Finally starting to feel better

I started my weight loss journey last June. When I started I was at an all time high of 214lbs. and I am only 5'2" so I was very obese. I really had no idea what to do and for the first couple of months I pretty much just winged it basically starved myself. When I came across MFP I was down to 190lbs. that was last October. I really did not exercise that much. I was always so tired and I just did not have the energy to do it. I did loose weight but I still had no energy and did not feel that good. I thought what the heck I thought that loosing weight would make you feel better. Its not like I ate crappy either I really started to study nutrition and I feel like I eat really healthy. I do let myself have a treat every now in then in moderation but it is mostly healthy fats, fruit, veggies, protein and small amounts of carbs. I got frusterated and even gave up for about a month. The whole point of me loosing the weight was to be and feel healthy. I then found this amazing all natural supplement . I am not sure if you guys have heard of it, it is called Thrive by Le-vel. Its all natural vitamin supplement that you take with a shake in the morning. I can not tell you the difference this has made in my life. I have so much energy now. I fell amazing, its like having an overall feeling of health. I have even started to exercise more I feel that good. I am up to walking 4 miles in 60 minutes and doing 15 minutes of general core training. I am working up to more but since I never exercised really before I am trying to start slow.

(edited by moderator)

Replies

  • Ninkyou
    Ninkyou Posts: 6,666 Member
    I'm going to start this by saying I'm also 5'2 and started at 211 lbs in June of this year. When I first started MFP it gave me the generic 1200 calories a day. By the end of the week I threw that out the window and upped my calories because I want to sustain a healthy diet while losing weight.

    My first thought reading through your post is that you're probably eating 1200 or less calories a day, because when you undereat like that, you WILL feel like crap. You don't have any energy and you're lethargic.

    My Second thought was, oh great, here we go again with the supplements. I had to look this one up, since I'd never heard of it, and wow... the contents....

    Chromium (which is a metal) 200 mcg... suggested dosing for Chromium is 30mcg. Per webMD, Some people experience side effects such as skin irritation, headaches, dizziness, nausea, mood changes and impaired thinking, judgment, and coordination. High doses have been linked to more serious side effects including blood disorders, liver or kidney damage, and other problems. I'm not sure how much is a high dose, but this doesn't seem "win" to me.

    Selenium 90 mcg. Daily recommended does for adults is 55mcg. Per webMD, Selenium is LIKELY SAFE for most people when taken by mouth in doses less than 400 mcg per day, short-term.
    Higher doses are POSSIBLY UNSAFE. They can cause significant side effects including nausea, vomiting, nail changes, loss of energy, and irritability. Poisoning from long-term use is similar to arsenic poisoning, with symptoms including hair loss, white horizontal streaking on fingernails, nail inflammation, fatigue, irritability, nausea, vomiting, garlic breath odor, and a metallic taste.
    Selenium can also cause muscle tenderness, tremor, lightheadedness, facial flushing, blood clotting problems, liver and kidney problems, and other side effects.
    There is concern that taking selenium for a long time might not be safe. Long-term consumption of selenium supplements appears to increase the chance of getting type 2 diabetes. It also seems to increase the risk of skin cancer recurrence. There is also some concern that having too much selenium in the body might increase the risk of overall death as well as death from cancer.

    Vanadium, 25mcg.
    People get vanadium from food and from supplements. An average diet provides 6 to 18 mcg of vanadium per day. The various vanadium supplements contain a different amount of vanadium, depending on the chemical compound used. For example, vanadyl sulfate contains 31% elemental vanadium; sodium metavanadate contains 42% elemental vanadium; and sodium orthovanadate contains 28% elemental vanadium.
    The National Institute of Medicine has set the tolerable upper intake level (UL) of vanadium, the highest intake amount for which no unwanted side effects are expected, at 1.8 mg per day of elemental vanadium for adults. No UL has been set for infants, children, and pregnant or breast-feeding women. In these groups, vanadium intake should be limited to food or infant formula.
    Vanadium is LIKELY SAFE in adults, if less than 1.8 mg per day is taken. At higher doses, such as those used to treat diabetes, vanadium frequently causes unwanted side effects including abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, nausea, and gas. It can also cause a greenish tongue, loss of energy, and problems with the nervous system.
    Vanadium is UNSAFE when used in large amounts and for a long time. This increases the risk of serious side effects including kidney damage.
    Vanadium might lower blood sugar. People with diabetes should check their blood sugar carefully and watch for signs of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).


    And then there's the usual suspects like different caffeines, green coffee bean, etc.

    So yea... all sorts of win. NOT.
    IMO, eat a healthy amount of food, within a sustainable caloric deficit, and you'll probably feel 100% better and you'll be happier and healthier. Also, research the supplements you're planning on using.

    Just my two cents.
  • HappyStack
    HappyStack Posts: 802 Member
    IMO, eat a healthy amount of food, within a sustainable caloric deficit, and you'll probably feel 100% better and you'll be happier and healthier. Also, research the supplements you're planning on using.

    Just my two cents.

    Agreed. I'm slightly taller at 5'4, but I started out at over 250lbs, and I've lost over 100lbs (before putting more weight back on in the process of "recomposing" my body) with zero supplements to help me feel like I can do it. I eat well, I exercise, I get out into the sunshine and have some fun.

    In my opinion you definitely don't need supplements to drag you through it, like weight loss needs to feel like you're being pulled through a hedge backwards. It can be fun and it should definitely make you feel better without pills, oils, rubs or lotions.
  • I will admit that at first MFP had me on a 1251 calorie a day diet. I did stick with that for awhile. I am now eating around 1400 calories a day. I do eat very healthy anyone is more than welcome to come look at my food journal. I do allow myself the occasional splurge now and then. I took the pamplets that had all the ingrediants of this supplement to my doctor and a friend of mine who is a nutritionist. They both said the same thing that it was all natural and that there was nothing in this that would hurt me. Actually my Doctor is thinking of trying it himself. All I know is that it has changed my life. I have more energy than ever and I am feeling great. This is not a push for anyone to run out and buy this product. I just wanted to share with you my story. Believe me I do not starve myself I eat every three hours and I feel satisfied. Thanks for you opinion's though I really like to hear what others think, It helps me learn.
  • mahanaibu
    mahanaibu Posts: 505 Member
    (edited by moderator)

    Have lost about the same amount as you, with the same overall picture (I'm a few inches taller, so weighed some more, but similar BMI), without any of this expensive crap.

    It's like they said in the Beverly Hillbillies about Granny's magic cold cure--yeah, just take this stuff, then rest in bed for 7-10 days and drink plenty of fluids and you'll be cured of your cold!