Success Stories
By Julie Westly, CarbSmart Contributor
Posted 12/27/2002
I am happy to report to my CarbSmart readers that Cathie from Florida reached her goal size of a 5/6 right before Thanksgiving!
"That was a first!" Cathie laughed. "I cant remember the last time I was even CLOSE to a size five! Oh, yeah, maybe when I was an infant!"
Cathie currently weighs 119 pounds, and is declaring herself at goal. Because Cathie reached her goal size before she reached her goal weight, she has revised her goal weight from 110 to 119 pounds. "I think that I am done losing," Cathie said. "Now, I just have to maintain!"
"I did not and will not cheat on the holidays at all. I will just have turkey and veggies," Cathie continued, "and I am making the dressing out of the Atkins bread."
"What has changed? Not much, except that I eat more things now. I have two slices of the Atkins bread each day. I eat more strawberries and blueberries. I have added flax seeds that I just munch on. I am trying to be as healthy as possible."
"My eating really hasn't changed since I reached goal," Cathie told me. "I try to stick to the basics. I don't go for those 'legal treats,' as they will stall me. I don't think that if you are trying to change your way of eating you should be eating candy bars! I take a lot of vitamins. I try to eat only things that are natural. My family says that I am fanatical, but at least I will live to see my grandchildren!!!!"
"I have converted a lot of people to this way of life. I work at Pizza Hut on the weekends, and my boss is on the Atkins plan, not to lose weight but to be healthy!! Another waitress is on it, and, and she eats a lot of salad and wings. My mom sent out pictures of me, and her friends are calling for advice! My boyfriend's parents are low carbing, too. It has really changed my life and the lives of so many others!"
"I can walk without my feet aching! I can cross my legs and have the crossed one look good. It used to look like a ham hock peeking out of my skirt," Cathie laughed. "I can wear a bikini!!!!"
"My entire out look on life has changed. I used to dread going out of the house. I was so big that I felt people would give me dirty looks. Now I like to get up in the morning. I have more than enough energy to face the day. I don't mind people looking at me, and I am finally active. I like buying new clothes. It is such a thrill to be able to find something and have it fit! I feel 20 years younger!"
"The only personal trigger foods I have come across pop up when I cook dinner and I make a carby side for the family. For instance, the mac and cheese really gets to me. I swear that just stirring it sets off the old cravings. Going grocery shopping is really hard for me sometimes. I was always one to try all the new products. Some of them look soooo good, but now I just stare fondly at them and move on."
"I exercise. I don't do aerobics, as I hate all that jumping around, but I lift weights and work on my tummy three times a week."
"I didn't know what to expect when I got to this weight, but it is fantastic! I feel like a new person and I am! I am no longer depressed, no longer shy, no longer afraid to speak my mind. I have pride in myself and in all that I do now. I know that I can do anything that I set my mind to!"
"People treat me differently now and I don't like it. I get looks from men who would never have given me a second glance before. Now, I won't look at THEM. People were so mean to me when I was heavy. I would be at a restaurant and I would see people watching what I was eating. That really used to bother me. Anyone who was mean to me before, I won't give the time of day to now. I am always nice to people who are overweight because I know where they are coming from and what they are experiencing. People tell me that I am skinny now, but to me I still weigh 220 pounds. And maybe I will always subconsciously be that weight. I was hurt so badly by being teasing all my life, and that will be hard to overcome."
"Pre-maintenance has been a breeze. There is nothing hard about it. This the easiest way of eating I have ever experienced! I do not weigh myself often; I just go by how my clothes feel."
"What helps me the most? Looking at my before picture! I swear that will never regain the weight! Low carbing is second nature to me now. I know how to do it for life!"
"The best advice I can give is to stick to the basics. If it sounds too good to be true, IT IS!!!! Take it one day at a time. If you slip up, oh well, there is always the next meal to get back on track. Don't beat yourself up over it, and drink tons of WATER!!!!"
Congratulations Cathie, you look awesome!
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