New and a lot of questions

[onemoretime2]

About 7 years ago when I only had about 30 pounds to lose I went on Atkins. I lost very quickly and felt great. However, everyone was telling me it was bad for me. When I went back to have my thryoid levels checked my Doctor told me how bad it was and get off it.

Now, years later, I am a 43 year old woman who has at least 60 pounds to lose.

I have gone to many Dr's about why I can't lose weight (for years) and they all blame it on the fact that I am hypo thryroid and have only half of a thryroid. (I also had a partial Hysterectomy at 32) However, then they told me it also wasn't an excuse to be as heavy as I am. Even though I worked out, and tried Jenny Craig, WW's and many, many more.

I just found out I have Syndrome X / Insulin Resistance. The Doctor told me that it woud be very hard for me to lose weight without my insulin levels being normal. He also scared the heck out of me about what would happen if I didn't change now. He suggested I start Atkins right away and I have, but warned me it will be tough to lose for a while. My levels are quite high and his guess was it would be 90 days of eating like this before I saw much progress.

I have been reading everyting I can on this and I understand that this isn't simply to lose weight it is to make me healthier. This is the first forum I have ever gone on and I am really impressed with the posts. I was hoping there was someone who has the problem I do including taking Thyroid medicine (I take 175mcg a day) and wondering if they have some tips for me!

My Doctor told me no bread, pasta, etc. but I think I need to go to Induction phase which I don't think I did the first time and just was reading about it here.

I would really love to have any suggestions or comments.

Thank you!
Tori

[Georgiana]

Welcome to ADBB, Tori! I don't know too much about your medical conditions, but I think you should definitely start with the Induction phase as it will allow you to switch faster to lipolysis.

Did you check the Thyroid forum? Here is the link to it: Thyroid - Atkins Diet
Maybe you can get more help there.

[onemoretime2]

I did look through the Thyroid forum and there is a lot of good information there. I have had this for so long though I feel that is under control. Right now it is the Syndrome X I am trying to find out more about. Ironically, the symptoms are very similiar to Thyroid problems.

Could you tell me what lipolysis is? Thanks so much.

[Georgiana]

Lipolysis is the process through which we break down lipids for energy. The by-products of burning fat are ketones, so the well-known ketosis is a secondary process of lipolysis.

[onemoretime2]

Thank you. I had never heard of that!

[Georgiana]

You're welcome. Below is a quote from one of the sticky threads on ADBB. It explains it in a little more detail.

The foundation of Dr Atkins whole nutritional approach is based on converting your body from burning glucose derived from carbohydrates as fuel to burning stored fat as fuel. This process is called lipolysis. A by-product of burning fat as fuel for you metabolic functions are ketones which are released in your urine & are chemical proof that your body has switched over into the fat burning mode.

Lipoysis using Ketones as a fuel is a bichemical method for weight loss-the alternative to using glucose for fuel, the very process that makes most people heavy.

[imagood1]

Welcome Tori -- I hope you are able to get your health problems under control. Good luck on your journey!

[onemoretime2]

Thank you. Congratulations on your weight loss.