Beating Body Set-points.

Hi clan!

A little advice, please.....

My body seems to be stuck at a certain weight. It's a number I have never really went below, except when I was really ill. 

I am doing a modified Atkins plan. I know....but I found when I added high fats,, my cholesterol skyrocketed. Weird, I lost weight, but that number went way up. So, I use some monounsaturated fats, just not a lot. 

I am exercising, drinking water....getting plenty of protein. The one caveat is I use about 6-7 teaspoons of coffee mate per day. I just love the taste. Do you think this might be an issues? Also, I am one of those RNYer's who cannot tolerate pork, beef or chicken, so I eat mostly fish, a bit of greek yogurt and egg beaters. I round it all out with low carb veggies and one small piece of fruit per day.  I have done well in recent months, but have been at this crossroads since Feb. with a mere 4 pound loss. 

I welcome any responses, and thank you.

Welcome!

I think it's important to say what your set point is.  What was your high weight and what was your low?  Did you have a regain that you're trying to get off?

I'm almost 13 months out from surgery and never made it to goal. 159-160 has been my current set point that I'm trying to get under.  Previously, it was 189 which I hadn't been under since the 170's.  I had to just really tough it out and wait to get under 189 and now the same is true for the 160.  I saw 159.8 for a minute then came back and settled at 160-161 for several weeks.  I've added hours of exercise which isn't helping. 

I think that beating the set-point is about being consistent.  Keeping my calories consistently under 800, my carbs under 20 and getting in my fluids and at least 7 hours of exercise each week.

I'd love to hear what works for you.  Why not come post on our daily Carb Accountability Report and get advice from those that know more about this.

Hi, Lee!

Thank you for the encouragement....we are in the same ballpark weight-wise...I do get about 1000 daily calories, perhaps a bit more on the weekends. I always splurge in the form of protein, save the dastardly coffee-mate. I think I need a 12-step program for it. I put it in tea, usually.

I am almost 6 years out. Highest weight was 405.  I lost 254 pounds, kept it off for 4 years. It was aorund that time I added bread, pasta, sugar. Deadly for my program, not to mention my addiction. I was crazed behind my food. With an Atkins regime, the madness and cravings are all but gone.

I regained about 60 pounds in 2009. I have lost 52 of it since October. I know, that may seem like a lot, but much of it was done on a liquid diet when I had complications and more surgery.

I have never been below 150 in my adult life. I am only 5'2 so at 162, I am still bordering on obese. There is akso a fair amount of loose skin, but I am not a candidate for plastics at this point in time, so I "spank" everything up and do the old smoke and mirrors thing. It can be exausting, not to mention uncomfortable in the summer.

Well, now that I have given away all my secrets....I will visit and participate here more often.

By the way, you are doing  so well, and look fantastic.  Let's not ever give up!

Darn right, never give up!  We didn't have this surgery to give up.  We're so lucky to have our tools to help us follow our best plans.  I may complain a lot but I know that without my Sleevie I would already have gained back what I lost last year. 

I'm sorry that you had complications.  I think your weight loss is awesome.  You've done great!  I bet you can get off the rest of your unwanted pounds by sticking closely to low carb and exercising.  At least that's what I'm telling myself.  So let's do this together!

You are a very welcome addition to this group and I know I have a lot to learn from you.

You betcha, Lee!

I think we are going ot turn over a new leaf. Since we have had a taste of success (something that always eluded me before wls) , I know we want to keep it going.  I know I have to be diligent, and keep in touch with you and other successfull people on this forum. It gives me fortitude. I hope it does the same for you.

Complications are the luck of the draw, and I tell myself to think of the complications of being 400+ pounds. I am okay with it all.  I have had three surgeries behind the complications, but I am still enjoying a better quality of life than the last 35 years of being MO.

Always here to lend an ear, Lee, and value your feedback and support. We have some amazing members.

A very special shout- out to Lisa for founding the group.  I really enjoy you all more than words can express.

xoxo

Ditto ditto ditto!

I've had several set points over the decades and I'm struggling against my lowest one forever right now. A month may be just a routine slow down or short stall.  However frustrating, you'll break through.   I have no proven solution or I'd use it on myself.  However, I collect ideas others say worked and pass them on. 

My dear long time pal coffeemate had to be sacraficed in both liquid and powder forms.  It was making things worse for me.  Now its unsweetened almond breeze almond milk at 2g carbs and 40 cal per cup. 

I limit my beloved fruit to a few servings a week.  I'm way too carb sensitive to have it daily.  As a no op, a fruit or two were my only carb food most days. 

You could set a new lower carb limit.  See where you average over the last month then adjust your total carbs/ net carbs/ carbs as a percent of total calories, as you see fit. 

Raise fats or go full atkins while sticking with zero cholesterol fats as best you can.  I don't like the taste of most fats so I have to add it in with "good", cholesterol free fats.  I rarely have dairy but when I do I use ff cheese prepared with a little zero cholesterol olive oil or smart balance light omega 3 spread to get enough fats in my diet.  I think it makes a better tasting pizza or grilled cheese on lc flatbread than 2% cheeses.  Perhaps this is an option for you. 

That's all I got.  Good luck and post what works for you. 

Hey MSW!

Looking GREAT in your avie. Congrats on all your hard work!

So.....you concur with my coffee mate observation? I will take heed, as I had the feeling it could be my undoing too.

I will lower net carbs and try to increase fats....it's tough because many fats make me nauseous. I do like the Smart Balance, however. Mayo and Sour Cream gross me out! They always have, even when I was at over 400 pounds.

Thanks for the pointers, and the support. I appreciate it! Let's keep each other posted on progress.

Cheers,
Pam