Come on gals and guys

[Anonymous]

Post those success stories so we can be inspired. Can't wait to read em.

[Anonymous]

Hi everyone!

My name is Brook (obviously) and I'm a success story in progress

I started low carbing May 4, 2002 - and became a non-smoker than very same day.

In the last almost 10 months, I am proud to say that I am completely CHEAT FREE! No sabotage allowed here.

I've lost 58lbs and 44 inches so far. I've got from a tight size 20 (I refused to buy a 22-but it would be a more accurate size claim) to a current size 12. My goal isn't so much a weight as it is a size. I want to get my behind into a size 8. I don't care if I weigh 600lbs, so long as I can walk into that beastly store 5-7-9 (the only sizes they carry) and shop till I drop!

Food is no longer a refuge for me - it's a survival technique. I love to eat, but over indulging and eating in an unhealthy manner have become practically unthinkable to me! I LOVE THAT!! I LOVE being in control!!

Cheers!
~Brook

[Anonymous]

WOW Brook

You are doing great! Your right, you are a success story in the making. Your already a success. 58 pounds gone is a major success. I love you attitude. Any tips you want to share with the rest of us

[Anonymous]

Thanks Rosie!

I posted this in an obscure thread, so I'm copying it here. Forgive the double posting, but it's my 'tell all', I guess. Cheesy, I know. LOL



I stayed on Induction for almost 5 weeks before I moved on to OWL. I started with 90 pounds to lose. By the grace of God, I lost 23lbs during that first month. I have no idea how or why, but I'll take it! I also quit smoking the same day I started induction (Sounds sadistic, I know. LOL)

It's taken me 9 months to lose the additional 35lbs. Subtract from that 19 weeks of stalls (2 six week stalls and 1 seven week stall), and you'll see that it's coming off pretty darn slowly!

I'm completely and totally okay with that though. This is absolutely a complete lifestyle change for me, and one I will stick with forever. Low carbing suits me very well

Being it's a lifestyle change and not a "diet", I've got nothing but time! I'm not in this to lose weight fast, I'm in it to lose it once.

I exercise faithfully (a combination of weight/resistance band training and aerobics- my preference right now is Walk Away The Pounds- love it!) 5-6 days a week - no excuses. I have 3 children ages 11, 6 (almost 7) and 2 (almost 3). I homeschool my oldest two, my youngest is a special needs child, and my husband and I own a company - yours truly gets stuck with a lot of the phone calls and paperwork. No one can find time to exercise. I certainly can't! I have had to make time and make it a priority!

I take all my supplements. They make such a huge difference in every aspect of life and this WOE!

I am militant about what I put in my mouth. I made the decision that I was done being heavy. Personally, I don't call it "cheating", I call it "self sabotage", and I've done that to myself for too many years. It's what got me into this mess in the first place. I refuse to perpetuate the self loathing I had gotten soooo very good at! I make no excuses. I refuse to use phrases like "I can't" - "can't" is BS; "won't" is more honest! I avoid most low-carb mixes and products and instead choose to stick with whole, natural foods, for the most part. That's just me though. I needed to learn to eat in ANY situation, and low carb products aren't in most of them (eating at a friends, going out, etc). That's what's worked for me.

To quote a woman on another board I frequent who has managed to lose 200lbs in the last year - "There's no secret. You have to be ready and willing to pay the price." I thought it was beautifully and aptly said!

"Whether you believe you will succeed or fail, you'll be right." BELIEVE you can do it. Want it. Convert your dreams to goals by writing them down and reading them every morning when you get up and every night before you go to bed.

Take pictures monthly! This has been a HUGE one for me and something I honestly believe EVERYONE should do. Our eyes tell us that we're this big, ugly fat person. That doesn't go away overnight, even if a couple of pounds did. A picture once a month won't lie to you. You'll have tangible evidence that what you're doing is working for you and you'll see changes in the pictures that you won't see in the mirror. Besides that, it's fun!! Here are mine if anyone is bored enough to look. lol http://www.brookjay.net/melting.html

I have no doubts that I'll reach my goal. There is nothing, and I mean nothing, that can stop me! It may not go as fast as I want it to, but I can't control that. What I can control is everything else I've written down here, and I will

Okay, long, drawn out wordy blah blah blah post is now coming to a close. hehe

Thanks again!
~Brook

[Anonymous]

OH Wow!!!

You said it so beautifully! YOU are an inspiration to me and I will come back and read your story often to remind me of what I want to achieve. You defenetly have the attitude it takes to succeed on the WOL. I am going to write down my goals as you suggested and take some pics too. Thanks for posting that.

[Anonymous]

Brook, I have been reading your posts throughout the board and I just want to say, you are beautiful! You are going to be my personal role model and I look forward to seeing what else you have to say. I just joined the bulletin board today and am in the process of cleaning my cupboard and refridgerator out of all no-no foods. Next, I will go shopping for Atkins friendly foods, and on Monday I will begin induction again. This time, I WILL succeed!

[Anonymous]

Wow!

Congratulations! I did check out your monthly meltdown--super! You should be very proud of yourself! I am probably twice your age, and I've spent half my life dieting. I am doing that anymore. This is now a WOL for me. I like your words--it is not cheating, it is self-sabotage (and really self-destruction).


Again, congrats!

[Anonymous]

A small but mighty success in progress!

Hi, I have a small success story in the making. I have lost 20 lbs. and feel wonderful. Wonderful enough not to cheat, wonderful enough not to want that UGLY woe that I USE to have. I love this WOE and know I am headed toward that goal. I often read these posts but don't reply much due to lack of time...LOL. But am encouraged by all of the stories and love to read them. Keep them coming and hope everyone has a LOSING day.

[whateverittakes]

Brook,

I, like many others I'm sure, have been truly inspired by your success. I weighed around what you did at your starting weight and would like to weigh your current weight so....

I printed out your success story and your pics. I've taken what you have been saying about pictures, etc. and am creating a success journal. It has or will have beginning pics, monthly progress pics, inspirational stories to read, supportive emails that me and a partner are sending each other. It will kinda be like a journey that will take me back to sanity and the life I want to lead.

I truly like what you said about not losing it fast, as much as losing it once. I keep telling myself, take a good look, because this will be the last time you ever look like this again. I took the no weigh challenge because this will be a way of life for me. The body will develop out from under this fat whether it's in two months or twenty. It will happen as long as I continue to do what is best for my body and keep looking ahead.

I mostly lurk on lowcarb boards however I joined this one a few days ago just to let you know what an inspiration you are.

Sometimes we do things that we think are totally for ourselves not realizing what a difference we can make in someone elses life.

Thank you and God Bless you in your life.

[Kaity]

Brooke, I can only hope I am as succesfull as you in doing atkins. I will do my darndest!! You're totally gorgeous and very impressive pics!! Congrats on all your hard work and devotion! You truly are an inspiration!!!


~kaity

[pjtmay]

Hi! I wanted to create a post on here today and I think this is a great place to place it.

I am on day 11 of my 'new lifestyle'. I have been totally out of control with my eating and have gained soo much weight on my already big body. Anyway, I weighed and took measurements on my 3rd day. This morning I measured my tummy cause I just felt like I have lost. You have to remember I am afraid to step on a scale in fear that I may not have lost what I thought I should have by now and don't want any disappointment or setbacks. So, this morning my measurement was 3 1/2 inches less than when I started! Is this really possible? I know when you first start you lose a lot the first week or two but this much?

Is it ok for me not to weigh for a while? Or is that something that I really need to do weekly?

[embilie]

hello

hi brook!
i really admire how you have accepted that losing takes time. i haven't won that battle yet...
anyway i was wondering if you also exercised during your weight loss? just curious.
thanks

[over50]

SUCCESS IS STRANGE

I'm new here. I've been doing Atkins for 9 months and as of today I'm down 100lbs. (293-193). I've actually had people tell me I've lost too much weight (neither of them were my mother). I have 10 more to go. I've experienced the same things that many of you have regarding fatigue, cravings etc. but I found that, as time went on, they passed. I have no desire for the things that got me to 293. I even went on a week long cruise and stayed on it. You can do it. Don't listen to the negative little voice in your head, eventually it'll shut up.