Introductions! (Can we re-introduce ourselves in light of recent events?)
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SteveKroll wrote: »I'm Steve, age 54. My wife and I started on keto last year after I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. Even though I was way overweight, I was initially less concerned about weight loss than just getting my blood glucose levels back to a normal range. My wife also joined me at the time, mostly out of convenience, so that we wouldn't have to follow different diet plans.
Several months later, I have lost 70 pounds and she is down almost 40. My blood glucose is normal now and I am no longer diabetic as far as the medical community is concerned. In the process, I've also eliminated my GERD and arthritic pain.
Wow, fabulous! What great pictures -- both of them, side by side like that to see all the progress you've made. Good job.
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I'm Tracee: I have been on MFP and LC (for the 3rd time) since March. I have lost about 16kg (about 35lbs).
I am soon 52. I am originally from Los Angeles but have lived in Oslo, Norway for the past 16 years (hubby is Norwegian). I have been heavy all of my adult life. Biggest was 305 lbs when I moved to Norway.
I lost some weight just from walking all the time the first couple of years here, so my normal weight has been between 265 and 275.
I had a stomach stapling when I was about 25 (the procedure was very new) .. lost 100 lbs, gained it all back plus. Something happened, stomachs stretch, staples pop. Whatever, my determination to be fat to protect whatever I was trying to protect would NOT be thwarted by surgery!
I have used various methods of weight loss, but always gained it back, until THIS TIME. because I have decided this is a lifestyle, not a diet. I chose low carb because my grandmother and both my parents got age onset diabetes after 50 (despite my mother never being more than 10lbs overweight). I am trying to avoid that fate, and although I may not be able to (it's in the dna), I can try keeping it in check. I also don't think I can live without cheese.
I am trying to lose weight because an accident and years of being so heavy have given me osteoarthritis (no cartilage between my bones) in both knees. Physical therapy has helped one knee, but not the other, so it looks like a will be getting a knee replacement, but they will not give it to me at this weight.
I also am tired of the burden of carrying the weight, tired of being fearful of flimsy chairs and jerks on airplanes. I want to walk without pain and feeling like I am lugging a 747 behind me.
I do plan on eating copious amount of carbs on my birthday, Christmas, Easter and a couple of other occasions. Otherwise, this is the way for me! I am not starving (any more than usual), not angry, only occasionally feel deprived, and I'm happy because I can eat cheese (did I say that again?)
I really do love this group. What a great bunch.0 -
Hello all, I'm F/58/5.4 and an avid weight lifter and fitness enthusiast in general. I've followed a primal way of life for a number of years. The past couple of years filled with life stresses and burdens resulted in 20 lbs gain. I started a standard keto diet as this WOE reasonates with me. I'm three weeks in and so far so good.
I enjoy reading your successes and struggles and I'm very grateful for your wisdom.0 -
Hello, I am trying so hard to eat less carbs but I crave them like crazy. I was once vegetarian and that is probably why. I lost about 70 pounds as a vegetarian making me about 170 , 8 years ago. I am a emotional eater and trying to keep a trace of the emotion that has lead to me over eating on a daily bases. At any rate I am considered diabete at 279 lbs. I use to be very active but had a spinal surgery in 2012 which has prevented me from becoming as active. After surgery I weighed 259 pounds but again stress and pain eating got me up to 270 pounds within a year. I was 273 pounds two weeks ago. My weight is all over the place and menopause has not been a great journey. I am determine to lose 100 pounds by the end of this year. I am currently trying a 1500 calorie diet. I just do not care for meat a lot but I know it will fill me up. I work out 4x's a week, I have tried weights again but due to my medical condition they have difficult to handle. I can lift no more than 5 pounds but I enjoy using the ergometer machine and walking. So here goes I will try the low carb diet I know people who have been successful at low carbs and I want to be on that list. So, I may write on this every day for help or just to report what I have done on a daily base.0
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Hi, I'm Karyn, female, 63, and was vegetarian for the last 20 years and most of my childhood. My bloodwork last year kept showing me at pre-diabetic no matter how hard I tried to get it under control. I repeated the bloodwork a few months ago assuming it would be ok and it wasn't. I suffered a spinal injury last year and am now sedentary awaiting my surgery. I want to lose some weight, but not muscle. I need that muscle! I want my bloodwork back to a more normal reading. I want my activities back, I miss my kayaking so much! Tomorrow will be 4 weeks in this WOL and I have lost about 10 lbs...my official weigh in day is tomorrow, but I expect it to be 10 lbs. I am thrilled with how great I feel and I can't wait to see the changes this WOL will bring for me. I am so grateful for all the amazing support I get from everyone here in the group. Thank you!0
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I am New to this group? My name is Deborah, 45. I have two boy 16 and 8. I started LCHF in April. I haven't been doing the greatest food wise. I have lost 18lbs. and. One of my pants fit!
I have reduced my carbs. I don't know exactly the breakdown... Hoping to learn all that.0 -
Hello everyone. I'm Jane. I'm from Bournemouth in UK but have lived in Dubai since 2003.
I used to be 5'9" but have shrunk with age(58 3/4) and am now 5'8". I grew up with my mother always telling me I was fat at 10.5 st(147lb, 66.7kg). I exchanged her for a husband who always told me the same thing and it wasn't until I was ill at age 35 and piled on 3 stone (42lb,19kg) that I actually realised that now I WAS fat and that I hadnt been before. Needless to say I finally got out of the marriage at 40 yrs old and I decided I would never go on a diet again!!!!
A couple of years later I married a much younger man(18 years, hehehe) and he didnt give a toss about my weight, just loved me for me! 15 years later we are still happily married and although I have put on more weight over the years he has never said anything negative(bless him) just worries for my health.
In 2002 I topped 103kg (231lb, 16st 7lb) and was breathless and not comfortable. My son told me about Atkins and as a committed carnivore I thought i would give it a go especially as it wasnt Counting calories/points etc as there was no way I was going to become obsessive about food again. Hubby joined me and we were amazed at how satisfying and easy it was. I lost 11kg he lost 13. Since then we have been mostly LC but have strayed for varying periods of time. Each time we come back and love this WOE. The last time was a couple of years ago when the in laws moved in with us and we had to accommodate their WOE too. When they moved in I weighed 93kg and in the last 2 years went up to 101.2. Enough! This far post menopause and with osteoarthritis in my knees, one badly, I knew I had to return to 'Atkins'. It was going to be far harder than when we first did it!
So now 3 1/2months in, 2 1/2 on MFP when I discovered LCHF, today I recorded my lowest weight for about 13 years!!! 92.6kg (14st 8lb/204lb) Hurray!!!
The support and help I have had from everyone on here has been amazing! Apart from my darling hubby (who today told me he had a craving....for very thick cream!!,lolol) I have had more positive help and friendship than I have ever had!
Thank you one and all!
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Good for you Jane on finding a decent man!0
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Hi I`m Pam 64 years of age, a retired widow living in the U.K.(anyone else U.K. based) Had a major success in 80s counting cals, lot more active then, slowly over time it crept back and some, I currently weigh, 134 lb, had to convert from U.K. stones and pounds, have lost 14lb in the last 2 months on low carb, fiddled with it a bit, and seemed to slow down now, so trying to stick within 15-20 carbs a day, love my meat, eggs and some veggies, no longer looking for bread and biscuits0
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Hi, Vicki here. 48, Aussie pining to be in England.
We're retiring in 6 years and want to spend a good deal of time in England. That would including a lot of wandering through through the villages and countryside. Last year I reunited with my Dad and after spending a few days with him and watching his weight and movement issues it struck me that I was well on my way to the safe future and that wasn't going to allow me to enjoy travelling. His main health issue is Diabetes that has developed into being insulin controlled. When I arrived home I did a lot of research into diabetes and through information from the Catalyst programme and follow up reading into low carb research decided I'd give it a go.
I've been fat since I was 5, on a diet since I was 10 and now I've found what works for my body.
I used mfp just for logging and one day decided to click on the community heading. I found this group and haven't looked back. It was such a relief to see that I wasn't alone and these guys have given me so much information and support.
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Hi, I'm Dan the Man from Michigan (originally a Texan), 58 years old, fat & balding, morbidly obese, insulin resistant, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetic.
I started over-eating from my youth, didn't get fat until I starting working. Then gained weight steadily, started a SAD diet. Did this several times over the years, it was an uphill battle all my life. I listened to the so called, "experts" all my life, the low-fat, low-salt diet & the "you-MUST-exercise" crowd. You know, Weight Watchers, your doctor's diets, and other low fat diets. Each time I was SO HUNGRY after losing the weight, I would vow never to do it again. I wouldn't hardly maintain it more than a few weeks at most. It would take me years to forget the pain of the SAD diet and pressure from my doc, family and Pastor (and many others that loved me) to start yet another round of a SAD diet. I would do it, lose the weight and gain it all back and then an extra 10-30 lbs more than when I started the diet.
I had a my family doc and diabetic doc put me on no less than (4) meds to suppress hunger, over the years, ~ none worked. I didn't control my diabetes well, because taking insulin is the most horrible way to control sugar levels. You don't time it right, you don't take enough or you take too much (which is dangerous). I was taking blood pressure med, cholesterol med, vitamin D, aspirin, Glipizide (diabetic), asthma med, two types of insulin, long acting (60 units) and fast acting (about 120 or more units) a day. All the usual meds for a diabetic. How I got Off of Diabetic Prescriptions Drugs Since I Started Keto
I peaked out at 331 lbs @ 7/29/2010. I was 323 on 7/29/2014. I decided to get Bariatric surgery, I had enough being fat, miserable and immobile. On 8/29/2014 I met with the Bariatric Program manager and she told me to get on a diet and lose some weight before I could get surgery. On that day, I started reading Phinney & Voleck's book on the Low Carb Ketogenic diet (that's not the actual title). On 8/29/2014 I weighed 314 lbs. It's Ketogenic or Bariatric! How I Found the Ketogenic Diet
It took me several weeks to get to the Ketogenic aspect of the diet. My first impressions of the diet was that the gnawing hunger went away. That was huge for me. And my joints quit hurting (even though I was still heavy). And since I love fat & salt, I was very happy with what I could eat.
I have now lost 86.5 lbs and weigh around 227.5. I have lost 14 pant sizes and from a 3X shirt to a 1X shirt. I have many other great things happen to me since starting the WOE. I am still grossly fat (do not ask for pics yet), and I need to lose about 27 lbs more (Goal weight = 190 lbs). I ONLY take (2) Metformin 850mg @ day and (2) 400mg magnesium citrate pills a day. Blog #13 DittoDan's Milestone's, First's And Good Changes Since Starting the Ketogenic Diet
Keto has pretty much brought me thus far, but for me, its not enough and I don't think it can get me to my goal quick enough. My goal has an end date and maybe in a couple years it could get me there, but I want the weight gone by 12-14 months from my start (this fall). So, I have chosen skip-a-day-of-eating water fasts that I generally do on Thursdays. My Blog: Intermittent Water Fasting & Keto
I don't do "gym" style exercise, but I chose sustainable exercise employing outdoor work and outdoor fun activities (details upon request). You Can't 'Outrun' Obesity: British Study Says Exercise Doesn't Help Weight Loss
Man, am I long winded?....LOL! Oh well, such is life...
I hope this helps,
Dan the Man from Michigan0 -
I've been attempting LC on-and-off since 2010. In 2010 my husband and I cut our carbs to 120 total g, and sugar to 15g per day. It worked fabulously, and for months we steadily lost. I was down to my lowest weight since early high school, around 137 lbs. Then we had some serious power losses due to weather, twice in a span of just over a month, and we threw out so much [expensive, mail order] low carb food that we sort of panicked and lived on fast food for months.
When we tried to get back on the LC way of eating afterward, we forgot that "Fat is our Friend," and tried to cut both. Not surprisingly, we were miserable, getting nowhere, and frequently binging on the old carb-laden friends just for emotional reward. This was the pattern for the next four years. Each "cheat day" turned into several months before we'd bolster up courage to "put ourselves through the misery" again. Like I said: No fat? No fun.
We tried a "moderation" awareness-based eating path earlier this year, but really it led to us just forgiving the poor choices more often than making good ones.
I decided to try LC again in late February, this time deciding not to worry about what my husband did (we often dragged each other down on bad days). Except this time I found a plan that was even more low carb. It promised 14 lbs in 28 days. After the first week, I figured out that this was a Keto WOE, and abandoned the plan to just find keto recipes and guides. I read everything I could find, voraciously. Everything clicked for me.
My husband was concerned over my enthusiasm at the start, mistaking my obsession over this WOE for obsession over my weight. When I told him during one conversation that I actually felt FREE from food, his interest was piqued. He had been sharing dinner with me just for convenience, and mostly eating his old LC-friendly breakfasts out of habit, so it was not a huge leap to fold him into this WOE and he joined me a month after I started.
The amazing thing this time is that I have had NO trouble avoiding a "cheat day," which we used to schedule for morale boosts (though I've always been aware it does more harm in the long run). We got through all sorts of holidays that would normally have been excuses for going off plan, with only small menu adjustments. For my husband's birthday, we had friends over and ordered them pizzas and made our own with the fathead recipe.
Now, for me, a "cheat day" is one where I eat over 20g of carbs. That would have seemed impossible to the old 120 g/day me.
I no longer see my old comfort favorites as desirable. My brain doesn't even register them as food. My skin has cleared up. I don't fart. I can go all day without food if necessary and not fall apart. I sleep better, wake earlier, have more energy... There are too many benefits I've discovered to list them all here. Most of all, the food is GREAT, and is more satisfying than anything else I've tried. Not to mention I have the energy to get home after work and cook a big meal and there's no temptation to cut corners by stopping for some brand name chemical mixer on the way home.
So here I am. From 166.6 lbs on 2/23/15 to 149 lbs as of this post. My clothes are still the same size, but they fit me completely differently than they did before. I recalculate at the ankerl calculator once a month. I weigh daily (AM) just to log the weight and track trends. Same with calories. I log everything I eat, but more to watch the carbs than anything else. I listen to my hunger cues and if I'm not hungry, I don't eat. If I'm emotionally hungry, I find a quick way to satiate the emotion, preferably not with food. If I'm over my calories but I'm still genuinely hungry, I eat. My body knows better than some number in a database, and really, transitioning to this WOE has really become about making peace with my body and finally listening - really listening - to it for the first time in my life.
My husband's lost 30 lbs at last measurement (he does stress the numbers, so he only weighs and tape-measures once per month). He doesn't track, and I plan the dinners for us because I enjoy it. He doesn't have to cut the carbs as far as I do to get the results, I would guesstimate he's closer to 75g per day, and he still seems to tolerate gluten.
I'm gluten free, anti-Aspertame/Sucralose, anti-cheat day, anti-cauliflower-as-starch-replacement, anti-tuber, anti-boxed foods. Probably a couple other antis that don't occur to me. I avoid sweeteners as much as possible, and hardly need them anymore anyway. I largely avoid anything that isn't an animal product, though I'll eat vegetables if I want to, I just don't usually want them enough. I'm under 17 total grams of carbs per day; more often I'm under 10 g. I take vitamin supplements each morning, and only do BPC if I can't have breakfast for some reason. Favorite meal is chuck steak, which I'll eat three times a day if there are no other plans or if my husband wants hot dogs, Five Guys, or something I don't care to join in on.
My current goal is to look as awesome (meaning energetic and healthy) as possible the next time our family gets together (this holiday). I'd really like to lead my family members into this WOE, and the best way (as my husband proved for me) is just to do my thing and let people see how effective it is at the markers they care about. My goal weight is 125-130 lbs. I don't expect, at this rate, to be there by [Northern Hemisphere] winter, but I'm also gaining muscle mass from strength training so the scale can't be the measuring tool of my success.0 -
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I really enjoyed reading this message. I guess we all have to find out what works. Today I am at 51g of carbons but I am planning a light dinner . Just chicken boiled and okra maybe a piece of watermelon for snack.0
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Hi, I'm Ed. I just joined the group and still trying to feel my way through the low carb approach. There seem to be a number of options and varying levels of carb intake, guess I have to find the level that will work for me. Just downloaded a kindle book by Sten Skaldeman that looks interesting and would appreciate other suggestions to help me along this path.0
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Hi everyone, I'm 52 years old, 5'6. I have been on MFP since 2011, and yes, I thought you had to have carbs or you would die. The last several years I have been lifting heavy weights, for strength and bone density and all that good stuff. I want to still be able to ride my Harley when I'm 70. But also the last few years I started really struggling with taking any weight off and a lot of hormonal issues. I started eating LCHF 35 days ago, to support my SO whose doctor recommended it. I was amazed when I started feeling fantastic after a couple of days, most of the hormonal symptoms I had just disappeared. Initially it didn't seem like I was losing much weight, but as of today the scale is showing 10 pounds down. (The man has lost 30 pounds). I don't really have a specific goal weight, but I do want the belly fat to go down, so body fat % or composition is more important to me at this point. I'm eating typically between 40-80 grams of carbs, 100 grams protein and the rest fat, and haven't had a lot of cravings or problems adjusting. I'm not eager to go back to feeling like I used to feel, so I think I will be continuing to eat this way.0
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Hi ya'll. I'm Cari 42, female highest weight 411 in 2007; currently 298.5. I've had all three bariatric surgeries. The last being RNY in January 2015. I've stalled 2 times for 6 weeks (so far) each time. I'm new to the LCHFMP approach. I've tried to wrap my head around everything at once (not working for me).. so today I am taking a new approach. I'm cutting carbs to 80 a day and going to work my way down from there.
I too had the mindset that fat was the **bad guy** so I'm learning. Boy is this all new to me. I've gotten some great advice from these boards.
I've been heavy all of my adult life. I started gaining weight after I was sexually assualted in 1991. I've used weight to keep people, mostly men, away from me. Now I am in a LOVING relationship with a great guy Reggie. He accepts me for me. He wants the best for me. He himself is having gastric sleeve done this summer if all goes well.
I thank everyone who contributes to the group... I learn so much.0 -
Hi everyone, I'm 52 years old, 5'6. I have been on MFP since 2011, and yes, I thought you had to have carbs or you would die. The last several years I have been lifting heavy weights, for strength and bone density and all that good stuff. I want to still be able to ride my Harley when I'm 70. But also the last few years I started really struggling with taking any weight off and a lot of hormonal issues. I started eating LCHF 35 days ago, to support my SO whose doctor recommended it. I was amazed when I started feeling fantastic after a couple of days, most of the hormonal symptoms I had just disappeared. Initially it didn't seem like I was losing much weight, but as of today the scale is showing 10 pounds down. (The man has lost 30 pounds). I don't really have a specific goal weight, but I do want the belly fat to go down, so body fat % or composition is more important to me at this point. I'm eating typically between 40-80 grams of carbs, 100 grams protein and the rest fat, and haven't had a lot of cravings or problems adjusting. I'm not eager to go back to feeling like I used to feel, so I think I will be continuing to eat this way.
I'm so glad you're feeling better!0 -
So glad you are here, Cari.
And to glossbones...one of my guilty pleasures is joking with my family about how I don't fart anymore and they still do. Yeah, I gotta still have those childish moments from time to time. LOL0 -
Hi! I'm Bernadette, 42, married for 15 yrs. with a 14 and 8 yr old. Of course, it's been on and off, but I've been on MFP for about 3 yrs, give or take. I've lost about 40 lbs in that time, depending on what day it is. I stopped drinking soda and lost 10 lbs the first year. I stopped eating gluten and lost another 10 that year. I've been low carb (< 30 g/day) since April 21st and have lost about 20lbs in that time- as much as the past two years combined!
I knew I had to go low carb because the only time I have ever lost a substantial amount of weight was when I'd go low carb or had a baby (weird, I know... morning sickness for 9 months). CICO just doesn't work for me unless I'm down to less than 1000 a day and starving to death in the meanwhile.
I lost 60 lbs. when I was 16, 50 when I was 25, and 60 when I was 32. Each time I'd gain the weight back because I would go back to eating like everyone else and end up in the same situation as before (or worse). This time I am determined to get down to a heathly weight and stay there... it's not so I'll look good this time, but because I want to be a healthy and energetic for my kids (and hopefully grandkids, one day!).0 -
I'm Diana, just turned 35 and just got married last November. My husband has 2 children so I have 2 stepchildren and I'm really hoping to get the okay later this year to start trying for a baby.
I was diagnosed with insulin resistant pcos ten years ago after having symptoms from at least the age of 16. I tried every kind of diet that all of my doctors suggested. For a long time I followed Weight Watchers where the meetings helped me discover all of the junk food I could eat for very little points. For a long time, I also beat myself up about everything I ate and believed that despite my best efforts at diet an exercise I was a failure.
When my most recent doctor handed me a pamphlet telling me what to eat, I was angry. When I realized that pamphlet is sponsored by a major manufacturer of diabetes medication I was furious. I decided about two months ago to turn my WOE on its ear and re-visit a lower carb diet. Right now I limit to 100 carbs (roughly 75 net) per day and while the pounds aren't melting off, I'm a new person. My skin is clearer, my sleep is better, I'm losing inches, and I have more energy. This has truly saved my life and I am grateful for everyone who has offered their story or their advice here.
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This thread is great! I love reading them all!0
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So glad you are here, Cari.
And to glossbones...one of my guilty pleasures is joking with my family about how I don't fart anymore and they still do. Yeah, I gotta still have those childish moments from time to time. LOL
Ha! Yeah, my mother seems to consider it a badge of honor to let one really loud! (My father did too before he passed) She calls them "floopas" Some family tradition, huh? I am sooo glad I have gotten rid of that disorder.
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Hello. I'm Louise, I'm 36 and married with 2 boys. I lost 4 stone on Atkins after my youngest was born but I've gradually regained it over the past 8 years as the barbs and sweet stuff have crept back in. I rediscovered LCHF again 2 months ago and it's all clicked very nicely this time despite the numerous attempts I've had to restart over the years all ending in failure after a few days. I'm 6kg down since restarting and my plan is to keep losing at a nice slow rate so that hopefully this time the weight will stay off.
My diet currently is strictly low carb (below 20g carbs per day), once I have hit my first goal of 14kg lost I intend to switch to a less restrictive paleo type diet. I have discovered in the last few weeks that grains do not agree with me so I need to keep them out of my diet long term.0 -
It
It's because our brains don't have carb fog.I can't help but notice this thread, and this entire group, boasts of people who are able to employ excellent grammar, spelling and punctuation in their posts.
And with that said, I hope my own post boasts this Hopefully, I haven't inserted any irony here.
Cheers to the uber literate low carb crowd!0 -
I'm T. Been low carbing off and on for years. Been dieting otherwise off and on for years too but low carb is easier, gives me better results and is more sustainable. I stay below 20 net carbs, sometimes below 20 (or 10) total carbs. I indulge in diet drinks almost every day. Atkins bars, Quest bars, flavored waters, HWC, and alcohol aren't my friends but I still visit them from time to time. I feel better physically when I am low carb. I can tell a huge difference. Also, there is diabetes in my family and I am trying to avoid it.
I am an emotional binger...blah. I used to beat myself up and then say screw it but now try to forgive myself and move back to keto eating. My diary is usually pretty accurate. I've lost 35 lbs.....over the years that isnt statistically significant but better than gaining.
I'm an every day weigher...lol. I track on the Libra app so i get the trend instead of freaking out over small losses or gains. It helps keep me on track.
Anyone feel free to friend me-mention low carb or keto in the friend request so i'll know. 0 -
Jess - keto 15 years, medically prescribed after an elimination diet. Turns out it helps the inflammation in my legs, too, so not deviating from it much even with the things that weren't eliminated. Had bypass a few years before the elimination diet and lost 300ish. Maintained that until 2 years ago. Got a blood clot, was in and out of the hospital with complications, didn't bother tracking or readjusting intake to my new non-existent activity level for a few years while dealing with that, gained some back, have since lost 65 since November again. Better part is that I finally got cleared to do real exercise again a few months ago.
My weight as a number is actually a pretty useless measurement, since I have lymphedema, and carry somewhere around 50lbs of lymph fluid in my legs. Even if I could get down to bodybuilding levels of bodyfat, my legs will probably still push me into a size 16 and an overweight BMI. My goal for now is to see if I can get back below 200 safely.
Have a DEXA scan next month, crossing my fingers that it gives me back good news. If nothing else, it should give me a better idea on muscle mass to reassess my macros.0
