Melodie encouraged me to share my experience so here goes.
A little over a year ago I was diagnosed with borderline high blood pressure. My doctor told me that I had three months to get it under control myself or I would most likely need medication. Well, I do not like medications!
For four months I ate a low carb/low fat diet keeping my calories at an average of 1100 per day excepting Saturdays. Saturdays, I did not diet at all. It was H***! I couldn't think straight, I felt weak most of the time and starved all of the time. However, at the end of the four months I had lost enough weight so that my blood pressure was back within acceptable ranges. I kept on with the dieting, thinking I would just tough it out until I got to my goal (whatever that was.) Anyway, for the first time in years, and I mean years, I got the flu...not just once but twice big time. All that low carb/low fat dieting had compromised my immune system. I quit dieting entirely. Because I was used to portion control I did not gain weight back; on the other hand, I did not much want to start dieting again...Pavlov's dog, you know. It just hurt too much!
Anyway, I saw the Kimkins in WW and it inspired me to get going again, particularly since it was very similar to what I was going before only more so. I was concerned with a lot of the others on the board, though, because they were eating so few calories. Even at 1100, I again felt darn bad and could not function in my very cerebral career.
I decided to give it a pass, then Melodie turned me onto Barry Groves. I love to research so read his articles, got his book, devoured everything he had to say including the back up references and stats (have to have those), and started on my own journey.
First: I agreed with Barry's assertion that low fat and low calorie dieting had corrupted my ability to feel hunger or satiation. I decided I would begin by getting that aspect of my food intake straightened out. I started and am continuing to eat a lot more fat, mostly cheeses and butter, salmon, salad dressing, coconut oil, and fatty meats. I eat only 1 slice of flax or rye bread a day, if that, and have a nice green salad with tomatoes and avocado with my meat for dinner.
Result: On the very first day I felt great! My G.I. tract, which usually felt out of whack just felt great! My mental acuity was right where I like it and I did not experience any hypoglycemic symptoms even though I did not eat from 1 until 7:30 PM.
Second: I was so pleased with myself (and Barry and Melodie) that I began shopping low carb and converting all the recreational foods in the house to some form of low carb high fat mostly by cooking or baking and some by purchasing prepared products. Jim made us pancakes yesterday morning using the Atkins bake mix and sugar free syrup. Lots and lots of butter. Not only was it yummy, again I experienced no hypoglycemic indicators and that might be a first!
Results: Even though, to me I have stuffed myself with all sorts of goodies from the chocolate bars Jimmy has advertised to pancakes and those incredible cheese crisps let alone steak, salmon, and melting Havarti on rye without a thought for calories, this morning I got dressed and there I was pulling down a top over what used to be a couple of weeks ago a larger tummy bulge. Where is it going? Gees, this is way way too easy and way way too fun!
Finally, I want to thank Jimmy, Melodie, LindaSue, Carolyn, and everyone here on the forum for having the right attitude, the right support, the FF (fun factor) and the interaction. You guys rock.
Bronwen
