Success...Sweet Success!
 

Don't you just love reading a Success Story? I do. I have been through these pages time and time again to motivate me toward my goal.

My success story is not one of those amazing stories where I lost all my weight quickly and easily or with a magic bullet. It has taken me almost two years and lots of hard work to take off 35 pounds. The journey has been long and took lots of turns along the way but, I wouldn't trade it for the world. I made it and you can too!

I am severly asthmatic and take several medications daily that typically cause people to gain weight! Between the medications, a stressful marriage and job and not being active, I found myself severly overweight and miserable at 36. I remember the day that I had finallly had enough. I had a company event that I needed to buy something to wear to and when I went shopping I found that even the size 14s were too tight. This meant that I was going to have to start shopping in the Plus size clothing stores. I was in tears and left the mall with nothing. I couldn't believe that I had let myself get to that point. Who was this person? It wasn't me...

When I was a teenager, my parents went on Atkins and so did the rest of the family. We all had success so, I decided I'd try that again. I lost eight pounds on Induction and then the loss ground to a screeching hault. I was pretty upset and it made matters worse that others were losing like crazy and the scale wouldn't budge for me. However, I kept plugging away, one pound at a time. After my husband left me about a year ago, my asthma immediately got better to the point that I could actually exrcise. Suddenly, the scale started moving again. Then it stopped for about three more months. A forum friend turned me on to the Fat Flush Plan and I lost another 11 pounds. There were stalls that lasted what seemed to be an eternity but, I stayed dedicated since I knew that this WAY OF LIFE works! I have had to change plans several times to continue the loss. Sometimes you have to shake things up to get the loss moving again!

Another key to my success is this forum. There is no way that I could have done this without the support of my family on this site. There is so much information at your disposal and great people to lift you up or give sound advice.

I'm happy to report that my asthma is better, I look better than I have in ages and wear a size 8 or 10. I still have some goals that I continue to strive toward but, I am thrilled with everything that I have accomplished to date.

Things that I have learned along the way:

1. Commit to losing the weight, no matter how long it takes! Losing weight isn't about a short term goal. It's about the long haul. No one can do this for you ....NO ONE!
2. Be willing to adjust what you are doing and don't compare your success/failure to someone's elses. We are all different! Some lose easier than others and some don't. The real thing that matters is what is right for you and your body.
3. Exercise! No matter how small...do something. In the beginning, I had asthma so bad that I couldn't exercise. I now exercise almost daily! I love the Walk Away the Pounds series by Leslie Sansone since I can do them in my home!
4. Don't stick to Induction levels forever or you WILL get bored and give up. Dr. Atkins did not intend for people to stay on 20g or less in Carbs forever. I eat about 80g of carbs (all good carbs) and still lose.
5. Variety is the key! Try new recipes. There is a treasure trove of information on this website. Use it!
6. Be honest with yourself and be open to the suggestions of others. Journalling is perfect for getting the support you need as well as being accountable to someone else about sticking to the plan. Take queues from those who have been there and done that.

I wish you all the best and success with your journey! :wave:

Danakins

congrats on your acomplishment way to go

congratulations on your accomplishments!! you look beautiful!!!

Well said, Dana. A lot of us are proud of you!

Kay

Dana~

YOU are an inspiration! Loved reading your post!
You look beautiful and have always looked so in your gallery...no matter what your weight! You are a sexy lady!!
Thanks,
Jul

Congrats on your success!!!!! You have much to feel proud of. I really appreciated reading your list of things you have learned along the way. I will take them to heart!

Dana, well said. I congratulate you most heartily on your accomplishment. You should be very, very proud of yourself. We are!

You Go Girl!
 

You're shinning like a Superstar, babiee..

.
Deep bows..

WTG Dana!! :yay::yay:

Dana, sending you very much deserved congratulations!!! Wishing you continued success on all your future goals!!

Joining the others in saying, Excellent job, and so very well said.

Yes there is so much to be proud of.
Very well written story.
You look fantastic, you sound fantastic, and I hope everything in your life is smooth sailing now!

Lynne

Oh, Miss D!
I had tears in my eyes when I saw that you had posted this.
You are a success on many levels and it should be shared.
You must be so proud of yourself. I feel proud to have known you, and followed you along, while you've been on your journey.
You've stayed so focused through lots of life changes...you did it, girlfriend!

Congratulations, Dana!
xxx
Wendy

Dana big congratulations! You look stunning, slim and radiant!

You could not have said it better...changing a life style does take time and it has many bumps along the way. You mastered them all without whining..you plugged along and you made it to goal. You are an inspiration to me!

Thanks for sharing Dana

hugs :wave:

Hi Dana!!!

WOOOOOHOOOOO!! Soooo proud of you. I've seen the ups and downs.. your battle with asthma, your new dedication to exercise. You've worked soooo hard for this and deserve every moment basking in success!!

HUGE congrats and big hugs!!

Mike

Dana - Congratulations!

Danakins,

You are such an inspiration, and you are very pretty. Your husband was an idiot to leave you.

I admire your determination very much. I only have about 15 pounds to lose, but I keep sabatoging myself and I have overwhelming cravings for sweets.

Thanks for sharing your story,

sebennis

Thank you to all of you who don't have a journal for me to post in personally!

Dana

I'm a success story junkie--used to read WW mag when I was a teener just for the miserly two success stories they'd publish each month. We need examples to believe that we can do it, too.

Thanks for taking the time to share this, and wishing you the very best from here on out.

Congrats on your accomplishments and happiness. What is the fat flush plan?

Thanks
Michelle

Congratulations!!!
 

Dana, congratulations!!! You definately deserve it!!

I loved your success story, and you have so many reasons to be proud of yourself!!

I learned a few things from your list, and will make sure to think about those things along MY journey.

Thanks for sharing your story, and congrats again!!

Heather :wave:

hi danakins
congratulations on your success
i see you on wendy's and pammie's journals i think and
just wanted to say hello. your progress is very inspiring, and your 6 tips are great! i cut and pasted them into a word doc for myself to read now and then when i need be straightened out! :)
you look beautiful :: way to go

Danakins,
First of all, thank you for posting. Secondly, I've been debating giving FF a try. Do you find the FF makes you feel better than Atkins?
Thanks,
Susan