Low Carb-ers Challenge to Choose Change!

FIREDRAGON.....I have BIG issues with VERY high cholesterol, triglycerides and blood sugar (to name but a few...LOL)! In January of 2008 I was rushed to ER with crazy things going on and I had VERY high blood pressure. My doctor looked right at me and said, "Death is staring you in the face...stroke/heart attack.....IF you don't change your eating habits." I have a copy of all that bloodwork and it is AWFUL. For the next few months, I ate low carb...didn't watch calories...ate fats...basically I was following the Atkins book I had just bought called, "The All-New Atkins Advantage: the 12 week Low Carb Program....". When following that plan, I lost weight, had more energy, and was fully satisfied with all my menus (based on the book and it does give good menu examples). After about 3 months...my blood was rechecked and NORMAL. It was amazing. That being said....

I did NOT stick to it and gained, had my next 3 month blood work recheck and, again, it was AWFUL. So....I do believe what LIONESS is saying to be true because I have lived it and seen it in my own personal blood work. I know when I eat too many carbs I feel terrible, lethargic, etc. I also eat every 3 hours or very close to it, to keep my blood sugar levels stable as I am Type 2 Diabetic. By the way....the blood sugar tested NORMAL when I followed that plan! But, went back UP when I stopped it. So....you can use me as another example of how this way of eating works for your health, and energy levels. It was, of course, also approved by my Doc.

I have been following another low carb plan, which focuses on low fat, but I have tweaked it so that it's basically the Atkins deal again. LOL So...what I plan to do starting NOW is to drag that book out of my closet and start it up again. It works...and my blood recheck is coming up so I need to be sure I am prepared! I've been doing my low carb thing since Mid-May when I weighed in at 218.6. Today I am 192.2. AND...that includes some cheats while on vacation. So...not bad!

I don't know WHY it took me more than a year to get my butt in gear and determined as I am now...especially after hearing those particular words from my DOC about staring death in the face. I just didn't have my head and/or heart in the game...now I do...and I will succeed in being more healthy, energetic and fit. I will not die before I turn 50 years old! (47 now) I'm feelin' so much better.

YOU CAN DO THIS TOO!!! :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou:

Lioness, just for the record.... I think you're credible:flowerforyou: Don't leave us!!!!!:frown:

You give great advice & obviously it works! just look at your health results Let the haters hate! You are great and we know it:glasses: :glasses:


P.S. Re: ur question on the butter, etc.. i cant seem to wrap my head around losing weight trying to eat fats even, if they are the good ones... :embarassed: and so i'd already adjusted my diet to lowfat too... luckily, the protein keeps me full tho:flowerforyou: Thanks for the tips!!

Just wanted to thank everyone for the sweet tooth tips! I decided on crystal light being my "dessert" after dinner when I'd otherwise want something bad. It's been working pretty well so far and I get a little help on my water intake.

I did have a general question though. I've been trying to keep my calorie bracket between 1200 and 1800 and I can't even get up to 900! I know my gym trainer would have a fit if he saw that, so I was wondering if anyone had any ideas for how to consume more calories while still keeping the carbs down. I'm hoping there's a solution besides even more chicken and eggs :ohwell:

Everyone keep up the great work and I can't wait to hear about everyone's results on Monday! I know I'm already up 2 lbs, but I'm not going to let it beat me down.