Losing 143 pounds in a year with LCHF
in Allergies / Asthma, Depression, Migraine, Migraine stories, Success stories 
Janne’s friend had sausages, cheese and béarnaise sauce during their movie night – he ate low-carb. This made Janne want to try it himself. At 353 lbs (160 kg) he felt that he didn’t have anything to lose, even though the dietitian had discouraged him.
Here’s what happened in a year:
The Email
Hello!
My name is Janne. It is now exactly one year since I stumbled upon LCHF. I was at a movie night with a friend and his snack consisted of sausage, cheese and béarnaise sauce, which even at that time seemed more interesting than my own Coke and bag of chips. Which made med decide to try anyway, what did I have to lose? I weighed 353 (160 kg), had a waist circumference of 59 inches (150 cm), asthma which made most things very cumbersome. I wanted to undergo bariatric surgery and went to a dietitian without any major results. My dietitian strongly discouraged me from LCHF and said that it was unhealthy. I am glad that I didn’t listen.
So how has a year with LCHF changed my life for the better? I haven’t had to use an inhalator for a very long time and haven’t had a single asthma attack since last fall. My weight fluctuates between 209-216 lbs (98–95 kg) and my waist circumference is 36 inches (92 cm), which gives me a weight loss of about 143 lbs (65 kg) and 23 inches (58 cm) smaller circumference. I no longer need to look for the tent department when I shop for clothes. Earlier I used to by size 5XL in t shirts, now M or L works well. I no longer suffer from migraines and my depression has more or less disappeared.
I’m also pretty convinced that I no longer need bariatric surgery. I can also add that I haven’t exercised any during this year other than common every-day exercise, as I was never interested in training. Now I’m beginning my second year and hope that things will continue to go as well as they have. You have my permission to publish this if you want.
/Janne Poikonen
Comment
Congratulations, Janne!
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I wonder why some people achieve such a good result on low carb, and others don't? I lost weight and felt better on low carb, but I lost about 25 pounds in a year with low carb. It wasn't until I started intermittent fasting (and adding more fat into my diet) that I accelerated that weight loss. I wonder if this is insulin resistance?
Im glad when hear people meet his goals, but is sad for other people like me when we are stuck.
So, is nice to see the before and after picture, but will be better if people with great success explain his experience, how is a day and a week in his life, what he eat, what kind of jobs he have,exercise, etc etc ...
Bob & Walt, I've only lost 18kg which might not sound that much compared to Janne but it's 90% of what I have to lose, I think I'm about 14% body fat right now but considering I'll be sticking with the LCHF paleo lifestyle for life I don't see the rush anymore as my blood glucose is under perfect control and I'm technically no longer diabetic.
About 6-8 months ago I plateaued for quite a while about 7kg above where I am today. Intermittent fasting was the key to get this moving again but I never missed meals if I was hungry. I even did a 2 day water fast once and surprisingly wasn't hungry. It made me realise I was often eating when I wasn't even hungry just for pleasure or because I was bored, snacking on nuts, pork crackling, and the odd paleo treat my wife likes to make.
If serious weight loss is your ultimate goal focus on your hunger signals, maybe let yourself go hungry for a day or two, I was surprised that the hunger often went away without eating (or just from eating a couple of tbsp of coconut fat). Also you could try some exercise, not the "typical cardio stuff" advised by conventional wisdom for weight loss but strength exercises, bodyweight exercises are great because even if you can't do a single pull up, push up, squat or plank there are "girl" versions to get you started, best of all if you do your research on the few necessary movements it's very hard to injury yourself.
Good luck :)
P.S. Surprisingly eating too few calories can also make your body hold on to that excess weight. Just make sure you're eating lots of fat, lots of veggies and just enough protein for your lean body mass. And remember it's not a race!
Congratulations in any case! Keep up the good health.