Monday is my one year anniversary Of this WOE. I want to thank all of you who participate in this site; it has been a tremendous help throughout this year. Following are some random thoughts and observations about the past year; I hope it is helpful. To those of you anonymous participants who have taught and/or inspired me throughout this year, thanks; hopefully my story will do the same for others. (I will try to not to make this too long or too dramatic).

I am a 40 year old (just barely) male who started Atkins at one of the lowest points in my life; I will not bore you with all of the details, but I had balooned to my highest weight ever, 290 lbs., and I was sedentary, depressed, and for the first time in my life, feeling extremely unhealthy. Like many of you, I have struggled with my weight throughout my life, but even when I was heavy, I was healthy and a good athlete; but the past few years were worse: it was not just an aesthetic issue, but it became a health (physical and mental) issue.

On August 18th of 2002, I set a loose goal of reaching 200 lbs. by July 31st, 2003, my 40th birthday. I achieved my goal exactly to the day. As of today, I weigh 197 lbs., 93 lbs. less than one year ago. (I am very content with how I look and feel, but I have reset my goal to about 180 lbs.). To be honest with you; I was not fixated on a specific weight or date - I just knew that I had take the first step and then continue in the right direction. This would be a long road, and, although it is a cliche, I just started to take one day at a time.

I have been eating around induction level carbs (15-30 g) for most of the past year. I have not "cheated" (I do not really like that term) once. There have been times when I have struggled for 2 or 3 days at a time, overindulging in "permitted" "treat" foods such as nuts or peanut butter or Atkins Brownies, hitting around 50 carb grams for a day or two. Frankly, I do not have a burning desire to eat bread or rice or pasta. Are there times when I would like to eat these things? Of course; but my commitment to what I am doing is currently stronger than any urges I have had to indulge.

I started exercising after a few months of LCing; first moderate cardio like walking, then hiking and cardio such as a stationary bike. In the past four months, I have stepped it up to working out about 5-6 days per week; playing beach volleyball(2 hours), rollerblading (15 miles), hiking (3-6 miles), and general cardio (1-1.5 hours). One year ago, a couple of flights of stairs were rough; now I race up stairs 2 at a time. I believe EXERCISE IS absolutely KEY to long-term success; and I fully believe it helps keep you in ketosis. Please note also that taking potassium and magnesium have completely stopped muscle cramps and spasms I was having when I started to push myself (also, your body adjusts). I do feel that intense exercise is sometimes tough with this WOE, but usually, it is OK.

Regarding STALLS, the weight loss has definitely slowed; and there have been periods when I felt like I was stalled, but in reality, the scale was just moving very slowly. I have gone for two weeks w/out a loss, but I have never lost less than 4 lbs. in one month. It is so frustrating, though, to do everything right, and not see the scale move! I have learned to relax, to accept that this is a way of life, and to be patient (usually). My body continues to shrink, whether the scale is keeping up or not. Over time THIS WOE WORKS! (But I do believe the body adjusts to the low carb thing, and calories become more important as one gets closer to goal).

I do not "count" carbs precisely; I know what to eat and what not to eat, and I do not sweat it. I eat as much of my "permitted" foods as I want. I do, however, keep a fitday diary every day, and I find it very helpful. I rarely exceed 20-25 carb grams daily. I usually eat between 1700 and 2100 cal. per day. (My ecc is probably about 35 g. or 40 g.).

I do not drink a lot, but if I want to, I do. Vodka/soda, martini, white wine or champagne...(BTW, with LCing, it definitely does not take a lot to get hammered; be careful).

As for NEGATIVE behavior.... I like water, but at times do not drink enough...I often eat only 2 meals a day (very bad!)...I go through phases of eating too much Carbolite ice cream, which possibly slows things down a bit...I probably eat too much protein, but remember that I am very active...I should probably up my carbs a little, especially given my level of activity.

HEALTH-wise....No more reflux, no more night sweats or shortness of breath, cholesterol down, bloodwork normal, sleeping better...

OTHER-wise...Even though I am a guy, I like clothes. Going to (for you LA people) Fred Segal, Barneys, wherever, and buying those 36 jeans (that are loose in the waist...another 2 or 3 months, and I'll be a 34), and the 42 suit feels amazing...Seeing the reaction of people who haven't seen me in 6 months or a year is priceless (and feels great)....just FEELING "NORMAL" again....feeling attractive again.

So in one year, my life has changed completely...

Thank you all again for being a part of this site. Special thanks to Natruschka and Karen Barnaby whose scientific knowledge and general wisdom have been so valuable to me. I welcome your comments and questions. Thanks.

Congrats! You do really deserve that! A year to me seems like forever, but you obviously disciplined yourself, and were successful with your goals. You are an inspiration to all of us starting out, and we can see that if you set your mind to it, and stick with it, it defintly pays off! You accomplished so much, and I guess one year to take off weight that crept up for god knows how many years, is most certainly a wonderful thing.

I wish you best of luck on the rest of your goals, and a pat on the back for what you have accomplished!

By the way, We share the same birthday! Happy Birthday! Although, I just turned 22 hehe

Best of Luck!!!!

Wow you have done fantastic.

I really needed to read a post like this - with the big picture. Over the past couple of weeks I think I may have finally hit my first real stall. But seeing that if I stick with this WOL, it will work will help me stay focused on the plan.

Keep it up and keep us posted!

What a story of success! You are an inspiration. Thank you for sharing.