Hi Fellow TDC members!

Just wanted to give everybody an update on my progress so far. As the title says I have been following Atkins now for 4 months, and things are going great! I have lost 69lbs, dropped many sizes in clothing and I have started to eat and live in a much healthier way.

I feel so lucky to have found a WOE that I can follow so easily. Without the constant hunger (cravings) that I used to have things are simple now. I have no doubts that I am going to follow a Low Carb WOL until I reach my goals, and afterwards forever.

Here are a few of the rules I have followed that have helped me along the way:

1) Only eat when hungry, and never over eat. I don't really measure or limit myself anymore at meal times. I try to keep my portions small, and if I am still hungry I have a second, smaller portion. I don't always "clean my plate" like i used too.

2) Water. I drink a lot of water a day, probably over a gallon (4 liters) every day. I gave up all other liquids because I found they caused me not to drink the water. Now I wouldn't have it any other way, I love water and the more I drink the more I seem to crave it.

3) Natural, whole foods. I don't use any low carb products. I make my own ketchup and sauces. I use mayo and salad dressings, but that is about it for processed things. Almost everything else I eat is produce and meat. I try to shake things up by trying many of the recipes I find online. I sometimes will use Splenda in recipes.

4) Exercise: both cardio and weight lifting. This was something I never really did before and I'm getting hooked. I have really improved my cardiovascular fitness in the last few months. I never get winded playing golf anymore. I am stronger than I have been in years! Exercise may not be required to lose weight, but it helps and gives you so much more than just weight loss.

My DW has been following Atkins with me and she is doing well also. She has lost 24lbs so far and is only 21lbs away from goal.


Here is an set of pictures I took showing my monthly progress:



I recommend everybody take a lot of pictures as you are doing this. They are great for seeing the changes that we are making. Sometimes I feel like I don't look any different when I look in the mirror. All I have to do is pull up some pictures and then the changes really sink in.

Keep Losing,

Congratulations Nelson!

You have done FABULOUS! I'm so glad you are thriving with this WOL - and it truly is, isn't it? It's not just about limiting carbs, it's the whole package ... exercise, water, paying attention to your body's need for food.

BTW, that's really great advice for newbies and a good reminder for those folks who have been eating LC longer. I wish I'd taken pictures early on!

Before you know it, you'll be checking in four months from now closer still to your goal ...

Congratulations again, to both you and your wife.

congrats nelson and good luck on your continued success!

YOU are doing soooo well! I imagine the health gain to you is more obvious than the very obvious weight loss in your photos! You go, Guy!

Congratulations Nelson -- keep up the good work.

Those are some great tips -- I only wish that I had started taking pictures earlier myself.

Congrats! That is fantastic It's amazing to see the difference over 16 short weeks. I plan on having pictures taken every month because like you I can't see the difference in the mirror either


Debbie

Congratulations, Nelson on your remarkable achievement.

I agree with all your "rules" to success, however I'm not to the point where I don't "clean my plate". I admire anyone who is able to leave food on their plate.

By adopting the rules you've encorporated into your lifestyle, I think you'll continue to have tremendous success.

WOW!!!!! You ain't a kiddin', Nelson....I see HUGE changes with each picture...Congrats to both you and your wife!!!!!

Thanks for the update Nelson! You are doing awesome!!! For those of us only a month in, it really helps to see updates at different stages and your success is very inspiring!

Way to go CF! The change is more than noticeable! Congrats to you & your DW....you both continue to inspire me.

Thanks for the update. It is so inspiring. Congratulations on losing the weight that you have. Marty

Hey Nelson - love the succession of your photos. They tell a story better than anything! Congratulations on the loss!!

Wow you look wonderful! What a great inspiration to see the photos like that. You must get a real kick from seeing those comparison!

CONGRATULATIONS!

Congrats! And thank you for writing out those tips! I am going to copy them down and use them!

Thanks for all the kind words and support. I have really enjoyed these forums but it is the TDC where I feel at home. You are all great people and I hope we all can achieve our goals together.

Keep Losing,