Well, when I saw this topic, I thought to myself, I am a low carb success story, even though I am not at goal yet.

My story began March 28, 2004. I weighed 280 pounds and wore a size 26. Months into my program, I knew I stumbled across a way of eating I could make a way of life. For the first time in my life it was no longer a diet with a deadline. The longest I had ever survived on a "diet" was a few months. This was something I could make a lifestyle, for the rest of my life.

Knowing this is a lifestyle, it is no longer a race for a goal. Slow and steady is just fine for me. I went through a six month stall last year, and it was ok with me, because while I did not lose more weight, I did not gain weight either.

When I got serious about monitoring my carbs closer, and tried harder to get to the gym, the scale moved again.

In January of 2005 I was thrilled to fit into a size 16 and many size 14 pants. This January, I told myself that I would not buy any pants unless I could fit into a 12. Much to my surprise, when I went shopping not only did a 12 fit, but in many styles, a 10 was just fine. A TEN! I have never worn a ten in my adult life.

I was one of those kids who weighed 180 when I graduated from high school, so at 170, and the age of 51 I am in better shape than I was when I graduated in 1972.

This is the longest time in my life that I have maintained a weight loss. I am approaching two years in a few short months.

My first goal it to get to 150 pounds, my dream goal is to get to 130. Both are new territory. With other diets I have gotten down to 150 pounds for about three minutes, before the pounds started to creep back on. Reaching 150 and maintaining 150 is my first goal. Reaching 130 is a goal set by the doctor's charts and my height.

I guess I also have a goal of reaching single digits. Now that I have seen size 10, I am eyeing size 8. I really believe that it is possible.

Finding Atkins way of life has been a blessing. I thank God for the day I picked up that book, started reading and knew this was the way for me.

Thank you Jesus.
God bless
Karen

p.s. my husband loved me at 280. He thought I was beautiful then. Right now he can't get over how I look. It is great to be married to a man who loves me for me, and he is enjoying my new look as much if not more than I. Can't wait to see what he thinks with the next ten pounds.

Wow, what a touching story. And you're right - you are a success! I have no doubt you can reach both goals. Your hubby sounds wonderful, too.

Laura

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Atkins Maintenance (mostly )
High weight: 186
New Goal: 127.5 give or take 2.5

Dr Atkins New Diet Revolution

Laura's right. You are amazing, girl! I am so excited seeing your excitement, and what does the future hold? Just more happiness and excitement, that's what!

You're such an outstanding role model for this way of eating!

Karen, what a WONDERFUL story!! I am so inspired and encouraged by you! I also love it that your husband who's always loved you "cant get over how [you] look"! Yeah!!!

My boyfriend knows I"m losing weight. We're long distance right now, so he won't see me until there's been quite a change, and I look forward to his reaction.

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Girl, Dr. Atkins is looking down, JUST BEAMING at you. And rightfully so. You have done a stupendous job!!
Can we see before and after pics? Please???????

Betty

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5'3, 98.5 POUNDS, AGE 50
FULL-FLEDGED RUNNER SINCE NOVEMBER 2003

MIDDLE-AGE spread is the ugliest thing a man -- or woman -- can possess.

First half marathon completed January 7, 2006, 2 hours 40 minutes

First full marathon completed February 26, 2006, 5 hours

Next Goal: WDW Minnie Marathon 15K "Women Run The World", May 7, 2006

Karen, you are just awesome. My hat is off to you. Good luck with the last pounds.

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Odille
Terranora, northern NSW, Australia
Fem 53, 170 cms - doing Atkins
SW 131 / CW 103 / GW 64 (kgs)
SW 288.5 / CW 227 / GW 140(lbs)
BP-Nov05 176/96; Dec 05 154/84; Jan 06 122/80; Mar 06 110/76

I am not sure if this link will work. I am not computer savy and tried to post pictures to my posts without any luck. This is my kodak gallery and has my before and a in progress picture. The recent picture is from December.

thanks for the kind words of support.
Karen

http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slidesho...Uy=2nowt1&Ux=1

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in progress, before Atkins (I'm the one with glasses)
Karen
I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. Philippians

when I tried to add the photos to my post, the links show up but not the photos, but the links do work. Sorry I am not any better at this.

I am the one in the glassed, at 280 pounds. Notice my hair color suddenly changed (LOL) after I lost 100 pounds. Part of my makeover.
Karen

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in progress, before Atkins (I'm the one with glasses)
Karen
I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. Philippians

I couldn't see the pix!

Betty

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5'3, 98.5 POUNDS, AGE 50
FULL-FLEDGED RUNNER SINCE NOVEMBER 2003

MIDDLE-AGE spread is the ugliest thing a man -- or woman -- can possess.

First half marathon completed January 7, 2006, 2 hours 40 minutes

First full marathon completed February 26, 2006, 5 hours

Next Goal: WDW Minnie Marathon 15K "Women Run The World", May 7, 2006

To anyone who has been following my journal, I fixed the link and it works now. You can see my before and after picutres larger on the Kodak link. I bypassed the need for a password.

God bless
Karen

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in progress, before Atkins (I'm the one with glasses)
Karen
I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. Philippians

Please use the link given several posts back to see my before picture large enough to see. What denial I was in at the time. I knew I was fat, but I never really realized I was That fat. I will never do that to myself again.

Today at church one of my neighbors told me I was as beautiful as a movie star. I would not go that far, but the compliment was well received. So many people I know are so amazed at how far I have come.
Even after almost two years of changed eating behavior the compliments are still flowing. It helps keep my motivation high. Yesterday, when leaving a restaurant where I had lunch with my best friend and her husband, my friend Bonnie, the other lady in the photo, said to her huisband, "Look at how small her behind is." Makes me laugh. Bonnie would like to lose weight in her thighs and hips, and has a tiny waist that is to die for. I on the other hand at this point, have lost my behind, and slimmed my thighs and still have a thicker waist than I would like. Hopefully the waist will slim further with the next twenty pounds.
God bless
Karen

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in progress, before Atkins (I'm the one with glasses)
Karen
I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. Philippians

What a huge difference you ave made! You look absolutely beautiful.

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Odille
Terranora, northern NSW, Australia
Fem 53, 170 cms - doing Atkins
SW 131 / CW 103 / GW 64 (kgs)
SW 288.5 / CW 227 / GW 140(lbs)
BP-Nov05 176/96; Dec 05 154/84; Jan 06 122/80; Mar 06 110/76

YOU LOOK FANTASTIC!!!! I am just starting my 100 lb journey and man-o-man, I can't wait to be where you are!

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Absolutly amazing ! You are such a success story You look at least 20 years younger too.

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I had to flip back and forth between the pictures to make sure I was seeing right! WOWOWOWOWOW! You look awsome!

I find it totally amazing what beautiful ppl are hidden just beneath the surface. We are all beautiful inside but the outside is what ppl see first and judge us by. How very sad. I am sooo proud of you. I may not know you yet but I can feel that kindred spirit. ((huggies))

To the beautiful! cheers!

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I am so impressed by both your story AND the pictures, what an amazing change you have made !!!
I don't know you at all but you make me so very proud !!!
Thanks Karen for sharing !!!!

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I lost it........totally

female, 40-ish (39 but in less than a month.......), lenght 5'5.5"
SW 197.8/HW 202.8/CW 160.9/GW 150
started Atkins WOE on 02-01-05

Wow! What a difference in your before photo and now. You don't look like the same person! I like the blond hair on you, and you have beautiful eyes.
Your story is amazing. Thank you so very much for sharing!

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Attitude changes everything!
Have a beautiful day! ~ lady hawke
402/366/147

I am so impressed. And you look great. It's very inspirational too. You give me the fortitude to keep working at this. Thanks for sharing your story and your pics.

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Chris

All I can say is, I looked at the pics and read your story. If that doesn't inspire people to try low carbing, then I don't know what will. Congratulations, and I hope you'll keep posting as you get closer to your goal. You've done an amazing job!!!

Rick

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Start Date: 12/30/2005
Restart Date: 3/25/2008 at 240 lbs
250/226/190
Atkins

Karen! I saw you were online. I hope everything is going well with you. Your story is such an inspiration!

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