Just Some Thoughts on The Beginning of my Weight Loss Journey :)
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blondee_12
Posts: 12 Member
This is difficult. I think most people trying to lose a large amount of weight would agree with me. It hasn't been without failures, but all in all things are getting easier.
First, I have started using my FitBit again. It's exciting to watch the steps add up as I go on my walks, and really brings out my competitive nature. My dogs are enjoying the walks just as much as I am, and taking them with me makes the time go by quickly.
Getting up early to swim has its own challenges. Working full time and studying for my MCAT, as well as applying to medical school takes up a lot of time. I'm trying to squeeze in at least 3 swims a week, and 5 walks a week (as well as reaching that 10,000 step limit my FitBit sets each day). I feel that getting up and active is going to be my best bet in regards to the scar tissue in my lung (from a past episode of multiple pulmonary emboli and a lung infarction). After a swim, it feels weird because I can tell my lung expands more when I breathe. My personal (non-professional) opinion is that as I swim, I take deeper breaths to compensate for the amount of time I spend under the water. Those breaths, taken in a repetitive fashion, work my lungs and heart, and help increase the elasticity of my lungs. I might be wrong, it's only speculation.
Food has been my largest struggle, but it's actually getting easier. At first, my craving for sweets and fatty foods would get to me. My mood would get dark, and I'd cave. Trying to completely restrict myself seemed to be the problem. I'd restrict myself to no more than 50 carbohydrates a day. Personally, I think I went too strong too fast. The ketosis diet is not for me, I cannot stick to it. Now what I have been experimenting with is staying at 100 net carbs a day or less on the weekdays, and 150 net carbs a day or less on the weekends. I also stopped completely restricting myself, and instead I'm trying to substitute my cravings with more nutrient-rich options. For example, when a hard chocolate craving hits, I try to eat strawberries dipped in a thin layer of chocolate. The strawberries contain carbs, but considering the sugar fructose is a simple sugar, they are easier to digest for quick energy versus eating straight chocolate. It also helps get rid of that awful chocolate craving. This way is also beneficial because I feel fuller and give my body more tools it requires to work efficiently. Whether this gets the desired results or not is still to be determined.
I am 2lbs down. I think considering my struggles at the beginning, this is pretty good. As I've gotten into it, I'm struggling less with craving nutrient poor-calorie rich options, and getting better at finding nutrient-rich options.
As told in the classic Aesop's fable The Tortoise and The Hare:
"It doesn't matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop"
Thank you so much for reading! And please have a wonderful day!
-Ashley
First, I have started using my FitBit again. It's exciting to watch the steps add up as I go on my walks, and really brings out my competitive nature. My dogs are enjoying the walks just as much as I am, and taking them with me makes the time go by quickly.
Getting up early to swim has its own challenges. Working full time and studying for my MCAT, as well as applying to medical school takes up a lot of time. I'm trying to squeeze in at least 3 swims a week, and 5 walks a week (as well as reaching that 10,000 step limit my FitBit sets each day). I feel that getting up and active is going to be my best bet in regards to the scar tissue in my lung (from a past episode of multiple pulmonary emboli and a lung infarction). After a swim, it feels weird because I can tell my lung expands more when I breathe. My personal (non-professional) opinion is that as I swim, I take deeper breaths to compensate for the amount of time I spend under the water. Those breaths, taken in a repetitive fashion, work my lungs and heart, and help increase the elasticity of my lungs. I might be wrong, it's only speculation.
Food has been my largest struggle, but it's actually getting easier. At first, my craving for sweets and fatty foods would get to me. My mood would get dark, and I'd cave. Trying to completely restrict myself seemed to be the problem. I'd restrict myself to no more than 50 carbohydrates a day. Personally, I think I went too strong too fast. The ketosis diet is not for me, I cannot stick to it. Now what I have been experimenting with is staying at 100 net carbs a day or less on the weekdays, and 150 net carbs a day or less on the weekends. I also stopped completely restricting myself, and instead I'm trying to substitute my cravings with more nutrient-rich options. For example, when a hard chocolate craving hits, I try to eat strawberries dipped in a thin layer of chocolate. The strawberries contain carbs, but considering the sugar fructose is a simple sugar, they are easier to digest for quick energy versus eating straight chocolate. It also helps get rid of that awful chocolate craving. This way is also beneficial because I feel fuller and give my body more tools it requires to work efficiently. Whether this gets the desired results or not is still to be determined.
I am 2lbs down. I think considering my struggles at the beginning, this is pretty good. As I've gotten into it, I'm struggling less with craving nutrient poor-calorie rich options, and getting better at finding nutrient-rich options.
As told in the classic Aesop's fable The Tortoise and The Hare:
"It doesn't matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop"
Thank you so much for reading! And please have a wonderful day!
-Ashley
11
Replies
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I'm new to this as well and still trying to figure out what works!
It’s definitely a struggle to figure out what works for your body! Each person’s body will react to certain changes differently-it’s both a beautiful and frustrating fact about the human body. What all have you tried if you don’t mind my asking? 0 -
I am also trying to figure out what works! It's been really helpful to chart everything I eat each day; I can't believe how many calories I eat are from what I thought were "harmless" snacks (fruit, for example). Now I need to decide what I can cut out. Best of luck on your journey, blondee_12! You've got this!2
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I've had a pulmonary embolism as well and I've done some yoga & swimming (less consistently than you though) and I definitely feel that the deep breathing is helpful!! (Also gosh yes, very difficult!). Best of luck studying & with the MCAT!!!1
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I am also trying to figure out what works! It's been really helpful to chart everything I eat each day; I can't believe how many calories I eat are from what I thought were "harmless" snacks (fruit, for example). Now I need to decide what I can cut out. Best of luck on your journey, blondee_12! You've got this!
Oh that’s incredible! I’m so happy that charting everything is working so well for you! That inspires me to keep going! I’ve noticed for myself how having a little extra keeps the weight on. I’m working on limiting myself to serving sizes only and of course cutting out things I don’t need. I 110% wish you the best of luck as well!!! And thank you!!!2 -
I've had a pulmonary embolism as well and I've done some yoga & swimming (less consistently than you though) and I definitely feel that the deep breathing is helpful!! (Also gosh yes, very difficult!). Best of luck studying & with the MCAT!!!
Kiela64 you completely understand my pain then! No one tells you how your lung might not completely bounce back until your in the ER terrified you have another PE. I'm so happy someone else is benefiting from those deep breathing exercises-we may not get all of our lung function back but we're at least alive right?
Ironically, the PE's and the infarction are what have inspired me to pursue medicine. I want to keep my patients from having to go through things like that, and if they still go through an injury/illness, I want to be there to support them and help them through it. Thank you so much for the well wishes! 1 -
wow, I commend you doing this with your busy schedule & lung issues! I love that you walk your dog for walks. I have 6 & I get my active steps in walking them. It took me a while experimenting with food & what time of day to eat the most before I figured out what keeps me satisfied & makes it all easier. When I want chocolate, I mix some lite hot coco mix into my non fat greek yogurt with some cool whip, it tastes like a chocolate mousse1
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wow, I commend you doing this with your busy schedule & lung issues! I love that you walk your dog for walks. I have 6 & I get my active steps in walking them. It took me a while experimenting with food & what time of day to eat the most before I figured out what keeps me satisfied & makes it all easier. When I want chocolate, I mix some lite hot coco mix into my non fat greek yogurt with some cool whip, it tastes like a chocolate mousse
Six dogs? Oh my gosh that's awesome! I have two dogs, they are all I can handle
What kind of dogs do you have? And thank you so much for your kind words! I am absolutely going to try the Greek yogurt with the cool whip and lite hot coco mix-what brand of yogurt do you use? I know that Chobani tastes great, but I am definitely open to other brands. 1 -
I know when I'm hungry for sweets, I make a batch of low carb, high protein, edible cookie dough. It's so good and gets my cravings out.0
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