March 2004 - 18st 8lbs (260lbs)
Sep 2005 - 14st 9lbs (205lbs)
As I child I always tended to be on the heavy side, though not excessively so.
I had polio aged three and spent my childhood recovering from paralysis in the
left leg. I was never any good at sport and consequently have no interest.
By the time I was fully grown at 6 ft 3in I was top of the range normal and
weighed about 14 stone (196 lb) I will subsequently quote only in lbs, but they
may not be round numbers. Obesity is an issue in the family. My sister
struggled as a girl and is now size 24/26. By middle age my father was over
250lb but brought his weight under control. My mother is short and a size 20.
My weight crept up to around 210 when I was an undergraduate reading Theology
at
When I was 53 I was over 250 lb. After spraining my ankle my mobility was badly
impaired for a few months and my weight climbed to 260 lb. Time for the routine
medical. At 54 I got a serious talking to from the Senior Medical Officer!
Blood Pressure
"Do Atkins", he said, "It works." I was on the edge of this
decision anyway, but his backing made it easier at home. My wife is a biology
teacher and has also taught nutrition and domestic science. Low fat was the
regime at home "Not too much meat, dear, "it's bad for you." I
am a Viking and love meat, so for me Atkins was easy and natural. I have no
intention of abandoning the low carb way of life. One of the nurses in the
medical centre and my wife raise a caution from time to time about "stress
on your kidneys." The Senior Medical Officer dismisses those concerns.
Brians
(Labarum) Story (Contd)
By the end of June 04 my
weight was down to 225 and my blood pressure was121/74. By December 04 I
weighed 208lb and my blood pressure was down to 119/72. My resting pulse is in
the mid to high 50s. I don't have the results of the blood tests, but I do know
they were impressively healthy. On a 65% fat diet my cholesterol had fallen a
little, though it was not an issue in the beginning.
What Atkins said about high glycimic index foods and the blood sugar
roller-coaster was certainly true for me. If I feed on fat and protein I do not
suffer from hunger or cravings and just feel generally more "steady."
I may be a strange way to put it, but quite precise - I feel steady, stable and
satisfied eating the Atkins way. I have no need to rush for the sweets or for
apples and oranges as I did before. I was probably heading for type two
diabetes before. I hope to avoid that now.
I eat lots of meat, foul and fish with mountains of salad and green vegetables,
and yes, I drink litres of water a day. I have Greek Yoghurt or Low Carb Home
made Ice Cream with strawberries. I am not sure to what extent these dairy
products contributed to my winter stall. I have taken to flax cooking - half
and half with Whey Protein Isolate, olive oil and egg, and flavoured with
lemon, cinnamon, Italian Herbs or sun-dried tomatoes. My treat is a square or
two of high cocoa content dark chocolate, sometimes by itself, and sometimes
microwaved into fudge with cream and butter.
There is still more to be done. I must exercise more and try harder to get
those last few pounds off. The Base swimming pool has closed, which is a loss,
but I have been enjoying cycling the country lanes. My ambition is to get below
14 stone (196 lb). I will have to work hard for these last few pound, but the
50lbs down from 260 to 210 was very easy.
Update December 2006
I was 14st 9lb September 05. A year later, September 06 I was weighing in each
morning at between 14st 8lb (204lbs) and 14st 6lb (202lbs), although I did once
see 200lbs - must have been an error! In mid-winter, December 06 I am between
14st 8lbs (204lbs) and 14st10lbs (206lbs). The extra might be my winter coat,
or it could be extra muscle because now I have moved to a hilly area and do a
lot of cycling.
I guess I have more muscle and less fat - my clothes don't feel any different.
It would be nice to get to 14 stone. It may happen. It may not. But all of you,
take heart - Atkins does work, and does allow you to keep the weight off while
eating a sensible and satisfying diet.
By Betty (aka TTDriver)
Guess what? Im not an athlete either! Never was,
never will be. But I am a runner. And you can become one too!
When I first started Atkins back in 2002 I was
the worlds grand matron couch potato. Exercise? ME? I didnt have time. Too
busy being everybodys everything and too tired to care.
Enter: Dr.
Atkins New Diet Revolution, the chapter on Exercise. You know the verbiage:
SO YOU
LIKE TO RUN (CONTD)
EXERCISE:
ITS NON-NEGOTIABLE. Uh oh, that hit a nerve. Who is this guy, telling me I
had no excuse???
Okay, so I decide to start walking everyday. Easy
enough, Ill give him 1 mile a day HAPPY NOW?? Nooooooooooooooooooooo. He wants
more. Tough. I was never an athlete and I aint breaking that trend at age 47.
No sir.
Well, never say never.
The day I started Atkins (January 19, 2002). I
started my exercise plan. (Like the good Dr. gave me any choice??) A mile a day
every single day. Okay, the first couple of weeks were tough just finding the
time. After that, I sorta kinda enjoyed it ~ and it CERTAINLY speeded up my
weight loss!!!
After walking for nearly 2 years, in November
2003 I got a wild hair wonder if I can jog?? ME? Yeah right. Always the last
one chosen for sports in school, who was I to think I could run? Oh what
the heck, lets give it a try.
So early one morning, before the neighbors were
awake and looking out their windows, I jogged a little. IS THAT WHAT THEY CALL
IT? I think I sadly limped past 3 mailboxes before I was screaming for oxygen.
What hope was there that I would ever become a runner? Slim to none.
Fast forward to today: August
2006. At age 50, I have completed my first marathon (thats a 26.2 mile
race), a half marathon (13.1 miles) and many 10ks (6.2 miles) and 5ks (3.1
miles). Am I fast? NO. Am I persistent? YES. Has it taken a lot of discipline
and focus to become a runner at mid-life? YOU BETTER BELIEVE IT. Has it been
worth the effort? Absolutely.
Some people think Im too fat to run; what will
people think if they see me try and run? Well heres an eye-opener: YOURE OUT
THERE TRYING AND THATS MORE THAN YOUR CRITICS CAN SAY. I never ever put down
anyone, regardless of their size, who is out there giving it their best. In
fact, I totally applaud them. It takes courage to take that first step. But
yanno what? The journey of 1,000 miles begins with a single step. As one wise
person has said, the miracle is not that I finished, its that I had the
courage to start.
SO WHAT
ARE YOU WAITING FOR?
By
Jimmie48
There of many
exercise challenges that are offered on the ADBB. There's something for
everyone, every level of activity and every stage of ability. You might choose
to join the THE 6 WEC or the PLEDGING FLIGHTS ~ A STAIR CLIMB
CHALLENGE. Maybe you would like to try the Stability Ball Push Up
Challenge, the KickAss TriAth Challenge or the Mileage Challenge.
EXERCISE: IT'S
NON-NEGOTIABLE(CONTD)
Holiday challenges are always around, such as the Memorial Day Challenge.
Most are based on reaching mini goals.
Each week day, Outback Jess, will post and EXERCISE OF THE DAY in the EXERCISE FORUM. A
variety of exercises will be featured such as weights, stability ball and
stretching.
Exercise your willpower, too, by joining the How Long Can You Go Challenge
or the semi annual board wide WEIGH?
GOOD HEALTH!!
By
building endurance, flexibility and muscle strength, regular exercise
contributes to the health of your muscles, bones and joints, in addition to
improving your cardiovascular health. quote from DANDR, 2002 edition, page 287.
By sweetgirl2
If you had suggested to me just 12 short weeks ago, about how far I would have
come on my Atkins journey so far, I don't think I would have believed you! A
very large part of that feeling I have within, is due to the exercise. Oh, I'm
not a fitness guru and am certainly not what I would term an exercise fanatic,
but I have found that doing some exercise 5 or 6 times a week has made a
tremendous difference to my health, both physically and mentally.
Dr Atkins said exercise is non-negotiable. If you don't exercise you aren't
following the Atkins Diet. Sounds a little harsh?
"Exercise is good for you, and it will help you lose. Moreover, it not
only causes you to burn calories, but it accelerates your metabolism,
increasing the speed with which every other part of a weight loss program works
and keeps you on the road to better health"
~ Dr Atkins
OK, so the first 3 days of induction I felt rather terrible. I had the
induction flu something fierce and I also gave up caffeine at the same time. I
slept more than I normally would and was a rather grumpy bear. On the fourth
day I woke up with so much more energy and I decided to start exercising that
day, just a little. I hadn't done any for nearly 2 years previously.
I
think it's important to find something that you like to do. There's so many
ways to fit exercise into your day. From parking your car further away in the
car park so that you have to walk a little longer, to taking the stairs instead
of the lift, to getting up and playing with
Exercise is
Not a Dirty Word! (CONTD)
your
children instead of sitting and watching them run around. I started out with
perhaps 20 minutes at a time of walking or stationery bike riding and as the
days and weeks went by it became easier and actually enjoyable as I found ways
to exercise that I loved.
The
support for exercising on the ADBB is a tremendous help. I can't thank them
enough. I know deep down that I would never have given it so much importance if
some kind members hadn't suggested it to me in the first place when I joined.
I'm ever so glad they
did
now. They have been my inspiration and I walk taller, stronger and feel so much
better for taking a little time for myself each day for exercise. That's what I
have found it to be now. An indulgence, some time out exclusively for me. It
can become addictive, and the loss of inches from your body is a really great
motivator too.
There are so many wonderful exercise challenges you can join here on the board
and it truly is the more the merrier.
Why not climb virtual buildings or mountains from all over the world with us,
perhaps clocking up the miles is your thing or do you already own some exercise equipment or perhaps you might
even like to join in the abs challenge. Are you a calorie counter perhaps? You
don't have to join a gym or rush out and buy a fancy machine, have a look
through the Atkins for Health forum and you will find lots of ideas.
It's so much fun completing exercises with other Atkineers from all around the
world. Challenges with other members can motivate and inspire you; I know they
have for me. If I can find exercising a part of my life now that seems so
normal, I know you can too. It all starts with baby steps . . . the huge
benefits are right there for the taking. You can do it, one small step at a
time. Good luck with your journey.
Meet
the Mod, Coop2004
By
Dreamof145
When you hear the phrase
famous Italian-Americans, you might think of Connie Francis (who was
originally from NJ), Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra (who was born and raised in
Coop grew up in
Like a lot of people who are overweight, whether they admit it or not, Coop
says its not easy to be overweight. She remembers the frustration of flying in
an airplane and barely being able to buckle the seat belt.
MEET THE MOD (Contd)
Although she didnt lose a
massive amount of weight, she improved her health by
controlling her diabetes and lowering her cholesterol to an acceptable number.
(Her overall cholesterol in 8/03 was 266 and in 2/05 it had dropped to 117).
Coop2004 took an early
retirement from the Federal Government after 28 years and 8 months of
employment. She retired due to severe back problems which resulted in having
back surgery in 2/01. She is currently seeking work in which she can utilize
her computer skills. She enjoys the freedom of working at home.
For fun, she is into old movies and stars of the 30s and 40s such as Bette
Davis, Humphrey Bogart and Fred Astaire.
She attributes her success to the ADBB board, the members, the Admins and the
other Mods for influencing her. Aside from her ADBB family her biggest support
system has been her loving husband and her parents.
Her goal for herself at this time is to focus on losing more weight. She feels
that her Mod position has given her more insight into the Atkinss life-style.
She enjoys interacting with the members of the ADBB and helping them along in
their journeys by showing them that this is a great WOE/WOL.
jech_lewt
Before
& After Pictures (Contd)
Dorr185
Down
75 Pounds!!
Jalapeo "Firecrackers"
An all time favorite, submitted by MotherofGizmo
Take a jalapeo pepper, (be sure to wear gloves while handling peppers!) make a
slit down the pepper the long way, scrape out the seeds( leave some seeds if
you like it hot, I take out the white membrane and then stuff the seeds back in
cause we like 'em hot!).
Stuff the pepper with a peeled and deveined shrimp or a chunk of non melting
cheese such as Queso Blanco or
ATKINS
Friendly Recipes (Contd)
Induction Friendly Recipe,
Submitted by
Don't
know if call them cheesecake or quiches....but at least its not the
every-morning-omelet or boiled egg and easy to keep in the fridge.
3 eggs
70 grs heavy cream (2,46 oz)
100 grs soft cheese (3,52 oz)
50 grs bacon (1,76 oz)
90 grs
Whip the whites and keep in the fridge.
Mix the yolks with the soft cheese, the cream, salt, grated
Mix carefully the mixture with the whites.
Bake in oven, 20 minutes, 190C (374 Fahrenheit)
Servings: 9
Carbs per each: 0.9 Total Carbs: 8.5
By
Sallyseachange
PASTA!
PIZZA! PANE!
That says
Erwell yes, it is.
But it neednt be. Dont rush out to
change your air ticket in favour of
You have a huge bonus: Food products are wonderful. Italians take eating seriously and demand top
quality, always. Visit a market and
youll be stunned by the variety and colours.
Youll salivate over cartloads of dewy, ultra fresh fruit and veg, and
be bowled over by aromas, sights and sounds of the pulsating marketplace. Il
mercato is an experience not to be missed!
Think Italian and embrace their habits.
Understanding how locals approach food will help you get more out of your
holiday. Some differences you might
find:
- Later meal times: Lunch 1:00 3:00; Dinner: 8:00 10:00
- No butter with bread in restaurants (but
youll get oil & vinegar on the table to dress salads).
- Main courses served without a
vegetable. If you order a side dish,
itll be on a separate plate.
Atkins in
- Cappuccino is a morning only drink. Asking for coffee will get you an espresso. You can order decaf espresso (caff Hag, or caff deca).
- Ask
for the check, or itll never come. Its
considered discourteous for waiters to bring it before its requested.
- Know what to eat, where. So, look out for:
Up north:
Mountain cheeses; wild mushrooms; speck
(smoked prosciutto); mountain berries; crauti
(Italian sauerkraut); eel (better than it sounds); venison; various differently
aged parmesans
In central Italy: All pork, including wild boar; Pecorino
(sheeps milk) cheeses, some of which are aged in ditches or under ash (Pecorino Di Fossa or Cenerino); Bistecca
alla Fiorentina (like T bone steak) from the Tuscan Chianina cattle; all
Mediterranean fish and shellfish; melt-in-your-mouth buffalo mozzarella;
olives; Lardo di Colonnata (cured fat, warmed to near melting on toast
which youll sub with grilled veggies);
truffles - the fungus, not the candies
And down south?
If youre lucky enough to eat with
Italians at home, whoever is cooking will be happy to cater to your way of
eating. Youll get extra antipasti
(appetizers) in place of pasta. Italians
are not judgmental and you rarely get the Oh
youll have a heart attack, if you eat like that! line.
Rather, theyre interested and open to new ideas, though youll not succeed in weaning them
from their beloved pasta!
Restaurants are easy: Ask for antipasti without bruschetta or crostini and youll get a plate loaded with local cheeses, cold
cuts, marinated veggies and olives.
Italians love soups and many are low carb. Even if they do have legumes in them, they
are usually small amounts so suitable for OWLers.
Some delicious starters: Insalata Caprese (mozzarella, tomatoes,
fresh basil, extra v. olive oil, salt); Bresaola Rucola e Parmigiano (cured beef
sliced ultra thin, rocket, parmesan shards, olive oil); Carpaccio (aged raw meat, sliced thin, or fish marinated in
lemon); Antipasti di Mare or di
Lago (seafood or fresh water fish appetizers).
Main courses are no problem variety is
wide and largely depends on where you are.
In central
Italians dont mess around with food. They believe that too many flavours override
each other. Simplicity and first class
ingredients are what cooking is all about here.
Dishes are prepared with a lot of love, but only a few herbs or
spicesthe right ones.
Yes, Atkineering in
Buon viaggio e buon appetito!
Where do we get it?
How do we get it?
And how do we keep it once we get it?
By Dreamof145 (Becky)
Motivation is an intense desire to achieve a goal ~ one that we feel so
strongly about that we are willing to change our actions to achieve it.
Motivation is the fuel that sparks the passion to make the changes to reach the
results.
Motivation (Contd)
Weve all felt moments of
embarrassment, frustration and despair regarding our weight, however, for each
of us, motivation is a personal issue. The ADBB inspires us with weight loss
success stories from others and encouraging words which stimulate our minds to help
us focus on reaching our own goals. Although each of us have different reasons,
we all share the inner desire to lose the weight and become healthier.
Motivation starts with a desire or goal to lose the weight. Dr. Atkins gave us
the tool to make it happen. We arent going to wake up tomorrow and be
magically transformed to our goal weightbut we can wake up tomorrow and be
closer to it. Here are several things we can do to keep motivated.
DANDRread often to reconfirm our commitment and develop a positive attitude
about our new Life-style
Weight Loss BuddySharing our dreams and routines help keep us focused
Daily LogReaffirm goals to keep us inspired (Journal or Personal Diary)
Visuals Pictures of ourselves/others at the weight we want to achieve or
things we want to do when we reach our goals
Positive Reinforcement Inspirational stories and tapes
Mental Conditioningwrite out motivational quotes and read daily
Physical ConditioningLook our best so we will feel better about ourselves
Monthly Measurements to
see results of WOE and Exercise
New Foods/Recipesto keep our menus exciting
Substitution foods to replace meals that are high-carb
Become Active in ADBB - Giving and receiving support encourages us and keeps
motivation alive
Be creative. Know what you want. Live your dream. Dont let anyone or anything
stop you.
