I'm a 61-year older who has returned to Atkins because I'm just plain tired of being overweight. Nearly always heavy as a child and young adult, I found Dr. A in the mid-late 70's and maintain a perfect size 4-6, without effort, for over 10 years.
Then I moved to Dallas and my new coworkers were constantly harassing me about my "strange" eating habits. I ignored them all --- but when I remarried in 1991, I started "cooking for 2" again and the weight started to pile on. Diagnosed hypothyrotic in 1994, synthetic thyroid FINALLY stabilized ~ 100/50 mcg on alternating days. BUT --- the weight gain has been horrendous (high-carb diet like my Type A hubby) and I never felt quite "right" although I was never really sick during those years.
Anyway, I'm back with a vengeance and ready to do what it takes to get with the program. And this was the impetus: Darling Hubby and I are going on a vacation later this summer and we decided it was OK for me to pick up a few new clothes. We went shopping ... and it was an absolute disaster! After 3-1/2 hours, DH said --- with an absolutely straight face --- "Sweetheart, you must absolutely stop gaining weight. And you should also lose some weight ... a lot of it!" I have been in the mid-150's for nearly 10 years and this was the first time he's mentioned it! Of course, he weighs 3# more than the 162# he carried when he graduated college in 1966!
My endrocrinologist left practice a couple of years ago, but before he did he suggested Atkins as the only way for a hypothyrotic to lose weight and keep it off. And that was the plan he used ... I saw him at Sam's Club the other day and he still looks great --- unlike me.
So here I am again ... 8 days ago I instituted "Induction Light;" I'm down 4#, and my Keostix are mauve. I guess I'm on my way. Everything I've read (including lots of support sites like this one ) tells me that this will be more difficult than my initial success with Dr. A and that the pounds will drop more slowly because of the medication I take (Dr. A. says the same thing, I just re-read his book).
But as I tell my sons and anyone who asks me, "I can do anything, I'm over 37." And I can do this too, as can you. Send me an e-mail and we can chat often. Oh, and the "shoveit116" name is for my attitude and my goal weight!