Class Of 2016
Sunny_Bunny_
Posts: 7,140 Member
I really love the idea of shining a spotlight on the folks that were new to low carb starting anytime in 2016. I think it's a great opportunity to encourage the incoming 2017 class by showing them what they can potentially achieve in just one year or less.
Sometimes I think it's not as impressive to hear from those of who have been at it for a much longer time because it's hard to see ourselves 2+ years down the road and the brain wants to credit that longevity with all the benefits that person is reporting.
We all know that major benefits are achieved within that very first year and even just weeks into a committed Low Carb life. Changes that just get better with time, but let's face it, it's hard to think too far ahead.
This is not meant to be a measure to compare one person to another and who did better or lost more weight. Every one of us has different goals and even had surprise benefits that perhaps became more important than any weight loss goal.
So, Class of 2016!!! I ask you to share your personal journey and the benefits you achieved this past year. Weather weight loss or health markers or less pain. Whatever benefit you saw in just this past year or less, please help the Class of 2017 see what they might also be able to report next year if they choose to see it through. And we know they can!
Sometimes I think it's not as impressive to hear from those of who have been at it for a much longer time because it's hard to see ourselves 2+ years down the road and the brain wants to credit that longevity with all the benefits that person is reporting.
We all know that major benefits are achieved within that very first year and even just weeks into a committed Low Carb life. Changes that just get better with time, but let's face it, it's hard to think too far ahead.
This is not meant to be a measure to compare one person to another and who did better or lost more weight. Every one of us has different goals and even had surprise benefits that perhaps became more important than any weight loss goal.
So, Class of 2016!!! I ask you to share your personal journey and the benefits you achieved this past year. Weather weight loss or health markers or less pain. Whatever benefit you saw in just this past year or less, please help the Class of 2017 see what they might also be able to report next year if they choose to see it through. And we know they can!
14
Replies
-
I started 1 Jan 2016 at 151lbs, sadly after having hit my goal of 135lbs 9 months earlier through convential (high carb/low fat) CICO over a 12 month period. Went back to the same CICO, undereating and over exercising. It took me 9 months to lose 8 flippin pounds. Enough!!!
I found LCHF/keto on 1 Oct 2016. Then converted to Carnivore/ZC on 31 Oct. By mid December, I went from 143lbs to 131lbs. I accomplished in less than 3 months what I barely could in most of a year.
I've lost the weight, but gained so much more! I have energy, vibrancy, and an overall healthful feeling, both mentally and physically. It wasn't the weight that concerned me (I had resigned to just commit to health over some size ideal that seemed out of reach for me).
I wanted control over my appetite and not feel like a crazy train of incessant exercising to make up for a ginormous appetite, which was clearly fueled by my carb intake and lack of fat intake. Once I found a WOE that my body was begging for, it has finally begun to cooperate and is becoming the best it can be. Now I exercise because my body HAS the energy and strength, not because I need to self abuse it into submission.
So, thank you LCD group! I have the tools to be successful. 2017 is gonna rock!!16 -
I started near the end of 2015 (Nov) so I'd still like to share if that's all right!
I've had my ups and downs and still trying to find my groove for maintenance but still have lots of good to share. This group has been super helpful and encouraging for me!
Benefits I've seen from LCHF (for reference, I turned 40 in May and have MS and PCOS):
* Weight loss started happening much more easily!
* No longer constantly hungry
* Reduced carb cravings
* Reduced joint pain
* Cycles became more regular (i.e. helped the PCOS)
* Good blood work! (including HDL of 75 and FBG of 80)
* Significantly reduced GI issues, and I was able to stop taking prilosec
* My symptoms of hypoglycemia became far more rare. I can go longer without eating and not get all faint and lightheaded.11 -
I started keto the last week of September 2016, decided logging my food intake might be a good idea so I joined MFP a week later so far:
I've lost 30 pounds
I no longer have pain in my knees
I no longer get winded walking across the parking lot to my car in fact I've been using the stairs instead of the elevator at work ( the first week I started that I thought I was going to have a heart attack, my office is on the 4th floor)
I sleep better and no longer wake up tired. I now wake up before the alarm goes off, no more riding the snooze button that in itself is incredible for me.
I have so much more energy
I found out I actually like to cook12 -
Hello everyone! I started with the LCHF woe on May 2016. I went from taking 6 different meds (3 just for my type 2 diabetes) to now only taking 2 overall. My A1C went from 7.5 to 5.2 in 5 months. I lost 25 lbs so far and felt so good I started fitness which led me to discover and fall in love with my inner athlete (She's a beast lol). Imo, this woe can help every type 2 diabetic get control of their disease and slow it's destruction! And it's easy to follow along with being delicious!
14 -
Great idea for a thread @Sunny_Bunny_ !6
-
I started low carb in March 2016 after more than 2 years of disappointingly slow losses under a daily deficit. The CICO formula just never worked for me. I had tried everything else, so I figured this would be worth a try also. I never expected weight loss to improve.
For almost 20 years, I've had both type 1 and type 2 diabetes (i.e. "double diabetes") and losing weight, despite slow going, had helped with the type 2 side quite a bit. Originally, low carb was expected to help stabilize BG's and reduce spikes. It did. And it also finally resulted in the CICO calculation matching pretty closely to what I experienced for weight loss. As a result of that additional weight loss, I no longer meet the clinical criteria for type 2 diabetes.14 -
Congrats, @midwesterner85. That's great progress, especially for someone with 2 species of diabetes to complicate things.5
-
I started LCHF at the beginning of June 2016. Since then I:
- lost 23 pounds so far (post-menopause, so it comes off slowly)
- no longer need medication for my T2D
- no longer need medication for cholesterol
- no longer need Prilosec
- sleep better at night and wake up refreshed
- don't get hungry between meals
- have more energy now at age 55 than I did in my 20's
- am overall more calm and less stressed
If you had told me a year ago I could have all those great results just by swapping out carbs for fat, I wouldn't have believed it. Now I can't imagine going back to my former "diet."10 -
I'm a class of 2017. I just started yesterday am and so far I've damn near lost my sanity...4
-
angievanhill wrote: »I'm a class of 2017. I just started yesterday am and so far I've damn near lost my sanity...
What do you mean?1 -
angievanhill wrote: »I'm a class of 2017. I just started yesterday am and so far I've damn near lost my sanity...
If you are having any trouble I'd bet money some of us have first hand experience that could help you out. Create a new post asking a question or venting your trouble and maybe we can be of help.7 -
And be sure to check the Welcome, Newbies thread!
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10493401/welcome-newbies-what-do-you-need-to-know3 -
I started in the class of 2016 - did really well before life kicked in and I lost my way, but am jumping back on the wagon knowing this WOE is the most fantastic thing I have ever done and going to aim to make 2017 the year I finally kick binge eating, and weight issues for good11
-
I'm a late starter for the class of 2016. I didn't start Keto until July of 2016!
From then till now the changes have been nothing but amazing!
I started Keto to help with weight loss, Fibromyalgia symptoms, and pre diabetes.
My weight was going nowhere but up, while my doctors were telling me I had about five years left before I was wheelchair bound. My pain levels were through the roof. I was taking 900mg of neurotin three times a day along with about a handful of other meds. I was refusing narcotic meds since I have two kids on my own. I was also getting trigger point injections 30 shots from neck to bottom of spine every three months. I went from a full time job to a part time and looking at leaving all together. All my passions in life were put aside. Gardening, crafting.... everything.
Then Keto happened.
I've lost over 36lbs so far about 25 away from my high healthy goal.
I'm off ALL meds except for Metformin which I'm continuing by choice.
My pain is for the most part all gone. I still have an occasional flare up which I can now manage with ibuprofen.
I've got my life back.
Keto on!16 -
I started keto, after two failed attempts, on June 1st, 2016.
Brief history, I was an addict for eighteen years and my biggest relapse trigger was, surprise, surprise, weight gain!
Anyway, I lost almost thirty pounds since i began, drug free, and I'm going on four years sobriety. This year is going to be a year of accomplishment!!
There have been some stops and starts, and some splurging along the way, but just like quitting drugs, I just keep right on plugging along. I didn't quit using after one try, and I'm not going to quit sugar in one try.
Just keep getting back on the wagon!! Don't stay in the gutter with the cake! Try again. Then try again, again. And again and again, if need be.
I'll probably reach my goal weight this year, for the first time in my life without cocaine.
Like they say in the rooms, "If I can do it, ANYONE can!"20 -
I started just before Xmas 2015.
In 2016, I-
* Almost reached my goal weight
* Got my blood sugar under control
* Ended the reign of terror from my GI system
* Passed Metabolism for Dummies 101
* Figured out where to go for advice
In 2017, I hope to-
* Improve my body comp
* Ride a bike century by mid-summer
* Adopt more nutritionally-complete meal plans
* Venture out of the house in white pants sans Depends (after Memorial Day, of course)
14 -
I just typed my long story and it disappeared.
0 -
Class of 2016 is a darn impressive group! WTG!! 8
-
KetoLady86 wrote: »I just typed my long story and it disappeared.
Oh no!
Using emojis is what causes that. Sometimes they eat everything you write other times they don't.2 -
-
Holy *kitten*!!3
-
Started July 5 2016. Don't weight myself but down a size. Flat stomach at 50 yoa. This is the only WOE I have been able to maintain while traveling - I would always "take a break" while on vacation or traveling for work from any other WOE. Just returned from a week in Vegas - ate more calories but stayed at 20g of carbs.... feel great ! Love this way of life.9
-
Rainqueen77 wrote: »
I started keto on May 12th, 2016 and I lost 100lbs.
[/quot!!e]
Congratulations! You look terrific and more importantly, dropping the weight will surely have major health benefits!!1 -
I started September 12,2016. And as of December 31 I was down 38 lbs. I do low carb. My husband joined me and is down about 10-15 lbs. Going to keep going and hopefully reach my goal this year. Excited that I feel better than ever.9
-
Started 1st January 2016.
To date have lost 45lb going from 229lb to 184lb. I'm thrilled with this as all previous CICO diets would help me lose 10-15 then I'd give up. I've gone from a UK size 24 to 16. (Is that the US equivalent of size 20 to a 12?)
I can't get over the lack of hunger, nothing like other diets and with a little planning I can make sure I'm still on track despite frequently going out to eat at restaurants. Another benefit is the change in taste. At the start I had a major sweet tooth. I though 60% chocolate was bitter. Now I happily eat 85% and when I have tasted things I previously loved they just don't have the same appeal they used to.
I am lucky in the fact that to date i have had no medical issues due to my weight or my former sugar filled diet so I have no medical improvements to report. However both sides of my family have a history of type 2 diabetes and also heart disease. I take a little comfort in knowing that I'm doing what I can to keep my insulin sensitivity at a normal level for my future.
Also I've lost a significant amount of fat from my stomach area. This is my problem area as I'm an apple shape and other diets only slimmed my legs. Not sure if this is down to being low carb but I'd like to think so. Anyone else like this?
My aim for 2017 is to get to at least a healthy weight (for my height) of 159 and then look at my body comp.
I could have given up a few times during 2016 and a large part of the reason I'm still going is this group. Thank you to everyone on here. You are all amazing!11 -
I started in nov 2015. I have lost 40 pounds and went from a size 18 to a size 12. It has been 25 years since I was a size 12. Carbs were like poison to my body. So, now I choose to eat life giving foods instead of death. I feel like myself again.
In 2017, my goal is to be more vegetarian keto.15 -
I love this idea, @ Sunny_Bunny! I found keto accidentally in October. I had gastric bypass in 2000, starting at 344 lbs. Lost 177 lbs within a yr, and over the yrs regained 71 lbs. I'd always been low carb (less than 100g) when *dieting* after my surgery, but always "hangry" and cheated frequently. I finally got fed up with the merry- go- round and lost those 71 lbs (plus 7 more) in 2014.
In 2015, I had a major family crisis and went from 160 to 208 lbs in 1yr. I started low carbing again in Sept 2016, then found keto, started on Oct 17, and haven't looked back since! I am so in love with this woe! I have not thought about a cheat day since starting, and this is the absolute FIRST time I have gotten through Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas without even one misstep!
I call them missteps because there are those who can tempt fate and eat whatever, then go right back on plan, but I am not that fortunate. When I "cheat" I go on for weeks, before I can turn myself around, and keto has made it possible for me to feel satiated, energized, and ready to start each and every day feeling revitalized! Sugar used to be my best friend, and candy corn, Thanksgiving stuffing, eggnog and believe it or not, FRUITCAKE lol, were my downfall every holiday season.
I'd gone from 208 to 196 from Sept 23 to Oct 17, 2016 on low carb, then I started keto, and as of yesterday morning, I've lost another 22 lbs doing keto. My goal is 150, and I feel that it is well within reach. That was my original goal after my gastric bypass surgery almost 17yrs ago, but it was never realized. With this woe, I know I can!
Thank you all for being the most wonderful group I've found on MFP, and for allowing us 2016'ers to share our progress. Happy New Year, and here's to better health in 2017 and beyond!13 -
I love it guys! Such great stories and experiences! My favorite parts are the feelings of freedom from food stresses like feeling confident about long term success and reduction or elimination of binge eating and overwhelming cravings and constant hunger! CONTROL! Feeling like you control the food, the food doesn't control you! It's amazing and is echoing my own experience since I started in May 2015 (Class of 2015 yeah!)
Keep the inspiration coming 2016! We are so glad you're still in it to win it!4 -
I started September 6.
Sugar has always been an issue for me. During a stressful day I would cram something sweet in my mouth, even if I wasn't hungry/it didn't taste good, because it calmed my brain. I sort of had a turning moment in July where I had a bad day at work, bought 2 candy bars and ate them on the drive home. The second one was disgusting and making me sick, but I still ate it because I was looking for the calm feeling sugar gave me.
I spent the month of August first researching low carb which brought me to Atkins which brought me to LCHF which brought me to Keto. As I learned about fat adaption and how my body could be flipped to want to burn its own fat stores everything clicked. I geeked out on every blog, podcast, medical abstract that I could get my hands on. I even read anti-keto stuff because I wanted to play my own devil's advocate. I learned what pitfalls to avoid and how to be successful. I learned that as I would be using my own fat stores, that would make up part of my fat macro and I didn't need fat bombs or to stress about hitting that macro.
I fully prepped with a meal plan I could stick to for the first 2 weeks, timed my start for the day my period ended when sugar cravings were lowest and jumped in. My results:- I've lost 30 pounds and am down almost 2 sizes.
- I no longer have low blood sugar issues or get cranky when I'm hungry.
- Hungry is a totally different concept now. It's more a "I could eat" than a "I need to eat!!"
- Food is not a source of shame for me. It is simply fuel that I use. And when people label my choices as "bad" because the foods are high fat and so am I, well, they just don't know how my body is running.
- I am easily able to IF and am toying with extended fasting for immunity and cancer fighting reasons.
- My husband is doing this with me and has seen improvement in his fibromyalgia symptoms
11
This discussion has been closed.