LucasBikes

I am an architect and psychotherapist living in Santa Rosa, California. I have a wonderful new partner, 3 children, 6 grandchildren, and 3 step-grandchildren. I feel so lucky to have such a full life at age 66 and to finally be in charge of my weight after struggling with it for over 50 years. I love the LiveStrong site, and it has been an INVALUABLE tool in becoming confident about my weigh loss/maintenance--especially the food/wieght tracking components of MyPlate.

The other important support I've had with weight loss is through my doctors at True North Health Center in Santa Rosa, where people can work with maximizing their health through nutrition, working with metabolism, and fasting. Like Coopscoops on LiveStrong, I too have a really difficult time losing weight--she said it felt like her "metabolism left the building" and mine seems like that too!

True North specializes in health-promoting food and medical water fasting. While I have never done a water fast (tho' I've been very tempted lately because I want to maximize my health) they have helped me eat a very low calorie vegan diet which has helped the pounds drop off quickly. True North realizes that some people--especially some women just have to carefully restrict their calorie intake--I eat mostly steamed veggies and salads, with a few low calorie treats like strawberrries, salsa, cherry tomatoes, apples, and a very small quantity of raw nuts.

My biggest food splurges are my Pecorino/Romano grated sheep's cheese (3 T per meal at 15 cals per T--from Marin Cheese Co and available at Whole Foods)--3-4 meals/2 snacks per day) that I put on my veggies/salads that give it a wonderful zing, and 1/2 bottle of G.T. Dave's Synergy Cranberry Kombucha which also has a wonderful zing and!!) I limit myself to about 500 calories a day, which may seem low, but after my body got used to it, I have had all the energy I need!!!

I also bike at least 30 minutes per day--bicycling is my primary mode of transportation because I live downtown and can ride pretty much anywhere I need to go in Santa Rosa. I also try to do some other general exercise every day--running for 20 mins, weight work, dancing (R & R), and rebounding are some of my favorites. Last year I played a lot of tennis and want to get back to it as soon as I pass my psychologist licensing exams in July.

WEIGHT HISTORY: I have restricted my calories (not necessarily a bad thing in my book) and yo-yo dieted (no fun) since I was 14 years old. I like to weigh around 127, but have rarely gotten there. I have had 3 pregnancies and gained a lot with each (except the first one) then had to lose it. I have also had doctors over the years who just tell me I need to eat more of certain foods, but whenever I do, I just gain weight and am MISERABLE!!

I went to raw foods in December of 2008, felt great and got down to 127, which I maintained, but then fell in love in March of 2010 and started gaining. I was encouraged to go on the "Caveman Diet" in February of 2011, zoomed up to almost 160, and felt AWFUL. One March 7th, 2011, I desparately revisited the True North regimen in earnest and then joined Live Strong on March 18th!

It is now April 13th and I am down to 138!! I lost 9 pounds the first week of my program and then about 2 pounds every week since. It is coming off a little slower now and my average may go to 1.5 per week, but I am within 10 pounds of my goal weight (127) so that would mean I only have about 7-8 weeks left to go.

The best part is that I now feel more confident than ever before about maintaining my weight--knowing that if I track my calories/fitness activities through LiveStrong and stay with my True North food plan, I can really manage things! Luckily I have iron-clad will- power, especially now that I'm having so much success!

If you are ever interested in learning more about how I work my program, feel free to message me. I support all of you out there in your quest to be healthy and feel light in your bodies!!!

Best of Luck,
Lucas