A diet - for life?! Yes!

[jessicacope]

Hi guys, it's been a little bit since I posted and I have a little story to tell you all.
I started Atkins and went through the full 2 week induction and was in Ketosis. And I might add, that I was doing GREAT on the diet. Well, I had talked my mom into doing the diet as well. She had a very hard time on it because she is a huge sugar and snacks person. Well she lost 6 pounds and I lost 8 in two weeks. I thought that I'd give it a chance and go off of Atkins and count calories like my mom really wanted to do (as I had lost a lot of weight before doing this). So, I got off of Atkins for ONE DAY and was absolutely miserable. I have Fibromyalgia and along with that comes symptoms of IBS, and the IBS completely went away while I was on Atkins... the FIRST day I ate bread my stomach was tore up, I started feeling bloated and just downright UNHAPPY!! I went to work the next day and thought I'd still try to count calories. I sat at work and nearly started crying because I was so mad at myself. Atkins has been the perfect diet for me, and for once I felt like I had control of myself, and then I completely screwed up. Well, needless to say, I was only off of Atkins ONE full day. That day at work, I got two burger patties with cheese, and have been back on board all week. I never realized just how bad carbs made me feel. My stomach has gotten a lot flatter... probably from less bloating from the carbs I'm sure, and my face looks thinner. I am feeling pretty again even though I have so far to go!
I NEVER thought I could feel so good on a diet as I do on Atkins, but it's great. I feel so confident in myself and motivated to lose ALL of my weight.
As soon as I'm back in full ketosis I will start the Phase II. I'm already back into the lower level of Ketosis, so I'm feeling good. One day I'm going to post my pictures of how heavy I was right after I had my son (a whoping 268 pounds and it's been exactly 1 year ago today 2.26.08 - 2.26.09). I'm already down to 205. My beginning weight was 216, but I actually started Atkins weighing 213. I can't wait to see anything under 200!

[not2late]

Good for you. the advantage of Atkins is that it begins as an elimination diet. And has you gradually re-introduce foods. you might have a food allergy/sensitivity and this diet will help you recognize it.

[Sharon_Wants_Help]

Calorie counter huh?

Atkins really isn't so bad as far as calories go. On most days I stay around 1600 calories per day, and the average ideal calorie limitation is 1500 to try to lose 1.5 pounds a week.

BUT enough of that, and I'M SO GLAD FOR YOU! Atkins IS a great way to lose weight and it honestly doesn't even feel like a diet - because it's not. Diet gives me a negative image of starving and constantly depraving yourself of things you want. I personally have not felt deprived of anything I've wanted, and I've never had a day where I've felt constant hunger pangs yet

If your mom still wants to try atkins, send her on over We'll support her and her endeavors as well

[keriann_forgoodthistime]

from a LOT that i've read (now that i've educated myself on lowcarb...) is that low calorie / low fat diets MAKE YOU DEPRESSED. there really is a link - i mean, think about it...in the 80's LOW FAT diets were the RAGE - then in the 90's - SELF HELP books were the rage. i'm serious!

I'm trying to read a book right now (finding the time is hard) that i've heard most low carb advocates RAVE about called "GOOD CALORIES/BAD CALORIES" (by Gary Taubes) and WHY low carb diets are what people SHOULD be doing - especially when you have a "condition" (such as I - among many here - have Insulin Resistance) - but low carb IS prescribed for epilepsy, diabetes (obviously) and i've heard a LOT about fibromalgia (spell) patiens benefitting from it too.

But after saying that ... CONGRATS on coming back to atkins. I absolutely agree - it really IS the ONLY diet I can be on for the rest of my life. I've NEVER felt this good about ANY other "diet" before - and what's awesome about atkins, is that I don't feel like I AM dieting one bit!

anyways - good luck on your journey!!!!!!

[jessicacope]

You're right. It really doesn't feel like a diet. I'm never hungry either. And IF I am really in the mood for something sweet, I eat a bar or have a shake (Atkins). I found a website that sells the 16 oz. powder mix for $7.00 and will use that because it's cheaper than paying $6.00 for 4 drinks at Wal-Mart.
My mom doesn't really want to do Atkins anymore because she really likes her sweets and carbs. She went through really bad withdrawl symptoms from it. She's been doing awesome with counting calories, but since I've been introduced to Atkins it really feels like a lifestyle change that I can really work with. She may try it in the future though.
Got a question, what phase is it ok to have some milk? That's honestly the only thing I've really just "wanted".
BTW, it looks like you've done an awesome job Sharon!

[jessicacope]

Keriann -
I completely agree, all the low fat/low cal stuff makes people depressed... it's all the processed sugars and stuff in them.

And you know, I'll admit that a couple of times I woke up in the morning and thought to myself "If I see another Omlet, boiled egg, poached egg or scrambled egg I am going to SCREAM! So, I make bacon or get some cubed cheese and get on with it and I feel so much better about myself. I've found a ton of great receipes that have helped keep me on track.

Also, about Atkins helping with different conditions - I can personally testify to the fact that it's helped my Fibromyalgia. The doctor tried to put me on Cymbalta and Celexa. I refuse to go on antidepressants to treat pain. So, I cope. Since I've been following Atkins, I've had less pain and flare-ups. As odd as this sounds, but the day to day and a half that I was off of Atkins I had a flare-up in my arms and was in pain for a long time. Who knows that what we eat doesn't have a negative effect on our central nervous system and everything else for that matter!

But as far as being on this the rest of my life - I think I can. My mom honestly was very miserable on this diet, but I'm miserable off of it now. So, to my new friends - Keep it up! It's SO worth it! Congrats on your weightloss too!

[keriann_forgoodthistime]

Originally Posted by jessicacope

Keriann -
I completely agree, all the low fat/low cal stuff makes people depressed... it's all the processed sugars and stuff in them.

And you know, I'll admit that a couple of times I woke up in the morning and thought to myself "If I see another Omlet, boiled egg, poached egg or scrambled egg I am going to SCREAM! So, I make bacon or get some cubed cheese and get on with it and I feel so much better about myself. I've found a ton of great receipes that have helped keep me on track.

Also, about Atkins helping with different conditions - I can personally testify to the fact that it's helped my Fibromyalgia. The doctor tried to put me on Cymbalta and Celexa. I refuse to go on antidepressants to treat pain. So, I cope. Since I've been following Atkins, I've had less pain and flare-ups. As odd as this sounds, but the day to day and a half that I was off of Atkins I had a flare-up in my arms and was in pain for a long time. Who knows that what we eat doesn't have a negative effect on our central nervous system and everything else for that matter!

But as far as being on this the rest of my life - I think I can. My mom honestly was very miserable on this diet, but I'm miserable off of it now. So, to my new friends - Keep it up! It's SO worth it! Congrats on your weightloss too!

Good for you for saying NO to anti-depressants!!! even though i'm on metformin - (and birth control)...I HATE how "over medicated" this nation is. it's absolutely rediculous!!! (and i'm saying that as loud as possible, even though i WORK for the pharmaceutical industry!)

but seriously - there's just NO reason to take those things if you really don't have to.

also - i agree with the eggs thing...lol - for the entire month of january i was eating scrambled eggs in the morning and to tell the truth, i HATE the taste of yolks. so this month i've been making three FRIED eggs in the morning with jimmy dean sausage (full fat) and it's SO much yummier!

but anyways - congrats again!

[Elizellen]

I am glad you have found a way of eating that improves your health, Jessica

Sometimes we have to experience for ourselves why we really should stick to Atkins and I am glad you didn't stay too long off plan.

Milk is allowed once you are at the second OWL level/rung, so not too long to wait and see if it affects you or not.

[jessicacope]

Originally Posted by Elizellen

I am glad you have found a way of eating that improves your health, Jessica

Sometimes we have to experience for ourselves why we really should stick to Atkins and I am glad you didn't stay too long off plan.

Milk is allowed once you are at the second OWL level/rung, so not too long to wait and see if it affects you or not.

You're very right! And I'm so happy about milk. I've always been a big milk drinker.
Also, you look like you lost a ton of weight! Great job!!

[SunnySmile501]

A very hard lesson, but one you won't soon forget.

When I gave up bread and grains, my life-long severe asthma went completely away. I had severe diverticulitis, with no problems at all for over a year. Then, after not having any kind of bread for over a year, I decided to indulge in my homemade rolls and biscuits while my sisters were in from out of state. By the second day of eating a small amount of bread, I was in so much immediate distress that my sisters wanted to call an ambulance, and neither are very easily shaken. I was doubled over in pain, sweating profusely, heart racing and then I vomited for hours. I know I probably had/have leaky gut syndrome. No more bread with grain for me, thank you very much.

I have one word of warning for you. We crave what we are allergic and are sensitive to. I would be very careful of that milk craving. Besides, milk has a lot of natural sugar, so the amount you could have for a 5 gram increase in rung 2 is very small. My books say rung 2 is limited to soft cheeses and more aged cheese.

Since you reacted so badly to one day of eating bread, you may have a yeast overgrowth, which is also sensitive to dairy. It's something to think about.

Sunny!