Hello,
Well... I haven't posted here much over the last couple of years, cos I didn't feel I had the 'right' to as I wasn't sticking to the LC lifestyle... altho, I have cruised by from time to time over the last couple of years. I've started many times with good intentions, only to fail time and time again. I can't be sure this time will be any different than the last. One difference tho, on my past failed attempts, I never lost a pound. However as of today, I have lost 9lb in 11 days. I know it is mainly water loss, but hell, 9lb is 9lb... and I really can feel a small difference... AND it is an incentive to continue.

When I was diagnosed with Diabetes last year and told NOT to do Atkins, even tho I know what Atkins says about ketosis and Diabetics, I still was a little scared. I started February 1st and stuck to induction as best I could, altho I did allow myself small indulgences with the Atkins shakes and their Caramel Nut Chew bars and I have eaten KFC (chicken and coating) and stayed in ketosis.

I suffer with terrible hip pain and I sometimes take Aleve Arthritis to get me thru the day if I know I have a big day ahead of me. Problem is, they constipate me. I hadn't lost much by Tuesday so I ate some Blue Bunny mint-choc-chip ice cream cos I know it makes me 'go'... guess I over did it cos it sent me alright... severe diarrehea all damn night! I had gas and stomach cramps so bad I could feel them in my sleep. I have also been experiencing strange sensations in my chest the past few months (becoming more frequent the past week or so), like a fluttering/palpitation/contraction causing me to cough. Thru Tuesday night I couldn't get warm... then around 6am I am sure I had a temperature as I couldn't get cool. I took a shower and went back to bed with nothing on and that seemed to help keep me cool. I woke again around 8.00am to rapid palpitations/contractions causing me to lose breath for a second and constant coughing till I dry reached!

Hubby phoned the Dr's office at 8.30am and he told them my symptoms and they wouldn't give me an appoinment until 1pm that afternoon! I was shocked! I managed to calm down and go back to sleep till around mid-day and he took me to the Dr, but by that time I did not have anything but a few palpitations. They did an EKG and said it was an 'abnormal reading' and wanted me to go to the ER by ambulance immediately as he wasn't sure if I was having a heart attack or stroke! I told them we would drive.

I was taken into the ER straight away and hooked up to a heart monitor. They took blood, x-ray and a 'sterile' urine sample. (I dunno if y'all know what that is but I don't want to go thru that again in a hurry! They take it using a bloody catheter!) I was hooked up for around 4 to 5 hours and altho I was still having fluttering in my chest, nothing showed up on the monitor. After a few hours, the ER Dr came to tell me that my sugar is under excellent control (yeehaw!) and my heart is fine (double yeehaw), however I had a urine infection. He gave me a prescription for anti-biotics and let me come home. I can't guarantee the results will stay that way after the hospital bill arrives, as we don't have medical insurance and live paycheck to paycheck! They couldn't tell me what the thudding in my chest is... and I still get it sometimes thru the day... but thankfully, nothing like the other day. Maybe I am allergic to something in this house we moved into 6 months ago, cos they never started till about 3 months after we moved in.

But today, I am just grateful to be here.. that I have flushed away 9lb... and I am only 8lb away from my first mini-goal! Bye

Hi Beverly!

Wow! What a story!

The first thing that came to my mind was the title of your postI believe this WILL be the time. If we NEVER GIVE UP, we can do it!

In fact, I want to congratulate you on your success so far! Like you said, 9 lbs. is 9 lbs!

I'm sorry you had to go through so much with the palpitations, etc. I was wondering if you might be allergic to some food, or additive in food. A friend of mine here on the forum had palpitations which she believes could be from dairy! When she cuts out dairy and other non-whole foods, she's much better.

I've seen people write also about gluten allergies. I couldn't say for sure what is causing you to feel the way you do, but that BB Ice cream is really not something I'd recommend, for any reason! If you think you're allergic to something in your house, like mold or something, I wonder if Home Depot doesn't have some sort of testing kit you could use to find out. Did you get new carpet? Sometimes there is formaldehyde in there, and you could be having a reaction to that.

Even Dr. Atkins suggests using 1 Tbs. psyllium or other soluble fiber mixed with water before meals to help with constipation. If you start with just 1 tsp. in a glass of water, you'll be OK. Then you can increase it gradually. BTW, soluble fiber helps keep blood sugar under control because it helps food digest more slowly, and keeps the blood sugar from rising too fast!

Also, having lots of veggies helps, too, because they have nutrients.

Sorry about the lack of health insurance. I have no recommendations for you there, unless you can work out a payment schedule with the hospital, or apply for some state program.

Well, I wish you good luck with everything.

Welcome back, Beverly. You are off to a great start with your 9 pound loss.

Welcome back! Here is wishing you every success.
On the money front: keep a roof over your head, food on the table, utilities on, transportation for work. If anythnig is left after that dole it out to those you owe as you can. You can only do your best..so don't stress on the money thing until you are able.

Hi Beverly.

Welcome back!

It seems you are starting to reap the benefits of this WOL already. I hope you can fight the source of your heart palpitations.

Congrats on your loss so far.

--Lisa

Its great that your back to try again. We dont really lose unless we give up totally. Im back myself yet again this year. I really feel that this is going to go well for me this time...as far as being able to stick to it that is. Im fearful about not loseing the weight though.

I keep telling myself that Im not here for JUST weight loss. I feel 100xs better eating this way and I plan on continueing that. Ive found so many great recipes on this site...and I have finally gotten over my fear of trying them!

So.. If im going to be 300lbs or more for the rest of my life (thats what it feels like sometimes) then I guess my only real choice is to choose how im going to spend that time. Am I going to stay the same weight (possibly lose) and not suffer from heartburn, acid reflux, headaches, sleepiness, all while eating healthy meals. OR and I going to suffer constantly like I was before..... I figured out the answer to this one this time around for sure.

Some people say that if they are going to stay at 300lbs they might as well keep eating carbage....I think thats just silly considering how bad it is to your body and how it makes you feel. There are tons of low carb treats (without sugar alcohols) out there that if you REALLY dont want to give up any of it enough to lose some weight .. then yea eat them. Its better than that sugar crap and your probobly not going to keep gaining over the years.

My commitment is to stay low carb - I WANT to lose weight .. and I will work towards that goal...but even when its tough and I feel like giving into the weight I will still stay commited to low carb .. even when I cant commit to weight loss.

Congratulations on the 9lb loss! Keep it up and try to stick with it on a day to day basis - makes the whole thing seem a little less insurmountable. Having failed several times myself that's what I'm trying to work on this time.

Hi everyone... Thank you all so much for your kind words. Much appreciated - even tho I haven't posted in a while. Well, I am still at it... day 26 and feeling pretty disheartened. I spent a couple of days in bed with T.O.M then another couple trying to ward off what could have developed into a migraine. When I started this, I had hoped to lose at LEAST 10 lb by my birthday (2 days ago) and I was so close... 9lb's in my first 11 days was beauty! But after T.O.M went away, I weighed and I was almost back to where I started!!! I was sooooo annoyed! I was on the understanding that after T.O.M was over and after the first morning pee was the best time to get an acurate weight. Dang! 7lb back! I ate McD's that night and low and behold, my headache went away within an hour. I went straight back to LC the next morning. I haven't got on the scales since. Too frightened to. But I have kept LC and drinking plenty of water.

The one good thing that has come out of eating LC is my blood readings have been pretty good (I think). AND I ran out of meds on Friday but despite that, my readings have stayed the same as when I was taking the meds. Morning is always around 130-140ish then after I take pills and eat, it reads around 100-110 within a couple of hours and can go as low as 92 if I forget to eat. Yesterday I tested and first thing was 130. Ate breaky and it was 116 after 1 hour, and 109 after 2 hours. It stayed around 100 all day even after I ate KFC twice! (chicken and coating only). Even tho I ate late last night (11.30pm) my first reading this morning was 122! No diabetes meds since Friday morning! I am about to do my next reading (1 hour after breaky)... Oh dear, 138 I thought I was doing so well without them... Wonder what the 2 hour reading will be? Now I am rambling.. sorry...

Thing is, I am still at it... and today my attitude is I am going to keep at it. I've no idea if that will change, but I will do the best I can. I just wish I could hurry up and see some positive results other than the bloods.

Take care everyone and have a great day.

Welcome back. Will keep you in our prayers. Let me give you a few suggestions to try.

I think the number one thing that I have found correlates to success is what amounts to a different way of thinking.

A LCer can not abide a sweet tooth. IMO we have to treat sweets much the same way as an alcoholic treats booze. I love ice cream and I thought the LC ice cream was just the greatest thing but after several half gallons vaporized in a flash I realized that I must avoid the sustitute products and train myself to eat naturally low carb and not feed my desires. As Job made a covenant with his eyes not to look on a woman to lust over her I had to make a covenant with my tongue regarding starches and sweets. We can not afford to say I can't live without [X].

You are going to have to be more strict than some because of the diabetes and change of life issues but you can beat this thing. Be patient with yourself.

Here are my specific recommendations

1. Oil of Oregano drops to be sure that your GI tract is clean and functioning well.
2. Coconut oil for overall GI health also
3. Calcium, Magnesium and Vitamin D especially in the winter time.
4. Use lots of Cinnamon in cooking (or take capsules) for Blood Sugar control. Do not use it to make sweet treats though.
5. Make sure that you get enough saturated animal fat and protien.
6. Zero trans fats... none. Also avoid Polys.
7. No grains, sweets of any kind or starchy veggies for at least 3 months.
8. No processed foods or substitute products (bars, shakes, Ice cream, LC breads or tortillas etc.).
9. Make good use of the kohls (cabage, broccoli etc).
10. Make allowance for female issues. Don't beat yourself up.
11. Fish oil. Baked Salmon (YUM!!!)
12. Remember some medications make weight loss much harder so your progress may be slower than you like but progress is progress.

Now regarding finances http://www.daveramsey.com/ Find a station that plays his show and drop by the library to get a copy of his books. Mr. E has referenced one of his bits of advice and I can personally attest to the efficacy of his common sense approach.

Blessings to you. mike

Hi there and welcome back...iam new here reading and trying to meet ppl...
i lost 81 lbs
and the first thing i ate when i messed up was a mixing bowl of ice cream....i swear the rush in my body freightend me my heart race, got high bp (which usually is 110\80) or so, i had major reactions for being unhealthy carb free and sf for 9 mos.???i ignored it and ate for 6 weeks straight, but felt all the organs reacting to the bad choices.....
well, nice to meet you
all the best
and you will find alot of support here
monica