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-   -   I did it! GOAL (http://forum.lowcarber.org/showthread.php?t=476924)

andante Sat, Apr-15-17 15:21

I did it! GOAL, 80+ pounds, one year
 
First and most important, I want to thank everyone on the forum for the amazing mutual support and information I have found here.

I started low-carbing at the end of March last year, because I wanted to lose weight fast in order to go paragliding. I was over the weight limit. I joined this forum soon after, and while experiencing the initial success of quick weight loss during the first two weeks of low carbing, I started learning about the health benefits of this way of eating. I lost enough weight to go paragliding, and kept losing weight, and was hooked. My partner started joining me in this way of eating, but at first I think he was cheating on the side. I didn't pay much attention, because that was his issue.

Then life got interesting.

He had a major stroke in July ... Three weeks in hospital and rehab.... And while there, he was diagnosed with both high blood pressure and diabetes. So he decided to get serious. We insisted that he would be able to control his diabetes thru diet, and over the objections of doctors, he didn't start diabetes medication. He did start high blood pressure meds, but two weeks after being released from the hospital, the doctor took him off those. Within another couple of months his A1 C ultimately dropped to 5.0 and his diagnosis was reversed.

Then my health went to hell. I had a routine doctors visit in January, which showed that I had thyroid cancer, and I also needed a hysterectomy ( and more cancer testing). I am through the thyroidectomy, neck dissection, radiation treatment, and hysterectomy now. I am being monitored and am hoping that my thyroid cancer doesn't recur, and fortunately the other tests found no second cancer. Throughout, I have stuck to this way of eating, and have continued to lose weight.

I have been strictly on plan for the entire year, although I do admit that I have built-in some deviations. For example, I do use whole milk in my tea, I occasionally drink wine, I count net carbs, and I don't freak out if my veggie carbs go over 20 or 30, as long as they are on my approved foods list.

I think the key is to find foods that you love. There are so many, that there's no need to ever think about the foods that you can't have anymore. I learned that lesson here, along with basics like the magic of cauliflower and coconut oil. I think loving what you eat is the most important lesson of all.

This is the first time in my life I have felt in control of how I eat, when I eat, how much I eat, and the first time that I have had a reasonable sense of portion control, cravings, and when enough is enough. That in itself is a blessing.

I don't know where my health and fitness journey will take me next. I am walking now and when I recover from my most recent surgery, I plan to start working out to build some muscle. I will stay low carbing, and see where my weight stabilizes. And I will buy lots of new clothes!

This is been an exciting and joyful journey, and I thank all of you for being part of it. My best wishes to those just starting. It works!

thud123 Sat, Apr-15-17 15:53

what a great story andante. I didn't know the depth of the other issue that you and your husband were working on. I'm very glad to have shared on this board with you. Your perspective always seems harmonious and to the point. Thank you!

- an admirer of yours,

Thud

andante Sat, Apr-15-17 16:48

Thanks, Thud, it has been a joy being here with you, too and I wish you continued success. You are an inspiration!

Jamackarch Sat, Apr-15-17 18:53

BRAVO, Andante! You rock! :cheer: :cheer: :cheer:
:D jams

Just Jo Mon, Apr-17-17 05:15

HUGE Congrats, Andante!:cheer:

Thanks for sharing your journey and I hope you stick around to encourage and inspire others! :agree:

DelaneyLC Mon, Apr-17-17 07:35

Congrats on your success! It's amazing with all you've been through & you still stuck with it. Wishing you continued success and good health.

khrussva Mon, Apr-17-17 09:07

Wow - what year you had! Both amazing and scary. Congratulations and thanks for sharing your story. Success stories are too few and far between. I think that many of the things that you pointed out in your story are what can make the difference between reaching your goals and not. The support here helps. Making this as much about health as it is for weight loss helps. Educating yourself about how and why this WOE works helps. Finding foods that you like to eat make this WOE sustainable. And of course, it takes persistence and determination to make the changes stick. Life even threw some serious obstacles in your way and yet you still found a way to keep working your way to goal. You packed a lot into that short success story. That is how this is done. Truly inspirational. :rheart:

JEY100 Mon, Apr-17-17 10:50

What an inspiring story...you were thrown some major curve balls that would make many others abandon low carb. Wishing you and your husband continued good health and happiness. :clap: :clap:

andante Mon, Apr-17-17 20:13

Thanks for all the responses. I so much appreciate the support.... Now I just have to figure out the maintenance bit! So far, I am just doing what I've been doing. And hey, if another couple of pounds come off.... Who am I to complain?

adbow Tue, Apr-18-17 12:49

Great job andante!!!! what a wonderful testimony on the fact that this does work!

jeannette1 Wed, Apr-26-17 11:31

This is amazing! more than 80 pounds in 1 year! You are a true inspiration :)

Just Jo Thu, Apr-27-17 04:19

Quote:
Originally Posted by andante
Thanks for all the responses. I so much appreciate the support.... Now I just have to figure out the maintenance bit! So far, I am just doing what I've been doing. And hey, if another couple of pounds come off.... Who am I to complain?
That's exactly what I did!

I just kept doing what I was doing to get the weight off. Haven't changed anything aka I didn't increase my carbs b/c that's a slippery dangerous slope for me since I have a lot of food related issues... I still measure/weigh everything I eat...

I figured my body would "settle" at the weight it wanted to be and here I am still maintaining my weight loss 3 years and counting...

This is what Dr. A said in the original Atkins 1972 version pg 263:
Quote:
The best decision is probably to stay pretty much on the very low carbohydrate diet on which you lost; only now you can feel free to deviate in small ways.
So Imma doing what the good doctor prescribed! :thup:

Wishing you continued success on your journey! :agree:

esw Thu, Apr-27-17 06:11

Many congratulations. You are an example to us all. Wishing you good health and success in the future.

Sunsea Sun, Apr-30-17 16:28

So very proud of you! Stories like yours will help me to stay my course...my weight loss is for health and wanting to feel good again...CHEERS to you!

Froka Tue, May-02-17 09:41

Awesome story, andante, so inspiring!


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