Update on My Weight Loss Journey

It's been eighteen days since I decided I was had to lose weight or face the prospect of a short life or at least one of reduced productivity and poor quality. I haven't done nearly as well as I had hoped.

We don't celebrate Christmas at our home so I thought I'd be safe from all the gorging that comes with the pagan feast. But that wasn't the case. Since we have time off work anyway, due to the worlds embracing the winter solstice holiday, we spent more time with friends and there was a lot of really tempting food that is not on my new diet. On top of that, for the first time this year, we decided to observe Hanukkah. My wife thought that was a good excuse to make some buckeyes - one of my favorite candies. For those who don't know what candy buckeyes are, let me tell you. They are these sugary peanut butter balls dipped in milk chocolate. I have a weakness for anything peanut butter. So I indulged in the buckeyes. We also took the opportunity of a day off work for my daughters to visit and my wife cooked a turkey dinner with all the trimmings. Boy it was good, but it shipwrecked the maiden voyage of my trip to a healthier and happier me. But I finally got on track.

Now don't get me wrong, I didn't go completely off the deep end and begin to eat anything and everything in my path. I had some days that I did pretty well, but I didn't achieve my goal of going into ketosis. Ketosis is the essential goal of the Atkins diet. When you successfully begin the Atkins diet your body begins to emit ketones as it burns fat. You can check them by a type of "litmus" stick obtained from the pharmacy, but I've never used them. I can always tell by some other factors that accompany ketosis that I won't go into here. Anyway, I had not entered ketosis as of January 1. I'm not real sure I have yet, but maybe. It's only been 4 solid days of real Atkins and that is early, but I usually go into ketosis earlier than most. One thing I can say is that I've lost nearly 4 pounds so far and I already feel less bloated and stuffed. That is encouraging and gives me incentive to press on. If I don't I have to begin by buying a new wardrobe. Now I really want to buy a new wardrobe, but I want it to be in smaller sizes instead of having to accommodate my increased girth.

So I am encouraged by my success this first week of 2007. I'm feeling less hungry. That is a great by product of the Atkins diet. In my case, as I stay true to the diet, I lose my craving for carbohydrates. I know that doesn't happen for everyone. But I wonder how much they cheat. You can cheat and still lose weight on Atkins. At least some people can. But you won't lose it as fast and I wonder if the cheaters don't experience the loss of carb cravings as a result of not being true to the diet.

The Atkins diet, in case some of you are wondering, begins as a no-carbohydrate diet, high in protein foods. I eat a lot of meat; chicken and beef primarily but no pork. Leaving the ham, bacon and pork sausage alone is fine with me. It is unclean and not food according to God. I've been off that stuff for about two years, since I learned the Truth. That goes for shellfish as well. I do like fish though - Cod, Perch, Tuna, and Whitefish.

As you begin to lose weight on the Atkins, the key is to stay in ketosis, adding carbohydrates just to the point that you can maintain the emission of ketones. Now would be a good time to read what the experts have to say about ketosis.

"A ketone test checks for ketones in your blood or urine. Ketones are substances that are made when the body breaks down fat for energy. Normally, your body gets the energy it needs from carbohydrate in your diet. However, stored fat is broken down and ketones are made if your diet does not contain enough carbohydrate to supply the body with sugar (glucose) for energy or if your body cannot use blood sugar (glucose) properly." - WebMD

This aspect of the Atkins is why it is such a great diet for those who are predisposed to diabetes. But, for me and many people who just want to get rid of the lard, Atkins is a godsend. You don't have to go hungry and still lose weight. Just as the WebMD quote says, when you don't eat carbs your body burns the fat - lard for energy and you lose fat. And since you are eating protein, and lots of it, you gain muscle. The good aspect of gaining muscle, beyond just being stronger, is that muscle burns more calories than fat - you metabolism increases.

As I said, you want to add carbohydrates to the place where you are still in ketosis and still get to eat some carbs. That is usually at about 60 carbs per day or less, depending on the individual. To be exact you need to get the strips for the urine test to monitor your ketone emission.

After a couple of weeks, when you are in ketosis, is when you want to add carbs. Now that doesn't mean cakes, bread, pasta, rice, candy and sugar in your coffee and tea. I'm talking good carbs. You need to think of the breads, pastas, pastries and anything containing sugar as "bad carbs" for life. Even when you lose the fat to the point that you are healthy and at your ideal weight you can't go back to a "bad carb" eating lifestyle. You might have a little treat once in a while but be careful. Carbs are addicting and once you start it's like a person who has a problem with alcohol. Most can't have more than one drink and they fall off the wagon. But I'm not there yet. I still have to lose the fat on my person before I have to worry about maintenance. But what I am saying is this is a lifestyle change. One thing I have heard concerning every diet ever concocted is that you must make the change for life or you will be doomed to the up and down weight rollercoaster.

Today is January 5, 2007 and I weighed 308 pounds this morning and my pants went on just a little easier. That's good. I have a whole closet full of clothes that I would really like to wear. I can't afford to get shipwrecked. The clothes I'd like to wear are just a part of it. There are other things that are incentive to me.

I am called to teach the Word of God. Being as overweight as I am is a hindrance. I get out of breath when I speak and I'm unable to do some of the outreach I feel I should because my body can't handle it. In addition to that I have a little six year old boy, Luke that I've waited all my life for. I have three daughters, the youngest being 10 years older than Luke and had given up on a son. But God was kind to me and Karen and gave us Luke. He needs a dad that can throw a ball, go camping, fishing, and teach him to work like a man. I have added incentive. I want to be around to see him grown and possibly hold his children in my lap.

I believe I am over the hump, Lord willing, and I can continue with Atkins. The first few days are the toughest and once I get past them and have a few solid, virtually no carb eating days, I can keep it up. I am enjoying eggs, beef, and chicken. Using different seasonings and different methods of preparation keeps the diet from being boring. I don't know that I ever get tired of steak though. I will add some cheese to the diet and cottage cheese as well, in moderation. I do eat a little lettuce and some broccoli now and then. As I progress I will add more of the green veggies and add some green beans. Protein and green veggies are very good diet choices whether you need to lose weight or not.

So there is my update on my weight loss journey. I have a first level goal of weighing less than 300 pounds. My second level goal is 275 and then 250. My ultimate goal is 225, but 200 would be my dream goal. Thanks for your prayers. If any of you would like to take this journey with me, let me know how you are doing. Let me know and I'll pray for you. I am a firm believer that without God we can do nothing of any value. I know it is His will that I lose the fat and take care of my body and my family. With that in mind I believe He will supply all the strength I need through Yeshua to accomplish it.