Hello

[stubbytails]

Been on every fad diet and program around, from Calling Jenny to Gastric Bypass. I finally had ATKINS shoved down my throat by my doctor.
Now I finallyget how to manage my food and my health. So I'm here to lend and receive low carb support.
I'm working with pre-maintenance currently and struggling with my self image. I don't want to forget how long this journey has been and maintain. In my opinion the first step is a big hurtle....just starting was major for me, but a snap once I did it. NOW, the biggest issue how to maintain forever!

[bmarie]

Re: Hello

Wow, congrats on your success. It looks like you've done a fantastic job so far. I think once I reach my goal, the maintenance will be the biggest issue as well. Hopefully, once I can fully accept this way of eating as a lifestyle change, the struggle to maintain won't be quite as much of an issue. I'd be interested to hear what you felt the biggest struggles were as you progressed through your weight loss. Again, congrats on all you've accomplished.

[stubbytails]

Re: Hello

Hi Bmarie,
Thank you so much. The recognition is a major support for me.
I think the whole concept of eating low carb was a huge task for me understand. Mostly because it was the opposite of everything I had been taught through years of dieting that I was never able to stay on. I always felt deprived and could not wait to lose enough so I could celebrate and have something I had been denied.
Once I accepted that fat does not make me fat, and the threat of going on insulin again-something clicked.......Carbs are my enemy and I can't control them. I was ALWAYS hungry.
My sweet old Doctor, told me to go home and throw everything that had carbs. I told him he was crazy, that my 3 freezers and all my cupboards needed to be stocked incase I needed something or we were invaded or something. HE LAUGHED AT ME! Then bless him, he explained what happens with carbs in my bloodstream and how my body stores carbs....ON MY BUTT
Dr. Fox then told me to eat anything that moves and don't try to limit that, but under NO circumstances eat anything with roots. That was March 27 this year, and I'm down 70 from March.
I am struggling with my last 20, because I think I look OK. I have gotten comfortable with knowing I've lost enough that I feel good. I know I will continue to lose, I have learned to eat protein when I'm hungry and I eat till I'm full. I don't limit quantities at all. I will never go back to eating sugar or flour again.....I can't control them.
Please let me know if this helps, and I am here if I can support you in anyway. Support friends will help me continue on my path also.
Thank you again for your support Bmarie.
chris52@stubbytails.com
I'm here anytime.

[chinadoll]

Re: Hello

Hey Chris. Congratulations on your loss and your lifestyle changes. I expect that Maintenance will be pretty similar to your weight loss journey. Most of those who are successful keep a pretty tight rein on things. BUt looking and feeling good are the biggest thing. If the scale doesn't go down very quickly, so what. I think getting control of your eating and blood sugar are by far the best payoffs anyway. Kudos to your Doctor for recognizing Atkins as a plausible solution for you. SO few doctors are willing to be open minded. Check out our Maintenance threads for other folks who are doing this for life and struggling with some of the same issues. Glad you found us. Activity here keeps folks accountable and it is always nice to have another success story in which the newbies can find inspiration.

[stubbytails]

Re: Hello

Jill,
Thank you so much for the support. You are doing well with your journey, are you doing induction or OWL phase? Once we get started it's a break through don't you think? I told myself every morning today is the day.....boy lots of days went by. Good for you and you are moving along.....BTW waiting for a whoosh?
I do feel blessed to have been guided by a wise old doctor that has been my strength and cheerleader every month.
He is told me never to eat anything that has roots.
Eat as much as I want if it walks. I don't know why but that has stuck with me, each time I reach for something to put into my mouth. I have not felt deprived on my way down as I had in the past and I have not limited quantities. I eat till I'm full and satisified. That was my aha moment!
May I keep in touch? Always need other peas in this pod. Thank you ChinaDollJill.

[atkinsgal08]

Re: Hello

>>Dr. Fox then told me to eat anything that moves and don't try to limit that, but under NO circumstances eat anything with roots. T>>

Does that mean no vegetables?

[stubbytails]

Re: Hello

Hello T,
I honestly try to steer clear of veggies right now. Until I can maintain at my goal weight for a period of time I am not eating veggies. I was concerned when my doctor suggested this, but understand the logic.
I want to maintain ketosis, since I started in March I have not gained a single pound.
But remember I have also had a RNY gastric bypass, so I need protein more than anything. So my satisfaction is fulfilled by protein and my dietary needs come from vitimins.
My issue with eating is that I never get full or satisified. Protein has helped me overcome the craving for carbs and constant eating.
Hope this helps.

Chris

[atkinsgal08]

Re: Hello

>> I honestly try to steer clear of veggies right now.>>

Oh.

Since Atkins is really about vegetables, I'm not really understanding how you're "doing Atkins".

[stubbytails]

Re: Hello

Hi there,
You said - Since Atkins is really about vegetables, I'm not really understanding how you're "doing Atkins".
Perhaps I don't understand.
For me Atkins is not about vegetables at all. I understand Atkins as controlling carbs, and eating protien to contol carb cravings.
Veggies are carbs, as is sugar, flour, grains and legumes.
I've had bariatric surgery and lost the weight once, but gained it back when I started adding carbs back into my diet.
Controlling carbs is imparitive for me to control my weight. Since I can only eat a couple of oz's at a time,
I follow Atkins plan and have protein for my nutritional content.
I try to make it 90% and control carbs. Right now I avoid all 3 types of carbs until I am stable at my goal.
At goal I will add complex carbs until I reach and know my ACE.
The result is that my cravings are gone, my blood sugar has stablized, I'm off insulin.
So actually I guess I am on a modified phase of induction that is effective for me and I've lost steadily and easily by controlling carbs without veggies.
Hope that provides some understanding of how I'm doing Atkins.

Christine

[atkinsgal08]

Re: Hello

>> For me Atkins is not about vegetables at all.>>

I figured that. However, that's now what Dr. Atkins envisioned.

>> Hope that provides some understanding of how I'm doing Atkins.>>

I understand you're doing a modified form of low carb.

However, I know of no reputable low carb plan that eliminates vegetables.

>> I've had bariatric surgery and lost the weight once, but gained it back when I started adding carbs back into my diet.>>

Vegetable carbs?

[Jenileigh]

Re: Hello

I just wanted to welcome you here! I still have a ways to go and look forward to hearing some encouragement.

[stubbytails]

Re: Hello

Thank you Jeni,
I appreciate the welcome. From your our progress looks like you are a success with induction. I'm here and I can offer all the encouragement you can swallow young lady. Now you get that camera out and measuring tape and start documenting your wonderful progress. I bet you can incorporate your progress with your home schooling...Whatcha think.
Can't wait to hear more from you.

Christine