[wickvegs]

Been a long time since I have been to the site.. So long I forgot my login info so created a new one. It is has been an interesting journey and as I was shopping for new clothes tooday - I thought I had some interesting things I have learned since October of 2007 and 100 pounds ago that might help some of you.. So here it goes - this is what worked for me and what did not. It may or may not work for you:

1. Getting Phen. I was too embarrassed to go to the doctor to ask for a script. So I turned to the net to get my first supply. For me - a huge mistake. It took over 30 days and when I got, did nothing for me.. So I ****ed it up and went to the doctor. She was totally cool with it. She said that phen was one of the few meds she thought actually helped with weight loss and long term showed no bad effects. And the bonus - my insurance covered it. So I had to pay a whopping $15 per month co-pay.

2. It worked right away for me. Felt the impact. Got the dry mouth for the 1st few days. Here is my confession to you all - I really like the way this makes me feel in the morning. I do not drink, smoke, do any drugs etc. After the first 2 weeks I told my wife I now know how people can get addicted these kind of drugs. The good news is that feeling has subsided..

3. Fiber bars!! Not sure how many of you have seen the book on the fiber diet - but the general idea is if you eat 35 grams of fiber a day, you will burn 10% of your calories. I do not know whether this works or not - but it worked for me this way. I took my phen in the morning. Waited 15 to 30 minutes, then drank my diet dew with a fiber bar. Then I had one for lunch and usually one more at 3:00. Then a light dinner.. I can hear some of you already - the gas!! Yes - but they can and do cause gas. But your body will get used to it. And here are the upsides.. Fiber fills you up; fiber causes your metabolism to continue to work because of the make up of fiber; these are relativley low in calories; and they can help keep you regular (if phen works - this WILL be an issue;. So I looked at it like this - no gas and be hungry and lose less weight or jump in, be gassy and let your body get used to it. It is not un-controllable.

4. CLA. I did not take this at first. Then I hit a dreaded plateau. I read about something called abcuts at GNC.. It is getting very good reviews. It worked for me. For a while my scale hardly moved, but my my belt got looser.

5. Mental. I know this may sound odd - but I have to share it. I knew for me phen was just a crutch and when I stopped taking it the same issues might re-appear. So I have been trying to reprogram my thinking. I started thinking about food like this - think about the last big meal you had. How long did that feeling last? Did you remember 30 minutes later how the food tasted? What is the difference in taste between the 2nd piece of pizza and the 6th? NOTHING.. When I ate the 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th - did they taste that much better? Did they do anything for me? Did they make me feel better? Bottom line is I have tried to totally de-personalize food. It is just an object. It is a very temporal feeling when I eat it. It has never improved my life. Someone on this forum said a few months back something that has really stuck with me - think of food like gas for your car. If you overfill it with gas - will it run faster?


6. Spousal support. All I can say is if you have a spouse who is trying to lose weight and not as successful - be careful. You will not be their hero as time goes on. My wife told her best friend - I am officially pissed at his weight loss and tired of his will power. There are some interesting books out there that talk about the sabotage our family and closest friends will try. Some do it concsiously - most do it subconciously. Those who have experienced know exactly what I am saying. Those who are in this position and have not - be forwarned.. Something I run into know that I never saw coming from people around me is this question "so what is your goal?" My goal is to be healthy and eat healthy like this the rest of my life. Nope - they want a number.

7. Regularity. Forget about it. My doctor said I should take a stool softner once a week.

I wish you all of the best.. I know what a struggle this is. You may not agree with my methods, but no matter what you take away from this - take away this - as you are losing the weight, find out why you are overweight from a mental perspective. You have to solve this problem or you will find yourself back here in a couple of years. Not sure how many of you saw the 60 minutes report on bariatric surgery 3 months ago - but the #1 side effect of surgery after huge weight loss is depression. The surgery makes the patient lose weight, but can not fix the cause. No sense thinking if you lose a kajillion pounds that will make you happy. Find out why you are not first, then this journey will be much easier..

[KnowledgeWithin]

...and INSPIRATION...Congrats Wick and best wishes for your continued weight management!

[Sweet_Girl]

Congratulations and thanks for the great advice!!!

[Raquel]

Loved this concept


De-personalize the food - It is just an object.

So Mr. Wickvegs - thank you for coming back and posting, you gave me words to study in my brain!

[YANIE]

congrats, put in a book.....I'll buy it

[Pialyn]

GREAT words of wisdom. it's always good to read how others make this program work for them. I am still in my first month so your post is very helpful. thanks and good luck with your continued success.

[insearchofme]

Originally Posted by Raquel

Loved this concept


De-personalize the food - It is just an object.

So Mr. Wickvegs - thank you for coming back and posting, you gave me words to study in my brain!

I agree. You definitely gave us a few good points to ponder.

Welcome back!

[free2b.you]

Originally Posted by Raquel

Loved this concept


De-personalize the food - It is just an object.

AWESOME! I'm a complete newbie... at this less than a week and love to read such insight! It all makes perfect sense to me! CONGRATS!!

[jenstarns]

great advice love the mental part cause it is so true

[queenofthehill]

Awesome post! Thank you. BTW what brand of fiber bar did you eat?

[KnowledgeWithin]

Yes please tell us the Fiber bar you used! I've researched a few since reading your post but I'm concerned about carb and sugar from the bar!

[Pooh79]

Wow you have really inspired me. Thank you for returning and sharing your thoughts and success with us. Congrats on creating a new you!

[Cmarie123]

Very helpful information! Thanks!