The Ultimate New Person

[carlycap1]

Hello! My name is carly, I am literally the newest of new on here, I'm sure the little I know about CR is inaccurate but what I do know is that I have tried everything under the sun with my health issues. What I haven't tried, however, is this. So. That being said, I'd love some advice from veterans on getting started, easing into it, what to do once I've eased into it. I downloaded cronometer app I've been on a Macros diet for a few weeks so that's where I'm at diet wise but truth be told I don't know all that much about where to begin and where to focus my energy. Are there certain nutrients I should be focusing on? Can I eat virtually anything as long as its low calorie? It's all so confusing! Help!

 

Xx

[BrianMDelaney]

Hi Carly!

 

It's hard to know how to respond without knowing more about your health problems.

 

One thing I'll say now (I'm sure others will chime in) is: try to get as many tests done (cholesterol, fasting glucose, etc.) right away, before making more changes to your diet. That way, it will be easy to gauge its effect on you.

 

- Brian

 

[Dean Pomerleau]

Hi and Welcome Carley!

 

I agree with Brian about getting tests done now, so you have a baseline before starting your dietary changes. The other thing to do in order to get started is to read the "Getting Started" Guide for CR, which for some bizarre reason isn't linked from the Resources page (Tim?). Here is the direct link:

 

http://www.crsociety.org/resources/getting_started

 

If you have any questions about the material there, feel free to post them!

 

--Dean

[carlycap1]

Thanks so much guys! I have POTs Syndrome (postural orthostatic tachycardia) which is basically vertigo every time i stand up or sit down just constantly dizzy and when I say I've tried everything to manage it I'm talkin everything. I'll definitely get those tests done, thank you so much for your quick responses!

[Dean Pomerleau]

Carley,

 

Thanks for sharing insights into your health challenges. Too rapid or severe weight loss (on CR or otherwise), has been known to be associated with lightheadedness, especially upon rising from sitting or lying down. So for this and many other reasons, you especially should restrict calories very gradually, to avoid exascerbating your POTs Syndrome.

 

Looking forward to hearing more from you!

 

--Dean 

[carlycap1]

its funny because I've noticed the less I eat (unintentional of course) the less dizzy I get which is what intrigued me about this diet. I think I'll have trouble restricting a lot right away seeing as I eat junk food all the time (lol) so I'll definitely have to go at a snails pace, which I hope isn't bad because I have a lot of hope! 

 

Carley,

 

Thanks for sharing insights into your health challenges. Too rapid or severe weight loss (on CR or otherwise), has been known to be associated with lightheadedness, especially upon rising from sitting or lying down. So for this and many other reasons, you especially should restrict calories very gradually, to avoid exascerbating your POTs Syndrome.

 

Looking forward to hearing more from you!

 

--Dean 

[carlycap1]

Hi Carly!

 

It's hard to know how to respond without knowing more about your health problems.

 

One thing I'll say now (I'm sure others will chime in) is: try to get as many tests done (cholesterol, fasting glucose, etc.) right away, before making more changes to your diet. That way, it will be easy to gauge its effect on you.

 

- Brian

Hi Brian! Thanks so much for your quick response. I'm literally always getting blood work done so this week when I go I'll be sure to ask to get it again!

[carlycap1]

Hi and Welcome Carley!

 

I agree with Brian about getting tests done now, so you have a baseline before starting your dietary changes. The other thing to do in order to get started is to read the "Getting Started" Guide for CR, which for some bizarre reason isn't linked from the Resources page (Tim?). Here is the direct link:

 

http://www.crsociety.org/resources/getting_started

 

If you have any questions about the material there, feel free to post them!

 

--Dean

Also, thank you for the above link! I read that yesterday and ordered all of the books, which I assumed would guide me through getting started. But, I also feel I learn better when I have people with first hand accounts gauging me on what I'm doing wrong or what I should do that they don't tell you in the books, etc. So it seems like I have a good starting point with the books and your guys' advice as far as blood work goes? It's scary that I'm 24 on six different types of medicines, and can barely make it through the day without feeling extremely fatigued or dizzy. So I guess I'm looking forward to the idea of one day not feeling like this all the time, in hopes of gaining more energy and bettering myself. How long have you been doing this yourself?

[Dean Pomerleau]

Carley,

 

 It's scary that I'm 24 on six different types of medicines, and can barely make it through the day without feeling extremely fatigued or dizzy.

 

You've probably already done this, but do check with your doctor(s) about whether any of the medications (or supplements) you are taking could be causing the dizziness either individually or in combination. I know from personal experience, one of my family members was on several medications that we're supposed to cause dizziness when standing from sitting, but together actually were. Cutting one of them out eliminated the problem. 

 

How long have you been doing this yourself?

 

 

I've personally been practicing CR for 15 years.

 

Here are the results of a recent survey we conducted showing the characteristics of CR practitioners who frequent these forums and the CR Society Facebook group.

 

--Dean