After finishing up our week on the detox plan, I opted to NOT fall completely off the wagon. We had planned to eat at P.F. Chang's Sunday night, but I said, "No, I don't want to wake up Monday morning and be up three pounds due to salt. That would just really bum me out after all the hard work I've put in." DH agreed.
So, I just phased in eggs and yogurt, and we enjoyed some lean buffalo meat. Then on Monday, we had a family picnic, where I made some turkey subs with an olive tapanade dressing. The rest of the family brought super healthy salads and fruit. The only indulgence was a couple of oatmeal cranberry cookies. There were not chips or foods heavy in salt. The next day, I ate out with my department and had a turkey wrap with cheese in a tortilla with no chips. The rest of the day was a normal on-plan eating day.
And of course this morning showed the scale back up nearly THREE POUNDS. I couldn't believe it! I went and got my tape measure and saw that my bust and waist are still down, but my abdomen (big belly roll) was back where it was before the diet. I tried on the pants I mentioned earlier and they were tight and uncomfortable again.
I can't tell you how disheartening this is. I can't eat LUNCH MEAT without gaining THREE POUNDS OF WATER?!?!? Just imagine how much weight I'll probably gain on my vacation next week when I'll be eating nothing but the food the lodge provides. Gak.
The diet I was on last week was extremely restrictive and not sustainable. DH and I felt like a huge weight had been lifted when it was over. I can't believe that that's what it takes for me to lose weight. I CANNOT live like that! I just don't know what to do from this point forward. Should I just accept the fact that I'm going to be overweight forever? Settle in to a flabby size 12 when I should be a toned size 8?
It's been nearly a year and a half since I started trying to lose weight. I am tired.
Posted By: ashleyb
Comments to this post:
05/30/2007 11:09
The long haul
One and a half years is a long time to be working on losing weight. And you have tried many different methods of eating and exercise to keep you from getting bored. You are truly a warrior [as silly as that may sound!] And detoxing all the time is not the answer. I wish I had some wisdom for you, but as you and I both know, I am not the model for losing weight or even sticking to a plan for that matter. I guess all you can do is drink massive amounts of water to help flush out any salt or by-products that were in the deli meat, and wait for the scale to move again. Maybe low-carb is the way to go for you? Sorry that I cannot be more helpful.
I really appreciate your comment on my blog. It helped me to realize that a lot of people make huge life changing decisions at the same time as getting married- we're not the one ones! Well, I am spot on according to that statistic you've mentioned. I have gained back 20 lbs. in this last year. I really hope losing it and a bit more is a possible reality, since I am doing the low carb thing. And if not- what can I do? DF loves me chubby 'n all! Have a great day! :o)
Here's a personal question for you, but think about it -- it might be the key (it might not but it's worth a try!). How often do you move your bowels? You know what I discovered about 4 months ago, when it was shoved down my throat by a very painful and dangerous colon blockage -- i do NOT digest meat. Primarily when we digest meat, it doesn't actually "digest" it rots it's way thru your intestines causing toxins to build up, and blockages to form. If you are not digesting processed meats properly this could be a definite issue with weight retention, or water retention.
I cut out meat for a good 3 months, and over the last month have been adding it back very slowly, trying to stick to lean cuts and not processed sandwich meat, still eating probably about 1/3 of what a normal diet has in it.
I also added pro-biotics after I eat, upped the water and added ground flax to my daily regimen (with yogurt high in pro-biotics).
This may or may not be the case, but many people don't realize that they have trouble digesting meat. It gets "stuck" along the way. A healthy bowel is the window to the soul, or so my naturopath says, rofl.
Good luck, and BIG HUGS, you sound down today, so want you to know somebody feels your pain, and can relate!
Hey, lunch meat ain't so great. If you decide not to eat it, I'm sure your arteries will thank you.
Maybe you're looking at this thing from the wrong angle. Instead of seeing it as meaning that eating 'regular' foods makes you gain, maybe you could see the truth behind detoxing. It doesn't work. Temporary measures always, always, always yield temporary results. One day later or one week later, the pounds would have come back anyway. Lesson learned.
Is there any way that you can start doing some exercise again? I ask because I started exercising seriously when I was around your weight--about 150ish. At the same time, I stopped counting points and measuring portions and being totally anal about numbers. I went on to lose 15 more pounds in a little under a year, and have maintained that for a little over a year. Could it be that you've taken it just about as far as it will go through diet and sheer will power alone?
I'm sorry to hear that you're still in pain when you try to exercise. What's the name for this condition? Is it some sort of nerve in your back? That sounds absolutely horrible. My left trapezius seized up on me once and I had to go to the ER. Of course, he just gave me a valium and told me to tie a pillow around my head with a stocking. I'm not kidding! LOL! So there I was, drugged on valium, with a pillow tied around my forehead with a black Victoria Secret stocking. Slept all night without moving and stayed off work the next day because it was still sore.
How that relates to your situation I don't know, but hope it gave you a chuckle!
Hey girl, we must have started around the same time. I started November 2005 and yup - sometimes I do get so freakin' tired. There is no doubt about it. I really don't have anything wise or profound to say other than know you are not alone and I hear ya girlfriend. One day at a time.
It sounds as though we have the same body type, and I have a gottex swimsuit size 12 never been worn with tags still attached. I bought it in a 14 and a 12. Great material, flattering. I'll try to find a picture of it somewhere. Let me know if it's something you might like. swimsuit I actually have several suits i haven't worn, most still have tags, but i think most of them are still at the other house. when are you leaving for vaca?
First off I know this can be hard and im sure that you have heard comments from others that its going to be okay and that something is going to happen, but im sure you are up to here and all you want is a 100% answer. I know we sometimes wish we could make three wishes from the genie or at least help us in some way, but heck it doesnt work that way. One thing I can tell you is to calm down and try not and stress over it. I know this sounds simple but its the truth. Maybe if you settle down and take each day as a new day and try your hardest things will start to get together. I know when I dont pay too much attention to it and just allow my mind and body to let it sink in, it works so much better.
I hope you start to feel better, sending lots of hugs your way.
I'm frustrated too. I wish I had some magic answer to this...lord knows if I did I'd try it myself. I'm just so sick and tired of this game....the only thing that's making me still do this, is I don't want to be the one that quits, that fails, that gains all the weight back....it's hard.
Sorry you are struggling with this all Ashley! I hate to see you so down, because you must know how much of a motivator you are to everyone. You have not once thrown in the towel and we all know that you have been thrown some GIANT curveballs in the last year and a half.
I wish I could say something or do something to make it all go away and make you feel better. Give yourself time to bemoan and groan. THEN, enjoy that vacation. You have earned it! And I seriously bet that you will return regenerated and happy... and probably a pound or two less!
