Before and during - From 400 lbs. to 247 lbs. Not done yet!!!

[Sarina D]

Originally Posted by dennisrayjames

hey can u tell me what u ate and the best way to have sucess on this diet im at 380 and need to be around 250 can u help

Hi Dennis,

Thanks for stopping by! Well when I started out I ate exactly what I was suppose to according to the foods that I was allowed to eat (and wasn't allergic to) from the Induction list. I picked veggies and meat that I enjoyed and became creative (the way I prepped them). I know somewhere along this thread I've given a bit of a menu idea of how I ate so when you have the time take a peek through what I've written in the past along this thread and you'll come across a menu sample. The key is, if your in Induction...make it a clean Induction (no cheats) and eat EXACTLY what and how the book instructs you to eat, drink plenty of water and fit some form of exercise into your day....exercise is CRUCIAL.....sorry, no getting around it. Eating right and exercise go hand in hand.

If you're starting out there's a great link on this thread (I'll go and find it and cut and paste it here for you) to reference......here is the link Atkins Phases

Remember there is no easy way to lose weight...mind you, I would have to say, eating this way has been the most enjoyable and luxurious way yet for me but it does take commitment, dedication, PATIENCE and a willingness to stick to it and do the right thing (ie eat right, drink your water and exercise). This is not a quick fix and should not be used as such otherwise all the hard work one puts into it and the weight they lose will return which is not only discouraging but incredibly unhealthy for our bodies.

Follow the book and do what it says and you will for sure experience success.

Keep in touch and let me know how things are going for you.

All the best,
Sarina
----------------------------
Heaviest weight - 403 lbs. (2007)
April 1, 2008 - 387 lbs. (This is when I initially started to lose weight…but was not on Atkins at this point)
Atkins start weight – 347 lbs. (July 19, 2008 – began Atkins)
1st major goal met -----100 lbs. lost as of Oct 2, 2008 - Hit 300 lbs. on this day – From April 1-08 when I initially begin to lose weight.
2nd major goal met - 151 lbs. lost as of Jan 13, 2009 - Hit 249 lbs. on this day.
3rd major goal met - Wed, May 13-09 - Reached losing 200 lbs. in just over a year and a couple of months.
4th major goal met – Reached “Onederland” June 6-09 – 198 lbs.
5th major goal met - My 1 yr. Atkins anniversary - Weighing 184 lbs. this day
Current weight – 172 lbs.
Goal weight - 150 – 160

My personal journey - Before and during - From 400 lbs. to 247 lbs. Not done yet!!!

[thinagainkaren]

Hi Sarina

An amazing journey for you and a super inspiration to everyone on the forum. Thank you for your 'full' posts/replies - the fullness of these, sharing your experiences, feelings and emotions makes for amazing reading - and keeps us all going!!

The issues of jealousy/envy shown to you and so well described by you is the 'meat on the bones' reality of life which none of us will read in a book. Losing a lot of weight I'm sure has unnerved some 'friends' who had previously pigeon-holed you (and many others out there) into a 'safe/non-threatening' place in their minds because of size. It has been said before, but you have more power because you are now (forgive the pun) an unknown quantity - insofar as what your motives/wants are. Someone's appearance = judgement on someone and when that changes, you are a new person who needs to be sussed out.

Whether we have 20 or 200 pounds to lose, there is a reason we look at ourselves one day and know we are no longer happy. Our friends and family (and darling spouses/partners) may feel we want to not only lose weight, but change everything (including them). It is hard to deal with the conflict a personal decision for you can result in - having to justify your decision, especially hard when we know we are carrying too much weight and any sane person can see some pounds need to go, but we often have to placate our loved ones that we are doing this for us and not necessarily because anything else in our lives needs to change. They love us regardless of our size, but we need to love ourselves in order to feel free to be happy in our choices - when the weight goes, we're there for them because we want to be, not because we are emotionally trapped.

You are BEAUTIFUL, inside and out - keep up your fantastic work of keeping us all going. Thoughts from the soul based on experience are what we need (especially those of us who are just quietly doing this and speak to no-one about it - reading the forum is our conversation and support about weight loss) - I hope our appreciation (posted and unposted) supports you to keep going!

Big hug and much thanks from me

Karen x

[tracyc]

you look like an entirely different person!!!! congratulations. keep it up.

[Sarina D]

Originally Posted by thinagainkaren

Hi Sarina

An amazing journey for you and a super inspiration to everyone on the forum. Thank you for your 'full' posts/replies - the fullness of these, sharing your experiences, feelings and emotions makes for amazing reading - and keeps us all going!!

The issues of jealousy/envy shown to you and so well described by you is the 'meat on the bones' reality of life which none of us will read in a book. Losing a lot of weight I'm sure has unnerved some 'friends' who had previously pigeon-holed you (and many others out there) into a 'safe/non-threatening' place in their minds because of size. It has been said before, but you have more power because you are now (forgive the pun) an unknown quantity - insofar as what your motives/wants are. Someone's appearance = judgement on someone and when that changes, you are a new person who needs to be sussed out.

Whether we have 20 or 200 pounds to lose, there is a reason we look at ourselves one day and know we are no longer happy. Our friends and family (and darling spouses/partners) may feel we want to not only lose weight, but change everything (including them). It is hard to deal with the conflict a personal decision for you can result in - having to justify your decision, especially hard when we know we are carrying too much weight and any sane person can see some pounds need to go, but we often have to placate our loved ones that we are doing this for us and not necessarily because anything else in our lives needs to change. They love us regardless of our size, but we need to love ourselves in order to feel free to be happy in our choices - when the weight goes, we're there for them because we want to be, not because we are emotionally trapped.

You are BEAUTIFUL, inside and out - keep up your fantastic work of keeping us all going. Thoughts from the soul based on experience are what we need (especially those of us who are just quietly doing this and speak to no-one about it - reading the forum is our conversation and support about weight loss) - I hope our appreciation (posted and unposted) supports you to keep going!

Big hug and much thanks from me

Karen x

Thank you Karen for taking the time out to leave such an encouraging post to me....you're timing couldn't have been more on the money! I appreciate very much your kind and thoughtful words, support, encouragement and compliments....you're most kind!

The day prior to you leaving this message I was lambasted again by some family members (extended) and a friend about my weight loss and how they feel I should stop now....which is NOT what I need to be hearing right at this moment. I asked my doctor if I could see him once a month for continued weight loss support as people are getting more and more forceful trying to make me stop and resorting to saying some pretty under the belt things to try to motivate me to stop. Like he pointed out misery loves company and they want the "old me" back.....but that's not going to happen. What you had to say also makes a lot of sense to me. Having said that, I haven't done anything remotely close to trying to change them or infer they should do anything with their weight issues (which they do have), however, I guess with them just seeing me, it makes them look at themselves and realize what they have to do but that is their choice. I don't bring my weight loss up to them at all. My aunt recently during a visit was really silly. I was absolutely shocked...we would all be talking about say the weather or politics and all of a sudden she would look at my husband my other aunt (her sister) and my uncle and say, "She's (meaning me) not going to stop losing weight, I'm going to keep gaining weight...that's what I'm going to do". I tried very hard to ignore her weird statements....but after a while, when you're sitting there I have to say it just feels down right abusive. I tried talking to them about why I'm continuing and that my doctor supports me continuing to lose weight but that didn't help one bit. My uncle pipped up and said "Tell your doctor he needs glasses or should start looking at you"...and then proceeded to tell me "You need to stop this now, "it's" just not looking right anymore." "It's" is referring to me. AND then said, "Don't say I didn't tell you so." I came home and asked my brother...."Do I look like a freak or something??????" My doctor warned me a over a year ago that this would happen. He also told me recently not to get into it anymore when people say the things they do like my extended family and "friends". He told me just to say, "Thanks very much" and then change the subject. They said a whole bunch more to me then this but I don't want to write it all here and sound like I'm complaining.....I realize they can't help themselves and have much to sort out themselves. I'm certainly no wall flower that has their feelings hurt very easily but these ongoing verbal lashings do at times end up wearing on me from time to time.

When speaking with my doctor about it he was and has always been very supportive. I told him I have to surround myself with people who are supportive with me right now in this last stretch. My husband, brother and mom and dad as well as a couple of friends and my doctor. Hence the reason I have asked to see my doctor once a month just to talk about how things are progressing with my weight loss.

Thank you for sharing all that you have, it has given me more to think about and a great deal of support and strength. I appreciate the support and encouragement very much, this journey is not an easy one and having that push of encouragement from time to time is valuable and GREATLY appreciatd. I have always said, this is not just a physical fight but an emotional one.

I look at my weight loss journey as not just being about me, but also about a whole lot of other people who are watching what I'm doing and feeling that they can do it too because I've been able to do it. I am doing it for all of us that find ourselves in a place where we realize something has to be done to turn our obesity around. I receive many, many, many emails and pm's daily (which I LOVE receiving...thanks everyone!) and I know my journey is not just about me....it's about others as well and I am NOT willing to give up because of insensitive people around me that have issues that are being triggered because of seeing my weight loss. You truly begin to see who really loves you and truly cares when such a change in one's life takes place. Having said that, I love these people very much still but now I feel sorry for their inabilities to address their own short comings (personalities, principles and values.....inability to show love and joy to others) that are being triggered by someone's accomplishments.

Thank you again Karen for writing, I can never tell you how much your message has helped me and supported me right after getting hammered emotionally the other day.....you have amazing timing! Yes indeed, your message as well as everyone's here helps me greatly....I treasure them and appreciate them more then I will ever be able to express. Thank you and thank you to everyone else that join in along with my husband, brother, mom and dad, doctor and a few friends that have been my on going support. I have big plans regarding this weight loss and I'm not about to give in anytime soon!

Please keep in touch when you're able and let me know how things are going in your life. It's wonderful to meet you!

Hugs,
Sarina
-----------------
Heaviest weight - 403 lbs. (2007)
April 1, 2008 - 387 lbs. (This is when I initially started to lose weight…but was not on Atkins at this point)
Atkins start weight – 347 lbs. (July 19, 2008 – began Atkins)
1st major goal met -----100 lbs. lost as of Oct 2, 2008 - Hit 300 lbs. on this day – From April 1-08 when I initially begin to lose weight.
2nd major goal met - 151 lbs. lost as of Jan 13, 2009 - Hit 249 lbs. on this day.
3rd major goal met - Wed, May 13-09 - Reached losing 200 lbs. in just over a year and a couple of months.
4th major goal met – Reached “Onederland” June 6-09 – 198 lbs.
5th major goal met - My 1 yr. Atkins anniversary - Weighing 184 lbs. this day
Current weight – 172 lbs.
Goal weight - 150 – 160

My personal journey - Before and during - From 400 lbs. to 247 lbs. Not done yet!!!

[Sarina D]

Originally Posted by tracyc

you look like an entirely different person!!!! congratulations. keep it up.

Hi Tracy,

Thanks for popping in, it's great to meet you!

Thank you so much for the congrats and compliment!

I wish you all the very best in your weight loss journey, please keep in touch and let me know how things are going for you!

Hugs,
Sarina
---------------------
Heaviest weight - 403 lbs. (2007)
April 1, 2008 - 387 lbs. (This is when I initially started to lose weight…but was not on Atkins at this point)
Atkins start weight – 347 lbs. (July 19, 2008 – began Atkins)
1st major goal met -----100 lbs. lost as of Oct 2, 2008 - Hit 300 lbs. on this day – From April 1-08 when I initially begin to lose weight.
2nd major goal met - 151 lbs. lost as of Jan 13, 2009 - Hit 249 lbs. on this day.
3rd major goal met - Wed, May 13-09 - Reached losing 200 lbs. in just over a year and a couple of months.
4th major goal met – Reached “Onederland” June 6-09 – 198 lbs.
5th major goal met - My 1 yr. Atkins anniversary - Weighing 184 lbs. this day
Current weight – 172 lbs.
Goal weight - 150 – 160

My personal journey - Before and during - From 400 lbs. to 247 lbs. Not done yet!!!

[sylvia2009]

Sarina,
thank you for posting the words of encouragement . I am really hanging in there I got the news 2 wks ago that my dad has 3 weeks to live. So it is a struggle going home visiting family and everyone in the old way of eating I am hanging in there. In fact I loved your post so much I am excited about walking today yay!!!!

You look absolutely beautiful , Im sure inside and out. I know that you must be so proud of yourself. I am lucky because my daughter and I do this together she is really looking cute like the seventeen year old she should be

this is her on the right dressed like Katy Perry for spirit week at school she has so much more confidence now and she is cute.

[Sarina D]

Originally Posted by sylvia2009

Sarina,
thank you for posting the words of encouragement . I am really hanging in there I got the news 2 wks ago that my dad has 3 weeks to live. So it is a struggle going home visiting family and everyone in the old way of eating I am hanging in there. In fact I loved your post so much I am excited about walking today yay!!!!

You look absolutely beautiful , Im sure inside and out. I know that you must be so proud of yourself. I am lucky because my daughter and I do this together she is really looking cute like the seventeen year old she should be

Hi Sylvia,

I'm so sorry to hear about your dad, what a horrible and very emotional time this must be for both you and your family. I just spoke with a dear friend of mine late last night. Her mom passed away yesterday afternoon at my friends home after fighting a brave 5 month battle of horrible illness. These times, there are never enough words to express how we really feel when our friends lose their loved ones...but I will say to you what I said to her....take comfort, as difficult as it is in the fact that your father will no longer be in anymore pain....that is the only comfort one can take away from losing a loved one as well as the memories of the good times. You hang in there and if there is ANYTHING I can do to help in anyway, please don't hesitate to mention it. I as well as many others here on the board are here for you.

Yes, I can appreciate the difficulty of going home and staying on plan totally but you know.....you can do it. When you arrive there, go out grocery shopping and prep foods that are legal that you can have around. That way you won't have to resort to eating what is at your finger tips when you're hungry.

Oh wow, I'm so thrilled to hear that you are excited to go out walking.....GOOD FOR YOU!!!!!!! When I hear things like this it makes my day....well done!

There is no doubt that exercise has played a huge key in my success. I have proven it a few times by lessening my routine and for medical reasons a couple of times having to quit for a few weeks. My weight loss came to a stand still and my body looked more flabby......exercise plays a HUGE part!

You're daughter is beautiful! She takes after her mom with her great looks! What a blessing to have her! Thank you for sharing a picture of her with me!

Well, I best finish getting ready for work. I finished my workout for the morning and showered and I'm a weeeeeee bit late heading out to my office LOL!!! No worries, all is good. I can come in whenever I choose in the mornings....so I'll quickly slap some make up on and head out!

Thanks so much for popping by Sylvia, I really appreciate it very much. Keep in touch and feel free to head over to the journal chat section....I caved yesterday and FINALLY started a journal!!! Pop in here as well as there when you're up to it and say hello and update me on how things are going for you.

Have a wonderful walk today, enjoy your weight loss success and keep up the great work!

Stay in touch.

Hugs,
Sarina
-----------------------------
Heaviest weight - 403 lbs. (2007)
April 1, 2008 - 387 lbs. (This is when I initially started to lose weight…but was not on Atkins at this point)
Atkins start weight – 347 lbs. (July 19, 2008 – began Atkins)
1st major goal met -----100 lbs. lost as of Oct 2, 2008 - Hit 300 lbs. on this day – From April 1-08 when I initially begin to lose weight.
2nd major goal met - 151 lbs. lost as of Jan 13, 2009 - Hit 249 lbs. on this day.
3rd major goal met - Wed, May 13-09 - Reached losing 200 lbs. in just over a year and a couple of months.
4th major goal met – Reached “Onederland” June 6-09 – 198 lbs.
5th major goal met - My 1 yr. Atkins anniversary - Weighing 184 lbs. this day
Current weight – 172 lbs.
Goal weight - 150 – 160

Before and during - From 400 lbs. to 247 lbs. Not done yet!!!

[ErinB]

Originally Posted by Sarina D

I'm certainly no wall flower that has their feelings hurt very easily but these ongoing verbal lashings do at times end up wearing on me from time to time.

Hey, gorgeous, ever slimming, nobody is kinder or sweeter, young lady. You want me to come over there and slap somebody around for you?

Don't ever let them get to you, sweetie. This is entirely about them and their issues. You, my dear child, are doing great and you should keep it up until you get where you want to go with this.

If you can feel sadness for them without letting the words worm their way in to hurt you, that's great. If you can't, then please smile, excuse yourself, and leave the room if that is necessary to end the conversation. That would not be a rude thing to do. That's called self-preservation.

They are, whether or not it is their intention, the ones being rude. Most likely they don't intend to be unkind, but perhaps they'll give it some thought if you stop being a punching bag for them. It would be, I'm sure, out of character for you, so it should receive notice, don't you think?

Take care of you. We all admire you and look up to you in so many ways.

[Sarina D]

Originally Posted by ErinB

Hey, gorgeous, ever slimming, nobody is kinder or sweeter, young lady. You want me to come over there and slap somebody around for you?

Don't ever let them get to you, sweetie. This is entirely about them and their issues. You, my dear child, are doing great and you should keep it up until you get where you want to go with this.

If you can feel sadness for them without letting the words worm their way in to hurt you, that's great. If you can't, then please smile, excuse yourself, and leave the room if that is necessary to end the conversation. That would not be a rude thing to do. That's called self-preservation.

They are, whether or not it is their intention, the ones being rude. Most likely they don't intend to be unkind, but perhaps they'll give it some thought if you stop being a punching bag for them. It would be, I'm sure, out of character for you, so it should receive notice, don't you think?

Take care of you. We all admire you and look up to you in so many ways.

Oh Erin, you put the biggest smile on my face!!!! I love the coming over here and smacking a few people! You sound like the side of my family that is Sicilian! LOL!!!!! You'd fit RIGHT in!

You are way too kind to me in your compliments, you're such a sweetheart. Thanks so much for the encouragement and support.....I faced them again last week where they started up again....before they got the whole sentence out to my dad about how much weight I've lost and that I was too skinny and had better stop now, I walked out of the room. I heard what my aunt was saying as I walked down my brother's hallway.

I am truly a real firecracker and can defend myself very well.....my strong personality is something I have worked very hard at learning how to control in times of frustration because I have absolutely no problem speaking my mind, however, it is something that I have felt through the years I had to learn how to fine tune....unfortunately, with this side of the family....talking goes in one ear and out the other. I think the problem for me in regards to trying to simply talk my weight loss over with them instead of reacting is this......

There was a 20 yr. fall out between myself and them. Although I was raised in a house with both my parents, their backgrounds were very different. My father was straight from Sicily and my mother was born here in Canada. Dad's side of the family (those I have described above) believed or perhaps I should say acted as though women should do what the men told them to do no matter what and at times were spoken to rudely by male figures. And as far as the other women went, if you weren't like them, you were a trouble maker....a mold breaker, disrespectful (In walks me.....because I wasn't like them in that regard). Interestingly enough, my dad (whom I am very close to) and my Sicilain Grandfather were not like them in this sense....my father was very strict but always listened to me and accepted my strong personality (that's what they would have deemed it....but in reality, my strength was simply being able to make my own choices and decisions without being told how it had to be) and I was the apple of my Grandfather's eye....he was the best. He accepted and cherished me for who I was.....he and I were incredibly close.

My mother recognized this about them (dad's relatives) and raised me to speak my mind openly and defend myself when needed.....her condition was as was my father's, as long as I did it in a respectful manner. She did not want me to conform to that particular cultural way.....to be walked over....having said this...not all Sicilian or Italian families are like this...but the truth is, there are some that are.

So, to make a long story short....that's what I did. If I disagreed with something, I made it know and even though it was respectful, I was looked down upon. When I was 18 yrs old a very disrespectful remark was made towards me by my uncle which I stood up to at that time. I would not roll over and accept what he said to me, it was very disrespectful, uncalled for and very out of line and I called him on it. I was not only very angry, shocked and hurt at what he said but incredibly ashamed of it because I had brought my boyfriend at the time (who is now my husband) to this dinner at their home where this took place.....so instead of taking it as far as I would have, my husband (boyfriend at the time) and I left. At which time my brother came to my defense when he found out what was said to me and just about swept the floor with my uncle so to speak (my brother is not a violent man but I share this only to show how serious his remark was to me in order for my brother to react the way he did - thankfully my brother contained himself and did not get violent). My standing up and not rolling over ended up splitting our family up. My father still saw his siblings and his mother from time to time (my Grandfather had already passed away a number of years prior) but for my brother and I, we did not see them.

I will also add, when I was 18 yrs of age, I started to date my husband - as I mentioned above (we've been married now for 17 yrs and have been together for a total of 20 yrs.) at which time they shunned him and treated him horribly even though my parents and brother loved him very much and supported my choice to date him. My husband is an awesome individual, both then and now...but they treated him very unkindly. So our family ended up being divided.

After about a year, I sat down with my uncle and tried to work it out and he ended up denying everything that took place that night (even though there were witnesses) and re-wrote the entire events of that particular, unfortunate evening and told me he would never apologize or discuss what occurred. I told him that night he was the biggest chicken **** I had ever met in my entire life. The problem and division continued. Unfortunately, I was disrespectful to him in that moment of time and I do regret that I made that statement, I exploded and had enough but I should not have said what I did....calling him what I did. I kept it together right up until that very moment as I had always been taught to do.

Oddly enough, last year......our relationships took a huge turn around and they are very good to my husband and myself now. I guess enough time has gone by and they see and recognize that life is too short and that they were wrong about my husband and I. Our marriage HAS lasted and IS very, very good.....I would imagine these are the reasons for their change because I can't explain this change otherwise.They have never been this way (kind and good to us...minus the recent weight loss remarks and jabs) and I was liking it very much.

Sooooo, the reason I share this long story (sorry about being long winded again) is because I think my problem is this.....I don't want to rock the boat, therefore, instead of standing up to them like I always did and am most capable of doing.....I have been trying another way (talking) which doesn't work. Instead, like both you and my doctor have both said to me....just walk away.....get out of the room....get out from their presence which I did last week for the first time.

I too believe they don't mean to be hurtful but they resort to using hurtful statements to try to convey their conviction in why I should stop losing and it is what they are saying and HOW they are saying it that is coming across sideways and very hurtful. Like someone once said, "You can't change anyone but you can change yourself." So, that is what I have tried to do through calm discussion...which didn't work and now I am simply walking out of the room...which did work that particular time.

Thanks so much for listening Erin and giving me all the support and encouragement you have. I can't tell you how much I appreciate you. My support (the people who support me in person in my life) is very, very small....a handful at that but even with them being so few, I feel such strength, love and encouragement from them) and I value the support and encouragement I receive from friends like yourself on this board.

Coming from being over 400 + lbs to where I am now has been quite a battle and hearing these negative remarks and trying to defend WHY I'm choosing to continue as I've mentioned is wearing at times....especially when the remarks become cruel. But thanks to my doctor and to you.....I will continue to do what I tried last week.....just to walk away......I like the self preservation method you have wisely put forth....thank you for that and thanks so much for taking the time out to go over this with me.

Keep in touch my friend, I started a journal the other day in the journal section....stop by there or here and drop me a line whenever you get the chance.

Hugs and love,
Sarina
----------------------------

Heaviest weight - 403 lbs. (2007)
April 1, 2008 - 387 lbs. (This is when I initially started to lose weight…but was not on Atkins at this point)
Atkins start weight – 347 lbs. (July 19, 2008 – began Atkins)
1st major goal met -----100 lbs. lost as of Oct 2, 2008 - Hit 300 lbs. on this day – From April 1-08 when I initially begin to lose weight.
2nd major goal met - 151 lbs. lost as of Jan 13, 2009 - Hit 249 lbs. on this day.
3rd major goal met - Wed, May 13-09 - Reached losing 200 lbs. in just over a year and a couple of months.
4th major goal met – Reached “Onederland” June 6-09 – 198 lbs.
5th major goal met - My 1 yr. Atkins anniversary - Weighing 184 lbs. this day
Current weight – 172 lbs.
Goal weight - 150 – 160

Before and during - From 400 lbs. to 247 lbs. Not done yet!!!

[ErinB]

It sounds as if you have the situation under control then and I'm relieved to hear it.

The way I look at it is that this weight thing is really a very personal issue. Anyone who takes it upon themselves to give such personal advise without invitation is out of line, extremely rude, not deserving of a response.

The reason I like the tactic of simply not participating in the conversation is that it leaves you with no regrets. I have always been able to forgive the transgressions of others and heal from any hurt those may have caused, but I have a real problem with forgiving myself when I lose it and say hurtful, vengeful, words to others.

Likewise, such a response on your part leaves them with the burden on their conscience and they don't, righteously, have anything to pin on you. Hence, it is the most likely way to stop the behavior once they realize, no matter what they say, you're not going to play.