Week 81 Weight 197.5 lbs (lost 5 lbs of the unexplained weight gain)
Week 80 Weight 202.5 lbs (lost 6.5 lbs of the unexplained weight gain)

Review: for week 81 and 80 no overall weight loss yet; but lost a total of 11.5 lbs of the unexplained weight gain from week 78 and 79 (a total of 13.5 lbs gained); Week 77 Weight 195.5 was my lowest weight yet). Progress is being made!

Food for week 80 and 81: following the Rice House diet (daily calories: 950; meals measured amounts of plain oatmeal or plain brown rice, some whole fruit or steamed veggies; one night a week salmon). (Previous 12 weeks I was following the Medifast Plan.)  

For more info on the Rice House Diet this is the book I use: The Rice Diet Solution: The World-Famous Low-Sodium, Good-Carb, Detox Diet for Quick and Lasting Weight Loss

Last week I had made an appointment with my doctor to discuss possible solutions and help in getting over the weight plataeu I’ve hit (since June very little weight loss) and the weight gain that keeps happening for no reason (i.e. 7 lbs over night two weeks ago).  I was not in the best of moods last week about it since it didn’t go as planned, and also I wanted to wait and see how the test results came out before posting, so that is why I’m combining my weighins from last week and this week.

The appointment wasn’t a complete waste of time, I got my very first flu shot and did manage to get a few blood tests done. The blood work she did run came back fine, and the hormones are at menopause levels (which I already knew from how I felt).

After I tried to talk to her about help with my weight and her advice that followed, I ended up in tears (out of frustration) and I was in no state to pull out my list and go over the things I wanted to discuss (i.e. swelling of lymphs in my throat, painful tongue, etc.) and other blood tests I wanted. I did manage to ask for blood work and she ran a few tests to humor me (just thyroid, horomones, and cholesterol). In her defence - I know she was trying to be supportive and helpful, and promote feeling good about myself right now (not waiting to reach my goal weight) - all of which in a nutshell is advice I agree with.

But my emotional reaction was a combination of shock, humor (some of the advice was funny), and tears of frustration. But I can’t really blame her and I still think she is a very good doctor. Doctor’s honestly have no clue about weight loss except to promote the standard “eat less, exercise more” advice. I know this is the basis for weight loss and essential, however, if a person has hit a plataeu for several months and gains weight for no reason at all I was hoping for more constructive support and help.

Her advice consisted of:
- 203 lbs pounds (what I weighed on her scale) is a perfectly ok weight for a woman of my age and height (52 years old, 5′4″ - sorry I have to disagree with her on this one)
- Holding water weight was normal and nothing to worry about (I agree partially with this one, inflammation could be an issue especially when a large amount of weight gained for no reason - underlyding causes should at least be ruled out).
- That being fat was better then being an ax murderer. (my favorite!)
- That I have choice between nice skin on my face or a nice butt because what it takes to have a nice butt (very low calories, very intense working out) destroys the skins and makes it wrinkled. (I think I can have both, but what do I know I’m not a doctor and I really don’t want a perfect butt any way just not a huge one.)
- That I should cut my hair, get some new clothes, and buy some sexy undies and spruce myself up a bit. (I explained to her that I had the day off from work and so I didn’t put on any makeup, and no the hair will never get cut it’s been past my waist forever and will stay that way and I prefer dressing comfy not sexy. I’m a hippie at heart, so I prefer my long hair!)
- She brought up Oprah and how no one looks at her and thinks she is fat - because she gets dressed up and pulls herself together, and I should be more like Oprah. (I didn’t bother to point out that Oprah has a team of hairstylists, fashion experts, her own trainer and chef.)
- She suggested eating fruits, veggies, lots of salad, tuna in oil (I agree with fruits and veggies, BUT the tuna with oil I flat out refused to do, I will eat tuna with water once in awhile but never oil, and I do eat baked salmon a once or twice a week).

She summed it all up with:  how she couldn’t do anything for me unless I am working out at the highest intensity possible and exhausted afterwards for at least an hour every single day and until I was doing that, then there was nothing to discuss.

Yes, I agree exercise is essential. But there is no way I can work out at that level - the pain from arthristis would just be unbearable. Sure it’s an excuse, but I have to be honest with myself and what I am willing to do. I was frustrated and at first, and my “all or nothing” attitude temporarily kicked in - since I can’t (or rather won’t) torture myself to that level of exercise then fine I won’t do it at all, but that was only temporary - my common sense has returned.

She sells Medifast from her office so she knows all about and if I decide to stick with it she was ok with that (I had been using for 12 weeks). But last week and this week I am doing the Rice House diet and she approved of the food list and calories for that also.

I have been on my own to achieve a healthy weight and I will continue to figure out what is best for me and eventually achieve my goal or at least be as healthy as I can be. Doctors are essential to good health, but they don’t have all the answers.

I was disappointed that she refused to discuss progestrone cream, but since it doesn’t require a perscription I can get it on my own. I will be giving it a try starting this weekend. All the research I’ve done so far indicates it can be helpful for weight loss in menopausal women. If nothing else it should help with the hot flashes and night sweats, which should mean better sleep and more energy which can also lead to more activity, all of which is a step to being healthier.

Overall in 80 weeks, I’ve lost 91 lbs so far (weight loss summary) - that is a big accomplishment. I will keep the long term goal in focus and not let temporary plateaus get me off track. The scale will not rule my life. I accept that getting healthy takes work and commitment and I’m willing to do it, it will just take time and I will have to find ways to constructively handle the ups and downs and temporary frustrations.

Health and Happiness to all.

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