Hello and this is my first time posting to these message boards. What a wonderful resource I have at my fingertips.

I'm 22 years old and weigh around 410 or so. Although I am ambulatory and live a rich, fulfilling life, I prefer to get my weight down. My family has a history of diabetes/high blood pressure (Fat and thin relatives) and I do not want to develop such conditions. So, I am doing a pre emptive strike against them!

I read protein power and they suggest you do phase I if you are 20 percent or more overweight. Do you really need to do it? Is it possible to lose weight by starting with phase II, the maintenance phase? I know I won't lose weight as quickly, but will I lose any weight if I do this? I rather stick to a diet long term rather than not being able to do one at all.

Thanks for your help
Jillian
p.s I saw in people's postings, they had photos of themselves, how do I attach a photo to my posts?

Yes, you will still lose weight although it will be slower. However, doing the first phase for a short while helps you change your food choice patterns and by the time you get to the second phase you are feeling happy to be able to add some more carbs in rather than deprived.

Greetings, fabdumplin. I actually think it would be a good idea to start with Phase 1, if you can manage it. The stricter program is there in part to kill your cravings for carbs. It will be far easier in the long run, IMHO, to start off this way, because you won't have the constant nagging feeling about wanting to eat sweet and starchy foods. It also evens out the sugar highs and lows--and I don't know about you, but that was a terrible problem for me pre-LC. The relief from the daily "crashes" of low blood sugar is worth it in itself.

Good luck, whichever phase you decide to start with. It's soooo worth it. I can't tell you how much better I feel.

Hello, Jillian . Honestly, I think if you can you should start with Phase I. You do not have to stay there long but I think Phase I is very important. The reasons are numerous, as I'm sure you know from the book, but primarily starting at Phase I will get your insulin production under control as well as help you break carb addiction. Once you've lost the carb cravings, then you can ease up into Phase II. IMHO, Phase I is not restrictive and actually allows for ample carbs. Just be selective in what carbs you eat and go for the ones that have the highest fiber and the lowest net carbs. Phase I will give you the best base to build upon. . Below is a link to explain different forum functions, including adding a picture. HTH
http://forum.lowcarber.org/showthread.php?t=95688

Another advantage to the phase I is that it gives a quick weight loss which is psychologically encouraging.

Like the others have mentioned, Phase I would be a good idea especially since you are attempting to avoid diabetes. By doing the first phase, you will purge the carbs and it will be easier to resist cravings that blood sugar imbalances will cause. Overweight is a symptom of insulin resistance and should be addressed especially if you have a family history of insulin resistance.

Black57

Hi Jillian,

As others have mentioned, both Phases will cause weight loss, but Phase One is a better starting point for someone who likely has a serious problem with insulin resistance. From the facts you gave - you are young & more than 100 lbs overweight, and have a family history of several medical conditions related to insulin resistance - you likely have this problem. You will do better, both from a weight loss standpoint and from a health standpoint, by starting at Phase One to get this under control.

When you build a house, you don't skip the foundation, do you? Then, don't skip Phase I. It might be a little difficult, but stick with it and your final product will be successful.

Hi Jillian Sounds like you have reservations about a low carb lifestyle. We have been there and understand how you feel. The best way to attempt phase 1 is to focus on what you can have instead of what you can't have. Though you would most likely still lose if you started on phase 2, you will lose some of the benefits like the others have mentioned. Normally in the first two weeks you will lose some excess water weight and detox your body of carbs. This is the point where your body switches from storing fat to burning fat. The up side of this is that you can do this without going hungry. Your appetite will drop and your cravings will fade. We will support you either way Please feel free to join us on the Protein Power Pals thread.