Weigh-in and Measurements Results

[Christine Rice]

Last month I was sedentary due to organizing and running a blog tour for my newly released book. I lost 4 lbs for the month and 3 inches. This month I was just as sedentary, maybe more. I weighed and measured myself this morning shortly after I woke up. I didn’t feel like I lost much weight, but I knew I hadn’t gained, and I wanted to continue to check in. In one month I lost 3 lbs and 5 inches! I am very happy with those results, because it tells me that not only am I not gaining or even maintaining my weight, but I’m still losing weight. That is awesome!

I started this low-carb journey on April 20th. I didn’t not start weighing and measuring myself until May 3rd. Since May 3rd, I have lost 40 lbs and 20 inches. I believe I lost about 10 lbs from April 20th to May 3rd, so my total weight loss is 50 lbs. I feel so much better having lost those 50 lbs and 20+ inches. I would love to lose another 60 lbs, but I don’t know if that’s possible for my metabolism, but I will try. I plan to just let my body bring me to the weight that is right for it. I am even happy with where I am now, so even if I don’t lose another pound, I will be satisfied. It would, of course, be nice to lose more weight, and if I take up exercising again, I know I would lose more body fat and weight. It’s just not possible with the lifestyle that I’m currently living, but my hope is that in the future I will decide to make time for exercising and will do it.

I find it’s easy to stick to a low-carb diet. I enjoy meat, vegetables, dairy, fruit, and nuts – all natural foods that are low in sugar and carbs. I drink mostly plain, filtered water. Most days I drink only water and one 12 oz glass of unsweetened almond milk. I always have a glass of almond milk with dinner. Once or twice a week I will have an 8 oz glass of diet soda or a 16 oz bottle of zero-carb flavored water. I do not drink any caffeinated beverages. Since the weather is getting colder, I occasionally had a large cup of herbal tea to warm up. I will probably be drinking more tea in the winter, possibly one cup a day.

Things I could improve upon: be more active, workout, and eat a substantial breakfast. We all have things we can improve upon in life, because we are humans, and therefore imperfect, so I am not disappointed in myself in the least bit. But I am aware that I have things I can work on to improve my health even more.

I’m a bit curious what a blood test would reveal about my cholesterol, blood sugar, and triglycerides, and also what my blood pressure is, compared to the last time those things were checked, which was in February, before I took action to make a difference in my health. I just may go for a physical exam in February 2013 to see for myself. (I don’t get my blood drawn any more than once a year because of my fear of needles.)

I intend to stick to low-carb for the rest of my life. My health depends on it. If I don’t eat a low-carb diet, my weight continues to increase. I have never even reached my highest weight (I am afraid of what that could be). Luckily, I did something about my weight before I reached my highest weight.

I am an advocate for the low-carb diet. I know that many obese people would lose significant weight, like I did, if they switch over to a low-carb diet. I was eating a “healthy diet” according to most nutritionist’s and the food pyramid’s guidelines, but I was obese and continuing to gain weight. Only a low-carb diet allows me to be a healthier weight. If you are obese and have a hard time losing weight because low-calorie diets leave you hungry and unsatisfied, try a low-carb diet. Just try it. Cut out your carbs slowly to get adjusted to the lifestyle, and you will see improvements in your health and you won’t be hungry. A low-carb diet resolved my emotional eating, compulsive eating, and binge eating. Sugar and carbs stimulate my appetite and are addicting, so I had to cut them out of my diet in order to be a normal eater and reduce my weight. You can do it too.

(Originally posted on Christine's Health Blog.)