Why did you choose low-carb?

[DebDaCajun]

Inquiring minds wanna know :D And I am just wondering how many other diabetics there are here.

[ironlung]

Well, i voted, but i'll explain also. I'm going to embark on a low carb diet to;


Drop a few pounds
Find a way to controll my carb cravings
Help maintain my weight for the rest of my life

[DebDaCajun]

Sounds like good reasons to me -- and I agree with them too!

[numberonewendy]

Hi there, don't really know you....or remember you...LOL

Why did choose this wol? Oh my....well I wasn't even looking for this type of thing at the time. I got into a sewing forum which is similar to this forum. I got thinking....gee the support for sewing online and learning is terrific, wonder if there is somewhere for folks to go when feeling down about their weight? I have dieted many of times and was fed up with it, and knew dieting was not for me anymore....no way was I going on a diet.....for no one..not even for me.....and I'm 43 yrs old....not happy with myself..but ain't dieting ever again!!!!

Someone led me to this site....or there abouts....but I found this. I began reading...as I never knew about carbs.....shoot..all I knew about was low fat....low fat this...low fat that...Dr. Bernstein..taking shots..not sure about the Americans talking about a Dr. Bernstein...but the guy I knew was into shots....and a diet...that killed!!!

I spent two days reading the posts here..and the information and thought my.....this isn't a diet...this is just cutting out the bad stuff....yet I feared as I also read about kidney problems and saw folks posting about gall bladder problems etc......I expressed my concern on these matters and got answers that satisfied me.....

I'm low carbing...cause I can....I don't suffer like I have when on diets....with low carbing I don't feel like I am on a diet..and thats a big plus for me......If I want something real bad....I feel I can have it.....not like I am going to put on the twenty three pounds that I lost...heck no....I eat it...then say...ok Wendy.....now thats it...you got what you wanted....now continue eating the way you should....healthy eating all...thats all it is....

I like feeling the way I feel......happy....energetic....a bit thinner..and sometimes on some days man I feel real thin....sort of like a hair day..some days..oh pooh...I suck....other days..wow I'm beautiful....look out world here I come...hehehehe...all in the attitude I do believe....now don't talk to me when I am pmsing....lol...thats another story....hehehehe...working on it though....

Love you guys :)

[DebDaCajun]

Yeah, I'm pretty new here, just found this cool place this week. My mom gave me the book Dr. Bernstein's Diabetes Solution so that's how I came to be a low-carber. I have more about myself in the introduction section and in my profile. Thanks for writing so much about yourself and voting in my poll too! :D

[sherrybee]

did the low fat thing for over 10 years..worked for a while then BLAMMO!!!!!!!!!.....i started gaining weight...i didn't know what the heck was going on......then the "revolution" that i learned through the news and studies is that carbs if not burned can turn into FAT...hmmmmmm...so with that, HERE I AM!!!!!

[doreen T]

Not diabetic here (yet), but strong family legacy of ALL the Syndrome X problems. So yes, I want to lose weight, but I also do want to prevent the tragedies that have happened in my family from happening to me... type2 diabetes, heart disease and atherosclerosis, obesity, strokes ....

The original Atkins was the first diet I ever went on, back in the 70s. I was 16 at the time, lost 25 or 30 lbs over the summer. I cut my hair too, and when I went back in the fall, nobody recognised me. It was great (class Nerd here .:)). I maintained for a few years by continuing to lowcarb, until college and nursing school, where the fear of FAT was drilled into my brain.

Oh ya, I did Scarsdale, and Wt. Watchers, Diet Center, Wt.Loss Clinic, tried McDougall (mega lowFAT) and even went vegan for almost a year. I have other chronic health problems too, and medication.... in recent years, I was told about Protein Power by my acupuncturist, herself a vegetarian, but she recognises and respects that we're not all the same, and some people NEED to eat meat. I've been lowcarbing faithfully for over a year; the weight loss is slow, not steady, but it is loss nonetheless, after a decade of GAINING on lowfat, high-grain diets. (I wasn't even a big candy and junk eater). And my cholesterol and triglycerides have improved, and blood pressure is down.

Just ask me if I plan to go back to the old lowfat, highCARB way of eating. No way!

Doreen

[r.mines]

I voted 'to avoid diabetes,' but there's a bit more to it than that!

Originally I started this diet to lose weight; a few years ago middle age spread hit with a vengeance!

But the more I read and learned, the more I realized that this way of eating is the only way I can avoid the family legacy of obesity, diabetes, and heart problems that I'm in line for (I'm with you, Doreen!). My grandfather died of diabetes (30 years ago, when treatment was far worse than it is now); my mother has diabetes, my sister's pre-diabetic, my father died of complications from atherosclerosis, my younger (!) brother has high cholesterol .... yikes! So yes, I wanna be skinny and gorgeous, but more importantly, I wanna be healthy.

If eating yummy food, losing weight, and looking and feeling better is what it takes to be healthy .... well .... sometimes we just gotta pay the price, ya know? Gosh darn it all anyway! :D

Rachel

[rainny]

Don't have diabetes..but figured that was where I was headed!! My health and not being able to really enjoy playing with my kids was a big issue!! And theweight was the reason for both! I've also tried every thing esle...this is the only thing that REALLY WORKS!!
Lorraine:p

[grondike]

I have been an avid weight lifter, snowboarder, rollerblader, etc, etc for years. I seemed to maintain a high level of bodyfat no matter how hard I would train. I heard the science behind low carbs and decided to give it a try. After 6 weeks on an induction level diet, I had lost 20lbs with a bullet. I kept my muscle because I actually got stronger in the gym.

I like the level of bodyfat I have now, so my new diet is this. Under 30 grams of carbs Monday - Thursday. Friday - Sunday I eat as many carbs as I like. I gain about 3 lbs over the weekend and they are gone by Wednesday. I don't have to turn down social drinking or pizza on this diet. I don't go crazy with it, but I can enjoy the naughty foods and still keep the weight off. Sorry to go on and on, but wanted to mention my zig zag diet here.

[tamarian]

Originally posted by grondike
Sorry to go on and on, but wanted to mention my zig zag diet here.

Actually, this zig-zag now has a name, the Cyclical Ketogenic Diet (CKD). It's very useful for active (or those willing to get active) in weight lifting/bodybuilding. Some of our mebers have acheived great results (Fern comes to mind) and we have just started a seperate forum for it. :)

Wa'il

[fern2340]

Wa'il-
Without reading your post I was going to respond to groundike and say, hey, that's the CKD!!! Then I saw your post.... :) you're too quick!

[tamarian]

Originally posted by fern2340
Wa'il-
Without reading your post I was going to respond to groundike and say, hey, that's the CKD!!! Then I saw your post.... :) you're too quick!

Awwh, I'll take that as a compliment ;)

Wa'il

[grondike]

Thanks Gang! Excuse the rookie mistake. CKD is a great name for it and I will cruise that forum too now. ;0)

[Ruth]

Deb, Yup, I'm a diabetic. I found Dr B's Diabetes Solution on the web, went out 3 days later to buy my own copy along with Dr A's New Diet Revolution. Dr A explains the low carb WOE much better IMHO, but Diabetes Solution is invaluable in understanding diabetes & related health issues. :( Diabetes abounds on the paternal side of my family.

In Dec 2000 I faced head-on the fact that I'm morbidly obese, diabetic, have shortened life expectancy, multiple health problems, etc. This was hugely difficult. (Pun intended, bad I know). Some tough soul searching: Do I carry on as I am, getting bigger than the proverbial barn and forget about buying RRSP's because I won't live long enough to need them? Or find a way to lose weight, get healthy & enjoy my life? I've dieted B4 (haven't we all) and the old WW model/exchange diets didn't work too well in the short term. Long term, regain of lost weight, plus more was depressing.

Why even bother? Being hungry ALL the time just isn't an option for me... the sense of deprivation & urge to eat & binge is too strong. I began to seriously investigate various weight loss surgery options and started a dialog with my GP about WLS, which she doesn't recommend. For 2 months I believed that WLS was my only hope to achieve a healthy weight.

In the course of my investigations, I stumbled upon Dr B's site & here I am, a big loser of 31 lbs! Thank God I found Dr Bernstein's book. (I mean that sincerely). WLS is so drastic and I'm glad I found an alternative that works for me.
My blood glucose levels are the same now as before LC, when I took 5mg glyburide daily. No more glyburide for me!

Ruth, a happy low carber

[Ruth]

Originally posted by r.mines

If eating yummy food, losing weight, and looking and feeling better is what it takes to be healthy .... well .... sometimes we just gotta pay the price, ya know? Gosh darn it all anyway! :D

Rachel [/B]

*LOL* Rachel, you're right. I'll gladly pay the price. Tonight I'm planning a cheesecake after dinner.

Ciao, Ruth

[Losergirl]

I started on low carb two weeks ago. Why? Because my body is betraying me! For the last 6 years, I've continually gained weight, about 7.5 lbs per year. On reading low carb books, I recognized a woe that was quite similar to the diet I grew up on. I recognized that in the past few years, my diet had changed to include way more pasta, rice and bread type foods than I ever used to eat.

[fiona]

Hi Ruth

31 lbs - wow! that's about all I need to lose to be back within my margin. Well done. How long did it take you?

The voting options didn't cover the reason I am on this diet. My main reason is mood control and the disasters that have dogged me because I simply refused to take anti-depressants but just could not find the right solution. Stuck between a rock and a hard place.

I've worked on addictions for years and the amazing, incredible thing is I got deeper and deeper into carb addiction - no expert had mentioned it anywhere.

Take care.

[r.mines]

Hi, Ruth, how goes it? And more important, how's the cheesecake??? Drool!

Rachel


Originally posted by Ruth Koend


*LOL* Rachel, you're right. I'll gladly pay the price. Tonight I'm planning a cheesecake after dinner.

Ciao, Ruth

[Ruth]

Hi ya Fiona,

The weight loss LC journey has been 12 weeks; if you look @ my profile, you'll see that I've got a lot to lose. Weight loss ease/difficulty is so often relative to our starting point. :) Comparing yourself & your weight loss to others is so self destructive, DON'T DO IT! I sure wish I could say that I was only 30 lbs from goal :p :) However I'll be there one day (she says with hope).


About depression; I recently read the Heller's CAD book. It sounds like losing weight, improved insulin function etc will help with low serotonin levels. I sure hope so because I'd like to eventually get off the meds I use. I'm one of those truly chemical depressives. Miss one dose accidentally & I'm a weepy mess:( :eek: Of course it is many hours later before I realize why the weepies have struck. The med I'm on is a serotonin re-uptake inhibitor; it works by keeping serotonin in the blood longer. They don't make one high like the Valium of old. :eek:

Have you looked into SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) the lack of sunlight basically makes one depressed. Check out the several posts in the Fibromyalgia/Chronic Fatigue/S.A.D. forum.
Doreen & Rachel in particular share about their experiences.

Since you are located in the UK, S.A.D. could be a possibility :eek:

Wishing you a great day, hope the sun shows up :) Ruth

[Ruth]

Hi Rachel,

Life is pretty darn sweet. Had a great weekend, got out into the sun. Too bad it poured during our Saturday am coffee time.

Oh the cheesecake was wonderful. I got the recipe from another LC site, I might post it here when I remember to check the source. It tastes like orange creamsicle. I've managed to keep enough for dessert tonight - a friend is coming over to dinner. :p

Ruth

[fiona]

Hi Ruth ... and everyone else :) :D

Comparing yourself & your weight loss to others is so self destructive, DON'T DO IT!
I know. I've given out that advice myself a few times. Besides it is futile to compare me with you 'cos you and me are both unique, individual and special. The only true comparison is ME YESTERDAY and ME TODAY.

I do suffer from SAD. I've got this light box which I use in Winter. It gives full spectrum light and is the nearest equivalent to sunlight. It does help.

I now think if the Atkins diet works as well for me in Winter as it is now I'm going to be fine this Winter - that will be the real test.

<However I'll be there one day (she says with hope). >
Of course you will. You can do it - in fact ONLY you can do it.
Take care

[annie_250]

I had tryed and failed at everything from pills to starvation. I had had a hysterectomy and was put on HRT, have underactive thyroid and tried to quit smoking and had gained over 50 lbs in a year....I just wanted to die.......it was the one thing I hadn't tried.....

Annie

[Ruth]

Annie,

Checked your stats, great weight loss! Welcome to the board, the folks here are helpful, knowledgable & have a great sense of humour too. Ruth

[annie_250]

Thanks for the welcome Ruth!! Most of my loss was in the first 6 months, I since have been experimenting and learning a whole lot about stallers and intollerance foods, and triggers for cravings........but back on track and gung ho to reach goal!!

Annie

[DebDaCajun]

Originally posted by Ruth Koend
Miss one dose accidentally & I'm a weepy mess:( :eek: Of course it is many hours later before I realize why the weepies have struck. The med I'm on is a serotonin re-uptake inhibitor; it works by keeping serotonin in the blood longer.

Yeah me too! I ran low last week and it was not a pretty sight! :eek: I take mine for the depression that comes as part of my PTSD. (I know, too much information.) I don't have SAD though, unless they have a variant that makes you more depressed the MORE the sun is out! Summer just melts my synapses! :rolleyes:

[Ruth]

Ah, Deb,

Just a wee thought here. Maybe you should move to Vancouver BC. Not much danger of melting synapses here, although rumour has it that we have reached a balmy 24 C (78 F) which is getting warm for the West (Wet) Coast. Keep your :cool:

Ruth

[doreen T]

Originally posted by DebDaCajun
I don't have SAD though, unless they have a variant that makes you more depressed the MORE the sun is out! Summer just melts my synapses! :rolleyes: hi Deb,

As a matter of fact, there IS a summer SAD. I'm having difficulty locating any meaningful information online ... there's a book though, "Don't be SAD", by Celeste Peters, well-written and a whole chapter devoted to the spring/summer depressive pattern. Your library might have a copy to borrow.

It seems the summer variant is mediated more by a thermal dysregulation ... ie, it's the heat and humidity .. more than lack or excess of available sunlight. As with all areas of our mental well-being though, no studies conclusive ... and most theories are just that .. theories. One theory suggests the heat factor affects the sleep patterns, hence you become lethargic, lack energy and just generally blah. The bright light therapy, so helpful for winter SAD (I use a lightbox myself, it makes all the difference in the world ... but I digress :rolleyes: ....) is less effective for summer SAD. Cooler climate, getting sleep patterns regulated, and dietary control (in particular carbs, go figure :D) ... plus SSRI medications appear to be more helpful.

Here are some links to web articles about SAD, with a brief mention given to summer symptoms in each. http://www.abc.net.au/rn/talks/8.30/helthrpt/stories/s230.htm

http://www.brown.edu/Administration/George_Street_Journal/v22/v22n9/SAD.html

http://www.outsidein.co.uk/index.htm ... Outside-In is an excellent information site for SAD and other "bodyclock" related problems. I recommend it highly. Use their search engine to find info. on summer symptoms (there's not a lot, but the site is still well worth a visit)Doreen

[DebDaCajun]

Originally posted by doreen T
[B]hi Deb,

As a matter of fact, there IS a summer SAD.

I KNEW IT! :D I've always told people there must be! Thanks for the info, Doreen! And Ruth, I would LOVE to move to Vancouver -- maybe one day! Of course I'd have to move back south for the winter cuz my roommate has the winter SAD -- I swear in January she sounds just like Emily Dickenson (who I am POSITIVE had SAD, from the sound of some of her poems).

I will be checking out those links -- thanks Doreen!

[fiona]

Hi All

I'm worrying about "excluding" by addressing it to one person - that's me :) ;)

Vancouver is beauuuuuutifulllllll. I spent the most wonderful six weeks there many years ago and still dream about the Indian tomahawks - fantastic pieces of art.

What with Summer SAD (I'd never heard of it but it certainly explains why I've spent beautiful sunny summer days in bed feeling disgusted with my "excuses" for "laziness", Hayfever, PMS and the dreaded big M coming up looks like my whole adult life is doomed ! (thought I'd cheer y'all up :eek: :rolleyes: since I'm up at this hour 'cos of runny nose and eyes)

I finally got round to doing it - been thinking about it for a few weeks - and checked out what my books on SAD recommended. They do ask you to asses your own reactions to food but one book recommends carbs for breakfast, proteins for lunch and carbs for supper, and the other carbs all day and protein for supper! As most SAD sufferers know in their "better" moments they are just incapable of assessing anything whilst they are struggling to get through the day. It should be interesting what happens to me this winter.

Take care all

[tina3869]

Does anyone know if you can get diabeties (spelling?) from eating too much sugar? My grandmother swears that's how my grandfather and his mother got it ....she calls it "sugar diabities" I'm not sure what that means. My grandfather had to take shots and eat a sugar free diet, and his mother was always in the hospital with these sores on her legs and she couldn't have sugar either. So anyway, my grandmother used to have a fit if we ate anything with sugar in it and would swear "If you eat that candy bar you'll end up just like your grandfather!!" OH!!! We weren't allowed to have white bread either.

So ofcurse when I grew up and moved out I cramed (and have been cramming) every bit of sugar and white bread that I can get my hands on!!

BTW that was a great idea for a poll!!

[sdisney]

I am so happy to find this site. I chose low carb because I did lowfat for 10 yrs. for high cholesterol and it only went higher and I gained weight. Low carb had dropped my Cholesterol count by 86 points, raised my HDL to 128, lowered my trigly. to 46 and lost 18 lbs. Felt GREAT!
I have had breast cancer this past year and I let everything with my diet slip back to BAD. Now all the treatment is behind me, the cancer is gone, I have gained weight, my Cholesterol count is back up, even though my HDL still remains high (125). I am working hard to get back to the low carb diet. I used Protein Power/Dr. Atkins. It works for me. My doctors also recommended the diet for breast cancer, but also add fruits and veggies. I can't have soy products because my tumor was ER Neg, so that makes it harder to get a variety of protein. Reading all of this helps to keep me focused and gives me encouragement. I am basically alone in this so I need all the positive input I can get. Any suggestions on other protein sources besides soy? I have used some of the recipes, they are great. I am so blessed to have found this site. It gives me the support I need. A grateful THNAK YOU!!!

[Lara]

Hi. I'm also a fairly new poster here. I love the daily inspiration this forum provides. Lots of great recipes, stories and tips but most important of all the great camaradarie amongst the low carbers. Good luck and we're all with you! Cheers.

[DebDaCajun]

Originally posted by tina3869
Does anyone know if you can get diabetes from eating too much sugar? My grandmother swears that's how my grandfather and his mother got it

Until a few years ago, the blame for diabetes was blamed on overconsuption of sugar, but now it is known that diabetes is a bit more complex. (BTW, "sugar diabetes" means the same thing as diabetes mellitus, an excess of glucose in the blood. It's an old term (I heard my grandma use it too) that differentiates it from diabetes insipidus, which is caused by impaired renal function.)

It's not sugar itself that is the problem so much as the overconsumption of ANY carbohydrate -- your body doesn't much care if you're getting carbos from candy, pasta, or fruit, it will still turn all excess into fat. Although being overweight DOES put you at risk, there is also a strong genetic component to it.

It's a vicious cycle really -- you overeat carbos, your insulin converts it into fat, you get fatter and more insulin resistant, so your cells tell your brain, "Hey, we're starvin' down here!" and so you eat more carbos. Best way to break that cycle is low-carb. Easy to say, not so easy to do when your inner child wants to eat the same things your visiting 8-year old nephew is! :rolleyes: (In case anyone was wondering, that's what I've been busy with all week, entertaining my nephew Brandon.)

[Sharon]

Ruth....sounds wonderful the way you are turning things around...may you live a long, healthy wealthy life...now get out there a buy some RRSP's..it's a buyers market!!

[montgomeryps99]

I am a borderline diebetic and my weight was getting way out of control. I had tried so many different diets and nothing ever worked that well for me, or else I didn't feel satisfied. Plus when I went shopping for clothes I would get really bummed out because I couldn't buy the cute clothes they have out, they just don't make that many cute clothes in plus sizes. But the Atkins diet has been working so well for me I have been on the diet for 5 months now, and sure I have an occasional day here and there where I admit I eat something I shouldn't but I make sure I am right back with the program. I miss things like ice cream, my DR. Pepper, milk (big milk drinker) but occasionally I will have a half a glass just to cure the craving for it usually about once a week.

[Kim1228]

My Mom and brother are diabetics and I'm over weight........so the writing is on the wall.

I like most overwieght people have tried every diet in the book. I reluctently get on the scale several times a day leaning this way and that way...............in disbelief that it could actually be that number! My weight is the first thing I think of when I get up and it follows me through out the day. I have atleast40-46 lbs. to loose. In my eyes it might as well be 3oo. Yesterday, I tried the low-carb thing. Actually, I tired the "carb-addict healthy heart' diet. Where you have a "reward" meal. I felt satisfied. I even had a small piece of chocolate cake. I lost 1 lb. But still feel like eating that cake is "cheating" so today I will not induldged in the dessert area. I'm having a problem with ideas for breakfast. Are there any ideas out there.......would apprecoate it. thanks.....I have never been in a support group before but I know I need something!

[JeanetteJ]

Eggs, sausage, bacon, ham, cheeses, omlettes,. those are the main things. for variety I'll ocasionally have cheese on a low carb peice of bread, or some plain yogurt, or a glass of milk. Watch the carbs on these last ones though, make sure you have the allotment. Also, you could eat any food you might eat for lunch or dinner even if it's 'breakfast' time.
Jeanette

[KarN]

:wave: Hello everyone,
It took me a long time to make up my mind about going back on a
lo carb program. After all, "Sugar" loves me!

I finally made up my mind because I am tired of waking up in
the morning and feeling like I have a hangover. For me,
binging on carbs makes me sluggish as heck. I sleep poorly,
I react slowly, and I always feel hungry. When on a binge I crave more! I am tired of it.

When on a lo carb program I have a sort of inner peace and
good feeling about myself. I sleep better and am happier with myself. My top wt. was 250 many yrs ago. I lost over the yrs
down to 125 with lo carbs and have worked my way back to
170. But I stopped there. I know it works, and ya know what?
I am so much *NICER* when the sugar is out of my body.
Does anyone else feel like they are nicer or happier when away from Sugar???

[CherylAust]

I hadn't even heard of Low Carbing until a friend from the US sent me one of The Aitkins books, I didn't know that I was addicted to carbohydrates. I have tried all sorts of diets, even injections which made me feel terrible. I did have limited success once with Weight Watchers but put it all back on when I stopped going. It has been hard going with non-low carber family members that I have to cook for but I am trying hard. Though it hasn't been as hard as the low fat diets I have been on. The results I have seen so far will keep me on this track, I will continue until and beyond the time I reach my goal.

My name is Cheryl and I am a carboholic

[Robibob]

Hello and Congratulations to all here.
I chose to go on this diet because of 17 years of being
obease.Low self esteem and yo-yo dieting took me up to 276
last spring.My sister told me one of her friends had lost a lot of weight this way and was doing well.I started fooling around
with LC and by the end of summer I was down to 256.That
was three and a half weeks ago.When I weighed this morning I'm down to 238(lbs.) I started to cry,Now I'm more determined then ever to stick to this.
My husband has a convention in Feb.I'm determined to look my best.This Jan. I will get to buy new clothes,I won't have to wear
moo-moos.I'm so glad I found this site:) Everyone here has inspired me to carry on with this new way of life for me.
Thank You all so much.;)
Robi

[marble]

I'm on Low Carb (Atkins) simply because it works. I'm 46 years old and I haven't been able to make the scale BUDGE for about a year. It's discouraging. Now having lost 7 pounds on Induction, I'm thrilled with it and intend to keep going.

-Nancy :cool:

[techgirl]

I am a low carber because I want to lose weight but I know that I am in it for life now. If I go back to my old WOE, I am back in hell as far I am concerned.

I tried everything....Xenical, Nutri Sustem, WW, Slim Fast...etc.
I had my gallblader removed. After loosing lots of weight on Nutri System, I went into a depression....not fun at all. Last year while I was on Xenical, I had a kidney stone....not fun, the worst pain ever. :eek:

I am still feeling the effects of Xenical, every time I consume a somewhat large amount of fat, I must be close to a bathroom if you know what I mean. :mad: I would not recommend Xenical to anybody.

I have also considered getting my stomach stappled but I have heard horror stories so I chickened out.

There, that's my story... Now, I am lowcarbing... I hope it will work.

Cheers

[numberonewendy]

Low carbing will work. Xenical...it was ok....as long as you watched what you ate, and if you ate fat...as long as you were close to a washroom :eek:

Tummy stapled, well that I know I wouldn't go for. I know a few that have, and I'm not impressed....they are now over weight once again, and can't eat a decent meal!

[KarN]

What is Xenical? Is it a medication for wt. reduction?

As far as stomach stapling, I have two friends
who had it done and it worked for them. They would not even
consider you as a candidate since you are not grossly overwt.
If your life was threatened due to obesity it would be a good
option. I sure as heck would have it done.

KarN

[techgirl]

Xenical basically blocks the absortion of fat by your body.
It works great, believe me it does. If you eat to much fat, you will know it, you will need to use the bathroom right away!

I did loose weight with it but it was not worth the trouble for me anyway. A friend of mine did loose quite a bit of weight (45 pounds) and he loved using Xenical.

:wave:

Cheers

[bluugirl]

well i accidentally started reading Atkins New Diet revolution.. and i was impressed by what he said and of course shocked since i had been doing/thinking the opposite..so i said, what do i have to lose.. i'll try for a while, and it had been my first official diet.. as in a plan to follow..etc.. i wasn't worried about health reasons since i'm still young, although i didn't know what my blood cholesterol etc readings were.. my energy improved dramatically, and i was losing weight..so kept going at it :)
I am at my thinnest in my adult and teenage years!.. and i'm grateful to having come across the book (and this forum is super!, i've learned a great deal more).. i believe in this WOL.. i used to think it was all genetics..just the way i am.. and i had to live with it....when i started atkins i was at 175lb.. but my highest recorded weight was 194.. (i'm sure i went higher too! ~ that was about 7 yrs ago). i just feel that i am changing, evolving into the person i knew i was inside and that by itself is a wonderful feeling.
sorry if i went out of context.. :)

[doreen T]

Xenical also effectively blocks the absorption of the essential Omega fatty acids that are in those fats, as well as any fat-soluble vitamins consumed with them, including supplements. Vitamins A, D, E and K. Also blood levels of fat-soluble carotenoids from fruits, vegetables and supplements have shown to be decreased.

I'm curious to see the long-term effects on people .. years from now, if they develop chronic ill-health from fatty acid deficiencies.

Doreen

[Raven]

I'm posting here to try to get rid of a bug on my end. For some reason I can't see any post beyond September 11th on this thread. Hopefully this will fix it. Pardon the off topic

[creaky]

I went back to low carbing because a friend told me she had pain relief from carpal tunnel syndrome by following low carb. I have heel spurs and thought if it helped her, maybe it would help me. I had done low carb before, lost 50 lbs, but went back to the 'siren' of carbs and gained it back.

I joined TOPS (Take off Pounds Sensibly) (www.tops.org) a few months ago following a low fat high carb, and lost weight at the beginning but started to gain it back, no matter what I did.

So the pain in my heels has gone from a 10 on 1-10 scale with 10 the highest to a 2 or three.

Christy

[tamarian]

Originally posted by creaky
I went back to low carbing because a friend told me she had pain relief from carpal tunnel syndrome by following low carb. I have heel spurs and thought if it helped her, maybe it would help me. I had done low carb before, lost 50 lbs, but went back to the 'siren' of carbs and gained it back.

I joined TOPS (Take off Pounds Sensibly) (www.tops.org) a few months ago following a low fat high carb, and lost weight at the beginning but started to gain it back, no matter what I did.

So the pain in my heels has gone from a 10 on 1-10 scale with 10 the highest to a 2 or three.

Christy

Hi Christy,

Welcome to our forum!

Congrats on finding a solution through low-carbing.

Wa'il

[doreen T]

Originally posted by Raven
I'm posting here to try to get rid of a bug on my end. For some reason I can't see any post beyond September 11th on this thread. Hopefully this will fix it. Pardon the off topic hi Raven, no bug at all. The database will bump up any thread that has a POLL in it ... to show the date/time of when someone voted in the poll .... and not necessarily that someone has actually posted a reply. It's a bit confusing... but otherwise, the thread would disappear down the long list.

Doreen

[Raven]

Ahhhh. Thanks Doreen for the explanation. It was driving me nuts. :D

[amieK]

Why did you choose low carb?

Although I answered to lose weight in the poll, the real reason I chose LC is because when I follow this WOE I feel at peace with food. :)

I lost 55 lbs with Weight Watchers 2 yrs ago but my relationship with food had become very unhealthy. Food had become the enemy, it was something to be measured and controlled. I was still fighting tremendous cravings and had to practice constant vigilance. I was on a cycle of being vigilant, blowing it and bingeing then psyching myself up to vigilance again. Then I just got fed up and gained 16-20 lbs.

With LC I don't have cravings and I feel healthy and strong. I appreciate food as nourishing sustenance for my body. And as long as I pay attention and stick to the program, it is easier to make the choice not to abuse food when I am feeling stressed. :spin:

[Raven]

Amie, I couldn't agree with you more.

That was one totally unexpected side effect for me in this WOL. Suddenly I wasn't thinking about food all the time. I wasn't thinking about food hardly at all.

On all of those low-calorie low-fat diets I've done in the past, it was a complete obsession with food. How much, when can I have this..I'm so hungry, I'll eat an apple so I can have this or that later. Hunger can make your mind totally preoccupied with thoughts of nothing but eating. It made me completely miserable.

Now I think of food as something that I need for fuel. I am totally happy and at peace with this WOL and even if the weight comes off very very slowly, I'll still be thrilled with it. Nothing beats feeling this good.http://www.stopstart.fsnet.co.uk/smilie/cow.gif

[numberonewendy]

Good Attitude ladies....and so very true! ;)

[creaky]

I agree 100% with the two folks above. I found the same thing with lo-carb (especially now that 7-11 carries the low carb chocolate bars, so if I get the craving feeling I can have it). When I was on the low fat and gave myself one night of splurging per week I looked forward to that night and it was so hard to get back on track.

But now I feel like I am splurging every meal. It is much easier to follow and I don't miss the carbs like I did before. And it is a great motivation to be without pain all the time.

I talked to a friend of mine who is a vegetarian and she couldn't believe that I was pain free after switching to a meat diet. To her it didn't make sense but to me it did. I think the carbs were a poison to my body and it couldn't process all I was putting into it. The more carbs I ate the more I wanted.

Christy

[Boogie65]

Hi all

I first got into Atkins when I saw it on Shop America on TV. I was so convinced that I bought it and have never looked back since. This was in Dec 2000 after I'd tried all the others e.g Rosemary Conley, Slimming World etc.

I've fallen off a few times but this is the only WOE I keep coming back to because I know it works and makes me feel so much better.

[JennyAnkai]

I turned to low carbing because after the birth of my first (and only so far) child, the low fat WOE that had always worked for me was not working to get those last 10 pregnancy pounds off me. I tried everything to do with low fat, high exercise, but the weight didn't budge. Since starting low carbing, I have lost 11 pounds since January 1st of this year, have 3 pounds left of baby weight and 5 pounds to my goal weight. I've never felt better and less deprived. I just love this way of eating.

Jenny, Age 33
5'5
Pre-Baby: 135
Preg High: 170
Post-Baby prior to commencing LC: 151
Currently: 140 :daze:

[JudyAH]

I have to say that the way I feel is the best reason to LC. I satrted this because I didn't want to become a diabetic, but I stay because it is wonderful to sll\eep well and feel good. My cravings are mostly gone. i know what triggers to avoid. (pasta, bread) and I can do this for the rest of my life. I eat very well and I skip the crap that makes me feel like crap. I don't want to cheat, and run the risk of falling off this precious wagon. Good luck to all of us and thank you all for being here.

[TeriDoodle]

I initially chose LC to lose weight, and it was a good plan for me because of my hypoglycemia. But now I realize that there has been a long list of health benefits as a bonus....and I'd never go back to the "Other" WOE ever again. :D

[Bonnie]

I was asked this question in another thread so decided to post my answer here as well....I would have to say we chose this WOL for all of the above reasons...


Actually our story is pretty typical in the fact that we both were following high carb/low fat to the letter... I have always been very active exercising (swimming, walking etc)...but could not shed a pound... was very muscular but was disappointed in my overall appearance and attributed my added poundage to middle age...hubby was built typically like most middle age guys...tiny butt and nice looking legs but all his weight was in his belly...his family has a history of heart disease and diabetes so with most of the weight he was carrying around his middle he was a heart attack waiting to happen...one day a friend had mentioned he was reading a book called Protein Power and that the explanation of following a Low Carb diet made alot of sense to him...he passed it on to my hubby and he read it from cover to cover...hubby is one who does not make decisions on the spur of the moment and analyzes everything to death before acting ( Business Manager ) so when he came to me and expressed a desire to try LC I was amazed... first of all I was pissed off because I had high carb/low fat down to a science and for him to even suggest we eat bacon and eggs sent me ballistic.. on a whim I decided to indulge him... when I jump into something I research it diligently...if we were going to do this we were going to do it right I was flabbergasted when we both started losing weight...this was just too easy after starting the plan I searched for support online and found LC Canada and other great LC sites where things have now progressed a long way since I began this WOE... such wonderful supportive info out there now I began comparing different plans ie Atkins, PP, CAP etc. and for our lifestyle found PP worked best for us...when we started small amounts of LC fruits were not allowed on Atkins and the carb levels for induction/intervention were different etc...decided if it wasn't broke don't fix it hubby was taking lipitor for high chlor but since losing fifty pounds and in the best shape of his life he is now meds free... we are both examples of how this WOL does work and continues to work

[henbane]

Because I’m tired of starving.
Because counting calories doesn’t work, and makes me unhappy.
Because I came to the realization that I’m a carb and sugar addict.
Because I don’t have that much weight to lose, therefore I figured I’d do it even if it was unhealthy because it would only be temporary (I had no idea about the positive effects I would experience once on the “diet”).
Because that’s how all the movie stars stay so svelte.
Because several real people I know lost lots of weight on this diet, even though I happen to know they have absolutely no willpower.
Because I don’t want to eat randomly anymore.
Because I don’t want to be a slave to my cravings anymore.
Because I’m tired of not getting results from “being good” and eating low-fat.
Because I like to eat.

I had misconceptions like everyone else. What I found out is:

Low carb doesn’t mean no carb, so you’re body is still getting what it needs.
You can have a balanced diet thru no-carb. Supplements aren’t intended to “replace” foods you aren’t getting, as is often alleged by medical opponents.
You don’t have to reduce calories to lose weight.
Fat isn’t evil.
Counting calories doesn’t work.
Low carbers don’t go around just eating bacon and eggs. It’s actually a health-conscious diet!

:roll: I’m a happy convert.
Henbane

[Bonnie]

Wow ! Great Post Henbane! :clap: :clap: Particularly love this part:

Low carb doesn’t mean no carb, so you’re body is still getting what it needs.
You can have a balanced diet thru no-carb. Supplements aren’t intended to “replace” foods you aren’t getting, as is often alleged by medical opponents.
You don’t have to reduce calories to lose weight.
Fat isn’t evil.
Counting calories doesn’t work.
Low carbers don’t go around just eating bacon and eggs. It’s actually a health-conscious diet! :agree: :agree:

Bonnie

[Phil C]

I started Low carb WOL because of my wife. Well actually it was her cardiologist who suggested "It (Atkins) looks reasonable to me, why don't you try it for a few weeks?" when she was seeing him for a checkup following her heart attack several years ago. This was about two months ago. Betty (my wife) just about fell off the table! What!? Surely the man she trusted most in this world could not be endorsing that crazy, deadly, low carb diet stuff? Didn't he know it would kill you? Everybody knew that!!
It took two weeks for her to reluctantly agree to start Adkins and I joined with her for moral support. Sadly she completed the Induction two weeks but quit soon after that, discouraged at losing only 3 pounds and missing her bread too much. I however have happily stayed with this WOE and enjoy it. Thanks to my wife therefore, I am healthier and lighter than I've been on 2 years of weight watching. cool !

Thanks for asking. Cajun Boy Phil C

[In_Control]

Truthfully, I began Atkins the 1st time as a Quick Fix.

The 2nd time around, I wanted to begin dieting and I just didn't know a better way. (I didn't want to go the LOW CALORIE/LOW FAT route. Been there, done that - - - YUCK!) I went on Atkins because I knew how to do it. I thought it would be a good way to start, then I'd switch to my permanent program.

Well, I'm into week #12. Why?

#1 Its EASY
#2 I feel GREAT
#3 I am LOSING WEIGHT

Why would I switch? Now I've seen the LC light and I realize that LCing is a my "permanent" 5 STAR SOLUTION and WOE.

[Tiggerlou]

Hi!
I thought, I'd put my two cents in as well...
I stumbled upon this WOL because of a diabetic friend. She had told me that her husband, in support, adopted this WOL as well and had , unintentionally mind you!!, lost quite some weight in the process! I had 'dieted' for almost one year previous to my discovery, the 'traditional' way, very low fat/low cal, tons of exercise, and I did manage to lose a lot of weight that way, about 65 lbs, to be exact. B U T - and here it comes - I had started to lose control over my eating habits and literally HAD to give into my high carb (chocolate!!!) cravings more and more often! The result, of course, was weight gain and with it an incredible feeling of guilt, panic, fear of failure, etc.... Then came the LC...literally saved my life AND sanity!!! Once I started doing more and more research, I realized that I had been digging my own grave with the 'diet', for starters heading straight into diabetes!!
I had also started looking quite unhealthy, dry and ashen skin, brittle nails, tired, weak.....
The first 2 weeks of LC were incredible! The weight dropped off like crazy, I felt good, started looking healthier.... Then came a very difficult phase, doubt, no weight loss to fire me up, major confusion about this WOL. But I found this forum through the Atkins site, and from there on I went and am still going strong. The initial ups and downs are gone, thanks to some wonderful people right here in this forum who helped me through the 'bumps and bruises' at the beginning. I am much more educated on this WOL by now and feel very confident. I also know that I will continue to live and eat this way until the end of my days! NEVER felt or looked better in my life, never...!!! My husband is so perplexed, that I have a feeling it won't be much longer until he as well is a true believer! More and more curios questions and utter disbelief in how I have changed in only 3 short months...mentally AND physically! It is not so much the weight, which is coming off very slowly by now, but my entire body recomposed itself very nicely. I am thrilled!
Always spreading the word! I even got my Doc to join in after she hadn't seen me in over a year. She was speechless, extremely curious and asked me to help form a local support group!
I am loving every minute of this!
What an awesome WOL!!!!
(...sorry, looks like the 2 cents have turned into 2 dollars after all...)

[Victoria]

I originally started Low Carb because of my need to lose weight. At over 300 lbs. I was in dire need of a solution. I had a friend lose over a 100 lbs. by restricting her calories and fat extremely. I knew I couldn't be that disciplined! I had heard about the Carbohydrate Addict's Diet on TV, I thought...heck, I know that's me. I dismissed it because I didn't think I could really live without BREAD. But when I read a book given to me by my Aunt...the light went on. I tried it because the science behind it sounded too true. "Oh, so that's why I've been packing on the weight." So yes, I started it to lose weight, but then as I've read and learned more about this WOL I've realize all the health benefits. I'm glad that I have figured this out, before any real health problems surfaced. ;) Victoria

[PatHawk]

Although I started to eat LC to lose weight, I decided to adopt a LCWOL because of two very dramatic improvements in my health. The first was the amount of energy I suddenly had - with no low periods after eating. :exclm:
The second was the complete disappearance of any symptoms of colitis - a bowel disease that I have suffered from since I was 18. :thup:
Learning to eat LC has been like a miracle to me. And I lost all the weight I wanted to , and a bit more - have kept it off for over 2 years and continue to feel great.
What a fantastic discovery for me :)
Cheers
Pat

[DebPenny]

Hi, Phil & Betty. I was just wondering if you have tried reading about some of the other programs. Not all of them are quite so restrictive as Atkins. I am on The Schwarzbein Principle program and it suits me very well. My weight-loss is very slow, but the health benefits echo the rest of the group. I can't say enough about them, so I won't try. ;)

One thing to keep in mind about low-carbing is that if your body needs a lot of healing, it may not let go of the fat very fast at all. In fact, my scale is going down only 1 or 2 pounds a month. But the way I feel is making up for that totally. I can wait for the weight to come off.

TSP is more geared toward healing your body of insulan resistance and all the ills that go along with it. Betty might find it more palatable and easier to adopt as her WOL if she can accept not losing the weight very fast.

;-Deb

[Flaxie]

I chose to diet in the first place because I knew I was gonna die. Morbidly obese, diabetic and could barely walk. I was told by my doctor that at this rate I wouldn't see 45. That was 4 years ago and I've lost 110 pounds lowcarbing, thus far. (50 to go) I'm actually thinking about doing some researching on the cyclical diets as I am training now. I do think it helps to shake up the metabolism.
Happy Lowcarbing,
Julee

[gary]

I voted for weight loss. But close behind that was preventing Type II Diabetes. When I came out of college (1978) I had just retired as a Gymnast at Penn State. I was 134lbs, 5'9" - could bench 210 lbs and we really did not lift weights that much for training. I used to see heavy people and say to myself I am never going to be like that! Never say Never? In 24 years I gained
61 lbs to 195. My stomach stuck out and somebody in a bar made fun of me and asked if I was expecting a baby! That really hurt my feelings and I walked out. My legs, lower back hurt and I have to wear orthotics to keep my feet from hurting. So losing weight was something that has been on my mind as I swelled up until Atkins! Then I started to accumulate knowledge reading the zone and finally Atkins. When I went into induction my head cleared up the friday of the first week, After the usual free pizza lunch which I skipped I did not fall asleep at the meeting. In fact I was almost too clear headed because I thought something was wrong. Truely incredible feeling! Then I knew the dangers of sugar and what I had been doing to myself. I was high in a fog on sugar all the time and did not know it! My Mother has Type II and it is my opinion that I was heading there sometime in the future. Now I am getting more & more concerned about diabetes in other people around me as I watch them with no will power eat heavy sugar containing foods. I feel like an Atkins Evangelist trying to warn people! :( :eek: :mad: :exclm:

[EllieEats]

LCing got all the excess baggage off me and has helped tremendously with my hypoglycemia. I now feel like a "million" most of the time....... and have no candy bars in my house, purse, glove box, etc, etc. :thup:

Ellie :wave:

[jdringer]

Hi Deb. I'm not diabetic, but I am and have been hypoglycemic for 18 years (low blood sugar) To many simple carbs cause a quick rise in blood glucose levels and than a sudden drop in blood sugar, thus causing symptoms of fatigue, shakiness, headache, nausia, sweating, mental concentration loss..........etc. When I was diagnosed with with this I did all the reading and research I could, but found my best advise from a naturopathi doctor, suggesting the best diet for hypoglycemics, is low carbo. diet with protein and small to moderate amounts of "complex carbs" which are "whole unprocessed foods" like vegetable, which take the body longer to break down by the digestive process, thus releasing a slower , more sustained release of insulin and glucose. So, I've been on this diet before it even became popular. I do cheat 2-3 times a week, as I love fresh fruit when in season. I do not eat any simple-processed carbs or white sugar at all. If, I don't stick close to my diet my blood sugar gets out of balance and I feel the effects. So, I'd just rather feel good.

[DebPenny]

JD, it sounds like what you are doing is very close to TSP. TSP encourages whole foods (especially organic) and allows for somewhat more carbs than other plans. Dr. S. devised her plan while working initially with diabetics.

On TSP I eat lots and lots of vegetables. Others have starchier foods like high-fibre, low-carb bread and fruit (I don't like fruit). I enjoy the occassional avocado or artichoke for my starchy vegetables. Fruit is perfectly reasonable to have on TSP -- it's not a "cheat."

Basically, TSP makes a distinction between starchy vegetables (like avocados and artichokes) and non-starchy vegetables (like broccoli and cauliflower) and carbs in other foods like dairy foods and grains. We don't "count" the carbs in non-starchy vegetables, only the carbs found in starchy vegetables and other foods. At the lowest amount (for an inactive, overweight individual), we are "allowed" 15 grams of carb per main meal and 7.5 grams of carb per snack. But when you don't count non-starchies, that can add up quite a bit, so we are also told that if we are eating a lot of non-starchies we don't "have" to have the starchy and other carbs.

My description sounds a little convoluted, but the book makes it pretty simple, including carb lists of starchy veges, non-starchy veges and other foods.

The book is a good read even if you don't decide to follow the program. What I like best about the program is that I can cook real food. I tend to favor one-pot dishes and make things like Chicken with Chinese Long-Beans and Black Bean Sauce, Beef Stroganoff (without the rice or noodles), Chicken Fricassee, etc.

Hope this helps.

;-Deb

[Dana114]

I did it to lose weight, not knowing that it would cure my low blood sugar and subsequent depression! What a great benefit!

[37-48Ford]

In the beginning...I started LC to loose weight...but now I know my priorities have changed and Now I do it for my general health and the weight loss is just a plus...I just never thought I could find a WOE that just agrees with me so much!!!

Julie

[hysteria]

So far, I am beginning to believe that I am going to be able to change my WOL.
I decided to look into LC after joining weight watchers. I had looked at it before and my mind rebeled at the thought of eating fats and cheeses and meats all the time after years of being pounded over & over by the establishment that high-fiber, low-fat is the ONLY way. I kept telling people that the main reason I was having trouble losing weight is b/c I am a carb addict. I kept saying it but not "listening" to what I was saying. Then I started reading the message boards, and I found out about PCOS...
Hubby & I have been ttc (trying to conceive) for almost a year. I went off birth control in April of 2002. In Sept, I started doing some research & some soul searching. I kept denying that my weight could have anything to do w/ me not getting preg. - had to be something else so I started taking a battery of herbal suppliments.
Then I gave in & said - Yea, it's got to be the weight, but instead of doing a healthy diet, I took OTC w/l drugs and basically starved myself w/ an extremely low cal, low fat diet. I lost 15 pounds, but still, nothing. I got frustrated and went back to my old habits & gained 20 pounds over the holidays.
Anyway, my research on PCOS kind of pointed me in the right direction. I am a carb addict, too much carb = insulin overproduction, insulin op = infertility. hmmmm - did not take rocket science to put 2 + 2 together. The other issue I was trying to deny was the fact when I got pregnant with my daughter 7 years ago, I was on a LC diet and had lost 15 pound in about a month. I am assuming now that me lowing my insulin levels probably stimulated me to ovulate properly and thus, conceive. I am praying (and feel free to throw a few prayers my way) that by making this a change for life, I will now, hopefully, get pg, and be able to maintain weight loss (after the baby is born of course).

This is my "story", so to speak. I am so glad I found this message board and hopefully, w/ the support of my family & internet friends, will make this a WOL & make it work!

Beth

[rwarren]

Like others on the poll, I explored low carb because I needed to lose weight. So, my wife and I got Atkins and Protein Power and began our exploration.

We heard some negative stuff about Atkins, so I was a little reluctant. However, with the encouragement of people on these boards and with the wealth of information all of you so readily supply, my wife and I said, "Let's do it."

Today, I am down 15 pounds in 10 days. I do not have the discipline to follow anything like the induction phase or to count my carbs to the exact gram. However, I have cut out those refined products, and I probably don't go over 30g carbs in a day.

So, to all who exert the effort to make these forums possible and for those of you who share life-changing information, I want to thank you.

Bobby

[shama]

:D

I mainly chose this WOE because I knew that it would help me to lose weight, the quickest. And after reading the book, it all made sense to me. it seemed to be a better way of eating than I was used to and since I gained all this weight by my past eating, I figured this had to make a difference.
Also, I did it for my kids, I want to be around longer, and I dont want to get diabetes. It runs on both sides of my family.

:D Shama

[Alina]

Because what I've read in Atkins book described "what was wrong with me" the past years.
Because I never wanted to go hungry again.
Alina

[zoochef]

Hi DebdaCajun,

I am diabetic. The main reason I started the Atkins plan was due to the medication my doctor put me on was not controling my blood sugar. My weight was going up and my blood sugar was high no matter how closely I followed the ADA meal plans. I knew I had to do something and when I read the Atkins Diet Revolution, it made sense. As of today, I am no longer taking any of the diabetes medication and my blood sugar averages around 95 to 105 a day. I no longer feel that I am starving and I have more energy than I've had for a long time.

Even though I now live in North Carolina, I am from Rapides Parish.

:thup: :thup: :thup:

[Belle]

My friend had tried atkins and had not succeeded. So when she was moving, she asked me if I wanted the book, so I said sure. One day I was bored and started reading the book. It made sense to me, I evaluted my eating and when my boyfriend came home from work that night I told him what I was going to do. He said, ok if you want to. I think he was kind of skeptical at first, but when he saw the pounds start coming off, he rapidly stopped being skeptical. So, that is how I got started on low carb and why I keep going.
Belle

[Ms_Pat]

I've never cared much about weight or had any problem "wearing
it well". I had an uncle with diabetes, then a few years ago my mom was diagnosed with it and a few months ago my brother who is only 2 years older that me was diagnosed.

My mom had been telling me I should lose weight for the past 5 years or so but I didn't give it a second thought until one of my friends was also recently diagnosed and choose to have gastric bypass surgery.

I don't like counting calories or low-fat foods so LCing was perfect for me and it is working wonderfully for me. I started Feb 17th and have lost 24 lbs and I'm never hungry and have turned into the energizer bunny!

[poetree]

A friend served me a delicious breakfast I thought I would have to spend hours working off until she explained it was on her LC menu and she was losing weight. I borrowed her book and have been on Atkins ever since that meal...6 mornings ago. My initial goal is to loase weight...but I also want to kick my carb addiction. I'm a dark chocolaholic and a bagel/tortilla/creal connessuer from as long as I can remember. Which since hitting 40, isn't very long. :p

[cc48510]

1) To lose weight,
2) I lost a close family member to diabetes,
3) I began having the same pains he'd had in his final years,
4) A friend told me about his success with Atkins.

[jeanyyy]

I started Atkins because

1) I NEEDED to lose weight for many reasons (self esteem, body image, health (arthritis in one knee, for instance), fitness, emotions/depression)

2) I couldn't face the idea of Weight Watchers yet again with the constant counting and deprivation (and likely failure for those reasons)

3) I was considering Dr Bernstein (not the diabetes diet, the Canadian clinic and mega $$$ one)

4) In researching Bernstein, I hit on a Yahoo group about Atkins, which I had done years ago. That lead me to this Forum and I realized how things had changed - so much more support and so many more products & recipes, making boredom a thing of the past)

I will STAY on Atkins/LC because

1) I CAN lose weight at a reasonable pace, while EATING

2) I feel SOOOO much better - more energy, more "alive"

3) I can handle stalls/plateaus because I can eat delicious food and go out to eat without problems- something I couldn't do on W.W. As long as I stay on plan, I know the weight will come off eventually.

This really has become a WOL for me, after about 6-7 weeks. I sure hope I don't lose this commitment :)

[kittyluv]

My main reason for beginning the Atkins WOL was because of a diabetic condition and other health issues. I was on medication for 7 years and my BG was way out of control. All the while eating low fat and thinking I was doing the right thing. The doctor finally said I was going to have to start taking insulin....Nope! Not me.

I started Atkins Jan.21, 2003 and I am off all diabetes medication and all other health issues have improved as well. My doctor's mouth is still hanging open hehehehe.

[Kathy54]

I have only followed one other diet in my life, actually forgot I had done it....................... three weeks I think????

Anyhow I decided, rather than chose, to do Low carb.............

1st.............. because I read reports that, the American Heart assco, was changeing their views about Atkins
2nd...............the Carb turning into storage made totall sense to me.
3rd................it seemed like something simple I could follow and not change the rest of my skinny family.
4th................Results I read about, were real people
5th.................the only cost was the Book. ( even thought I bought P.P.and CAD as well).

I and my family feel the results are amazing, I'll never go back to a full carb diet.

Kathy

[msdaisy]

After losing 45 lbs. on WW, I stalled for a year. I began to realize that I am a carbo junkie. No matter what I did, as long as I continued to eat tons of carb loaded foods every day, I was not going to lose weight. I tried Atkins years ago and only remembered that it was so devoid of vegetables I have felt that it could not possibly be good for you. I recently broke down and bought his new book. To my surprise, it was not what I remembered. After only 11 days, I've lost 8 pounds. I did develop some good habits on WW, though. I do journalize on paper each day exactly what I've eaten and the carb count. I must say that the first few days were rough. Now that my cravings have disappeared I am feeling better than I have in a long long time. One of the great side effects for me is that I no longer have any intestinal distress. Must have been the sugar?? Here's hoping that my resolve will last a life time!!

[acohn]

I was one of the 4.68% who answered "to avoid diabetes."

My mom called me in early Feb. to announce, with dread in her voice, "I've been diagnosed with Type II diabetes." We talked for two hours straight, putting together all the things I knew from books and had told her in bits and pieces over the past few years. This time, though, she absorbed the information like a sponge. As they say, when the student is ready, the teacher appears.

Watching her turn her diet around on a dime for two weeks inspired me. The weight was melting off, her lab results were getting better, and she was feeling more energetic and clear-headed. I decided that if my 67-year-old mother could turn her diet and life around on a dime, then, by golly, I could, too. As they say, when the student is ready, the teacher appears.

45 lbs later and tons of energy later, I'm sticking with this WOE. It's obviously good for me, and it gives me a valid reason to indulge my passion for food.

[GirlGeek]

wow, acohn, you lost 45 pounds in three months??!! What is your secret? do you work out? how many carbs per day? do you ever cheat?

I'm curious about how much I will lose in the next two months (so perhaps I can put on a pair of shorts for my summer sea-doo'ing trips...lol). I am 235, so our stats look similar. Please tell me your secrets!

[acohn]

I apologize to the rest of the community for replying in public. Usually, I would reply to GirlGeek's question privately, but she is unable to receive private messages at this time.

I guess I should always include the disclaimer "Results not typical. Individual result will vary." when I post my weight loss. If I am a poster child for low-carb eating, it is because my metabolic type(1) is well-suited for this type of eating, not because I did anything other than adhere to the low-carb guidelines. It's clear that people's results vary greatly on this WOE, and some people even suffer when they try it. Therefore, the particulars of my food and exercise plans may not work well for others.

With those disclaimers out of the way, I don't think I have any secrets. I just follow the dietary guidlines rigorously. I started out following the Eades' Protein Power plan, at intervention level, purist style (except for the occasional protein bar). I did not exercise at all for the first six weeks I was on the plan; I could handle only so much change at once.

I adapted the eating plan to my metabolic type at this point. My diet is now 65-70% fat. A diet this high in fat is probably not appropriate for most low-carb eaters. Even I was uneasy about eating this much fat at first, until I saw the results and I read the metabolic typing book.

I also started walking on a treadmill at the six-week mark, just 20 minutes at 2.5 mph. I've built up the duration and intensity of the treadmill routine since then. I just recently started doing resistance training, and I'm not very far along.

If I have any secrets, it's mostly the inspiring example of my mother and my fear of Type II diabetes. Perhaps another is that I don't feel deprived, hungry, or anxious when I follow this WOE. Those have always been my downfalls before. Those factors make the discipline required -- making practically all of my food at home (from scratch), exercising regularly -- possible for me. I also participate in support forums like these. They help me keep my focus, get support and information, and support others. It just an electronic variation of hanging out with a crowd that supports you and knows what you're going through, based on having been there themselves.

As to cheating on the diet, I do, about once every 10 days. Since I (a) fill up quickly, and (b) have strong, sudden hunger, I usually make sure to have a healthy snack (hard-boiled egg, meatloaf) with me at all times. I also carry gum. Still, when I'm very tired, I still turn to food to cope. But these days, I'll binge on nuts, avocado, and whatever protein is around, not chips and cookies.


(1)Harold Kristal, DDS, and James Haig, NC. The Nutrition Solution: A Guide to Your Metabolic Type.

[Angel66668]

because nothing else worked for me

[Nadz]

I chose low carbing to lose weight. But being a member of these forums have really been changing my mind and causing me to see this as a way of life. I hope I can keep it up.

[bcadieux]

I'm one of those people who has tried every diet on earth. And , of course, the minute I "went off" of it I gained all back and then some. In fact, everyone I knew who had ever tried diets had the same experience. I knew some people who were on Atkins and they lost weight and generally became more healthy so I thought I would at least read about it. I did and realized it was a lifetime committment but also it was someting I can live with. So here I am almost a year later, 38 pounds lighter and as committed as ever. I don't ever even think of cheating with HC. It doesn't interest me. I do still eat too much at times and am having to learn portion control. But all in all I love this WOE as a committed lifestyle!

[Skyangel]

Because at 43, the 60 lbs. I want to get rid of seemed to be stuck forever, and starving myself on a lowfat diet had never worked. Because my blood pressure was borderline and it looked like I would have to go on medication (strong family history of HBP and heart disease), and so many people I know were geetting diagnosed diabetic ... I had to do something different.

My sister had given me the Carbohydrate Addicts Lifestyle Plan and what I read made sense, although a little complicated to work with. I bought the DANDER book at Costco and reading the first chapter I said "this is me". Since mid-July I lost 23 lbs, my blood pressure is normal and I feel great. This will be my WOE for life ...

[Kristine]

I went LC to lose weight I gained when my hormones got messed up on depo-provera. It was at the suggestion of other depo disaster "survivors". I was willing to give it a shot, but I seriously doubted that it would set my hormones straight. What does sugar and insulin have to do with hormones, I wondered. Well, the proof was in the LC pudding! Everything's running like clockwork now and I'm almost 100% PMS/depression/other-crappy-hormone-symptom FREE!

[Angel66668]

Because it WORKS!

[rrmalns]

I started low carb to lose weight for a formal ball in Nov 2002. My son was 20mths and I still had a bit of pregnancy weight on me. My girlfriend, whom I hadnt seen in forever, got in touch with me and she was weighing around 120 but the whole time I knew her she weighed around 160 or so. I had always been much smaller than her and realized how bad I wanted to find a diet that was going to work for me. She suggested Atkins so I dieted 1 mth before the ball and dropped from 167 to 152. Ever since, I have been on the diet, some months more serious than the other months. I hover between 146 and 150 now. Im going to an International Red Cross Ball in February , so just after New Years Im going to get very strict again and drop as much as possible. Theres a dress I wore to our USMC Ball before being pregnant with my son, that I want to wear.

[Smoosh]

My doctor suggested LCing as a way to lose weight and keep a suspected sugar intolerance at bay. She mentioned several LC plans and said try them all until you find one that suits your lifestyle.

Sugarbusters worked quickly for me (although I had a heck of time keeping up with the rules) but I soon gained back all the weight. Then I found Atkin's. Nothing has worked like this before! :thup:

[patriciar]

Hi there!,,, i chose the low carb diet to have healthy body, out of stress and probably look good in my clothes ;)

[cah]

I started Atkins to avoid diabetes and also to lose weight and feel better. I had gestational diabetes with my last pregnancy and had to give myself insulin shots. I don't want to ever have to do that again! I have a family history of diabetes. My grandmother died from it, and I have an aunt and uncle that are insulin dependent now too.

[amk82]

I have polycystic ovarian syndrom, so unless I want to be 200lbs, I gotta eat this way.

[sydnarella]

I chose low carb because I've always struggled with my weight and I couldnt bear another low fat slim-fast diet - I would always lose weight on those but I'd hate every minute of it!

[mem2]

I voted for all the above, but my real reason wasn't listed as an option--- to maintain at my goal and not crave sweets and starches. I am still working on it.

I have a family history of heart disease, high blood pressure, late onset diabetes. I have been a nurse for 40+ yrs and a health nut all my life I guess. I have done all kinds of diets, including 80% raw foods at one time. It took a long time for me to admit that carbs is my problem and then a while to get the courage to actually limit them. I was so amazed to find out how satisfying the food was when I went on higher protein and fats and cut the carbs down. I expect to continue limiting carbs for the rest of my life. A lot of chronic health problems disappear when I do. I can make myself sick very quickly by binging on carbs.

[rebsee]

All of the above! I feel much healthier LCing, I don't get that drugged, bloated feeling like I get after eating a big white doorstep fishfinger sandwich with ketchup :)
I eat much less, I know when I'm full - I dont keep on eating simply because I think Im still hungry. I don't wake up at 6am with a raging hunger for a sandwich, I dont crave sweets, chocolate and chips. I eat cleaner, I feel healthier, I'm getting thinner and lighter too!
Yeah sometime's its not easy - I like the odd cocktail but then again, I dont want to jeopardise the hard work I've already done, and I don't want the drugged bloated feeling either!

[Paris]

This thread is such a treasure!

I actually get this question a lot now. I guess I am one of those statistical abnormalities that managed to lose weight on a high carb/low fat diet - 85 pounds on Weight Watchers. However, I binged and starved and binged and starved to get my weight down... this is no way to live! And I knew the willpower was going to run out eventually.

Once I got my sugar addiction under control with the help of Overeater's Anonymous, I took a second look at my low-carb books. I was overwhelmed with the scientific evidence that illustrates that a low-carb lifestyle is the superior choice - period. I knew I could lose weight doing low-fat, but was I healthy? NO! I was constantly looking for my next "low-point" fix. My compulsion to overeat was just as strong as my compulsion to starve myself in order to prepare for the next binge - there is no moderating sugar and refined carbs for me.

I was so used to counting WW points that I tried to modify the program to be lower carb... and it worked. But why bother? I know that I can be at optimal health and weight working Protein Power so why not? :lol: Also I am so sick and tired of the Weight Watcher mentality that stresses low-point frankenfoods over good fats and proteins just because they are more calorically dense. It's enough to make me tear out my hair!

The short version - I choose my low-carb lifestyle because I believe it to be a healthy plan based on whole foods that our ancestors ate for millions of years. It is a plan based on eating sanely and NOT starving or searching for a food fix every 30 minutes. I can eat the foods that I love, I can be creative in the kitchen, I can eat at nice restaurants without anxiety, and enjoy the fellowhip; I love the other LCers out there - the majority of whom are interested in healthy living.

:rheart: Paris

[Rocky_Cdn]

Funny, I was just thinking about this today. I was living a basically "healthy" lifestyle, following a low-fat diet, the Canadian Food Guide, and was slowly gaining weight over time. And whenever I had some trauma (surgery, car accident) and couldn't eat, I would quickly gain weight. A doctor said I was basically a survivor - that didn't make me feel any better.

Then I started hearing about some success stories, some people here and there, then a woman in our office building and finally a friend of mine said he tried it and was having success so I read up on it. I've never thought any other "diet" was worth checking out, but I sure believe in this WOL.

[Marge]

Reasons- Tired of being overweight. DH & I figured we were carrying an extra 140 lb person between us. That another adult human being. Not anymore. Now it's shrinking to a heathly child (I've lost 35 & DH has lost 5)

Diabetes - I didn't get the warning signs that came up 3 years ago when a younger sibling was diagnosed. You know the knid of justification ' She had gestational Diabetes, that's what triggered it in her '. Dad was diagnosed at 62 and Mom possibly had gestation diabetes for 4 of her 5 pregnacies. No risk at all.

Snoring- was told over 8 years ago that my snoring would improve if I lost some weight. Now after all these years of not sleeping properly, it has.

Energy - I watched a friend who has some severe health problems (not weight related) lose weight and gain energy, positive attitude etc from LCing. Wow, what a difference. There is no more sitting at my desk at lunch 'cause I can't drag my butt out of my chair. I have to go for a walk, so much energy to burn.

Mentally - A much more focused mind that is starting to retain new ideas again. I had just about given up learning anything 'cause it just wasn't sticking. This is the best unexpected side effect.

I could go on for hours. LCing is the WOL for me.

[magnamater]

I started LC back in 1999 to loose the ugly weight. It worked. Lost 60 lbs, stayed on a long trip, lost my way, gained some back.

I went back and forth LCing and sliding.

Then I got a new doctor who diagnosed me with autoimmune thyroiditis.

He suggested the Zone--and a change in meds.

After about 6 months, he told me carbs were poison to me in particular. Thus a "Atkins" "Protein Power" solution for me.

I listened, finally.

This is it for life.

It's no longer about the weight.

It's about health.

[Vanity3]

I responded with all of the above, even though I do not have diabetes, but my mother does and if I continued down the obese path I was on, I know I would have developed it eventually. Now that I've been successful with the LC way, I've turned my mom on to South Beach. Isn't LCing GRAND!?

[MsTwacky]

I have PCOS-Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and this is the eating most recomended for this condition. :)

[bcbeauty]

Well ...I actually found this forum before I found DANDR. I was looking on line for diet information..as I need to lose weight. I found this place and started reading. The next day I had The Good Book and was reading my way to a happier healthier me!I have been on Atkins for almost 3 months and have been able to give up 3 different inhalers, and almost daily use of antihistamines!

[fendel]

Neat thread. I've been on and off the wagon for a few years--this time I mean to make it stick. Originally I got interested in LC because I wanted to lose weight and look better, and (as a secondary goal) feel healthier. But seeing it as a cosmetic thing made it hard to stay motivated.

I never stopped believing in LC, but I fell off the wagon a number of times, for weeks or months at a stretch, regaining the weight. I was LC "in theory" for a while...

Then a couple months ago I finally got myself a blood glucose meter, suspecting I had a problem, maybe reactive hypoglycemia. Took my fasting BG a couple days, and holy smokes, I'm prediabetic. Between 105 and 115 almost every morning. That scared me. I ate some carby meals where my post-meal BG shot up to the 150s. That's when I started getting serious about this. (Well, that and wanting to lose weight for my wedding. :o)

It's been two months now (with three days off, the weekend we got married). I'm down 15 pounds. My fasting glucose is rock-steady every morning in the 80s or occasionally low 90s. My post-meal readings are excellent. As far as I can tell, I'm staving off diabetes, and I am so glad I caught this in time.

Some mornings I feel motivated by the scale moving. Sometimes I feel motivated by the optimal blood sugar readings I'm getting. Some days my pants feel loose or I catch myself starting to like what I see in the mirror. I have a ways to go yet, but this time I really feel I can stick with this.

[Renkin1990]

I chose Low Carb because it worked. I had dieted low fat years ago and did loose weight but it was really hard and slow. I like the Low Carb because it works for my body type, it is easy, it includes most of the foods I like and provides LC options for the foods I 'can't' have.

[BlitzedAng]

I chose it cause I saw my dh have so much energy AND watched him drop 60 lbs.Started for some reasons, kept going till it became a WOL for others :)

[Enomarb]

I had a very high CRP (C-reactive protein) test, and looked into lowereing it by losing some weight.I chose this WOL after analyzing my "heart healthy" diet, that was keeping me fatter than I had ever been. I was eating mostly carbs, and Atkins had just gotten some positive research reports, so I looked into low carb. I really liked the CALP plan: lots of flexibility, I could still eat carbs once a day, and no counting anything. I started in July 2003, and have lost 50 pounds. I know this is my WOL forever. My lipid tests, and CRP, all improved too!

[Ohio Kim]

I've always been healthy and active. Even at my highest weight, I felt great and was active. However, I didn't feel good about myself anymore. I wanted to be the sexy person I had grown up being. When I started reading about Atkins.. I remembered often saying "I could live on Bread and Pepsi". and realized, it wasn't so much my activity level as what I was eating. If I cut out a few things, I could live with this program and actually reform my body.... Here I am - happier and healthier than ever.

[SkinnySoon]

I definately started it to lose weight too.... but my main reason was because I was bored with the plain flavorless bodybuilding-type diet that I used to follow. Atkins gave me a way to lose weight while enjoying the taste of my food.

[jun keater]

My mother was diabetic along with both grandmothers & 2 aunts. I decided to do Atkins/low carb because I thought it would fit in with the way my husband eats (meat & taters) and just skipping the taters. I found out about 6 months ago that I have PCOS, and my doctor agreed that a low carb diet was the best for me.

[ssofian]

I chose low carb to lose weight. I chose it over other ways of eating (low fat, etc) b/c it offers the tastiest and most variety of foods while still being effective.

[katticus]

I chose low-carb because low-fat just didn't work for me, being perpetually hungry just doesn't work for me. So I investigated low-carb and it actually made sense to my over-analytical brain, and it works better than anything I've tried. I love the fact that I can eat good things and still lose weight. Miss french fries though :)
Katt

[actionjack]

Chose Low carb because the high carb diet prescribed by the doctor to help me "manage" diabetes was literally going to force me onto a lifetime of drugs and insulin injections, I hated the idea of long term medication and the side effects of taking diabetic drugs long term so after much research LC was the best way for me.

[Rachelle]

I chose LowCarb based on a friends recommendation.. after a self inflicted metabolism problem, and trying almost every other LowFat option... i came to try Atkins.

I love it and would never go back to any other eating plan :)

[Coco081392]

I choose LC based on my Drs. suggestion.

I had been trying to loose weight for a while and nothing was happening. My Dr. even prescribed diet pills, but they only worked for a little while.

This was my Drs. last and I think best suggestion.

I am so glad he suggested it. :cool:

[kAd]

The top three apply to me. :D

[widdlemama]

It's the only way I can control my eating. Other diets left me hungry and craving foods. Low carb, I don't think of food all day.

[kbfunTH]

Because after reading Dr. Ellis's book Ultimate Diet Secrets, I realized the body weight control advantage.

[drower]

I heard that low carb diets help kids with epileptic seizures - I have very mild ones. My neurologist thought it might help and it has. There aren't a whole lot of studies of low carb diets and adults. It's fun to be a guinea pig.

It has helped me lose some weight as well. I'm not diabetic but when I get stupid and eat sugar, I pay for it by fealing lethargic and I run the chance of having a seizure.

[Akakage]

I did it because I want to join the Army and my recruiter told me that I needed to lose at least 107 pounds before I would be accepted. I'm getting married in September and I'm not a college grad. I don't have money for school and I want to provide a good life for my future family while serving my country.

[Hellistile]

Out of desperation because I was so sick, weak, miserable and overweight and tried all other diets to no avail. It hasn't been easy but I have cleared up most of my ailments, feel great and haven't even hit my ideal weight yet, but I know this is the right way of eating for me.

[sldeal]

For a number of reasons...

1. I began to hate looking at myself in the mirror.
2. Couldn't wear any of my clothes in the closet.
3. Hated taking pictures from the neck down.
4. Esteem went to an all time low.
5. No longer loved the way I looked.
6. Felt ugly.
7. Stopped taking pride in the way I dressed (had to wear all baggy clothes).
8. Didn't like the fat jokes my family was throwing at me.
9. Completed a survey and realized I wasn't fat I was obese.
8. Wanted to look younger.

I guess I can go on and on, but I won't. :wave:

[DontLikeHC]

To improve my health. When I was a kid I was extremely strong but I changed my nutrition some years ago and I experienced bad physical and mental changes and I started to read a lot about nutrition and now I feel very good! :)

[NrgQuest]

Well I am going to come out of the closet again. I wanted to lose weight because I was terrified that I was going to become completely disabled or dead. I was more terrified of the former rather than the later. I am one of those people that laugh when I am told something is dangerous and usually do it anyway, still here ha ha ha. I wasn't afraid my weight was causing my health problems until my BP was high for several months in a row. My pulse rate has always been high, but now it has been as low as 80 bpm. I had chest pains for two weeks in December. My weight at the beginning of the month was around 317 possibly higher. Since, I couldn't get to the store much because of the pain, I didn't have much to eat for the last 2 weeks of December, I might have lost weight but it wasn't dieting. January comes around I feel better I buy lots of food eat out and give up on losing weight. This is what usually happens after I feel like I have been starving. So, Jan 8th comes around and I find there are ways not to starve yay, I make my home made Full Bars, lots of carbs, a little fat, and a little protein. But they are delishious and they work. I dropped about 2 lbs in 2 weeks, my BP is still high and my pulse is still in the mid 90's to going over the 100 border. I start thinking maybe I need more protein. So I add more protein to my diet and well I want to lose so I have to cut some calories, I figure cutting carbs is my best option. I cut around 200 grams of carbs in the first two weeks of my journey even though I wasn't concienciously trying to go low carb. I landed here Jan 20th and thought I would cut my carbs even more, I eliminated pasta, rice, potatoes, and bread, but not sugar(I used a small amount in sauces mostly tomato based), well I started to feel better and better. In Feb, when I ran out of spaghetti sauce I decided to eliminate sugar as well. I got down to induction level carbs Feb 15th or so. I will stay at induction level for a couple more weeks then start adding more vegatables back.

ETA: My BP hovers around 130-135/80 most the time now. My resting BP around 85 bpm. My CFS symptoms are becoming more managable.