barbieq13

I'm a 44 year old mother of 2 adult sons. I've been heavy since I had thyroid cancer at age 30. I have steadily increased over the years, but was convinced there was nothing I could do as exercise did little but build muscle, my other health issues always got in the way, my body just doesn't work the same as everyone elses! I have always eaten pretty healthy. I love my salads and veggies, not big on starches, no fast food, no sweets, no snacking to speak of. I enjoy alcohol, but wasn't willing to totally give that up being my only real vice.
I have always had an (albiet large) hourglass shape, and a large frame so I could hide my weight pretty well. In the past 2 years or so I have become more and more frustrated, having no real medical issue to explain my inability to lose. So I asked my Dr about lap band. He said there was a 16 week program I would have to do before the surgery that was mandatory. SO I decided to prove a point. While I had to wait for a few weeks to get it approved, I decided to start a food journal just to prove that I do not eat poorly. I found the calorie counter app on my phone and started logging the first day and then thought, why not give low carb another shot. Well, I read a lot of stuff, looked at a lot of labels and sort of came up with my own way of going about it. A week later, I had already lost 6 lbs. 3 weeks, 18 and at 4 weeks 22 lbs. I can't explain why it's working this time, maybe because I am not sadistic about it like I had been in the past, maybe because I've found some nice substitutes for pasta, maybe I was just more ready for it now. But I finally feel like I have found something that works that I can stick with for long term. I think due to my unique health issues, I will never be able to have a "normal" diet of up to 300 carbs a day, but as long as I can have a slice of pizza once in a while... and maybe a sushi roll, I'll be ok with it.