I thought I would post a little bit of information about why I am on Atkins and how it is working for me.
Growning up in an Italian Family, food is LIFE! I was a very active child, dance classes, Girl Scouts, School, Volleyball,.. but once I hit puberty, The only activity I had other than regular school work and functions was Girl Scouts. So all those calories didn't burn off as quickly as they used to!
I have been fighting my weight ever since. My family always told me I was big boned. The doctor even went so far as to tell me (and my father) that it was my father's fault. His family tended to run in the larger sizes.
After my daughter was born in 1998, I was diagnosed with Osteo-Arthritis in my knees and was told that if I wanted to walk at 40 (I was 31) I needed to lose weight. I was at my all time highest weight of 225. At 5'4" that is remarkably high. I was tired, miserable and couldnt keep up with my then 2 year old son and my then 4 month old daughter. So the next day I started Weight Watchers (for about the 10th time)
What was different then is that I did the at home program. I found support on the internet and in 10 months I lost 56 pounds! i was down to 169 and only 9 pounds away from my wedding weight 9 years before!
Then stress hit! We moved form California to Washington State in 2000. I stopped doing WW. In 3 years I ballooned back up to 200 pounds. not for lack of trying. I started WW again in Feb of 2003 and GAINED 20 pounds in 2 months!
In July 2003, I had to have surgery for an unrelated condition. When taking the blood work, My doctor decided to check my insulin levels just in case, as I have diabetes in my family. Sure enough, I showed signs of Insulin Resistance! Just on the verge of Diabetes. After Surgery, at the doctor's recomendation, I started Atkins. August 4, 2003 to be exact.
This WOE started Working IMMEDIATELY! In 2 weeks, all my cravings were gone and by Christmas time I had dropped 30 pounds! In January, I went back to have my blood work done again. My insulin levels were stablizing, My cholestrol dropped from 280 to 203, and my tryglycerides are well in normal ranges. The doctor was thrilled!
The best part is that although now, weight loss is slowing down, i am feeling bettter. I weigh less than I ever did in High School and college! Not only do I keep up with my 6 and 8 year olds, but I have also started running. I am in the best phisical condition I have ever been in my life! even my knees are better!
Atkins has always gotten a bad rap. Heck, I even talked down about it. But I have come to find out that it isnt what the media and the nay-sayers are always talking about. If y ou read the book,and do it right, it is the best WOE out there for those predispositioned to Diabetes. Granted, it isnt for everyone, but I is right for me!
Here are some progress pictures: (I am actually 10 pounds down from the last one.. I need to update soon!)
I am pretty darn proud of my accomplishments!
Posted at 07:47 pm by JoviMom
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