five years and counting...

[soxlover]

Hi everyone! I started on my journey on Oct. 27, 03. I was 50 and at 4'11" weighed over 200 lbs. I made it through that first Halloween with no candy and was well on my way. I now weigh between 141 and 150 (post holiday or cruises, etc.,lol) Many people thought for sure that I would go back to the "dark side" but I've had very little trouble maintaining my weight loss. I also no longer need blood pressure medication. A lot of people still don't believe that you can eat this way and keep weight off and cholesterol down. My own pcp was skeptical but monitored my health throuout the process and since. Last year he himself decided to try a low-carb plan and lost 18 pounds. I asked him why he finally gave in. His answer was that it was the only thing that worked. I can't say that's true for everyone but after years of trying every diet I can say without hesitation that it was and is true for me.

[gman]

Re: five years and counting...

Soxlover-
What a great story! And a great life! We have seen new light on this "side" haven't we?
Thanks for the inspiration as I have lost before - kept most off - and as I turn 50 this year and have a final goal to hit by then. Here's to long-term maintenance success.
BTW Please share your secrets to success.
Glenn

[eclectikat]

Re: five years and counting...

thankyou so much for your input here. we need to hear more stories like this. I have only just begun my tranformation. I look in the mirror every day seeing subtle changes and look into my eyes to see if I can see the future Kathy... will she reamain succesdful will she reach her goals.. I always tell myself YES I CAN DO IT... but it is nice to hear from someone living it...
I can't wait to leave a message here at the ADBB in 2013... saying this is me 5 years in.....

thanks
Kathy

YES SHARE YOUR SECRETS!! even your struggles....

[In2luvnme]

Re: five years and counting...

Good for you! Thanks for sharing....I will make it through tomorrow thinking about your story!!!

[joee5]

Re: five years and counting...

So what's the total weight you lost since you began? I figured it to be about 50 pounds, in 5 years? Is this correct? God Bless,Joe

[dreamof145]

Re: five years and counting...

Great tribute to the low-carb way of life. If you are excited about your choices and hang out with others who are living it, (like the ones here at ADBB)...then it really isn't that difficult. Thanks for sharing and WELCOME.

[soxlover]

Re: five years and counting...

Dear Atkins folks,

I'm great at losing weight but terrible at navigating this whole site. I've only joined the computer age in the last year. Maybe someone could help me?

Anyway, I can tell you the most important things I learned/did to lose the weight.

First: I DECIDED! That's incredibly important. I know we all have tried a million times to lose weight but I promised I would give it a fighting chance and not give up before a week or two was over.

Second: I BELIEVED! After immersing myself in reading every low-carb source and deciding that Atkins would be my best shot, I committed to it because I believed in the concept and knew it would work if I gave it a chance.

Third: I had to retrain my brain to forget everything I (and we) have been told about weight loss and nutrition such as low fat is always good and fat in food is our mortal enemy. You can't do Atkins and try to hold onto those vestiges of previous diet plans. I embraced fat as part of my healthy lifestyle and my cholesterol numbers (under 200 total and low ldl/high hdl) are proof of those fallacies. The food companies/corn syrup producers etc. have done a masterful job at trying to manipulate our food habits and Americans have been eating low-fat and getting fatter by the decade!

Fourth: I gave/give myself the chance to be an imperfect human being. This isn't a contest to see who can do it right the longest. This is about my health with a fortunate side-affect being substantial weight loss. The beauty of Atkins is that if you fall off occaisionally it's usually easy to pick back up because the foods you eat are so satisfying that it's not a deprivation issue.

Wow, who wound me up this morning??? LOL

Anyway, good luck to all the "newbies" and just keep believing in the plan and YOURSELVES and you will be successful.

[gman]

Re: five years and counting...

Soxlover-

Thank you for sharing your success strategy. If I can summarize, let me know if this is right:

Think it.
Feel it.
Do it.
Do it until it's right or at least getting better.

We have a term called STICKY, here at the ADBB, that designates significant member postings to be displayed at the top of the list ... so everyone will read them and benefit from them. I'd like to make my first nomination, as a month-long member, that your posts on five years and counting... be a STICKY!
Have a great day!

Glenn

[liv]

Re: five years and counting...

Wow. I loved your four points. Those are so true. And I think that last one is particularly important. So many of us are in a hurry to achieve perfection that we forget what is really important.

[studyinscarlet]

Re: five years and counting...

Congrats on your success! Its an inspiration to us all.