Wow!!!

[kat7hy]

So I started this Atkins journey two weeks ago and originally I had posted that my official Day 1 was the 19th simply because I was getting into the groove of it so to speak starting on the 17th (I was following the rules but wasn't sure of my portions and was not on fitday, etc.) but I am honoring the getting into the groove weekend start because I was doing what I was supposed to do although I am adhering more now to the Fit Day percentages of fat/protein/carb, etc. Well I was feeling very good this past two weeks despite some TOM bloating anxiety and decided to count in starting on the 17th - so I weighed in today on Day 14 and I cannot believe my results!!!!!!! (Updated below in signature)

Beyond just the numbers I would like to share the ways my life feels so much better after two weeks:
1. A sense of well being - my emotions are more stable than when I was in the vicious carb cycle and overall I am just more positive.
2. More energy - The first few days were tough but now I wake up before the alarm on many days and I sleep SO well.
3. I am back into loving the gym - I actually want to work out and as my body is shrinking in conjunction with feeling more positive and confident I just want to keep working out more!
4. Fabulousness - When I was feeling crappy and again, in the vicious carb cycle I wasn't that motivated to really 'show up' for life - I have a bigger smile now, I walk more confidently and I really put effort into my fashion/appearance - I'm not even near my goal but it doesn't matter.
5. My skin - all of this water, more exercise, and no more sugar processed food and more veggies - my complexion is glowing - I don't even have to wear as much makeup as I used to because I am so happy with my skin tone.
6. I was truly in **** - feeling lousy and heavy, emotions everywhere, feeling generally depressed, etc. - I never want to forget that because I don't want to forget how important this is.
7. My jeans! A pair that I have not been able to put on up until this point I can now wear (a little snug but they'll get looser)

Long post I know, but I just had to express this and hopefully anyone reading and feeling discouraged on induction will find some inspiration from it.

THANK YOU ATKINS!!!!!
(BTW - I will now be moving to extended induction)

[Sunny_0ne]

Kathleen, that is the most wonderful news!!!!!!!!!!

Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!

I am feeling many of those positive results, too... I can't believe I am the same person!

Keep on doing what you are doing!!!!

[clogger]

Kat7hy, that is AWESOME! When you listed all of the other positive things you have felt besides weight loss it reminded me of this thread (What excuse do you have......).

Since you only have 34 pounds left to lose it may be a good idea to start moving up the OWL rungs. The first rung is just more veggies. Many people have great weight loss success even in OWL. If you had a lot more weight to lose then staying in extended induction might be a good idea, but in your situation OWL seems to be the best idea.

Like Dr. Atkins says you don't have to move up a rung each week. You can be on rung one for 2 weeks and then move onto rung 2 (dairy - like fresh cheeses (cottage cheese), low-carb yogurt, etc). Or you can be on rung 1 for one week and then move up to rung 2 and hang out there for two weeks, etc. It's important to find your CCLL (critical carbohydrate level for losing) and CCLM (critical carbohydrate level for maintaining) before you reach your goal weight. That's what OWL is for. Also, you'll be able to see what, if any, foods on those rungs inhibit your weight loss.

I'm offically on rung 7 as of Thursday, but I haven't had any beans yet. I also didn't have any alcohol on rung 6, but I've added dairy, nuts (including sugar-free peanut butter), strawberries, blueberries, and other non-Induction foods and have still had great weight loss success. The variety is nice. It's a treat for me to have strawberries, blueberries, walnuts, and a little heavy cream. Yummy! Plus, there's no guilt .

Good luck to you as you continue on your Atkins journey. Wishing you continued success...

[Desertthorn]

I agree with your list.

I do want to warn you though, there is this hesitation point on this plan where you just seem to be stuck on the same numbers and it gets so frustrated. We lose a lot of folks during this time as they just don't have patients to wait it out.

[blueberrylady]

Congratulations on your loss! I know the feelings you have now are almost like being 'high' and it's because you know you are in control of your eating and your life. What you are doing is working so keep it up and good luck to you.

[kat7hy]

Thanks everyone for your kind words and encouragement and thanks for the guidance Clogger. Desertthorn - thanks for your warning but this is not a silly high, it's happiness from hard work, and I can bask in the success while fully knowing that I'm not going to have the same rapid weight loss going forward. Thanks everyone - have a great night!!

[AliciaDavene]

CONGRATULATIONS Kat! I really enjoyed reading your post, it's great to see that I'm joined by others in finding this "new sense of me". It can be a tough hole to climb out of - when your unhappy with yourself and generally just sad - but just learning to take care of me has already improved every aspect of my life. Keep up the great work, I'm pushing for you!

GL this upcoming week!

[kat7hy]

Thanks Alicia - I'm so happy that you are getting all of the benefits of this WOE as well. We CAN do this!!! Have a great day! Kathleen