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01-29-2009, 05:40 PM

I've been a LC advocate since about 1996, but I haven't always taken my own advice. I was lean and healthy from about 1998 until my first pregnancy in 2000. Since then my weight and other health barometers have bounced around with the trend being away from health. Many times I have resolved to keep the carbohydrate intake low, but it has repeatedly crept back up despite considering myself to have a strong will. The physical feedback of fat storage is embarrassing, especially since I have strong convictions about the healthiness of a low carb diet, and I feel disinclined to share my views for fear of being judged to be proof that LC is unhealthy.

I discovered ZC within the last few months -- I'm not sure if it was through JM or ALC. I was initially reluctant to try it, since I understood that it would be a difficult commitment, and I didn't want to try it without some confidence that I could give it a fair trial. But the more I read and thought about it, the more inclined I was to decrease my carb intake, until finally it didn't seem as daunting. I have been LC since the first of January, and near zero since Jan 26. Other than meat and water I have had coffee and cream, and some salt, all of which I plan to reduce over time. I intend to try this until February 15th, and then re-evaluate. I lost 2 lbs between January 1st and 26th, and 1 since.

I decided to journal so that I could have a thread in which what I say is always relevant, :-), and to show my solidarity, and to get some support, and, I hope, to be helpful to someone else, just as the journals of others have been helpful to me. Thank you all, and especially Charles, for providing knowledge and a place for such development.

01-27: -1
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01-29-2009, 05:49 PM

Hey Amber! So glad you started a journal. Very interesting first post. It is hard to talk about this woe when people look at us and wonder what is so great about it? After awhile when the weight loss is really noticeable, our health and energy are great, people will be very interested in more information about it.

01-29-2009, 06:51 PM

Welcome! Your story is very familiar. I am glad you have the willingness to drop things in your WOE in the future that may impact you. Thanks for starting a journal!

01-29-2009, 07:15 PM

Good luck! When I lose the weight I want to lose and look the way I want to look I will be screaming ZC from the top of my lungs. In the mean time it's my own secret. Smile

Now I just tell people I don't eat carbs.

01-29-2009, 10:57 PM

Thank you for the encouragement!

A couple of times today I've had toe cramps or headaches. I took a multivitamin, which seemed to be the only potassium source in my cabinet. I understand the notion that if we're eating right we won't need supplements, but I'm obviously not there yet. I've read from Suzanneyea that her cramps resolved immediately after giving up salt. I had only the tiniest pinch of salt today, but that's strong motivation to take none at all. But who knows, it could be the coffee...

As for the headaches, I don't have a theory, except that it could just be part of adjusting.

As per the common local wisdom, I'm waiting until fatty meat sounds really good, and then eating until another bite sounds disgusting. Maybe that's going a bit too far? But I'm trying to maximize the time of satiety. Oh experiments are so much fun!

01-30-2009, 09:49 AM

DH and I have started a superslow routine in which we, theoretically, do 2 exercises in superslow fashion each morning, such that we get one full-body workout per week. We haven't developed consistency yet, but we managed glutes and calves this a.m. I'd like to see us do it every day, but it's not my first priority. I did superslow for a couple of months before and loved it, but this time it seems harder to go to failure without wimping out. I'm getting better, though.

Yesterday I drank a latte breve while out. I decided it was way too much cream.

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SharonGAPeach · 01-30-2009, 09:59 AM

It will be nice to get to know you, Amber. For myself, I am planning a full physical with blood work after 6 months on ZC and then am looking forward to sending the results to all my family members. I believe that the unrefutable proof of this WOE will be shown in the results and then I can really hold my head high Smile

Sharon

MAC · 01-30-2009, 10:02 AM

(01-30-2009 09:59 AM)SharonGAPeach Wrote: For myself, I am planning a full physical with blood work after 6 months on ZC and then am looking forward to sending the results to all my family members. I believe that the unrefutable proof of this WOE will be shown in the results and then I can really hold my head high

Sharon

Only if they can understand the blood results IMO. How many people understand LDL and particle size? You may have to guide them in why they are so good.

SharonGAPeach · 01-30-2009, 10:08 AM

Mac, so true!! I'll probably have to come here and get you all to interpret the results first. Smile

I doubt I will trust my doctor's comments on cholesteral based on some things I've read.

Sharon

01-30-2009, 01:36 PM

Blood work sounds like a good idea. I'm not sure how well my doctor will pass the cholesterol knowledge test, but he is a pretty reasonable man, and he knows I LC and is fine with that. Maybe Charles has a FAQ on it? I'll have to check.

I bought potassium today to get me through these minor, but annoying foot cramps.

Fridays are step aerobics days for me. It's a highly choreographed class which I really enjoy. Today it felt great. I must say I've been feeling quite positive for the last few days. It's early to tell if it's from expectations, or just coincidence or if I'm really getting a boost in mood from ZC. Anyway, I'll take it.