Forgive me, I am another Kimkins refugee. I didn't get banned, not up in the drama. I just want to lose weight. I am horribly unhappy with myself and sad, and don't know where to start!! I started this journey at 252.8. I am now down to 201.8. I do not want to be unhealthy, but I do not want to be deprived in my eating, and I have found lately, that bingeing seems to be part of my daily routine. Is purging next? Thought about it. Which Atkins plan to follow? SHOULD I do Atkins, or something else? I have done it all. Phentermine, Medifast, weightwatchers, the list goes on. Help!! Please? I just want to get to 145, that is my "healthy"weight. And I hate feeling like I am doing something wrong, just for asking a question, like I do at other sites. I even feel guilty for being here Ok, any help, much appreciated...and Thank you Christin for leading me here.

knoxvegas,

This is a friendly, positive forum and all questions are welcome. "Living the Low Carb Life" by Johnny Bowden has been recommended because he goes over different low carb plans so you can decide which one will work best for you. Another suggestion would be to pick up Dr Atkin's books and read them and then decide which one is best for you. One of the great things about this forum is that it is open to many different LOW CARB plans.

I think you will find that this is a great place to learn, relax, and enjoy without all of the drama of other forums.

Glad you are here,
Robin

(((HUG)))) Hi there... I won't say your real name cause I don't wanna give you away. But I know who you are sweety. I'm so glad that you are here. I know that there are lots of people here that can help. Like I said in my email... take it easy and start by upping your protein and adding in some good fats. You'll get lots of good info here. ((HUG))

Christin

Welcome! I don't know much about Kimkins, but I do know this is an excellent group! Looks like you are roughly half way to your goal. Good luck on losing the other half

Hi, and welcome!

You will be OK now. Don't feel afraid, and don't feel guilty. Feel HOPEFUL!

Hey Knoxvegas! Sounds like you're from Knoxville, TN perhaps. I'm from Spartanvegas...aka Spartanburg, SC just a few hours away. It's good to see you at my forum and I hope you feel comfortable enough to stay around for a while. Christin is the bestest of buds and I know you'll feel good seeing her here with you. Let me know if there is anything I can do to make your experience here the best it can be. WELCOME!

(((HUGS))) and Welcome! You've done a good job so far and this place is great for learning for life! Welcome!!!

~Kim (ex-KK too)

welcome Knoxvegas! There are several different plans being discussed in forums here. It will give you a chance to read about each one without having to go and buy the books. We are glad to have you here.

Welcome, knoxvegas!

Don't ever be afraid to ask questions! Any forum that discourages questions, or makes you feel guilty, should be outlawed! No question is dumb, or not worth asking.

There are a lot of plans out there, Atkins (mine), Protein Power (love their books), South Beach, The Zone, and for diabetics, Dr. Richard Bernstein, and some read the Schwarzbein Principle. Lots and lots of info. I just got Barry Groves' book, and Larry McCleary's "The Brain Trust", I've peeked at both, and they look extremely interesting. And I ordered Gary Taubes' new book, "Good Carbs Bad Carbs", can't wait to get into it!

There are a lot of threads in this forum that will help to explain the different plans, but all are basically the same. Cut back on carbs, don't sweat the fat and protein, drink enough water to keep you hydrated, and keep coming back for more info! Oh, and don't be afraid of veggies. You NEED veggies!

AMEN, Nita! Couldn't have said it better myself!

knoxvegas, welcome to the group! You will do fine here. If you have been following regular Kimkins, you can use that as a foundation for your new diet. Just be sure you are getting enough protein. Most women need around 80-100 gm a day. You can still keep the carbs around 20. So just start adding some healthy fats like fish oils, more fatty fish, macnut oil, olive oil, coconut oil, even butter and cream and more cheese. It takes awhile to get used to the thinking of fat as our friend, but it can be done.

Just remember we are Carnivores. It's meat and saturated fat that has enabled us to become the rulers the planet.

Animal fat is your friend and savior.

I have to say I am a little overwhelmed at the positive responses from everyone...Thank you so much for the kind words. I do feel like a refugee. I went to Mass Sunday and the sermon was about "Forgiveness". Maybe someone was trying to tell me something...anyway, I am happy to be here, I am trying to read as much as I can, I will be getting the Atkins book, I wonder, though 72? Or the new one? Any ideas? And yes, I am from Knoxville, Tn. We are still licking our wounds here after we got beat up in Florida this weekend!!!! Not sure what happened there!!
Thank you all, and any input is welcome--still trying to figure out where to start!!

The best place to start if you are unsure about which plan you want to do is with Dr. Jonny Bowden's Living The Low-Carb Life. It does a side-by-side comparison of all the major low-carb plans so you can decide which plan is right for YOU! Check it out!

Knoxvegas --


I haven't read the Jonny Bowden book as recommended by Jimmy. I've done Atkins and South Beach, as well as Kimkins -- which, by the way, caused me to lose hair by the fistful. . .

I personally prefer Atkins, because I've found that fat is my satiation trigger. I re-read Dr. A's book this weekend, and was reminded that fat is the very last thing to be stored in the body as fat -- first sugars, then starchy carbs, then protein. Fat is largely untouched by the body. Viva la carnivores!

With that said, if fat scares you (which would certainly be understandable), you might try South Beach -- less fat, more carbs. I felt like poo when I tried it, but my boss at that time was on it and loved it!

Low-carb eaters in general agree that LC is healthy; the minutae of each plan is really up to you -- you have to find what works with your body and your palate. . .

As far as feeling like a refugee, I still feel that way a little bit. I was kind of nervous that there would be some degree of "I told you so"-ism here -- but I've encountered nothing of the sort! In fact, I've trolled the various forums and have yet to see a negative or hurtful post.

Good luck to you!

Sara

Uh-huh, nervous, that's me!! Like, the kind of nervous you feel when you know you are in trouble, but your mom's not found out yet!! I have the worst headache today, you would think I have gone AWOL from the military or something!!! Thank you, though. I think from what I have been reading, I will be doing Atkins 72. Tell me though, how are your losses now?

Did you get your "Ebook" today? Has it been hard for your body to feel okay not eating kk?

Yeah, I got the ebook -- more like an extended email, but I got it. Puh-leeze.

I actually hated Kimkins; I was either nauseated or starving. I'm not particularly pleasant to be around in either case. . . To try and meet the fat and calorie requirements, I started doing shakes for my breakfast and lunch -- a total of 200 calories or less. . . that way, I could have a relatively decent dinner and not feel completely guilty about it.

I feel so much better on Atkins, even though right now I'm experiencing the "induction flu". For me, getting back into ketosis on Atkins is better than a typical day on Kimkins -- at least I can enjoy what I'm eating! I had bacon and eggs yesterday morning -- bacon made of pigs and eggs scrambled in a bit of the bacon grease, a hamburger patty w/cheddar cheese for lunch, and a ribeye for dinner last night with some steamed broccoli and peppers with butter! If I posted this at the KK site, at least 10 people would tell me that I'm never gonna lose weight eating like that. . . but I already am!

I am very worried and very sorry for the people I care about who would certainly label me a "hater" if they read what I've just written. I only hope that they come through their experience unscathed. . . but I have to move on. Being obese is bad for me, but it's still safer than KK! Besides, the only thing less attractive than a fat chick is a bald fat chick!

Welcome Sara! I am so happy to have you here now and wish you well in this next step in your journey to better health.

Welcome loveless,

Love your avi!

Hey Knoxvegas... welcome.

It has taken me a few days to feel "normal" again, so I understand. There is good advice here and several different "types" of plans to choose from. And it's all free.

Welcome... and feel free to take your shoes off and stay a while!

Welcome knoxvegas! I'm so glad that you're here. You've come to the right place to continue your weight loss journey. You can get there! It's easy to switch from Kimkins to another HEALTHY low-carb plan like Atkins, because you're adding food, not eliminating things. The hardest part is believing that it's okay to have beef, and butter, and cream, and even some cheese! YUM I think you'll be pleasantly surprised that you can continue your weightloss and be sooooo much more satisfied. When I did KK or K/E and wasn't exercise, my appetite was gone, but when I started excercising I was ravenous and it was such a battle not to "cheat." Not so on Atkins - even on induction I feel satisfied and not the least bit tempted by carbs. It's amazing.

Please be prepared that some people see a TEMPORARY gain when making the transition (I haven't - I lost 3 lbs my first week on induction, wa -hoo), but for many that is the case. Don't panic, everyone assures me that after a couple of weeks they started chugging right along and were losing again. There's lots of info here, so take advantage, and as you can see, lots of supportive people with open arms ready to help you.

THANKS for sharing the reminder about the TEMPORARY gain, Kelly! This transition time is so critical to getting your metabolism back on track again that it's important people stay focused and encouraged the better days are ahead. Keep the faith and DON'T GIVE UP!!!

I will second the idea that the gain is temporary. I think my lowest weight on Kimkins was 178.8. I've about doubled my fat and calories over the last month and saw that weight go up to 184.2, but today the scale was at 177.8. That's an all time low for maybe the last 8 years! Each of our bodies is unique and I'm sure it may take longer for some than others to adjust to the change in eating, so just trust in your body to know what's best for it.

Hi stilldew,

Thanks for sharing that with the other members who are still nervous about eating. Anyone else having experiences like stilldew's, I hope you will share as well. It will go a long way towards comforting some of those who are still afraid to eat.

Thank you all for stopping by...bald fat chick-Oh my. It's funny, I never connected the hair loss to the weight loss. Last couple of months have been really stressful for me, and yes, my hair HAS been coming out by the handfuls in the shower, and just through the day. People are forever picking hair off me. I just attributed it to stress. I still have not found the Atkins book, I guess I will have to go on Amazon, someone suggested that, I will today. And thank you for telling me about the possible temporary gain, I probably would have just shut down mentally if I thought it was because I had started eating again. Ebook...ummm not so much, just wondered if I was being overly critical. I have to admit, I still have the urge to sign on and check on some people, but do I dare? I equate the website now as an "enabler" and I should just stay away, so my thoughts don't get muddled. I love it here, you all are so nice. Thank you for being non-judgemental

Knoxvegas --

As a follow-up to your question yesterday about gains or losses. . . I spent about two weeks eating like an absolute carb monster, and gained about 5#, taking me to 225.6#. My Atkins re-start timeline is as follows:

17 Sep -- Start Atkins Induction, 225.6# @ 06:30
18 Sep -- Day 2 of Atkins Induction, 225.0# @ 06:30
19 Sep -- Day 3 of Atkins Induction, 219# @ 06:30

I'd have to say that Atkins is working fairly well for me right now. . .


Sara

How AWESOME!!!!! You are doing great!!! I can not wait !!!

Wow! Just trying to post this is making my stomach churn. I promised Christin I would post this for if nothing else the therapy of it all. There is so much going on in my head right now I can not even explain it to you all the way it feels inside. I thought I finally found the answer and I was so committed so focused and stead fast I felt worse even thinking of a cheat with KK than I did if I did not pray and give thanks that day! Wow! Talk about messed up! This is not even the half of it...

I'm viewed in my personal, family and business life as sharp, stead-fast, honest, direct and well pulled together person (I know this is not accurate, but this is what some see), even a hard nose person at times (this is only when I'm in battle for my clients ) They do not know it is a face I put on to get the job done. life has forced me into positions not by choice that required me to learn these traits to survie some of the bad and harsh chapters of my life, but as I type these words to you right now, tears are streaming down my face, my heart feels like my lover has just left me and my head will not stop reeling from all the what if's, what now and a host of fears from gaining the weight (I have gain 6 lbs already), to what is going to happen since I was associated, who is looking at me to see what I do now, if I will stay the course and continue loosing etc, etc, etc!

I have been very sick for 8-9 days (feeling better for the last 2 days). Had to go to emergency twice for horrible stomach pains, hives/rash all over my body even on my lips, nausea and bad diarrhea followed by sever constipation, sorry for being so graphic could not think of softer words. The Doctors could not figure out what was wrong even after doing ALL kinds of test, they contributed to my diet or a bad case of the stomach flue and sent me home to wait it out with pain killers and nausea meds. My daughter came to me and reminded me that she went through the same thing back in January when she tried to do the KK plan after about 7 days of rapid weight-loss she got the same stomach pains as I just did, went to the hospital and they ran test could not find anything and said it was a stomach flu she was in the bed for 7 days straight and could not move. Need not tell you she decided the KK plan was not for her and never tried it again.

You guy's I do not know where I'm at right now, I get so depress trying to even find a good starting place swing back and forth the last 3 days of extreme K/E to binging! Where a few short weeks ago I felt so in control and a leader in the making to now feeling helpless, confused, afraid, betrayed and get this even ashamed that I did not stay with the sinking ship!

I know you are here to help by saying add the fat back and more cals but it is easier said than done. I know I need to add it, I know I need some control back to stop the binging but I feel like I'm frozen cannot move forward. I feel like this is crazy even to hear and see myself type these words but yet here I am... Trying to find happy again and not knowing the way.

Thank you for listing to me ramble on and on. I have always been the one who starts my own thing so I did not have to try to fit in to someone elses space, but I think it's time that I mesh and allow others to offer and give support to me. I need it right now. I need others, I have been able to give love and support for others but I have always protected myself from allowing others to offer support and love to me. I want to learn how to fit in and feel welcome.

PS: I came back to edit/add some thoughts, trying to figure out how to work this posting stuff I noticed my font came out really small.

Lisa[SIZE=7]

Lisa, you have come to the right place for support and encouragement. Everyone here has been so patient and understanding. I felt betrayed, and stupid, and for pete's sake, I am 36, a little to old to fall for that dog and pony show. But I did. This is a good place to heal, sit back and read. I am scared to death to gain what I lost back, but I know I can do this, join me on my journey!!! Hugs to you, and don't you just LOVE Christin

Lisa - hugs to you! I think that there are a whole lot of people who can relate to just what you are feeling right now. I have been very surprised at how emotional I have been about the whole Kimkins thing. You are also right that it is easy to say - don't fear fat - but it is very hard to believe it! You've come to the right place. Feel free to share those feelings, we understand, and there's no need to feel embarrased. I've had my share of crying over this, and then felt ridiculous for crying. It IS scary, when you know that the WOE you've been doing is dangerous, but you DON'T want to regain more weight, so WHAT NOW? I really suggest rushing out to buy Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution and just reading what he has to say. It's a good starting point. Even if you end up on another low-carb plan, there is lots of good info in there, and it helped me to read about WHY fat was important, and get a good grip on it. I don't know about you, but I wanted someone with an MD at the end of his name and decades of documented experience with his eating plan after my experience with KK.

Just know that it is okay to take time to acknowledge and feel the feelings. It's okay to come here and "talk" about them. And please know that YOU CAN continue on your weight loss journey in a healthy manner. The low-carb part of Kimkins was right, just not the lack of veggies and fats. You CAN successfully transition from here, you don't have to go go back to your pre-diet weight. The journey is not over, you are just making a course correction. I'm glad you are here.

Lisa,



You've come to the right place. We are here for you.

Robin

Hi Lisa,

Welcome here, and just take some deep breaths. You have arrived and no one here wants to rip you off, or do anything bad to you for their own selfish motives. We're all people who have found it helps us dealing with our food and weight issues to be with others who feel the same. That didn't change, just the place we felt safe enough doing it.

I have clients, too, and I felt some shame that I, who help people, got myself into something this insane and unhealthy and even suggested it for others! So, guess what, we aren't perfect. In fact, NOBODY IS! I have a great book that has been a source of comfort and right-thinking through this maze of insanity. It's called "The Spirituality of Imperfection," and it's by Ketcham and Kurtz. Excellent book, filled with wisdom from places as diverse as the Bible, Hebrew scholars, Hinduism, Buddhism, Native American spiritual leaders, and AA. Something in it for nearly everyone!

Anyhow, let's put down the bat and stop beating ourselves up for trying something that has failed to live up to its hype.

Lisa, there are healthy ways to do low-carb, as Jimmy says, and if you need to lose weight, in time you will, but healthy this time!

Love,
Sunny

Hi All!

Thank you so much for the kind words and encouragement. I'm going to stay awhile and try to come out of my protective shell more and say hello. If possible I would like to find a plan that is in between KK and Adkins that allows maybe low glycemic fruit a few times a week and veggies every day and still lose at least 2 lbs a week, is there something out here like that?

God bless you Lisa and I'm so glad you have landed here at my forum. We will embrace and support you here with whatever plan you desire to do, so THANK YOU for blessing us with your presence. This "Transitioning From Kimkins" thread you are in lets you talk about your change in diet and get the support you need. Start up your own journal and let Christin and others give you guidance and support during this difficult time. I'm so very proud of you for doing the right thing and I wish you nothing but SUCCESS in this next chapter of your journey to better health.

Hi, LittleLisa,

I think you speak for all of us when you say you are so scared you will gain back your weight. We all are. Kimkins was the first diet I have been able to stay on in many years. However, we did the best we could with the information we had. Kicking ourself won't help. As soon as we found out there were problems, we questioned, we researched, and we left. Now we are facing having to figure out what to do next. I have decided to give myself an extra month or two to decide what I'm going to do. I feel like I need to at least not be gaining ( after that initial little gain) so I am going to be cautious and not add fruit or other carbs that would cause a quick weight gain. I have added some beef, virgin coconut oil, olive oil, and some low carb veggies. Am I scared. Yes. Terrified. But I'm going to keep doing it anyway because it is the right direction for me to go for now. In a week, I will reevaluated what I am doing. Hopefully, we will have more information to help us decide which step to take next.

Please know that you are not alone. I have a lot of respect for you for telling us your story. You have helped us all in telling it. I know there is an answer. We just have to look until we find it. God Bless.

You got it jonoandemsmom! We'll help get you and Lisa there in due course. I'm so glad you are here.

Good Morning All!

Wanted to give a little back. I see how so many of you give love, support, encouragement and prayers all over this site. Here is just a little something-something from my heart to let you know your support is not going unused or appreciated.

Yesterday, was very hard for me and the last few days where just as bad, but towards the end of the evening I was actually pulling it together and feeling better . After reading many posts and receiving personal encouragement from members. I thank you from the bottom of my heart! From this I made it through the entire day on track, I even added a little healthy Olive Oil and cheese to two of my meals.

I was a little scared and disappointed this morning when the scale still had not moved, still the same weight for the last 8 days now, but I told my self over and over again "I'm adjusting all will catch up with-in the next week or so and begin the lose cycle once again". I'm just tankful I stayed the course the complete day.

Sunny, thank you so much for the book selection, I'm going to Half Price today to see if I can find it along with Atkins and review any other low carb books they may have.

jonoandemsmom, I agree with you if I can just maintain right now with out the gain I will be content with that for a few weeks, while I try on other plans for size to find my perfect fit.

One day at at time, for peace of mind.

Lose On!
Lisa

You're gonna get there Lisa! That'll be a nice little "something-something" when you get moving again in the next week or so. YOU GO GET 'EM GIRL!

Lisa, it is going to get better.

It's hard for any of us to come to grips with the realization that what we believed with all our being was true.....isn't.

Kimkins sold a lot of people a fake bill of goods and did it by playing on a deep seated aversion to fat. We've been brainwashed for so long, it's hard to let it go. Can you imagine your reaction if someone told you the ticket to weight loss and optimal health was smoking two packs of cigarettes a day? You'd immediately reject it (and rightly so) because you've spent your life being told day in and day out that tobacco was extremely bad for you. The medical profession has treated FAT the same way as tobacco but in this case, they've used shoddy research and a near total refusal to examine their own dogma to make their case.

There is a growing body of evidence to show fat is not our enemy. It is not the dietary equivalent of tobacco. It will not cause weight gain or heart disease. Fat is absolutely essential to good health.

Hey All,
I've been reading the threads here and I am so happy to find people who are sane (at least in the ways that count! ) and great to talk to!
I just left Kimkins on Wednesday and even though I only spent a month there I can see where I was beginning to be brainwashed! I was constantly obsessing over my calories, and I was actually weighing myself 2-3 times a day. In hindsight I think it was the excitement of seeing the scale move everyday that kept me so into it. Now that I've stepped outside I can see the dangers some people put themselves in with constant laxative use, insane caloric intakes etc.
So, I've jumped ship...and it seems I will be able to float my way to skinny thanks to this forum!!
Looking forward to my new, HEALTHY low-carb life!
*Samantha*

Welcome to my forum, Samantha! It's so AWESOME to see you here and we're very happy to help you along in this journey to weight loss and better health. YOU CAN DO THIS and we're here to help you get there. Are you ready?!

Hi Samantha!

I'm happy to see more and more leaving and waking up to the dangers that are preached over there. I'm trying to stay committed to posting, bloging and chatting to help me come out of my shell (one of the things that has contributed to my massive weight gain).

I'm glad you got out quickly, I was one that stayed a little too long and was seriously abusing laxatives all kind, MOM's, Diet tea, fiber laxatives and exlax sometimes I would even take a combination of any of the two of theses and I think (not sure) that is what landed me in emergency twice in one week.

I hope Jimmy, Melody, you, I and everyone else here can get the word out to get as many out as we can, I DO think it is that serious!

On a happier note I love the fact that we are all over hear, learning, growing and supporting one another who we are already familiar with.

One Day At A Time - For A Piece Of Mind!

Lose On!
Lisa

Hey Jimmy & Christin,

Just wanted to let you know I went down 1 lb today for the first time in 9 days doing it the Atkins way!. Wow, I ate beef, cheese and creamer yesterday and this morning the scale went South 1lb!. I will tell you though even though the scale went down I still have the fear of the high fat/cholesterol compound for long term use.

I tried Atkins twice a few years ago and failed at it (I do not know why but I did or it did). I know I sound like I'm going back and forth I am with my emotions, I guess that is just the transitioning effect going on. It's as if I'm in a darkened room, I know there is a door but I'm feeling in the dark to find the door to the light and the way out. I know it is there I just have to get there.

Jimmy and Christin, thank you so much for being that subconscious whisper encouraging all of us to keep feeling our way to get there.

WOO HOO, Lisa! Losin' Lisa, that's what I'm gonna call ya now. YOU GO GIRL! Yes, you are gonna have those fear and trepidations, but walk boldly and proudly my friend because YOU ARE DOING IT!!! I'll shine the light for you so you can make your way out of the darkness so you can see clearly what lies ahead for you.

I'm so happy to see you here and giving this a go. Please don't hesitate to let me help you any way that I can because that's why I started this forum in the first place. YOU CAN DO IT and I encourage you to KEEP IT UP!!!

HI KNOXVEGAS i too am an ex kk-banned for asking questions-i have always trusted jimmy though, he is very kind and welcoming, and i should have been right behind him when he dumped kk, but anyway--i am still trying to stop binging, i have been so upset about the way i was treated over at kk, (i know that just an excuse, but i cant help it) I just wanted to let you know that there are plenty of us over here from there, and we can all help each other get healthy physically and emotionally....i am thinking about doing atkins and am going out today to look for Jonny Bowdens book since Jimmy recommends it so highly--I feel like I am in a safe place now, and so are you--keep in touch would you, we can check up on each other.
i have read lots of posts since i joined the other day, and people are so supportive and most of all REAL here. Welcome, from another newbie

Back to something that was said early on in this thread.....I find that when I keep my carbs to 20 or so total (Im doing Atkins 72) that I will lose easily
and I can eat plenty of protein/fats! Im on maintenance now, but if my weight creeps up a few pounds, then that's what I do and it works!

Bella