I've lost 15 lbs. in the past two months!!!

[SmileyBoy]

I just stepped on the scale, and I'm down to 227 from 242 in early July. Mostly it's because I've been a lot more active in my life, lugging football equipment around, and I've been taking a new ADHD medication, Straterra, which gives one a loss of appetite. My appetite has dramatically decreased in the past 6 weeks or so. As a result, I'm focusing attention on keeping myself rehydrated, drinking a lot more Gatorade, water and orange juice. My doctor told me that I shouldn't be worrying about my decreased intake of food as long as I take vitamins in the morning and stay rehydrated and active.

I'm doing a little weight lifting right now, and I hope to get down to 210 lbs. with increased muscle and 8-10 percent body fat. Right now I'm at 19 percent. I feel really good about this, because I've been significantly overweight for the past six years or so, and I'm starting to see myself as I used to see it.

[WindRavenX]

1. Congrats!!!

Yes, you'd be amazed at how much better you feel when you stay hydrated-you lose weight faster and keep it off longer.
I stopped drinking soda and lost 10 pounds..

[newyawker99]

2. Congrats northwest!!

:toast:

[MaineDem]

3. Way to go!

Congrats to you. I know how hard it can be to lose but the success is worth the hard work. Keep it up.

:)

[Chilly_Willy]

4. good job!

Wow that's pretty great.

[DemExpat]

5. Well done, Northwest!

Hope the new meds help the ADHD as well! :D

Losing weight is the best feeling, isn't it?

:kick:
DemEx

[VOX]

6. Good going, northwest!!

My numbers are very close to yours -- am 6'5", 248 -- and I'd like to dunk at least 30 of that.

Lifting is good -- lift a lot with with the legs, without overdoing it -- using the big muscle groups burns more calories.

You're doing the absolute right thing by upping the water intake. Also, make sure that you're getting enough protein.

Best of luck -- you'll make 210, just keep at it.

:toast:

[david_vincent]

7. That's great...

I'd like to lose a few myself. But be careful about Gatorade. Make sure it doesn't contain brominated vegetable oil, a known carcinogen. I know at least some Gatorade products used to contain it, but I'm not sure if they got rid of it or not. I don't think there's a law requiring disclosure of its presence. BVO has been banned in England, Sweden, and probably some other countries.
Water is natural...

[SmileyBoy]

10. I checked the ingredients, and no BVO in it.

Ya kinda scared me for a second, there.:-)

[NicoleM]

8. Gatorade and orange juice

Some unsolicited advice: Gatorade and OJ are going to slow you down. Gatorade and orange juice are both high in sugar. In most people, they will raise your blood sugar too fast. Your pancreas will overproduce insulin to compensate. Then your blood sugar will drop and you'll get hungry for more sugar. If you feel you have to have the Gatorade, you might think about watering it down. Better yet, switch to something sugar free.

Congratulations, and good luck!

[SmileyBoy]

9. It's been mostly water for me lately...

The Gatorade is mainly for football practices, and I usually drink OJ only in the morning for breakfast.

[NicoleM]

11. Morning is the worst time to drink OJ

*if* you have blood sugar issues. Some people have no problem with it. But if your insulin does spike, you want to steer clear of sugary stuff early in the day because it will set you up on a big nasty high/low cycle for the rest of the day. Not only does that cause you to eat more than you might otherwise, it can lead to insulin resistance which makes it really hard to lose weight.

But if you don't have blood sugar problems, feel free to ignore me. :)

[Deja Q]

12. We're Stratera budz!

My counselor thinks I ought to be on that med as well, though I haven't seen the "legal dope dealer" yet to get the prescription.

Congrats on the loss and you're doing all the right things! (I'm doing more walking and cardio but am not really doing much to strengthen the arms...)

[Droopy]

13. Congratulations

Sounds like you're on your way to that goal. Keep up the good work.

[tjdee]

14. Keep it up!

Sounds like you're really on your way--I hope one day to be doing as well as you are!

[MissMillie]

15. Way to go

I've been considering gastric bypass.... does anyone have any thoughts on that?

[MaineDem]

16. I have many thoughts

None of them positive.

It's surgery which has its own problems. It's a quick-fix which is never good. You'll still have to watch your calories forever which can take time to learn.

I know it's all the rage right now but I atribute that to the docs wanting the $$$. It scares me. I've known a few people who have had it done over the past few years and not one of them was able to maintain the weight loss.

In my opinion - and I have some experience in successful weight loss - the old-fashioned way of eating less, exercising more, and drinking plenty of water is the best. Even though it takes longer.

But, of course, this is just my opinion. I'm sure there are others who think the opposite. Whatever you choose, make sure you research it thoroughly. And good luck! :)

[harper]

18. I would think long and hard about it

I have two cousins (sisters) who had the surgery. They both had been fat little girls who grew up to be very heavy adults. They both lost quite a bit of weight initally...though they remained pretty heavy. They got down say from 300 to 230. One of them has gained most of the weight back although she has had no lasting complications from the surgery itself. The other one has been in and out of the hospital with abcesses related to the bypass surgey. What a mess.

[buddhamama]

17. Congratulations !

you sound great, happy! keep it up.

i am happy for you! :hug: