What's your secret?
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I've just started LC eating (Atkins induction) and really appreciate this thread. Very motivating to read, thanks for sharing. .0
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For me, the "secret" was probably a combination of my doc recommending statins and my decision to go cold turkey on grains and sugary crap. Those two factors had the most influence on my success, and I'm starting to realize how few people succeed at this.
What's your secret?
When you say that your doc recommending you to do statins, did you then research it on Google, find out it was bad and in that search ~ one website led to another and you found out about Low Carb? (forgive me if I missed something here...)
I would find it hard to believe you think statins are a good thing?
Just asking, not argueing...
Dan the Man from Michigan0 -
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For me, the "secret" was probably a combination of my doc recommending statins and my decision to go cold turkey on grains and sugary crap. Those two factors had the most influence on my success, and I'm starting to realize how few people succeed at this.
What's your secret?
Now, to answer your question. As others said, I don't have a secret, but rather I had a fear and a path that lead me to Low-carb/keto.
In that path was finding out specifics on how and what a Keto diet is. I have known about low carbs since the 80's. I just didn't know there was a specific guideline and a mechanism your body goes through. And that mechanism is very rigid. You can't one day eat 200 g's of carbs, then 25, then 100 or do it willy nilly. Once I found out the science, it was easy for me.
The fear was easy, cause when you are 331 pounds, weird bad things happen to your body that aren't pleasant. I would get certain numbness in my arms. Your doc and family, friends are on your case all the time telling you your gonna have a heart attack, cancer, diabetes, expensive medical expenses, etc ad infinitum...
Dan the Man from Michigan
It's Ketogenic or Bariatric! How I Found the Ketogenic Diet0 -
My ah ha moment was an elevated A1C - I didn't want to go on any drugs, so wen't low carb. I do best when I log my foods on MFP. As far as a secret - I pre-prep most of my meals. Over the weekend, I cook many meals and then portion them out and use a food sealer, then freeze. All I have to do is take out a couple of meals before I go to bed and I've got lunch and dinner done. I also keep plenty of snack options around (cheese, olives, pepperoni, hard boiled eggs, etc) so that I've always got options.0
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At the age of 73 I finally just got sick and tired of being sick and tired. I took over my own health (still see doc but I do what I think is right). I'm doing much better, thank me (and God--not necessarily in that order).0
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<snip>
For me, the "secret" was probably a combination of my doc recommending statins and my decision to go cold turkey on grains and sugary crap. Those two factors had the most influence on my success, and I'm starting to realize how few people succeed at this.
What's your secret?
When you say that your doc recommending you to do statins, did you then research it on Google, find out it was bad and in that search ~ one website led to another and you found out about Low Carb? (forgive me if I missed something here...)
It was the threat of statins that motivated me. The guidelines changed within the last year or so, and now they are recommending statins to those with elevated risk of heart disease, even if total cholesterol and LDL are within the normal range.
For me, those risk markers were low HDL, high triglycerides, and high fasting blood glucose. All of which were "fixed" with a low carb diet. They only stay "fixed" if I stay relatively low carb, so it's a lifestyle for me now.
The doc simply recommended "weight loss" as an alternative to statins. I knew from previous experience that low-carb would address the lipid problems, so I did it for both the health markers and the weight loss.
I also increased my exercise activity a bunch. I'm really happy with the results of all three changes (lipids, weight loss, fitness). It's a win-win-win.
Edit: I should also add that there were multiple reasons for me to avoid statins. I'm not on any other meds, and I'd prefer to keep that status. Also, I view statins as using a sledge-hammer to fix a watch. They are not targeted specifically to reduce heart disease risk. They disrupt cholesterol generation at a very early stage. It's possible that they may help, but it seems more probable that they will do long-term harm.0 -
I was determined not to break another New Year resolution of "gonna lose that baby weight this year" especially as I couldn't really blame the "babies" anymore (my youngest is 3). Began on my 42nd birthday on 5 January which was also my first day back to work after the Christmas break and managed to avoid all the treats that a day like that usually brings. Had been talking to a friend during the Christmas holidays about the "banting" diet which I had told her I could never do as I love my bread too much and couldn't imagine what I would cook if I had to avoid rice and potatoes and pasta. Did a little research, read what Tim Noakes had to say on the subject and then dived right in. Haven't looked back (except for the odd biscuit that usually made me feel like crap) and am now down 18.5kgs. My secret is an extremely supportive family. My husband and kids eat what I am eating 9 times out of 10 (my 8 year old loves cauli rice and cauli mash) and the M.I.L who on the occasions she cooks for us gives me a total breakdown of what she has put in her recipe and has even adjusted some of her recipes to take out the carbs (she also washes and irons while I am at work, and no you can't have her lol)0
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baconslave wrote: »My secret?
I discovered I was lying to myself.
Once I stopped burying my head in the sand, and became self-aware, I realized I had no choice but to go low-carb, for the sake of my health and my family.
I have a med- lab science background and understand the mechanism of lchf very well... In theory.
Today I stepped on the scale and topped out higher than ever... Even than my 2 pregnancies. I've been telling myself that I'm special- my body works differently,and that I cannot do this because it makes me feel awful.
That's it. No more lies.
My dad has lost 50+ pounds doing lchf in the past 6 months. He has been very heavy, for years. If he can do this - I have no excuse.
I know the science works- and thanks to reading here- I know that I've probably never managed my sodium levels, in past attempts. This is probably not entirely appropriate for this thread but reading your stories helps me to find my motivation.0 -
baconslave wrote: »My secret?
I discovered I was lying to myself.
Once I stopped burying my head in the sand, and became self-aware, I realized I had no choice but to go low-carb, for the sake of my health and my family.
I have a med- lab science background and understand the mechanism of lchf very well... In theory.
Today I stepped on the scale and topped out higher than ever... Even than my 2 pregnancies. I've been telling myself that I'm special- my body works differently,and that I cannot do this because it makes me feel awful.
That's it. No more lies.
My dad has lost 50+ pounds doing lchf in the past 6 months. He has been very heavy, for years. If he can do this - I have no excuse.
I know the science works- and thanks to reading here- I know that I've probably never managed my sodium levels, in past attempts. This is probably not entirely appropriate for this thread but reading your stories helps me to find my motivation.
That's fine! Mission accomplished if it has helped you.
I'm a smart, educated woman, but I loved certain foods so much that I didn't want it to be true that I shouldn't/couldn't eat them. After all, my husband eats whatever he wants. And can moderate them. They obviously didn't love me though. And I'm incapable of moderating those foods. 100lb of extra weight ought have been enough evidence for me. But it wasn't.
After a very short time I learned that not only do I NOT NEED them, but I'm better without them. So much better. And if the naughty, sweets-loving part of myself needs attention, I discovered lower-carb solutions that taste great so I can occasionally treat myself. This WOE has everything that I NEED and that I WANT, healthy food that is delicious. I just needed that epiphany to break away from my destructive, and self-deceptive thought patterns.
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baconslave wrote: »My secret?
I discovered I was lying to myself.
Once I stopped burying my head in the sand, and became self-aware, I realized I had no choice but to go low-carb, for the sake of my health and my family.
This is me also. I did Sugar Busters a few years ago, lost some weight and actually did well. Then I stopped and regained the weight. I played around with Weight Wachers, CICO, IIFYM, etc. Nothing seemed to work, be as effective or kept my hunger satisfied like reduced carbs and sugar. I just kinda figured out over time that with my particular circumstances (PCOS and IR) that I will always have to be aware of the amount of carbs and sugar I am putting in my body. I am not super low carb, I go between 30-80 carbs per day and it works for me, but I know that I can never again subsist on 200-300 g of carbs per day like I was previously.0 -
AngInCanada wrote: »
I was just about to say the same thing! The appearance in age is astonishing. Awesome job!0 -
I don't have a secret...and maybe I won't ever. I've low-carbed before, and failed after achieving quite a bit of success in terms of weight loss. Its possible the failure was due those time to a willingness to have artificial sugars - so that's one thing I'm doing differently this time. Also, I'm on a mild antidepressant now so I think that probably is a factor that could contribute to future success. And finally, I'm making a conscious effort not to fall into the same old thinking traps: I deserve this treat. I'm stressed out so its okay to eat (insert name of high carb thing). I have to eat at x:xx.
I don't think I'd confidently say I have a secret...just that I'm stumbling along successfully right in this moment.0 -
My wake up call was a sky high A1C. My secret is always making sure I'm eating something I like and planning ahead when I eat out. I don't miss having one certain food that's higher in carbs if I'm having another food I like and I just think of it this way. No bagel, but yay, lox! I also plan by reviewing restaurant menus before I go out and deciding ahead of time what I will have. It gets me in the mood for that food and I'm not tempted by the menu and what others are having.0
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Magic beans.
*drop mic, walk away*0 -
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My secret is reading the posts written by others who have similar challenges which gives me the energy and insight to carry on and not give up. I may not always comment on the notes make stupid excuses for myself. Thank you all!0
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nicsflyingcircus wrote: »Magic beans.
*drop mic, walk away*
LOL
I had health issues I couldn't ignore anymore: pain, inflammation and prediabetes. In my experiences, I can't rely on doctors to do much so I changed what I could - my diet.0 -
baconslave wrote: »
I have actually told people that. "Magic beans, like Jack and the Beanstalk."
Surprisingly, they then regard me as if I might not be all there.0 -
nicsflyingcircus wrote: »baconslave wrote: »
I have actually told people that. "Magic beans, like Jack and the Beanstalk."
Surprisingly, they then regard me as if I might not be all there.
In your defense, they look at us as if we did really answer "magic beans" if we tell them what we honestly do anyway.
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My physician demanded I change my eating habits, gave me very specific instructions, and told me to book a follow up appointment in eight weeks. He said he'd be able to tell just by looking at me if I didn't do as he told me.
Oh, that was AFTER he totally ripped into me about my belly fat, completely wacky blood sugar levels, and acid reflux.
It was motivating.0 -
My secret? Don't underestimate how useful the blood of a virgin can be.0
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Michael Bisping's doppelganger, minus the cauliflower ears.
[Bisping is a 36 y.o. UFC welterweight fighter]0 -
For me it was the realization that I was walking the path of nearly everyone in my family: early heart attacks. I knew I was heading the wrong way and I also already knew what was one of the causes: insulin resistance. So I read and read and read and then I just started doing it. Peter Attia's work and the Bulletproof Diet (really) were great inspirations, although now I do BP coffee only when I need quick calories in the morning and I know I have little opportunity to eat during the day.
Over summer I was really suffering and I can't believe the change, now, after 4 months. I love the freedom from sugar cravings, and I lost 30 pounds, with my visceral fat going first. I'm mostly after health gain, not weight loss. I also realize that I can't go back to higher carb, that's a given and I resigned myself to that. But now I have hopes that I can survive turning 62.0 -
For me the secret was understanding WHY LCHF works.
I tried it several times before and missed out on the good info about fat being our key energy source, and our levels of electrolytes needing some help. Every day was the keto flu, and many of them ended with a plate of warm Tollhouse cookies. I don't think I ever made it more than a couple months without a 'cheat' day which would turn into several days.
Now I've been 'on the wagon' since February and really have no intention of getting off. I feel good, I eat like royalty, and have no reason to want to go back!0 -
My secret is that I don't feel like I'm on a diet. I don't crave breads, pasta or sugary foods. I love being in control of what I put in my body. Everyone always tells me they admire my will power, like at work when fast food is ordered, or someone brings in donuts. I don't even look at it as will power, it's just a way of living, and it really works for me. I've tried many diets and this is what WORKS for me,at the most important secret.
I feel bad for people on other diets who describe what they eat to loose weight. Always baked chicken/ fish and lots of salad. To me that's boring and I'd starve, and fail!0 -
I have a combination of secrets.
First, finding this group and logging foods in MFP.
I never ate LCHF before, this is my first try at this WOE, after years of all sorts of commercial diets and hunger cravings. The biggest "secret" I learned was the addition of fats! Who knew? It completely turned me around. From never ever touching anything with fats, to satiety without starvation and still staying within my caloric deficit.
It took me too long to finally get away from prepackaged quick diet dinners and protein shakes - to making real meals with real food.
Lastly, the revelation that you can't exercise off a bad diet. I had no idea what 'a bad diet' meant. I thought bland, dry, uninteresting foods where the only way to lose weight. Who knew?0 -
Jbarnes1210 wrote: »Everyone always tells me they admire my will power, like at work when fast food is ordered, or someone brings in donuts. I don't even look at it as will power, it's just a way of living, and it really works for me. I've tried many diets and this is what WORKS for me,at the most important secret.
It's so funny isn't it? I walk right past that carbage without the signal ever reaching my brain that it's "food" and could be eaten. I thought maybe I was mentally blocking the table where people leave such things out to share, but when they put out the 15g of carb organic wasabi popcorn, I snagged a couple bags to take home for my higher-carb family members. So it's not like I have blinders on!0 -
glossbones wrote: »
It's so funny isn't it? I walk right past that carbage without the signal ever reaching my brain that it's "food" and could be eaten.
To me it even smells funny now. If I go down the cookie/cracker or cereal aisle, I can smell it, and it doesn't smell like food.
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