Beginning weight: 169
Current weight: 130
Height: 5’4″
Age: 34
Current plan: Wheat Belly/Healthy Living How-To/strict low carb
Annie Thomas is a wife and mother living in South Central Kentucky, and works as a home health aide. This busy mother of a 10 year old son and three stepdaughters is pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology through Liberty University Online and aspires to become a social worker. If anyone can complain about not having time to care for herself, it’s probably Annie, yet she made her Low Carb Success Story happen.
Starting Out on Low-Carb
Because she was thin in her teen years, Annie’s never been much of a dieter. Only in the last few years has Annie felt her weight was out of control. Her journey began after following a few low carb and Paleo pages on Facebook. She’d given the Wheat Belly plan, by Dr. William Davis, a half-hearted try, but said it wasn’t until researching tips for dealing with PCOS that it finally clicked for her. “My USDA-approved grain-filled diet was causing many of the ailments that I was forced to deal with on a daily basis!” So on July 23rd, 2013, Annie took the bull by the horns, so to speak, and made things happen.
Energizing Results on Low-Carb
Annie has since lost 39 pounds. She’s also lost the back, hip, leg and feet pain she was experiencing daily. And while she still hasn’t been blessed with a pregnancy, which was a huge motivator for her to try the diet, she does now have a regular menstrual cycle and her acne is under control. Annie emphasizes that she feels amazing. “I work out every day now, where as before, I could barely move enough to do what had to be done around the house!”
“Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude.” – Thomas Jefferson
Annie’s typical day consists of scrambled eggs for breakfast, meat and cheese wraps for lunch, and some kind of meat with salad or steamed veggies for supper. She drinks lots of water and enjoys snacks like pork rinds, nuts, and applesauce. Her sweetener of choice is stevia, which she uses only for sweetening coffee and tea. Her favorite dish is a simple steamed veggie with butter and garlic powder, and topped with shredded cheddar.
Annie’s recommendation, for those new to this way of life, is to strive to be consistent, especially in the beginning. The first few days of a low carb diet can be difficult, especially if you’ve been following the USDA dietary advice for several years. She likens the experience to when she quit smoking 7 years ago–every time she overcame a craving, she gained power. She knew if she gave in, she’d have to repeat the detox process all over again. A friend encouraged her by reminding her that “health is power.” She has found this to be accurate as she continues to grow physically and mentally stronger and healthier.
Today is a Gift
Annie lost her dad in June of 2013 due to advanced stage liver cancer and pneumonia in both lungs from a lifetime of smoking and drinking. Her mom also has health issues that accompany being overweight and a smoker. This inspires Annie to become and remain healthy for the sake of her family. She envisions her future as a healthy person, able to enjoy a fulfilling and successful career, while making lots of lasting memories with her family. I have no doubt she’ll be an inspiration to others in the process.
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