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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Dinah on September 4, 2010, at 19:40:34
In reply to OMG there is something wrong with my body, posted by Deneb on September 4, 2010, at 18:43:34
Don't panic. All sorts of things can cause an irregular cycle. Certainly including stress. If you've limited your calorie intake severely, your body may think that you are in a dangerous time of famine, and adapt by making sure you don't have to feed a baby as well.
Yes, go see a doctor, and get a referral to a dietitian if you want to continue this. I still think a healthy and sensible diet is better.
Posted by Deneb on September 6, 2010, at 17:24:48
In reply to Re: OMG there is something wrong with my body » Deneb, posted by Dinah on September 4, 2010, at 19:40:34
I stopped freaking out. I read that some bleeding during ovulation is normal. Based on my last period, I am almost certainly ovulating. Also I think this has happened before, but I just didn't give it much thought.
Anyways, more about my diet. It is interesting to note that I have lost my appetite. I actually have to make myself eat more than 800 kcal a day. I can't tell whether or not I have lost more weight, but I think I have and that the rate of weight loss has slowed considerably.
I still have a lot of fat. I'm sure my metabolic rate has slowed, which is a good sign (in terms of longevity, not weight loss).
One of the most important things I need to do is to make sure I don't develop osteoporosis on this diet. I'm going to start a program of skipping rope. I think that will help with my bone density.
I've decreased the amount of protein I eat slowly. I take a multivitamin and mineral supplement daily and I am meeting the RDA for all nutrients everyday.
I need to focus on continuing to eat a lot of vegetables. I am choosing to boil or steam my foods whenever possible to reduce the AGE that form with dry and high heat cooking methods.
Weighing myself every month turned out to be a very good idea. I am not obsessed with my weigh, instead, my focus is on my healthy lifestyle.
I am already imagining how I will eat this way for the rest of my long life. When I eat out I will ask for steamed vegetables and order wisely.
I've never been on a diet this long before. I'm happy to report that I don't feel the least bit like stopping and it is not hard to continue with this lifestyle. My diet is not a diet any more, it is a lifestyle.
I think doing this for life extension is the biggest motivator for me, even more so than for looks.
Posted by morgan miller on September 8, 2010, at 21:58:28
In reply to Re: OMG there is something wrong with my body, posted by Deneb on September 6, 2010, at 17:24:48
Hey if your interested in life extension and proper diet you should check out imminst.org. Have you ever been over there?
As long as you have a balanced diet with all the right foods, a calorie restricted diet will probably do you some good in the long run. If you are on an extreme calorie restricted diet you may have to take some supplements to make up for some of the effects of CR. When you go to imminst, check our Michael Ray's, State of My Pills, regimen in the regimen section of the supplements forum.
Morgan
Posted by Deneb on September 11, 2010, at 12:44:18
In reply to Re: OMG there is something wrong with my body, posted by morgan miller on September 8, 2010, at 21:58:28
Thanks for that site Morgan. I will check it out.
I'm still feeling run down. It's been a while now. I don't remember when I started feeling tired and run down. My right ear hurts a little and I get periodic shooting pains up the right side of my head. My throat is a little sore too. It doesn't hurt much so I'm not sure if I really have an infection.
I don't want to go to the doctor for a virus since there is nothing they can do for me if it is a virus. I also want to avoid antibiotics if I can.
Posted by Deneb on September 11, 2010, at 14:54:17
In reply to I think I may have an ear infection, posted by Deneb on September 11, 2010, at 12:44:18
Ugh, had another drop attack. I've been having bad orthostatic hypotension all day. It's so unpredictable. I know it isn't related to my diet though because I had that before I started the longevity diet.
My new eating for life plan is working out well. I got down to a very low calorie amount though and got scared so I binged on some junk food. In hindsight that was a bad idea, all junk food is bad. I should have eaten healthy foods. Avocado has a lot of calories. I should eat that when my calorie counts get too low. For my binge I had a sour cream glazed donut from Tim Hortons (over 300 kcal) and almost a whole bag of reduced fat kettle potato chips (about 1000 kcal). Even with the binge, my 2 month running average of calories is still below 1000 kcal/day. I did bump up my weekly average though, now it is almost 900 kcal. It was interesting to note that I did not have an appetite even for my binge. Food just doesn't taste as good. It was kind of a forced binge just for the calories.
I will weigh myself on the 18th. I hope I lost more weight. I weigh myself every month. I hope pdoc notices my weight loss! I still have a lot of tummy fat though. I can't wait to get rid of it!
I've started taking an echinacea herb tincture to combat this cold/virus/whatever I have right now that is leaving me feeling run down.
I hope I start feeling better soon so that I feel like exercising again. I need to build up my bones. I want to do 200 jumping jacks everyday. This high impact activity will stimulate my bones.
I can't wait to get a physical in a few months. Then I can see how this diet is making me healthier. Hopefully my biomarkers have all improved and if not I can figure out what is wrong.
Posted by Deneb on September 11, 2010, at 21:11:55
In reply to Re: I think I may have an ear infection, posted by Deneb on September 11, 2010, at 14:54:17
My throat and ear feel better now! I think adding the echinacea boosted my immune system. Echinacea rocks!
It really does boost the immune system, one of my professors has studied it.
Posted by Deneb on September 13, 2010, at 5:07:54
In reply to Echinacea rocks!, posted by Deneb on September 11, 2010, at 21:11:55
Darn. I thought the echinacea made things better. My throat and right ear still feel funny and I have the shooting pains again.
I don't know what to do, it isn't bad enough for me to see a doctor. This is probably just a mild cold. I'm probably just losing weight too quickly and my immune system is suffering a bit. Or maybe I just have the cold that everyone seems to have right now.
On the longevity diet front, I'm still doing well even though I kind of went off plan completely today for my sister's birthday get together.
I decided unhealthy meals once in a while are okay. I don't want to limit my life too much with my diet. I still want to be able to enjoy parties and such.
My calorie counts have gone up, but it's not too bad.
Oh, I also finally got the CRON-o-meter to work on Ubuntu! I will find out if it is better than Fitday in tracking nutrition.
I see pdoc on Tues. It has been like a month since I last saw her. I hope she notices my weight loss!
I think I'm losing a lot of muscle right now. I still have tons of fat, but I am getting smaller. I need to do more exercise to try to maintain my muscle mass. I also have to be diligent on the 200 jumping jacks a day. I don't want brittle bones when I get older.
Posted by Deneb on September 14, 2010, at 14:41:13
In reply to Nope, still have a cold, posted by Deneb on September 13, 2010, at 5:07:54
Well she supports me losing weight and getting fit, but she doesn't support my longevity diet! I gave her some evidence, but she countered them and didn't believe it. She said what I was doing was the opposite of a longevity diet and that this is really about control. She said she would be disappointed if I didn't put my energy towards finding a job and my career.
She did congratulate me on finally meeting requirements for my degree though.
I think I need to dig up some journal articles and highlight some key points about calorie restriction and bring them to my pdoc. She doesn't believe in the longevity diet! I need some hard facts to show her.
She wants to weigh me next time. She said I was setting myself up for a binge eating disorder. I told her that this was a lifestyle change, but she said my body would rebel. She said I can't survive on 1000 kcal/day long term.
I understand that and if I get below 90 pounds I will eat more! My goal is 90 pounds and I promise myself I would not go below that.
She doesn't seem to think I can focus on my career and do calorie restriction at the same time. I will prove her wrong. I will focus on my career. I can do both.
Posted by Dinah on September 14, 2010, at 17:20:19
In reply to My pdoc doesn't support me!, posted by Deneb on September 14, 2010, at 14:41:13
It sounds like she's supporting you as best she can. I support your pdoc in supporting you.
Posted by Deneb on September 14, 2010, at 18:44:56
In reply to Why do you say that?, posted by Dinah on September 14, 2010, at 17:20:19
Pdoc seems to think I'm on the verge of getting an eating disorder. Maybe she is right. I'm afraid to eat more than 1000 kcal most days.
I don't want to be unhealthy. I want to live to be 120.
I definitely don't want to go back to my binging and purging. That was hell.
Confession time: My pdoc said she was going to weigh me next time I see her and now I want to lose as much weight as I can until then. I don't care if I do this not healthily. I don't want her to see how fat I am.
Posted by jane d on September 14, 2010, at 20:41:52
In reply to A little worried, posted by Deneb on September 14, 2010, at 18:44:56
> Pdoc seems to think I'm on the verge of getting an eating disorder. Maybe she is right. I'm afraid to eat more than 1000 kcal most days.
...
> I don't care if I do this not healthily. I don't want her to see how fat I am.
Could this be exactly what has her concerned?
Posted by Deneb on September 16, 2010, at 19:28:42
In reply to Pdoc's concerns » Deneb, posted by jane d on September 14, 2010, at 20:41:52
I hope I lost a lot of weight!
It seems like the less I eat, the less hungry I am. I'm afraid to eat more for fear of it making me hungry.
I've been bad, all I had was a sweet potato today and I'm hoping my hunger doesn't come and that will be all I eat today.
My weekly average calories went from a little over 1000 kcal to just over 800 kcal today.
I'm starting to fall off the CR wagon. I need to eat more fruits and vegetables and healthy foods to be doing CR. Just one sweet potato is not enough nutrition.
I think I will make some zucchini later.
Posted by Deneb on September 17, 2010, at 20:44:21
In reply to I weigh myself in 2 days!, posted by Deneb on September 16, 2010, at 19:28:42
I ate a healthy amount of calories today. Eating more makes me hungrier.
I'm making a sweet potato right now and my Mom is triggering me. She told me I will get fat eating sweet potatoes. I read that sweet potato is very nutritious and that is why I am eating it.
I feel so fat now. I want her to see me as being thin. I need to be underweight. I hate myself. I won't stop losing until she thinks I'm too thin.
Posted by Deneb on September 18, 2010, at 16:55:05
In reply to I ate too much » Deneb, posted by Deneb on September 17, 2010, at 20:44:21
OMGosh, I binged so badly today! Eating normally yesterday triggered my appetite BIG time! I'm eating like there will not be food for months.
I had almost a whole family sized bag of Tostitos tortilla chips, 2 slices of cheese cake, 2 chicken strips, a bowl of chicken noodle soup and a bunch of prunes (I hate prunes but today they tasted good!). I just woke up at 4:00 PM and I haven't stopped eating since. It is now 5:44 PM and I think I am finally full. I ate so many calories! I didn't weigh anything so I will just have to estimate.
Protein and low carb will get my appetite back into control. At this point, I'll do CR again once I get my appetite back into control.
I also weighed myself and I didn't lose as much as I had hoped I would. I weigh 117.8 pounds now. One month ago I was 122.4. I only lost 4.6 pounds. My rate of weight loss has halved. I'm sure it is from a slowed metabolism. At least my rate of loss is more healthy now.
What is it about eating normally that triggers binging?!
I could not control myself! I couldn't stop eating!
Posted by Deneb on September 18, 2010, at 23:19:04
In reply to Binge!, posted by Deneb on September 18, 2010, at 16:55:05
I ate so much my stomach hurt and I had no choice but to purge to relieve myself. I think I purged some of the food I ate earlier too. I lost a LOT of fluids.
I can't let myself binge again.
Pdoc will be displeased.
Posted by ed_uk2010 on September 19, 2010, at 13:46:45
In reply to Purge :-(, posted by Deneb on September 18, 2010, at 23:19:04
Deneb be careful, you really shouldn't.
Posted by Deneb on September 19, 2010, at 17:43:44
In reply to Re: Purge :-(, posted by ed_uk2010 on September 19, 2010, at 13:46:45
Yesterday's binging and purging was a wake up call. It seems that my pdoc is right and excessive restriction will lead to binging. I want to do CR, real CR, not eat like an anorexic. In real CR, eating 600 kcal a day is not normal. I was pretty much deluding myself into thinking I was doing CR.
I want to avoid going down the b/p road no matter what it takes. Binging and purging is total hell. If increasing my calories back to a normal dieting amount is what it takes, so be it. I'd rather not do CR at all than go through binging and purging again.
I think I'm doing OK today, I'm going to aim to eat 1200 to 1300 kcal. I think that is a healthy normal amount for dieting.
I will still try to follow the principles of CR and eat nutrient dense foods.
Posted by Deneb on September 19, 2010, at 21:39:01
In reply to Wake up call, posted by Deneb on September 19, 2010, at 17:43:44
It's not as bad as yesterday. I think I'm up to 1700 kcal now, but still, my goal was 1200 to 1300! I hate this! I'm a fat pig! Pdoc is going to weigh me in a week and I'm eating too much! I want to go back to restricting and having self control!
I think I need to fast tomorrow. If I can even fast! I need to gain control again! I'm so fat. I think I gained the 5 pounds I lost this weekend.
I'm going on a green tea fast for 24 hours. Then I will let myself eat for 2 hours then fast for another 24 hours.
Ahhhh! What if that just makes my binging worse?
I don't know what to do. :-(
I just want to be thin and live a long life.
I think I need to read my CR books again for inspiration. Somehow I have gotten it into my mind that eating ad lib is OK. Eating ad lib is not OK! I need to control myself!
I'm going to try the fasting for a bit, just to get my appetite under control again. Green tea! I need to remember to drinks lots and lots of green tea!
Posted by glydin50 on September 20, 2010, at 10:22:48
In reply to I hate this, I ate too much again!, posted by Deneb on September 19, 2010, at 21:39:01
My child is your age so that tells how long my experience is, FWIW.
Restrictive eating is no badge of honor nor discipline for me. I have tried many wacky eating plans over the years. I do not have an ED, which might make my opinions of no value in your situation... BUT, just to share.... If I have low BSLs and begin ketosis, I feel awful. If I obsess over my eating, I feel awful. If I don't fuel my body properly, I feel awful. Starvation mode does not fair well with my body and sabotages my goals.
The Weight Watchers plan is my go to to get on track. It works for my needs. I have needed to regroup from time to time. It has not failed me yet....
The only long term solution for me is balance, portion control, variety and adding HEALTHY doses of activity. Otherwise, it doesn't work for me.
Posted by alexandra_k on September 21, 2010, at 1:04:56
In reply to A little worried, posted by Deneb on September 14, 2010, at 18:44:56
While I understand why a person would worry about their body composition I still don't get why you care how much you weigh.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Body_composition
Amid all the controversy there is a pretty standard line on eating healthy.
You might find this history of diet fads interesting:
Posted by glydin50 on September 21, 2010, at 5:08:31
In reply to The Longevity Diet - book review, posted by Deneb on August 31, 2010, at 1:41:57
Maybe your pdoc can suggest a consult with a Registered Dietitian - note not a "Nutritionist" -to help you determine if the plan you would like to follow is sound. They would be able to advise you on the pros and cons.
One needs only to visit a used book store and view the rooms and rooms of Diet and Eating Plan books to determine that what was once all the rage didn't cut it in actual use. In addition, eating plans making questionable claims should be suspect and investigated further, imo.
Posted by Deneb on September 21, 2010, at 17:44:56
In reply to I can only speak from my experience » Deneb, posted by glydin50 on September 20, 2010, at 10:22:48
I actually don't think there is much of a difference between CR and Weight Watcher's. I've done Weight Watcher's before. Both restrict calories and both focus on fruits and vegetables.
Argh, I've regained 3 pounds since my last weigh in. I've been eating like there is no tomorrow. I really need to get this under control! My pdoc warned me about binge eating disorder. I really hope I am not developing that. On the positive side, I have not purged.
I think I need to do a fruits and vegetables "fast". Fasting with tea has been a total failure. I just can't water fast! I'm going to stuff myself with fruits and vegetables. Eat really low calorie foods practically non stop.
Posted by Glydin50 on September 22, 2010, at 10:55:16
In reply to Re: I can only speak from my experience » glydin50, posted by Deneb on September 21, 2010, at 17:44:56
There are some really good eating plans out there. Some really crappy ones too. Those that don't dismiss entire food groups and are designed to fuel my body & brain work the best and are the most realistic for my needs.
I admittedly do not know a great deal about eating disorders nor body dysmorphism disorders. I think your pdoc and folks here want to encourage you in a healthy eating plan and also want to help those pans to not be problematic for you if there is a history of an ED being an issue.
I hope your plans can fare out to an overall great advantage for you.
Posted by Deneb on September 23, 2010, at 1:52:18
In reply to Re: I can only speak from my experience » Deneb, posted by Glydin50 on September 22, 2010, at 10:55:16
I finally got my eating under control again. I think it took a combination of oversleeping, anxiety and a bit of depression.
I went nearly the whole day on just 4 slices of pickles today and then decided I should eat something. I had 250 kcal of liquid egg with cheese.
I plan on eating less than 300 kcal a day for at least 5 days. Pdoc will weigh me on Tues. and I want to be as light as I can for it. I don't want her to see how fat I am.
Today I weigh 118.6 pounds. I'm hoping to be 113 by Tues. It is ambitious, I know, but I will try nonetheless.
I think I need to cycle my calories, not be too low for too long. I seem to stop losing weight if I eat too little for too long.
I am also planning on being in ketosis for at least 5 days. I want to be in fat burning mode.
I'm feeling good about this. I'm finally in control again!
Posted by Dinah on September 23, 2010, at 10:01:50
In reply to I finally stopped eating!, posted by Deneb on September 23, 2010, at 1:52:18
Since your pdoc is worried about your eating plan, and is weighing you for that reason, I wonder if you've thought about your motivations.
Is it purely that you don't want her to think you're fat? She sees you all the time. Whatever she thinks about your usual weight, that's unlikely to change with the scales. Is it that you don't want her to think she has no need to worry? If you're planning to do what she specifically is asking you not to do to "impress" her, what are you trying to impress her with? That you need her help? That she needs to care for you by being concerned for you?
Are you angry with her to specifically do what she's asked you not to do, giving her as the reason why?
If I remember correctly, you always did have worries about graduating and being a grownup in the real world, with all sorts of expectations? If so, I can understand that. Is it possible your eating is designed to take your mind off these fears? Or to make sure that people still take care of you because you aren't ready to be a grownup in the real world?
I'm not saying it's so. I was just wondering if you'd thought about it.
You know that I care about you. So I want what's best for you. I'm actually feeling a bit angry. I'm not going to praise you for your self control in doing something that I'm sure you as well as I know is not good for you. No reputable diet in the world is going to suggest that you eat four pickles and some egg and cheese. Yet you seem to me to be presenting it as a good thing, something you think others will be pleased for you by. Do you honestly think others will be pleased for you for starving yourself? Or concerned? Or do you think the responses may be other than the ones you wish for? If so, have you wondered what it is you are hoping to accomplish?
I do care about you, Deneb. But I sort of feel like your pdoc in that it might be encouraging to you if I engaged with you overmuch over this.
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