Let me just say that there is NO way my weight loss success can be considered inspiring. I look in awe at the people here (and in my own family) who have battled weight their whole lives. It's you who have inspired me. It is this sense of "community" that is my secret inspiration and the reason I've chosen to pay-it-forward and volunteer my services to ADBB and LCBB.

My goals were very modest. I wanted to drop 27lbs and get back to the weight I was at when I met my wife 23 years ago. I tried my own methods over the years.. not any particular plans, per se... just the Perry plan. I would drop a couple and then put on a couple, plus a couple more! Before I new it I was in the worst shape of my life. Walking on my treadmill hurt my legs. Doing chores around the house hurt my back. The last straw was having to leave the golf course after 13 holes after a searing pain shot up my back after a swing. I was laid up for several weeks with a slipped disk. I blame the added weight for that injury.

After 2 months of physical therapy I took a good look at myself and decided that I need to do something... but what? My answer came from my younger brother. He had open heart surgery to replace 3 of the 4 arteries in his heart because of blockage - at 40 years of age! I took it hard, looked at my 2 daughters and wife and thought "Am I ready to leave them?". Then, out of the blue, my brother called me and said "Bro, you gotta try this Atkins. My cardiologist recommended it and I'm down 30 lbs. and feeling like a new person". I thought the cleaned up arteries made him feel better but he never got rid of the weight after the operation and it was becoming a burden to him. He's still maintaining and continues to inspire me!

The rest is history. I took 2 weeks off work in Dec 2003...did the strictest of inductions... exercised daily...drank my water... etc... 7 weeks later I was at my married weight of 180 and feeling like a 30 year old. My back is well... back! I have returned to golf and work around the house without pain. I don't even wake up at night or have to swallow 8 Advil to get to sleep!

I appreciate all of you and I hope that together we make this board a place you want to visit over and over again!

Regards.

Hey Perry,

FIrst off, let me start off by saying, for some reason, I have always liked you. When I first joined ADBB you were the one who was there, kind of guiding the way, but you were also the one acknowledging that someone was human and may make mistakes. That's what makes low-carbing work. I appreciate you, my friend. Good job!

Why thank you! I'm glad I was able to help.

Bob, your unfailing support is always an inspiration to everyone and losing extra weight is always a chore. Glad to have you here and glad to work with you.

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DITTO!!!

Don't you ever think of leaving us! I will hunt you down!

j/k ...... really

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