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Let's rewind the tape ..
January 18, 2002 and I was feeling as low as I ever have in my life. I was 46 years old and in the absolutely WORST shape of my life.
Having fought thyroid disease for the previous 5 years and becoming less and less active, I gained alot of weight; well, at least on MY frame, it was alot .. 40 extra pounds, ALL OF WHICH WAS FAT.
I was miserably unhappy with myself. I knew I needed to make radical changes in my life, but how? I tried low-fat and got hungrier than ever. I tried smaller portions and felt deprived all the time. I tried fat-free and got fatter. WHAT WAS THE ANSWER?
Then, that evening, on a trip to Walmart for miscellaneous items, I noticed DANDR in the "action aisle" .. I picked it up and thought .. 'oh what the heck, its only 6 bucks' and threw it in the cart. Not knowing how, from that point onward, my life would totally change forever .. not just physically either.
Much as I wanted to lose the weight, what I really needed was a total health transformation. I had major issues with irritable bowel syndrome, migraine headaches, acid reflex on a nearly daily basis. My blood pressure, although never "high" was higher than it had ever been. My cholesterol was unchartable. Every part of my body ached from lack of physical exercise. My back would hurt so much in the night that I would wake up crying. My knees hurt to the point that climbing a simple flight of stairs would have me audibly moaning. I knew knee replacements were in my future. The only clothes in my closet were either elastic or spandex. I only wore extra large tshirts .. sleeveless tops were out of the question. I was nearly middle-aged and looking more and more like my obese mother everyday.
January 19, 2002, I began my Atkins "test" for 2 weeks. As I read DANDR, I thought "who is this man, who is basically "guaranteeing" that I will lose weight on his plan?? He is either a charlatan, an egotist, or both. Who on earth could eat fat and lose weight???????????????????????????????????
Well friends, as they say, you know the rest of the story. It is now 5 years to the day ... and I look back in total amazement. My story really isn't about what I've "lost" as much as what I've "gained." Yes, I lost 40 pounds, and yes, I've kept it off. But what's more important to me at this point in my life, is what I've gained .. all my previous health maladies are history; I've gained a love for physical activity (read: running) that I *never* in my wildest imaginings thought was possible. I completed my first 26.2 mile marathon at age 50, and have since run my second .. I've kept up with my exercise since day one on Atkins .. something I never could do before .. I've gained such an appreciation for LIVING .. for enjoying the foods that have radically improved my health ... FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE....
Sometimes people ask "how can you eat that way for the rest of your life" .. HUH?? I ask you, "HOW CAN YOU NOT??"
Believe me, I am not an exception. If you commit to LC, whether its Atkins or another plan, commit with every ounce of your being. Set your mind on success and settle for nothing less. Eat as if your life depends on it .. because IT DOES. Exercise truly *is* NON-NEGOTIABLE...so I encourage you to start today if you haven't already .... My body was on the ropes 5 years ago, but not so, today .. even though its 5 years older ! As I've often said, "the body does NOT deteriorate from over-use, but rather the lack of it ..." Don't be a fool and try to undo the damage at middle-age like I did .. oh yes, you can do it, but it gets more challenging with every year that passes.
Thank you, to all my friends on this board, who are a constant encouragement and inspiration to me !! Hugs to all!
Betty
January 18, 2002 and I was feeling as low as I ever have in my life. I was 46 years old and in the absolutely WORST shape of my life.
Having fought thyroid disease for the previous 5 years and becoming less and less active, I gained alot of weight; well, at least on MY frame, it was alot .. 40 extra pounds, ALL OF WHICH WAS FAT.
I was miserably unhappy with myself. I knew I needed to make radical changes in my life, but how? I tried low-fat and got hungrier than ever. I tried smaller portions and felt deprived all the time. I tried fat-free and got fatter. WHAT WAS THE ANSWER?
Then, that evening, on a trip to Walmart for miscellaneous items, I noticed DANDR in the "action aisle" .. I picked it up and thought .. 'oh what the heck, its only 6 bucks' and threw it in the cart. Not knowing how, from that point onward, my life would totally change forever .. not just physically either.
Much as I wanted to lose the weight, what I really needed was a total health transformation. I had major issues with irritable bowel syndrome, migraine headaches, acid reflex on a nearly daily basis. My blood pressure, although never "high" was higher than it had ever been. My cholesterol was unchartable. Every part of my body ached from lack of physical exercise. My back would hurt so much in the night that I would wake up crying. My knees hurt to the point that climbing a simple flight of stairs would have me audibly moaning. I knew knee replacements were in my future. The only clothes in my closet were either elastic or spandex. I only wore extra large tshirts .. sleeveless tops were out of the question. I was nearly middle-aged and looking more and more like my obese mother everyday.
January 19, 2002, I began my Atkins "test" for 2 weeks. As I read DANDR, I thought "who is this man, who is basically "guaranteeing" that I will lose weight on his plan?? He is either a charlatan, an egotist, or both. Who on earth could eat fat and lose weight???????????????????????????????????
Well friends, as they say, you know the rest of the story. It is now 5 years to the day ... and I look back in total amazement. My story really isn't about what I've "lost" as much as what I've "gained." Yes, I lost 40 pounds, and yes, I've kept it off. But what's more important to me at this point in my life, is what I've gained .. all my previous health maladies are history; I've gained a love for physical activity (read: running) that I *never* in my wildest imaginings thought was possible. I completed my first 26.2 mile marathon at age 50, and have since run my second .. I've kept up with my exercise since day one on Atkins .. something I never could do before .. I've gained such an appreciation for LIVING .. for enjoying the foods that have radically improved my health ... FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE....
Sometimes people ask "how can you eat that way for the rest of your life" .. HUH?? I ask you, "HOW CAN YOU NOT??"
Believe me, I am not an exception. If you commit to LC, whether its Atkins or another plan, commit with every ounce of your being. Set your mind on success and settle for nothing less. Eat as if your life depends on it .. because IT DOES. Exercise truly *is* NON-NEGOTIABLE...so I encourage you to start today if you haven't already .... My body was on the ropes 5 years ago, but not so, today .. even though its 5 years older ! As I've often said, "the body does NOT deteriorate from over-use, but rather the lack of it ..." Don't be a fool and try to undo the damage at middle-age like I did .. oh yes, you can do it, but it gets more challenging with every year that passes.
Thank you, to all my friends on this board, who are a constant encouragement and inspiration to me !! Hugs to all!
Betty
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Betty all the way!
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