Introducing a future member of the Century+ Club!

[maharisa]

Hello everyone. I'm new to the board and giving Atkins what I would call my first truly serious attempt. I have been on the diet since June 18th (today marks thirty days).

Here is my story:

My previous attempts at weight loss have not yielded satisfactory results. In the past, I have tried Weight Watchers on numerous occasions and a dietitian-supervised diet based on the FDA Food Pyramid. I expect the reason I failed was because the diet was too difficult for me and I could only last for a few months before I’d start breaking the rules and then I would go through a period of uncontrolled eating. It seemed to me, at the time, that I would need to resort to surgical means for permanent weight loss.
In 2003 at 310 pounds I saw a bariatric surgeon and began the process for getting a gastric bypass. I completed all the steps required including attending a support group, having an ultrasound, a sleep study, and a psychiatric evaluation and said goodbye to food after gaining an additional 16 pounds putting me at 326, but the doctor changed his mind about operating on so young a patient. He then referred me to his partner who had me lose 30 pounds before he would operate. I lost about 28 pounds and my surgery was scheduled for July 14th 2004. My mother and sister drove me to the hospital in Boston and I checked in, got my identificaton wristband, and gave them my personal effects to bring to my hospital room. While waiting for a nurse to come take my vitals, I was signaled to go into a small meeting room and my I was soon joined by my doctor. He explained to me that he was not going to go forward with the surgery at this time and that if I wanted to wait a reschedule in a few months he would consider it. More details are available on my ObesityHelp profile at ObesityHelp.com - Profile for Marisa R..
I was absolutely crushed by the cancellation and went into a deep depression for several years. I failed at everything I attempted whether it was a job, a relationship, or going back to school. I fell into a hole I thought I would never climb out of. Now, several more life changing moments later, I have come full circle and feel prepared to take responsibility for my own well being. I have recognized that I have a sensitivity to carbohydrates which is evident from my polycystic ovarian syndrome, acanthosis nigricans (a skin condition caused by insulin being secreted by the skin, causing it to grow abnormally), constant fatigue and of course, my excess fat accumulation.
After decades of struggle with her weight, my mother followed The Atkins Diet and successfully lost 70 pounds, quit drinking alcohol, and gained energy and zest for life. She was kind enough to let me borrow two of her low-carb diet books: Livin’ La Vida Low Carb by Jimmy Moore, and Dr. Atkins’ Diet Revolution by Robert C. Atkins and Ruth West Herwood twelfth printing, February 1973. Now that I know there is an alternative to being fat and miserable, I have decided to make it my mission to make my lifelong dreams a reality.

I saw all the before/during/after pictures of you board members and feel so inspired by your successes. Keep up the good work. I look forward to discussing the diet, anything about this plague of our time and the misinformation of the public, or just about anything off topic. If you're wondering what I mean I recommend you check out Gary Taubes's "What If It's All Been a Big FAT Lie" and "The Quality of Calories: What Makes Us Fat and Why Nobody Seems to Care" http://webcast.berkeley.edu/stream.p...ebcastid=21216

I will not be a carbohydrate addict. I am really excited to go through this experience and see who I truly am be exposed.

I have the pictures from July 10th 2004, just two weeks before the date for which my surgery was scheduled. I would guess my weight was 305.


Date: 07/10/2004 - Age: 18 - Weight 305 lbs.



This was on the way back from the hospital after the surgery was canceled. I am really glad to have gone through this experience to now know the truth about my obesity.


Date: 05/08 - Age: 22 - Weight: 280



My best guess is Spring of 2004. Age 18. Weight: 326

Well that about sums it up for now. I will be sure to update with pictures of my progress. See you on the boards.

Maha

[sallyseachange]

Hi Maharisa... welcome aboard! You've found the right place for support and inspiration. We're happy you've joined us here.

Thanks for telling us your story. I feel sure you'll be thankful you never had that surgery after a while on Atkins. If the programme is followed to a "T" it really works... and works well!

Use the board for all it has to offer: Join a challenge or two, start a journal maybe, make friends, check out some low carb recipes... there's lots of stuff here to help you along, every step of the way.

Happy losing!

[Jace]

Welcome to Maharisa!
Best of luck on your weight loss journey and if you need anything, please feel free to give a shout!

~Far la bella figura!

[geekgyrl]

Welcome! I considered surgery at one time, too. I was not a candidate because I didn't have enough "health conditions". Ridiculous! Or so I thought.

I am happy now that I found Atkins. You will be too! This is the best way to live that I have found. During my first year, I discovered that my body doesn't react well to refined and processed carbs. So, I learned to cut them out or only enjoy them once in a great while.

You can do this! Look at all you have been through already, making you stronger and more determined. Thank you for sharing this story with us. I look forward to watching you shrink .

Good luck!
Crissie

[zoewmu]

Welcome! How has the first 30 days been for you?

[sugarsack]

welcome aboard ! keep coming here and asking questions, reading stories, i have found it to be a great source of helpfull information and encouragement

[maharisa]

Thank you all so much for the warm welcome! I look forward to participating in challenges.

HW326/SW280/CW270/GW140

I want to lose 140 lbs on Atkins.

[SunnySmile501]

Welcome! Welcome! There's lots of us here that have lost over 100 pounds and love the Atkins way of life.

I know four people personally that had the surgery and every one of them weigh as much or more than before the surgery. Surgery does nothing to remedy the underlying cause for obesity. Low carb works to cure the insulin resistance and other maladies caused by sensitivities to carbohydrates.

You have come to the right place for support and a helping hand. You are a really beautiful young lady! I can tell by the way you write that you are very intelligent, as well. You'll be an Atkins Poster Girl in no time at all.

I would recommend that you get the 2002 edition of DANDR, Dr. Atkins' New Diet Revolution, as the Good Doctor learned a lot of different things in the years between the first book and his last. He saw thousands of patients in that time and garnered lots of updated knowledge, which he shared with us all.

Sunny!

[losetocruise]

Let me add my welcome as well. I ams o happy to see you ding this at 22 instead of wasting years and years being fat as I did.

Let me add one piece of advice. During the years when the pounds piled on,I never did much exercise because "it would give a fat person like me a heart attack!" I often thought of joining an excercise program but was afraid all the skinny exercisers would laugh at me. Finally a friend persuaded me to join jazzercise. it has made an amazing difference, in my weight, my physical condition and my phychological well being.

find an exercise group of some sort near you if you can. Do not be afraid of it. if there is nothing available use tapes, walk, etc. Adding exercise with this diet is one of the most beneficial things you can do. Can't wait to read updates on your progress.

[maharisa]

I've been on Atkins for 2 months now and I'm down 23 lbs! I'm very happy with the results I am seeing and excited to keep going all the way to my goal. Here is a picture from this month.