I can't believe the difference!!

LeanLioness
LeanLioness Posts: 1,091 Member
edited September 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
2 weeks on Atkins and I can't believe the difference in my face already!!!

I have 2 pictures posted. The one in the cowboy hat is my Before picture and the one in my main pic is one I took with my camera phone this morning!!!

I am down 23 pounds since January 1, 2009 and my DH noticed this morning..................

He is usually the last to notice and usually after a substancial amount is lost.

I can not weight until I get down into Onederland and hopefully by spring, I will need a complete new wardrobe!!!!
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Replies

  • LeanLioness
    LeanLioness Posts: 1,091 Member
    2 weeks on Atkins and I can't believe the difference in my face already!!!

    I have 2 pictures posted. The one in the cowboy hat is my Before picture and the one in my main pic is one I took with my camera phone this morning!!!

    I am down 23 pounds since January 1, 2009 and my DH noticed this morning..................

    He is usually the last to notice and usually after a substancial amount is lost.

    I can not weight until I get down into Onederland and hopefully by spring, I will need a complete new wardrobe!!!!
  • Cloe
    Cloe Posts: 435
    Good stuff.....keep it going!:flowerforyou:
  • stormysmom
    stormysmom Posts: 55
    Way to go :drinker: :smile:
  • sunflower8926
    sunflower8926 Posts: 485 Member
    Wow! That is an amazing difference already! Good for you!:drinker: :love: :flowerforyou:
  • LeanLioness
    LeanLioness Posts: 1,091 Member
    I know, I couldn't believe the difference either..................

    I have a distorted viewing of myself anyway, so seeing myself in the mirror is not the same as seeing a picture of myself!!!

    Thanks for the compliments and the encouragement!!!
  • crazybigchick
    crazybigchick Posts: 245
    Congrats that is amazing!!

    Keep it up and you will be at your goal in no time!
  • LuckyLeprechaun
    LuckyLeprechaun Posts: 6,296 Member
    Wow. I can't believe it either! I sw your picture and I thought it was a new member. Then when I clicked the profile I really noticed that name and went... OMG Lioness!!! Holy Sh**!

    Amazing difference.

    Be gentle on yourself with that Atkins, I have heard some scary stuff about staying on it too long- but as a jump start it can't hurt :wink:
  • LeanLioness
    LeanLioness Posts: 1,091 Member
    Wow. I can't believe it either! I sw your picture and I thought it was a new member. Then when I clicked the profile I really noticed that name and went... OMG Lioness!!! Holy Sh**!

    Amazing difference.

    Be gentle on yourself with that Atkins, I have heard some scary stuff about staying on it too long- but as a jump start it can't hurt :wink:

    I have done it before...............

    I know a few people that are maintaining with Atkins and they are doing GREAT!!! Atkins is one of the most healthy ways to eat and make lifestyle changes with if DONE CORRECTLY!!

    Most people try to stay on induction and that is where the problem lies, it is done incorrectly, then gets bashed because of it. There is a science behind it and it really works.

    There is nothing wrong with Atkins if you follow the carb ladder up and add in your veggies, fruit, nuts, etc............grains in limited quantities are the last to be added in near maintenance.............I am trying to get my eating plan all organic, free of chemicals, antibiotics in meats, etc............It is hard to do because of expense.

    My Doctor put me on Atkins because I am diabetic and that is the only thing that puts my blood sugar and blood pressure in check. I will be off all meds by summer time.

    I am on limited exercise due to rehabbing injuries incurred in a car accident over the summer.

    I just completed Atkins Phase 1 (Induction) and I am moving into Atkins Phase 2 either tonight or over the weekend...........I have to go grocery shopping as I am looking forward to adding in yogurt, strawberries, raw almonds and zucchini into my eating plan this week.!!!
  • SHBoss1673
    SHBoss1673 Posts: 7,161 Member
    I'm surprised your doctor chose Atkins for diabetes. I know a bit about it because my sister has Type 1 and it runs in my family and I've always heard that drastically changing your blood sugar (either way) with diabetes is dangerous (removing carbs completely will alter your body chemistry dramatically, usually dropping your blood sugar). I'm no doctor, yours may have a good reason to do so, just expressing my surprise.

    I found this article on it at WebMD.
    http://diabetes.webmd.com/features/diabetes-weight-loss-finding-the-right-path

    But hey, if you feel good, are under a doctor's care, and it's working for you, I can say nothing but congratz for you. Best of luck.:drinker:
  • songbyrdsweet
    songbyrdsweet Posts: 5,691 Member
    I'm surprised your doctor chose Atkins for diabetes. I know a bit about it because my sister has Type 1 and it runs in my family and I've always heard that drastically changing your blood sugar (either way) with diabetes is dangerous (removing carbs completely will alter your body chemistry dramatically, usually dropping your blood sugar). I'm no doctor, yours may have a good reason to do so, just expressing my surprise.

    I found this article on it at WebMD.
    http://diabetes.webmd.com/features/diabetes-weight-loss-finding-the-right-path

    But hey, if you feel good, are under a doctor's care, and it's working for you, I can say nothing but congratz for you. Best of luck.:drinker:

    Ketone production can be dangerous for diabetics, but with Atkins she's still getting carbohydrates, so they're probably in levels high enough to prevent the accumulation of many ketones. But you'll more often see ketoacidosis in untreated diabetics.

    LL, you look great!! :happy:
  • Wolfena
    Wolfena Posts: 1,570 Member
    Holy Cow!!

    23 pounds in 14 days :noway:

    I'd like to say Congratulations.... (so I will)

    Congratulations! :smile:

    But I also gotta say, I'm a bit worried about you.... that's so fast :ohwell:
  • SHBoss1673
    SHBoss1673 Posts: 7,161 Member

    Ketone production can be dangerous for diabetics, but with Atkins she's still getting carbohydrates, so they're probably in levels high enough to prevent the accumulation of many ketones. But you'll more often see ketoacidosis in untreated diabetics.

    LL, you look great!! :happy:

    I thought the whole point of phase one was to drastically reduce the amount of carbs and force ketosys? I'm not an Atkins guru, so I could be way off, but that's what I've read about it.

    Atkins phase 1 is no more then 20 to 30 grams of carbs per day isnt it?
  • songbyrdsweet
    songbyrdsweet Posts: 5,691 Member

    Ketone production can be dangerous for diabetics, but with Atkins she's still getting carbohydrates, so they're probably in levels high enough to prevent the accumulation of many ketones. But you'll more often see ketoacidosis in untreated diabetics.

    LL, you look great!! :happy:

    I thought the whole point of phase one was to drastically reduce the amount of carbs and force ketosys? I'm not an Atkins guru, so I could be way off, but that's what I've read about it.

    Atkins phase 1 is no more then 20 to 30 grams of carbs per day isnt it?

    Yes, but she only did Phase 1 for two weeks. If she monitors her ketone levels with her BG then there really isn't an issue. If she's not exercising, Phase 2 will probably have enough carbs not to induce ketosis. I'm assuming her Dr would keep these things in mind.
  • SHBoss1673
    SHBoss1673 Posts: 7,161 Member
    I dunno, I'm not equipped to debate this. I'm no doctor. You know more about this stuff then I do. Just sounds a little out of the realm of normal to me so I thought I'd mention it. I'll have to ask my sister about it. She's a former councillor at the Clara Barton Camp for diabetic youths and knows an aweful lot about diabetes and I'm sure she has researched this.

    new note, I saw that Atkins has a diabetes specific program out there. interesting. LL, did you do this new program? Or is it even new? LOL! I'm so not smart on this diet.
  • Fitness_Chick
    Fitness_Chick Posts: 6,648 Member

    Ketone production can be dangerous for diabetics, but with Atkins she's still getting carbohydrates, so they're probably in levels high enough to prevent the accumulation of many ketones. But you'll more often see ketoacidosis in untreated diabetics.

    LL, you look great!! :happy:
    Lioness....you're looking wonderful:bigsmile: ...for those folks that are concerned on the weight dropping off a bit faster ...often many lbs. are dropped quickly at first when we change up our eating from not healthy to much healthier, true, many lbs. can be water weight. But it still shows up on our bodies, weight is weigh....right? :tongue: I feel much lighter dropping lbs. even if part of it is water.

    You're looking beautiful, I too had to look at the other picture you mentioned...can't believe how much younger you look, I think it's often due to how good we begin to feel about ourselves as we gain control back over our eating.:heart:

    I think it's awesome you all are concerned about her...that speaks volumes about the caring on this site:flowerforyou:

    Under a doctors care I think if a person has a doctor they feel comfy with and the doctor knows them well, there are various things a doctor might recommend to one patient as long as they keep in touch and another patient they might not recommend the same thing too, perhaps.:wink::flowerforyou:

    Thanks for posting and sharing your good news:flowerforyou: :drinker:

    FC:heart:
  • LeanLioness
    LeanLioness Posts: 1,091 Member
    I'm surprised your doctor chose Atkins for diabetes. I know a bit about it because my sister has Type 1 and it runs in my family and I've always heard that drastically changing your blood sugar (either way) with diabetes is dangerous (removing carbs completely will alter your body chemistry dramatically, usually dropping your blood sugar). I'm no doctor, yours may have a good reason to do so, just expressing my surprise.

    I found this article on it at WebMD.
    http://diabetes.webmd.com/features/diabetes-weight-loss-finding-the-right-path

    But hey, if you feel good, are under a doctor's care, and it's working for you, I can say nothing but congratz for you. Best of luck.:drinker:

    You don't remove all carbs completely when doing Atkins. I have been to 2 different endocrinologists that both advocate Atkins or South Beach for treatment of diabetes.
  • SHBoss1673
    SHBoss1673 Posts: 7,161 Member
    Don't get me wrong LL, I don't mean to question your judgement. I think it's absolutely great that you have done so well. I have just had my eyes opened recently to the flaws that doctors can have. After my wife was misdiagnosed twice, I did a little research and was rather shocked at some of the numbers. It's amazing how many misdiagnosed conditions there have been recently. A lot of it, I believe, is because doctors are forced to take on too many patients because of rising costs, and thus can't devote the time to each one that they would otherwise do.

    So after all that, I just have been tending to first question my doctors, then research it and if it lines up with what they say I feel a lot better.

    For instance, did you know that a recent study by the American College of Nutrition cited that only 14% of the GP's surveyed felt that they had adequate knowledge of nutrition to give advice to patients.
    - Journal of the American College of Nutrition, Vol. 27, No. 2, 287-298 (2008)


    So I guess, my questions just come from my own concerns and I appologize if they didn't come off as congradulatory.

    Once again, AWESOME job. Hope you have much continued success with it!
  • spicy618
    spicy618 Posts: 2,114 Member
    Just have to say... CONGRATS! on losing so much in just 2 weeks.
  • Anna_Banana
    Anna_Banana Posts: 2,939 Member
    Good job for losing the weight. I lost 15 pounds my first two weeks, I think that when you start a new plan that you drop a lot off quickly bc of water loss. I know a lot of people that have lost a lot of weight using Atkins (most gained all of it back plus more), and if it works for you good for you. I just want to set one thing straight. When people, weither it be doctors or a book, that say something is the absolute best way to lose weight, just remember that it's an opinion. There is no best way that works the best for everyone. If this works for you and you can follow the eating guide lines for the rest of your life that great. I have one uncle that uses atkins to help control his diabetes, and a dad that keep his diabetes controlled just eating a well balanced diet.

    Again, congradulations.
  • LeanLioness
    LeanLioness Posts: 1,091 Member
    Holy Cow!!

    23 pounds in 14 days :noway:

    I'd like to say Congratulations.... (so I will)

    Congratulations! :smile:

    But I also gotta say, I'm a bit worried about you.... that's so fast :ohwell:

    Thanks, but it is mostly water weight and I have a lot of water weight, so I will drop pounds pretty fast until most of the water weight comes off.................

    The first time my Dr put me on Atkins was in 2003 when I was first diagnosed. I was forced into the lifestyle change, not because I wanted to do it. It never stuck until this year............

    Fall and winter are hard for me to stick to low carb, so I figured if I started in January (at pretty much the start of winter) that next fall and winter I would have no excuses for not sticking to it and make the lifestyle change.............

    Spring and summer is sooo easy on Atkins, lots of fresh veggies, grilling chicken and fish on the grill, etc, fresh berries and melons.................winter time I don't like raw, cold veggies because it is cold oustide already and there are not many cooked veggies that I like. My favorite fruits are not in season, and I get the winter blahs.............
  • Dave198lbs
    Dave198lbs Posts: 8,810 Member
    Awesome but also wow is it safe to lose that much so fast? How do you feel?
    could I bother you for a sample dinner you have had on one of the 15 days?

    Do you do any cardio?
    congrats and thanks
    Dave
  • LeanLioness
    LeanLioness Posts: 1,091 Member
    Don't get me wrong LL, I don't mean to question your judgement. I think it's absolutely great that you have done so well. I have just had my eyes opened recently to the flaws that doctors can have. After my wife was misdiagnosed twice, I did a little research and was rather shocked at some of the numbers. It's amazing how many misdiagnosed conditions there have been recently. A lot of it, I believe, is because doctors are forced to take on too many patients because of rising costs, and thus can't devote the time to each one that they would otherwise do.

    So after all that, I just have been tending to first question my doctors, then research it and if it lines up with what they say I feel a lot better.

    For instance, did you know that a recent study by the American College of Nutrition cited that only 14% of the GP's surveyed felt that they had adequate knowledge of nutrition to give advice to patients.
    - Journal of the American College of Nutrition, Vol. 27, No. 2, 287-298 (2008)


    So I guess, my questions just come from my own concerns and I appologize if they didn't come off as congradulatory.

    Once again, AWESOME job. Hope you have much continued success with it!

    Thanks for the concern!!

    I know what I am losing right now is water weight. I have a LOT of water weight to lose on my body!!!

    To let you in on a little secret................my family Dr advised me against Atkins..........I tried it his way, low fat diet and 1100 calories a day and exercise. I GAINED about 50 pounds, my sugar was getting out of control to the point of insulin shots and I had to go on high blood pressure medication. I asked him to refer me over to the Diabetes Institute in Norfolk, VA. (Last year I was living in Virginia)...........

    I went to see the Diabetic endocrinologist and took my food log as well as my meds log. She said she wanted to me go on a low carb diet and make LIFESTYLE changes, not something I could do temporarily. I told her I was already familiar with Atkins and how I lost 98 pound on Atkins back in 2003 when my OB/GYN diagosed me with diabetes and PCOS. I had been off all meds and felt great!!
    She told me to go back to doing what I did in 2003, which was Atkins by the book and exercise.
    My family Dr told me if I was going to listen to the Diabetic Endorcrinologist that he would no longer see me as a patient. That's fine I told him, I got a new Dr. New Dr was GREAT with me and doing Atkins and worked very well with the Endocrinologist...............

    I moved back to my home state of Illinois and the endcrinologist I am seeing here advocates the low carb diet for diabetics..................

    I think I have gluten and wheat / grain intolerances also. When I get to Phase 3 of Atkins, I am going to try and add in Ezekiel Bread (sprouted grain) and see if my body can tolerate it.

    For now, I am enjoying trying new vegetables that I would have never eaten if I hadn't started Atkins as it is unbelievable how much your taste buds change!!

    Last night, I added in organic, plain full fat yogurt last night, sweetened with a tad bit of Davinci's sugar free vanilla syrup and some chopped frozen strawberries..............................
  • LeanLioness
    LeanLioness Posts: 1,091 Member
    Awesome but also wow is it safe to lose that much so fast? How do you feel?
    could I bother you for a sample dinner you have had on one of the 15 days?

    Do you do any cardio?
    congrats and thanks
    Dave

    Hi Dave!!

    I FEEL GREAT!!!!! I have more energy than I know what to do with. I am up at 3am every morning, fix my DH breakfast, pack his lunch, clean house, take dog for walk, feed dog, get ready for gym and go to the gym, take shower and head to work!!!

    Here is a sample menu:
    For example, yesterday this is what I had to eat:

    Breakfast:
    3 hard boiled eggs with sea salt and black pepper
    32 oz of coffee - plain black

    Mid-morning Snack:
    3 stalks celery filled with cream cheese

    Lunch:
    Lettuce salad (2 cups)
    Home made chicken salad (chicken breast, onion, green pepper, celery, sea salt, fresh ground pepper and kraft full fat mayo)
    Mixed the salad and chicken salad together

    Afternoon Snack:
    Romaine lettuce leaf (2)
    4 slices of smoked turkey (nitrate and chemical free)
    2 slices of cheddar cheese (sliced thin)
    1 tablespoon mustard
    Roll up the turkey, cheese and mustard in the romaine lettuce leaf and eat. Just like a sandwich with no bread!!

    Supper:
    1 salmon steak
    4 oz of steamed shrimp
    1 cup of steamed broccoli with cheese melted on top
    Cucumber, red onion, tomato and radish salad (mixed with hidden valley ranch dressing)

    Bed time Snack:
    1 cup of organic, plain full fat yogurt with 1/4 cup mashed up frozen strawberries, mixed with a bit of davinci's sugar free vanilla syrup.

    About 100 oz of water


    Yes, I am also doing cardio. Only doing a limited amount due to rehabbing from a car accident I was in back in July. So, my chiropractor has me doing about 13 minutes on the treadmill, walking at my own pace and then I am doing this wind jammer thing with my arms trying to strengthen my shoulders and arm muscles.
  • Fitness_Chick
    Fitness_Chick Posts: 6,648 Member
    Awesome but also wow is it safe to lose that much so fast? How do you feel?
    could I bother you for a sample dinner you have had on one of the 15 days?

    Do you do any cardio?
    congrats and thanks
    Dave

    Hi Dave!!

    I FEEL GREAT!!!!! I have more energy than I know what to do with. I am up at 3am every morning, fix my DH breakfast, pack his lunch, clean house, take dog for walk, feed dog, get ready for gym and go to the gym, take shower and head to work!!!

    Here is a sample menu:
    For example, yesterday this is what I had to eat:

    Breakfast:
    3 hard boiled eggs with sea salt and black pepper
    32 oz of coffee - plain black

    Mid-morning Snack:
    3 stalks celery filled with cream cheese

    Lunch:
    Lettuce salad (2 cups)
    Home made chicken salad (chicken breast, onion, green pepper, celery, sea salt, fresh ground pepper and kraft full fat mayo)
    Mixed the salad and chicken salad together

    Afternoon Snack:
    Romaine lettuce leaf (2)
    4 slices of smoked turkey (nitrate and chemical free)
    2 slices of cheddar cheese (sliced thin)
    1 tablespoon mustard
    Roll up the turkey, cheese and mustard in the romaine lettuce leaf and eat. Just like a sandwich with no bread!!

    Supper:
    1 salmon steak
    4 oz of steamed shrimp
    1 cup of steamed broccoli with cheese melted on top
    Cucumber, red onion, tomato and radish salad (mixed with hidden valley ranch dressing)

    Bed time Snack:
    1 cup of organic, plain full fat yogurt with 1/4 cup mashed up frozen strawberries, mixed with a bit of davinci's sugar free vanilla syrup.

    About 100 oz of water


    Yes, I am also doing cardio. Only doing a limited amount due to rehabbing from a car accident I was in back in July. So, my chiropractor has me doing about 13 minutes on the treadmill, walking at my own pace and then I am doing this wind jammer thing with my arms trying to strengthen my shoulders and arm muscles.
    Wow!:bigsmile: Sounds like you are eating VERY nutritous!:drinker: Glad you shared a day with us:drinker:

    FC:heart:
  • LeanLioness
    LeanLioness Posts: 1,091 Member
    Wow!:bigsmile: Sounds like you are eating VERY nutritous!:drinker: Glad you shared a day with us:drinker:

    FC:heart:

    Thanks girly!!!
  • MTGirl
    MTGirl Posts: 1,490 Member
    Lioness - that is really great!! I know people can do well on Adkins - done properly. Sounds like you made the best decision for your body and it is working great. Some people absolutely have no energy on Adkins and then you know it isn't for you. In your case it sounds like an excellent choice for your body! Major congratulations!!! I'm jealous though - I've been craving salmon for weeks now. I'll have to break down and buy some this weekend I think - and that salad you made last night sounds wonderful :tongue:

    I am newly diagnosed with T2 and really have to watch my carbs, even on meds. I don't understand Dr.'s that say a diabetic should have 30 - 45 grams of carbs per meal and 15 - 30 grams per snack. I would be over 250 if I ate that!!! Good job on your resounding success!!!
  • rogers8702
    rogers8702 Posts: 533 Member
    i tried atkins and did well until i went back to normal life, totally my issue, but i wanted to share a few things that i really enjoyed on atkins.

    steakumms on top of a garden salad with cheese and balsamic vinegar

    cordon bleu rollups-grill chicken swiss and ham rolled around the chicken

    maybe you would like these too

    i wish you all the best
  • LeanLioness
    LeanLioness Posts: 1,091 Member
    Lioness - that is really great!! I know people can do well on Adkins - done properly. Sounds like you made the best decision for your body and it is working great. Some people absolutely have no energy on Adkins and then you know it isn't for you. In your case it sounds like an excellent choice for your body! Major congratulations!!! I'm jealous though - I've been craving salmon for weeks now. I'll have to break down and buy some this weekend I think - and that salad you made last night sounds wonderful :tongue:

    I am newly diagnosed with T2 and really have to watch my carbs, even on meds. I don't understand Dr.'s that say a diabetic should have 30 - 45 grams of carbs per meal and 15 - 30 grams per snack. I would be over 250 if I ate that!!! Good job on your resounding success!!!

    Hi MTGirl -

    I am glad that I am working with an endocrinologist that specializes in disorders such as Thyroid, PCOS, diabetes and similar Metabolic disorders.

    When I lived in Virginia - I had a woman endo and she was fantastic, GREAT!!! She was the one that told me that South Beach and Atkins are the BEST controlled carb lifestyles.

    Now that I moved back home to Illinois, I have a male endocrinologist and he is great too!! He specializes in kidney issues and diabetes mostly.

    He told me I need to commit to Atkins for the rest of my life. Which something clicked in me over the holidays and I am ready for the lifestyle change!!

    Before I was ready for it to happen and Dr's trying to force lifestyle changes, I just couldn't commit. I am now ready. Hope that makes sense.

    Edited to add - I find on low carb sites I belong too, if you have no energy, then you are not eating enough Veggies or just plain, old not eating enough period!!

    When you look at it, 20 grams of vegetables on the induction list is a LOT of vegetables!!! Sometimes I don't even eat a whole 20 grams of carbs in a days time frame, it is a LOT of food!!! Veggies has some carbs, good carbs and they are full of fiber too, which helps to fill you up.
  • LeanLioness
    LeanLioness Posts: 1,091 Member
    i tried atkins and did well until i went back to normal life, totally my issue, but i wanted to share a few things that i really enjoyed on atkins.

    steakumms on top of a garden salad with cheese and balsamic vinegar

    cordon bleu rollups-grill chicken swiss and ham rolled around the chicken

    maybe you would like these too

    i wish you all the best

    It sounds like you did well on Atkins!! Why not climb the carb ladder and add in those whole, natural foods??? It is a complete lifestyle change and I am struggling financially because my DH eats what I eat and then some, LOL...................so grocery bill is through the roof. Fresh vegetables and fruits are EXPENSIVE!!!! Trying to go organic with free range chicken, eggs, and grass fed beef is even more expensive!!!

    I do know a couple of people that have done atkins that do eat a little off plan for a meal or 2, then jump right back on.
  • LeanLioness
    LeanLioness Posts: 1,091 Member
    i tried atkins and did well until i went back to normal life, totally my issue, but i wanted to share a few things that i really enjoyed on atkins.

    steakumms on top of a garden salad with cheese and balsamic vinegar

    cordon bleu rollups-grill chicken swiss and ham rolled around the chicken

    maybe you would like these too

    i wish you all the best

    It sounds like you did well on Atkins!! Why not climb the carb ladder and add in those whole, natural foods??? It is a complete lifestyle change and I am struggling financially because my DH eats what I eat and then some, LOL...................so grocery bill is through the roof. Fresh vegetables and fruits are EXPENSIVE!!!! Trying to go organic with free range chicken, eggs, and grass fed beef is even more expensive!!!

    I do know a couple of people that have done atkins that do eat a little off plan for a meal or 2, then jump right back on.

    I am going to try some of those you mentioned, except the Cordon Bleu one, as I don't care for blue cheese...........:sick:
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