The Newest Newbie Biggest Loser

[rbride05]

Hello Everyone

I have finally figured out how to work this forum, tickers, avatars, etc (Thank you for the helpful tips youve posted MrsPeel cause I would have been lost) and am ready to introduce myself.

I finally started the program this week, on July 2, 2008 (my official start was actually June 20th, but other issues kept me from starting on that date) I couldnt help myself this morning, I just had to try out my new scale and see what was going on, and was shocked to see that at the start of day 4 I was down 7.4lbs! (more shocking because today was the start of that dreaded TOM). I have vowed to put the scale away in the closet until week 4.

I live in Reno, Nevada (noticed a few other folks from town online) am single and work fulltime for a local law enforcement agency. Like so many of you out there I too have tried it all, most recently being hiring a personal trainer at the local gym. I have to say that worked really good for me and I lost about 65lbs in six months thru combo of diet/exercise and really re-shaped my body. Then......started a new relationship with a man who didnt enjoy exercising, loved pizza and watching tv as activity, changed jobs, homes, the relationship was high stress for many reasons I wont go into, fell off the nutrition bandwagon, the exercise schedule slowly diminished and the poor nutrition resumed, more stress at work.....and low and behold 6 yrs later, the weight that I loss thru training and good nutrition returned PLUS MORE. So here I am.

I had blood work done last year at the health fair at work and was shocked to see that my fasting glucose was 106 (mine have consistently been about 70) I then had some post Alaska cruise issues in May 08 and had more blood work. More glucose tests were done and again it was at 110. But subsequent tests said it was down to 83 and my blood work for this program showed it at 81. My mom was diagnosed with diabetes a few months back and my father's levels are apparently climbing, and my sister had gestational diabetes during pregnancy, so I know I am at risk, and Im NOT GOING THERE.

So Im in the pre-diabetic range or Metabolicy Syndrome classgroup and I need to halt this runaway train before it crashes. My mom told me that during some of her educational classes for diabetes they talked about symptoms including that feeling of constantly being hungry, even after you eat, and I feel like I have felt that way for quite some time (plus I am truly an emotional/stress eater. Gotta work on that too). I really feel like I am out of whack hormonally and am anxious to see how this plan will work for me.

Im feeling pretty good so far, a little tired today and mentally foggy. Im not sure if its the plan or because I just finished 10 days straight of work and then ended up online last night until 3:00am reading a lot of forum postings and writing down some tips I picked up. I loved reading some of your cooking ideas and will be trying them out (Ive gotta find the member's posting again about cooking the Tilipia with Mango and cilantro. I cant remember who it was, so if your reading this, can you tell me if you posted how you cook it in the receipe section).

Im a little concerned about dieting and not exercising. Can some of you experienced members advise me if that has worked for you, of if you did any exercise, how much? I know people lose some muscle along with the fat loss when dieting, but Im concerned with so much to lose that if I dont use some cardio/weigh training I will be a big pile of mush at the of the program. Also for those of you using skin firming cremes, what are you using? Ive never tried them before and I am curious it they work at all.

Well I have babbled on enough for now. This site is actually great because you can spend so much time here reading and writing that you have no time to EAT. I hope this next week is a good one for me. I will be working in the field all week (normally have the good old butt widening inactive desk job) and our temperatures are expected to be anywhere from 100-104 degrees (I know at least I'll be getting my water in) and our skies ,which are usually very clear blue during summer, have been smoke filled due to all the fires burning in California. Its been like living two weeks inside a BBQ or Mattel Suzy Bake Oven. Seriously!!

Well I hope to see in the future that Im really a BIG LOSER (in the good way that is). Have a good week.

[MrsPeel]

Hi, rbride05!

I am glad you found some of my posts helpful - always happy to help a newbie navigate the Forum. What a great, newsy first post! We all welcome you and are eager to watch your progress.


Im a little concerned about dieting and not exercising. Can some of you experienced members advise me if that has worked for you, of if you did any exercise, how much? I know people lose some muscle along with the fat loss when dieting, but Im concerned with so much to lose that if I dont use some cardio/weigh training I will be a big pile of mush at the of the program. Also for those of you using skin firming cremes, what are you using? Ive never tried them before and I am curious it they work at all.

I was exercising moderately (elliptical, weights) before I began the 1PD, and following the guide, I did not continue to exercise while I dieted. On those days when I was more physically active than others - gardening, home improvement, etc. - I noticed that my hunger increased sharply. I took that as a sign that I would jeopardize my success with the diet if I added exercise back in. What little decline in muscle mass I have experienced has been overwhelmingly outweighed by the strength I've gained as I dropped weight! If you're anything like me, carting the excess pounds around was a daily weight-bearing exercise, and so under the fat were some considerable muscles. As I approach re-feed, I plan on adding exercise back in as soon as my food intake increases. In the meantime, the lighter I get, the more active I get, so the "pile of mush" syndrome hasn't really applied!

As for firming creams, Bronwyn can tell you more about them, I think. I have used endermologie, a skin-massaging & kneading technique, to battle my loose flesh. You can search and find my posts on this procedure if you're interested.

Again, welcome!! :)

[Bronwyn]

Welcome rbride05! Glad to hear you've found this diet and that you're on the forum. This will certainly take care of those health issues you're having and your predisposition to diabetes will disappear, I'm sure. I also was a bit disappointed about the lack of exercise on this program. I did incorporate some activity during, especially when experiencing a plateau or slower weight loss period. Walking is an excellent choice as it's low impact, but allows you to move. If you do want to exercise, just pay very close attention to your body, take an extra vitamin at lunch, and eat an apple immediately following your workout. Keep it as moderate and low-impact as you can and again... Listen to your body. If you're feeling too tired during the workout, or if you get too sore or too hungry following a workout you'll need to scale back. I did seem to retain most of my muscle mass while on this plan. The beauty of this diet is that now you can actually SEE my muscle tone because the fat is gone! I did my first, full-out workout yesterday (after completing refeed) and it felt great! There'll be plenty of time to refine your new body once Dr. Cohen's forumula has worked it's magic.

Regarding the creams, I mostly use Jergen's skin firming lotion. There are so many brands to choose from these days - almost everyone makes a "firming" creme now. They are found in the same section of the stores as the other body lotions. Some are expensive, some are not. I do recommend using throughout the diet. I used each and every time after my shower and sometimes extra at night and my skin has really kept us with my weight loss and I haven't gotten too saggy anywhere. I do think the lotion helped a lot.

[rbride05]

Thank you MrsPeel for the exercise information. I feel pretty tired today, so Im gonna have to play it by ear with the exercise like you did and see how it goes. Oh yeah, while I was creating my ticker,etc a friend phoned me. I was reading your ticker which reads "Weight loss goal 101lbs" and "Only 17.8lbs to go" to my friend and she said "Wow, that is awesome. Good for her,that is so great." So I thought I pass that on to you. Kudos to your hubby too, saw his pic too and he's looking GREAT! You can pass that on too!

[rbride05]

Thank you Bronwyn for all the information. Im gonna buy some creme and use it daily like you did just to help out. Congratulations on reaching your goal!!! It must feel awesome just like that workout did. Wow 117lbs, you must be a skinny minny now. Thanks again for the info. I look forward to being able to say Ive reached my own goal too.

[Shasha]

{hi} there Rbride05

A very WARM WELCOME TO YOU! :bighug:

You’ve come to the right place at the right time in your life and I ask that you please DO TAKE your diet very seriously because of your health and the possibility of diabetes and always remember that PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE!!! {wave}

For now please take a second vitamin at lunchtime – I believe this will help with your feeling tired.

Please don’t try doing too many things at once – rather master the diet 100% - Human Growth Hormone helps to firm and tone your body while you lose weight… so this should be your number 1 focus right now.

I recommend you look under the RECIPE SECTION – there is a FISH IDEA’S thread and I’m sure you will find your fishy ideas in there…

Wishing you successful slimming & hoping to hear lots more from you! And, please do get a ticker so that we can follow your progress... {cheerleader}

[pumbza]

Hi rbride05 u have the right team giving u advice namely the "A TEAM with Mrs Peel, Bronwyn and Shasha they will keep u on the straight and narrow and as they will all say - "U CAN DO IT" and I would suggest u SMILE WHILE U LOSE WEIGHT!Welcome to the FORUM and this is ur ONE STOP DIET this will be ur last DIET because u are going to lose ur required weight with the HELP of all the DIET BUDDIES especially the A-TEAM!!Ha Ha!HAVE a GREAT DAY!!:innocent3:

[rbride05]

Hi Shasha

Thanks for the info. Just curious. You mentioned the ticker. I have created one and I can see it. Can everybody else? Im kinda new to the forum and computer stuff. Ive lost 7.8lbs so far and have that marked,if it doesnt show up on my ticker, could you let me know and I'll try to figure it out. As I said Im NOT a computer geek at all.

Im feeling better now. Yesterday I actually had a surge of energy. I think it was more a problem of a long stretch of work,not enough sleep, high temperatures here and smoke in the air from the Calif fires. I like a lot of people in the area, have also developed a sinus infection due to the poor air quality from the smoke. Im taking the vitamins, but I think I will take one in the morning and one at lunch like you said.

I purchased some balsamic vinegar yesterday. Just curious if you know, does most balsamic vinegar contain sulfites? I dont do well with them and the 3 labels of different brands I looked at all said it contained sulfites. Is that usual or are there brands that dont? Oh yeah, thanks for the direction to the Fish receipe area. I have already checked it out and plan on cooking some fish tonight.

I am so happy to have this forum. Thanks for the support.

[rbride05]

Hi PUMBZA

THANK YOU. You know its funny but people used to call me "Smiley" when I was growing up. Im gonna make that my new goal, to get back to SMILING everyday day, especially thru this journey. I agree with you, I was so happy to find this forum. I have already benefited from it, especially the recipe ideas. Im so amazed at how the cravings for certain foods is disappearing, have you found the same? I walked thru the cookie aisle last night while shopping (and I was due to eat my dinner too) and it did not bother me AT ALL. Congratulations on your 22lbs lost. Ive been on this 5 complete days now and dropped 7.8lbs. Im putting the scale away today though like our Diet Buddies recommend, and let what happens, happen. Good luck to you on your journey as well. Since Ive been reading all the postings I feel like you guys are already old friends.

[pumbza]

You absolutely right SMILEY (may I call u that as we are old Friends Ha Ha!!):innocent4:We all become OLD friends so quickly and I think its because we are fighting a COMMON ENEMY namely fat overweight obesity whatever u call it we all have the same DEMONS and we feel good to unite (UNITED WE CAN CONQUER!!)
Its and enemy that creeped up on all of us without us wanting to know and it can very well destroy many lives more than most other diseases anyway!YES and to change to a much more interesting TOPIC the best part for me on this DIET off course other than losing weight is that I have no cravings just like you (must be seratonen Levels at work - sorry can't spell but I am ONE) and because of that WELL BEING I am able to have discipline which is so uplifting when I have been unable to have discipline and control over how I eat for 20 Years at least!I also discovered that obesity is a disease and my medicine is the FOOD which is weird because I use to use food as a emotional tool for stress Depression or going out etc isn't that a TURN around!(Don't get me started)!Ha Ha!Smile while u lose weight SMILEY!!:innocent3:

[rbride05]

PUMBZA

SMILEY!! I LOVE IT. That not only made me smile, but laugh. Keep up the good work. How do you actually use the "smilies" in your postings? Dumb question I know but Im not a techno geek.

[pumbza]

Hi Smiley nothing is STUPID that word is not even in my vocabulary especially on this site!Ha Ha!:innocent4:The smiles are to the right of your message when u reply or creat a message all u have to do is click an voila there us are!Have a fabulous Day and Night SMILE HILE U LOSE WEIGHT!:innocent3:

[Shasha]

{hi} there Everyone


MRS PEEL... BRONWYN...

DID YOU HEAR THAT???

PUMBI’S MADE US FAMOUS!!! PUMBI’S MADE US FAMOUS!!!

{pirates}
WE’RE THE A-TEAM!!!
{pirates}

LOL!!! I’m thrilled to my toes!!!


Does the A stand for:
Attack the fat?
Achieving the goal?
Abolish the fat?
Accomplishing the mission?
Aspiring higher! Or
Actually just doing it?

Either way, what a thrill! LOL!!!
{oops}, I guess Pumbza’s discovered my nickname for him by this time… hope you don't mind!

[Shasha]

{hi} there Rbride05

YES!!! We can see your ticker!!! REALLY NICE!!! {wave}

{goodjob} on having lost 7.8 pounds so far and YES, please do pack that scale away… because it may not be 7.8 pounds every week… unless your name is Miracle Man!

I checked my Balsamic vinegar for you – it contains Sulphur Dioxide – guess that’s not good…

Will everyone please check their list of ingredients on their balsamic vinegar and let us know…

Pumbza is right, we all become old friends very quickly because we are in this BATTLE OF THE BULDGE together… and it’s so nice because we meet daily without taking too much time out!!!

The Forums is like a garden that grows… and then sometimes it flowers…. :love7:

We will help you to focus and hopefully bring a smile to your face on a daily base!!! With Pumbza about, I have no doubt that's going to happen ~he's got such a terrific scense sense of humor!!!


SO, SMILE COS YOU ARE LOSING WEIGHT AND AIN'T THAT GREAT!!!

[pumbza]

Yeah Shasha A stands for the BEST of the BEST and for everything GREAT that u have mentioned above!!Ha Ha!:innocent4:Because I come from Deepest Darkest Africa I selected PUMBA or a Z tossed into the FRAY because there were to many PUMBA's around on the internet or world wide web (I am Just like the Whart Hog Bearded Fat and Round not small but thats a minor detail!) and to me its a COOL nickname and u won't believe its the only one around so far for the last couple of YEARS on the net!!Ha Ha!:innocent4:But any version of it is FINE Especially from all U THIN ladies I have no objections but am Honoured!Ha Ha!What am I going to do when I am thin Call myself "Pumbza The Bean Stalk" or "Or Pumbza Lite"!Ha Ha!I wish the A team and other DIET BUDDIES a GREAT DAY!Smile Your Getting Thinner!!:innocent3:

[Shasha]

{hi} there PUMBZA-Lite


What am I going to do when I am thin Call myself "Pumbza The Bean Stalk" or "Or Pumbza Lite"!Ha Ha!


{rofl} LOL to the point of tears... :clapping3: You made my day~!!{rofl}

[pumbza]

Hi Shasha I aim to please I thought it was funny but I thought it was just me Ha Ha!:innocent4:I am soooooooo Gonna miss u all I am leaving tomorrow the 11th July 2008 and will be back on the 23rd July 2008 Far Far to long to be away from the DIET BUDDIES but the GOOD news is when I come back I have to weigh myself and do a blood test for the end of WEEk 4!Yay Yay!!Ha Ha!:innocent3:

[rbride05]

PUMBZA

I cast my vote for Pumbza The Bean Stalk (Hee Hee Hee). Your blog cracked me up too? Thanks once again for making me SMILE. Have a nice trip. Smiley

[Sharma]

{hi} there Rbride05

YES!!! We can see your ticker!!! REALLY NICE!!! {wave}

{goodjob} on having lost 7.8 pounds so far and YES, please do pack that scale away… because it may not be 7.8 pounds every week… unless your name is Miracle Man!

I checked my Balsamic vinegar for you – it contains Sulphur Dioxide – guess that’s not good…

Will everyone please check their list of ingredients on their balsamic vinegar and let us know…

Pumbza is right, we all become old friends very quickly because we are in this BATTLE OF THE BULDGE together… and it’s so nice because we meet daily without taking too much time out!!!

The Forums is like a garden that grows… and then sometimes it flowers…. :love7:

We will help you to focus and hopefully bring a smile to your face on a daily base!!! With Pumbza about, I have no doubt that's going to happen ~he's got such a terrific scense sense of humor!!!


SO, SMILE COS YOU ARE LOSING WEIGHT AND AIN'T THAT GREAT!!!
I got my balsamic vinegar at safeway and it's the organic balsamic vinegar of modena and it has organic wine vinegar, organice concentrated grape must and oganice cooked grape must.

So none of the bad stuff I guess eh?

[rbride05]

SHARMA

Thanks so much. Im glad to know that there are brands out there that dont have the sulfites (they make my eyes and everything else swell up). Im heading to Lake Tahoe today and plan on stopping at a health food store there to pick up some Zevia soda (natural soda made with Stevia) so I will look for a brand while Im there, otherwise good to know about Safeway. I checked every brand at Wal-Mart and they all had sulfites. I made the zucchini hashbrowns this morning and have to say (and Im not an egg fan) they were delicious!
Im kinda curious about the stomach stapling thing, not about having it done, but why your on this program. Did it not get you the results you wanted? I have a friend that keeps saying shes going to do the gastric bypass and Im keep telling her dont do it, too many risks. Just curious. Have a great day.

[MrsPeel]

Rbride05 -

Zevia is fantastic - MrPeel and I have had it the whole time we're on the plan. It is hard to find, though - we special order it through Whole Foods. As for the balsamic vinegar, both Whole Foods and Trader Joe's carry types without sulfites. Wal-mart is a bad place to look for good, healthy foods.
I missed the original question/comment about gastric bypass and stomach stapling, but they are incredibly dangerous procedures with lifelong complications. You are basically malnourished while the staples/bands are in place. My nutritionist treats many people who had this done and are now suffering from the results. Additionally, most people who resort to this don't modify the behavior that caused the weight gain in the first place, so they continue to eat junk while undergoing the weight loss. You are on e of the lucky few who have found Dr. Cohen - and a program that not only works incredibly well, but preserves and even enhances your health!!

[Sharma]

Rbride05

I had my stomach done in 2000 and lost 100lbs fast! It was great but over the last 7 years or so I have gained about 30 lbs back...slowly but surely it's crept on.

I've tried everything...exercising until I die and eating like a rabbit...I've also been somewhat sedetary and eaten a ton of junk and until recently nothing happened...no gaining, no losing.

So now I want a drastic change to lose the rest of my weight and someone at work lost a ton of weight fast so I jumped on the Cohen bandwagon.

I'm hoping for exceptional results and a new body!

[rbride05]

MRSPEEL
I noticed on my way out of town today that we now have a Whole Foods and I was able to find some Stevia (without additives like the brand that Trader Joes has) and some nice Balsamic Vinegar without the added sulfites. It seems there are a lot of them with the added sulfites, some say "naturally occurring sulfites" and others dont list it at all, just have to look at the label.

Im curious about how you go about special ordering the Zevia at Whole Foods. Your right about finding it. I looked on the Zevia website and nobody in town sells it. Can you tell me what you have to pay for it per 6pk? I was shocked to see that this health food store in Lake Tahoe was selling it for $6.99 a 6pk. Kinda pricey???? I really would like to totally eliminate the use of Apartame, and ALL the diet sodas, including the Sprite Zero have it in them. Ive been using half a can of Sprite Zero for my baked apple (which is gonna be my sweet tooth crutch on this plan when needed) and half mixed with some mineral water and mint. So Id really like to get some of the Lemon Lime Zevia to use instead or the Sprite Zero.

I have another question for you (I sent it to my counselor too but havent heard back yet). One of the approved crackers shown is the Nabisco Premium Saltines. Im trying to fine tune this plan so I get the best results, and I noticed today while reading the list of ingredients on the box of Saltines it says they contain High Fructose Corn Syrup and Partially Hydrogenated Cottenseed Oil. Have you been using these and they are Okay??? I thought from reading that I have done that any oil that is "partially hydrogenated" is not good, and we all know about HFCS being bad. Can you ask your nutritionist about the hydrogenated stuff?

This plan is not just about losing weight for me, but about cleaning up/cleaning out and getting good health again. (I cant believe Im actually reading labels on everything already. Good Grief Im Becoming A Purist!) It's only been 11 days for me, and this is gonna sound a little weird, but IM FEELING CLEAN INSIDE. Cant wait to see how I feel in a month. The best part is im NOT HAVING CRAVINGS. YEAH!

Dont worry, Ive never ever considered resorting to gastric bypass. One of my friends is a nurse in the cardiac intensive care unit and she's had at least two patients die after the procedure (Im very happy with Dr Cohens plan). I was asking SHARMA about it as she mentioned she had it done and that is why she was having trouble eating the portions. However one of my other friends keeps saying she wants to get the LapBand and I keep telling her NO DONT DO THAT (Im going to hook her up with this plan). As I wrote in my introduction, I lost about 65lbs in 6 months using a personal traininer, nutrition plan and exercising and got great results overall (fat loss, BP lower, etc). But 6 yrs later due to letting those good habits completely slide (and constant constant stress....overeating,drinking, cortisol button pushed 24/7,less and less exercise) Im where I am now. And now I not only have the weight issue, but I know Im completely out of whack in the hormone department and need to correct my body before Im saddled with diabetes (talk about stress and controlling your life, No thanks) So here I am with Dr Cohen and all my brothers and sisters in fat loss!!!! I was looking into going to a nutritionist before I started here, but so far this plan feels like I now have one. Thanks MrsPeel. (I love typing that, I feel like Im talking to my 1st grade teacher Hee Hee. Actually her name was MrsShade!)

[Shasha]

{hi} there Everyone

Just popping in to say :hii:

Sharma: I’m not sure I am understanding correctly – have you had the procedure UNDONE yet? Yes, I too believe it can be very dangerous, but at the same time, it shows how very badly you want to be thin… Let’s channel that desire into following your eating plan 100%... for the very best results you can get! {cheerleader}

Rbride05: I find that even apple cooked in a bit of water is nice, then you can add a bit of sweetener and cinnamon afterwards…

Mrs Peel: Just want to give you a :bighug: I miss you when you get busy!!!
How is Mr Hunk-a-licious-Peel doing with regards to his Re-feeding Program?

[MrsPeel]

Shasha, MrPeel is still waiting for his refeed plan! So he's in a holding pattern - I am still OP and heading for my target of 150, although it is beginning to look as though 154-160 (Dr. Cohen's target for me) is more appropriate. I am a Skinny Minnie!

Thanks for the big HUG - it felt great! I bet your arms wrapped all the way around me!

[MrsPeel]

Dear rbride05,
I am glad some of my posts helped! The Zevia story is this: we get it special ordered from our Whole Foods for $16.89 per case, plus a 10% case discount. When we ordered online from Zevia directly, it was something like $23 + per case, plus shipping. If your local Whole Foods has it in their food suppliers product book, they will order it for you. But here in L.A., our closest WF uses a supplier who doesn't carry Zevia, while the next-closest WF uses a different supplier who does carry it! Very odd. Try going to the Customer Service Desk at your WF and ask them to look it up in their supplier's catalog. I keep thinking if enough people are drinking it, it will start showing up in stores! (Conversely, it only takes ONE celebrity to drink it for it to be the Next Big Thing - I am working on that!)

Your diet & weight loss history sounds so like mine! I think I found 1PD at the same point in my life as you, and it has been such a fantastic process. As for the Saltines, I think the tiny amount of the bad stuff in them is probably insignificant in terms of what you're achieving overall, but I agree with you, I will probably cut them out when I'm on Maintenance. Curious what your consultants will say.

[Shasha]

{hi} there Mrs Skinny Minnie Peel

Well, here’s another :bighug to grab you and for you to see just how far those arms go!!! Did the fingers cross, or was it whole hands yet?? LOL

It is always so very nice to go through the posts and to always see you walking day in and day out to your goal!!!

[Sharma]

No sasha I havn't had the procedure undone. I've had it for a long time and will never have it reversed unless I have some serious complications down the road (lord forbid)!

I want to be thin very badly, that is why I am here and why i am trying VERY hard to follow my eating plan. I've lost 11lbs so far and I'm not even at the end of my 2nd week. So I'm off to a good start.

Thanks for your support it means so much to me!

[Shasha]

{hi} there Sharma

:bighug: Girl, I understand exactly how you feel… and, I’m very proud of you for having already lost 11 pounds!!! {goodjob}

I do however see some major complications coming up in the future… and I want you to please write to your consultant right away and let them know everything you’ve told us on the Forum… The reason why I’m worried is because during your Re-feeding Program you will need to introduce lots and lots and lots more foods … and that is going to be a problem if you are already having a hard time eating your diet food now…

Also, I don't know how this procedure affects the absorption of food that you are now eating... But Dr Cohen will know!

Let us know what Dr Cohen says… and how you are doing... :bighug: