From Disblief to Wonder

I've been heavy for a very good portion of my life.  As I've gotten older, I've gotten even more so.  Two years ago I decided I was going to lose the weight once and for all.  Two years later and I've gained back 35 of the 50 pounds I'd lost.  Restricting calories and fat just didn't work for me.  I felt deprived and unsatisfied.  I'd stick with it a day or two, eat salads and lean chicken and count every calorie, but then I'd ultimately break down and eat most of the calories I'd managed to save the previous days.

I'd heard of Atkins before - I mean, who the heck hasn't?  - but I'd never really looked into it.  It was something I'd heard of and that was it.  A few months ago a friend of my mom's started talking about how she has been on Atkins for the last couple of years.  She's lost a lot of weight and is so much healthier now.  At first my calorie-restricting self balked.  The first low-carb meal I saw prepared featured bacon-wrapped scallops, bacon-wrapped shrimp, bacon-wrapped asparagus, jalapenos filled with cream cheese and wrapped in bacon, and bacon-wrapped salmon.  Everything was swimming in bacon and fat.  There's no way that's good for you, right?!  I couldn't believe it and I refused to eat it.  My calorie allotment for the day just wouldn't abide it.

That was months ago. I kept hearing about Atkins, and hearing more.  This friend is extremely passionate and I started asking questions.  Then, about three weeks ago I decided, "Why not?"  Calorie-restricting and staying away from fat and sugar hasn't worked for me.  Why not try Atkins?  It's not like what I was doing was doing any good, so why not?

I jumped into it headfirst after I went to a doctor's appointment and saw how high my weight had creeped back up on the scale.  I started with Induction, the first phase of Atkins.  Food is most restrictive in that phase but, honestly, other than things like potatoes, bread, and cookies, I don't feel restricted.  There's so many vegetables, meats, and things you can eat.  I made salads, cooked steaks, bought wonderful, glorious, fresh vegetables.  I bought bacon!

For the first two days I felt incredible amounts of guilt every time I ate a meal.  What I had been fed for so long was to cut out fat, watch calories, eat "healthy", and here I was eating bacon, cheese, and cooking things in oil and butter.  I felt like I was doing something wrong.  But I stuck with it and kept going.  The food was good.  Better than good, it was great!  I found that I was no longer hungry between meals.  Before I had been ravenous even right after a meal.  Now I look at the clock and go, "Oh, I should probably eat dinner now."  That's the most amazing part for me, being satisfied and not feeling like I'm starving all the time.

My first week on Atkins I lost 7 pounds.  So, I kept going.  My second week I lost 11 pounds.  My third, I lost 3 pounds.  That includes Thanksgiving week!  I'm at 21 pounds lost in three weeks' time and I just keep losing.

And the best part of all?  I have cravings for pasta, candy, or cookies....but I'm so satiated by the foods I can and do eat on Induction that I haven't broken my diet and gorged like I have so many times in the past.  Not even once.  I look at things I can't eat, give them a mental shrug, and reach for something I can.  I've never had the self-control to do that before!

So far Atkins has been an amazing thing.  I'm starting to reintroduce exercise into my routine to amp it up even more.  Along with almost weekly low-carb cooking sessions and reading all the books I can get my hands on, I'm very excited about the Atkins way of life.

And now, a few pictures of food.  Because who doesn't love pictures of food?

Two of my absolute favorite foods ever - low-carb meatloaf and jalapeno poppers.  I could eat either by the gallonful.  Which, just to let you know, is not a healthy idea nor Atkins-approved.  Nothing should be eaten by the gallon!

I love eggs.  A lot.  But with calorie-restrictive diets they're just not on the menu.  Look at this beautiful picture!  Eggs over easy topped with blue cheese crumbles, diced avocado, and bacon.  I can eat eggs!  And avocado!  And bacon!  Yum!

For two and a half weeks I got up every morning to make eggs.  Then I got lazy and made egg "muffins".  One egg, one piece of bacon, shredded pepperjack, and sauteed onions and mushrooms in each cup.  Super easy and I have breakfast for a week!

The true test of will came at the donut shop.  My nephew made this beautiful donut rainbow.  Isn't it gorgeous?  He dined on kolaches, a chocolate-glazed donut with sprinkles, and chocolate milk.  I dined on water....and then went home and cooked my favorite breakfast - eggs with veggies and bacon.  I didn't even feel at all deprived!