[TruthNtegrity]

I have been hypothyroid all my life, and this was exacerbated after thyroid surgery in 1975. Those Buster Brown shoes - fluorscoping my feet as a kid, I'm thinking. Anyway, it's always been a b!tch for me to lose weight, and back when I was getting married, went on the liquid protein thing, fainted every Friday evening, but got married when I was thin. I'm guessing I'm one of the lucky ones who didn't die from heart attacks from low potassium on that stupid fad diet.

Jan. 2002, I made a New Year's resolution - lose weight. Read Atkins, happily ate my weigh (pun intended) through 101 pounds of weight-loss for 2002, and am now happily heading toward the final 30! My cholesterol and triglycerides are lower than when I started - and to boot, my Doctor has helped me with my thyroid level, putting me on Cytomel after we discovered I just don't convert Synthroid (T4) into T3. So, now I take a combination of both, and am no longer tired, cranky and COLD all of the time.

I've tried to convince two fat friends, one of whom has been diabetic for years, and the other finally tripped over the edge into Type II last year, that they have got to consider doing Atkins. They both argue that "ketones are dangerous to diabetics" - no matter how many times I copy the section from "The New Atkins Diet Revolution" and how this is simply not true. But, I'm sure, preferring to stay fat and eat whatever they want, they refuse to be educated. I don't spend much time around the one who lives near me - since she's only gaining weight and I can't stand it.

For those who think that eating high protein and fat raises their cholesterol and triglycerides, I throw down this challenge. Have the tests done now, go on Atkins for 3 months, have them done again - and learn the truth.

And then admit how much weight you've lost in the process!

And here the absolute bonus. You'll NEVER, EVER be hungry!
Man, they ought to emphasize this part. I have suffered the most awesome hunger, trying to get my weight down. Times when you could lock me in a room, and I'd swear that I'd eat the darn wallpaper! Times when I've been on expensive (and yes, dangerous) appetite suppresants. But with Atkins, I'm satisfied all the time, and if I'm "hungry" - I know it's emotional and stop and think about what is "eating me" that I haven't dealt with in an appropriate manner. I will not allow myself to eat to 'solve' some hurt or difficulty.

I'm on Atkins for life - and happy about it, thank you very much. My goal for this Summer is to wear a two-piece bathing suit and I'm working on making that happen.

One more thing - I'm convinced that this diet also helps the skin shrink right along with you. Maybe it's the fat content, but my skin never gets dry, and I haven't had to stop for some period of time, to allow my body to readjust. With all the weight I've lost, the skin has gone right down with me.

See ya' on the beach!!! I'll be the one in the bright green two-piece bathing suit - with the long red hair and green eyes! Ta!

[Paul_B]

I'm also going to check my thyroid. I frequently feel cold, and have found losing the last several pounds very very difficult, even with a low-carb regimen. At this point I suspect a hypoactive thyroid. I'm doing testing through the mail.

[Mamzelle]

re: I'm convinced that this diet also helps the skin shrink right along with you. Maybe it's the fat content, but my skin never gets dry, and I haven't had to stop for some period of time, to allow my body to readjust.)))

I could swear my nails, hair and skin have a better texture. Good luck on that swimsuit. I've picked out one in Speigels for spring vacation...size 9.

[Revolting cat!]

See ya' on the beach!!! I'll be the one in the bright green two-piece bathing suit - with the long red hair and green eyes! Ta!

And you're a guy, yes?

[glory]

I see a lot of testimonies here, so I'll give one of my own. Atkins was the worst for us. We were so damn lethargic and tired all the time. We had no energy to work out and never felt like doing anything. Once we ditched that and added some things in that were "strictly forbidden by Atkins" we lost weight and felt AWESOME! And, hey hey, our blood levels were great too. Working out in my opinion is the absolute key to any weight loss, image improvment, spirit lifter, etc etc. This is my personal experience and I expect Atkins folks to respect it as I respect the fact that Atkins has worked for them. It isn't for everyone.