This time Atkins for my health!

[texasangel76]

This is my second time on Atkins. The first time I lost 27 pounds. This brought my weight from 164 to 137. That is where I hit my first big stall. I think it was because I was eating too many cashews and too much cheese. I went to an allergist and found out I'm highly allergic to mold. I know Dr. Atkins discussed this in his book in the section on yeast. Anyway, when I stopped losing and stayed at that weight for over a month...I threw in the towel. That time...I was doing Atkins for vanity reasons. I was tired of the way I looked.

During the summer of 'o8, I went in to the Dr. with another sinus infection and migraine headache. I have, (or should I say had) frequent migraine headaches. My doctor pointed out that my blood pressure had been high the last few times I had been in. She wanted me to keep track of it for a month and if it didn't go down, she was going to put me on blood pressure medication. This shocked me....I was only 32! Well....I did try to lose weight (she said this would help.) I was 32, 5ft. 3 1/2", and 154 lbs. I tried Weight Watchers....lost 3 pounds and was ALWAYS famished! I couldn't keep track of the dumb points if someone paid me! They said I could have oreos....well for me that meant at least a third of the package. I can't control myself when it comes to sugar! I tried another diet that was basically everything in moderation and gained two pounds. I was about to throw in the towel and I got the worst migraine I've had in a long time. I had to go to the emergency room it was so bad and I couldn't keep anything in my stomach. Even my Imitrex didn't touch the headache. Prior to this the migraines had gotten out of control. I was taking Imitrex at least twice a week and the days I didn't take it I was taking at least 8 Excedrin a day. One day I was scratching a mosquito bite and woke up the next morning with a bruise in that area the size of my hand! Well...something had to change. I thought back to the time when I was on Atkins and I very rarely had headaches. If I did....two Excedrin would take care of it. So in November of 2008, I started Atkins again, but this time to get control of my migraines. Since November 18, 2008... I haven't had any migraines! I haven't needed the Imitrex once....which is great because it made my heart race and it isn't good for someone with blood pressure problems! My blood pressure is normal and an added bonus is I've lost 10 pounds! I want to lose 19 more to get to the weight my doctor recommended. This time, I'm doing Atkins for my health, and it has been much easier! I can sit at a table with my family and watch them eat things I choose not to! I think the last thing I said is important. This time around I'm thinking about things differently. I could eat that doughnut if I wanted to...it's not that I can't have it...it's that I choose not to. When I think I can't have something it makes me want it even more...so this change of thinking has helped tremendously! I know that this way of eating is for me and if I'm ever tempted by a food I think back to the day in the emergency room or the doctor's office when she said blood pressure medication was likely. I don't want that for my life! I feel so much better and losing weight is making me happier about the way I look. My birthday is coming up and my favorite cake is german chocolate with the homemade coconut icing. I usually only eat this on my birthday. This year when my husband asked if I'd like that cake...I said No! I'd like something sugar-free please! I'm not even remotely tempted!!!!

[liv]

Inspiring read. Way to go. It is amazing how cutting out sugar and other white foods help us. I am hoping that someday more doctors will come to understand this.

[Ammamady]

Texasangel76-

Thank you so much for your inspiring words. It is so important to remember why we are all here. Yes, looking good is a wonderful consequence of this WOL, but ultimately, it is about our health and happiness! You have reminded me why I started on this journey to begin with, and why I am dedicated now to making this a permanent change! Thank you so much, and please keep us up to date with your progress!

[ceemarie]

Looks like you have the right motivation for success! Keep up the good job. I like how you states "what I choose.... to eat" . You are right, we choose to put certain foods in our mouths and we have to program ourselves to be in controll.