Help! 2 months 0 lbs lost

[catznflwrz]

Please help FTS Friends! My tears are going to ruin my computer. It's been 2 long months since starting FTS and 0 weight loss! My clothes, measurement EVERYTHING still the same! I don't mean to be so dramatic but I am truly tearful and very sad and confused. I've faced not using sugar subs only FTS zero and gotten up to 64oz of water daily and I journal all. WHAT IS THE MATTER WITH ME? I have to take 60 mgs of MS Contin 3xdaily and 2 or 4 Percocet 10/650 daily. I've been on this kind of pain meds for 10 yrs. while going through menopause etc. I haven't posted my menus because they've been consistant with all that I've read on the board. I'll start today and hope you can figure out what I am doing wrong. My husband has lo st 12-15 lbs with the food that I prepare for us! I was annoyed by his success but now I'm just devastated by my failure regardless. I've stayed off of the scale, measured and used ketone strips. How can they show "moderate" for 4 days and yet I am the same in every way? I started 2 months ago at 190 and that is where I am today. My clothes fit the same and every measurement is the same...how can this be. I feel so stupid and sad. I don't like eggs much and have been eating and almond flavored OMM flax every AM with 2 strips of bacon, lunch is either salad greens with salami or ham with olive oil/vinegar dressing or some meat (4 oz or so )  cole slaw (mayo,3 drops zero,vinegar,celery seed) I don't use whip cream or jello but sometimes eat the egg custard, OMM choc, or some cream cheese flavored by coconut oil and 2 drops zero. Under 20 carbs daily. Some days I'm so hungry I eat a second OMM flax. Dinner is always beef, chix or pork and spinach or collard green sauteed in OO or yellow squash in butter. I miss fruit terribly but have even cut out the straw/raspberries. Today so far: 2 hot teas with 1tbsp cream and 2 drop zero ech. 1/2 Josephs pita with mayo on 1 side, 2 strips bacon, .6oz lettuce and 1.6 oz tomato) 8oz water and 1 more 8oz now. Should I post my menu's here or where it says on the other part of the board? I am at the lowest I have ever been. I keep telling my self it's proven science so what is wrong? Thank you, I'll check the board later today and will post any more food. Thank you, I'm believing in all of you, Catznflwrz

[umpa]

Are you on Oxycotin and percocet?

[umpa]

The answer is yes to percocet. i also included Oxy. You should probably speak to your doctor. Are you on any  predisone???

Health Questions > Percocet > Can Percocet cause weight gain?
Can Percocet cause weight gain?

    Q: I'm 58 years old and take Percocet. I've gained weight recently. Could this medication be the cause?
    A: Percocet (oxycodone/acetaminophen) (http://www.everydayhealth.com/drugs/percocet-5-325) is a combination narcotic pain reliever used to treat moderate to severe pain. Common side effects associated with Percocet include drowsiness, nausea, blurred vision, and dry mouth. A search of prescribing information did not specifically list weight gain as a side effect associated with Percocet. (http://www.everydayhealth.com/pain-management/index.aspx) Drugs can cause weight gain in several different ways. Some can increase appetite or make you crave certain types of foods like those high in carbohydrates or fat. Other medications may slow down metabolism or cause fluid retention. However, the effect of prescription drugs on body weight is complex. Some drugs have no effect on weight, while others cause weight gain or weight loss. Also, the same medications can cause weight gain in certain individuals and weight loss in others. There are also drugs that initially cause weight loss and then lead to weight gain with long-term use. Most prescription medications associated with changes in body weight affect the central nervous system. These include antidepressants like monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), tricyclic antidepressants, and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Mood stabilizers (lithium, valproic acid), antipsychotics, and anticonvulsants have also been linked with weight gain. Other drugs that have been reported to cause weight gain include diabetes medications (insulin, sulfonylureas, and thiazolidinediones), antihypertensive drugs, certain hormonal contraceptives, corticosteroids, antihistamines, some chemotherapy regimens, and antiretroviral protease inhibitors. If you think a drug you are taking is causing weight gain, tell your health care provider. Do not stop any medication or change the dose without first talking to your provider. For more specific information, consult with your doctor or pharmacist for guidance based on your health status and current medications, particularly before taking any action. Kimberly Hotz, PharmD.
weight loss or Weight Gain

Although oxycodone does not directly effect your metabolism, according to Drug Addiction Support, weight loss or weight gain are common side effects of opiates such as oxycodone. weight loss can occur from a decrease in appetite and simply not eating the same amount of calories that you normal would. Weight gain is likely to result if you are not prone to the appetite suppression side effects but become highly inactive from taking oxycodone. Many patients that are prescribed oxycodone are recovering from major surgeries and are unable to be as physically active as they would otherwise. The severity of side effects tend to be strongest in patients that have not taken oxycodone or do not have a tolerance to opiates.

Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/369960-oxycodone-and-metabolism/#ixzz1uCNB48TZ

[Andrea]

catznflwrs,
I'm really sorry that you are having such a hard time.  Many of us on the forum have struggled in the past but we found the FTS lifestyle to be a different story.  Now we just need to dig into what is going on with you to get you on the right track.

First, although the pain meds you are taking don't appear (from a quick google search) to have weight gain as a side-effect, dealing with chronic pain makes your life more challenging.  There are others on the forum who have pain issues and they will, I'm sure, speak up on that topic.

Second, your menus.  Be careful of deli meats (salami and ham?).  They can have carb counts that you don't realize.  I love OMMs, too, but I don't eat them more than once a week, not every day and not twice a day. 

In general, while your body is not yet responding to FTS eating, I suggest you think outside the box.  Since you don't really like eggs, have a hamburger patty for breakfast.  That protein will fill you up and keep you from being hungry.  Keep it simple at lunch.  Have some low carb veggies (broccoli, cauliflower, etc) with meat (I still think deli meats are a culprit here) and use the 15 minute rule.

Others will have more advice, but it seems like you are trying to stay full rather than finding out what your  body needs to stay staisfied.  I could be wrong on that point but there is a lot of food on your list  so you shouldn't be hungry.             

[shawn116]

Hi catznflwrs  I'm so sorry you are feeling down..... don't worry we are here to help.  I second what Andrea said.  I'm thinking you may be over doing your OMM a bit.  Even if you are staying under 20 carbs.  The biggest part of my meals through out the week are protein and veggies.  If I start adding in the OMM more than a few times a week or even eat tortillas or other approved bread... and then add in anything sweet....I just seem to maintain.  For me to start dropping weight again I have to increase the water way more than I like and drop down to about 12 carbs.  Keeping it simple    

Just a word about the meds.... I'm so sorry you are having to take those.  I have psoriatic arthritis and know how living with pain can be.  It has caused me to be disabled and no longer can work.   It took my docs and myself a while but now for the most part I can keep it manageable....but look out if I go into a flare     I do know that when I am having to take the meds that you are (I take them for breakthrough pain)  my body doesn't seem to register that I am full.  Maybe even a false since of being hungry or feeling of needing something...... you may not notice that if you have been taking them for so long.  Also when my pain is up I tend to want to comfort myself more....I want to eat more, I don't move as much.....etc      These are things that I have just noticed about myself and wonder if maybe they are true for others.  

Hang in there...just post everything that you are eating including portions (weigh and measure everything)  and don't forget to post how they are made.  We can take a look see....you must be missing something.  Don't worry to much about the hubs dropping and you aren't.  The male body is made different than it is for us women.  More muscle and different hormones makes them burn fat much faster.  You are compairing apples to oranges there dear   Warm comforting wishes to you  

[SarahC]

Big hugs, Catz!!!! Hang in there and keep the faith. Take deep breaths. It'll turn out ok. The smarties here will help you figure out what's going on.

[Maddysmom]

Hi Catz....I'm with Sarah in that we will let the smarties figure this out.  However, just know that the rest of us are here to hug & love you through this!!  Don't quit....we are here for YOU!

[mouseissue]

Hello catznflwrz,

I'm so sorry to hear about your difficulties with pain and pain meds.
I've suffered with back pain from since I left the shipyards 30 years ago.
Pain is a bummer!!!

Given what you said, I believe that your lack of progress is due to how you're eating.
In order for us to really heap you, please post your daily Menu Plans here;
http://www.fattoskinny.net/index.php?board=32.0

Be sure to be VERY specific and don't leave ANYTHING out.
It's also important to indicated exactly how much of each food you eat.

If you are following the FTS rules, there must be a reason that you are not losing weight.
I hope we can find it with your meal plans.

Tony

[catznflwrz]

YOU GUYS ARE THE BEST!!!! Thank you for the research Umpa, the advice, understanding and kind words from "THE TEAM" (Umpa,Andrea,TooSweet,SarahC,Maddysmom,and mouseissue-Tony). I have never had anyone other than my husband, be as patient and consistently supportive, as the FTS"Family". 1) I take MS Contin (oxycodone time released similar to Oxycontin) every 8 hrs. and use the Percocet for breakthrough pain ie: if I do much of anything. I used to take Oxycodone alone for breakthrough pain and prefer it over Percocet because I hate taking all the Tylenol that comes with Percocet. Interestingly, I've gained 25 more lbs since being switched from the plain Oxycodone to the Percocet,so I will talk to my Dr. about it. I've never seen research before that suggested that either of these drugs could cause weight gain. 2) I will make a concerted effort to stick to the basics of protein/LC veg and try to let go of the OMM so often. I get truly revolted by so much meat/cheese. I wonder if some of it is years of indoctrination that it is bad for you and that your diet should be largely veg/fruit/grains. I let go of "white food" and real sugar 3+ yrs ago and never lost a lb. I thought I'd kill the next person who told me how they lost 20 lbs and all that they did was either give up soda or "white food"! Nothing changed for me, ever. I've been eating "so called" healthy for yrs! I really did stick 100% to Weight Watchers, The Zone and The Flat Belly Diet (Jorge Cruise, very similar to FTS),of course, I was always using sugar substitutes, mostly Stevia. Until conversing with FTS I really thought I've been loosing my mind. FTS is the first and only info I ever heard about sugar substitutes blocking lb loss etc. 3) I will pre-plan my menus and post also so FTS can continue to help me whip this fat thing. I must admit that I'm having to keep getting over "pity parties" for myself as I have to face how each diet/lifestyle I try, doesn't turn out to be what I initially understood it to be. Not FTS at fault here, as clearly I have many unique complications going on. I promise I'm going to hold onto FTS like the life line that it is! I'll post later today. Thanks so much FTS family, Catznflwrz

[Andrea]

catznflwrs,
Your biggest asset is your positive attitude.  After what you just wrote, I have one question.  Did you like cheese and meat in the past?  I think you hit the nail on the head when you said that your attitude toward them is a result of all of your failed diets telling you that they are the enemy.  We aren't suggesting that you chow down on a block of cheddar and call it lunch, but shredded cheddar (shred your own, pre-shredded cheese has hidden carbs) melted on some sliced chicken or some tuna or chicken salad makes a really nice start to lunch or dinner and gives variety to your menus that keep them from being boring.  I know that eggs aren't on your list of favorites, but you can experiment with omelets or frittatas and have another whole category of foods to choose from.

We sound like we care because we really do and we have seen the benefits of FTS in our own lives.  Be patient with yourself.

[mouseissue]

Hi Catz!

Andrea gave you some great advice!

It's understandable how a person can seem like they're in a "pity party" when they are dealing with intense pain day in and day out.
You have my heart on this. I understand relentless pain.

Back in 1998, I had surgery to remove two kidney stones (one from each kidney).
Each stone was about 20 mm in diameter... Very LARGE rocks! They messed me up something terrible. So much so that the urologist had to put stents in each of my ureters (tubes that connect the kidneys to the urine bladder) during the surgery so that they (and my kidneys) could heal properly.

For about a month after, I was living on Oxy... And I hated it! But had no choice.
Without the Oxy, the pain was so strong, I'd be nauseous and vomiting all the time.
During this recovery, I had little patience for most anything.

So I salute you for maintaining your "stick to it" attitude.

We will always be here for you when you need us.

Tony

[umpa]

we are all here for you catsflowers

[BigTex]

catznflwrs,
Your biggest asset is your positive attitude.  .............................................

We sound like we care because we really do and we have seen the benefits of FTS in our own lives.  Be patient with yourself.

I couldn't have said it any better myself Thank you Andrea

[Waterlilly]

I thought I'd kill the next person who told me how they lost 20 lbs and all that they did was either give up soda or "white food"! Nothing changed for me, ever. I've been eating "so called" healthy for yrs! I really did stick 100% to Weight Watchers, The Zone and The Flat Belly Diet (Jorge Cruise, very similar to FTS)

I know, right? I don't understand how people can just "cut out the white things" and lose weight. I have a lovely God Mother who is double related to me (my grandfather and his brother married my grandmother and her sister so technically, our genes are VERY close and our family tree does not fork...ha! ) and she did Weight Watchers in her mid 50's along with Zumba and recently lost.My OWN MOTHER for crying out loud, can simply cut out "something" and lose weight! It's disgusting! 

My Dad, however, had a kidney transplant 2 years ago due to diabetes and has been Type II for 20 years now. He's had a "gut" my whole life and is predisposed to eating sugar. He also suffers mood swings and has to inject insulin. It runs in his side of the family BIG TIME. Guess what? I GOT IT!

That said (and all whining aside) I am what Doug refers to in the FTS book as one of the "special people".  I simply CANNOT eat certain things. I believe some strawberries set me off the other day. I can't eat sugar because I can't stop and diet pop makes me CRAVE sugar (and I believe it affects my blood sugar). FTS has made me feel so good that I look at it as another lifestyle choice, just like anything else.

I too tried Weight Watchers (7 times in my life!) AND was recently on the Jorge Cruise plan. His plan, compared to FTS, has WAY too many carbs. I was still eating bread on that plan. I felt a little smaller but nobody comments like they did on FTS. I feel such power by reducing my carbs. It feels like my body is actually healing itself. Not to mention that when I shop now, I fill up my cart with several good veggies, some nice imported cheese, and some good meats. No more boxes and boxes of the stupid Lead Cuisines or the 6 packs of diet whatever. I do believe I am saving money by eating this way.

My current challenge is to cut down on portions and to watch calories. I believe that, like you, all of those years of dieting has messed my head up. I eat well but I eat too much. I'm so used to being hungry between meals that I believe I will starve in the mean time. NOT TRUE!

We truly are the "special people". If there was a famine, we would survive. Still, I feel like we have stumbled on a golden key that is available for everyone but currently, only accessible by a few. I feel like a positive example for others by doing this. Since I am and always will be an educator in some form or another, for me this is another form of teaching. So its lower portion sizes and more exercise for me. Keep tweaking your own plan. I think this works differently for everyone. What is your body telling you?

[Andrea]

I love it, Waterlilly.  Maybe your success can be an inspiration to your Dad.