How about all of you out there who have read all the books, and tried one or two different plans, and then came up with a personalized plan that works for you? Tell us what you are doing and what is working and what mistakes you made along the way that we may want to avoid.

My first lesson in controlling carbs came when I was shopping at Sams Club and happen to see the book "The Carb Addicts Diet" and I was intrigued. It was cheap so I picked it up and began learning about carbs. After doing WW for years, I now learned why I was not losing anymore with the new Points Plan....most of my points were carb ladden foods! The light bulb went on and I decided to try this new WOE. I was successful for awhile but then the rewards meals started becoming a feast of carbs. I couldn't seem to control my carb intake at all. At that point I just gave up.

LC was always in the back of my mind and I started searching LC websites. I knew that the key to my weight loss was the carbs. Everything I read about controlling carbs made total sense to me. I just needed to make the choice to live LC. For about a year I went back and forth between believing that I could control my carbs and "I can never give up bread". All this time I was gaining slowly but surely. Then came the moment of truth....

At a family gathering, there were some pictures taken that I was not aware of (I got very good at hiding my body when the camera came out -behind other people etc) WOW when I saw the pictures I cried. I knew I had gained weight but I was not aware of how I looked. I really needed to make changes. I had to get serious. I started out by not eating bread, pasta and sugar. I read the Atkins book. I found Dana Carpenter's book and read it cover to cover. I made my choice. LC would become a WOL for me. That was October 29, 2002.

I wish I could say that I have be diligent about LC but I cannot. This summer I sort of got off track a bit. I allowed myself to indulge in many things that were "off limits". All the while, in the back of my head, I kept telling myself that I couldn't overdo it. I knew that I would have to get serious about controlling my carbs. As of 8/27, I have gotten back on plan and I am ready to continue my personal LC journey. I avoid white flour, sugar, starchy veggies, you know the drill. The key to life for me is being aware of the carbs in my diet and making the best choices for me. I am on the journey...trying as best as I can to stay on track.

Glo

Start LC on 10/29/02

Live well, laugh often, love much!

Hi Glo,

Welcome to the board. I first sarted LC in 1999 and was on a pure Protein Power plan. It worked ok for me then. I lost somewhere around 40 pounds in a 9 month period. Then I went off plan... lots of life changes that were pretty easy to use as excuses. Over a period of 4 years the pounds crept back and the health problems that were my initial motivation did too. I'm back in LC now, using a blend of Atkins and Protein Power since 3/30/2003. I've dropped 10 pounds but am currently stalled at that point. The only way to do it is to commit to it for lifetime. I won't ever eat any other way again. The benefits to my health are just too great to screw around with.
Good luck to you in your search for the plan that fits your life. This board is a great resource for information and encouragement.

Ginger

Life is NOT a dress rehearsal.
159/149/135

I switched to LC from WW in April. My DH has a problem with fat on his liver and I was reading the PP 30-Day version and there was a woman they treated with the same problem. I read more and more about LC and decided it might be time to leave LF and WW behind me and make the switch. I have basically been following Atkins but am still reading and really am interested in Schwarzbein's Balanced concept. It feels like a better plan but it's not that much off Atkin's OWL. I'm losing slowly ... 13 pounds in 4 1/2 months BUT I've shed inches. I think I may by going through a healing process like Dr. Schwarzbein talks about even though I'm not 100% on her plan. But I'm losing (which had stopped on WW) and that's something. I will continue, for the time being, using a combination of all the principles I've learned:

1) never eat a carb without also eating a protein
2) drink at least 12 glasses of water a day (my guideline for ME)
3) when I eat a carb it's a REAL carb ... fruit, grain, etc.
4) No refined foods
5) No sugars

So that's where my plan is at the moment.

Sheri

P.S. DH has lost the 20 pounds the Dr. told him he needed to lose !!!

Hi Glory, I stick pretty close to Akins. If I was given the OK to eat carbs, I know that I would chose the wrong carbs, I need a strict program or its to easy to fall off. The only carbs that I allow are fruits and veggies. I also drink my water. I eat about 30 to 40 carbs per day and lose about 2 # per week. When I fall off, I try to get right back on. Good Luck.
Jackie
Jackie

Glo,

Can you tell me how to start The Carb Addict's Diet! I have a hard time following foods that certain diets list. I have been on Adkins and Weight Watchers and never lost more than 10lbs. I would like to lose around 25 or 30lbs. Would appreciate any help!

Thanks and Have a Great Day,

Teresa

Hi Teresa,
You might get a faster response to your question if you post it in the " Carb Addict's" forum. Also, if you would like to correspond with Glo one on one, you can send her a "PT" or private topic, which is kind of like an email.
Just go to "my space" and click on private topics and follow the instructions.
Sorry I can't help you with your question about carb addicts diet...that is one I have not tried...yet...LOL
Good luck with your eating plan.
HTH
Shelley

sg
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"if it ain't broke
don't fix it"
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