jp_atkinson Posted March 22, 2013 Share Posted March 22, 2013 I have successfully completed the Whole30 twice, learning that I have lactose and gluten intolerance in the process. I am 5'-11", now 48 yo, and weigh 186 as of last Monday. Each time I completed the Whole30 I lost about 10#, and have gained it back, though never surpassing my starting weight. I love wine, dark chocolate, baked potato chips -- and these sink me after I complete the 30 days. Tomorrow I start anew. I will weigh myself and check by body fat percentage, documenting both for the last time in the next thirty days. I am documenting this here as an attempt at some accountability -- I have very little discipline. - Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScoutFinch Posted March 22, 2013 Share Posted March 22, 2013 I was talking to a behavioral specialist recently who said that multiple attempts to reach a goal are in fact positive--it's how most people quit smoking, for example. Framing your attempts to reach your health goals in this positive way is likely pretty important. You are more likely not to be a person with no discipline and little accountability (research seems to bear out that people who try to lose weight are quite the opposite in fact), but rather a person in his 40s who has a very typical physiological response to eating processed foods. And of course that problem gets snagged on all the feelings that are attached to foods and eating. I know that there are foods for me that are, as they say here, "brakes off," and it's not likely that I'll try to add them back any time soon (I much enjoy all of the ones you mention, too, though I go straight for the regular chips). But I've also benefited so much from doing the W30 as a way to observe when the times are that I want to reach for those foods--what feelings, etc., and though this is my first one (just finished), I know that I'll do this again, probably a couple of times a year. I wish you all good luck and success with this W30, and hope it's a process of revealing things to you that are very helpful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jp_atkinson Posted March 22, 2013 Author Share Posted March 22, 2013 Thanks for the inspirational words, ScoutFinch. I am hammered with work, lately, so staying up past midnight on the computer after getting my kid to bed isn't helping my efforts, here. I had wine and chocolate last night, and this morning forgot to weigh myself (!), so I will go with 186 and 22% for my starting numbers. Of course, I had my "perfect" breakfast today (eggs, salmon, berries) and then promptly ate some "discovered" dark chocolate for a snack this morning at work. Clearly, there will be multiple, multiple attempts at this! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jp_atkinson Posted March 23, 2013 Author Share Posted March 23, 2013 This morning: 184#, 22% BF Dinner out at new Mexican restaurant last night. Fail. On track today and re-reading "It Starts with Food." Commuted to work on bicycle the past two days with dramatic (good!) response from my left knee, now 39 days out from arthroscopic medial meniscal debridement. Success! Planned 16 mile road bike ride tomorrow (skipping the huge climb in Marin). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmmaSthlm Posted March 23, 2013 Share Posted March 23, 2013 I can really relate to the dark chocolate and (red) wine, so I just cut them completely out during W30. It wasn't difficult last time, and I hope it will go as well this time. I can also relate to working a lot. That is my biggest issue! I tend to eat in order to get energy to work late at night. Do you meditate? That has really helped me; it boosts my energy and makes me able to focus for longer periods of time. Finally, I am really envious of the biking. Here in Stockholm it is still snow. Take a ride for me tomorrow! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jp_atkinson Posted March 24, 2013 Author Share Posted March 24, 2013 Thanks, Emma. I think I will need to completely cut them out for this to work. I really wonder if I have a food addiction: I start and literally can't stop until the bar of chocolate is gone (not quite that bad with the wine). I like the meditation idea; I have done this in the past, and I am eager to try anything to help me focus without needing to "fuel" it with food. I will dedicate my ride tomorrow to you! - Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jp_atkinson Posted March 26, 2013 Author Share Posted March 26, 2013 I am on vacation from work this week (relatively). It is a time of reflecting, reading, and traveling to a new (hot!) place with my family. I am reading a book about strength training, and plan to get going on a program starting 4/1 (when the vacation ends). I am married to a very good cook and fitness instructor, and he has gained about 20# in the past few months by simply eating too much food. We joke about each of us having an eating disorder; I wonder if maybe our joking is simply a coping mechanism for a real problem. With our bottomless grocery fund and living in San Francisco -- we are surrounded by delicious calories. We have a pact to re-start a Paleo approach (with some red wine and rare dark chocolate) starting 4/1/13. More to come. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jp_atkinson Posted April 1, 2013 Author Share Posted April 1, 2013 189#, 23% Whole60 starts today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jp_atkinson Posted April 2, 2013 Author Share Posted April 2, 2013 Body by Science Seated Row : 90# | 3' | not to failure Chest Press : 90# | 1' 45" | almost to failure Pulldown : 35/35# | 90" | failure Overhead Press : 50# | 2'15" | not to failure Leg Press : 110# | low resistance due to post-surgical L knee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jp_atkinson Posted April 9, 2013 Author Share Posted April 9, 2013 First week was a challenge. I was up past midnight working every night (even Friday), some nights until 1:30am. That kind of exhaustion isn't going to help my health, and led to me eating chocolate and drinking wine. This morning: 187#, 23% BF (two pounds down in one week) I am fine with this. I know that going full-on with the Whole__ causes rapid weight loss, putting me at risk of biliary colic (which means another surgery). Two pounds a week will have me at my goal weight before 8/8/13, which is my plan. One thing I know for certain, and that I am finally starting to integrate, spiritually: I can't drink alcohol. Period. I won't label my relationship with alcohol, but suffice it to say that a daily "conversation" trying to convince myself not to drink, a tendency to pour more than five ounces of wine (and more than one glass), and my behavior changes after going there (per my husband) are enough to convince me that it is time to say "Good-bye" for good. Not eating diary and grains is easy for me. Very. My demons? Dark chocolate. Tree nuts. Even if we go 85% and raw. I can't have this around me in any more than a sensible daily "dose" of one ounce each. Over and out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jp_atkinson Posted April 22, 2013 Author Share Posted April 22, 2013 Two weeks since my last posting, and I am going to take another stab at this. The difference this time is that I will have spousal participation and support! I am convinced there is an addiction component to this for me. More, later. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jp_atkinson Posted May 1, 2013 Author Share Posted May 1, 2013 01 May 2013 190.5# and 25% body fat. I have been eating sugar every day and having at least a cup of ice cream every evening after my not-so-paleo dinners. L knee patellar tendinitis, following my meniscal surgery has me avoiding exercise. August 8th will be our 5th wedding anniversary. That is 100 days from now. I am addicted to sugar. I am lactose and wheat intolerant. I become a jerk when I drink alcohol. Enough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krista Billows Rodriguez Posted May 1, 2013 Share Posted May 1, 2013 Get the sugar and booze out of the house, to keep them around is to expect yourself to succumb. They have to be out. You have spousal support, which is huge, clear your cupboards, box up any wine and send to be stored at a friend's house or send it to be consumed by someone else! Alcohol is a tough demon, it's socially acceptable but it is by its very nature a toxin. We'd never ask a friend out for heroin-well at least I wouldn't-but we don't think twice about suggesting after work drinks a few times a week. It poisons your body every time you consume it. It's a demon I struggle with myself, I come from a long line of alcoholics, it's in my genes. I know I have to be very careful and I know I'm better off mentally and physically without it. But it's still a struggle because it is ingrained into my social relationships, including family. You can do this, but you need to take every step now to ensure your success and that starts with clearing out the demons from your surroundings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmyS Posted May 1, 2013 Share Posted May 1, 2013 I agree with Krista. Get the big bad uglies out of the house. If your husband isn't on board with that part of it, just remind him that you'll be nicer without them. Spousal support sounds like a dream come true, to me. Make it work for you both. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScoutFinch Posted May 2, 2013 Share Posted May 2, 2013 And maybe get yourself to a meeting? "I become a jerk when I drink" sounds like something beyond a food problem. Congratulations on five years of marriage, and may you have many, many more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jp_atkinson Posted May 15, 2013 Author Share Posted May 15, 2013 Two weeks in. No breaks. Going for one hundred, as that will land us on our 5th wedding anniversary (08/08/08 to 08/08/13). My resolve is greater than ever. I don't have a "goal," just a mission. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AuntB Posted May 15, 2013 Share Posted May 15, 2013 Sounds like you are doing well. I know what you mean about alcohol. I'm almost a year sober because I was having problems with alcohol myself. I also have celiac disease so wheat/gluten is a no no.. keep going! you got this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
megmac Posted May 15, 2013 Share Posted May 15, 2013 Way to go, Paul! Don't forget how great this feels! I hope you have a great celebration planned for #5 that promotes your excellent health! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jp_atkinson Posted July 8, 2013 Author Share Posted July 8, 2013 Update This has been a rough summer. Knee problems have kept me from exercising the way I want (cycling), and I have the hardest time sticking with my physical therapy exercises to help it heal properly. I have been working 10-11 hours a day during the week, then trying to recover on the weekend, while maintaining our home and contributing to the upbringing of our 4-year-old daughter. My partner and I started a couple weeks on 6/1 (his birthday) of great (probably TOO strict) food "control" -- and then this decomposed into ice cream a few nights a week, Indian food, red wine ... etc. As of this morning, I am back over 190#, and super frustrated. Our five year wedding anniversary is 8/8/13. We will be at a small family reunion starting that day, so today is the perfect day to re-kick a WHOLE30. Wish me luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jp_atkinson Posted July 11, 2013 Author Share Posted July 11, 2013 Not as such. I am eating more than ever. I am going to check out OA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jp_atkinson Posted August 24, 2013 Author Share Posted August 24, 2013 I won't give this up. I have no idea what I weigh, but it is north of 190. I will start anew NOW. I went to a Robert Lustig lecture a few weeks ago: if that isn't enough motivation and insight (sugar is addictive, and I am addicted), then nothing will change my direction. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jp_atkinson Posted September 3, 2013 Author Share Posted September 3, 2013 Day #1 of Whole30. Countdown until Levi's Granfondo: 32 days Height: 71" Weight: 194# Body Fat: 25% BMI: 27.1 GOAL: 165# or 15% BF by 20 JAN 2014 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jp_atkinson Posted January 2, 2014 Author Share Posted January 2, 2014 New Year Cliché : The Resolution At least this time I have a partner for the duration. We also have a Hawaii vacation booked on the target date. Day #1 of Whole90 Height: 71" Weight: 194# Body Fat: 24% BMI: 27.1 GOAL: 165# or 15% BF by 31 MAR 2014 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jp_atkinson Posted February 9, 2014 Author Share Posted February 9, 2014 Thirty-nine days in, and I have lost around 12#, I am eating a strict Paleo diet, and I am feeling fantastic. I initially set my goal weight to 165#, but I think that may be too skinny for me. Even at 182#, I feel leaner and maybe 10# more will be the point I consider a bite of 85% chocolate or maybe a glass of ... actually, I don't think I will ever go back to alcohol or bread or dairy. I just don't see the point. I am clear-headed, have energy again, and I am getting things done that I have wanted to tackle for months. Ciao. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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