Help from long timers please!

So glad you've reached out in a separate post. I'm not an old timer, but one of the best pieces of advice I was given was to keep my carbs as low as possible - 20 to 40 grams daily for weight loss, 80 to 100 for maintenance. This allows me to save a good portion of my calories for dense protein and ensures my head hunger stays in check.

First, I would like to congratulate you!  You have recognized that you have a serious problem and you are not hiding from it.  You did not wait too long, only ten pounds were gained.  You are a fabulous success and now you just need a few hints and reminders and a program.

Here it is:

1) You will start measuring and journaing your food.  You will start at the very next thing you put in your mouth.

2) You will consume a minimum of 80 grams but preferably more of protein each day.  This is not negotiable and you will do it.

3) You will not eat more than 40 carbs a day.  This includes all carbs.  Do not even start with me about net carbs.  All carbs including vitamins will be counted. 

4) You will drink water like a fish. If you are not eating, you are either waiting the minimum 30 min. after the meal, or you are drinking.  You are drinking water, tea or something else with no calories.  You are not drinking a single calories until goal.

5) You are eating three ounces of lean, homemade protein at each meal.  I don't care if it's boring, that's what you are doing now and you will not relent until you reach your goal weight again.

6) You are eating raw or cooked low carb, high fiber veggies at least twice a day as snacks.

7) You are not grazing, and yes, a bite of this or that is grazing.  Yes, even tasting your cooking when it's not meal time counts. 

8) You will consume under 1000 calories, under 800 if you can do it.  I do it, so can  you.  If you are hungry, make my green chicken soup and live on it.  I don't care if your food is boring now.  It's not about entertainment now, it's about your health and beating obesity.  Do it, make it happen.

9) You will come to this board and report on your progress every day for a while.  You will journal your feelings and experiences.  You will allow yourself to feel angry, bitter, depressed or anything else you feel and still follow your program. Your feelings are not the same as your actions. 

10) You will stop beating yourself up over these 10 pounds as of right NOW.   This is normal, this is for life, this is what maintenance is about.  You are a success story not a failure. 

11) I forgot to mention earlier, when you are first de-carbing, you might need to increase your fat consumption to help you through the first few days.

12) You will let me know if you need more help, or you will let someone know.  You will not isolate yourself, you will accept help and support and you will commit to offering the same when the next person needs it.  That means you stay here indefinitely and you realize that this stuff is for life.

 

Elina I've copied and pasted your response so that I can keep it as a roadmap if and when needed.  It's so clear and comprehensive - thank you for this!

At first I thought that the OP blocked me because I could not see her posts for some reason. I thought this was sad because as usual I had a few things to say. :) Fortunately, it was just OH being strange. I hope my response is helpful. It is what I would do in the same situation.

Copied and saved in my WLS file - thanks Elina and by the way I love the Green Chicken Soup I have it on hand in my freezer all the time and it is favourite lunchtime go to food.  Lorna

It is simply karma that everytime I feel like I need a good swift kick I come on here and you have such great no nonsense advice!! Priceless and so appreciated! Thanks! ...and I'm laminating this sucker to have it for keeps!!

Amazing advice. Thanks for posting it Elina.

Excellent post I also printed it out to use as a guideline. Can you give me some suggestion for 6) You are eating raw or cooked low carb, high fiber veggies at least twice a day as snacks.

I am not a big fan of vegetables and eat only baby carrots, snap peas, and celery for snacks, and I know they are vegetables but I believe the carb count is higher than I want

I am totally copying, pasting, and printing Elina's response, too!!!!  Fabulous advice!

Joeswife, you WILL do what Elina says or she will come down there and flog you! What a great response Elina, you're so pushy!!! lol! yeah, I'm copying it too!

Deb