The Conservative Cave
Current Events => The DUmpster => Topic started by: franksolich on August 11, 2009, 05:05:14 AM
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http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=337x4409
Oh my.
The gigantic primitive:
Systematic Chaos (1000+ posts) Sun Aug-09-09 09:03 PM
Original message
What a difference a change in diet makes (Standard American Diet (SAD) vs. Vegan)
http://www.tickerfactory.com/weight-loss/w5Sn8t8 >My Weight Chart:
>
after which the gigantic primitive's weight chart
In terms of plain text, my weekly progress thus far has been:
June 21, 2009 - 488 (-31 from Dec. 2007 lifetime high)
June 28 - 488 ( 0 )
July 5 - 485 ( -3 )
July 12 - 478 ( -7 )
July 19 - 476 ( -2 )
July 26 - 475 ( -1 )
August 2 - 456 ( -19 )
August 9 - 449 ( -7 )
31 lbs. in 18 months on a typical diet, followed by 39 lbs. in 7 weeks following The McDougall Plan. Sweet!
auntAgonist (1000+ posts) Sun Aug-09-09 09:45 PM
Response to Original message
1. SWEET doesn't cover it. This is AWESOME news
You're doing so well. I'm so excited for you. Kirk, you're gonna do it. I can feel it. And you deserve all the praise. It's gonna happen for you. Trust me!
I'm so proud of you my friend. I think of you all the time and hope you're doing well.
Thank you SO much for posting your great results. I'll bet you and Jeanette are just thrilled with this.
Jeanette, the gigantic primitive's wife, is probably thrilled, because if the gigantic primitive keeps on losing weight, pretty soon he'll be able to work for a living, taking some of the load off of her.
justgamma (1000+ posts) Mon Aug-10-09 10:45 AM
Response to Original message
2. I'm so impressed!
We knew you could do it. One day at a time. That's great progress. We are proud of you!
Right. One day at a time. And one day closer to getting a job and supporting the wife.
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This dude weighed in at five hundred and freaking nineteen pounds ?
I wonder if he realizes that under ObamaCare he'd be shit outta luck in the healthcare department.
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This dude weighed in at five hundred and freaking nineteen pounds ?
I wonder if he realizes that under ObamaCare he'd be shit outta luck in the healthcare department.
I'm a little dubious about the alleged loss of 19 pounds the first week of August.
Although admittedly I could be wrong.
Wouldn't that be life-threatening, losing 19 pounds in a week?
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I'm a little dubious about the alleged loss of 19 pounds the first week of August.
Although admittedly I could be wrong.
Wouldn't that be life-threatening, losing 19 pounds in a week?
Not if he took a crap right before weigh in.
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I'm a little dubious about the alleged loss of 19 pounds the first week of August.
Although admittedly I could be wrong.
Wouldn't that be life-threatening, losing 19 pounds in a week?
I would think that at this primitives size, he could lose that just in 'water weight' - which they say is one of the first things to happen - once one reduces the carbohydrates, the body turns to glycogen (spelling ?) which triggers a fairly dramatic drop in pounds. Once the glycogen is gone, then the body goes after the fat, which is where the hard work begins.
I also think this fact of nature is what turns people off of diets - they start off, drop the water weight and think its fantastic then hit a wall once the body transitions to actual fat burning. People get depressed, and stop.
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Well diets are all about sticking to them. Something tells me the gigantic primitive got far more helpings of grains and fats in the 'SAD diet' before he decided to commit to this. Case in point, the only dietary changes I made involved moderation and healthy eating MOST days and I've lost far more then he has already with a lot less to lose then he had to begin with. He's not acknowledging the fact that it's because he has stuck to the diet that he has lost what he has and because he doesn't recognize that moderation is the key in these things, he probably will fail eventually if he comes off of the Vegan diet because he will allow himself to return to indecency in his eating habits and blame it on his diet when his portion control is the problem. And still, 39 lbs in almost 2 months for someone of that size is not a lot to be honest. That's only a little better then 5% of his body weight. Most peeps can drop 10% in that time frame, again with a lot less to lose.
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And still, 39 lbs in almost 2 months for someone of that size is not a lot to be honest. That's only a little better then 5% of his body weight. Most peeps can drop 10% in that time frame, again with a lot less to lose.
Question, madam, because I never paid attention.
I thought that a loss of 3-4 pounds a week, on any sort of diet or exercise regimen was ideal, but anything beyond that, possibly perilous.
That's why I myself am watching right now, although I'm only a little over a third the size of the gigantic primitive. With this, uh, issue, in my life at the moment, I've had an utter lack of appetite (although no lack of liquid nutrients), but being otherwise healthy, I'm not concerned about it right now.
I decided the point to where I should get concerned is when I lose more than 3-4 pounds in a week.
Is this true, or no?
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I'm a little dubious about the alleged loss of 19 pounds the first week of August.
Although admittedly I could be wrong.
Wouldn't that be life-threatening, losing 19 pounds in a week?
Not at his weight, Frank. He probably will have very significant losses (or should) for the first few months at his weight. Once he drops below 300, I think it will go a lot slower for him. Then the true test of his will would begin. I've been doing what I have for about 22 months now and it takes an awful lot of tenacity to continue difficult workouts and eating properly when you feel like there is very little payoff. Eventually he will have to switch how he thinks about things and realize there are some things done to maintain his healthy and not for accolades or hi 5s over the number on the scale. The rewards are subtle when the outside doesnt change anymore and they are just knowing you are doing good things for you body and overall health. For a lot of people, those aren't reward enough.
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I would assume as well due to the gigantic primitives size that even a semi brisk walk would be difficult if not dangerous. Those that are morbidly obese have already taxed their cardiovascular systems to the breaking point. Not to mention the type 2 diabetes that I am 99.9999% positive that he has. I would hope that he is on this diet under the supervision of a physician.
I would encourage the gigantic primitive to seek the counsel of a good dietitian to learn about healthy eating habits and exercise. It is indeed a lifestyle change but a good one. I am not a big one on diets that are not based on healthy well balanced meals. If you cut out carbs you do indeed loose the weight but it is not a diet that one can maintain indefinitely. One needs to learn about portion control and food choices. I see these commercials for weight loss programs all the time and they sell you the food but don't teach you how to eat once you have lost the weight. Thus once you go off the diet you put it back on. The only one that comes close to actual instruction is Weight Watchers.
Several small well balanced meals a day and a sensible workout routine is the best bet for long term weight loss and maintenance. I have counseled patients on this all the time and the ones that followed my advice lost the weight and have a new lease on life.
I wish the gigantic primitive the best of luck on his new life.
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Question, madam, because I never paid attention.
I thought that a loss of 3-4 pounds a week, on any sort of diet or exercise regimen was ideal, but anything beyond that, possibly perilous.
That's why I myself am watching right now, although I'm only a little over a third the size of the gigantic primitive. With this, uh, issue, in my life at the moment, I've had an utter lack of appetite (although no lack of liquid nutrients), but being otherwise healthy, I'm not concerned about it right now.
I decided the point to where I should get concerned is when I lose more than 3-4 pounds in a week.
Is this true, or no?
It really depends on your current weight, Frank. At his size, his body can afford to dump the excess and his loss is likely to be significant compared to a man who weighs 180 and is trying to lose 5 or 10 lbs.
I lost far more when I was heavier then I do now. 3 to 4 lbs for me, for example, would not be wise at this point.
Men also lose weight quicker and at a greater rate it seems then women do. Women's bodies want to hold fat for biologically evident reasons.
Perhaps focusing on percentage of body weight lost makes it more relevant?
10% loss of body weight is 43 lbs for the gigantic primitive at this point, but 10% loss for you might be 20 lbs. Let's say you were to lose that over 8 weeks. That would be approx. 6 lbs a week for the gigantic primitive, but a little over 2 lbs a week for you. You just can't speak in pure poundage, Frank. The before weight of an individual has to be considered in weight loss, as well as their amount of lean muscle mass and general weight distribution. Someone with a lot of lean muscle mass usually has to forgo a standard BMI chart in favor of measurements. For example, I'm overweight on the BMI chart still, but I'm considered a normal measurement around my waist. Because of this, I've had to adjust my weight loss expectations down and had to concentrate on things other then pounds lost.
I've digressed a bit and I'm sorry. I also apologize for jumping in so many of these threads. I've taken a huge interest in this subject anymore. To the point that I am actually working on some certifications to work in the field. Funny how life's experiences take folks on twists and turns in the road. I would never have dreamed of being here 2 years ago. Hopefully, the gigantic primitive gets to that point eventually too. I'm a bit concerned though about his attitude that his diet is the answer. Aprilrazz pinned the problem with seeing a specific diet as an end all.
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I also apologize for jumping in so many of these threads. I've taken a huge interest in this subject anymore. To the point that I am actually working on some certifications to work in the field.
Damn, no need to apologize, madam; you know your stuff, and have been an enlightenment to many of us.
I just thought 19 pounds a bit much--that's almost three pounds a day--in a week.
I'm too hoping very badly the gigantic primitive succeeds, so that he can get to work and take some of the load off his wife.
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Damn, no need to apologize, madam; you know your stuff, and have been an enlightenment to many of us.
I just thought 19 pounds a bit much--that's almost three pounds a day--in a week.
I'm too hoping very badly the gigantic primitive succeeds, so that he can get to work and take some of the load off his wife.
I have a feeling, like someone else mentioned, that he might have lost a lot of water weight that week, Frank. It's not unusual when one starts a weight loss plan. It was probably the first week he was really diligent about his food and water intake and he lost oodles of weight. If you ever have the time, look at some of the stories of bariatric patients. They experience the same thing in the first couple of weeks especially. Happens on the show the Biggest Loser too. The first week they lose a TON of weight and then they hit a wall the second week.
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I have a feeling, like someone else mentioned, that he might have lost a lot of water weight that week, Frank. It's not unusual when one starts a weight loss plan. It was probably the first week he was really diligent about his food and water intake and he lost oodles of weight. If you ever have the time, look at some of the stories of bariatric patients. They experience the same thing in the first couple of weeks especially. Happens on the show the Biggest Loser too. The first week they lose a TON of weight and then they hit a wall the second week.
The interesting thing is I have seen quite a few bariatric patients hospitalized for malnutrition.
I am not a big fan of the BMI scale. It only uses height and weight but as you said does not take into account anything else. I have seen men with not an ounce of fat on them be categorized as overweight on the BMI scale. It is outdated and was never that accurate to begin with. Unfortunately the military still uses it.
Measurements of the neck, abdomen and hips as well as the dreaded scale to a point are the better measures. The best scale of all is how you feel. People that loose weight in a sensible manner tend to feel better, have more energy and are less prone to illness. Top that off with a better self image and you can't do any better.
As far as hitting that wall that is where most people give up. But that is the best time. Your body is adjusting and is kind of learning to deal with the changes. The ones that break though that wall are the most successful.
Best of luck to anyone who is attempting to better themselves with weight loss and a healthy lifestyle. It is one of the best things you can do for yourself. As they say at least you have your health.
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The interesting thing is I have seen quite a few bariatric patients hospitalized for malnutrition.
I am not a big fan of the BMI scale. It only uses height and weight but as you said does not take into account anything else. I have seen men with not an ounce of fat on them be categorized as overweight on the BMI scale. It is outdated and was never that accurate to begin with. Unfortunately the military still uses it.
Measurements of the neck, abdomen and hips as well as the dreaded scale to a point are the better measures. The best scale of all is how you feel. People that loose weight in a sensible manner tend to feel better, have more energy and are less prone to illness. Top that off with a better self image and you can't do any better.
As far as hitting that wall that is where most people give up. But that is the best time. Your body is adjusting and is kind of learning to deal with the changes. The ones that break though that wall are the most successful.
Best of luck to anyone who is attempting to better themselves with weight loss and a healthy lifestyle. It is one of the best things you can do for yourself. As they say at least you have your health.
I can see that with the bariatric patients. I remember reading of a man who could not stop losing once he got to a healthy weight. Couldn't hold anything down. It seems like a desperate thing to do, imo, since some of the operations make permanent changes to the stomach. I never went this route, nor did I need to. From the amount of food they can consume though and the amount of supplements I've heard have to be taken to keep proper vitamins and minerals running through the body: I can believe that malnutrition can be an issue. I suppose I used it as an example of where a person is forced to make dietary changes and the weight loss that ensues, but people who approach it on their own often lose a lot initially too. Maybe not 19 lbs, but 5 or 6 lbs the first week is not unheard of in someone obese. I can't help but feel for people who get bit in the butt when they take the measures like bariatric surgery to remedy somethign that really is well within their control.
Absolutely agree with you on the BMI thing. I'm at the point where I know I will always be considered overweight on that scale according to what shows up on the scale, however the size of clothes I would fit into is indicative of a woman at a normal weight. Craziness, the BMI scale. I don't use it for myself, but I know it still gets thrown around in the whole obesity discussion :thatsright:
Can't argue with anything here, april! :bow: And I agree with you on the wall. I hit one over the last couple of months. Broke through it about 2 weeks ago. Oddly, it took taking a short workout break(just a few days) and allowing a bit more calorie intake during those days to 're-tweak' it. The human body is an odd and amazing thing! And sensible is the way to go! It's tough, that's for sure. I've found though when you realize the things you can do, both mentally and physically, with pure determination and drive...well, it's just a huge boost to one's overall sense of well-being and confidence. I wish more people would stick it through and even challenge themselves physically more. It's very rewarding. And I've found it a wonderful balance between the academic pursuits and the physical.
:cheersmate:
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The JohnnyReb diet for DUmmies.....Lose weight fast....refuse foodstamps and free food from foodbanks....eat grass clippings from the dog run....get worms....become skin and bones in no time.
....or turn yourself in at the "report a disbeliever" snitch site and go to one of the many fabulous Obama camps.
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Aprilrazz pinned the problem with seeing a specific diet as an end all.
:bow:
I hope the Gigantic one can find a way to change his eating habits so that he won't kill himself. It's habits that are hard to break.
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Damn, no need to apologize, madam; you know your stuff, and have been an enlightenment to many of us.
I just thought 19 pounds a bit much--that's almost three pounds a day--in a week.
I'm too hoping very badly the gigantic primitive succeeds, so that he can get to work and take some of the load off his wife.
Thats a lot of weightloss playing video games.... might have gotten a Wii?
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Update.
Systematic Chaos (1000+ posts) Mon Aug-17-09 10:23 AM
Response to Original message
5. Fun with Water Weight Roulette: The Lasix Saga Continues.
June 21, 2009 - 488 (-31 from Dec. 2007 lifetime high)
June 28 - 488 (unchanged due to quitting 3 daily doses of diuretics)
July 5 - 485 ( -3 )
July 12 - 478 ( -7 )
July 19 - 476 ( -2 )
July 26 - 475 ( -1 )
August 2 - 456 ( -19 )
August 9 - 449 ( -7 )
August 16 - 454 ( +5 ) (blood pressure low enough to drop lasix completely, but at the expense of some water retention)
I actually ate less this week than last week, when I made a deliberate effort to slow my weight loss just a bit. However, at the same time I decided to get off a medication I seem to be able to live without, so I attribute this week's setback to a bit of water gain. Also, losing 26 pounds over the previous two weeks just wasn't something sustainable given that I'm not really exercising yet. That comes when I break below 400.
Otherwise, I'm doing very well and still thoroughly enjoy the McDougall lifestyle. Last night's dinner was a mushroom dish with a red wine reduction over some quinoa. Delicious!!
I can hardly wait until the gigantic primitive loses enough weight so he can get back to working for a living, so as to take some of the load off his hard-pressed wife.
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I still think it's funny when the DUmmies take diet advice from a guy who weighs a quarter of a ton.
If this guy can't get out of a chair because of being such an enormous tub of lard, how does he get
to the truck scales every week? Normal human being scales don't go that high.
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The interesting thing is I have seen quite a few bariatric patients hospitalized for malnutrition.
I am not a big fan of the BMI scale. It only uses height and weight but as you said does not take into account anything else. I have seen men with not an ounce of fat on them be categorized as overweight on the BMI scale. It is outdated and was never that accurate to begin with. Unfortunately the military still uses it.
Measurements of the neck, abdomen and hips as well as the dreaded scale to a point are the better measures. The best scale of all is how you feel. People that loose weight in a sensible manner tend to feel better, have more energy and are less prone to illness. Top that off with a better self image and you can't do any better.
As far as hitting that wall that is where most people give up. But that is the best time. Your body is adjusting and is kind of learning to deal with the changes. The ones that break though that wall are the most successful.
Best of luck to anyone who is attempting to better themselves with weight loss and a healthy lifestyle. It is one of the best things you can do for yourself. As they say at least you have your health.
Only the Navy, to my knowledge, uses BMI. The Army uses the craptastic "tape" test, where the difference in the measurement of the circumference of your neck and abdomen (for men) is compared on a chart to your height. For women, the measurements are at the neck, waist, buttocks and wrists. It's a stupid system that has ruined careers of many perfectly good Soldiers.
That being said, your points about BMI and weight loss in general are accurate. I find that I'm not really worried about how much I eat, just try to keep to a reasonable portion size (probably about 2500 cal/day, but I'm in an extreme environment right now), and I've been focusing on building muscle mass, as one pound of lean muscle at rest will burn one pound of body fat in 3 days.
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Latest update from the gigantic primitive:
Systematic Chaos (1000+ posts) Sun Aug-23-09 03:56 PM
Response to Original message
7. Continued progress...
June 21, 2009 - 488 (-31 from Dec. 2007 lifetime high)
June 28 - 488 (unchanged due to quitting 3 daily doses of diuretics)
July 5 - 485 ( -3 )
July 12 - 478 ( -7 )
July 19 - 476 ( -2 )
July 26 - 475 ( -1 )
August 2 - 456 ( -19 ) ** (resumed diuretic and diabetic meds)
August 9 - 449 ( -7 )
August 16 - 454 ( +5 ) (stopped diuretics again due to lowering b.p.)
August 23 - 444 ( -10 ) (nope... can't quit lasix -- I want to but I need to be real)
My experiment in stopping lasix due to acceptable blood pressure readings wasn't such a great idea. I still retain a lot of water in my bad leg due to some vein damage, so I can't tax myself that way. Better a drug than the consequences of further compromised circulation!
I'm still continuing to eat vegan, with no added oil. I feel great except for the pain from my healing leg, so sometimes I have a hard time sleeping, but all-in-all I'm far less miserable than I was 3 months ago!
It's all looking good, and in no time at all, the gigantic primitive should be in fit shape to take on a job, so as to relieve the gigantic primitive's wife of bearing the whole load.
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The minute he starts thinking about a job is the minute he becomes a nervous eater again. Work? How can I work when I have X-Box and PS-3? How am I suppose to think about employment when those dang Republicans are allowed to keep breathing?
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The minute he starts thinking about a job is the minute he becomes a nervous eater again. Work? How can I work when I have X-Box and PS-3? How am I suppose to think about employment when those dang Republicans are allowed to keep breathing?
:lmao: :lmao:
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One thing bothers me about this poor person is their insistence that they cannot exercise.
Of course one in a comma cannot exercise but as long as one can move any body part Something can be done. People in wheel chairs burn calories by working with very light dumb bells , Stretching exercises can be done in a seated or prone position.
You know those classes in health gyms for step dancing,? I was in a gym and every Tuesday they have classes for the handicapped.
The room was cleared out to make room for the wheel chairs in the back and those who needed to sit were placed in the front of the mirrors. What fun those folks had for one full hour rocking, swaying and moving any part of their body they could to the beat of the music.
Something about the disabled forgetting their pain while [dancing] was brought up.
Another thing about this person, they are still obsessed with food, the very thing that got them into this mess in the first place.
A past neighbor of mine lost 200 lbs in 18 months by just eating 3 TV dinners a day. they lost a bit over 3 lb. a week and went from someone who LIVES to eat to someone who eats to LIVE. With their plan they could still drink a cold beer each day, go out to dinner twice a month and cheat like heck, amazing the difference it made to them to not feel trapped.
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Uh oh. A setback, but fortunately it appears to be only minor, almost meaningless.
Systematic Chaos (1000+ posts) Sun Sep-06-09 05:58 PM
Response to Original message
11. Had a couple very rough weeks but I think it's cool now....
June 21, 2009 - 488 (-31 from Dec. 2007 lifetime high)
June 28 - 488 (unchanged due to quitting 3 daily doses of diuretics)
July 5 - 485 ( -3 )
July 12 - 478 ( -7 )
July 19 - 476 ( -2 )
July 26 - 475 ( -1 )
August 2 - 456 ( -19 ) ** (resumed diuretic and diabetic meds)
August 9 - 449 ( -7 )
August 16 - 454 ( +5 )
August 23 - 444 ( -10 ) (tried stopping lasix again -- no go)
August 30 - 449 ( +5 )
September 6 - 443 ( -6 )
I seriously have no idea what caused me to gain 5 lbs. last week. Even worse, I had another episode where my left thigh got really tender and immediately afterward my whole body fell ill for two days. It's got to be long-trapped lymph fluid coming loose as weight loss reverses my lymphedema, is all I can guess. That would certainly be toxic enough to throw me for a loop as it works its way out of the body! I spent the entire weekend last week in bed, asleep. Only ate one time, but also only took my medications one time. My blood sugar spiked for a couple of days as a result, but by Wednesday I was on my way back to normal.
At least whatever caused that weight gain, I reversed it plus a pound this past week. I'll take it!
Oh, and I've begun exercising daily too. Just marching in place on the bedroom floor for now, but that recumbent bike of mine is waiting for me to drop under 400 so I can get on and pedal all I want with no impact on my bad foot.
I hope all of you are doing well! Thanks to everyone who has been checking in on me. Sorry I didn't have much to say for a little while. I just needed to get over whatever happened last week and know that my weight was coming down properly again.
Only 49 more pounds to lose, and then the gigantic primitive can dig out and dust off his resume, and start applying for jobs.
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If he keeps this up he going to start getting me worried. I don't look as heavy as I am because I am pretty tall but if he gets sub-400, I am going to start a major diet myself.
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It's got to be long-trapped lymph fluid coming loose
What? Long-trapped lymph fluid?
Most likely this tub of lard still has his chakras out out balance.
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Latest update on the gigantic primitive, who's slowly getting down to the 400-pound mark, after which he can dust off his resume and go look for a job.
http://drmcdougall.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=11960&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=375
There's some self-posted photographs of the gigantic primitive on page 25, but I'm starting with page 26 and after.
The gigantic primitive apparently had some underwear problems:
Ege Bamyasi
Joined: 15 Jun 2009
Posts: 355
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Posted: Sat Sep 12, 2009 10:32 am
Thank you Caroveggie and Letha for stopping in.
I have some more anecdotal evidence to share about how I've shrunk over the past few months. They involve trying on some cotton/nylon underwear that don't stretch at all like the 100% cotton kind does, in size 5x (was wearing 7x when I started the Plan). If I lose another 10 - 15 lbs. at most, they will fit perfectly. When Jeanette bought them for me, I had asked her to buy cotton briefs. This was at least two years ago, if memory serves. She accidentally bought this other kind instead, and from the day we opened the package they were too tight to wear comfortably due to their non-stretch design. Near my peak weight it wasn't even possible to get them up over my butt! Another month or so, and they will fit. Awesome! I know for a fact that when I was in the hospital a while back, and they were trying to find an MRI machine which I could fit into, they had to measure my waist. I was just under 500 lbs. and my waist was 71". I likely was around 74" at my peak weight of 519. These 5x underwear are sized for a 58" - 60". That's well over a foot gone from my waistline once I can fit into these. Woot!!
Jeanette is now taking a series of very high resolution photos of both of my legs and feet, which she will do every dressing change. These will be downloaded to our computer but not put in our shared Photobucket account for obvious reasons. I will, however, share some of these photos with Dr. McDougall personally as a testimonial of how well following this plan -- and using the healing properties of coconut oil -- has facilitated healing of a limb I thought was a real goner.
Jeanette's about to go out grocery shopping, and I'm going to kick back and play games and stuff for a while. I'll check back later and report on my exercise and stuff!
31 lbs. in 18 months eating SAD (avg. 0.40 lbs./week)
46 lbs. in 12 weeks of McDougalling (avg. 3.83 lbs./week)
Ege Bamyasi
Joined: 15 Jun 2009
Posts: 355
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Posted: Sun Sep 13, 2009 3:10 am
June 21, 2009 - 488 (-31 from Dec. 2007 lifetime high)
June 28 - 488 (unchanged due to quitting 3 daily doses of diuretics)
July 5 - 485 ( -3 )
July 12 - 478 ( -7 )
July 19 - 476 ( -2 )
July 26 - 475 ( -1 )
August 2 - 456 ( -19 ) ** (resumed diuretic and diabetic meds)
August 9 - 449 ( -7 )
August 16 - 454 ( +5 )
August 23 - 444 ( -10 ) (tried stopping lasix again -- no go)
August 30 - 449 ( +5 )
September 6 - 443 ( -6 )
September 13 - 442 ( -1 )
Well, a loss is a loss, but I expected this week to go a little better than 1 lb. Still, a release is a release, and I didn't follow a release with a gain this time, so that's good news.
It's possible that with my increasing exercise, I will stall out on weight loss for a while, but start losing inches all over my body. Historically, this has been the case throughout my life, so this time is likely to be similar. I know we used to have a long enough tape measure to measure my waist around the house somewhere, but since we've moved I don't know where it is. I may have Jeanette pick one up at Target or something, and post a waist measurement every week along with my weight for a while. It will be an interesting experiment to see just what happens.
I've not eaten anything in quite some time, so I'm hungry. I don't know what Jeanette might be up to making now that she's awake, but I will be sure to include a big salad today since we have plenty of honey for dressing.
I'll check back later with a report about my food and exercise.
Edit: This morning's blood sugar was a very low (for me) 87!
Blood pressure was "meh" at 140/80. It could be a lot worse though, if I weren't eating the McDougall way!
31 lbs. in 18 months eating SAD (avg. 0.40 lbs./week)
46 lbs. in 12 weeks of McDougalling (avg. 3.83 lbs./week)
Ege Bamyasi
Joined: 15 Jun 2009
Posts: 355
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Man, this really chaps my....
Posted: Mon Sep 14, 2009 1:27 pm
bunsofaluminum, the underwear really had me freaked. When my shoulders were really bad a few months back, I had so little range of motion that I was unable to do almost anything for myself, including getting dressed. I couldn't put my arms up to get a shirt on, or hold a pair of underwear down near the floor and put my feet through the leg openings. With my weight those things were tough, but doable. With the impingement syndrome, forget it.
That being said, one day Jeanette grabbed a pair of those 5x, non-stretch underpants to put on me, thinking they were my other cotton boxer briefs. she got them up past my knees and immediately I could tell what they were because they were not going to get over my butt once I stood up! When I put them on the other day, I actually had them all the way on, but they were still snug enough that the fly wouldn't stay closed and they pinched my thighs a bit. I figure another 2" lost and that problem will go away, and that's where I get 15 lbs. since 1" on my waist is usually around 7 - 8 lbs. gone. I really was thrilled to see that I could get them on in any respect, though!
Bea, thanks for taking time out of your busy working life to stop in! I bet you're having a blast with those kids. I'm going to do everything in my power to make good on that promise to get to an hour by the end of this month. My endurance is certainly showing that it could happen, but sadly, other physiological factors may hinder me somewhat which I didn't even take into account until yesterday. I'll explain below.
LauraA, okay, I'll continue to stand in the door frame for my future photos! I've decided that instead of posting my next set at 400, I'll wait for a very important milestone. Since meeting Jeanette in 2002, I have never been lower than 378 lbs., and that was in 2003 just before I got struck with plantar fasciitis so bad I could barely stand up or walk. The cortisone shots, heavy doses of anti-inflammatories and inactivity I went through -- coupled with major depression because of all of those problems combined -- caused me to eventually balloon up to where I was in 2007 (and gave me lots of quality hospital time to boot!).
So, I will post my next set of pictures at or below 378. That will represent at least 139 lbs. released in total, and at least 110 lbs. on the McDougall plan! I very much look forward to that day, because that to me will symbolize the true beginning of me becoming the man I promised Jeanette I would be once she was a part of my life. I feel I've let both of us down very badly in the years since.
This next paragraph is somewhat graphic. It describes the changing condition of my left leg and foot over the past few months very vividly. If you're the sensitive sort, I strongly suggest that you skip down. Don't say you weren't warned!
toadfood, txveggie and sksamboots; thank you for commenting on my brighter face and eyes. They really are a reflection of my renewed hope -- especially where it concerns my left leg and foot. When you look at my most recent photo, you can see enough of the left leg and the right one side-by-side to tell just how bad the swelling is on the left side. The ulcerations just before starting treatments with coconut oil were so ugly and so serious that I would say multiplying the difference in leg sizes in the picture by maybe 20 would give you an idea of their severity.
I'm watching about 2 millimeters of skin -- or about 1/16 of an inch -- which has been eaten away, slowly start coming back. I've watched the color of those wounds go from necrotic black to a healthy red and tan flesh color. Most importantly, the second toe on my foot has gone from having a black indented band all the way across the top -- just about the last stage before mandatory amputation I might add -- to almost no sign of banding with remaining swelling which itself is decreasing.
The webbing between those toes was as black and disgusting as the wounded areas on my shin, and the top of the foot going back about 1 1/2 inches was in very bad shape too. At this point, the webbing between the great and second toes is red with a bit of brown, and the foot behind that has covered over with a yellowish-white layer of escar tissue (dead skin) which is slowly flaking away every time Jeanette cleans me up with a clean towel and antiseptic wound care spray.
I still have a very long way to go, but whereas just 6 weeks or so ago I was 80% or more certain that I was going to lose my entire leg at the knee, I now put those odds at 10%. The foul odor which accompanied me everywhere from those wounds (and was taking my hope and my spirits with it) is gone entirely. Bless her heart, but occasionally when she cleans me up, Jeanette will get right down there to within an inch of my foot or leg and sniff for odor. About the only thing she gets is a faint smell like sweaty socks now when I go two days without a dressing change, coming from my foot. After thorough cleaning that is almost entirely undetectable.
The toenail on my great toe, when last I was going to wound care over the Spring, had to be cut by this device which almost looked like a small wire cutter. It was like some kind of thick, encrusted antler growing out of my toe! Now, it is almost a perfectly healthy nail. It's still just a tiny bit darker than normal, but the shape and thickness of it are what I would call healthy.
I apologize for this very graphic description, but now you know what has me running so scared. I've hinted at these things in prior posts, but the mere act of trying to verbalize any of this in any form was enough to make me want to start crying until very recently. Instead, I now have real hope and I believe with 100% of my being in the power of nutrition to help reverse terrible illness. I'm living proof on a level which very few here can fully identify with. I say that not as part of some grandiose ego trip, but as a real statement of fact.
The fact that all of this progress has been achieved without any help whatsoever from doctors is what I would describe as a quantum level of unreal. These things aren't supposed to happen, are they?? Dr. McDougall will be receiving a way to view very high resolution images of my progress over time eventually, regardless of my outcome. I've already made my mind up to that, and that is why I could justify the expense of a $200 Sony digital camera. We really don't have that kind of money to throw around -- especially given that we intend to scrimp and save to move out of Vegas -- but this is just too important to not do.
Did I really just type all that out and put it here for the world to read? Yes, I did. Let the chips fall where they may....
Now, on to what's been going on with me the last couple of days. I had a blast yesterday with Jeanette, with the two of us playing our favorite online game together for most of the day. There was one problem, though. See, when I began exercising I knew there was going to be pain and discomfort now and again as part of the process of getting back into shape. My goal was just to keep it to a minimum so I wouldn't seriously injure myself, and to that end I think I've done a respectable job. My back, shoulder and leg muscles have been responding beautifully.
I forgot one thing, though; that being that my thighs are still freaking huge! Huge = rubbing together with movement = friction and that, according to what I learned in 3rd grade math, can equal much pain and irritation. I got to spend yesterday with a very raw feeling down below, if you get my drift. I've been using Lubriderm lotion quite liberally to get rid of the irritation and help my skin not develop any serious problems. The good news is that it's working. The bad news is twofold: First, I've gone from feeling like I was sitting on coarse grit sandpaper whenever I was seated, to feeling like my butt is planted in an oil slick. I hope that, as with everything else, this too shall soon pass.
In the meantime, I didn't exercise at all yesterday. I'm very frustrated that of all things, it would be something plain stupid like this which would cut into my exercise time when everything else was coming together so beautifully! Time to take a deep breath and practice patience for a while, I guess.
Yesterday I had some fat free refried beans with onions and salsa for one meal, and a big bowl of leafy greens for the other, and a couple of nectarines for an evening snack. As an added bonus to go along with the chapped posterior, I was treated to a completely unexpected attack of gas and stomach cramps shortly before bed time. Thankfully it subsided by this morning and doesn't seem to have any inkling to return. My meal plan for today is the same as yesterday and I've already had my beans and corn tortillas. No problems this time, so I know it wasn't the beans. I don't know what happened yesterday but I'm glad to be feeling better.
I will try my best to get a little bit of exercise in today, but only if I really think I can handle it without further exacerbating my chafing problem. My only consolation is that in the next hundred pounds or so that will vanish. In the meantime I can only do my best.
Sorry for this very long post, and again I hope nobody lost their lunch over the foot/leg wound paragraph. It's just that full disclosure and accountability demanded that I come clean. It took a mighty amount of courage to do that... trust me. I hope all of you regular posters and lurkers are having a wonderful week!
31 lbs. in 18 months eating SAD (avg. 0.40 lbs./week)
46 lbs. in 12 weeks of McDougalling (avg. 3.83 lbs./week)
Ege Bamyasi
Joined: 15 Jun 2009
Posts: 355
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Posted: Tue Sep 15, 2009 3:57 am
Caroveggie, thank you for your kind affirmation. There wasn't any way I was going to divulge all of that information without a big shiny disclaimer, because when I read stuff like that about other people I often end up getting wracked by overly-vivid mental images. I've gone through bouts of sympathetic pain and other discomfort as a result of such things. I don't want to inflict that sort of stuff on others unless they've been steeled for it in advance.
Anna Green, thank you for the suggestion of using some powder to help with my chafing. I'll be sure to try adding that if the Lubriderm lotion doesn't seem to be enough. My pain and discomfort are still there to some degree, but it's down to a dull roar compared to yesterday! I was thinking about my recumbent bike that I have; and how since I've dropped 40-ish lbs. since the last time I tried to get on it, my balance and strength have increased, while my belly has shrunk just a bit. It's covered with folded blankets and other things which need to be put away in the closet right now, but tomorrow Jeanette has agreed to do this for me. I'm going to try using the bike, and if I can get on and off of it without major difficulty I should be totally set for exercise even though I'm still not down to the 400 lbs.
I stated was my benchmark previously. Back when I was on my way down to 378 in 2003, I did it using a much smaller recumbent which cost about 1/3 the money. It was sturdy enough to hold me just fine even though I started using it at about the same weight I am now, and it challenged me very much as I used it for an hour each morning before work. The best part is that when I'm on a bike I don't chafe like I do when I'm walking because of how my butt is squished flat on a seat and won't rub together in the same offending way. If this works, I'm going to be tickled fifty shades of pink! I'll let you all know as soon as I do.
portion deleted because it's much verbiosity about some stupid obscure rock bands
Nancy, I'm floored that you've had to go through similar experiences to mine with that Ed of yours. Looking at him in your photos, I would never suspect that somebody that close to "normal" body weight could end up having a problem with the feet like mine. You do me so very proud knowing that you loved that lug enough to stick with him through the thick and thin of his crisis, and I sincerely hope you can keep him active enough that such a thing won't happen again... at least for a good long while! I read your story quite a few hours ago, and I'm still sitting here shaking my head. I just never would have guessed.
Earlier, I got to try my first salad of European salad mix from Fresh & Easy, topped with that honey dijon 3-2-1 dressing from the MWL recipes. I changed the ratios around so that the honey was the "1", and the vinegar (in this case balsamic) was the "3". Less sugar and calories that way. I also had Jeanette puree a couple of cloves of garlic along with the other ingredients. ZOMG but that stuff is so good! I have a nice, big batch of it now, and enough stuff around the house to make it again a few times. I will definitely be eating at least one large salad a day now with this stuff! We also made ourselves some tofu "egg" salad, and I had a sandwich of that on sprouted grain bread. My snack is some grapes right now, and during the afternoon I ate two small bananas. It was a very healthy and satisfying food day for me, and with that awesome dressing there are sure to be many more!
I'm going to attempt to condense one final long story into a short (by my standards, anyway!) paragraph -- this one concerning Jeanette. She was adopted by one of her aunts as an infant, because her biological parents were both severe drug addicts and as such completely incapable of raising a child. My adoptive mother-in-law at the time was married to one man, but they split up soon after adopting Jeanette with the agreement that whichever one settled down first would assume custody. My MIL ended up remarrying and setting up a "stable" household first, but the new husband never had any respect at all for Jeanette because she wasn't "his flesh and blood".
As a result, Jeanette had a very hard time as a kid and grew up intensely disliking her stepdad. Based on stories she's told me, I can't say I blame her; in fact, he sounds like a direct comparison to my own mother! Well, today when Jeanette got home my MIL called us and ended up connecting Jeanette with this first fellow. Knowing everything he does now, he feels a great deal of regret that things ended up happening as they did. Jeanette spoke with him for nearly an hour, and then I got on the phone with him for over 30 minute myself and shared parts of my current story. I'm also going to e-mail him a link to this journal once I know his e-mail address after he and Jeanette exchange an e-mail. Steve, if you're reading this, you already know how much I appreciate your positive influences on Jeanette's life, short though they were. If you have made it to this point of my journal then I hope you've learned a lot about the role of nutrition in health which perhaps you weren't previously aware of. Thanks again for our initial talk, and for being a part of Jeanette's life.
I really need to slow down from all these novella-length posts of late, don't I?
Yeah, riiiiiiight Kirk. Dream on.
31 lbs. in 18 months eating SAD (avg. 0.40 lbs./week)
46 lbs. in 12 weeks of McDougalling (avg. 3.83 lbs./week)
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Hey I lost 9 pounds in a little over a week!
I deserve affirmation for being a fat pig. Not nearly as fat as the above minion of satan but still fat.
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Hey I lost 9 pounds in a little over a week!
I deserve affirmation for being a fat pig. Not nearly as fat as the above minion of satan but still fat.
You took a shower, didn't you? Did you wash the ugly off?
Is that what 'affirmation' means?
:-)
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That being said, one day Jeanette grabbed a pair of those 5x, non-stretch underpants to put on me, thinking they were my other cotton boxer briefs. she got them up past my knees and immediately I could tell what they were because they were not going to get over my butt once I stood up!
Oh God, don't tell me his wife has to dress him? That's just creepy.
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Oh God, don't tell me his wife has to dress him? That's just creepy.
Yeah... bet she hopes he keeps this new diet up.
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You took a shower, didn't you? Did you wash the ugly off?
Is that what 'affirmation' means?
:-)
I think it means that you are supposed to support my delusions. Thanks for mentioning shower, I reakky need one, I needed the reminder too.