A Slimmer Me
Weighing In
Recently I wrote how I embarked on a medically supervised diet based on bariatric medicine. My doctor had recommended that I lose 25 pounds. I have a petite stature, and within the last few years had put on a “few” pounds. I was starting to look like my maternal grandmother.
So far I’m pretty pleased with the results. Since the date of my first post, I’ve lost 15 pounds, and only have 10 to go! The only thing I’m bummed about though is nobody at my office has mentioned that I look like I’ve lost weight. At my daughters’ suggestion, I even went out and bought new clothes – 2 sizes smaller.
I’m beginning to believe that once a woman hits a certain “Baby Boomer” age, that they become “invisible” to others. It’s like they don’t see me, and I’m not there. But, I digress …
The diet regiment that I’m on is based on the Atkins plan, only it’s an individual program that’s medically supervised by a physician (MD), physician-assistant (PA), nurse practitioner (NP); medical assistant (MA) and registered dietitian (RD). The program lasts for 12 weeks, at which point I have the option to sign up for maintenance.
The first phase of the program lasted one week, where I had to undergo a thorough medical screening to determine whether the program was safe and appropriate for me to participate in. I was placed on a very low calorie diet. Patients can lose an average of 2-1/2 to 4-1/2 pounds per week.
Each week I weigh in on a special scale that registers a complete Body Composition Analysis for me – showing my Body Mass Index (BMI); percent of body fat; fat Free Mass (FFM); and Fat Mass.
In the past I’ve tried Weight Watchers, but haven’t really had much success with it. I’ve attended in-class sessions, and also the online version.
Much has been written about the Atkins plan, but essentially it’s this: you give up carbs such as breads, potatoes, pasta, rice, and other things like chocolate, cake, some fruits, veggies, and milk at least in the beginning.
The theory is that when you cut out carbs your body is forced into burning fat that your body has stored to give it energy. Your body burns more calories when burning fat than when it’s burning carbohydrates and therefore you’ll lose weight more quickly. Your blood sugars stabilize which prevents overeating.
The first week of the program I was only able to eat meal replacement products manufactured by Bariatrix and sold by the center. Meal replacement products are nutritionally formulated foods, which are high-protein, low carbohydrates. They include puddings, shakes, soups, oatmeal, hot drinks, several entrees and fruit drinks which are packaged in single serving packets and reconstituted with water. There’s also nutrition bars and snacks.
Although the first week was really tough while my body was adjusting, the products actually are very tasty because of their seasonings! At times I was going to give up, but my husband kept encouraging me along.
On this plan, the body goes into ketosis, so in addition to the meal replacement products, I also am taking the recommended supplements. These include a multi-vitamin and mineral supplements, Calcium, Vitamin D3, Chromium; Acetyl L-Carnitine; Conjugated Lineolic Acid (CLA), and Essential Fatty Acids (Omega 3-6). The most serious drawbacks to the Atkins plan are that it is not intended for long term use. The Atkins diet eliminates some nutrients which could cause deficiencies and other health problems in the future. Each of these supplements provides benefits to improve weight loss and aid in abdominal fat loss as well as preventing side effects such as dry skin, hair loss and other risk-factors from being on an Atkins-like program.
Since Sunday was Mother’s Day, our family went out to brunch down at the Connecticut shore, and I was able to stick with the plan by having a veggie omelet made from Egg-Beaters, plenty of salads, veggies and my favorite protein – roast beef!
I’ll keep you posted as I go. Let me know what’s worked for you!
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Well if it means anything at all, you are not invisible to me and I congratulate you on your 15 pound weight loss..that’s seriously awesome!
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Moomette's Magnificents (Admin) Reply:
May 29th, 2010 at 12:20 pm
Thanks! It’s a lot of work, and I’m up to 20 lbs now, it’s fun to get new clothes!
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Huge congratulations on the weight loss! I’m right there with you, trying to eat better and get healthy. I’ve got 1 more pound to go until goal weight.
Here’s to getting healthy and skinner jeans!
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Moomette's Magnificents (Admin) Reply:
May 29th, 2010 at 12:21 pm
Congrats to you too! It’s amazing that I even can walk faster after losing 15-20 lbs!
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This is great stuff! My Dr said I need to drop 100 pounds so I have been struggling with where in the world to start,,, Crazy when weight gets out of hand and VERY PROUD of you to tackle it before it does. Wishing you tons of success and look forward to your updates!
All the best, Danna
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Moomette's Magnificents (Admin) Reply:
May 29th, 2010 at 12:23 pm
Good Luck to you too Danna – there comes a point where one says enough is enough, and I think when we reach that mindset, that’s when we’re successful. You have to want to do it, badly enough.
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I would love to see before and after pictures! I am sure you look great!
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Moomette's Magnificents (Admin) Reply:
May 29th, 2010 at 12:23 pm
I’ll be posting some Nina! If I’m brave enough!
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That is fantastic. It really does get harder and harder to lost weight as we get older. But I guess I shouldn’t care since I am invisible anyway
Keep up the good work.
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Moomette's Magnificents (Admin) Reply:
May 29th, 2010 at 12:25 pm
It does get harder Jennifer, and I didn’t know that certain meds may cause you to gain weight – like blood pressure meds. You are very visible – I see you all over the place!
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Good for you! You are doing really well. That diet had to be pretty tough at first, glad you are seeing results and hopefully the compliments will be rolling in soon.
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Moomette's Magnificents (Admin) Reply:
May 29th, 2010 at 12:26 pm
Yes, Tesa, the first 2 weeks of the diet were awful until I got used to it. If I skip a supplement, I can feel it.
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Congratulations! That’s wonderful. I lost a good bit of weight on the Atkin’s diet years ago. I need to do something again!
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That is an amazing accomplishment girl! You sound like you are doing very great at this, never tried Atkins diet, sounds like it is working wonders though. I am so happy for you!! Keep up the great work!
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Twitter: brandyellen
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Moomette's Magnificents (Admin) Reply:
June 3rd, 2010 at 11:42 pm
Brandy, after trying this plan based on Atkins, I would never go back to WW. Most people I know aren’t that successful with it, and struggle.
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I think your co-workers must be oblivious not to notice a 2-size loss! Way to go! It sounds like you’re doing this in a really sensible way, too, since it is being supervised by your doctor. Congrats!
I’m on my own personal journey getting in better shape also. My approach has been to hire a personal trainer, who I see once a week, work out on my own during the rest of the week, and eat a balanced diet by adding more fruit & veg and whole grains. My main problem is skipping meals or ordering takeout when I’m really busy, which is pretty much always, so I have to make an effort to plan ahead and make sure I’m eating properly.
Congrats again on your loss!
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Moomette's Magnificents (Admin) Reply:
June 3rd, 2010 at 11:45 pm
Beeb, a personal trainer would be wonderful, but isn’t in the cards for me. This is an expensive plan that I’m on, and in order to make it work, one has to take personal responsibility to stick with it, which I have.
Exercise hasn’t been one of my best traits – but when all is said and done, I’m definitely going to make a concerted effort to improve my diet habits. Since I’ve written this post – my sleep-walking co-workers are now starting to notice the 20+ weight loss!
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Is this the Lindora plan? It sounds very similar to it, it’s how Donna from SoCal Mom lost a whole lot of weight – that, and working out with Wii Fit. I remember her telling me that at first she was only eating 700 calories a day!
I’m proud of you for sticking to it and losing 15 pounds so quickly! Way to go!
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Moomette's Magnificents (Admin) Reply:
June 3rd, 2010 at 11:49 pm
Hi Elizabeth – I haven’t heard of the Lindora plan, so I’m going to have research it. 700 calories a day is extremely low w/o medical supervision. No Wii Fit in my house – yet! Thanks for your support!
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WOW Cin- I think that’s great! It’s so hard once you reach a certain age to do everything. Our bodies just don’t want to cooperate. I’ll tell you how fabulous you look when I see you!! And I bet you do too!
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Moomette's Magnificents (Admin) Reply:
June 3rd, 2010 at 11:48 pm
Hey Rach – It was so nice to meet up with you, and YOU are the one who looks fantastic – it’s motivating me even more, because in another life, I was as thin as you girl! Thanks for the inspiration, and I’m delighted to be working with you on the Touch’d Beauty campaign! Can’t wait to do the product review on the Sugar Scrub and Bath Butter! Good Luck with your new business venture! #touchd
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Congrats Cindi! 15 pounds is a big accomplishment and not eating chocolate is unbelievable. One of these days I’m going to really commit to losing weight and I’ll come to you for advice. Happy to hear your fantastic news!
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Moomette's Magnificents (Admin) Reply:
June 3rd, 2010 at 11:52 pm
Yes Connie – No chocolate, no sugar, and no corn-on-the-cob this summer! No beer, wine or pina colada’s either, for awhile! Unbelievable – but it’s working! I’m thinking I can do without the beverages, but not having fresh corn is the hardest – it’s the best part of summer!
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Congratulations on your Journey. I have been battling my weight all my life. I know first hand just how hard it can be. I look forward to reading more posts and being behind you every step of the way on your journey.
Stopping by from SITS.
Hope you have a wonderful weekend.
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Congratulations!!!! I wish you all the best of luck!!!
Thanks for leaving your link on my linky!!
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Congrats – that is awesome. I am just now starting to get into eating right and losing weight more. I fell off for a bit and was only doing exercise but eating like crap!! You’ll do awesome.
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I did Atkins way back when i was trying to lose baby weight and it made me pass out in 2 days. I hope yours is better!! I know you can do it cindY!
trisha
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Moomette's Magnificents (Admin) Reply:
May 29th, 2010 at 12:18 pm
Trisha, you’re right. The first two weeks were brutal and took my body awhile to adjust to. On occasion I did feel like passing out. It was attributed to not getting enough Potassium, or drinking enough water, because your body loses Potassium. I have to make certain to take the Potassium supplement, and drink about 64 oz. water. During that time I wanted to quit and give up multiple times, but my DH encouraged me to continue. As of today’s date I’ve lost 20 lbs, and now want to push it to instead of 5 lbs more to go, make it 10.
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[...] back on the last two months of the bariatric diet plan I’m on (based on Atkins), I’ve drastically changed my eating [...]
Congrats on your weight loss! Its tough and you are doing great!!
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Moomette's Magnificents (Admin) Reply:
June 3rd, 2010 at 11:39 pm
Thanks Peggy! This is such a unique plan, and I’ve never heard of one like it before anywhere! Connecticut is so fortunate to have this company. Most doctors say to lose weight, but this medically supervised plan actually tells you how to, safely!
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Congrats on your success!
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[...] Also another New England gal and Connecticut resident, since she lives ‘down the road apiece’ from me I’ve had the opportunity to meet Rachel over brunch when I was in town for a follow-up for my doctor’s appointment for my new diet plan. [...]
Congrats on the 15lbs so far! That’s huge accomplishment!
Erin Pyle ( would like you to read..Wordless Wednesday
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