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Pear Shape Trying Again
SW-220.5
GW-120
This is the third time I’ve done Atkins. The first time I was a teenager and Atkins had just come out. I was not overweight by any means, but I had developed saddlebag thighs which made it difficult to wear pants. Having a small waist made it especially hard because if the thighs fit, the waist was so baggy I couldn’t wear them. I lost the saddlebags and went on with my life.
My major weight problems started when I was pregnant with my first child. I weighed 110 lbs to start and gained weight rapidly. The problem was it wasn’t it my belly but in my thighs and rear. I didn’t even look pregnant until I was 6 or 7 months along, but my thighs and rear had gained several sizes. After strictly dieting, the weight came off but my thighs and rear were still way out of proportion to the rest of my body.
Through three pregnancies and three miscarriages, I gained fifty pounds and lost them through stringent dieting and exercise. It got harder and harder to lose the weight until after third pregnancy—I couldn’t get the weight to stay off.
During the low fat craze I cut out all fat that I could. I joined Weight Watchers over and over again. I hired a personal trainer did cardio and intense weights and strictly followed their the Weight Watchers Point system. I started gaining and losing the same pound over and over again and finally ended up GAINING 20 pounds. I spent all my free time in the gym, had no time for myself, and was exhausted. Every time I spend a lot of time exercising, it seems that my weight loss stops and I even start gaining. (And no—I am not losing inches, I’m gaining them.) I feel that the hormone that makes me store weight in my thighs and rear is out of control.
I got up to 213 pounds and panicked. At 5’3’’ that is really heavy. I had a thryroid test which came back normal. I refused the Meridia my doctor suggested as I don’t really overeat. I ate less than anyone in my family, I just wasn’t burning the calories I was
taking in or were stored. I feel as if my metabolism had turned off.
A friend suggested Atkins, which at this point I believed to be dangerous because of ketosis. I found that ketosis wasn’t dangerous and decided to try it. I was thrilled that I could eat what I wanted and was no longer famished and exhausted all the time even though I was eating less.
I was using Metabolife (ephedra) at the same time and I SLOWLY started to lose weight ½ to 1 pound per week. I lost 30 pounds and then stalled for a year. I went off the ephedra when it was in the news as dangerous.
As low carb became popular I started adding some junk low carb foods and the weight crept on. I started incorporating starches and sugars I shouldn’t be eating and before I knew it, I was 220!
I am extremely pear shaped. Buying and trying on clothes is a nightmare even in a large persons shop. I currently wear a size 12 to 14 on top and a size 24 on the bottom if I have the waist taken in a foot. Dresses are impossible as are long blazers or jacket and coats. I wear drawstring pants when I can get them. Very hard to find. I only wear black on the bottom.
I started Induction on January 10, 2006 and have been on it for 10 days. This time I cut out all caffeine. I am drinking all the water and taking the vitamins. I feel great but am afraid to weigh as I don’t feel thinner. The only thing I haven’t done is organized exercise. I am always on the go and this week has been exceptionally busy so I am proud that I am at least on track foodwise. I have baked brownies and cake for my daughters birthday and not been tempted in the least. I am going to Disneyland tomorrow and am sneaking in hardboiled eggs and no carb sausage sticks so I can stay on plan and not starve.
I do plan to do a thirty minute walk starting next week so I will finally be doing all of Induction correctly.
Would love to hear if there are any other extreme pear shapes out there who have had success or failure with Atkins. This is my last resort. I am considering liposuction if Atkins doesn’t work on this area. I hate the thought of surgery for this but I at least want
To be able to look in proportion.
Thanks for the inspirations this board provides!
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