For the past couple of years I have known that my weight was an obstacle to longevity. I have had excellent, health except for high blood pressure, but I have known there are great health risks associated with obesity. I also understand how difficult it is to change life-long habits.
Last fall I felt that a change was absolutely necessary and also felt that my mind set was in place to follow through. The proof is in the results.
A number of friends have had tremendous success with a diet called the "Dr. Bernstein Diet". It is based on a premise of very limited calories, limited carbohydrates and vitamin and mineral supplements. As I am goal oriented, I needed a diet that would give results and chose to try this. The cost is significant, about $160 a week, so the motivation to lose is enhanced by the out of pocket expense. Three times weekly, I go into the clinic, weigh in and see an LPN who checks my general well-being, occasionally takes my blood pressure and then gives me an injection of vitamins B6 and B12, which supposedly enhances my fat burning. The critical part of the diet is to keep the patients in a state of keetosis, or fat burning. The nurse measures that by checking urine. I am fortunate that I can get myself in to keetosis quickly. I do know of a lady that could not afford the diet, took vitamin supplements, kept herself closely under doctor's care and lost 105 pounds last year.
I started the diet on December 7, (for those of you historians, this is an ominous date). The clinic set my goal for me based on height charts. The weight loss they initially set was very aggressive and we agreed on a 10% margin. I am close to the margin set at this time. Remember that my goal is to enhance my life, to avoid costly health mishaps. As I said earlier it is humiliating to admit that I needed to lose all that I have but as of this morning, it appears that I have lost 80 pounds. I exceeded my own goal when I lost 75 but have adjusted the goals to coincide with Dr. Bernstein's.
Side effects of the diet are the costs of re-wardrobing. I have gone through 6 pant sizes in the process and will likely go through one more. My shirts hang on me. I used to wear size XXL and now a L is the better choice. The other day I had to change pants to go to a meeting and was in a hurry. When I dropped my pants, my underwear dropped along with them.
Many people who haven't seen me in some time have a hard time recognizing me. I no longer take blood pressure medication and my resting heart rate is in the mid 50's. (I think my heart is saying, "I don't know what you did but thanks for the rest.")
Obviously, the next difficult part is going to be keeping the weight off. I do have a different mind set than at other times in my life and feel that I know how to manage it a little better. I haven't allowed myself very much cheating, even through Christmas, a golf trip and a trip to Hawaii, so know that the will power is there.
As a side note, my brother Doug, his wife Nancy and my sister Susan have all had great success on the diet. Gerry has lost 25 - 30 pounds just by shadowing me and is planning on going at it hard. Many people have been very supportive and I thank you all for your support.
Last fall I felt that a change was absolutely necessary and also felt that my mind set was in place to follow through. The proof is in the results.
A number of friends have had tremendous success with a diet called the "Dr. Bernstein Diet". It is based on a premise of very limited calories, limited carbohydrates and vitamin and mineral supplements. As I am goal oriented, I needed a diet that would give results and chose to try this. The cost is significant, about $160 a week, so the motivation to lose is enhanced by the out of pocket expense. Three times weekly, I go into the clinic, weigh in and see an LPN who checks my general well-being, occasionally takes my blood pressure and then gives me an injection of vitamins B6 and B12, which supposedly enhances my fat burning. The critical part of the diet is to keep the patients in a state of keetosis, or fat burning. The nurse measures that by checking urine. I am fortunate that I can get myself in to keetosis quickly. I do know of a lady that could not afford the diet, took vitamin supplements, kept herself closely under doctor's care and lost 105 pounds last year.
I started the diet on December 7, (for those of you historians, this is an ominous date). The clinic set my goal for me based on height charts. The weight loss they initially set was very aggressive and we agreed on a 10% margin. I am close to the margin set at this time. Remember that my goal is to enhance my life, to avoid costly health mishaps. As I said earlier it is humiliating to admit that I needed to lose all that I have but as of this morning, it appears that I have lost 80 pounds. I exceeded my own goal when I lost 75 but have adjusted the goals to coincide with Dr. Bernstein's.
Side effects of the diet are the costs of re-wardrobing. I have gone through 6 pant sizes in the process and will likely go through one more. My shirts hang on me. I used to wear size XXL and now a L is the better choice. The other day I had to change pants to go to a meeting and was in a hurry. When I dropped my pants, my underwear dropped along with them.
Many people who haven't seen me in some time have a hard time recognizing me. I no longer take blood pressure medication and my resting heart rate is in the mid 50's. (I think my heart is saying, "I don't know what you did but thanks for the rest.")
Obviously, the next difficult part is going to be keeping the weight off. I do have a different mind set than at other times in my life and feel that I know how to manage it a little better. I haven't allowed myself very much cheating, even through Christmas, a golf trip and a trip to Hawaii, so know that the will power is there.
As a side note, my brother Doug, his wife Nancy and my sister Susan have all had great success on the diet. Gerry has lost 25 - 30 pounds just by shadowing me and is planning on going at it hard. Many people have been very supportive and I thank you all for your support.
2 comments:
You do look great. Congratulations on your success.
Congratulations Stan! We also think you look great and are glad you are feeling great as well.
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