I just want to say, Sheila, you look fantastic.  Well done.

Louise from Ireland.

Sheila you look fabulous and this is a very inspirational story.  I really like what you said about it being a marathon not a sprint.  Losing weight doesn't happen overnight.  I'm so glad you put your story here for us.  Good luck with your continued weight loss.  Peace Tina

I am very impressed.  You sound extremely realistic, especially the part about not seeing results right away and not being able ro realize your success.  I think these two aspects are true for many of us. 

Many congratulations, I like your 5 tips, it's the same as my thinking.  1. Commit to doing it and not giving up if you have a bad patch.

Shelia, my name ie delojolly18, from Missouri. I just got on board yesterday May 24th. I tried lots of diets also, but I can't stay motivated. I found this site with Gods help, it must have been, because I never new about this before. My weakness is not sweets like most people, mine is meat. So I will have a tough time getting around to eating more veggies, and fruit. I read your story and I was really siked, I said she lost 77 pounds and I will too. You are my inspiration, and I thank you for that. I will think of you always why I am doing my excercise/walking. We need people like you to keep us strong. Keep up the good work.

Just a quick explanation - sheila_c is the username of our staff member who interacts with the community and who prepares the success story newsletters. The member who lost all this weight is caedmonshymn.

Way to go!  You are beautiful on the inside and the outside.  You have been an encouragement to me to record everything I eat each day!  Have only been doing it on the days that I eat right......  Remember you are made in God's image and he doens't make any junk.

Keep up the great work!  Jenny

Hi, caedmonshymn!

Wow! I loved your story. And I know you will succeed with your weightloss goal, because you have developed the right attitude about your health. I really liked your 5 practical tips. Thank you!

You mentioned that Calorie Count was one of 2 of the most useful tools you've used. Can you elaborate on the 2nd one?

Thank you - you have reminded me to be more tortoise than hare!!  I  know I should be patient with my weight losss and accept that I didnt put this stone on overnight so I am hardly going to lose it overnight! Crash diets havent worked for me in the past so I am going to try and settle down now into a calorie counting way of thinking and take encouragement from your approach. Thank you for your input!

congrats  you inspired me to lose weight i am walking for 45min and stsionary bike for thirty min

Congratulations to you. I need to loose about 30 lbs and I can't keep focused on diet. I have a bum knee and am limited with my exercises. I've never had to loose weight in my life, I am 58 and the weight crept up while being unemployed. For me, it's all new and very difficult. I like your thoughts about a reverse button. I will think of that. Thanks

You look wonderful! :)

You're right about everything. I thought that my life would change from losing weight, but it hasn't. I mean I'm feeling way healthier and much better about myself, but I still have every emotional problem that I was stuck with before. It just doesn't go away like that.

However, I accept that and I also accept that it's a very long and difficult journey, but it's so worthwhile. I've lost 12 pounds already. It seems like a dream. Most of the time I don't actually believe that I've lost the weight because everything to me seems like an illusion right now. I've lost a lot of other things lately as well: my cat getting put down and seeing my grandparents' 42-year marriage crumble into a divorce.

But you know, life is beautiful and I'm loved. That's all that matters. I know I can do anything, even if that anything will be painfully difficult.

Since I've come to realize that losing weight won't fix everything, I've found it easier to actually lose the weight. Just knowing that it's not any kind of race is relieving. I've stopped trying to compete with other people. Sure plenty of them have less weight to lose than I do, but you know, what matters is how I feel while I'm doing it. It's not fair to exhaust myself when I can feel completely refreshed everyday and still lose weight. It's no longer an icy determination, but a simple goal knowing that it'll help me open more doors, both in terms of health and liveliness.

I have much further to go, but the further I go, the less my body aches from all the bad things I've done to it over the course of my lifetime, albeit only 21 years. I've also learned a lot of things and that kind of education is invaluable.

Thank you for sharing your story and for inspiring us all. Good luck with everything in the future. :]

to delojolly18:   When I was diagnosed with insulin resistance the first thing the doctor took away was my favorite meats: beef and pork, that left me chicken, turkey and fish.  So, I understand your pain.  The second thing was breads- another favorite.  find a million different way to prepare vegetables and I promise it won't be as bad as you think.  You can do it, just hit that reset button when you have to, forgive yourself if you "screw" up and cut yourself some slack.  You are worth it.  I know with God's help, you can do it.

To muffin2go :  Sure, absolutely.  The 2nd most powerful tool is my apartment's gym.  It is much better than my last apartment's gym, several treadmills, an elliptical, and a bunch of weight machines.  Usually I am intimidated when I go in those places with the skinny girls and huge guys but I learned that my health was worth more than my ego so I left it at the door.  

Not everyone has access to this kind of stuff, I understand, but I also believe we need to take advantage of the things we do have access to.  A park in which to walk or run (even better the parks that have the workout stations).  We don't have to move boulders we just need to move.  Move enough to burn some calories.

I take once an hour breaks and walk for 20 minutes in my office, yep endless tiny circles but it works and I do yoga in my office.  Anything and everything.  Most important though is having the support- tell your family and friends that you need to hear how great you look or whatever.  It sounds cheesy but every compliment helps.

Thank you so much - you said exactly what I needed to hear when I needed to hear it. After losing fifty pounds the scale was beginning to reverse and I was losing focus. I have to remember I'm in it for the long haul and even if I don't see a big weight loss every week, or even any at all, the important thing is doing what's right for my body and health. Congratulations and keep it up!

congratulations on all your success. your story has truly been inspirational. you are so right when you say it's a Marathon not a sprint. i have to continually say that to my self because it is so easy to get discouraged. we sure do want to see the results right away. thank you so much for sharing with all of us. best of luck to you in reaching your weight goal.

Thank you for sharing your story and many congrats on your current and future success! Your words have been very inspirational to me and I will keep your 5 tips close because I know I need them! Keep up the great work!

Lisa from Chicago IL

Wow, you look wonderful!  What a lovely figure you have :)

Great job, Caedmonshymn! 

You look wonderful! The weight loss makes you look younger!  I have a friend that I care alot about who is insulin resistant and I have been talking to her about caloriecount and trying to make healthier choices for her health.

Do you have a good source for the low glycemic foods?

Thanks for being such an inspiration for us all! :-)

-Linda

caedmonshymn, that is so cool about doing the walking and yoga in the office.  I can't do yoga but I can take a little walk around every once in a while.  I'll have to start doing that.  Thanks for the great tip!

Thank you for taking the time to share what you've learned.  I've just started serious work to lose the weight my knees don't like me carrying around, and you've motivated me to continue.

Beautiful story, Caedmonshymn!  Congrats!

You look great and are quite the inspiration.  Your message was quite timely as well, for me at least.  I have been logging food into Calorie Count faithfully for over a month now and have only lost 5 lbs.  But I decided that as long as I was   at least just maintaining or losing a little, then that beats the alternative.  You are right.  Thanks for the reminder that this is a marathon and not a sprint.   I'm in for the long haul.

 I could not agree with you more.....
"The emotional and mental baggage that comes with losing weight"....this is so true.  It is a tough struggle.  I'm trying to lose 80lbs and boy somedays are so tough.  It's nice to see your story and know it can be done.  Thank you for the inspiration.  You look great and I know you must feel great!

Congrats!

to lpennington:  your friend should get the book called The Insulin Resistant Diet: How to Shut off your Fat Making machine  - or something to that effect.  It's a great source of information for people with IR and anybody really.

It explains the importance of carbohydrates and steers its readers to the right carbs.  We need carbs for energy so cutting them out all together, not so great.  But past that it teaches that IR people need to pair their carbs with protein, and how much protein they should have with those carbs.

There is a series of books out right now that are hard to get your hands on called The New Glucose Revolution, they have several books aimed at everyone - they aren't written for IR people- about how to use the low glycemic index to lose weight, how to shop for low GI foods, etc along with companion books with the top 100 low GI foods.

I highly recommend these books to anyone IR or not because it explains how the body works, using low GI isn't what you think- foods that most other diets say are no-nos are okay with the low GI like pasta.  Why?  Because GI is based on how fast or slow food breaks down in digestion and how fast it releases the glucose into your blood stream...  I am rambling but I would recommend those two sources of info to your food.   I am always here to answer any questions you have.

This is true.  I had gastric bypass 10 years ago and am now trying to lose the remainder of my weight on my own.  In the meantime, as a result of that surgery, I have insulin resistance or Reactive Hypoglycemia.  I cannot eat anything with sugar in it...period.   It makes me very ill.  I have changed to wheat everything...or soy everything, including soy milk (not so high in sugar) and find that wading through the glycemic index is like a minefield for my situation.    In spite of the restricted diet, I still find it difficult to lose weight except for verrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrry slowly.

Keep on Keepin' on!  Your healthy choice of food, your jog or walk (by the way the first 50 pounds that came off me came off through WALKING on the treadmill and nothing else so don't knock yourself if you aren't sprinting circles around the house or lifting a billion weights) are making you healthier inside even if you can't see it outside yet or the scale hasn't moved.

Ask yourself at the end of the day: Is what I did today and what I ate today healthier than I did or would have eaten before I started this process?

If the answer is yes and I am confident that it is, then pat yourself on the back.  It's okay to be proud of your accomplishments....in fact it's important to stay focused on them. you're more likely to succeed if you do.

wow what an encouragement. I love the way you gave practical steps. and the part about not trying to just sprint and get burned out.

Oh, someone asked me privately but I will say on here.  Just under 8 months...that's how long  it has taken me to lose this 77.1 pounds. Please keep in mind that I am single and am fortunate enough to devote all my spare time to losing weight...realistic goals are important.

I just bought a treadmill and started walking since I live in a hilly area and it's too difficult to walk otherwise.  So....I'll take your advice and walk walk walk it off.

I agree.  You did a very good job though......just under  8 months.  I'm 67 years old so it's going to take a littttttle bit longer but that is about what I need to lose.   I am patient.  And although I AM married, I am retired and  have lots of free time to devote to my goals.  I can do this.  You are my inspiration.

Great Job!!!!

Great job!!!  My mom has always told me "slow and steady wins the race", and she is right.  We all want to see results fast, but I feel the longer it takes to lose the less likely you are to gain the weight back.  It's all about choices, chose wisely when opening your mouth, and be sure to log in everything- it makes us accountable for what we eat!!

Congratulations!!!! You look great.  And thanks for all the hints on books to read for the GI response.  My husband just recently got diagnosed with high blood sugars, not serious enough to take meds yet....but hopefully a shock effect to make him realize he needs to exercise and get his wt down.  I hope he joins this site along with me....it's so supportive and helpful.  Keep up the good work.

You look great, but I bet you feel even better don't you? I have lost 40 pounds since my last Dr.'s visit doing the same thing, eating right and adding exercise. I mentally track everything that goes in my mouth and feel guilty when I don't get "some" exercise everyday. I got tired of feeling "bad" all the time and decided to do something about it. This is one thing I can control, if I slip I do like you said-just hit the reset button the next day or next meal. Good luck to you and everyone out there that is trying to change their lives, remember you are worth it!!! This site helps so much, tracking the calories I consume and also the ones I get rid of by exercising!!

WELL DONE, WELL SAID. I LIKED THE QUOTE " IT'S NOT A SPRINT BUT A MARATHON. I WOULD LIKE TO ADD " THAT THE RACE ISN'T GIVEN TO THE SWIFT NOR THE STRONG BUT TO THE ONE WHO ENDURES TO THE END". YOU HAVE SHOWN THAT TO BE TRUE. KEEP RUNNING YOUR MARATHON AND SEE YOU AT THE FINISH LINE. LOL

I to have insulin resistance. What were some tools that you used for looking up the lower glycemic idex foods? Also, out of curiousity how many milligrams of glucophage (metformin) did your doctor have you on? Just curious because it is very difficult for me and hard not to get frustrated when I do not see any results after about of 2 weeks doing what i am supposed to be doing. Thank you and any information that you may have to help would be greatly appreciated.

hi Babbiekl,

    actually I am not on Metaformin. that seems to be the drug of choice of everyone else's doctor but mine.  I am on advandamet and I couldn't tell you the dosage, i never paid attention. One pill a day, two fish oil (omega 3 pills), right now Ibuprofen three times a day because I have developed tendinitis from running too much, and birth control.  IR through all my systems out of whack, my hormone levels included, which is why I need the estrogen in the birth control.  

    Once I reach 135, another 10 pounds to go, the doctor will consider taking me off the other medications.  I would like to lose at least 10 more pounds past that but right now it's very slow going.

     I scoured the internet for low GI foods. My doctor provided me with three sites that had some information but a lot of sites on the web are personally run and don't always match each other.  So I got a book got the Insulin Resistant diet that gives a list of a lot of glycemic low foods with recipes as well as teaches how to pair foods for better consumption.  Always eat your carbs with protein, never on their own.  Our bodies can't handle that and stores it as fat.

      GI as you may know is based a lot of how fast or slow your body digests food and releases glucose into your body so some of that "good" alternative isn't always the best alternative.  Take for example cereal: mmmm cheerios, shredded wheat, grape nuts, right?  Nope, not good for IR people, digests too quickly and making our insulin spike.  believe it or not besides All Bran the only other cereal that I could eat is Special K AND believe it or not, Froot Loops and Frosted Flakes.  Yep, seems strange.  Just like eating white pasta but it's okay for us.

     The other tool is the new series of books called The New Glucose Revolution.  They have a million different books that they wrote for everyone not just IR people, explaining the Glycemic Index and they have books just for losing weight with low GI foods.  Check it out!  They also have books on how to shop for low GI foods and a companion book with the top 100 low GI foods.  Amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com have them used for cheap, or check them out from the library...i did that as the books were back ordered.

      I am not sure if you are exercising in conjunction with your low glycemix diet but if not and if you are able go walk.  My doctor asked me to exercise just 20 minutes a day...not only does that provide healthy results in the raising your heart rate it actually makes your insulin work more effectively.  Everything in the body is literally tied together so don't think of a 20 minute walk as exercise for the heart but rather stimulating your insulin correctly.  It's fast, over before you know, easy way to help that body of yours fix your insulin problem.

Good luck!

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You look amazing! I know it's a cliche but you actually look like a completly different person, and very happy because of it! Well done you! And is that in 7 months?! I'm very impressed, if I can lose 77lbs in 7 months I will be over the moon! Calorie count is an amazing site!

I love what you said about the reset button!  Thank you for sharing your story- you look wonderful!  I have about 80 pounds to lose, so reading your story helped to motivate me!  Thanks again!

My pleasure.  My 8th month mark will be June 4, that's 8 months from the day of diagnosis of insulin resistance.  I have already hit the 80 pound lost mark so taking it kind of easy this week and not pushing it. 

I am still learning how to listen to my body, it speaks to me- tells me when I need more food, less food, more rest, less rest.  it's a very delicate balance.  I have about 8.5 more pounds to lose to make the doctor pleased- whom I will see on Friday for my test results- and another 10-15 I can play with after that.

I feel like a whole new person, too.  My father has posted a picture of me on the refrigerator of their house so he can retrain his brain to picture me like I am now. 

Nothing's easy, nothing's fast, but it's totally worth it.

GREAT
JOB!!!!

caedmonshymn

Hi Caedmonshymn;

Thank you for your story, it really did inspire me.  I too have tried other diets and I found this site has really helped me on staying focused by tracking my foods and exercise.  At 55, newly divorced and a new grandmother, I want to get fit so I can be there for my boys and my granddaugher.  I have 100 pounds to lose and I will.  I like the ability to blog, it helps to see others journeys and to be able to vent and have support!

Keep up the good work and keep us updated.

Donna

Someone asked for an 8 month update.  8 months today. 82.5 pounds done.  Size 8.   6 pounds to go til doc's goal. Thank you for your wonderful encouragement and love...I mean that sincerely.  it's good to have friends on such a long difficult journey.

Congratulations!  Your story has provided so much encouragement.  It really helps when I feel like I'm going no where with my diet and I just remind myself that it's a process and a long run to the finish line.  Tina

I love love love love love your tip "its never too late to start over"! SO many times I have gotten depressed because I ate 10 (yeah 10) cookies in one day or drank a soda when I said I wasn't going to have High Fructose Corn Syrup anymore.  I am going to keep that phrase in my mind from now on.  Just because I didn't eat right for breakfast doesn't mean I have to pig out for lunch.  I have that all or nothing mentality and tend to beat myself up when I am not perfect.