The Eternal Dilemma: Lose Weight or Buy New Pants?

[Highbeam]

Purchase pants with some elastic in and near the waistline, That will help them adjust to small differences in weight.

I found this out when my body settled in at a comfortable odd numbered inch waist. One inch less is a bit too tight. But, one inch less with some elastic is a nice fit. One inch more is a bit baggy all around

Seems most pants are "stretch" these days. Skinny legs too. I just want a pair of jeans from before all that!

 

[RunningBum]

Another vote to pants with some elastic. *Some* but not all Levi jeans have this.

Along with this, an elastic belt works well too. My dad had some, and I got a couple of them when he died. I love them and am buying a couple more in colors I want.

 

[copyright1997reloaded]

As I said, the only thing that consistently works for me is low carb. I kept getting up last night to urinate (sorry), which is unusual. I realized I’ve been eating low carb by accident the last few days, so the usual water elimination has started. This morning I checked and I am down a couple of pounds this week. I’m going to keep it up.

Is your A1C level good? (Under 6)

As an younger adult, I was a marathoner, and then after that walked every day. I ski in the winter (plus walking). But still as time went on, my A1C levels were climbing and I put on some weight.

Finally I got a wake up call when it spiked to 7. My family has quite the extensive history of diabetes, both Type I and Type II. Doc said Metformin, which I begrudgingly started. I also had doc write a script for an Abbott Freestyle Libre 3 (even though I had to pay for it as it wasn't medically required). What it showed me shocked me as to how little carbs or things with sugar would spike my glucose level. Things that I thought were healthy and good for me (e.g. a lot of fresh fruit) were NOT good for me (at least in terms of diabetes).

I decided to dramatically (with the help of my CGM) cut back on carbs. The next thing I knew (even though I was eating more protein AND more fat) I started dropping pounds AND dropping my A1C level (GMI on the device). The next official test at the doctors was 5.9.

I was even able to pretty much stop taking metformin. I was taking 500 mg extended release but found sometimes in the middle of the night my glucose would go low (50's-60's). I then started taking it in the morning, and then (lately) I am taking a small amount of the non extended release variant (e.g. 250 mg) only when I go higher than desired (or when I am about to have a meal that I know has a lot of carbs). I just did a doctor test and I am sitting at 6.1, so pretty decent (and that is with only an occasional half metformin (e.g. 250 mg) pill).

Sorry for the long drawn out post - but knowledge is key on this and I have learned that carbs (and sugars which I've been pretty good about) are my enemy.

ETA: Yes, I miss pizza. I do have some very occasionally.

 

[Markola]

^^^ I’ve had the same surprising experience eating fat and protein. Carbs are my enemy too. I started this post 2 weeks ago today and have been avoiding the easy ones. I’m down 3-4 pounds already, which is water weight but, hey, I’ll take the win.

Yesterday, I ate a LOT, and was sure it would show on the scale, but this morning I was down another notch to 198 (I’m 6’2”). Yesterday I ate:

Breakfast: A smoothie with full fat plain yogurt, spinach, banana, blueberries, plain, unsweetened whey protein powder, creatine. Lots of coffee with whole milk.

Lunch: 3 scrambled eggs with cheese, half an avacado, salsa, unsweetened ice tea.

Snacks: string cheese, about 10 Triscuit thin chips with almond butter (best way I’ve found to get some crunch), an apple, a handful of almonds, handful of grapes.

Supper: Baked salmon, Brussels sprouts with butter, cous cous, water, one can hard cider.

That’s a lot of calories but it worked yesterday to lose a few ounces. I’m back on the right track now and will aim to keep it up.

 

[COcheesehead]

Just avoid white foods and you’re miles ahead. No bread, potatoes, rice, pasta, crackers…

 

[athena53]

I weigh myself every day. I have a 5 pound range that I allow. If I get above that, I eat light for a couple days and get back on track. Vacations are hard because you’re eating out so much. Try to keep on track without spoiling the vacation. Life is a balance.

I've gotten used to elastic and drawstring waistbands but I follow the above as well. When I married DH, he (15 years older) was retired and did the cooking, mostly comfort food. I went from 127 lbs. to 147 lbs. Oops. I learned to do a better job of portion control. I'm still hovering around 127 and work hard to keep it there.

OP, I'm glad you're losing weight instead of buying bigger sizes. I've saved a bundle over the decades by not having to buy new clothes when I "grow out of" my previous size. It's also got overall health benefits.

Just avoid white foods and you’re miles ahead. No bread, potatoes, rice, pasta, crackers…

Sigh. I know. And I love all of them except rice, which is uninteresting. I indulge when visiting family or traveling and then go back to avoiding them.

 

[Markola]

^^^ It is true but that is difficult for me to do, so I try to moderate. For me, I can do no bread easily. I need to adapt the rules on the others by eating, occasionally:

Those small potatoes or sweet potato fries
brown rice
Couscous or quinoa
Almond flour pasta and pizza (see Whole Foods frozen section)
The Triscuit Thin Crisps I mentioned

I haven’t won the war but I’ve experimented enough over the years with enough success at times to know I just personally can’t totally cut out carbs or else I will fail.

 

[Chuckanut]

^^^ I’ve had the same surprising experience eating fat and protein. Carbs are my enemy too. I started this post 2 weeks ago today and have been avoiding the easy ones. I’m down 3-4 pounds already, which is water weight but, hey, I’ll take the win.

Yesterday, I ate a LOT, and was sure it would show on the scale, but this morning I was down another notch to 198 (I’m 6’2”). Yesterday I ate:

Breakfast: A smoothie with full fat plain yogurt, spinach, banana, blueberries, plain, unsweetened whey protein powder, creatine. Lots of coffee with whole milk.

Lunch: 3 scrambled eggs with cheese, half an avacado, salsa, unsweetened ice tea.

Snacks: string cheese, about 10 Triscuit thin chips with almond butter (best way I’ve found to get some crunch), an apple, a handful of almonds, handful of grapes.

Supper: Baked salmon, Brussels sprouts with butter, cous cous, water, one can hard cider.

That’s a lot of calories but it worked yesterday to lose a few ounces. I’m back on the right track now and will aim to keep it up.

Yes. Lower-carb has worked well for me for nearly a decade. I do fall off the wagon at times, such as when I travel. But, I have never again been near my all time high weight. I am currently approaching my retirement low and am within 5 pounds of it.

I also greatly reduced drinking my calories. Mainly, this means reducing my beer and wine consumption by 80%. I now save my alcohol consumption for things like a glass of fine wine with a good dinner, or the occasional ‘digestivo’.

 

[ncbill]

Just avoid white foods and you’re miles ahead. No bread, potatoes, rice, pasta, crackers…

Cook the rice and pasta & let it chill overnight in the fridge before consuming.

Reheat the above as little as you can stand.

See 'resistant starch'.

 

[COcheesehead]

Cook the rice and pasta & let it chill overnight in the fridge before consuming.

Reheat the above as little as you can stand.

See 'resistant starch'.

Still a carb, just not as bad of a carb.

 

[ponyboy]

You don't have to have a pot belly as you age. You don't have to have narrow shoulders and a hunch back. These are choices people make. Choose wisely.