What is your reason for doing Atkins?

[Justwannaloseafewlbs]

Re: What is your reason for doing Atkins?

Personally, I just want to lose a few pounds, as my name implies. After I lose a few pounds, I intend to go into lifetime maintenance. I think it is possible to continue on this WOL indefinitely.

[ttdriver]

Re: What is your reason for doing Atkins?

Atkins works. Nothing else worked for me. Diets left me hungry. Atkins keeps me satisifed .. I can LIVE with Atkins.

Its been nearly 6 years since I began this WOE and I don't miss a thing. Especially the 30+ pounds I lost.

Dr. Atkins is my hero.

Betty

[cutecourters]

Re: What is your reason for doing Atkins?

I have a multitude of reasons for being on the diet. Some are short term, others long term. First of all, for health. I have a 5 year old daughter and I don't teach her how to eat, no one will. I don't want her growing up as the chubby kid like I did. I don't want all the health issues that come along with being overweight. I feel like I'm young enough right now to nip this in the bud instead of wasting years, being fat, only to look back and regret not losing weight sooner.

I want to be an inspiration to my overweight mother and sister, whom I guess have given up on themselves. Sis lost a bit of weight last year but got a boyfriend and now gained it back and then some. Mom has been "trying" to lose weight for as long as I can remember, but just gets bigger every year. I have been on Atkins a few times and she's tried her own version of it after seeing my results only to quickly quit. When I told her I was on it again recently, she started with the negative comments and I let her know she was never really doing Atkins. Read the book and then get back to me.

Yes, I have beauty issues as well. Do I want to wear a bikini? Heck yes. Not sure it will happen this summer but that doesn't deter me. Special event in August where my hot ex boyfriend will be there?? More motivation here! Am I doing it "for" that event?? No, its an added bonus. Basically, I want to feel beautiful because its what I really FEEL, not because anyone else says so.

I don't understand why people try to discourage others from losing weight. "Oh, you look fine, you don't need to lose weight." I hear this a lot, and I would rather hear something like "I hope you reach your goal, whatever that may be." Something supportive. It seems like its my overweight friends/family members who say this... what are they afraid of?? When I reach my goal, if I can motivate one other person to do the same, I'll be one happy camper.
Courtney

[sallyseachange]

Re: What is your reason for doing Atkins?

I started for someone else. Someone I've not met in person. When/if a meeting eventually happens (and it will), I don't want to be the "fat friend".
Of course, I'd been unhappy with my weight for years, but my friend was the incentive to not fall into the trap of yo-yo dieting, as I had so many times before.

All those reasons still remain, but they are not the main reasons I stick with it now. Now, I live this way of life principally for myself. I'm totally satisfied with the way I eat and am ecstatic about my weight. Atkins has changed my life in many ways and I feel wonderful. No way do I intend to fall by the wayside.

[beba]

Re: What is your reason for doing Atkins?

I can't find any reason TO BE fat. That's enough for me.

[ttdriver]

Re: What is your reason for doing Atkins?

I can't find any reason TO BE fat. That's enough for me.

Amen!

Betty

[Kawispice]

Re: What is your reason for doing Atkins?

I am almost embarrassed to say what my motivation is... compared to the health reasons some people have, mine seems so minor.

I am dieting primarily to fit into my riding gear. Over the years I bought some quite expensive (thousands of dollars) worth of motorcycle riding clothing. They do not stretch because they are protective clothing. It is difficult to buy safe and pretty riding wear for females in general and I have spent a lot of time aquiring these items. Last year I put on some weight and when riding season came the clothes were uncomfortable. This year I wasn't going to let something like being too fat stop me from riding.

The thing is, for many reasons one must be at optimal level of fitness to ride safely. (I am 50ish but can easily pass for 20 years younger.) I have a couple of sports bikes (one a Kawasaki, thus "Kawispice") and they have to be handled carefully and with strength, so that is my motivation for staying fit... my love of riding. And... that never goes away....

[owl48]

Re: What is your reason for doing Atkins?

Absolutely for health reasons! I'm approaching 50 and something just clicked...I felt I had to change NOW! (and for good)

I could barely bend over to tie my shoes! I kept thinking of my aunts who died in their late fifties....all of them extremely over weight...both my sisters struggling with painful knee problems from the weight they carry around. I just decided I didn't want obesity to be the cause of anything I may face in the future.

[ourlittlejack]

Re: What is your reason for doing Atkins?

My immediate response is one of vanity...I want my pre-baby body back. My kids are not babies anymore, and I need to get back to "me". Right now I'm just not comfortable in my own skin.

My long term answer is one of health. After my second son was born, I was diagnosed with Thyroid Cancer. Surgery to remove my thyroid and 72 cancerous lymph nodes left me bloated and overweight. My energy was low as was my mood. I've been trying for a year to get my weight back down to normal and nothing seems to work for me.

I bought the book "The Thyroid Diet" and began to read. It talks about low glycemic foods and the positive effect it can have on thyroid patients re: weight and emotional state. It struck me as similar to snippets I've read about Atkins, and prompted me to buy DANDR.

So here I am, using both books, and hoping for my answer. We'll see!

[LooseShoes]

Re: What is your reason for doing Atkins?

My major reason is health. I watched my dad die from congestive heart failure and diabetes, and that is no way to go. He took pretty good care of himself, was always active and ate pretty healthy. He wasn't anywhere near as overweight as I was. It worried him that I was so overweight. I went to the doctor last August, and she was not thrilled with my blood pressure or my blood sugar. I talked her out of medicating me, but I knew I had to do something.
My ex-husband, my kids' dad, has congestive heart failure and diabetes. He hasn't tried to take care of himself. Was never active and never ate healthy. He's 58 and on total disability. My kids need to see a better way. My 16 year old son is becoming more proud of me. My 12 year old daughter is exercising with me and tells me all the time how nice I look now. I went to the doctor a few weeks ago and blood pressure is fine, I assume blood sugar is since she hasn't tried to contact me.
The week before I started Atkins, I had heartburn every night. Sometimes it woke me up it was so bad. My feet would swell. My TOM was miserable, migraines and pains. I sneezed all the time (wheat allergies, I think). My left knee was starting to hurt going up or down stairs. I had all kinds of digestive problems. Since I started Atkins, I've never had heartburn. My feet have quit swelling, my TOM is normal. I don't sneeze, except for spring allergies. My knee is feeling stronger with exercise and less weight on it. My digestive problems have cleared up. Why would I go back to a way of eating that made me miserable in pretty much every way? Dr Atkins is my hero, too.

[godsbeloved79]

Re: What is your reason for doing Atkins?

So, why are you doing this? What is your motivation? Is it just to fit into that bathing suit, or do you really believe that this is the way you should and CAN live your life from now on? Unless it is the latter, then I dare say, the success will probably just be temporary as it was for me on my first two attempts.

What a great thread! Thanks for starting it!

I'm doing Atkins, because it is the ONLY WOE, that I can stick with and lose weight. My motivation is to be healthy and also to wear ALL the cute clothing I have sitting in my closet. The thought of not being bloated and looking FAT.......................truly MOTIVATES ME! I've learned that maintaining is what matters. I have a plan in place for that, so I won't have to return here with my OMGOSH I gained all my weight back and more thread. One has to decide that this is what they want to do, and DO IT!

[Monroe]

Re: What is your reason for doing Atkins?

Sorry to bump this from so long ago, but I feel like I need to share why I am on it, I read everyones post and found it inspiring to me in a way. A few years ago my feet started swelling a little bit here and there, and thought it might be from me sitting at the computer all day long. Well as time went on, some days were bad, some not so bad. One day I woke up and they were VERY swollen I could barely put my shoes on. Here is a pic of what they looked like that day, be warned they are not sexy feet so click at your own risk! http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/8011/feetet3.jpg

That made me go to the hospital cause I knew something was wrong. I get to the hospital and they thought my heart was bad or maybe had/having small heartattack. So they brought me up to the heart floor, can't remember what it was called. But the doctor came in and said I have some news for you. I was scared cause he looked concerned, then he said I had type 2 diabetis. My grandma had it, and I lived with her for years, but I really didnt know how and why you get it. So after I was released I knew I had to do something. I am still struggling with my weight loss but I am back on track now, I have to be cause I have 2 kids, 3 and 4, they are my total inspiration. That is my reason why!

[Debi2007]

Re: What is your reason for doing Atkins?

I am so glad this thread did get bumped up. I loved it. Very inspiring!

I have been overweight since I was born. Literally. My mom actually fed me mashed potatoes (slathered with butter and milk) in a baby bottle when I was several months old. I have been addicted to carbs ever since. I grew up eating for everthing... happy - eat, sad - eat, celebrate - eat, lonely - eat, depressed - eat. On and on it went. I experienced high school as traumatic being teased mercilessly. Then as an adult, very much the same. Emotional eating, being made fun of and insulted, not fitting in, standing out in a crowd... and now aging. Age has come with aches and pains. Getting pregnant five years ago was a life threatning experience. However, I made it through, had a beautiful son - but gained even more weight and lost quite a bit of muscle strength with a tough pregnancy that left me in bed the last four months.

So, through the years... many great and serious reasons to lose weight. I have spent a lifetime dieting and never dropping below 280. I finally reached 400 this year and turned 40. Talk about a wake up call!!! I remembered my grandmother barely able to walk as she reached her older years because of the weight. I look at my beautiful four year old son and desperately want to be healthy and strong to be a good mom and to be around for years to come. My motivations run deep. So, this year I intend to not yo-yo and give up again. It is too important.

I have never experienced thin for even a day in my life. I want to know what it feels like. I want to feel healthy. There are so many things I have never done... so many things I want to do. I feel trapped inside of these pounds and I want them gone. I want the freedom. I want the strength. I don't want to live my entire life having wondered what it would feel like if... I want to live the next many years of my life healthy, strong, vibrant, and thin. I want it more than anything...

[onmyway145]

Re: What is your reason for doing Atkins?

I wanted to lose weight really to look better, but then I was diagnosed with PCOS so now i don't only want to lose the weight but I HAVE to, if I ever want my hormones back to normal and if I ever want to see AF again. Also I would love to have another child...it's been six years since my son was born and he wants to be a big brother darnit!

[TitianWasp]

Re: What is your reason for doing Atkins?

I was always "normal", with my weight being 120-125 lbs. it was still 125 when I was 35. ( last I remember!).. I had same clothes since I graduated from college. I remember for sure, when I was 43, I was cleaning my backyard wearing my old jeans from when my daugter was 7 years old ( hmmm she is 28 now). When I visited my Mom ( I remember I was 45), I helped her clean the house wearing my college pants. ... so... nothing to worry about. But then... when I was 47... I realized I am buying more and more clothes... larger and larger. When I hit 180 lbs and size 18.. that was IT.

So... my reason?? being back to my old self. I know, I wont be 125 lbs again.. but I can be 135 ( maybe).. or at least stay at 143-140..


Dui

That is exactly it - regaining my old self. I was always the skinny girl, and it's funny because people talk about the dangers of going back to one's old way of eating, but my old way of eating made me skinny. It's the new way of eating, since having kids, that got me into trouble. I want the old me back again. That's why I am on Atkins.