Question to discuss:

What was the 'deal breaker' moment in your life that brought you to changing your eating lifestyle?

And/or:

Since changing to a low carb WOE, have you had a defining moment that confirmed that what you were doing was working, would continue to work and would pay off with great results?

It is always good when something comes along to 'close' the deal so to speak, and give you determination and focus!

Hi

I got a good look at myself last spring in the mirror-- naked, of course-- and I was mortified, because most of my fat had landed on my butt, which I can't normally see (after all,...it is behind me! )

M

My husband was a truck driver and I went with him on a trip and weighed myself on one of those machines that you find in bathrooms, and was just in utter and complete shock to find that I weighed 325 lbs. I promptly went on Atkins on july 8th, 2000 and lost 78 lbs by our wedding in november of 2000, only to do a planned cheat for my wedding and gain almost all the weight back. I've been working to get back to it for years now, and have finally got myself straightened out.

I had my last and final nervous breakdown and being on disability I decided that if there was a time to ever start a new eating regime, it was now. I could sleep and deal with the withdrawals better at home than at work now. I was tired of the weight and basically told my psychiatrist to get rid of the zyprexa or else (zyprexa is extremely weight bearing - class action lawsuits are going on right now by others for it causing diabetes). I knew that if I didn't lose weight now that I would not be very healthy at 35 - that I would very well have a stroke or heart attack by then (28 now).

This is it folks. Carpe Diem. Do or Die for me. Medication or no medication, I am working with my psychiatrist on this one to get all in order medicine wise that will be most conducive to propagating weight loss.

Charlie Girl

My wakeup call was getting reading glasses!

It made me realize that time marches on, no matter what we think as we get caught up in the day to day.

Had a low carb breakthrough when I was out to dinner late last summer...and my column dress really did look like a column, instead of a pyramid!

There was no single moment that caused me to try this WOE...I was just feeling heavy and uncomfortable and I had heard Atkins works, so I made up my mind to give it a try.

As for knowing it was working...one day, about 2.5 months after starting, I tried on a dress that had been much too small for me and found that it fit! I had been tracking my weight with the scale, but that just brought it home to me that I was smaller than I had been in years...

My loss has slowed to about 3 pounds per month, but I'm okay with that. It's not hard to eat this way, so I am willing to be patient.

Last May I was seeing my GP for some female issues. She blamed it 100% on my weight. So I started working out at curves hoping that working out would be enough. 6 months later I had lost a few pounds and a lot of inches. I wanted to see more results and started atkins. Of course then I really started seeing results.

BTW - The doc was dead wrong about the female issues. Saw an ob/gyn who diagnosed me properly! As a result I will not be seeing that ~%$# doc again. The OB/GYN said she was uninformed and had prescribed meds that made the problem worse!

1. Weight related medical problems (sleep apnea and all its related problems, stress fractures in my feet, back problems, fibroids, GERD, pre-diabetes, poor circulation)

2. Not being able to find anything to wear I looked good in for my daughter's wedding. (dresses look like huge tents on me).

Dawn that is incredible!!!!! I almost want to cry hearing that!!!! I know too many people on diabetes who wouldn't listen to a word I'd say w/ regards to Atkins. One of them died. Your recovery is BEAUTIFUL and MIRACULOUS!!!!

GOD BLESS,

Charlie Girl

Was thinking about what a female version of me would look like.

Realized that a 5' 6" female version of me would be about 240lbs.

Then thought, 'Would I find myself attractive?'

The answer was a very firm 'No.'

I went on the diet soon after.

I am blessed.. and it is miraculous... we tend to think miracles have to be these big explosive kinds with lots of fanfare and no help from us.. but I believe God works miracles in so many different ways.. sometimes.. we have to move, so God has something to work with!

My moment came when DH and I were discussing having our first child and I froze in horror at getting pregnant at my current weight. Would I put myself and my child at risk? How much would I gain and how difficult would it be to lose? Will I be able to play with my child and not be out of breath? Will I be able to fun stuff with my kids without feeling embarrassed...trips to Disney World etc. So, my defining moment was love for a child that I am yet to conceive

I started getting old people diseases and I didn't think I was old. My diabetes was getting worse and worse and I couldn't go on ignoring it. My blood pressure was rising and I couldn't stop it. I gained weight after I had my first born (threw up all nine months during pregnancy and lost weight). I got a good look in the mirror and decided to go on a diet. Which I did periodically for 21 years - lose a few pounds, gain them back with more. I finally realized that nobody is responsible for my health problems and weight problems but me. I took responsibility for every bite that goes in my mouth. I'm not weak, and I can do this. (I tell myself that everyday).