I lost roughly 65 pounds on very low carb over 18 months ending in early 2013 although I didn’t fully abandon very low carb then.

In 2014-2015, I had the typical rapid weight gain that comes with abandoning extremely low carbs and moving to just a very low carb diet (while still being a high fat diet). I added 25-30 pounds back quickly. And then another ten on top of that.

I started gravitating away from eating much meat in 2015 and at the end of 2015 had even tried a couple periods of eating only potatoes. Basically the “Tato Hack” from Tim Steele. But I didn’t stay with it very long.

In early 2016, after reading Denise Minger’s post about the history of diets, I became interested in low fat diets and Walter Kempner. I read Lisle and McDougal. I followed the stories of High Carb Hannah and Spudfit on Youtube with great interest. And I came to embrace the great humor of Durianrider (and insight, actually). The dude is very funny.

Over the course of  2016, I ate very low fat (under 10% of calories from fat) almost all  the time, but I had far too many weasely moments at restaurants, at the office, traveling, and at home. Finally, at the very end of 2016 I got serious. I went SOS-free (no added salt, oil, and sugar), and I am now eating a whole foods, plant-based diet that is exceptionally low in fat. Almost nothing processed either. Now, despite the lack of focus and weaseling out in 2016, I am already back within 15-20 pounds of my low weight in 2012. While still maintaining my energy.

I’m wary of all of this. I keep an eye on it. I have one finger on the eject button with a parachute on my back. Ideology can maim. My very low carb diet taught me the perils of putting weight loss above health concerns and life functioning. I have job that demands intellectual and physical energy, and that comes first. Having a job matters much more than looking great in jeans.

Since going down this path and now being SOS-free, I’ve seen real changes for the better. 2017 is looking up.