Anyone 16st+ and low-carbing?

[Macloveswill]

Hi, I started on 1st Jan at 18st 10lbs and I have so much to lose, it would be lovely to share my journey with others who have over 6 stones to lose.

I know it's going to be a really long slog and I'll need help staying on the straight and narrow. I have to do it this year, no excuses!

So far I have lost 8.4lbs in first 11 days, but that seems tiny when I've got nearly nine stones to lose altogether. My goal is 10st.

Anyone out there? All buddies welcome

Well done Mac, i have a few old faithfuls that i wear all the time and they look so much better when skimming rather than skin tight! I tried my size 14 gillet ( that i bought 18 months ago with the intention of slimming into and never did) and whilst i cant wear it as it squashes my (huge) boobs flat but i can atleast zip it up.

I have a MASSIVE wardrobe of size 14s and if i could get there by the summer i will be so chuffed. Years ago i always thought i was massive at a size 14 now i would gnaw an arm off to be one!

Said no to lovely friends stunning looking homemade cake today and i didnt even feel like i was missing out.

Tooth still killing but antibiotics should kick in any time soon.

ps i am sure in IPD book it said that champagne or very dry white wine were good alcohol choices. Very decadent drinking champers on an ordinary weekend evening!

Well I've got a nice Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc in the fridge for tomorrow so let's see what the Sunday morning ketostix bring!

I've spent the day baking for dd2's birthday party tomorrow and have to say I've not been tempted once by any of the cakes. (I think it helps that they're coloured blue to fit with the Dr Who theme) Mind you I have spent large parts of the day standing in a cloud of icing sugar so hope I didn't inhale too much

Wow....3lbs Letme (really hope they're not an eyesight blunder or you'll feel v disappointed, sure they're not!) well done! I too have wardrobes full of lovely things I can't yet wear. I also have to boil alive keeping cardigans on rather than reveal my bingo wings! I feel your pain about the massive boobs when flattened into something tight too Mrs...not a good look. Soon the gilet will be swinging on you though

Prof...that chilled Marlborough sounds wonderful, one of my faves! Yes champers is a bit decadent for an ordinary weekend Mrs, but we have a few bottles in stock from pressies, so first few will be free. I do love a spot of decadence though! Will check out IPD to see what it says. Sticking to the sparking water tonight though, definitely the wrong sort of bubbles!! Yes please report back the ketostix results following the plonk Prof.

Now to decide what to wear tonight. Comedy night, so can't be too dressy. I'm thinking black skinny (well as skinny as they get in a size 18!) jeans and heels, so just need to decide on a top and jacket...cue a sweaty panic trying things on before my shower!

Have a fab weekend everyone!

End of the month tomorrow! Onwards and definitely downwards!

Has anyone else tried Balance chocolate bars? I got mind in Holland and Barrett, milk praline. 190cals and 4g carbs per bar. I had one last night (in lieu of wine!) was really nice.

No not heard of balance bars Prof. That's pretty LC! Did it actually taste like a real chocolate bar? Chocolate....I've almost forgotten what such deliciousness tastes like

I've popped on immediately after a little naked celebratory jig in the bathroom....1.5lbs down this morning, yay! I've only gone and bloody crept into the 16s!!!! Only just, at 16st 13.5lbs, but delighted with that for the end of the month. Still a very long way to go, but a lot better than my starting weight of 18st 10.6lbs! Total lost 25.1lbs.

Managed to stick to sparkling water last night and still had a great night, although early doors I REALLY fancied a glass or two of something stronger!

Now for bacon and eggs for breakfast

It was really very good, tasted just like normal chocolate! They do a few different flavours, my local Holland and Barret only have 4 varieties but you can get more online.

Congratulations on the loss!

Wow Mac, it's all sounding very positive with you, a good weekly loss, hitting the 16s and a great night out with no booze. Excellent stuff.

I did ok last night, steak with dauphinoise potatoes and veg and a few glasses of Marlborough Sauvignon blanc. Probably should have stuck to one r two glasses, but bugger it, it was Friday after a very busy working week. Think I may abstain to compensate tonight though.

Not the best of mornings, no hot water - but we have homecare with British gas and they can come this afternoon. Then I took my car to the garage to be serviced, mot'd and valeted and they had no record of my (online) booking. I've left it with them and they're going to see what they can do.

Fully expect to need a new boiler in a month where we have already had to replace 2 washing machines, 1 fridge freezer, 1 oven and have a boiler repaired (most from our house but I also rent out my previous home so a couple from there). It never rains but it pours. On the plus side I won't be able to afford any treat food at this rate!!

Thanks Prof. Great, that's good to know about the balance bars should I find myself fancying something sweet. For now I'm trying to steer clear to try and solve my sweet tooth addiction. A year without something sweet is a big ask though, so good that there are some tasty alternatives.

Thanks Letme. Yes it's nice to be booze free for first weekend in a while and looks like it is the alcohol that's been stalling me, so hoping to hit the 2 stones off mark by the end of this week. 2.9lbs to go!

Goodness it sounds like you're going through it with things breaking down! It's not a full moon is it?! Your dinner sounds lovely, it won't derail you as long as you curb things today. Fingers crossed the car and boiler get sorted for you.

I'm hanging around at DDs ballet class, so time for some MN surfing

I've badly fallen off the wagon the last couple of days, which I am regretting because I have to spend all day tomorrow standing up, in a public facing role, and I am going to be very aware of my swollen ankles and bulging stomach I get bad headaches that last for a few days at a time and when they hit I crave caffeine, carbs and sugar!

Aww Gator....sorry to hear you've been feeling rubbish. you've just got to think it's 2 days out of the 300 remaining until Christmas, so in the grand scheme of things, this is just a blip and no way are you going to let it dictate that you're staying overweight. You're going to clamber back on this wagon and forget about the last 2 days, drink lots of water and wear something tomorrow that means only you will notice you're bloated. By weds you'll be back in ketosis and back on track. Job done!

Remember 'Give up, give in or give it your all' and there's no way you can throw the towel in now.

SLIM BY CHRISTMAS!

Thank you Mac! I'm clambering back up on the wagon!

Ah Gator - never mind, dust yourself off and hop on the wagon, grin and bear it for the next few days and you will be back loosing. I hate getting back into ketosis so i have FINALLY learnt its not worth it but its taken a LONG time to come to that realisation. If you have put on any weight it will mostly be water and will be gone in a few days.

Touch wood i have had no issues which would drive me to the biscuit tin but hubby is off for a work trip in a few weeks for 2 weeks leaving me with 2 non sleeping children and 3 foreign students, so watch this space!

On thursday hubby picked up KFC on way home from gym (the irony!) and whilst i only had 3 bits of chicken (apparently 8g carbs each) i spent the whole of friday being hungry mooching around the kitchen looking for something to eat.

Way to go Mac! If this was a long month you might have made 2 stone since you started, well done getting into the next stone bracket.

Poor you LETME - i hate it when things dont bloody work and its always so expensive. Hope you get some hot water soon.

My tooth is a lot less painful now, thankfully but antibiotics giving me a horrible tummy ache. I still went swimming this morning which was lovely then got dressed came home picked up the kids and went again.

I had my BPC for my first breakfast then i had a green smoothie after swimming. For lunch i had cheesy coleslaw on a lettuce boat and tuna mayo on a lettuce boat. Dinner was a fish bake in the bag thing with roasted broccoli and stir fried garlic kale, yum. I still have the desire to nibble but i have no dark choc in. I really fancy a glass of vino and i dont usually drink. I might make some parmesan - there goes my aim to reduce dairy!!!

Just used my ketostix the morning after the wine before and so far I'm still in ketosis. However we didn't open the wine til 9pm so I suppose that could still be ketones from yesterday sloshing about. I'll repeat it tomorrow morning and see what they say.

I have read that alcohol doesn't bring you out of ketosis but will pause the fat burning as your body uses the alcohol calories first. No idea how true that is though.

Morning all. I had venison, celeriac and kale last night, no wine, so feel positively saintly this morning.

Boiler is now working and car has been mot'd and cleaned. They couldn't fit in the service, so that's booked in for a couple of weeks time. So all worked out well.

I think I'm reasonably content with the food side of things, but now I need to step up on the exercise. Very impressed with all mrs' swimming and Mac's power walking!

I think you're right Prof....just found this:
The body burns alcohol for fuel when alcohol is available. So when it is burning alcohol, your body will not burn fat. This does not stop weight loss; it simply postpones it. Since alcohol does not get stored as glycogen, you immediately get back into lipolysis after the alcohol is used up. But keep in mind that alcohol consumption may increase yeast-related symptoms in some people and interfere with weight loss. If it does not slow your weight loss, and occasional glass of wine is acceptable once you are out of Induction so long as you count the carbohydrates in your daily tally.

The only thing I don't get it's why it stalls me for as long as 5 days. It's definitely the alcohol, so maybe I'm one of those yeast producing people?! Champagne (so imagine this includes prosecco?) actually looks like it has the lowest carb count of all the wines. So think I may try that next time in case it is the vodka.

Well done Letme, pleased your day got better. Yes exercise will help to speed things up. I find the walking a lot eAsier having a buddy to motivate each other on those cold, dark, windy nights when it's so easy to say lets go tomorrow instead.

The green bean chips you suggested are really nice Mrs! They are pretty moreish and we had them last night dipped in garlic mayo with a nice ribeye steak. Strawberries and extra thick double cream for pud

Prof thats what i read, on the bootcamp thread and as witnessed by Mac alcohol does tend to pause weightloss for a few days. Interesting to see you are still in ketosis - keep us updated on your little experiment. You may come out today and a few hrs later go back in??

Letme - glad the boiler is back working. I need to do the same with my car, i am hoping its not too costly.

I dont know why or how but i am currently in the zone and its making sticking to the diet and doing exercise so much easier. I am so unfit i dont like huffy puffy exercise. So i am loving swimming and legs,bums and tums class. I do want to start doing more walking with the kids in the buggy as soon as the weather improves. I am trying to ease myself in gently - i usually go for it and then cant sustain the pace and give up - thats a pattern with previous exercise and diet attempts.

I read somewhere that you have to choose what sort of old age you want by 40, hence the loosing weight, giving up smoking and trying to improve the way i eat generally. I am 36 in a week or so and really starting to feel old (and look it!).

Last night i had such a need to nibble so i made parmesan crisps and then blended frozen strawberries with yoghurt to make a sort of ice cream - the whole lot came to about 25g carbs and i was good and only ate about 1/3rd, where as usually i would have eaten it as i had made it. So thats progress of sorts.

I have my eye test today so will be coming home with glasses and will actually be able to see properly. I still feel like a numpty wearing them but hubby assures me thats because i am not used to them. My hubby def suits glasses as does sil so i am hoping that i just need to adjust and if nothing else will be good at hiding the wrinkles!

Still havent had the green bean chips but glad they are nice. I am off into town so will pick some up for tea tonight.

Any excuse to drink champagne! i shall mention it to hubby for my birthday.

"yeast-related symptoms" - sounds delightful
I'm guessing the alcohol is going to affect different people differently.

Last weekend I had wine Friday and Saturday night, this weekend just Saturday and next weekend will be dry for me as we've got my parents staying the following weekend and they're big drinkers.

It'll be interesting to see what impact all of this has on weight loss and ketosis. My goal is by the end of March to find out how I'm going to live the rest of my weight loss year wrt alcohol.

I'm sure you won't look like a numpty Mrs. Glasses these days look really cool! I wish I needed them, I really fancy a pair of the thick brown geek frames. They really suit most people, just try plenty on and you'll find the right pair for you.

I know it sounds gross Prof doesn't it?!! Yeast mmmm!

I've already decided how the rest of my year is going to go with alcohol. I'm going to drink at social events when in company, but never at home when it's just me and DH (I never drink alone anyway). Unless we have something to really celebrate that is.

I used to drink a lot (before dc - they ruined drinking lol) and i love a glass or three. I did once do a year when not a touch passed my lips and it was great, it was in my mid 20s when i was a party girl and i used to go out with a fiver and come home with enough money for chips on the way home. I would spring out of bed in the morning and make breakfast for my hungover mates. It took about 6 months before i could relax and not miss the drink however - i have no idea why i started drinking again.

Now i only drink when out aka very rarely and i hate hangovers, its not like back in the day when i could spend all sunday lying on the couch eating dominos and watching the hollyoaks repeat.

Now i find i get anxious and a bit wobbly from drinking so i tend not too. Hubby only drinks at xmas, weddings and on rare nights out and then only a few. I am def a whole bottle kind of girl and have no off switch. There is a history of dependency in my family and i know i am only a family tragedy away from being an alcoholic, so i am happy with my decision, which is good for this diet. I am also a nightmare when drunk -some of the stories i could tell!!! Which is funny in your 20s but less so as a married responsible mother in her mid 30s!

And you cant be hungover with 2 small kids demanding entertaining!

I tried the geeky glasses and i just looked geeky but not in a cool way!

Antibiotics giving me an awful tummy, must have been to the loo 5 times this morning but on the plus side will def be lighter in toms weigh in (sorry tmi lol)

I have a lovely breast of lamb to cook today, yum

I think the key is def learning how we can fit this diet into our lives long term as i think all of us have found we have dieted and then put the weight back on as soon as we go back to normal eating habits.

I will drink on special occasions, i will eat the odd roastie and i will have the odd burger in a bun but i wont have 3 meals based around carbs or do low fat again.

I do want to eat things like quinoa and lentils but in small quantities. I am creating a recipe book of my fav recipes so when i am lacking inspiration, i am really trying to make this a lifestyle change and that involves changing my way of cooking and thinking about food.

However being in ketosis really helps as i am not obsessed with food and constantly hungry - i am not sure how this will work out once i get to maintenance.

Good luck everyone and have a good sunday. The sun is shining here and i hope it is with you too.

I've been lurking on the maintenance boards on the Atkins website just to see what life in maintenance would look like. I feel similar to you Mrs SJ, don't think I'll ever go back to big ticket carbs but would like to have the odd bit of nice bread from the bakery once in a while or eat nuts and pulses a bit more often.

Learning how to live long term is definitely the key. What I hope to gain is a clear understanding of exactly how alcohol affects my body/weight loss so that I know what's going on and how to control it. If it kicks me out of weight loss for 4 days then I can live with that once a fortnight but wouldn't want to do it every week and not realise what I'm doing iyswim.