Alan said:I'm struggling a bit at the moment. The main problem I'm facing at the
moment is that I'm struggling to keep my alcohol consumption under
control, which is probably why I don't think I've lost much weight (if
any) in the last few weeks.
Basically I'm looking for reassurance that a low carbohydrate (and low
alcohol) diet is definitely the way to go.
There is no definite way to go, it depends on many factors. All diets
require a reduction in the number of *excess* calories consumed. Excess
calories are calories that are in excess of the number of calories
required to either maintain or lose weight. This can be achieved in by
either reducing the number of calories consumed or increasing the number
of calories burned, ideally a combination of both.
Low carb is believed by many to be an easier diet to follow than many
others in that it reduces appetite. I found it very effective, but in
combination with regular (seven days per week) exercise. I dropped close
to a third of my body weight in less than two months (a little over
sixty pounds) but I chose low carb in order to control newly diagnosed
diabetes, not because I believed that it offered advantages over simple
calorie restriction and increased exercise.
I did drink while losing weight, but in moderation and either red wine
or spirits, seldom more than three standard drinks per day. If you drink
you have to remember that the body will elect to burn the calories
derived from alcohol before those stored as fat. On those occasions
where I did drink more than my normal three glasses, I would work the
extra calories off (at approx 70 calories per glass). This might be an
approach for you; if you can muster the discipline to stick to it.
I did *not* use an Atkins approach, my concept of low carb is to remove
all "junk" carbs from my diet, not to reduce carb intake to Atkins
induction levels. The idea of forcing my body into dropping "water
weight" and reducing carbs beyond those necessary for *good* brain
function (as against survival function) did not appeal. It turned out
not to be necessary, I dropped weight faster than many on the more
restrictive diets, had no energy losses or other problems and have had
no trouble keeping the weight off for more than a year since losing it.
I average around 150 grams of carb per day, less than half of my
previous carb intake.
If I am able to succeed in
Quoted message said:changing my diet, how sure can I be that my attempts to lose weight
will be successful?
You can't be sure an attempt will do anything, but you can be quite sure
that if you maintain a disciplined diet and exercise regimen it will work.
I don't read many genuine failure stories on this
Quoted message said:ng (i.e. people who have followed low carbohydrate diets *properly* and
still haven't lost weight), but presumably it must still happen...?
There are many who fail, they either can't or won't maintain a carefully
disciplined diet, or simply they switch to to low carb and disregard
calories. That never works.
Quoted message said:
So much of my self-esteem and self-confidence hangs on my body image
that I really can't face the prospect of failure - it is too awful to
contemplate.
It is up to you; it works, but only if you actually do it, not just
think about it, talk about it, or "attempt it".
The irony is that my weight problems are not particularly
Quoted message said:severe - I strongly suspect that I notice them much more than others do
- but the depression, inhibitions and negativity that comes from my
terrible body image is probably EXTREMELY noticeable to others, much
more so that a few extra inches here and there. These are the things I
want to change, but I know that improving my body image lies at the
heart of this - which is why I want to lose weight. I don't care what
others think of the way I look - I'm doing this for myself!
If you don't care about how other regard you, then it is unlikely that
you would have a poor self image. You need to be realistic and honest
with yourself. There is nothing wrong with wanting to be well regarded
by others.
Quoted message said:
I'm getting myself in a bit of a mess about all this stuff & causing
myself a great deal of anxiety. I try to stay on the straight and
narrow but I am impatient - I want results and I want them quickly,
probably unrealistically so - and so when things don't quite go to plan
it hits me very hard. Sometimes alcohol gives me a quick escape from
my frustration and low self-esteem, but I know it will only make things
worse in the long term. But it's easy to con yourself into thinking
that having a drink or two when you're feeling low is a good idea - the
problem with me is that one drink generally leads to another, and then
another - I tend to be an "all or nothing" drinker.
Then you won't succeed at anything in life. People without self
discipline lose in almost all areas of life. Without self discipline you
are relying on luck, and no one has consistent luck. Ask any bookmaker.
Quoted message said:
I need to get some willpower from somewhere and to find some way of
keeping my "quest" at the forefront of my mind. I had been doing
pretty well but I seem to be slipping now. I see a very good
therapist/hypnotherapist regularly but she is away at the moment and I
won't be able to visit her for another two weeks.
Another crutch?
I need something to
Quoted message said:stop me going off the rails in the mean time.
You are the only person who can control that.
Quoted message said:
Consuming alcohol will obviously interfere with weight loss both
directly (because of the easily burned calories) and indirectly
(because after a few beers the temptation to go for lots of junk food
full of sugar etc. is very hard to resist). I know what I need to do,
but turning that into action is very difficult for me at the moment.
There is little point in asking for help regarding self discipline, no
one but you can find that, You can ask for help with all manner of
issues related to diet, exercise etc., but not for those areas where
only you have the ability to provide solutions.
Quoted message said:
Grateful for any advice anyone can offer.
Thanks.
Regards
David
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