Tuesday, June 12, 2007, I woke up and stepped on a scale. I knew the number would be high, since I had weighed myself a few days before, but seeing it on the scale and realizing I would have to record it and display it for the world to see helped to strengthen my resolve. It was two pounds higher than Saturday. Having posted my initial weight of 250 pounds — one-eighth of a ton! — I would have to work hard to get that number as small as possible before a planned trip overseas. I eventually settled on a target scheduled of exactly 20 weeks, to give myself a few days of "recovery" before my scheduled departure. How much weight could I safely lose in 140 days?
I started with a goal of 185 and a dream of 165, but quickly jettisoned the higher number for the more aggressive target. I assumed at the time that I wouldn't be able to hit either goal in 20 weeks, but would have to resume my diet when I returned from overseas. I had reports that weight loss on my chosen diet plan, an aggressive low-carb diet, could be rapid and substantial, but losing 85 pounds in 20 weeks would require losing 4.25 pound each week, and no approach to eating can make that kind of difference. Even the first goal, of losing 65 pounds in 20 weeks, seemed silly.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007, I woke up and stepped on a scale. 20 weeks have passed, and I knew what I expected to see, but it was still hard to believe.
Over the previous 20 weeks, much had changed. My long-planned trip overseas was canceled, which was unpleasant, but it freed me up to attend the BlogWorld Expo in Las Vegas one week later, so I still had a goal to aim for. My wife refused to try the same diet, then tried it and it worked very well for her, then quit it again for reasons still unclear to me. I made such rapid progress in the beginning that I began to think that at least one of my goals might actually be achievable within 20 weeks! As I bought one new belt, and then another, I realized that I should have measured more than just my total weight. And through it all, I lost weight. I felt better, I was able to join a gym, and I found myself answering questions about my weight loss daily as people asked what I was doing. I was even accused of abusing illegal drugs (mostly in jest, I think)!
Article comments
1 - JCarol
As another low-carber loosely following Kimkins, I enjoyed reading about your journey... and I picked up some useful information too. Please continue to keep us updated.
JC
2 - Phillip Winn
I hope you've left that particular website far behind, given the strongly-supported allegations of fraud there! (Disclosure: my mother is a plaintiff in an ongoing suit with them)
Yes, I'll post updates, though I don't know how often. Perhaps monthly?
I'll probably never hit 165, because I intend to start a strength-training workout routine this week, which will build muscle, keeping me from losing much more weight.
Post-Halloween, and after two days off the diet, I'm still at 180, amazingly enough. I expected the fluid-retention effect to kick in already, but perhaps that will happen over the next couple of days.
Thanks!
3 - Eric Olsen
wow Phillip, that's amazing. Congrats on your success - we weigh about the same!
4 - b
Phillip,
Great personal log for us to peruse ... thanks for doing it!
I'm particular interested with What Next?
Because I'm on lo-carb for the third time and each time I gain it all back. I've noticed that when I take a break that is take in any foods BUT without sugar in them that I stay at the same weight. Then eventually there's a family gathering or event with the temptation of chocolate cake or something and then each week I say to myself I need to do something.. Then eventually several months later I'm back where I started.
If you could write about this "What's Next?" step, I'd be grateful.