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| May 2011 |
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| August 2009 |
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| May 2011 |
After, Keeping 65-70 pounds off!
Post 40 weeks of Medifast- to lose weight, then Paleo, Low Carb, Keto because I fast 18:6 early in the day, and abstaining from food triggers to maintain. I enjoy the freedom of #foodsoberliving after 40 years of food addiction. I still track my food intake and weight daily since I do not get normal hungry and full signals all the time.
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| May 2012 |
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| Oct 2013 |
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| August 2014 |
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| March 2015 |
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| July 2015 |
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| Nov 2016 |
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| September 2017 |
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| June 2018 |
Hello! I'm Karen P. I blog about weight maintenance, weight loss, what works for me and what doesn't. I also blog about
- Paleo
- Low Carb,
- Keto
- Intermittent Fasting
- early Time Restricted Eating Window
- Abstaining from certain foods
- #foodsoberliving
- #imlowcarbandproudofit
I may be contacted at: gardengirlkp@gmail.com
Read about me on Diet Doctor
https://www.dietdoctor.com/low-carb-diet-maintaining-70-pound-weight-loss-five-years
Read about me on the Low Carb Dietitian's post about long term weight maintainers
http://www.lowcarbdietitian.com/blog/long-term-weight-loss-success-regain-is-not-inevitable
2 Keto Dudes Ketogenic forum- Public before and afters
https://www.ketogenicforums.com/t/the-great-big-public-keto-before-and-after-thread/38545/104?u=gardengirlkp
Paleo, Non-Paleo blog
Read an awesome write up of me by Alison Golden at Paleo/Non-Paleo
Hear about my story in my own words in the Podcasts Below
a. The Quit Binge Eating Podcast (Alen Standish- show #19)
c. Half Size Me with Heather Robinson (show # 77)
d. Slender Safari with Shey Harms (show #SS035)
e. Finding Our Hunger with Miss Skinny Genes- Kaila Prins (show #44)
f. Vinnie Tortorich- Angriest Trainer- NSNG Los Angeles Meet-Up Episode
g. Keto Carole YouTube video Interview at Low Carb USA 2017
h. Jessica Dudley Every Day Success FB interview https://www.facebook.com/groups/311565639285014/search/?query=karen%20parrott
i. KetoWoman Podcast http://ketowomanpodcast.com/karen-parrott/
Through blogging, realized that I could get and give support in the weight maintenance world. Before I started my 3rd attempt at permanent weight maintenance, I HAD to know that other maintainers were out there. I made my mind up that I would be one of them when I finished. Removing each barrier to that goal. No matter what, in a way that was healthy for me.
I have been overweight on and off since I was about six. I'm now 50.
I've had 3 major weight losses. I respond best to structured weight loss programs. I've lost weight by using weight loss tools from Weight Watchers, on-line calorie tracking, and Take Shape for Life (Medifast). I did re-gain much of my weight after the first two attempts. I learned a lot during the attempts and I brought what works with me for the third attempt.
For the third attempt, I chose a health coach and started Take Shape for Life (Medifast) in May 2011. Once I was done losing weight, I transitioned over to a Paleo/Primal style of eating in February 2012 for long-term maintenance.
I switched in 2014-2016 to a Low Carb, slightly Ketogenic approach
In mid 2016 I started intermittent fasting for 16:8 or 18:6. I eat from 6am to 12noon most days and fast the rest of the day.
The major difference this time around, what made weight maintenance work, was taking a good look at what the "root" causes of my habits were. I then take both corrective action and preventive action so that I have a more effective habit to use the next time around. I use that approach if I start to regain. You'll see me writing this way. I also use graphs and sometimes track my food to check my carbs for good data.
It is just the scientist in me (my real life career). It works for me so I go with it.
I studied weight maintenance like a subject in school. My best resource for me was the book Refuse to Regain by Barbara Berkeley, MD. when I had about 20 pounds left before maintenance started. I also read blogs and listen to podcasts to further learning and get new ideas.
The Paleo, Low Carb, Primal ways of eating continues to be an excellent weight maintenance tool, with the addition of Low Carb, Higher Fat, and some Ketogenic periods thrown in for good energy. For overall health and wellness, too. I feel younger in my 50's than I did in my 30's. Lower blood pressure, CRP, better lipid profile markers.
I abstain from almost all processed sugars (* except 85% chocolate, all grains, all dairy, all legumes, and all nuts. That leaves a lot of eggs, animal proteins, veggies, sometimes fruit, and fats from natural sources. Great spice mixtures and home cooking has me looking forward to the next meal, in a normal sort of way.
Life is dynamic; I will never be done with the process. Changes in life, work, age, and my health will mean that I will have to address weight maintenance day in day out. I will always need to work on myself, be mindful of what has worked in the past, and to be open to what I'll need to do in the future.
I'm worth it. We are all worth that!
Hi! I just read your story on Paleo/NonPaleo and want to say congratulations! I'm female, age 54 and have been trying to get on a Paleo/Non-inflammatory diet for awhile now. I moved to the San Diego area back in October from the Midwest and am trying to find a good source for grass fed meat; in particular bison. Right now I'm still just south of Del Mar, but will be moving to Temecula in a few months. And hints on where to shop in the area? Thanks so much! Jen
ReplyDeleteJen, my reply to you turned into an epic blog post. Welcome to San Diego, to Paleo/Primal and thanks for the inspiration!
ReplyDeletehttp://gardengirlkp.blogspot.com/2014/06/where-i-shop-in-san-diego-county-to-buy.html
Hi,
ReplyDeleteI like your blog on time restricted eating :) I too attempted time restricted eating from Nov 2016 to May 2017, losing 30kg from 110kg body weight to 80kg. Now, I'm attempting to maintain or push it further to 62kg to 65kg. Will see about it. Your blog allows me to show to my friends that I am not the only one benefited from time restricted eating. Especially you attempted it way earlier than me and maintain your current lean weight for about 6 to 7 years.
Have a great day.
and
Happy New Year 2018
William
Hi William!!! Glad you are progressing on your weight loss. More and more is coming out on Time Restricted eating for overall health and wellness. I'm glad that you can show others that there is good health. I get told many times that I'm crazy or unwell. Nope, just others projecting their un-well on me. It gets old.
DeleteHere's to continued success in 2018. Onward. Keep up the great work!
Hi Karen, I saw your story on dietdoctor.com and am really inspired. I just started the LCHF diet on January 1st (I know that probably sounds cliche). I read your story and can really relate. Congratulations on not only sticking to a diet that is restrictive against the norm and most people's way of thinking, but also on figuring you what you need to do for you and not worrying about pleasing others when it comes to food. I hope to have your level of success. Cheers!
ReplyDeleteThank you burrfan!!! Once I changed my self talk (that I was really restricting myself from my goals), then what made me well really jumped out and grabbed me. Thanks for stopping by the blog. Stopping people pleasing was a key factor. :)
DeleteHi Karen,
ReplyDeleteYou have accomplished amazing things for yourself! You are an inspiration. You should be very proud of yourself!
Today I am researching a weight loss program for myself. I am 51 years old. In the past two years I have started to put on excess weight. Last night I tried on some pants that I could wear last summer and they look terrible on me. Most of my weight gain is around my stomach. I was a pretty well built person most of my life, and never really overweight. Around 2000 I weighed 120 lbs. I am 5'2". On 5/5/18 I was at the doctor's office and I weighed 167 pounds. I was shocked. I have never been successful with any weight loss program/ diet I have tried. The only times I lose weight are when I get super stressed out, have anxiety, and get very depressed. At those times I don't want to eat. I lose all zest for life. I have had major weight losses when I have gone through a divorce, was dumped by a fiance, and when I moved to Oceanside and got a new job that I hated. Now I guess you could call me "fat and happy, but really disgusted with my current weight." I have not had menstural periods since 2013. I have a job I love! I have always enjoyed food. I don't enjoy working out, but I can walk for miles without complaint. I need to get back on track. I would love to lose 50 pounds. That seems so impossible to me right now, but I have to do something. I hate looking dumpy and trying to dress in clothes that conceal my mid section. I am considering a intermittent fasting diet. I would like to eat low carb, high protein foods. I am signed up for a fitness class and a chair yoga class through Miracosta Community College that begin in mid June. I took those classes last summer and really enjoyed them. I have a month until school is out (I'm a special ed. teacher). I would like to spend the next month on a diet and continue through the summer. I know I am just rambling, but maybe if I follow your blog I will have more motivation to stay on track to lose weight. The hardest part will be to give up drinking white wine! Thank for for all the inspiration you have provided to the world.
Sincerely,
Shelley
Waving Hi, Shelley! There is a Low Carb San Diego facebook community with monthly meetings. https://www.facebook.com/groups/lowcarbsd/
DeleteThere is also a Low Carb USA conference. The tickets are expensive but the expo is free. You can still attend and talk to many of the speakers and check out the vendors, too It's for everyone.
https://www.lowcarbusa.org/
Also check out various Dr. Fung Fasting facebook support groups and the 2 Keto Dudes forms. And Diet Doctor.
Best wishes.