From the land of Cheese, Beer, and the Greenbay Packers

[PhatB]

That's right folks, I'm a CheeseHead, and proud of it.....

....What I am not proud of is the 266 lbs I let myself gain since I got out of the Marine Corps 26 years ago

Well, my mother bought me DANDR about 5 years ago as she had heard so much good about it. I read the book, but shrugged it off as just another diet fad, and God knows I have tried many of them.

I never really was too motivated to lose weight as I have always had good blood pressure, good chloesterol, and normal blood sugars even though I was continually ballooning in size every year.

Well, last week Thursday, April 2nd 2009 , I got a reality check. My mother is a diabetic and not being very technology inclined, she keeps her sugar meter at our house and has my wife take her blood daily when she gets home from work (she lives right next door to us).

As I said, I got a reality check, I was peeling potatoes to make a beef stew, and cut my finger, a small cut, but bleeding none the less. For the heck of it, I called my wife into the kitchen and had her run my blood as it has been two years since I had a phsyical. I could not believe the results....337...."the meter has to be wrong, try my other hand", I said as I began to get that nervous sick feeling in the pit of my stomach.

362 was the second result, and an hour later it was up to 400...this was caused by digesting a late breakfast/early lunch of bacon, french toast drowned in syrup, a big bowl of fresh fruit salad, and a large glass of Juicy Juice brand orange/mango juice....

Well something stuck in my head from reading the book about the benefits of Atkins for diabetics. Having lost the book over the years (moved twice during that time), I did not remember the rules for induction, but knew I immediately had to cut my carb intake to the extreme except for veggies. I then began researching online over the weekend. Part of my online research was finding this wonderful site.

I began true induction on Thursday, April 9th, 2009 at a weight of 451 lbs ( I had to weigh myself at the local aluminum recycling facility to find a scale big enough to give me a weight).

For those that may ask what my Doctor had to say...well, nothing, he does not know. I know what you are all going to say, but please refrain, I have heard it all from my family already. The deal I made with my wife is this, if I cannot get my blood sugar under control during induction, I will go to the Doctor. By under control, I mean a continual downward trend to get back into normal range.

I am happy to announce that in the 13 days since I changed my eating habits, the last 6 of them being true induction, I have gone from a high of 400 to my current daily average for the last two days of between 134-147.

I know, still not normal, but I am confident that in the next 30 days, I will be back to normal ranges. Then I can focus on the weight loss. My wife is much relieved to see how quickly I have responded and is very happy to have her old lethargic, lazy, honey-do list ignoring, couch potato husband fade into history, as I am much more active now, and am actually finally starting to shorten that honey-do list, while hopefully, at the same time, lengthening my life span.

Anyway, that is my story, and if you are a spiritual person, a prayer or two for His guidance on my journey would be much appreciated...

God Bless,

Rick aka and soon hopefully fka "PhatB"

[imagood1]

hi Rick -- I'm very glad you found your way to the ADBB. You are very lucky to have found out your blood sugar was high before anything happened to you. Be very careful the next couple weeks, make sure you are doing a completely clean induction and you will be amazed the changes in your blood sugar, your physical and mental well being. Don't forget to drink plenty of clear water (nothing added) -- Dr. Atkins said AT LEAST 64 ounces each day.

It sounds like you are off to a great start -- you should know a great workout from the military just start off slow - there are no drill sgts around to beat it into your head now.

Have you found the recipe sites? Make sure you plan your meals a couple days in advance (or at least the next day) and vary your food as much as you can so you don't get bored. Good luck - if you need anything all you need to do is ask, we are all here for the same reason and we support each other!

Linda's Low Carb Menus & Recipes - Daily Menus
Sheila's Low Carb, Atkins & Induction Friendly *ORIGINAL* Recipes Page!
http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.c...n-recipes.html (Never ending induction recipes)
http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.c...pes-added.html (Induction Recipe Basics--More recipes added)

[PhatB]

Hi Carole,

Thanks for the welcome.

Originally Posted by imagood1

-- you should know a great workout from the military just start off slow - there are no drill sgts around to beat it into your head now.

Oh ya, I know what I need to do, and starting slow is definately the right thing, I am starting by simply walking around the block, something I have not done in years, I get winded just walking in the groicery store...lol

Originally Posted by imagood1

-- Have you found the recipe sites? Make sure you plan your meals a couple days in advance (or at least the next day) and vary your food as much as you can so you don't get bored.

Yes I have found 2 of the 4 sites you listed, again thanks.

Also a quick progress update: I just tested a few minutes ago, and I am finally in Ketosis

[J.R.]

Hi Rick, I can relate to the Marine connection. I chose my third mini-goal of 198lbs precisely because it was the Maximum Allowable Weight for my height and age when I separated from the Air Force 12 years ago. The weight regulation has changed, and I could actually weigh 200lbs legally if I were still in the service, but I stuck with the "good ol' days". I'm trying to remember if I kept any of my dress blues in storage. It would be awesome to reach the goal and fit nicely in the old uniform (completely impossible at this stage, I can't believe I actually got fitted shirts made back then!)

[PhatB]

Originally Posted by J.R.

It would be awesome to reach the goal and fit nicely in the old uniform

That would rock! ! ! !
You can do it, looks like you already have a great start.

[blueberrylady]

Welcome to the board, Rick! And congratulations on taking control of your life and your eating! Your victory over your blood sugar is an inspiration to all diabetics!

Aktins is the best way of life there is and I wish you continue success in reaching your goals! Keep us posted on your progress.

[PhatB]

Originally Posted by blueberrylady

Welcome to the board, Rick! And congratulations on taking control of your life and your eating! Your victory over your blood sugar is an inspiration to all diabetics!

Aktins is the best way of life there is and I wish you continue success in reaching your goals! Keep us posted on your progress.

Thank you very much. I am really glad I found this site. Reading several of the posts from others has made me feel like I am not alone even though I am the only one in my family that is doing Atkins.

Again, thanks to all for the welcome, and the well wishes, and I wish continued success to all as well....

[Slapshot]

Hey Rick - great intro/story. We all need a reality check. My biggest one was carrying my 36 lb son up the stairs and saying "hey man, you're getting heavy!" and realizing that *I* was carrying *TWO* of him all the time. Your diabetic/blood sugar reality check is a powerful motivator for you, and one that I think will make you successful on this new WOE for you....

[PhatB]

Hey Slapshot,

Thanks, and yes the whole diabetic aura is a great motivator.

Good luck to you, looks like you have a great start going there yourself ! ! ! ! ! !

Rick

[PhatB]

Well, I went back to the recycling center to weigh in. I was greeted by the same worker that had let me weigh in initially. He told me that the scale I had originally weighed in on was found to have a bad load cell, and he estimated that my starting weight was off by approximately 18 lbs, so my real starting weight was 433, not 451. He said that they got the scale fixed and recalibrated.

Well when I stepped on the scale today, I almost lost it....I could not believe my eyes...the scale read 399, I was jumping and fist pumping like a nut all the way back to my car.

My wife said, "you look happy, how much did you weigh?", holding back tears of joy, I proudly told her 399 lbs! ! ! ! ! ! !

That is 34 lbs in two weeks, and for the first time in over 9 years, I am under 400 lbs.

God Bless everyone, and stay strong, this stuff really works! ! ! ! ! ! !

Rick


*edit* I am going to stop posting in my intro thread, and continue posting my progress in my blog located here