Low-carbers? Which plan and how do you do?

[Jamie]

Howdy.

I'm doing Atkins (the 2002 plan) and I do really well when following this plan. I've lost a lot of weight, feel wonderful and keep trucking. What low-carb plan are you following, and how's it working for you?

[Rick]

Cleo,
I do "mostly Atkins" now.... I started out doing it strictly by the book, but the closer I get to my goal the harder I find it to be strict. I still believe in the Atkins WOL, but it's hard to not have an occasional cheat... I can (and I don't condone this) get by with a cheat now and then... but still have to work it off at some point. But, I stress this... I am close to goal. Honestly, I'd say that I am doing more of the Low Glycemic Load Diet right now (Dr. Robert Thompson) and not a true Atkins diet, though Atkins is my roots.

For anyone wanting to lose weight for health, I'd certainly advocate the Atkins or any other low carb lifestyle!!! It just makes sense!!!!'

Rick

[Jamie]

Rick-- you're doing so awesomely!

Regarding 'cheats', you know I think it's ok to occasionally reward yourself with something pleasurable. I mean, when we do well, we buy ourselves a pair of pants, reward by listening to a great new CD, maybe treat ourselves to a spa day. They key is, is it destructive?

I think you are far enough along in your journey that the occasional, small food reward probably won't be harmful. Unlike drug addiction, where any small amount can put you back on the wagon to baddy badness, I think that you, as a seasoned Atkineer/lowcarber know the risks of eating something that might be an issue. Granted, I would never tell someone struggling that food rewards are all right, but I still reward myself with food. But it's the right kind of food.

Yeah, I'm doing Atkins, but I jumped from not doing any low-carbing at all to right to modified OWL. Why? Because I don't want to eat scrambled eggs and salad for 2 weeks. I can jump into ketosis while enjoying whole-fat yogurt with flax, those awesome low-carb wraps as pizza and quesadillas, and I drink Diet Coke. I feel less gaggy, more satisfierd, and my blood sugar isn't attacking me.

Granted, I know my limits and what I can and can't do, and what foods I need to stay away from. I'm back on day 4-- my feet aren't swollen anymore, the headaches and palpitations and acid reflux are gone, and I'm starting to feel more than human again!

Low-carbing is such a great feeling!!!

^5 to my brotherfromanothermother

[Rick]

Well, thanks.

My low carb journey is really just in it's beginning stages though. The truth in this will prove itself in the years to come. I've only been doing this for about 7 months now.... my gosh, it goes by so quickly!!! It's so funny.... I was at my brothers house yesterday, working on his computer (he's a carpenter, not a geek!!!) and asked him how his new digital camera was working out... Ok, it's my "old" camera, and I gave it to him sometime around Christmas time... and he was taking pictures at Christmas... And, he and his wife took a nice trip out through Colorado a couple of weeks ago. So, when I was at his house I asked him if he'd taken the digital camera on the trip. He said, "Yes, but it didn't work." I asked him... "Did you read the book that I gave you?"...
"ummm, no"... So, I told him to go get it and I'd give him another lesson... first off, I turned it on and tested it and of course it took a picture just fine. Then we plugged in his card to the new card reader that I had just installed and it opened up all of the pictures, including two of the ones that he said it wouldn't take in Colorado!!! LOL!!!! Anyway, back to my point and how it ties in to the low carb post here.... Christmas pictures of last year... Some of you may remember my before pictures, and the fact that those exact pictures where what made me decide to try the low carb lifestyle. Well, on his camera were pics of Christmas, and of me. As I was scanning through his pics I saw a closeup of me, and thought... "My God, was I that big"... and just left out a big moan... My brother and his wife were there and just kind of laughed when that sound came out.... and Randy (bro) put his hand on my shoulder and said "That was a lot of lbs ago, wasn't it?". I have to say that it put me back into motivational mode... I never want to be that person ever again!!!!! And, I won't!!!

And, I don't care what anyone else says... it's not just about what/who you are inside. Sometimes what you are on the outside has such an impact on your mental health that it's just as important. I'm the same person on the inside that I've always been, but I am so much happier about myself than I was 7 months ago.... it's been so worth it!!!

[gonnaBslim]

That is really great to h ear Rick!:) :clapping:

You have worked hard and made an excellent progress!

You have every reason to be proud!

[sugarfreeone]

I'm doing atkins 2002 also.....and so far so good. I have done this before with great success and then POW I reverted to my carboholic junkie ways and gained alot back. Now I realize that this is a way of eating I need to stick to for life....food is not as important as my health and my self esteem....So now I am doing great. I have not cheated at all...I am having a super clean induction baby and I am sooo glad! And thanks for inviting me here dollface
( you know who you are! )

:icon_dance:Kat

[Jamie]

Woohoo!

Way to go, Kat! You are doing so amazingly well! I can hear the energy and the excitement and the positive vibes in your voice!