Yet another whine

[DarleenMB]

It's been about 5 weeks since I decided to go low carb so I know I haven't given this enough time yet but I still need to vent a bit.

when I quit Jenny Craig the end of February I was at 182.4. Two weeks later I was at 184 and since then it has climbed to 190.2 and I'm so disappointed.

However, I got a copy of PP from the library (my own copy is packed up in storage somewhere along with ALL my Atikins books, Suzanne Somers and Schwarzbein books. DANG. I'm getting ready to spring clean the storage unit since we may not move after all (but I digress) ...

And I was skimming through PP when I ran across the FAQ regarding sluggish metabolism. I had been thinking about this anyway, something along the lines that my body is only burning the fat I EAT right now instead of the fat STORES because it's still in "famine" mode. So perhaps I should lower the fat, up the protein and keep the carbs between 20 and 30g a day.

BTW when I started this WOE I decided I was giving up grains completely. No starchy vegetables and no refined sugar, period.

and yes, I definitely overdid the fats in the first few weeks but I was STARVED for them. Now I feel a little more "in control" and don't feel like I HAVE to have so much.

I've cut my coffee (decaf only) down to one mug in the morning. I was going to quit it entirely but I just can't. But I can hold it down to ONE mug a day mostly to keep the cream intake under control right now.

I reviewed the protein intake charts in the book and as much as I LOVE egg yolks have cut those down as well. Chart says 2 eggs and 2 egg whites, that's what I'm havin'. The family dog is pleased because she gets the two extras. Boy was she disappointed this morning when she didn't get any. That's cause I had a big ol' smoked pork chop with a fried egg to go with my MIM.

ANYway. Yesterday, either here or over at the other low carb forum I frequent, I found a link to Wilson syndrome (http://www.wilsonssyndrome.com/) and went and took a peek. And I dug out my thermometer and took my temp. 97.5? huh. Must need a new thermometer. Nope. 97.4

Ok. took it this morning after I'd been up about 30 minutes and was running around feeding the furbabies and doing the laundry. 97.0.

So I've dug out the Thyodine and have started popping a couple of those a day. I'm also taking "fucothin" from Garden of Life because it's VERY evident that my metabolism is sound asleep. I know that in the book the Eades say that eventually my body will correct itself.

Has anyone else here had a similar experience? I don't want to spend money at the doctors only to be told my thyroid function is "normal." I also don't want to cut calories back to 1200 a day because that will only exacerbate the problem. I'm currently trying for between 1500 and 1800.

Oh I should note that about 12 years ago I "did" the Zone for 2 months and lost 16 pounds easy peasy. But that was about 1200-1300 calories a day as well and I just can't make myself do that. Too many carbs anyway.

My goal is to get down to 140-145. That may be unrealistic and I"m prepared for that. I'm 61, 5'9.5" tall and medium build. I've decided I can live with 160-165 but would be happier at 150. But I don't want to stay at THIS weight because it's too much.

So. Any thoughts other than "hang in there?" I'm commited to this. I've damaged my body enough and I'm SICK of being tired and hungry all the time. Thanks jenny. Good lesson.

Thanks for letting me vent. Sometimes it helps to just put it out there, ya know?

[Mitra]

I think your ideas sound good - I don't know about the supplements, because I'm not familiar with them, but keeping protein up, carbs down, and fats moderate sounds like a good thing to do.

The Drs Eades have just written a new book on weight control for the middle aged. (Can't remember when it's due out, but not for a while yet.) Several of us are very anxious to get our hands on it!

[petra65]

Darlene, have you calculated your LBM and %BF? You may be trying for something that isn't realistic or healthy and need to set some realistic goals for yourself first. Second, the internet is great for helping people find all sorts of medical conditions they may or may not really have. It's a hypochondriacs paradise. Maybe you have a problem, maybe you don't but I wouldn't believe everything you read on the internet. Lastly, this is probably going to take some patience. you will find the right mix. I'm going through this a little myself right now. It's coming off much more slowly than I would like and I'm having to tweek a little here and there to find out what is going to work. I'm starting to get a sneaking suspicion that mine is about calories and whether or like it or not, I'm going to have to limit them even on low carb. Not as severely as you did on Jenny Craig but I can't eat 2000 calories a day and expect to lose weight. Maybe some people can but I don't think that will work for me.

[DarleenMB]

Petra, 115 LBM and 37% BF.

[petra65]

What do you do for exercise? I'm 5' 4" and have 109 LBM. That seems kind of low for your height.

[petra65]

What do you do for exercise? I'm 5' 4" and have 109 LBM. That seems kind of low for your height.

[DarleenMB]

Petra, maybe your LBM calc is too high? ;)

I go to the Y (most weeks) and do an hour of water cross training MWF. I've been off a little of late. Usually go twice a week for strength training but they're doing a remodel and I've gotten lax. When I do the ST I also go 3 times a week and do cardio on the elliptical.

I've been lazy of late. Trying to get out instead and walk the dog.

and I"m pretty confident of the LBM calculation. done it several different ways and it comes out right about 115. At 37% BF and wt of 182 it's 114.66. So I rounded up. Also calculated via all those arcane measurements and formulae. Still around 115.

[Mitra]

I'm 5' 2" and have 90 lb LBM. I've had spells with no exercise, spells with working hard with weights, and I've even run the calcs for some measurements I made for dressmaking 25 years ago. My weight has varied by 35 lbs but my LBM has never changed by more than a pound or two. Some people just have lighter frames regardless of exercise. When I exercise, my muscles get firmer and stronger, but they don't seem to get measurably heavier.

[Peachy]

I agree with Mitra. My girlfriend is the same height as I am. She weighs 10 pounds less, but is 37%bodyfat while I'm at 32.9. Our LBM's are so different. People are different.

[maxlharris]

Petra, 115 LBM and 37% BF.

So 182 lbs.
Here are 5% intervals going down
165 would be approximately 30% BF
153 would be approximately 25%
144 would be approximately 20%

I don't have PP handy, but IIRC, 20% is low for a woman of your age.

These all assume complete maintenance of your LBM at 115 lbs. If you were to gain LBM, they would go up, if you were to lose LBM, they would go down.

This doesn't help with the not losing issue. But it should help with the goal setting issue.

Does anyone have PP handy so they can dump the theoretically appropriate BF levels for someone of Darleen's age out. I can calc the weights if I know the percentages.

As to things you read on the Internet, you can always consider the source. You can always use the BS detector on it. And even if it's posted by an actual nutritionist, dietitian, or even MD, you should ALWAYS give it the sniff test. Sometimes especially.

[Mitra]

The range for 51-60 year old women is 22-30%, and the top end of the range goes up to 31% over 60 (bottom end stays at 22%). So you're looking at something in the region of 150 to 165 as a healthy range. As Max says, LBM can change, so re-check as you get closer.

[DarleenMB]

thanks guys. I figured 140-145 was most likely unrealistic. But it's what I used to weigh for a long time and was very comfortable there. i just want to get rid of the basketball sized belly and move on. That's gotta be good for at least 20 pounds. ;)

[Missy]

As to things you read on the Internet, you can always consider the source. You can always use the BS detector on it. And even if it's posted by an actual nutritionist, dietitian, or even MD, you should ALWAYS give it the sniff test. Sometimes especially.

Yep, total crap out there in quanity, absolutely...but sometimes gems! Take what you want, leave the rest.

[AnnetteW]

I've tracked my bodyfat over many years. When I was younger and fit, my lean was around 110 lbs. Years later when fat, my lean was around 110. If I measure today, using my Tanita scale and my Omron handheld, I still measure between 107 and 110 lbs lean.

I've exercised regularly, doing weights and cardio.

I'm 5'5" and now 44 years old, at just under 160 lbs.

[DarleenMB]

Lynn, if you and Max are referring to the Wilson's syndrome website, just know that I've been taking my temp for the last two days and it is averaging 96.5°. One reading was 94.6°! I definitely am calling my physician tomorrow for a discussion about this.

[petra65]

No Darlene, I'm sure that's correct. It gives me 51% BF! I don't think you'll argue that one with me. When I started last time I was 105 LBM, with lots of resistance, yoga, etc. I got up to 115, now I'm down to 109. That sounds right. I guess we just have very different builds. I just did the measurements and calculations a couple weeks ago.

[Missy]

Lynn, if you and Max are referring to the Wilson's syndrome website, just know that I've been taking my temp for the last two days and it is averaging 96.5°. One reading was 94.6°! I definitely am calling my physician tomorrow for a discussion about this.

Darleen, Nope, I wasn't talking about anything specific, but internet information in general. I too found that Wilson's website and was piqued about my temperature..and I took this information to my Dr and he prescribed some iodine supplimentation for me to give a go, I did, and it improved...but it also made me break out...But, I do think it helped raise my internal temperature.

[Mitra]

I've tracked my bodyfat over many years. When I was younger and fit, my lean was around 110 lbs. Years later when fat, my lean was around 110. If I measure today, using my Tanita scale and my Omron handheld, I still measure between 107 and 110 lbs lean.

I've exercised regularly, doing weights and cardio.

I'm 5'5" and now 44 years old, at just under 160 lbs.

Welcome to the board, Annette. Sounds as if we have the same experience with LBM. I used to work with a man whose leg muscles bulked up hugely just from cycling to work a few times in the summer. I think the tendency to add muscle bulk/weight with exercise is very variable between individuals.

[maxlharris]

Agree with Missy. Not talking about anything in particular but rather good rules to live by.

I wouldn't know about Wilson's syndrome. I tend to run a tad hot. PP tends to make me run a little hotter.

[DarleenMB]

Max, I completely agree. There is too much gossip and garbage floating around the web, just like, well, the REAL world. :lol: