Active Low-Carber Forums
Atkins diet and low carb discussion provided free for information only, not as medical advice.
Home Plans Tips Recipes Tools Stories Studies Products
Active Low-Carber Forums
A sugar-free zone


Welcome to the Active Low-Carber Forums.
Support for Atkins diet, Protein Power, Neanderthin (Paleo Diet), CAD/CALP, Dr. Bernstein Diabetes Solution and any other healthy low-carb diet or plan, all are welcome in our lowcarb community. Forget starvation and fad diets -- join the healthy eating crowd! You may register by clicking here, it's free!

Go Back   Active Low-Carber Forums > Main Low-Carb Diets Forums & Support > Best Of
User Name
Password
FAQ Members Calendar Mark Forums Read Search Gallery My P.L.A.N. Survey


View Poll Results: Why did you choose low-carb?
To lose weight 466 58.69%
To improve my general health 81 10.20%
to avoid things like diabetes 34 4.28%
to help my diabetes 24 3.02%
all of the above 189 23.80%
Voters: 794. You may not vote on this poll

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #106   ^
Old Sat, Dec-27-03, 18:45
mem2's Avatar
mem2 mem2 is offline
Senior Member
Posts: 460
 
Plan: My own lactovegetarian
Stats: 130/110/112 Female 63 inches
BF:24.5%
Progress: 111%
Location: Atlanta Georgia area
Default

I voted for all the above, but my real reason wasn't listed as an option--- to maintain at my goal and not crave sweets and starches. I am still working on it.

I have a family history of heart disease, high blood pressure, late onset diabetes. I have been a nurse for 40+ yrs and a health nut all my life I guess. I have done all kinds of diets, including 80% raw foods at one time. It took a long time for me to admit that carbs is my problem and then a while to get the courage to actually limit them. I was so amazed to find out how satisfying the food was when I went on higher protein and fats and cut the carbs down. I expect to continue limiting carbs for the rest of my life. A lot of chronic health problems disappear when I do. I can make myself sick very quickly by binging on carbs.
Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links
  #107   ^
Old Mon, Mar-01-04, 16:23
rebsee's Avatar
rebsee rebsee is offline
Senior Member
Posts: 338
 
Plan: Atkins
Stats: 232/205/147 Female 73"
BF:
Progress: 32%
Location: Nottingham, UK
Default

All of the above! I feel much healthier LCing, I don't get that drugged, bloated feeling like I get after eating a big white doorstep fishfinger sandwich with ketchup
I eat much less, I know when I'm full - I dont keep on eating simply because I think Im still hungry. I don't wake up at 6am with a raging hunger for a sandwich, I dont crave sweets, chocolate and chips. I eat cleaner, I feel healthier, I'm getting thinner and lighter too!
Yeah sometime's its not easy - I like the odd cocktail but then again, I dont want to jeopardise the hard work I've already done, and I don't want the drugged bloated feeling either!
Reply With Quote
  #108   ^
Old Thu, Mar-04-04, 13:23
Paris Paris is offline
Senior Member
Posts: 2,816
 
Plan: IF & Paleo
Stats: 270/254/150 Female 68 inches
BF:--- too much!
Progress: 13%
Location: Oregon
Default

This thread is such a treasure!

I actually get this question a lot now. I guess I am one of those statistical abnormalities that managed to lose weight on a high carb/low fat diet - 85 pounds on Weight Watchers. However, I binged and starved and binged and starved to get my weight down... this is no way to live! And I knew the willpower was going to run out eventually.

Once I got my sugar addiction under control with the help of Overeater's Anonymous, I took a second look at my low-carb books. I was overwhelmed with the scientific evidence that illustrates that a low-carb lifestyle is the superior choice - period. I knew I could lose weight doing low-fat, but was I healthy? NO! I was constantly looking for my next "low-point" fix. My compulsion to overeat was just as strong as my compulsion to starve myself in order to prepare for the next binge - there is no moderating sugar and refined carbs for me.

I was so used to counting WW points that I tried to modify the program to be lower carb... and it worked. But why bother? I know that I can be at optimal health and weight working Protein Power so why not? Also I am so sick and tired of the Weight Watcher mentality that stresses low-point frankenfoods over good fats and proteins just because they are more calorically dense. It's enough to make me tear out my hair!

The short version - I choose my low-carb lifestyle because I believe it to be a healthy plan based on whole foods that our ancestors ate for millions of years. It is a plan based on eating sanely and NOT starving or searching for a food fix every 30 minutes. I can eat the foods that I love, I can be creative in the kitchen, I can eat at nice restaurants without anxiety, and enjoy the fellowhip; I love the other LCers out there - the majority of whom are interested in healthy living.

Paris
Reply With Quote
  #109   ^
Old Thu, Mar-04-04, 21:39
Rocky_Cdn's Avatar
Rocky_Cdn Rocky_Cdn is offline
Senior Member
Posts: 873
 
Plan: Atkins
Stats: 235/153/135 Female 5'0
BF:
Progress: 82%
Location: Alberta, Canada
Default

Funny, I was just thinking about this today. I was living a basically "healthy" lifestyle, following a low-fat diet, the Canadian Food Guide, and was slowly gaining weight over time. And whenever I had some trauma (surgery, car accident) and couldn't eat, I would quickly gain weight. A doctor said I was basically a survivor - that didn't make me feel any better.

Then I started hearing about some success stories, some people here and there, then a woman in our office building and finally a friend of mine said he tried it and was having success so I read up on it. I've never thought any other "diet" was worth checking out, but I sure believe in this WOL.
Reply With Quote
  #110   ^
Old Sat, Mar-06-04, 10:49
Marge's Avatar
Marge Marge is offline
Senior Member
Posts: 706
 
Plan: Atkins
Stats: 235/214/160 Female 5' 8"
BF:40
Progress: 28%
Location: Red Deer, Canada
Default

Reasons- Tired of being overweight. DH & I figured we were carrying an extra 140 lb person between us. That another adult human being. Not anymore. Now it's shrinking to a heathly child (I've lost 35 & DH has lost 5)

Diabetes - I didn't get the warning signs that came up 3 years ago when a younger sibling was diagnosed. You know the knid of justification ' She had gestational Diabetes, that's what triggered it in her '. Dad was diagnosed at 62 and Mom possibly had gestation diabetes for 4 of her 5 pregnacies. No risk at all.

Snoring- was told over 8 years ago that my snoring would improve if I lost some weight. Now after all these years of not sleeping properly, it has.

Energy - I watched a friend who has some severe health problems (not weight related) lose weight and gain energy, positive attitude etc from LCing. Wow, what a difference. There is no more sitting at my desk at lunch 'cause I can't drag my butt out of my chair. I have to go for a walk, so much energy to burn.

Mentally - A much more focused mind that is starting to retain new ideas again. I had just about given up learning anything 'cause it just wasn't sticking. This is the best unexpected side effect.

I could go on for hours. LCing is the WOL for me.
Reply With Quote
  #111   ^
Old Fri, Apr-16-04, 13:06
magnamater magnamater is offline
Senior Member
Posts: 163
 
Plan: atkins, protein power
Stats: 230/137/130 Female 5'3"
BF:29%
Progress: 93%
Location: Houston,Texas
Default

I started LC back in 1999 to loose the ugly weight. It worked. Lost 60 lbs, stayed on a long trip, lost my way, gained some back.

I went back and forth LCing and sliding.

Then I got a new doctor who diagnosed me with autoimmune thyroiditis.

He suggested the Zone--and a change in meds.

After about 6 months, he told me carbs were poison to me in particular. Thus a "Atkins" "Protein Power" solution for me.

I listened, finally.

This is it for life.

It's no longer about the weight.

It's about health.
Reply With Quote
  #112   ^
Old Fri, May-07-04, 11:33
Vanity3's Avatar
Vanity3 Vanity3 is offline
Senior Member
Posts: 828
 
Plan: Atkins
Stats: 265/247.5/145 Female 5'4.25"
BF:50%/46%/15%
Progress: 15%
Location: West Hartford, CT
Default

I responded with all of the above, even though I do not have diabetes, but my mother does and if I continued down the obese path I was on, I know I would have developed it eventually. Now that I've been successful with the LC way, I've turned my mom on to South Beach. Isn't LCing GRAND!?
Reply With Quote
  #113   ^
Old Mon, May-10-04, 17:28
MsTwacky's Avatar
MsTwacky MsTwacky is offline
WONJ#3
Posts: 7,576
 
Plan: 12 steps
Stats: 238/210/145 Female 5'6
BF:
Progress: 30%
Location: Portland, OR
Default

I have PCOS-Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and this is the eating most recomended for this condition.
Reply With Quote
  #114   ^
Old Mon, May-10-04, 20:51
bcbeauty's Avatar
bcbeauty bcbeauty is offline
Memere to 4
Posts: 3,055
 
Plan: Atkins
Stats: 227/199/150 Female 5ft 3in
BF:Too much
Progress: 36%
Location: Kelowna BC. Canada
Default

Well ...I actually found this forum before I found DANDR. I was looking on line for diet information..as I need to lose weight. I found this place and started reading. The next day I had The Good Book and was reading my way to a happier healthier me!I have been on Atkins for almost 3 months and have been able to give up 3 different inhalers, and almost daily use of antihistamines!
Reply With Quote
  #115   ^
Old Mon, May-10-04, 21:29
fendel's Avatar
fendel fendel is offline
Registered Member
Posts: 87
 
Plan: basic low carb
Stats: 219/202/170 Female 5'7"
BF:
Progress: 35%
Location: Minneapolis
Default

Neat thread. I've been on and off the wagon for a few years--this time I mean to make it stick. Originally I got interested in LC because I wanted to lose weight and look better, and (as a secondary goal) feel healthier. But seeing it as a cosmetic thing made it hard to stay motivated.

I never stopped believing in LC, but I fell off the wagon a number of times, for weeks or months at a stretch, regaining the weight. I was LC "in theory" for a while...

Then a couple months ago I finally got myself a blood glucose meter, suspecting I had a problem, maybe reactive hypoglycemia. Took my fasting BG a couple days, and holy smokes, I'm prediabetic. Between 105 and 115 almost every morning. That scared me. I ate some carby meals where my post-meal BG shot up to the 150s. That's when I started getting serious about this. (Well, that and wanting to lose weight for my wedding. )

It's been two months now (with three days off, the weekend we got married). I'm down 15 pounds. My fasting glucose is rock-steady every morning in the 80s or occasionally low 90s. My post-meal readings are excellent. As far as I can tell, I'm staving off diabetes, and I am so glad I caught this in time.

Some mornings I feel motivated by the scale moving. Sometimes I feel motivated by the optimal blood sugar readings I'm getting. Some days my pants feel loose or I catch myself starting to like what I see in the mirror. I have a ways to go yet, but this time I really feel I can stick with this.
Reply With Quote
  #116   ^
Old Tue, May-11-04, 10:10
Renkin1990's Avatar
Renkin1990 Renkin1990 is offline
Contributing Member
Posts: 673
 
Plan: Atkins
Stats: 259/190/135 Female 5'5
BF:OMG Too Much
Progress: 56%
Location: Tampa, Florida
Default

I chose Low Carb because it worked. I had dieted low fat years ago and did loose weight but it was really hard and slow. I like the Low Carb because it works for my body type, it is easy, it includes most of the foods I like and provides LC options for the foods I 'can't' have.
Reply With Quote
  #117   ^
Old Tue, May-11-04, 17:45
BlitzedAng BlitzedAng is offline
{{{Kickin Ash}}}
Posts: 9,233
 
Plan: Atkins 1972
Stats: 223/190/160 Female 5ft8
BF:OUT OF CONTROL
Progress: 52%
Location: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Default

I chose it cause I saw my dh have so much energy AND watched him drop 60 lbs.Started for some reasons, kept going till it became a WOL for others
Reply With Quote
  #118   ^
Old Mon, Jun-14-04, 14:36
Enomarb Enomarb is offline
MAINTAINING ON CALP
Posts: 4,838
 
Plan: CALP/CAHHP
Stats: 180/125/150 Female 65 in
BF:
Progress: 183%
Location: usa
Default

I had a very high CRP (C-reactive protein) test, and looked into lowereing it by losing some weight.I chose this WOL after analyzing my "heart healthy" diet, that was keeping me fatter than I had ever been. I was eating mostly carbs, and Atkins had just gotten some positive research reports, so I looked into low carb. I really liked the CALP plan: lots of flexibility, I could still eat carbs once a day, and no counting anything. I started in July 2003, and have lost 50 pounds. I know this is my WOL forever. My lipid tests, and CRP, all improved too!
Reply With Quote
  #119   ^
Old Mon, Jun-21-04, 09:11
Ohio Kim's Avatar
Ohio Kim Ohio Kim is offline
Brown-Eyed Girl
Posts: 7,371
 
Plan: Atkins
Stats: 260/153/155 Female 5'6"
BF:
Progress: 102%
Location: NW, Ohio
Default

I've always been healthy and active. Even at my highest weight, I felt great and was active. However, I didn't feel good about myself anymore. I wanted to be the sexy person I had grown up being. When I started reading about Atkins.. I remembered often saying "I could live on Bread and Pepsi". and realized, it wasn't so much my activity level as what I was eating. If I cut out a few things, I could live with this program and actually reform my body.... Here I am - happier and healthier than ever.
Reply With Quote
  #120   ^
Old Sun, Aug-08-04, 19:06
SkinnySoon's Avatar
SkinnySoon SkinnySoon is offline
Senior Member
Posts: 114
 
Plan: Atkins/CKD?
Stats: 183/160/130 Female 5'5"
BF:36%/30??/15-18%
Progress: 43%
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Default

I definately started it to lose weight too.... but my main reason was because I was bored with the plain flavorless bodybuilding-type diet that I used to follow. Atkins gave me a way to lose weight while enjoying the taste of my food.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Anyone up for a visualization/meditation experiment? TeriDoodle Best Of 248 Mon, May-19-08 15:41
Help Me Choose! pbaxle1 Atkins Diet 5 Tue, Mar-11-03 16:55
collecting research info: why choose lowcarb? auntrobin General Low-Carb 8 Fri, Dec-06-02 11:41


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 04:07.


Copyright © 2000-2024 Active Low-Carber Forums @ forum.lowcarber.org
Powered by: vBulletin, Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.