About Me

In May of 2000, weighing 230 pounds and wearing size 28 jeans and XXX shirts, I decided to give the Atkins diet a try. This is my story.
I was working as an RN ICU when I noticed a lot of my co-workers were doing the Atkins diet AND they were losing weight.

I am a diabetic and my blood sugars were way out of control. As a nurse I should know better, but I was non-compliant, eating whatever I wanted, esp those donuts from the doctors lounge! I have tried every diet out there and I don't know how much money I spent on 'diet' pills. Oh, I lost a few pounds, then gained it right back along with an extra 20 pounds each time.

I wanted to try the diet, but I was afraid I wouldn't be able to stick to it. I bought Dr. Atkin's book New Diet Revolution and read it from cover to cover. It made sense to me. I thought I would try it, but not let anyone know I was doing it (in case I couldn't do it) I bought the ketostix and started the Induction diet.

About five days into the diet, one of the girls that was dieting noticed I what I was eating and made the comment that I couldn't last ten days on the diet. I took that as a challenge. The more she teased me, the more I was set out to prove her wrong.

During that first week, I got a burst of energy and noticed that I wasn't hungry. I began to lose inches at first, then the pounds began to fall off. The most amazing thing is that my blood sugar levels dropped back yo within normal range. After the first three days, I called my doctor and he reduced my insulin. After day five, he suggested just taking insulin only aboe 150. I never had to take insulin again!

One by one, my dieting co-workers quit the diet, but I stayed strong with the help of my Lord Jesus Christ. I drew strength from Him. It also helped that the one who teased me endlessly had stopped the diet and was gaining her weight back.

I began losing a dress size about every three weeks. It got to be that I quit bying new clothes, because I wouldn't be able to wear them very long. I made a commitment to myself never to by a clothing size up. Once I went down a size, I gave the larger size away. I began power walking every day for an hour. I also did exercise 3 times a week. With all that energy, it was easy to do.

I began making up low carb recipes in addition to the Atkins cookbook. The one problem I had was snacks I needed something sweet and salty. I couldn't stand diet drinks or Sweet-n-Low because of the after taste. But, if you totally take sugar out of your diet, you notice very little after taste, esp with Splenda

The sweet part was easy. I made strawberry diet jello and blended whipped cream cheese into it. It reminded me of strawberry cheese cake without the crust. Once they came out with diet white chocolate pudding, I was in heaven! I substituted milk with heavy whipping cream (0 carbs).

Now for the salty snack. This was before there were low carb snacks. The only thing available was pork skins...YUCK! I tried the flavored ones with dips, cream cheese based, sour cream based, and ranch dressing. Not to shabby.

I really need to thank the ones that teased me, saying I would fail and gain it all back. The more they did it, the easier the diet was for me, esp since most had gained their weight back.

Building this web page was the greatest encouragement for me. The more people came through here and needed help and advice, the more it encouraged me to stick with it. By helping others, it in turn helped me.

Now, when I got down to 145 pounds, I ran into a problem. Even walking and exercising regularly, I still developed a lot of hanging skin. I couldn't stand looking at my self. Most docters say they want you to keep the weight off at least six months before they would do a tummy tuck and breast lift. I knew that if I didn't get rid of it soon, I would rather fill it back up. I decided to find a doctor to do it right then. It was the best decision I made. Although it was very painful, it was worth it. Finally I looked good. After the surgery, I went down to a 5-6.

I kept my wieght off for four years, wearing 5-6 to 8-9s. Then in February of 2004, I slipped and fell on some ice. I crushed my tailbone and lost seven of my discs from the L-3 down. I have had four surgeries since then. This last one in November of 2005 did me in. My incision got infected and I was bedridden for 2 months. I laid around eating comfort foods to ease the pain. I gained 40 pounds back and was back on insulin..

As of February 1, 2006, I weighed 181 pounds. I started back on the Induction diet and am now in ketosis. I am unable to power walk, but I try to walk a block or two a day. I am back off insulin already. My goal is to lose 40 pounds by summer. My weightloss photo page will tell the story. Keep checking back often as I will be updating often. I know I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me! .UPDATE I am now back in 5-6s or 7-8s I swim 4 times a week and feel much better now!!

If you have any questions or just need encouragement, feel free to email me. I am unable to work any more, so I am always home and check my email daily.

Remember You can do ALL things through Christ!