The start of a new year is a good time to also review the past and make plans for the future so I decided to put together this post that covers my medical and diet history.  Also, hopefully it will address some of the concerns that some readers have expressed in comments. 

A Brief overview - Past, Present and Future

With all my posts about various food plans I’ve tried and the last doctor visit in Nov., I thought it might be helpful to readers to have a brief review of my medical and diet history all in one post.

I truly do appreciate the comments, advice and support from everyone; it means a great deal to me and I value all the input and truly do take it all in and learn from it.

I hope that by going over in more detail a bit of what I do for a food plan and my medical history it can allievate some concerns that have been expressed.  Also I do NOT recommend what I do for any one else - I record it in this blog for personal use and general interest only, as a way to keep myself accountable and on track, also my food journal is reviewed periodically by various doctors and has been seen by a nutritionist in the past as well.

Brief Overview - The medifast diet and the rice house diet are both medically approved, been around for over 20 years and are very successful - and my doctor approved of them both. Previously over the years I have seen a nutritionist and other doctors who always approve of my food intake - I keep a written journal in a steno pad. My current doctor even sells the medifast products in her office.  (All the medically supervised diets I’ve come across are 800 to 1000 calories - which is why I plan my food plan at about 900 calories daily.)

I 100% agree exercise is important - and I do some but definitely not enough due to lots of pain from rhumatoid arthritis in my knees (since the age of 2) — I am working on it, it’s a weak spot for me and I try not to let pain stop me but it is a roadblock I need to work on and improve.  (NOTE: In order to lose weight requires an hour a day 6 to 7 times a week (according to my doctor and research I’ve done) - I may never be able to reach this level, but hopefully can one day do enough exercise to at least improve my cardio.)

Past
The first ten years of my life the doctors kept me mostly in bed, with casts on my legs to keep them straight, later when I was allowed to walk I wore full leg braces locking my knees in place, and the doctors even told my parents I’d never walk - well I proved them wrong but medically my activity level was kept extremely low for most of my childhood and teen years (I even went to a special school and was never allowed to take gym) - it’s not an excuse, just a fact that from a young age I know I have had an issue with exercise - yes I know I can overcome it, I got myself to walk when they said I couldn’t, yes I can deal with lots of pain - but I need to learn to cope with more pain and move more - trust me I struggle with this issue almost every day, but at age 52 I’m tired of beating myself up about it - so no excuses, just simple facts.

I was never overweight as a child - but by the age of 13 to 14 I was trying to lose the 5 to 10 lbs I thought I needed to lose - but never managed to ever lose it.  By age 19 I was 155 lbs and struggled a decade to lose, ended up between 175 to 185 lbs.  And spent decades yo-yo dietings.  (See my post As the Diet Turns for a more detailed weight overview.)

Past Two Years:
I think doctors are totally necessary for overall health - but I also know they get very little training on dieting and nutrition - and they don’t have the time or knowledge to help someone who is having difficulty in weight loss. (A perfect example of this is that my doctor told me 203 lbs was a fine weight for a woman my age and height - I’m sorry but I totally disagree with her on that.  I’m not saying its a bad weight - just with my blood pressure issues and joint issues it is not a good healthy weight for me). My doctor is very good, and I will continue to see her (as well as seeing my cardiologist every 6 months who also approves of my diet and keeps telling me every time I go for a check up to keep doing what I’m doing).

Over the years three doctors have approved of what I’m doing for a food plan (keeping calories between 800 to 900). And again to restate the fact - I totally agree about getting more exercise. Winter means a lot more swelling and pain in my joints, so it will be even more of a challenge but I will keep making improvements to move more.

Each and every time over the past years I’ve increased calories I gain. I’ve tried weight watchers, LA diet, Atkins, and many, many, many other diet plans - ALL of them either caused lots of weight gain or no weight loss. The only time I’ve lost is when I do it on my own (keeping a journal and choosing my own foods) — previously I always gave up after losing some but not all, hitting a plateau that would not budge, and then would gain again. This time I’ve been doing it on my own since May 1, 2006 — lost over 90 lbs (weight loss summary). This time I won’t give up. This time I’m going to keep eating healthy food choices and will continue to work on increasing my activity level for the rest of my life (not just a temporary diet) - NO MATTER WHAT THE SCALE SAYS.

Last Six Months
During the summer this year - I decided to try Medifast for 12 weeks, just for a change and also it makes life a lot easier having five daily meals delivered instead of having to deal with food preparation — however, it didn’t seem to work for me (I think it may have been that the increase in protein caused a lot inflammation, or perhaps I am slightly allergic to soy). Whatever the reason, I decided to not do it any more and switched two weeks ago to the Rice House Diet — based on lots of whole grains, fruits and veggies, a little protein. The calories are low but packed with tons of nutrition. I have even been researching more grains such as Salba which is a powerhouse of nutrients and contains all the omega’s needed also. There is also hemp and quinoa that are very nutritious and also have protein and I’ll be trying those also. I also take a calcium supplement, a very good multivitamin, and a liquid supplement for vitamin c and antioxidants (made from pomegrantes, that is the equivalent of 16 pomegrantes but only 16 calories). I am daily getting 3 servings of whole grains and 6 to 8 servings of fruits and veggies, with a little lean protein (plus the protein from the grains).

Present
Not every one responds well to a high protein diet - I’ve tried Atkins (gained tons of weight) and after trying Medifast which is also a lot of protein and gaining I don’t think it’s the best way for me. Excess protein strains the kidneys, which may have been causing me to have more inflammation. However, I do make sure I get some protein daily.

I will see how it goes with the Rice House Diet for a couple months. I will either stick with it or go back to creating my own food plan.

Future:
I plan to stick with the Rice House Diet and increase my exercise. In Feb. I have a six month check up with the cardiologist scheduled, as well as an annual re-testing for cardiac tests (i.e. stress test and some others). I will again review everything that I am eating and doing for exercise with her again as I always do.

Also I am hoping that trying the progestrone cream will help address the horomonal issues (menopause).

I want to thank everyone again for their kindness, concern and wonderful advice ((((a big vitural hug to all)))).

Health and Happiness, Lady Rose

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