Induction Results

Induction was over last Tuesday and I am now just getting a chance to put thoughts to computer screen, as it were.

1. This stinking works. I lost 15.8 lbs. in two weeks.

2. Unfortunately, I am a stress eater and ate off program when stressed, so I gained some back. But when I ate on program Holy weight loss, Batman! I felt better, had more energy, and didn't have any problems with my stomach "issues."

I want to make something clear - No one is responsible for me eating off plan but me. I am a stress eater, and always have been. I can do low carb with my eyes closed, but the stress eating thing I need to work on. I was under a lot of stress this week and chose to deal with it with Little Debbi and Mexican food. Any ideas for other ways to deal with stress will be greatly appreciated.

3. The food is good. Really good. Butter, heavy whipping cream, meat and vegetables? Yes please! I missed fruit, though.

4. My blood pressure went down. Way down. I hovered right between pre-hypertension and stage 1 hypertension and now it is completely normal. Even with my house guests it was normal. Pre--hypertension and stage 1 hypertension might not seem too bad, but with my family history, it is huge. The fact that it has come down is a huge relief, and I am sure will contribute to less stress, therefore lower blood pressure.

5. Marty's mom was so impressed with the food from the George Stella cook books and our success with the diet that she is going to try it. She gained a lot of weight as she got older and has (half heartedly) tried to take it off. I have no doubt that if she sticks with it, she will do great!

6. I was able to introduce Marty's uncle to foods that taste good and will help with his diabetes and weight. He is a big guy... maybe 325lbs (even after losing 90 lbs when he started insulin) and his Dr. has told him that just about all of his health problems will disappear if he loses weight. I fed him so low carb that his sugar immediately dropped. (You mean that a bowl of cinnamon toast crunch and 2 pieces of cinnamon swirl toast aren't low carb??)

7. The boys love it. Alex likes it because it doesn't make him sick. Christian decided that he will follow SS because 1) it is healthier, 2)he doesn't want the temptation for Alex and I to be here because he decided to eat rice and 3) the food is so good. Ethan loves vegetables, so he was glad to go along with it. They don't miss pasta, rice or any of the other stuff.


What I have decided to do is keep my carb level right around 20-25 per day, and eat from the "In" list from the Stella Style books. I will reevaluate in a month or so and make changes if needed. I am going to spend the next few days making and freezing things for quick meals, and I am going to start sending food to work with Marty again. He does ok with protein and veg for lunch but has a hard time finding things to munch on so it will mostly be cut veggies and berries (all from the "in" list, of course.)

As for exercise - I am not sure. I lost all 15.8 lbs while not exercising a bit. When I exercised, my weight loss was slower. I think I was doing too much. I was working out for 2 hours a day, at a pretty high intensity (for a fatty.) I think I was building muscle - which isn't a bad thing - but right now I want to concentrate on weight loss so I will knock the intensity back a bit.