Our next success story comes to us from Canada. Mike and Soren discovered a new way of life and health with their low carb plan.

My husband Mike and I started low carbing on the Atkins plan on January 1, 2003. Our motivating factor, aside from our ever increasing weights, was our engagement in October of 2002. We had tried a “version” of Weight Watchers “points” program, with limited success– if we stuck to it to the letter AND exercised faithfully, daily, for at least 1 hour of heavy cardio, then we saw some movement on the scale. We tried eating “low fat” and watching our portions– but I was always hungry, always grazing in the fridge, looking for a snack.

We finally decided to try Atkins, and to do it right– we bought the New Diet Revolution book, and read it cover to cover. Prior to our January start date (we picked that date because we didn’t want to sabotage our new diet with the temptations of the holidays) we feasted on every high carb food we could get our pudgy hands on! We must have gained 10-15 pounds in those few months alone! However– on January first, we sat down to a low carb breakfast, then the lunch, then the dinner… and we were FINE. We had a day, about 2 days in, with NO energy– so we went to bed at 8pm and the next day we woke up FULL of energy.

We had a night “off” planned for Valentine’s day of that year– and boy, did that teach us a lesson! We couldn’t eat as much as we once had– we had plenty of leftover on the plates… and after we had dessert, we both felt ILL. And the next day, we were tired, grouchy, and actually achy all over, with Mike having some tenderness in his kidneys. After a few days back on low carb, and LOTS of water, we both felt “ourselves” again– and we vowed to stick to low carb food not just to lose weight, but because it was how we felt best!

We find low carbing much easier than other diets. For the most part, you don’t have to measure your food too closely– I eat mainly low carb veggies, and some protein, and occasionally a fruit. Right now, I’m staying away from most dairy products (and taking my supplements), and that is what is working best for me. It’s a slightly personalized version of the “Paleo” diet, while Mike is continuing to eat Atkins, but even he has reduced his dairy consumption.

I find this way of eating much easier than other plans, because even if you don’t know what “full” is when you start, you quickly learn what is satisfying for you, and you see that change as you go on and on… I eat MUCH less now than I ever did before, yet I don’t feel deprived.

And I exercise now, not because I “have to,” but because I want to. It feels good, and I’m not embarrassed to do the things I want to do, be it swimming, participating in a charity run/walk, or just walking around the neighborhood with our new dog (2-3 times a day mind you! I never would have considered owning a dog 2 years ago!).

Bloodwork was never a problem for either of us– I’ve always had low cholesterol, so I wasn’t concerned that it would go up, knowing from others’ experiences that it’s the ratio of “good” to “bad” cholesterol that really matters, and that is what improves in most people. My blood pressure continues to be very good. We were concerned however with our future health– diseases resulting from obesity run on both sides of our families, and we knew it was just a matter of time before we blew out our knees, or got diabetes, or heart problems, or all of the above. Now we know we will be able to run around after any little ones who may yet come along.

Low carbing has directly improved one aspect of my husband’s health– he had a body rash that the dermatologist diagnosed as “a form of yeast infection” (and the same thing that causes dandruff, which he also had). He always thought it was “normal” and just some sort of heat rash. Now that he low carbs, that rash is totally gone!

At this point, Mike has gone from 320 pounds to 215 pounds (he stands 6’2″ and has a large frame, and played rugby and football all his life), and I have gone from 258 pounds to 205 (as of today) on a 5’6″ frame, also with large bones. Mike is about 20-30 pounds away from his goal, and I’m still about 55 pounds from mine, but I know we will make it.

My advice for people considering low carb or those doing it right now:

• Never give up.
• Know that there will be pauses and stalls, sometimes LONG ones.
• Know that you may need to tweak your eating– the way you eat when you start will likely not be the way you eat when you finish your journey.
• We are living, growing, changing beings– cut yourself some slack, but look at changing things up a bit, and that includes exercise. Start doing something, even just a few minutes, a couple times a week. Try different activities, you never know what you might like!
• And most importantly– stay away from junk food– even “low carb” junk food is still JUNK!
• Eat things you make yourself, have more veggies than anything else on your plate, and be creative! There are a ton of things you can make and eat and stick to your plan while staying interested and motivated.
• Make sure you’re following an actual plan– so many people think they are “trying low carb” based on what they’ve picked up casually– do yourself a favor and set yourself up for success by checking out the different plans and sticking to one.

As you have read, Mike and Soren have not yet reached their goals. Does that mean they are not yet a real success? NO WAY! They have the attitude and determination it takes to make low carb a way of life. That is what it takes to succeed and we have no doubt they will meet their goals! Mike and Soren, Thanks for taking time to share your story with us! And congrats on your new way of life, success and your new life together!!