Random weight loss yammering about kilts.

[Alan H]

A couple of weeks ago, after returning from a backpacking trip where I had significant trouble on the hills, I started a serious...if simple....weight loss program. The first week, the scale reported shocking good drops in weight. I've hit the inevitable weight plateau and seem stuck between 293 and 294. I started at 300. I've been there all week. Ah, well, this is a long race, not a sprint. I'm not quitting.

On the upside, the X-Kilt that I made for myself probably 7 years ago, that I can "get into" but which really doesn't fit any more.....is almost back to the correct size. I've definitely lost girth from my "spare tire" even if the scale is stuck. In another 5-6-7 pounds, I'll truly fit into the thing again. The Lindsay, modern 6 yard machine-sewn kilt that I made about 5 years ago is looking better, too. I can see progress in getting into "Moms Kilt"..the Gray Stewart kilt I made five-six years ago.

I have to decide whether I'm going to take in my Gold Brothers Scottish National kilt, by changing the over-apron width. The thing was made by completely ignoring the notion that there should be a prominent center stripe on the over apron. If I unstitch the waistband and rip out the blind stitching on the folded-over edge on the right hand edge of the over-apron, I can take in about 2 1/2 inches. That would even out the tartan pattern such that it would be symmetrical on the over-apron. The kilt would be 2 to 2.5 inches smaller, which at this point would be a little bit small but not bad. Since I'm just going to get smaller, maybe I should do it.

However, at the same time, I'm also considering just giving the thing to the Scottish Heavy Athletics group as a "rental" for new athletes. Sometimes we get guys out who decide that they'll try out the events and are willing to pony up the $$ and sign the waiver but don't have a kilt. This could cover that need for one "Big Guy" at least. If I give it away, I'll be down to 8 kilts, with the Wildcat Tartan as my last kilt, still to be made. At one point I had 13. Eight is plenty... more than enough.

[jetstar63]

What are you eating and how much? There are times when I like to stuff myself with food, but I know that I'm stretching the belly. For me, the hardest part of loosing weight is portion control. I can skip a meal but can shure make up for it later.

[Pleater]

I did Atkins a few years ago - lost 14 inches off my waistline and started to make and wear kilts, settling on reverse Kingussie as they can be made and remade easily.
I always need to keep an eye on the carbs as I put on weight so easily, but thank goodness I now know that for me there is no such thing as a healthy grain, or lentil.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

[Grant MacKenzie]

Hi - It is the eternal battle. The more exercise I do the more I find that I am hungry so the more I eat. If I just starve myself
then I lose weigt but dont feel particulalry healthy or energised. The stomach is the problem as my kilt will sometimes testify...! Anyone got any tips...?

[MacKenzie]

Hi - It is the eternal battle. The more exercise I do the more I find that I am hungry so the more I eat. If I just starve myself
then I lose weigt but dont feel particulalry healthy or energised. The stomach is the problem as my kilt will sometimes testify...! Anyone got any tips...?

Cut back on carbs. Refined grains and sugar to be exact. When I quit smoking years ago my weight shot up the typical 10-20 lbs. With constant battling I could keep it down to the 10 lb. gain. With a conscious effort to avoid refined grains and sugar I'm back to where I'm supposed to be. And that stuff just isn't good for you. Feed your excercise-induced hunger with protein and healthy fats.

[tundramanq]

I did Atkins a few years ago - lost 14 inches off my waistline and started to make and wear kilts, settling on reverse Kingussie as they can be made and remade easily.
I always need to keep an eye on the carbs as I put on weight so easily, but thank goodness I now know that for me there is no such thing as a healthy grain, or lentil.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

Atkins, Paleo, Neanderthal, cave man and low carb diets etc. all work because they minimize grass seed consumption that our bodies don't handle correctly.
The cave man was a hunter gatherer - meat, greens, fruit and nuts. High carb things didn't exist.
Grains ( grass seeds) are energy storage for the seed to get started the next spring. They have some proteins that trigger our bodies into producing excess insulin and storing excess fat. Beer causes "beer belly" because it is grain based. ( Whisky etc distills out these proteins )
"Grass seed" includes: Rice, wheat, barley etc. and things like modern hybrid corn. Ask a diabetic about rice, regardless of type, it jacks up blood sugar almost as fast as table sugar.

[Grant MacKenzie]

Cut back on carbs. Refined grains and sugar to be exact. When I quit smoking years ago my weight shot up the typical 10-20 lbs. With constant battling I could keep it down to the 10 lb. gain. With a conscious effort to avoid refined grains and sugar I'm back to where I'm supposed to be. And that stuff just isn't good for you. Feed your excercise-induced hunger with protein and healthy fats.

Sounds like wise advice - the key may be not to have any 'stuff that isn't good for you' in the house and then not tempted!
I am managing to eat more eggs to feed the protein side.

I note your Surname and my old house was Tulloch Ard very near to the Brahan homestead of the MacKenzie's!
I think you have the correct spelling though.

[MacKenzie]

- the key may be not to have any 'stuff that isn't good for you' in the house and then not tempted!

Precisely! That's step one. Get the stuff out of the house.

I note your Surname and my old house was Tulloch Ard very near to the Brahan homestead of the MacKenzie's!
I think you have the correct spelling though.

Actually, my surname is McKenzie. My brother is the genealogist in the family, and his findings indicate that the MacKenzies that settled in south-western Virginia and the piedmont region of North Carolina hailed from the Gairloch area - and somewhere along the way dropped the 'a'.

[freddie]

I'm in the same boat. I've lost over 3 stone so far and can now wear my two kilts from ten years ago (and to think I nearly sold them on eBay, but just couldn't do it because of their quality!) It means I've had to put away two kilts which are too big now, but I'm going up to Scotland next year so will have to find a good kilt maker who'll do alterations for me, or get measured up for a new one as a 60th birthday present!

[Grant MacKenzie]

Precisely! That's step one. Get the stuff out of the house.




Actually, my surname is McKenzie. My brother is the genealogist in the family, and his findings indicate that the MacKenzies that settled in south-western Virginia and the piedmont region of North Carolina hailed from the Gairloch area - and somewhere along the way dropped the 'a'.

There is a similar story on my family side but we added the 'a' rather than dropped it - apparently hail from ireland somewhere. Gairloch a nice place to hail from anyway!