CatK
New member
Well here goes. I am starting this diary because I know how valuable they can be. Up to this point I have journaled by hand, but I thought maybe this would help me to be more accountable for my actions since others may be reading it!
I have struggled with my weight all of my life. I have always been just a little overweight. My mother has diabetes, and that has always kept me from getting "too" heavy because I didn't want to suffer like she does at 4'11", 210lbs. But I have always had that spare tire belly, and since having my second child, the weight has just creeped up on me, a few pounds each month.
I have tried so many diets: the 6-week Body Makeover (too restrictive), Jenny Craig (too expensive), Slim Fast (what?!), and Weight Watchers. WW was the only one I ever did that actually worked. So I lost almost all of my baby weight and then I hit the dreaded plateau. I reached 155lbs and could not budge the scale for anything. I went like that for months -- literally. And finally I gave up on WW. I decided that I was wasting my money and what difference did it make if I couldn't lose the weight. So I started eating compulsively again, and topped out at 170lbs.
Finally, I had had enough. I have a huge closet full of clothes that I can't wear and this summer started buying what I refer to as "disposable" clothes - bigger sizes with elastic waists that I would only wear until I lost the weight. And amazingly, without dieting, I couldn't get out of those disposable clothes! So I consulted with my doctor and she told me to get it in gear. I have hypothyroid, which slows the metabolism, so I take medication for that. Fortunately, my blood sugar, blood pressure and cholestoral are all very good. But she suggested I try Alli to jump start things and get me back on track. It is a very good product if you use it correctly. As long as you stay on a low-fat diet there are absolutely no side effects. I have not had a single problem since starting it 6 weeks ago. However, if you go over the suggested amount of fat grams per meal (usually about 14g) then you can have terrible "gastro-intestinal" problems. Personally, I think it has worked well for me because I am so afraid of having those problems and I am very conscious of what I eat now.
So I stick to a 1400 calorie, low-fat plan and do a lot of walking. I have also recently started working with a trainer at the YMCA which I think will help too. I am down 10lbs. and I couldn't be happier right now.
I don't know if there are any other people on here who have had success with this product. There may be many of you who think it is not a good product. I am not trying to endorse it or push it onto anyone at all. It works for me, and I think that is the key. You have to do what works for you because no two people are exactly the same.
I look forward to posting more in my journal and hearing positive feedback from anyone!
So here's today's menu:
Breakfast:
1 small Bagel 210 cals/1.5 fat
1 TBSP Peanut Butter 100 cals/8.5g fat
1 Cup Yogurt 170 cals/1.5g fat
1 fresh peach 30 cals
TOTAL: 500 cals/11.5g fat
So far so good! Now if I can just get past lunch . . .
I have struggled with my weight all of my life. I have always been just a little overweight. My mother has diabetes, and that has always kept me from getting "too" heavy because I didn't want to suffer like she does at 4'11", 210lbs. But I have always had that spare tire belly, and since having my second child, the weight has just creeped up on me, a few pounds each month.
I have tried so many diets: the 6-week Body Makeover (too restrictive), Jenny Craig (too expensive), Slim Fast (what?!), and Weight Watchers. WW was the only one I ever did that actually worked. So I lost almost all of my baby weight and then I hit the dreaded plateau. I reached 155lbs and could not budge the scale for anything. I went like that for months -- literally. And finally I gave up on WW. I decided that I was wasting my money and what difference did it make if I couldn't lose the weight. So I started eating compulsively again, and topped out at 170lbs.
Finally, I had had enough. I have a huge closet full of clothes that I can't wear and this summer started buying what I refer to as "disposable" clothes - bigger sizes with elastic waists that I would only wear until I lost the weight. And amazingly, without dieting, I couldn't get out of those disposable clothes! So I consulted with my doctor and she told me to get it in gear. I have hypothyroid, which slows the metabolism, so I take medication for that. Fortunately, my blood sugar, blood pressure and cholestoral are all very good. But she suggested I try Alli to jump start things and get me back on track. It is a very good product if you use it correctly. As long as you stay on a low-fat diet there are absolutely no side effects. I have not had a single problem since starting it 6 weeks ago. However, if you go over the suggested amount of fat grams per meal (usually about 14g) then you can have terrible "gastro-intestinal" problems. Personally, I think it has worked well for me because I am so afraid of having those problems and I am very conscious of what I eat now.
So I stick to a 1400 calorie, low-fat plan and do a lot of walking. I have also recently started working with a trainer at the YMCA which I think will help too. I am down 10lbs. and I couldn't be happier right now.
I don't know if there are any other people on here who have had success with this product. There may be many of you who think it is not a good product. I am not trying to endorse it or push it onto anyone at all. It works for me, and I think that is the key. You have to do what works for you because no two people are exactly the same.
I look forward to posting more in my journal and hearing positive feedback from anyone!
So here's today's menu:
Breakfast:
1 small Bagel 210 cals/1.5 fat
1 TBSP Peanut Butter 100 cals/8.5g fat
1 Cup Yogurt 170 cals/1.5g fat
1 fresh peach 30 cals
TOTAL: 500 cals/11.5g fat
So far so good! Now if I can just get past lunch . . .
