Thank You Dr. Atkins!!

[IrishIrish]

First let me be clear. I'm grateful to Dr. Atkins and owe so much to his work in observing people and developing Atkins as a result of his medical practice and sharing it with us. I'm not thanking the corporate structure selling bars, shakes and everything else ... they aren't my friend and they won't be yours long term.

Having said that, I've been asked a lot by people how I lost my weight. My answer is simple. I did a clean Atkins program without the use of processed foods and I followed the words of Dr. Atkins. I learned early that this isn't about losing ten pounds quickly for vacation or some special event. It is a way of life. If you treat it otherwise and return to the way you ate before, you will regain your weight.

More than five years ago, I was nearly 500 pounds and was slowly loosing my life. Oh, I worked, I had friends and family, but my life was becoming smaller and smaller and I was becoming larger and unhealthier. I had tried every diet out there ... Weight Watchers, Diet Workshop, Jenny Craig, Nutrisystem, TOPS. I went to counselors, nutritionists, Overeaters Anonymous. It was a pattern of eating and no matter how hard I tried, my results were temporary.

I had heard about Atkins and read lots of information and finally stumbled upon this website. My husband and I agreed on a starting date and I read the book from cover to cover (he on the other hand looked at the list of Acceptable Foods relying on the fact that I would prepare the meals).

For a long time, I just lurked on the board taking in as much as I could while working the program. And then I got to know some of the people and I knew that Atkins was going to be my life line to recapturing an active life. When I began Atkins, I was on insulin twice a day, several oral medications for diabetes, two medications for hypertension, a cholesterol lowering drug, medications for chronic joint pain and several other medications. Several of the members of the board were encouraging telling their stories of losing weight and curtailing some of their medications and I thought that if there were a chance of that happening, I was going to do it.

The support here at ADBB was better than I ever could have imagined. I received friendship, support, understanding, advice, recipes, responses to questions and so much more.

As I lost weight, my activity level increased. While not being able to walk or sustain activity for a lengthy period of time, I re-discovered swimming and aquatic exercise at a nearby pool. I bought a TAEBO DVD and from a chair, went through the motions. The answer for me was to move everyday as much as I could with no excuses. The more I moved, the more weight I lost, the easier it became for me to move and increase my exercise.

The five years hasn't been without its disappointments. From a weight perspective, I stuck to it no matter what was going on ... no excuses. I lost weight steadily during the first 16 months. I did have two accidents over the last five years requiring surgery with one lengthy recovery and one shorter surgical recovery. But through it all, I knew I didn't want to use my injuries as an excuse to eat and I continued to lose weight. In fact, during that period, I moved to OWL to increase my veggies and fruits for healing.

OWL was invaluable to me. While I did a lengthy induction (all under my doctor's supervision, by the way), I learned more about my eating and what was good for me as I went through OWL. There are still foods that I stay away from, but I'd trade those foods in a second for the life I have now. I now consider myself to be at the Pre-Maintenance phase of Atkins. Through OWL, I discovered what works for me and what doesn't. OWL allows you to individualize your plan after you go through the rungs in such a way that you can avoid foods that may be triggers for overeating.

There are so many benefits I've experienced from Atkins.

• I'm no longer on insulin or oral diabetic medications. My Hemoglobin A1C is 5.9.
• I'm no longer on blood pressure medications.
• I no longer experience chronic pain (unless it is cold or it rains!! ... that is more about age!)
• My doctor has decreased my cholesterol medication by half.
• I can wear clothing purchased without shopping at specialty stores.
• I can drive a car with the seat pulled forward without my stomach touching the wheel or sit in a booth at a restaurant or sit easily in an airplane seat without annoying the person next to me.
• I can walk several flights of stairs several times a day and I don't get winded.
• I can walk with friends and carry on a conversation.
• I can order off a menu without being tormented by the choices.
• I don't have to count points or calories.

I still contribute to this board when I can to this board. I do Atkins the "boot camp way" with a clean plan, no cheats, by the book (DANDR 2002), no "frankenfoods or processed foods". Yes, dull as it may be for some who look forward to a "cheat", I wasn't willing to step onto that slippery slope to experience the long fall. I've always said that I knew I had many cheats left in me but not sure how many recoveries I had.

And speaking of the ADBB , it doesn't run itself. Tom, the Administrators and the Moderators do a great job. And the improvements on the Board are readily apparent so support the Board financially. It is a small price to pay.

I am not going to say anything that you haven't heard before. To be an Atkins success:

• Read Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution 2002. Read it, highlight the parts that you want to remember, re-read it. Consider it your instruction manual.
• Make copies of the Acceptable Food List for Induction and the Rules of Induction and carry them with you so you have no excuses. Read them often. And if it isn't on the list, don't eat it.
• Plan, plan, plan!!! Plan your meals, your snacks, your "go to" emergency plan if you find yourself stranded without your food or have a plan for travel or vacation. Don't use "emergencies" as an excuse.
• Stay hydrated with water. Water will flush out toxins.
• Exercise. Find some forms of exercise that you enjoy doing whether it is walking, dancing, an exercise class, DVD exercise, swimming, bicycling or whatever.
• Look to this board for accurate information and ask questions. The moderators or people who have had success with Atkins are willing to help.
• If you have 100 pounds or more to lose, visit Century Club. They understand long term weight loss goals.
• Remember this is Dr. Atkins plan. Doing Atkins except for the parts you don't want to do doesn't work, so don't expect it to. He spelled it out clearly in DANDR 2002. He not only tells us what to eat, but what to avoid.

If I sound harsh and by the book, it is because I am. Good health is important to me. Thankfully, I'm closer to being healthy than I was twenty years ago.

Bless you all and best wishes with Atkins.

[Georgiana]

Jo, this post should be made a required reading for everyone on the Board. Amazing story and a proof of the many benefits of Atkins.

[EverLosing]

Wow! What a terrific post!! This is certainly "sticky worthy!" Thank you for taking the time to put this together! HUGE CONGRATS on your accomplishments! AWESOME JOB!!!

[imagood1]

All I can say is W O W!!!! I may not have as much to loose as you but I understand each of your words and feel the same way about the Atkins way. I don't have cheats - I plan so if I have a bad day I can combat it by have a clean eating day. I made the mistake once and have found things to put in my purse to keep from falling or eating things I shouldn't.

Your words are so powerful - I am hoping to get off the meds I'm on also (diabetes, high triglycerides, cholesterol, blood pressure, etc) - each day I get closer. You are so right - this isn't a "bathing suit" kind of diet -- it's a lifelong way to live. When we get to a healthy weight that's exactly what we do -- we "live".

I wish you continued success.

[Sunny_0ne]

IrishIrish, that is why I come to this board... for no-nonsense instruction and success stories like yours.

I'm a believer. And I often thank Dr. Atkins.

I am so proud for you! Congratulations on your commitment and your new way of living!

[SunnySmile501]

Hear! Hear! You are to be commended for doing Atkins the way it was written and Dr. Atkins would be as proud of you as we are!

[Slapshot]

Awesome post. What a great reminder to never forget the basics of the program...

[liv]

Thanks for posting that. Made my day. I love these stories. I am going to earmark this one to read for when I need some extra inspiration. You have really turned around your life. You rock!!! Congratulations

[IrishRain]

Wow, you are truly amazing. You've done such an amazing job and you really are inspirational. I most relate to this line: "I've always said that I knew I had many cheats left in me but not sure how many recoveries I had."

Way to go, you're awesome!

[missheatherrenee]

"I've always said that I knew I had many cheats left in me but not sure how many recoveries I had."


This is one of the most amazing quotes I think I have ever seen on here. What a great post. Thank you so much for writing this. This gives all of us some perspective! Way to go on your weight loss. You are a true inspiration.

P.S.
Do you have any pictures? I would love to see your progress. Also, how did your husband end up doing on this WOL? I hope as well as you!