Please share....such winners!!!!

[johnnysmom]

So many of you have accomplished probably THE most difficult challenge we face as overweight people. CONGRATULATIONS!!!

I have a question. I have tried so so many things, as I am sure we all have, and failed and failed and failed.

Those of you who have lost lots and lots of weight........did you really do it ALL by following the Atkins program?????????

Did you make it a lifelone way of eating?

Thank you! I want to hear all about your success story!

Nancy

[purplecat]

Re: Please share....such winners!!!!

So many of you have accomplished probably THE most difficult challenge we face as overweight people. CONGRATULATIONS!!!

I have a question. I have tried so so many things, as I am sure we all have, and failed and failed and failed.

Those of you who have lost lots and lots of weight........did you really do it ALL by following the Atkins program?????????

Did you make it a lifelone way of eating?

Thank you! I want to hear all about your success story!

Nancy

I haven't reached goal but I've gone from 240 to 192.5 (47.5 pounds) doing strictly Atkins and hardly any exercise (ducking from the fall-out) since 10/01/07. However, I've suffered many injuries which have prevented exercising like I'd want. I'm slowly rectifying that now. So, I'm not advocating no exercise but just wanted to show you that Atkins truly does work (despite certain circumstances - i.e., inability to exercise). See my transformation below:

[Katlambert]

Re: Please share....such winners!!!!

Yes, I really did it all by following the Atkins program. I was pretty skeptical when I started...I'm one who has to look at things from every angle and then I question them. I was that way with Atkins too - until I found this board. It occurred to me that all of these people who had succeeded here were willing to share their knowledge, expertise, and kindness and were asking nothing in return. I don't understand a lot of scientific stuff (like why this way of eating works) but I did understand that if there was a group of people who were willing to help others even though they'd already found success there must be something to it. I briefly thought that maybe it wouldn't work for me like it had worked for everyone else - you know, maybe my body was different and I would gain weight instead of losing it, but then I realized I really had nothing to lose by just trying it.

Anyway, I started October of 2006. I was 220 pounds and I was miserable. I did nothing but follow Atkins and within 7 months I was at goal. I've never been one who is great at following a work out plan; when I first started I tried Curves with a friend and that didn't work out so well because if she had an excuse not to go then I wouldn't go and if I had an excuse not to go then she wouldn't go....so I quit that and just started walking. I took the stairs instead of the elevator, I parked in the back of parking lots instead of the front, I walked on my lunch break...basically just small changes. I added some other very basic exercises as time went on as I knew exercise was key and non-negotiable, but believe me - I was never in the gym or out running marathons.

Anyway, yes. It works. It really, really works. Not only did Atkins change my way of eating...it changed my life. It gave me back confidence that I had not had since I was in high school. For the first time in years, I felt good about who I was. As a result of Atkins and my newfound love for myself I ended up leaving a marriage that wasn't healthy for me and I left a job that wasn't healthy for me either. I ended up with a great new job in Hawaii and found the most wonderful man in the world. All that....just from following Atkins.

[misplaced southerner]

Re: Please share....such winners!!!!

i have battled weight all my life. all my life. i have tried and tried to lose weight. it was NOT UNTIL i dove head long into a low carb lifestyle that i had any real success. BUT....the BIGGEST difference came for me when i combined ATKINS + EXERCISE....for me, there is no comparison to the health benefits and results i have gotten with the combination of the two.

people ask me ALL THE TIME...."how did you do it?" they think there is a magic pill, an easy road, a quick fix.....i tell them...THE HARD WAY, meaning it takes discipline, dedication, hard work, focus, energy COMMITTMENT. yep,i love atkins......but the KEY for me is ATKINS + EXERCISE (did i mention that already?)

5 and a half years ago, sitting in my doctor's office, listening to him tell me that if i did not start some kind of exercise (mostly to relieve stress) i might have a stroke, i never thought i could be a "fit"person. baby steps. 70 pounds later, 50 cholesterol points lower and a new and healthy blood pressure later......i LOVE atkins

[sallyseachange]

Re: Please share....such winners!!!!

Totally Atkins. By the book. Added exercise after the first three weeks and yes, it made a difference.

I started out just on a "diet" and never thinking I'd get rid of pasta, pizza and cakes permanently... but that's what happened. I realised that I was totally satisfied the way I was eating and that I truly could make a lifestyle change. Been on maintenance now for two and a half years.

Atkins rocks and so does !

[johnnysmom]

Re: Please share....such winners!!!!

I haven't reached goal but I've gone from 240 to 192.5 (47.5 pounds) doing strictly Atkins and hardly any exercise (ducking from the fall-out) since 10/01/08. However, I've suffered many injuries which have prevented exercising like I'd want. I'm slowly rectifying that now. So, I'm not advocating no exercise but just wanted to show you that Atkins truly does work (despite certain circumstances - i.e., inability to exercise). See my transformation below:

YOU ARE SOOOO BEAUTIFUL! Isn't it amazing (sad) how long we hid beneath our overweight bodies. CONGRATULATIONS AND THANK YOU FOR RESPONDING!

[kate58]

Re: Please share....such winners!!!!

I have a long way to go yet, but so far it's been by the book Atkins. I have absolutely no doubt that I'll eat this way (well, eventually the maintenance way) for the rest of my life. I can't imagine going back to the way that made me into a fat and unhappy blob.

[johnnysmom]

Re: Please share....such winners!!!!

Yes, I really did it all by following the Atkins program. I was pretty skeptical when I started...I'm one who has to look at things from every angle and then I question them. I was that way with Atkins too - until I found this board. It occurred to me that all of these people who had succeeded here were willing to share their knowledge, expertise, and kindness and were asking nothing in return. I don't understand a lot of scientific stuff (like why this way of eating works) but I did understand that if there was a group of people who were willing to help others even though they'd already found success there must be something to it. I briefly thought that maybe it wouldn't work for me like it had worked for everyone else - you know, maybe my body was different and I would gain weight instead of losing it, but then I realized I really had nothing to lose by just trying it.

Anyway, I started October of 2006. I was 220 pounds and I was miserable. I did nothing but follow Atkins and within 7 months I was at goal. I've never been one who is great at following a work out plan; when I first started I tried Curves with a friend and that didn't work out so well because if she had an excuse not to go then I wouldn't go and if I had an excuse not to go then she wouldn't go....so I quit that and just started walking. I took the stairs instead of the elevator, I parked in the back of parking lots instead of the front, I walked on my lunch break...basically just small changes. I added some other very basic exercises as time went on as I knew exercise was key and non-negotiable, but believe me - I was never in the gym or out running marathons.

Anyway, yes. It works. It really, really works. Not only did Atkins change my way of eating...it changed my life. It gave me back confidence that I had not had since I was in high school. For the first time in years, I felt good about who I was. As a result of Atkins and my newfound love for myself I ended up leaving a marriage that wasn't healthy for me and I left a job that wasn't healthy for me either. I ended up with a great new job in Hawaii and found the most wonderful man in the world. All that....just from following Atkins.

Your words made me cry...with joy for you...and hope for me. My life has changed BECAUSE I let myself go.....I lost my husband....then my job...have become very depressed and haven't been able to pick up myself. I am seeing a therapist...but even he will say that my WEIGHT and allowing myself to get so heavy...is and has affected every avenue of my life. I have so many things to FIX in my life, and I know that deep in my heart....a major major step would be for me to lose weight and begin to just "like" myself again...no where near the love part. If I felt "proud" about myself...I might actually go out and enjoy life again instead of hiding from everyone and everything.

Thank you for your inspiration. You are gorgeous!

[johnnysmom]

Re: Please share....such winners!!!!

Totally Atkins. By the book. Added exercise after the first three weeks and yes, it made a difference.

I started out just on a "diet" and never thinking I'd get rid of pasta, pizza and cakes permanently... but that's what happened. I realised that I was totally satisfied the way I was eating and that I truly could make a lifestyle change. Been on maintenance now for two and a half years.

Atkins rocks and so does !

Hello. I've noticed your picture many times on this site and have stopped to look in awe.

Thank you for your response and you go girl!

[johnnysmom]

Re: Please share....such winners!!!!

I have a long way to go yet, but so far it's been by the book Atkins. I have absolutely no doubt that I'll eat this way (well, eventually the maintenance way) for the rest of my life. I can't imagine going back to the way that made me into a fat and unhappy blob.

Dear Kate:

The transformation of your beautiful face is totally amazing!!! WOW! I know my face looks exactly like yours did when you first started....kinda plumpy...I want a face without plump!

Hugs and congratulations!

Nancy

[misplaced southerner]

Re: Please share....such winners!!!!

hey johnnysmom! i posted earlier but just saw your more recent comments about what you are dealing with. i was in a terribly unhappy marriage....my ex left me, my mom died 10 days later and i was faced with being fat and unhealthy and miserable and two kids who had no one to depend on but ME. that scared me to death. i had no choice...get healthy or else. all i can tell you is that there is no time like the present to make yourself your priority.....i learned to love ME.....i learned that i am worth the work and effort....i can not tell you the differnece this way of life has made for me. not just losing weight. i found me under all that weight. i really like me. i really do. i love life, i feel great, i am better able to cope with life. i have a blast with my kids, i have a great sex life, i feel confident and fun and happy....i hardly remember the other me. it hurts too much to think of that. do this for yourself. you can do it and you will have great results. we are all here to help you on this journey,,,like nike says, JUST DO IT! with each pound that melts away you WILL feel more and more proud of your efforts and as you rediscover who you are, you will discover the person you were really meant to be. i'm here for ya girl!!!

[julirama723]

Re: Please share....such winners!!!!

Well, I'm not at goal *yet* (I will be someday!), but I've lost about 95 pounds so far following Atkins. No cheats, no excuses. I drink my water, I exercised regularly from day 1, and I did the plan as intended. Of course, I had misconceptions when I started, but thankfully I found ADBB and Atkins began to make so much more sense. And how inspiring, to see people not only who were losing weight or had lost weight, but to see members who had been on Maintenance for YEARS and were still eating this way!

Even though I believe weight loss (as in pounds lost) is 80% what you put into your body, exercise has truly made the difference in fat loss and the way my body has morphed. If I hadn't exercised, I'd be the exact same shape, only smaller. But by golly, because I run and lift weights and do yoga and all sorts of things, I have an actual *waist* and I am strong. I'm also told that I don't look anywhere near 172 pounds, which is what I weigh. I have muscle to thank for that!

Atkins works, and the best part is that it is NOT a diet. It's just how I eat--lots of veggies, whole foods, some protein, healthy fats like olive oil and butter. I don't see any reason why I would ever quit eating like this.

[johnnysmom]

Re: Please share....such winners!!!!

Beautiful, just beautiful. And how happy you look!

I just know if you all can do this...there is no reason that I cannot.

Thank you.........you go girl!

[johnnysmom]

Re: Please share....such winners!!!!

Well, I'm not at goal *yet* (I will be someday!), but I've lost about 95 pounds so far following Atkins. No cheats, no excuses. I drink my water, I exercised regularly from day 1, and I did the plan as intended. Of course, I had misconceptions when I started, but thankfully I found ADBB and Atkins began to make so much more sense. And how inspiring, to see people not only who were losing weight or had lost weight, but to see members who had been on Maintenance for YEARS and were still eating this way!

Even though I believe weight loss (as in pounds lost) is 80% what you put into your body, exercise has truly made the difference in fat loss and the way my body has morphed. If I hadn't exercised, I'd be the exact same shape, only smaller. But by golly, because I run and lift weights and do yoga and all sorts of things, I have an actual *waist* and I am strong. I'm also told that I don't look anywhere near 172 pounds, which is what I weigh. I have muscle to thank for that!

Atkins works, and the best part is that it is NOT a diet. It's just how I eat--lots of veggies, whole foods, some protein, healthy fats like olive oil and butter. I don't see any reason why I would ever quit eating like this.

Julie --- my last post was fo you!!!!!!!!!! You look great...beyond great....transformed. Congrats!

[johnnysmom]

Re: Please share....such winners!!!!

Well, I'm not at goal *yet* (I will be someday!), but I've lost about 95 pounds so far following Atkins. No cheats, no excuses. I drink my water, I exercised regularly from day 1, and I did the plan as intended. Of course, I had misconceptions when I started, but thankfully I found ADBB and Atkins began to make so much more sense. And how inspiring, to see people not only who were losing weight or had lost weight, but to see members who had been on Maintenance for YEARS and were still eating this way!

Even though I believe weight loss (as in pounds lost) is 80% what you put into your body, exercise has truly made the difference in fat loss and the way my body has morphed. If I hadn't exercised, I'd be the exact same shape, only smaller. But by golly, because I run and lift weights and do yoga and all sorts of things, I have an actual *waist* and I am strong. I'm also told that I don't look anywhere near 172 pounds, which is what I weigh. I have muscle to thank for that!

Atkins works, and the best part is that it is NOT a diet. It's just how I eat--lots of veggies, whole foods, some protein, healthy fats like olive oil and butter. I don't see any reason why I would ever quit eating like this.

Julie....you really lost 95 pounds???? I don't think I know anyone who has ever been able to do that. I have such respect for you. You are an inspiration to me....you give me hope...that life as we know it....can be changed, it really really can.