A Foz life thread... Trying to turn things around.. (update 10/10. FTW.)

[molson]

I think there's a psychological danger of eating too few calories too. Food becomes an enemy, this evil thing that you're always trying to avoid. That's just as unhealthy as seeing food as the ultimate comfort. Sure, some food is straight-up evil. Soda, junk food. But good food is fuel your body uses to lose weight and to live and to be healthy.

I have another random tip that's helped me gradually get of ruts, so I'm just going to throw it out there, maybe it'll help. When I feel like I'm standing still, or going backwards, and I really want to go forwards, I make a list. First thing in the morning, or last thing the night before, I make a detailed list of all the shit I'm going to do the next day. It can be related to work, exercise, calories, social communications, anything, as long as its attainable. At the end of the day, if you can look at a big long hand-written list with everything crossed off on it, you feel like you're getting on a bit of a roll. If you can put together a few completed lists in a row, you start to get some momentum, start to feel like you can conquer anything.

[SirFozzie]

Well, this is what I ate the other day as a baseline (we did the math, it came out as 1346 calories or so)

Breakfast: 2 containers of Greek Yogurt

Midday: 12 ounces, Cranberry Juice Cocktail, 1.5 servings of Campbell's Chunky Healthy Request Chicken and sausage gumbo

Evening: 2 more containers of Greek Yogurt
11 Ounces Milk (2%)
54 Special K Cracker Chips (Cheddar)

Anytime: 2 oz Extra Sharp Cheddar Cheese, 1/2 Cup Chinese Pea Pods (Snow Peas)

Drink

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by molson

... If you can put together a few completed lists in a row, you start to get some momentum, start to feel like you can conquer anything.

While I'm far from a weight loss expert, I'll echo this general notion.

I usually just phrase it as "celebrate the small victories/accomplishments, they get you through to the big ones".

Luck to you Foz.

[FrogMan]

Originally Posted by SirFozzie

Well, this is what I ate the other day as a baseline (we did the math, it came out as 1346 calories or so)

Breakfast: 2 containers of Greek Yogurt

Midday: 12 ounces, Cranberry Juice Cocktail, 1.5 servings of Campbell's Chunky Healthy Request Chicken and sausage gumbo

Evening: 2 more containers of Greek Yogurt
11 Ounces Milk (2%)
54 Special K Cracker Chips (Cheddar)

Anytime: 2 oz Extra Sharp Cheddar Cheese, 1/2 Cup Chinese Pea Pods (Snow Peas)

Drink

that's quite all right, and all in the right direction and you could be satisfied (i.e. not hungry) after a day like this, I was simply saying that at that level of caloric intake, day after day, your body is holding on to what it's got and not burning its fat. There are many little you can add to fuel your body a bit more and kickstart it, if I should say. Almonds (or many of the other types of nuts), a few squares or good dark chocolate, a couple tablespoons of peanut butter, avocado, a banana are all very healthy choices.

I'm no big expert on weight loss either, just been hanging around on the Lose It! forums where there are some knowledgeable fellas, and I just went through my own weight loss phase where, as I said, I was losing weight on a steady basis, 35lbs in fact... If I was able to do it, I'm sure you can do it too.

FM

[RainMaker]

Originally Posted by SirFozzie

Weight Loss has stalled and even gone up a bit, I'm not hungry at all, but I'm at 1250-1400 calories per day, which apparently is not enough to avoid starvation mode, because weight loss has been .

Weight loss can't be flat if you are eating that amount of calories a day. You have to seriously be undercounting calories.

[SirFozzie]

Nope. We did mynetdiary to figure out what the calorie count was for things.

[rowech]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

Weight loss can't be flat if you are eating that amount of calories a day. You have to seriously be undercounting calories.

You say things like this all the time. There are people out there where it's not just about calories burned versus calories in.

For years, I never ate more than 2400 calories a day, living a decently active lifestyle, and got up to 310 pounds. After many years, I finally found a doctor that go my thyroid finally balanced out right, and having not changed any eating habits and working out just a bit more consistently, I am down to 228. However, if I run without days off in between or if I run longer than four miles, I will gain weight despite having done even more work.

There ARE odd body chemistries out there where a simple ledger isn't what it's all about.

[MIJB#19]

Good luck, Sir. You can do it!

[FrogMan]

I can certainly believe what you mention there amounted to the number of calories you say it was and unless you snacked and didn't report it, that number of calories, in my eye, is probably just too low to sustain you. I happen to believe in the "BMR + 150 to 200 calories" kind of rule because it worked for me...

[FrogMan]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

Weight loss can't be flat if you are eating that amount of calories a day. You have to seriously be undercounting calories.

Even when religiously counting calories, eating too little can indeed stall weight loss into a plateau. It then becomes a case of less is not necessarily better...

FM

[RainMaker]

Originally Posted by rowech

You say things like this all the time. There are people out there where it's not just about calories burned versus calories in.

For years, I never ate more than 2400 calories a day, living a decently active lifestyle, and got up to 310 pounds. After many years, I finally found a doctor that go my thyroid finally balanced out right, and having not changed any eating habits and working out just a bit more consistently, I am down to 228. However, if I run without days off in between or if I run longer than four miles, I will gain weight despite having done even more work.

There ARE odd body chemistries out there where a simple ledger isn't what it's all about.

If he has a thyroid condition, he needs to get it checked out. There was nothing in his posts about that though. And even if there is a thyroid issue, it's still really difficult to gain weight at his size on 1250 calories a day. Regardless of thyroid issues, your body still needs energy to power your organs throughout the day. You can't create energy out of thin air, the law of thermodynamics still applies.

If he's only eating 1250 calories a day and gaining weight, he needs to see a doctor right away. Something is extremely wrong. Coma patients are given more than that just to maintain their weight. You should not be gaining weight at his size on 1250 calories.

I've seen it happen a bunch. People miscount calories. They forget that slabbing butter on something can add a few hundred calories to something. That each glass of juice has 100 calories in it. It's very easy to undercount calories without knowing. It could also just be a water issue where he's losing fat but maintaining much more water.

[RainMaker]

Originally Posted by FrogMan

Even when religiously counting calories, eating too little can indeed stall weight loss into a plateau. It then becomes a case of less is not necessarily better...

There is no such thing as starvation mode. It's an old myth off an old, bad study. Metabolic rate can slow, but not enough to overcome the caloric deficit.

[Desnudo]

Originally Posted by FrogMan

Even when religiously counting calories, eating too little can indeed stall weight loss into a plateau. It then becomes a case of less is not necessarily better...

FM

I think counting calories is tedious and basically means you won't stick to the diet because doing it sucks. If you're counting calories, that probably means you're eating crap you shouldn't be in the first place.

I agree on the restricted calorie diet as I found it had little impact on my weight.

Everyone is always looking for the answer when for 90% of people it's quit drinking so much, get more sleep, eat less or no processed foods, etc.. Minimal exercise is required and serves as an accelerator. For example, I would challenge anyone to eat 2000 calories worth of spinach, beans, and skinless chicken breast.

[thesloppy]

Originally Posted by Desnudo

I think counting calories is tedious and basically means you won't stick to the diet because doing it sucks.

Everyone is always looking for the answer when for 90% of people it's quit drinking so much, get more sleep, eat less or no processed foods, etc.. Minimal exercise is required and serves as an accelerator.

This all pretty much mirrors my opinions as well. Plenty of folks think low calorie diets can be hard on your physical and mental health. My doc put me on something close-to/inbetween a low-carb/paleo diet, for anti-inflamatory, anti-anxiety, and anti-insomnia reasons, with absolutely no concern for weight loss, and I've lost 30 pounds in 3 months literally without paying any attention to fat, carbs or calories...and I swear to god I actually eat tons more food, at least by pure volume. I think I eat like 200 apples a week.

[BrianD]

Originally Posted by Desnudo

I think counting calories is tedious and basically means you won't stick to the diet because doing it sucks. If you're counting calories, that probably means you're eating crap you shouldn't be in the first place.

I agree on the restricted calorie diet as I found it had little impact on my weight.

Everyone is always looking for the answer when for 90% of people it's quit drinking so much, get more sleep, eat less or no processed foods, etc.. Minimal exercise is required and serves as an accelerator. For example, I would challenge anyone to eat 2000 calories worth of spinach, beans, and skinless chicken breast.

Part of the point of counting calories is just understanding where calories come from. A person doesn't need to count calories for the rest of his life, but it is good to do until you gain an understanding of the differences between different types of food. Your 90% suggestion is correct, but it helps to see just how bad certain foods are.

[RainMaker]

Originally Posted by BrianD

Part of the point of counting calories is just understanding where calories come from. A person doesn't need to count calories for the rest of his life, but it is good to do until you gain an understanding of the differences between different types of food. Your 90% suggestion is correct, but it helps to see just how bad certain foods are.

Yeah, it's one of those things you do and you are shocked by where the calories come from. Some people don't realize how much a slab of butter on their toast is. Or how much a couple beers at night are. I think almost all diet programs recommend it.

When I lost weight, I tracked it for a few months. Tons of apps make it easy. Then I more or less knew what everything was and I could track it in my head. But I still today keep a rough track of how many calories I consume in a day and it helps a lot.

[thesloppy]

It seems worth noting that nutrition is such a muddy science at this point that I feel like you can find at least one study to solidly back up, and at least one other to totally refute whatever agenda/diet you prefer. And like everybody else, I certainly love to chat up whatever works for me as the 'right' option....which probably actually isn't that supportive, even with the best of intentions. To that end, let me add to my earlier statement that even if the diet hasn't worked yet, or if you haven't found the 'right' diet for you, you should still take a good amount of personal pride/satisfaction from the fact that you're modifying/maintaining your diet, Foz, and don't let the frustration distract you too much from that kind of positive affirmation.

[Alan T]

Originally Posted by BrianD

Part of the point of counting calories is just understanding where calories come from. A person doesn't need to count calories for the rest of his life, but it is good to do until you gain an understanding of the differences between different types of food. Your 90% suggestion is correct, but it helps to see just how bad certain foods are.

For me it was something similar to this. The important lesson that I had to learn was not that I needed to eat less, but instead I needed to eat better. That includes what I had for drinking as well. I spent a while counting calories religiously until I got to the point where I found what made sense for me from a nutrition stand point (ie: cutting out empty calories from snacking, beverages, etc. Eating some better choices in meals).

Now I don't go to my app and count every single calorie anymore, but I know if I have had quite a bit that day, I'll skip that frozen yogurt or the french fries at dinner or such.

[finketr]

Originally Posted by Alan T

For me it was something similar to this. The important lesson that I had to learn was not that I needed to eat less, but instead I needed to eat better. That includes what I had for drinking as well. I spent a while counting calories religiously until I got to the point where I found what made sense for me from a nutrition stand point (ie: cutting out empty calories from snacking, beverages, etc. Eating some better choices in meals).

Now I don't go to my app and count every single calorie anymore, but I know if I have had quite a bit that day, I'll skip that frozen yogurt or the french fries at dinner or such.

This... I need to get back on my plans..

[SirFozzie]

Well... More when I get to an actual computer and not this tablet... But I'm back in the hospital thanks to dehydration , my leg swelling and a 101.7 fever

[SirFozzie]

Ok, here's the update:

On Wednesday, I went out and did an extra oomph to my bowling league night, I did my three league games, and did two more games, until the alley closed. The plan was to tire myself out because I had to get up early on Thursday and head into the office for a training course.

Of course, the Bruins game was going on, and I was watching from my bed. I actually fell asleep during the second OT, woke up in the third OT, and finished the game, then couldn't fall asleep till 4 am. I make it in to work, but tire out very quickly, and leave work a couple hours early.. and stop and get subway on the way home, because I'm too tired to cook.

Friday dawns, and I've slept fitfully.. but I didn't feel THAT bad, and I had a couple greek yogurt for breakfast, and then find myself tiring and decide to go back to bed..

and then things rapidly devolve.

I can't sleep, my teeth are chattering, despite being under a full set of clothing and a blanket.. I take my temp, 101.5. things get worse, as I'm just hanging on to not being nauseous , etcetera

My folks grab me and take me up to my primary care physician, who decides that because I'm so out of it, and because my leg is swollen, to send me home to my local ER.

They judge it's dehydration, and the Cellulitis in my leg is back, so the two are reasons for my fever, and admit me. They basically spend the night filling me with IV fluids and antibiotics.. the fever broke this morning, and I'm only on the antibiotics.

I'm still going to need to see a Vascular specialist about the leg, but I hope the'll let me go home tommorrow, and I won't miss a day of work.

[Kodos]

Hang in there Foz. Getting better will be a long process, but you can do it.

[SirFozzie]

Thanks, I'm now home again, so all I lost is the weekend (and some confidence in my health, and the hospital bills).. get to go online for work tomorrow after driving back to the hospital's infusion center)

[SirFozzie]

yeah.. same as it ever was.

At this point, I have no fucking clue what's going on in my life. Went through another battery of tests/bloodwork this morning, because my weight has actually edged upward (I'm eating a bit more,but nowhere near my point allotment). The leg is the leg.. it drains at night, but within fifteen minutes of being upright, it fills back up and swells. My stamina is such that I spent two hours at a family gathering yesterday, and was so fatigued that I went home and slept for 3.5 hours.

Truth be told, I'm probably at the lowest point right now, close to where I started from when I started this thread. No self-confidence, no belief that "things are going to be better", no.. I don't have the word for it, but I guess the best I can say is "no ability to change things".

It is what it is, and possibly that's all that it is/will be.

[BYU 14]

Try and stay positive buddy, I know it is easy to say and hard to apply, but it really can make a difference physically as well.

Please try and focus on anything you can change and work on that, no matter how small. Sending you positive vibes my friend.

[Passacaglia]

Originally Posted by BYU 14

Please try and focus on anything you can change and work on that, no matter how small. Sending you positive vibes my friend.

Kind of my thoughts as well. Maybe it makes sense to focus on one change you want to make, instead of a whole list of them?

[Eaglesfan27]

Change goes through many phases and there are often setbacks, but this is change worth fighting for and I think you will be successful if you keep pushing forward. Good luck!

[Kodos]

Don't give up Foz. Maybe concentrate just on improving your diet for now, and don't worry about the exercise component until you are lighter and your body can hold up better?

It looks like you were kindof on a starvation diet. Maybe just focus on eating healthier foods, but don't worry about portions or consciously trying to eat less. I eat a ton of fruits these days, and I don't ever worry about the amount I eat. If I'm hungry, I eat. I just try to choose food that's natural and good for me when I do eat. I avoid processed foods as much as I can.

I found this book to be pretty motivational for me.
Salt Sugar Fat: How the Food Giants Hooked Us

Also, these DVDs helped motivate me:
Forks Over Knives

Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead

[Autumn]

I think it's only sensible that you're feeling depressed right now. Depression is mostly connected to how "in control" we feel, and with your leg and fatigue you're feeling like you aren't even sure what's going on, never mind able to control it. If you can step back a bit from the depression and say, "of course I'm feeling this way, I'm going through a tough, confusing time right now," I think sometimes it takes some of the air out of the depression.

You're having some real medical issues, and nobody is feeling great or in control when they're sick. Give yourself some credit for being in a tough spot and adjust your expectations. Maybe save up your willpower and motivation for dealing with the doctors and figuring out the medical side of things. Research shows our willpower is finite, and you want to pick and choose where to spend it right now.

[Chief Rum]

You can do it, Foz. Keep your head up. Change doesn't come quickly. It only happens through constant repitition and time.

I'm working on some things myself.

[terpkristin]

Hang in there, Foz! You know better than most how setbacks can be a major emotional blow..this might be a low, but you'll get back to those highs! You have a team of folks here for ya, too.

/tk

[SirFozzie]

so, I saw the wound specialist today, and got told that I probably have a veinous stasis ulcer in my leg (it's where the veins get kinked restricting the blood flow back up the body, causing the swelling issues I've faced so often in the past). Sounds like I will have to have Home Services visit me several times a week to put my leg in a compression bandage. Fun shit, let me tell you. (not)

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by SirFozzie

so, I saw the wound specialist today, and got told that I probably have a veinous stasis ulcer in my leg (it's where the veins get kinked restricting the blood flow back up the body, causing the swelling issues I've faced so often in the past). Sounds like I will have to have Home Services visit me several times a week to put my leg in a compression bandage. Fun shit, let me tell you. (not)

Least you have what sounds like some sort of answer now.

[SirFozzie]

Let's see.. in the past few weeks..

My knees have been hurting and swelling with any kind of exercise, go to the doctor and find out I possibly have patella issues where the kneecap isn't being kept taut when flexing. They took a ton of x-rays, but don't know if there's any structual issues.

In fact, on monday when bowling the knee buckled and lost balance when bowling, sending me sprawling across the ball return.

Today, the iritis in my left eye has returned, so I have to see the eye doctor tommorrow...

and my mother's cancer could quite possibly be back.

Fuck the world.

In fact, stop the world, I'm ready to get off.

[thesloppy]

Ugh, sorry to hear things are spinning downwards rather than upwards Foz. Keep plugging away, dude.

[Arles]

Foz, I just saw this thread. Just wanted to give my two cents and let you know what I've been doing. After my son was born in May, the wife and I pretty much were housebound for 3-4 months and we both looked at each either and realized we needed make a change.

So, in September, we started an Herbalife plan. You can read about it online - it can get kind of "cultish" if you ask me. But, we found a part of it that we can sustain and a month later I've lost 16 pounds and she has lost 8. That's with no real working out (outside of walking a few nights a week with the boy).

I would be glad to send you a note about what I've been doing if you are interested - I don't like to "advertise" this stuff as I think the main plan is pretty hard to commit to long term.

Either way, I hope things pick up and keep your chin up. Remember, even though we all may butt heads on politics/sports teams/game preferences, we are a community and I think this one does a great job of supporting each other!

[BYU 14]

Sorry to hear Foz, just keeping taking it a day at a time buddy. Sending prayers and positive vibes out for you and your Mother.

[SirFozzie]

Well, just an update.. the iritis IS back, but only in one eye, and they think they've caught it in the early stages.. I will have to start visiting the iritis specialist again in the city. The x-rays came back with some mild arthritic degeneration in one knee and the hips, so it looks like physical therapy is going to be needed there..

We're looking into attending a meeting for weight loss surgery, and doing another sleep anea study to try to see if that helps.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by SirFozzie

Well, just an update.. the iritis IS back, but only in one eye, and they think they've caught it in the early stages.. I will have to start visiting the iritis specialist again in the city. The x-rays came back with some mild arthritic degeneration in one knee and the hips, so it looks like physical therapy is going to be needed there..

We're looking into attending a meeting for weight loss surgery, and doing another sleep anea study to try to see if that helps.

Iritis sucks. I get it about once a year or so. Usually I just treat it with the steroid drops. Once, back in 2005, I had it so bad they actually had to inject steroids right into my eye. This past summer I had to take oral steroids in addition to the drops.

[SirFozzie]

Yeah, the iritis can be pretty bad, it led to a glaucoma attack a couple years ago, and a surgery and a half on my right eye (the first was an emergency room visit and a 2:30 am laser shot into my eye to open it (the iris had closed and the pressure caused it to drain, they went back about 10 days later and did an incision to make sure the iris stayed open)

[BigDPW]

If you have not seen a rheumatologist I would strongly consider it. There are several links between iritis and arthritis (rheumatoid arthritis, etc). That can be treated effectively if they are diagnosed correctly. I had missed your mention of iritis before but wanted to make sure I mentioned this after I saw it this time.

I am sorry to hear about your recent challenges. I will continue to pray for your health and well being Foz.

[SirFozzie]

Yup, I saw a rheumatologist on monday, she was the one who had the x-rays taken which saw the mild arthritic degeneration/narrowing in the hips and knee... I have to follow up with her on Monday

[SunDevil]

You and your family will be in my prayers.