a great workout, so for people who arent able to move their legs as much as they'd like (or at all) doing different punching moves can really help you get a great cardio workout in.