Tuesday, May 10, 2011

To Consolidate or Not To Consolidate? That is the question...

At this point in my dieting journey I have surpassed by True Weight goal. The book is quite clear about how important it is to stop at this point, and to not keep going. I feel that I can be healthier though, and every little bit of additional weight I lose dramatically increases my energy level as well as the stamina I have when it comes to exercising. Because of these contradicting circumstances, I'm struggling with the decision of whether to maintain my weight here or to keep going. I've been experimenting this week with various foods and monitoring my weight. I've been eating significantly more, and I've been eating things like watermelon, apples, pineapple, whole wheat bread, the list goes on. I've been enjoying myself immensely. Sandwiches on whole wheat bread are quite the treat after going so long without such things. So far, my weight has fluctuated within a 3 lb range from the lowest number I've reached to just below my true weight. I've been rather impressed with the things I've gotten away with eating. As of today, I'm .4 lbs heavier than the lowest weight I've reached thus far putting me at 178.2. So for now, I'm going to keep this routine. I'm hoping to continue losing weight eventhough it will be much more gradually. I am also hoping that introducing these other foods will have the same imperative effect that Dr. Dukan touts in his book concerning the consolidation phase. It is very encouraging me to see the variety of foods I've enjoyed this week while doing no harm to my progress. I hope this acts as reassurance to those of you concerned with keeping the weight off once you reach your goal. My body seems to be working quite healthfully and seems to be efficiently handling the more diverse menu I am now permitted to enjoy.

Feel free to ask me anything. Your interest is as motivational to me as my posts are to you!

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us most. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and famous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that people won't feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in all of us. And when we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

9 comments:

  1. I love this quote! Who wrote it?

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  2. You are an inspiration! I just started the DD two days ago and I'm not feeling my best and I am having MAJOR cravings. But reading your blog has motivated me to keep on trucking!

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  3. Hi! You know, I think you need to go to your comfort level and let your body tell you when it's done losing. If you stick with the cruise phase and continue to lose, then go for it. But, if you find yourself doing extremely restrictive eating to budge the scale, you're done.

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  4. My impression from reading the book was that Dukan discouraged going lower than the "ideal weight" because dieters would be more likely to burn out from the excessive length of time in the cruise phase. If you are satisfied with continuing the cruise phase further, I'd continue. HOWEVER, if you up your exercise in the consolidation phase, that might be another option. That would mean you'd have a longer consolidation phase. You would probably have to do a true "consolidation" phase when you reach your goal (lower than ideal) weight. This preliminary consolidation phase would just enable better exercise results. Does that make sense?

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  5. So, as many here, I am about to start this journey as well. I came online to research, etc and found your blog. Congrats to you for your success, you look fabulous! Here’s my question as I’m reading the book and coming up with a shopping list to make sure I’m completely ready to this without any excuses of not having the right kind of foods in the house… oat bran! Can you tell me what oat bran you used/use? I know it sounds like a silly question, but I do not want to assume that the oat bran I have in the pantry is OK, since they say that the “brand” the writer talks about is not available in the US yet. Thanks in advance and again, keep up the great job and thanks for the inspiration! Deb

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  6. You know how to lose the weight. You have proved that very well. What you need to prove to yourself is that you can maintain.... This will be hard but stick with it for a few months and see how you do. If you are unable to maintain in that bracket, then get back on for a month and try again...Enjoy this space you are in right now, you worked hard for it, but never never reward yourself with food. Your food is only for body sustinance, we know it can NOT be "Good Girl B, you have been good, here eat a box of cookies"....Keep the Faith.....

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  7. Congrats on your awesome accomplishment! I have just purchased the book and am doing some research like the commenter above I'm curious about the brand of oat bran you use/where to purchase!
    Thanks so much and keep up the great work.

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  8. Hi there,
    I'm Karina, British but living in Belgium. I was happy to stumble upon your site. I have a question, do you or anyone else who follows this site have any problems with loose skin given the amount of weight that you have lost. AND more importantly, what do you do or have you done to minimize the problem?
    Thanks so much for your answers and thanks for a great and very informative site.
    Karina xxx

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  9. It is amazing what you achieved. You can stay where you are as long as you feel great (you look amazing so no worry about that:)). Congrats again!

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