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

YULE - Thats amazing almost 3 stone in a year! Go you. Thats so encouraging, i love hearing everyones sucesses, make this diet seem more doable as it actually works. on SW i would gain and loose the same 4 lbs over and over so its great to be doing something that works.

Well done on the walking Mac.

I had an alcohol related accident last night and drank most of a bottle of red, so lets see what it does to my weight loss! - its not done my head any good thats for sure!! I have spinning later and i think it will be kill or cure!

Go Yulelog!! That's amazing!! You must feel incredible! Yes lovely to hear success stories and that this works.

Oh oh Mrs...I hope the hangover subsides and the damage is minimal.

Mad dash this morning due to getting ready for school book day....aagh! Nice to see the teachers dressed up too! Now for 2 hours at the hairdressers to chill

Mac have a fab time, my new hair do made me feel like a new woman, and if you have some chopped off it all contributes to the weight loss he he!!
Are you having anything drastic done? I could do with a couple of hrs sat down reading magazines whilst someone brings me coffee - lush, enjoy it.

Haha....yes I may lose a few ounces I have long dark hair, so colour just dark (to cover the odd bit of grey in my parting) with a few lighter bits underneath and through the ends. Only having an inch or so off the length though. Still it will make me feel good about myself for the day, which is always a bonus and the staff are lovely.

Well, I didn't do longer on my walk this morning as my new walking boots were giving me blisters. Just did the usual circuit. And I will wear two pairs of socks tomorrow!

Have fun at the hairdressers Mac, it is a lovely experience isn't it - must book myself in soon.

I think spinning is the perfect antidote to drinking Mrs - sweat out all the toxins!! Do you mind me asking how much you pay for a class? I've been researching my local gym (council run) and the classes of £7.55 per session. It seemed quite expensive to me, but I'm a little out of the loop. If I was intending to do 2 or 3 classes a week I'd probably be better of with an "all inclusive" membership.

I'll be heading out to the shops in about an hour - mediterranean soup for lunch and goats cheese chicken for dinner - it's one of my favourite meals. Possibly good for you low carbers if you can think of an alternative to lentils or just add more of the veg. It's the dressing that makes the lentils yummy, so as long as you have the dressing, you wouldn't be missing out.

www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/7596/goats-cheese-chicken-with-warm-lentils-and-sweet-b

The dog will be having salmon fillets, broccoli and cauliflower tonight if you're interested Mac!

I have decided to relax for a bit and only half low carb. I'm low carbing for breakfast, dinner and snacks but I have whatever lunch I fancy. I know it's not ideal, but I am really struggling with binge eating, I have so many mental and emotional issues around eating, and I'm hoping this will be the way I get on top of it. I'm going to monitor my weight for a month and see if the scales start to tip the right way or not. I'm keeping this thread on my watch list because it's inspiring to see other larger women doing so well! I'm not going to talk about weight much at the moment because I don't want to think about it too much. But whether it goes very well or very badly I'll keep you posted!

Hi Gatorade. I'm not doing anything close to low carb and I've been made to feel very welcome here, so I hope you stay.

I also forget to say congratulations to Yule above, very inspiring. I can't wait for that moment where you realise what an achievement you've made with weight loss. I best make sure I put the work in to get there!

Well, I made it to Sainsburys and got my soup and dinner stuff for tonight.

Does anyone else find their DP really annoying when you try and ask for input on what to have for dinner? He said 'not the goats cheese chicken as we had that last week' - fine. What shall we have instead? "er, er, I dunno, something quick and easy?"

Very helpful.

He likes to have different things, even as far as if we have say, lamb, he won't want lamb again for up to a week. Whereas I'm quite happy to have the same say 10 - 15 meals on rotation. But guess who it is who does 90% of the food shopping and cooking.

I'm fed up of having to do the "thinking" of trying to do different dishes when I don't even really care.

Anyway, we're having goats cheese chicken tonight

LETME - I have all inclusive membership but its £7 a session if not - i am in the SW. I hadnt booked onto the class as no else had either so the trainer gave me a run through the gym and i thought i would throw up and die on the spot!!It was brutal! She showed me how to use the weight machines and my arms are killing me but they are a real problem area for me and i need nice arms for the summer and all my dresses.

Workout has sorted my hangover however. I had a swim in the outdoor pool and it was like being on holiday.

Letme - you have one pampered pooch! Lucky thing.

Good luck Gator, i think everyone has issues with food one way or another - i certainly do, i used to binge as well. We are all here for you so keep us updated on your journey and best wishes. I am the same i cant think of the big picture as it sends me off the edge.

LETME - My hubby is exactly the same. At the moment he has dinner leftovers for lunch. He doesnt like to have the same thing to often and will say not chicken/curry/something again but i cook and shop so i choose - mean wife! Eat what i cook or go hungry is the rule in our house!! lol.

Mac - hope your hair is fab and swishy and you feel nicely pampered.

Thanks Mrs - I am clearly out of touch. I think a monthly membership will work out more cost effective, plus it will hopefully motivate me to go more often to get my money's worth!

Sounds like you've had an amazing day on the exercise front. Hope you don't ache too much!

I like your rule on the "Eat what I cook" front, I think I shall adopt it!

I'm working out at home with a kettlebells DVD at the moment. I'd like to join a swanky gym with classes and a pool but we live in the middle of nowhere and there aren't any large gyms less than about an hour's drive away.

Does anyone know how much a personal trainer usually costs? There's one near here who specialises in kettlebells but I'm apprehensive of the cost.

Well done Yule - that's an amazing loss, you should be really proud of yourself!

Prof - back in the day i used to pay £100 for 5 sessions - about 9 yrs ago, that was linked to the gym i went to. Might be worth enquiring.
Our gym is expensive but we both train and can take kids to the pool at weekends and in summer. Also they actually like the creche as where we went before the creche was terrible and the kids cried the whole time meaning i couldnt actually go. I consider it an investment in my health and that eases the price guilt somewhat!

Between pregnancies i did couch to 5k and it really works, i was very surprised as i never thought i could run. Ramblers association if you like walking? I used to run at 6am around a local park and whilst i felt self conscious at first i was soon so focused on JUST KEEPING GOING that i didnt care. I did actually learn to love it and just as i could do 5k i got pregnant.

I am trying to do more weights and am thinking of body pump, has anyone done it?

Just tried on my size 14 jeans and i can do them up! They are probably well stretched from where i grew out of them and i couldnt breathe or sit down and my muffin top was massive but i am very chuffed. Also will start to need to wearing wedding ring on other finger as its so loose i keep flinging it across the room!

I've run in fits and starts for years. I was at my thinnest ever about 15 years ago when a friend made me train for a 10k (I was awful by the way, very slow!). I was running 4x 1hr per week plus mountain climbing every weekend with the Ramblers group I was in. The weight fell off even though I was stuffing myself with chips half the time. That was when i was single and childless though so the time commitment's unrealistic now - plus I live in Norfolk so the mountain climbing has bitten the dust!

When I lived up north I joined the Ramblers under 40's group. 2 problems now though, not only is there not a 'youth' group in this area but I'm now 43! The groups here are very much old school, pensioners stopping off for cream teas etc

I stopped running about 18 months ago when I injured my foot and had to stop. It's been better for a few months now but I'm a bit bored with running. One upside of living rurally is that the country runs are nice but I feel like I need a change.

I'm really enjoying the kettlebells and I keep reading that weight training is good for menopausal women as it helps keep your metabolism up.

I wonder if I could creep into your thread and join you? Not extreme low-carbing, just trying to do fewer carbs and not necessarily managing well. I've just RTFT over the course of the day (every coffee break and at lunch time) and am really impressed at how you are supporting each other. I'm at least 5 stones overweight - around 16st at the moment and around 11st goes ok with my height (5' 10"). Not just a problem with food and wine (comfort eating AND drinking!) but having really bad arthritis in my knees and issues with fibro too mean that exercise for me is a walk to the local shops - and that's about as much as I can manage. However, the weight is so bad for my knees and my eldest is getting married in 2016 - so not a Christmas target but one 18 months away for me. I think I'm a bit older than many of you too - so that's a worry - that this is IT for ever!

Hi Bowed! I just mis-read that as 'can I creep into your head'! Welcome to the thread, it is a really great, supportive space. I was really glad to find it, it's the only low carb one I post on.

How many carbs are you eating? You may find 'extreme' low carbing easier. Once you get into to ketosis your appetite goes and it's suddenly much easier to eat fewer calories.

Thanks Prof!

No potatoes, pasta or rice during the week - no breakfast cereal (soya yoghourt and fruit instead) and as little bread as I can get away with. I do need to avoid dairy (and wheat) where I can so the amounts of fat that are recommended seem impossible. Chocolate (and wine) is my downfall though... as I said, comfort eating!

Hi Bowed all welcome here. Congrats on eldest`s wedding - thats a lovely goal to aim for. You could be very slinky for the wedding. Low sugar is very good for arthritis - apparently, my gran swears by it.

I know not everyone does as low carb as me (except maybe Mac) but i find thats the secret as it knocks my appetite on the head, sorts my ibs, thrush and achy joints out in the process. i follow the bootcamp rules on here and once you get your head around it and eating loads of fat its actually very simple. I also cook my family the same things, which helps. There is a spreadsheet showing rules, allowed food, recipe ideas and a weigh tracker so you can see what is usual on this diet - although over there they call it a way of eating (woe) not a diet. Its very similar to atkins but less protein more fat and gallons of water.

We have a little experiment going with drinking and dry white wine seems to be ok, so a little wine should be ok.

Last time i low carbed after my DS was born i didnt exercise at all as too knackered but i still lost 1st7lbs in 10 weeks.

Sorry prof - not trying to teach my granny to suck eggs, you sound like an exercise pro. I am interested in weight training to increase my metabolism as i am sure all the years of dieting esp the soup and shake ones have messed it up to a degree.

Just had a yummy dinner, loin of pork, with swede roasties (done in the same porky fatty pan) and buttered steamed broccoli. I never used to eat pork crackling as too fatty but its amazing. I am sticking to this diet just for the food alone!

"the amounts of fat that are recommended seem impossible" honestly they're not. I cook in moderate amounts of fat (butter, coconut oil and olive oil) and have dollops of mayo or sour cream to dress salads, veg etc and easily get to Keto levels of fat.

Atkins and bootcamp are very similar (Atkins is moderate protein high fat these days) the only difference is that Atkins have recommended portion sizes and carb levels.

Mrs S, no worries, hope you don't think I was being smart arse about it, I honestly didn't mean it that way. I'm far from an exercise pro, I do it and sometimes enjoy it but not terribly good at it. I was a runner for ages but never managed a 5k in under about 35 minutes and don't seem to have kept my weight under control either

Hi Bowed after years of low fat high carb SW i found LCHF a real mindset change, its almost unbelievable that eating fat makes you thin. But it does i am the smallest i have been in years. There is a great vid on youtube "butter makes your pants fall off" by an american guy its explains the science behind it well.

How i add fat:

I have BPC for breakfast - not too everyones taste. Coffee made with coconut oil and butter whizzed up to a creamy texture with a stick blender. Hubby has eggs with butter and mayo for breakfast.

Oil and vinegar dressings on salad. Butter on veg, fatty meat inc eating skin, ff yog, cheese, cream etc. I dont eat any fruit, nuts are allowed but i am not keen. I dont eat carby veg like butternut squash but i eat tonnes of green veg like kale, broccoli, peppers, spinach, leeks. Also swede, cauliflower and limited amount of tomatoes. I dont eat peas or carrots and i honestly dont miss them, or other obvs carbs.

I have just adjusted my usual recipes i.e cauli mash on top of mince for shepards pie. I now look at recipes and think how can i lard it up as opposed to thinking how could i reduce fat. Fatty meat is cheaper too.

Dont worry prof no offence taken. Hubby never lost a pound running either.

Thanks for the welcomes! Clearly I've a lot to learn
I'll keep on watching and learning

Thanks for the welcomes! Clearly I've a lot to learn
I'll keep on watching and learning

Oops - sorry for posting twice

Hey Bowed, it's lovely to have you on our little thread. Welcome along. As you've heard from the others, we're not LC fascists, but most of us have found that going as carb-free as possible really curbs the cravings. We are mostly this size because our food cravings have dictated when we eat....so when needing to eat for comfort, I'd eat anything sweet or stodgy. Then I'd have the big slump and eat more. I was a regular binger.

I honestly have not been hungry ever on this plan and I think that helps. No binges since 1st Jan (even on weekends, which previously I'd often have 'off' on all other diets). I've managed parties and weekends away and still stuck to this way of eating. I'm not thinking about food so much, because the food I do eat actually fills me up and keeps me satisfied mostly until the next meal. If I need a snack, I grab a piece of cheese or a slice of ham or some almonds. This level of discipline is coming not from willpower as with other diets, but from genuinely not feeling hungry. It has been a revelation for me...I just thought I would always be greedy!

The wedding is a brilliant target as you'll have emotions linked to it. Decide what size dress you want to wear and you'll do it, I'm sure.

Mrs whoop whoop on the size 14s!! That is amazing! And the exercise...you're doing so well! And yes thanks, I enjoyed having swishy hair for the day, well until it got all sweaty tonight on my walk anyway!

Prof...the kettlebells are so good for you. I know a girl who is a kettlebell instructor and she can't sing their praises enough. They're brilliant for strength and for fat-burning. Keep doing that at you'll soon be lovely and toned!

I really need to do something else other than walking, but I'm afraid I haven't been brave enough to venture back to the gym YET. I am going to get timetables for the body balance class and make myself go, I have too. It's gentle, yet seriously bloody toning and includes some planking. And once I'm there I'll swim too. Next week! Feel free to kick me if I haven't!

I totally agree with Mac. I've not cheated once since 5th January, I just don't want to. I'd actually be quite upset now if someone told me I had to go back to eating 'normally'.

Thanks Mac!