by Birdy » Fri Jun 05, 2009 10:24 am
Okay, I'm taking a deep breath here and am starting a journal too. I've been blown away by how wonderful some of your journals are and am a little intimidated to start my own, but here goes!
First some background. I'm 59 and am at least 30 pounds overweight which is as much of a drag for me I think as being 100 pounds overweight is for another person. I've been carrying around this extra weight for about 15 years and in that whole time I've known about Dr. McDougall and have posted on his boards. Why am I still here? Well, I'm like the caterpillar who, as the limmerick goes, was happy until a toad in fun said, "Pray, tell, which leg follows which?" After which, the caterpillar fell in a ditch, unable quite to run. Translation: once I began reading about nutrition and weight loss back in about 1993, I got so confused about what was true and who was right that I didn't know what to do and have just continued to gradually gain weight and develop other signs of ill health. BUT, I keep circling back to McDougall because I know deep down that it's the truth. Also, I'm moved to be a vegan by concerns about animals and the environment.
Okay so what are my stats?
5'6"
small frame
starting weight 163 lbs.
current weight 159 lbs.
waist measurement 37" (!) very apple-shaped
cholesterol over 200
triglycerides about 180
blood sugar too high
blood pressure as of yesterday 149/92 (I take it at home)
resting pulse rate 98
arthritis
rosacea
anxiety
chronic sinus infection
chronic yeast infection
chronic herpes infections
The herpes infections have been one of my greatest obstacles in staying with the McDougall diet because virtually every time I start the diet, within a few days to a few weeks, I get an outbreak. This is due to the relatively high arginine/low lysine balance of the McDougall diet. At this point however, I'm going to try taking a Lysine supplement at the first hint of an outbreak and see if I can't stick with McDougalling.
My goals are to lose weight, gain energy and stamina, improve my health and lab results, and to enter old age gracefully. I have two grown children, one still at home, and one young grandson. Like so many others, I want to be around for them and my husband in good shape so we can all enjoy each other. I'm still working part time and want to continue working. I've even thought about taking a class in art or horticulture or some other field to explore new things.
I enjoy gardening and have a big vegie and flower garden going. I love to walk but haven't done that on a consistent basis. My goal is to start walking at least 30 minutes every morning with my dog, a 4 year old yellow lab, who is the most enthusiastic walking companion one could hope for.
I love to read, have kept a personal journal for 40 years (which has helped me through a lot of difficulties), and I play the piano, knit, and love to cook.
I've been married to a wonderful guy for 28 years and I hope that by changing my diet, not only will my health improve but he will also lose some weight. His health is good, but he's gained at least 60 pounds since we first met and he wasn't skinny then! It's unlikely that he'll actually join me in this diet, but he eats what I cook so at least his dinners will be McDougall style. I've tried and failed to cook McDougall for myself with additions of meat or other non-McDougall foods for the family. I just end up eating the same thing everybody else does which gets me nowhere!
Well, I've rambled on long enough.
Power to the McDougallers!
"The program is essentially cost and risk free." ~ Dr. John McDougall