I have about 50 pounds to lose, and am over 50yo with a serious kidney disorder that helps me to realize that I've GOT to get my health back before it's too late. Being so overweight, having daily knee pain, and little energy are not conditions that I want to live with for the rest of my life.
I have lost 15 pounds by McDougalling since Christmas but I really struggle with this woe and seem to start and re-start again and again. I have no doubt that this is the best diet for me but somehow it's still always a struggle. Coming to this board for every day really helps, so thank you all for being a voice of encouragement.
I seem to somehow rebound every time I talk about my successes, so this is a little intimidating to be telling where I'm at. I'm hoping to get past that this time. Since Christmas I've also gotten rid of a mucous-y throat every morning, and arthritis pain in my fingers, so there have been positive changes already, and I'm thankful.
I've been McDougalling since my kidney surgery last May. (Actually, I also did this in 2001 with great success, when my whole family was doing it together. They lost interest, and eventually I gave up). So, this time I was going about 75% successful from May thru July, then doing really well (95%) Aug, and part of Sept. where I got my weight down to 183 from 204. Then my family (3 adults) presented me with a birthday gift- a whole bag of "healthy" junk food. I was so deflated and had a hard time being grateful for their gift that hurt my feelings- and my weight. I triggered a complete break from the program and by Christmas I was back to 197. I know it's not their fault what goes into my mouth, but I really struggle with doing this in a fairly unsupportive environment, but it is what it is, and I have to get past that too.
On Dec. 27, I buckled down again, and by the end of Jan. was at 183 again. Then I took a 10-day road trip in Jan., eating every meal with friends and relatives in their homes, and gained back 5 pounds. And that triggered another break that lasted almost 3 weeks, so thankfully not as long as the Sep. one. What is it about 183?? I seem to hit it like a trampoline! Finally!!, today my weight was 182, the lowest I've been in 3 years. I only record my weight on Mondays, so I hope it's still there by then.
My next milestone is 178 which is where I was in 2008. Little steps, I know. But that gives me something to celebrate sooner.
![Smile :-)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
As far as what I eat- I'm doing the regular program, not MWL. For now.
![Smile :-)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
I usually have a green smoothie for breakfast, a potato with toppings, or a burrito, for lunch, and a McDougall soup for dinner unless I'm cooking for the whole family. When we have dinner together I actually cook a SAD entree, and a McD entree and just let everyone choose. I've learned that it doesn't work to try to control what everyone else does, and it seems to sabotage me to try, and then get emotional about it. Often we are not all together for dinner and I don't have to cook anyway so it's not that big of a deal.
If I eat out, which isn't often, I get a Subway veggie sub, or a salad and potato. In the summer we garden and I eat loads of veggies, but during the winter, not so much. I know I need to work on that aspect of my diet. Plus I still have to figure in the oxalates, sodium, calcium, etc. for the kidney issues. I have a long way to go there too.
Anyhow, that's a snapshot of where I am, and where I've been recently. Thank the dear Lord for that 182, and I hope to be seeing a lot lower numbers than that in the near future!
Blessings,
Jubilee