Thanks Enomarb,
I am glad to know that other people also experience spikes in cholesterol before the start to come down.
I will continue on Atkins for now and do as some of you advised and have it rechecked in 6 months.
It is hard for me to re-condition my brain into thinking that this way of eating is legal. I was always told to go Low fat, low calorie, low cholesterol. These did not help me to lose weight and keep it off. Sometimes I go to eat something and I have to double-check to be sure it is Atkins friendly-- as it may seem too good to be "diet" food.
I have started to substitute ground turkey instead of ground beef. I like it in my chilli, or when I make "Taco" meat that I serve in the low carb Tortilla's with sour cream, green peppers and cheese. I love those low carb Tortilla's.
I also like to make "Taco" meat and serve over my lettuce and trimmings to make my taco salad.
May I ask you--how long did it take you to get to your goal?
Congrats on your success!
I bet you feel so much better.
Thanks again for your reply -- and to everyone----Good Luck to you all.