Back again with cautious optimism

[FatIrishBoy]

Hi All,

I tried Atkins 2 years ago and just plain failed. I gave up. No excuses, no explanations. I just let it slip away.

Last week when I saw my doctor who is a very plain-spoken, no BS kind of guy, he pointed out that the combination of weight, BP issues, cholesterol issues and swollen ankles (which I went to see him for) are in total indicative of looming trouble and a shortened life if I don't make some drastic changes soon.

That leaves me the choice: Change my lifestyle or change doctors.

Changing doctors may not be a bad idea. When I was in my 20s and early 30s, I always thought the key to good health was to find a doctor who smoked and drank more than me ..... It worked! I found an old broken down doctor who smoked like a chimney and drank like a fish. My visits were always pleasant and a testimony to my good health. The conversation went something like this:

Doc: How much are you smoking these days? (cough, cough, cough)

Me: About 12 a pack of Pall Mall no filters per day.

Doc: Good choice! (hack hack hack) Nobody will bum one of those things off you. (big wheeze) And besides, 1/2 pack a day.. That's not bad at all. How much do you drink? (cough, cough)

Me: About 6 beers a day, more on weekends.

Doc: ****, that's nothing. (gasp, wheeze, choke). You're in great shape.

Needless to say, that theory of good health did not hold up for long. Everything was fine but when I quit smoking for good (1995) the weight started creeping up. The only thing that kept it under control was lots of racquetball, skiing (snow and water) tennis and golf.

When my knees went, the sports pretty much went too. That's when the pounds really packed on. BP and cholesterol climbed pretty quickly too.

I've already had one major scare. Six years ago, I found my carotid arteries almost 100% clogged. Two unpleasant surgeries later, I have what look like dueling scars on each side of my throat. Very attractive!

So I guess changing doctors is not an option, and I'd better get myself back in shape.

My goal now is to shed the pounds, get in better shape, get off the BP and cholesterol meds and, hopefully, be able to play racquet sports and ski again.

I'm looking forward to meeting folks going through the same experience and making a few friends along the way.

-John

[MsManners]

Hi John! Welcome, I have been here 22 days and have lost 15 pounds and considering I cheated twice, not too bad.

I once went to a plastic surgeon, I figured that I would get a full body lift and that would be easier than dieting. When I got to the guys office, he weighted about 350 pounds and was close to 60. I figured that the chance of him dying WHILE doing my surgery was about as great as him actually completing it.....so I went to another doctor.

Now would you beleive that I was scheduled for a tummy tuck, etc, arrived at the doctors only to have New York City black out! Completely! THREE DAYS!

I took it as a sign that maybe I should just be fat and after adding another 50 pounds over the past few years I succeed pretty well.

But, when my equally fat Mom had to have both knees replaced this past year and I got a job where all the rest of the women are size 2, well I bit the bullet and here I am.

Its not too bad at all. Of course, if your smoking, drinking doctor does tummy tucks....
Alex

[Trisha001]

Hi John!! Welcome to the board
This is the absolute best way of life ever!!!
Make sure you read the Atkins book and really focus on staying on strict induction for a while...
There are so many wise people on this board, and most are very supportive...so ask questions and check in often....
YOU CAN DO THIS!!!!
T~

[gman]

Welcome John!
Two words of advice that are not so obvious from the book etc: Lift weights.

[HealthyMiMi]

Welcome home Hang in there, we are all in this together. There are some really good recipes that have been added since you were here, check them out.

[MsManners]

Plus you need to add a diet ticker thing to your signature so that we can all ohhhh and ahhhhh at your progress!

www.tickerfactory.com

Alex

[FLdoodette]

Beating a path away from Dr. Death and here to ADBB was a very sound idea, John! You'd like my doc ... young, hip, funny, but no BS; he gives you a chance to clean up your act but if you don't, watch out ... Dr. Ninja will kick your butt! He's great. Make sure you check in here often ... this site is my lifeline. Welcome back!

[BunnyD]

Welcome, John! Lots of luck to you!