3 Big Questions for everyone

[kenny]

Hi Folks,

I would be interested to know.

1.How long you have been Low Carbing.
2.How much weight you have lost.
3.Have you been tempted to stray from your eating plan.

I have been on Atkins since January and have lost 90 pounds.

I get weighed in by the nurse on a monthly basis. Tuesday is the next weigh in, so I would expect to have increased my weight loss total to 100 pounds. I guess that kind of answers the first two questions.

On the final question, I can honestly say that I have never had the slightest temptation to cheat. There may sometimes have been something I have eaten that I've later found out later was higher in carbs than I expected. But thats' just part of the learning curve that comes with changing your eating habits around. You learn by your mistakes.

I am determined to succeed with this WOE. I.m only about half way, but I guess if I look back to January I could not have dreamed that I would be sitting here today almost 100 pounds lighter.

I don't set myself targets. Month at a time. I know if I follow Atkins strictly each month then I will lose weight.

All you folk starting out,please believe me when I say that low carbing will be the smartest decision you make in your life. You will succeed.

Regards

Kenny

[ketodiva]

First your answers:

I started in February, 2003.
I lost 51 pounds as of today.
I don't crave non LC foods but occasionally go out and will indulge in something higher carb.

That said, I don't believe in cheating. This is a lifelong commitment for me and as in everything in life, there are ups and downs. Sometimes I want to go out to dinner to Morton's Steak House. I have the steak and salad but I cannot leave without the Godiva Cake. To me this means I ate a low carb dinner and then had a high carb dessert. The next meal I'm back LCing and for the most part losing. Following my dinners out I drink water like crazy--over a gallon, to cleanse my system of toxins, and I am very strict about my carb count staying at 20 or less for a few days. When things have stabilized again, I return to between 20-30 carbs per day.

Congratulations on your commitment and your weight loss. You are a success story.

[BrewWa]

I have been LCing since Sept 3, 2002. I have lost 54 lbs. My weight loss has slowed the past couple months. I've cut back on dairy and that seems to be working.

As for straying, no. I've had some foods and drinks that I shouldn't have a few times, but remain determined to make this work. I feel so much better eating this way. The inlaws were at our place for a few days this past week. All kinds of garbage food available. I did have a couple beers with my FIL, but that's it. My MIL has always tried to lose weight but told me she could never give up bread. I just smiled and said I didn't think I could either, but I did. It's all about priorities. For me, the way I feel now is better than a truckload of bread.

Kenny- great to hear from you! Glad you are doing so well. !00 pounds in 7 months! WOW! Keep it up, guy you're doing great!

Ketodiva- you are doing excellent! You results indicate your dedication to this WOL. You've got a great attitude.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Cheers!

BrewWa

[LittleAnne]

Firstly Kenny let me congratulate you in losing 90 pounds in 7 months. That is brilliant.

Next weekend will be my second low carb anniversary. What a wonderful 2 years it has been.

In that time I have lost 59 pounds - some of us lose a lot slower because of yo-yo dieting when younger.

I very rarely have any inclination to cheat as I know it will only set my own progress back. That being said, today I've made coffee icecream with coffee licqueur in. But the carbs from the sugar will be within my daily range and so no problem.

[AntiM]

Thanks, Kenny, for posting this thread.

I think it's good for people to see the variety of types of success. When I first started researching LC, I heard amazing stories, where people my size seemed to reach their weight loss goal in a very short time (a matter of months). When I didn't lose like that, I got discouraged. But after reading so many posts from people who have had similar results, I understand that weight loss is a very individual process. I try to focus on all the good things this WOE has done for me (no more blood sugar meds, better digestion, etc.), the weight loss is just gravy.

How long you have been Low Carbing?
Since March 13th, 2003

How much weight you have lost?
31 pounds, officially, from my start weight. However, during my time low carbing, I have weighed as much as 348, which would make a 44 pound total loss. I take medication, occasionally, that causes gain, so I'm pleased that I have been able to lose at all.

Have you been tempted to stray from your eating plan?
Yes, but I've realized that has nothing to do with this WOE. I get tired of the constant cooking and cleaning that it makes necessary. I miss frozen dinners and fast food for their convenient nature. If I had the funds, I'd hire a chef or get that gourmet LC delivery food, but until that day comes, I'll keep being the scullery maid.

Cheating wise - I haven't yet. I've had higher carb days, eating 30-35 carbs, but most of the time, I stay under 25.

Congratulations to us all for finding this new WOL!

[MTEcho]

Hi all,

I have been LCing since April 11th, 2003.
I have lost 44 lbs.
I have no desire to cheat. (a miracle!!!) I did have too much cream, inadvertantly, but have since cut it out. I have not cheated at all, except there have been days when my appetite was big and I know i ate more carbs than my Induction levels.

Isn't this WOL great?? I know I will eat this way forever. My FIL asked me the other day how long I was going to be on this diet. My answer??? "Forever".

Echo

[vcrothb]

Hi Kenny! :wave:

1. Since June 29 2003 (4 weeks)

2. 22 pounds (18 on induction)

3. I have the occasional desire to cheat- I have a summer job in a military mess kitchen where they have fabulous desserts, breads, fruits, and cooks. Sometimes it's a little hard to resist- but mostly I do, apart from a blueberry- eating binge yesterday and a couple of licks of chocolate on my fingers. I find it hardest to stay away from the fruit- especially in this season. The worst is that it's all free and I HATE saying no to free food. However, the advantage is it's really easy to eat meat, cold cuts, and cheese etc- wonderful choice and that's free too!

Your story is very inspiring! Keep up the good work!

[etoiles]

Hi guys!

It is nice to hear the variety of how much people lost. I have been on since march 2003 and lost 52 pounds and it has really slowed once I got below the 'haven't been this low in years' point.

I am not tempted to cheat on high carb food but I am tempted by sf and splenda and everythign sweetened food which I want to avoid since my slowdown.

If I have cheaten it has been conciously except one time some rice from chinese takeout which had to be ground down the garbage disposal immediately. :)

good luck to everyone!

[KristyC]

How long have you been low-carbing?
I started on July 1 of this year.

How much have you lost?
I have lost 16.5 pounds in 3 1/2 weeks.

Have you been tempted to cheat?
No, because I simply do not crave any of the foods I used to binge on...cake, cookies, chocolate, ice cream, etc.

[liz175]

I have mixed feelings about participating in this thread. It's great if we use it to see that everyone's weight loss is different. It's not great if we use it to compare ourselves to other people: "Why is he losing faster than me? I might as well give up." However, most people posting seem to be approaching it in a positive way, so I'll reply:

1. I start low carbing on July 14, 2002

2. As of this morning, I have lost 88 pounds. My rate of weight loss has slowed down significantly in the past three months. I am now losing between .5 to 1 pound a week. For the first nine months I was low carbing, I was fairly consistently lowing between 1 and 2 pounds a week. I went through one period of about six weeks when I lost nothing. Aside from that, I have lost steadily during the past year.

3. I don't know how to answer this question. I don't think in terms of cheating because I associate cheating with diets and for me this is a way of eating. Some days I eat more carbs; some days I eat fewer carbs. Right now I am eating somewhat more fruit than I have for most of the past year (about two servings a day), but I'm also getting a lot of exercise and my body seems to want a few extra carbs. I try to listen to my body. I have consistently eaten healthy foods (vegetables, meat, chicken, fish, nuts, cheese, and a little fruit) and stayed away from lowcarb junk foods (bars and shakes and artificial sugars) for the past year, except for one brief binge of diet soda drinking which I rapidly gave up because all the chemicals in my body made me feel awful. I have not had a carb blowout or gone on a binge during the past year and I have never been tempted to do so. I like the way I eat and I like the way it makes me feel. However, at holidays and on special occasions I have sometime planned in advance to have a small serving of something I don't usually eat and I have eaten that small serving and then stopped.

4. None of the questions asked about exercise, but I think that exercise is just as important as eating, so I'll add a fourth question. How much do you exercise? I generally either walk or swim for an hour five days a week -- I can swim one mile and walk three to four miles in that hour (I walk faster earlier in the day than I do in the evening). Occasionally on weekends when I have more time I do more exercise than that -- I may swim a mile and also walk, or I may walk for a longer distance. I don't think I would lose at all if I didn't exercise and I know I wouldn't be as healthy as I am now if I didn't exercise.

[tasche]

1.How long you have been Low Carbing.
June 26 2003
2.How much weight you have lost.
19lbs
3.Have you been tempted to stray from your eating
plan
Surprizingly enough no though god knows I've cheated on EVERY other diet I've gone on usually within 24hrs and the only diet I've ever lost weight on was one I didn't realize I was on until afterwards ( subway diet its that REALLY a diet of brand loyalty) Well I guess that means I have screwed my metabolism. I think though that th real reason I haven't cheated is I saw results right away ( 2lbs in first day) and I always thought that losign weight was a magic thing other ppl did and not me so I dont want to risk the "magic" vanishing

[sophotia]

Hi Folks,

I would be interested to know.

1.How long you have been Low Carbing.
2.How much weight you have lost.
3.Have you been tempted to stray from your eating plan.



1. I have been on since June 2, 2003
2. I have lost 10.5 lbs
3. I see it as another LC'er put it...I'm not cheating....just as there are days that I have eaten very few carbs, there have been days they have higher. There's nothing out there I just "need" to have. There are just some situations I have been put in when I don't have many low carb options and I have to eat something higher in carbs but as soon as possible resume eating LC. My weightloss has been slow but I'm happy with it. I too realize this is a life style not a diet so I know that eventually I will reach my weight goals but in the mean time I'm healthier than I've been in a while.

[MisterE]

1.How long you have been Low Carbing.
2.How much weight you have lost.
3.Have you been tempted to stray from your eating plan.


1) Since May 4th.
2) a little over 40 pounds.
3) Yes. But after i figured out that if I eat program food BEFORE I get hungry it curbs my appetite. It has gotten easier the more I learn of this WOL.

IF I did not eat at regular intervals of program food I would binge when I got hungry on the nearest food regardless of LC or not.

[Vel]

This is a very interesting thread, thanks for starting it, Kenny.

1. I started on Sept 3, 2002 (Brew, we share our anniversary date)

2. I have lost 86 lbs, going from 328 to 242.

3. I have never been tempted to cheat because I am using CAD, which allows me to have high-carb foods once a day at my reward meal. And, even when my weight loss has slowed down, I feel so good to be free of the cravings that I would stick to it for that reason alone.

[jesslive]

1. I have been LCing since May 19th of this year.

2. I have lost about 17 pounds.

3. I have had a few higher carb days, but I am currently trying to stay around 20g per day. I don't crave the same high carb foods that I used to crave. I also try not to think of eating as cheating. I choose to eat the way I do. This helps to diminish the deprivation factor.

4. I try to exercise, but I find it on and off. I will keep at it for 3-4 weeks. Then, the pattern slips for a week or two. Will work on improving that. :lol:

Congratulations to all on your progress.

-Jess

[Marebear]

Hi :)

I have been low carbing seriously since June 30, 2003 and have lost about 10 pounds since then. I had been watching my carb intake for several years, trying to keep it under 100 g a day for my diabetes. But that way was harder and I still had cravings all the time, leading to binges and weight gain. Keeping my carbs lower (30-40) has eliminated the cravings - which is wonderful. It is easier to stick to this WOE. I eat 6 small meals a day.

The other day I did have a planned "cheat" - I had some ice cream dessert on my son's birthday. I felt HORRIBLE afterwards LOL - my stomach hurt and I felt like I was going to hurl. I guess I won't do that again. It tasted good, but not that good!!

As for exercise (which I also think is an integral component of any healthy lifestyle) - I am in the 8 week challenge here and this week's goal is to do 20 min of cardio 3 times and weight lifting 3 times. I just started back with the weight lifting last week and got the Body for Life book and plan on starting that soon.

:wiggle:

Mary

[Laika]

I have been LC since the middle of April. I have lost 46 pounds. I have never been tempted to stray. The plan fits my life style. It is easy to stick to, and never leaves me hungry.

[tulips]

Hi Kenny...

Congrats on your terrific weight loss!!! You must feel a ton better.


I started on June 5, 2003, but do not as yet have a total weight loss. I did however measure myself on day one and after one month lost 9 1/2 inches. I can tell my weight loss has slowed since Induction but I would assume that would be normal.

Like those that posted before me some days my carb total is higher or lower than others. I try to stay under 20. As of yet, I have had no desire for any food not on program but I haven't put in much time either. I come to the boards daily to keep myself on track. At this point, I feel confident I will succeed. This program has been the easiest ever for me to follow.

Let us know if you made it to the 100lb club! (I cannot wait til the day I can post that.)

tulips

[geminids13]

I started on 7/1/03 and have lost 15 lbs. I am shocked that I am not constantly hungry like I have been on other diets, but not being hungry doesn't stop the cravings. Of course some foods are very tempting and it's hard not to eat them. I really agree with liz175 that cheating is a part of "diets" and I feel like I am changing my lifestyle instead of just dieting. Each individual knows what it will take for him/her to succeed at this. I know that if I don't allow myself to eat some of my favorite foods occasionally, I'll never keep this up. Until I get to my ideal weight, I plan on having one day to eat anything I want (in normal quantities) every other month. This helps me say no to lasagne today and look forward to having it later. Hopefully the high carbs will make me sick and I won't even want to do it again. Planned indulgences may not work for all, but I think it's right for me.

[shimpboat]

Hello everyone,
I'm new to the board and decided to join in. I have been low carbing since July 16, 2003. So far I have lose 15lbs. As far as cheating, I have to get used to saying "I don't want any", instead of "I can't have any". I did eat artichoke pizza at work the other night, but I didn't eat the ends. I made sure that I watched my carbs for the rest of the night. I haven't weighed in since then, I usually weigh in on Sunday evening. I feel as most of you do, this isn't a "diet", it is how I have chosen to live my life. (PS, I went back to low carbing the next morning)
Michelle
:p

[geo53562]

1.How long you have been Low Carbing.
2.How much weight you have lost.
3.Have you been tempted to stray from your eating plan.



1. 05/11/2003
2. 42 pounds (as of 07/27/2003)
3. Every day...but I haven't so far, despite traveling, parties and many meals shared with non-dieters.

Congratulations, Kenny...you're doin' Great!

[redawn]

whelp been on it since January 2003(now two others at church who have seen my results are on it)
Have lost almost 50lbs. . .knock me over! Can't believe it myself. And it hardly needs any will power. . .And I can have will power if I want to. . .I used to do the no eatting thing when I was a teen.
and OH YES I have been tempted to cheat. . .I WANT ONION RINGS. . .not burger king onion rings (they suck) I WANT A BLOOMING ONION!!!! AND PECAN PIE! ~sigh~ redawn:)

[mkathy6]

1. I have been low carbing since October 28th 2002.

2. As of this morning I have lost 52 lbs!!! :)

3. I have to agree with many who have posted that this is now I way of life for me so I don't consider it cheating, I call it life and no c I can't imagine my life forever without some foods! But with that said no I did not cheat until I hit my 50lbs and then I rewarded myself with fried clams. It did not effect me badly, I did not gain I stayed even with my loss and then lost 2lbs this week. Was it worth it - Oh yeah!!! Will I do it again - no because I don't need them now - once every few months for an extra treat I think is fine, when the rest of my eating is all LC.

4 Exercise - I have been going to Curves 3-4x per week since November 1st. I have found this has helped me alot. I hate to excercise but I love Curves!!!

[pilkyd]

Started wol on April 2, 2003. I've lost 43 pounds so far. Day to Day I've had no urge to cheat once I got past day three or four. Sugar cravings were terrible then. Two weekends ago I allowed myself to eat whatever I wanted when my wife and I went away for our anniversary, came back and got write on track again. My new found will power has to be attributed to the lack of sugars in my body. Thats the only reasonable explanation I can think of. With four kids in the house, you know there is usually some junk food around, but I've never been tempted by it. I also treat myself to some sf candy every now and again, but I don't see that as cheating. For once I feel like this is something I can do long term, so I try to be open minded and flexible in certain situations, I think that will help insure long term success. Great thread Kenny! Dan

[DusterCat]

I somehow missed this thread before today. I started LC-ing in March 2002, and by October I had lost an even 50 lbs. I was feeling pretty smug and proud of myself, and ate a whole bunch of Halloween candy while I was giving it out to the trick-or-treaters. (!!!) WRONG! I thought I would go right back on plan the next day, and actually I did, but the cravings were worse than they had been the first time, and all the cells in my body were giggling and saying "Hee hee heee! Give us MORE!!!" To make a long story short, I didn't totally get back on track until about 3 months ago. Right now, I am back to minus 50 and needless to say I am not going to reward myself with any kind of carbs. I'm not even going to THINK about it. Hey, I'm a "cautionary tale," aren't I? :lol:

[tgill32177]

1. Low carbing since Jan '03
2. Lost 68 lbs
3. Cheat? I will be the few that will "HONESTLY" admit that I did cheat. Did I learn how to cheat and not admit it to myself? Nope. A cheat is a cheat is a cheat.
4. Exercise: Not until March '03. 2 x's a week strength and 3 x's a week cardio. Burn baby burn.

[JYounginer]

How long have you been on Atkins? I've been LCing for 5 weeks now.
Total Weight Loss? around 23 pounds.
Cheating? I tell ya, that has been a little harder for me than others. I think that it's the environment that I work in, everyone always eats whatever they want in the office and I just want to kill them sometimes. However, I hadn't cheated at all until this past weekend, when the urge for Pizza and Beer got the best of me. Luckily, I only had 2 beers and 3 small slices of Pizza before that guilt ache hit my stomach. After eating it I realized that it really wasn't worth it. I could have just ate the toppings and not have cheated, and really felt satisfied. From now on, when I have a craving for fast food I've decided that I'm going to go and get what I'm craving and just not eat the bad parts. Then, in my mind, I'm still having what I wanted. Sometimes being on Atkins is like a mind-game you have to play with yourself. Funny isn't it?

I think the best thing about choosing Atkins as my "Way Of Life" allows me to not even think about what I did as cheating. I'm going to be eating healthy and taking care of my body from now on, so if I have a high carb day, it's ok, cause tomorrow, I'll be back to my low carb ways and loosing weight again. I've also noticed that if the urge to cheat hits you, there are alot of things that you can have that are not as high in carbs as other choices. Like sugar free pudding made into mousse by using heavy cream instead of a candy bar. Or my recent favorite is 2 tblspoons of peanut butter, 1 and a 1/2 tblspoons of cream cheese, and 1 packet of splenda. This is what I have when the craving for Cheese Cake is unbearable. Work with what you've got!

Ok, I've run my mouth enough. Have a great day!

Happy LCing!

[bgmama]

Well lets see I've been LC'ing for about 4 months and I've lost 30 lbs so far. As far as being tempted to stray , not seriously. Thank goodness that they make LC chocolate bars or I think I would be in troulble. I have finally made my mind up that this is a WOL forever and to just adjust to it. Hopefully the people around me will start to realize that too.

[Graceful]

I have been low carbing since July 5, 2003 and I have lost 19 pounds. I don't really get the urge to cheat. If I do, I just eat something sweet that is legal.

[lesley07]

1.How long you have been Low Carbing. Feb 17 2003
2.How much weight you have lost. 33
3.Have you been tempted to stray from your eating plan.....This is a WOL I ave learned that If I want a small bite of something thats ok. I just don't eat a whole cake anymore.

[carlab68]

1.How long you have been Low Carbing.
2.How much weight you have lost.
3.Have you been tempted to stray from your eating plan.

I started on 10/7/02. I have only lost 17 lbs. Anyone interested can swing by my journal. I've never really been tempted to stray. Oh I've had moments where I went what the heck eat 'fill in the blank' but I've become good at arguing with myself. I've never actually strayed from my eating plan.

[statjunk]

3 days shy of a year

just over 91lbs

Yes, but very rarely and only recently.

[mrschmelz]

1.How long you have been Low Carbing.
2.How much weight you have lost.
3.Have you been tempted to stray from your eating plan.


1. I have now been low carbing for about 7.5 months.

2. After this week's weigh in, I see a total loss of 82 lbs thus far.(I sneaked a peak today and had lost 2 more lbs, but weigh in isn't until Monday)

3. I have never been tempted to permenatly stray. However, I will admit I probably "cheat" more than most people. I ddrink beer 2 to 3 times a week, I have even eaten cheeseburgers and french fries at 5 am with my friends. But the main basis of my diet is and probably always will be eating a low carb lifestyle. The more important thing to me though is exercise. I have really noticed a huge difference since I kicked the exercise up.

[CaseyZee]

Quote:
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1.How long you have been Low Carbing.
2.How much weight you have lost.
3.Have you been tempted to stray from your eating plan.
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This has been a really interesting thread. My own stats....

1. Atkins since 01.21.03
2. I've lost 41 pounds (Yippee!)
3. I've been amazed at some of the stories here where some folks just don't have cravings any more. Let me tell you - I do! Really I do! I did great for the first few months, then the last few months I would have a decent sized cheat about every 2 weeks. Since my weight loss had slowed considerably I was really only gaining and losing the same 5 lbs. I swear this happened no less than 6 times! I've been back on the band wagon now for just over a week and I'm re-dedicated to this as a WOL. I know I can do it.

4. Exercise - I agree with others that this is a very important piece of the puzzle. Unfortunately, I tend to be hot and cold here too.