Hello There Everyone,

So here I am, again, trying to do the right thing. I feel like such a failure! Anywho, no sense looking back. I'm trying to look to the future and get back into the LC groove.

Here's the story on how I fell off the LC wagon. (please excuse the length): In ay 2004 I started Atkins at 176 lbs. I dedicated myself to the new LC lifestyle and got down to 131 lbs by December 2005. Slow, I know, but I felt great about the 45 lb weigh loss!

Then, in July 2006, out of the blue, I started feeling horrible. Had trouble breathing while exercising and ignored it until one day at work while walking at lunchtime. I thought I was gonna pass out. I was hurting so bad I walked to the parking lot and drove myself to the hospital. They admitted me right away to the cardiac unit and diagnosed me with pericarditis and pleuritis.

After 2 weeks of testing they still couldn't say what caused it and believe it or not they sent me home with extra strength Motrin and told me to take it easy. I went to a follow-up doctor's appointment in two weeks and felt worse than ever. Was admitted to the hospital a second time with the same conditions.

Now, here's where I want to cry...they still couldn't figure out why I had the 2 ailments and after a week of me going steadily downhill they put me on megadoses of steroids. At this point I weighed about 126 lbs and within 2 more weeks in the hospital I left weighing 139 lbs!!!! I had to stay on the steroids for over 6 months and when I stopped taking them I had balloned to 162 lbs!!

If I had ate my way to the weight gain it would have been a different story but having it happen beyond my control was depressing. The doctors still didn't know what caused my illness but told me not to do Atkins again as a precaution.

So fast forward to 2009...it has taken me almost 2 years to lose 6 lbs following a low fat diet and I am tired of the extremely slow weight loss. All I know is when I was on Atkins I lost weight and I am ready to give it another try. I am a little scared but I'm willing to give it a second try and closely monitor how I feel.

Please wish me well as I embark on this journey...I am currently 156 lbs and am trying to get down to 135lbs.

Welcome, Phat.

I'd urge you to pick another (more aspirational) name, but I understand that the "ph" phat is not necessarily disparaging.

Many of us have been through strange and unexplainable events that knock us off course. Steroids are pretty notorious for doing that, as those who have various asthma/autoimmune issues can testify.

You can do this. Hopefully, we can help.

Hope you'll make yourself at home here.

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Hello Maggie,

Thank you very much for the welcome!

As to the moniker, I aspire to be PHAT -- Pretty Hot And Tempting, so the chosen handle is very inspirational to me, in addition to being a double entendre. :-)

welcome!!!
You have been thru it having you
But you can do this, Dr.s dont like Atkins, so I wonder if your Dr. had a good reason to say no to Atkin, or he is just following the crowd.

We are all here to help you and cheer you on!!

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One Day Starts Today!!!

Atkins and Totally Gluten free 8/1/09
355.6/324?
31 pounds gone (8/1)

Don't dig your grave with your own knife and fork. ~English Proverb

In the Middle Ages, they had guillotines, stretch racks, whips and cahins. Nowadays, we have a much more effective torture device called the bathroom scale. ~Stephen Phillips

I"m sorry to hear you've had a rough time but glad to have you join us.

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Welcome! I think lots of doctors are finally coming around to Dr. Atkins being way ahead of his time. I believe he has saved my life. How can anyone fault eating fresh veggies, lots of salads, cheese, meats and drinking lots of fresh clean water? Sounds good to me!

Good luck & hope to see you on here regular!

katlupe

Thank you for all of the welcomes. Glad to be a part of the community.

I just wanted to add my welcome. Hopefully your health has stabilized and you find much success here. We are here to help and support, so let us know how you're doing, and if you have any questions.

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Thank you Barb.

I no longer take steroids but do take 3 -500 mgs of Motrin daily to stave off inflammatory responses in my system, I still have my Atkins book and have re-read it so I am informed of what I need to do to get back on the wagon...now all I have to do is get myself in gear! So far, so good. (I do hope the Motrin has no ill effects on my efforts to LC)

LOVE IT!!

You're doing great already - you're working on your mindset. And the weight loss already isn't too shabby! GO GIRL
~K

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Start Date: March 2005

Goal Date: June 25, 2006 EDIT: 2007
Keeping my eye focused on 10 pounds at a time!

Restart Date June 10, 2009

STILL Keeping my eye focused on 10 pounds at a time!

Hello. So sorry to hear about yur health problems. My health problems are a direct result of me being off the LCE wagon. Your story is inspiring to me - thank you.

Blessings,

Suzy