I Lost 67 lbs... With Atkins!
by Kim Droze
eDiets
Managing Editor
Like many other desperately overweight men
and
women, Natcole D. wanted to get slim fast so she invested time and
money into a popular liquid diet.
At 53 and 210 pounds, Natcole, a mother of one from Michigan,
realized she had a long way to go. She got on the right track when she
learned about Atkins Through low-carb living Natcole found the immediate gratification
she
had been seeking for so long. In just two weeks the customer relations
representative dropped 13 pounds. It was the kind of progress she'd
been looking for! Natcole attributes her incredible weight loss success to Dr. Robert
Atkins, founder of the Atkins Nutritional Approach. Before learning
about the low-carb approach, Natcole thought she was doomed to living
large. I was already overweight and then I got some help from my
daughter, she tells eDiets "I only gained 25 pounds. It may not seem like that much but when
you start out overweight thats a big deal. Natcole says a big part of her problem was a lack of nutritional
knowledge. Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution
(Avon) gave her the instructions she needed, including what foods to
avoid, proper portion sizes and menu recommendations. Natcole learned
she needed to steer clear of fast foods, soda, chocolate and other
sugary sweets. Before when I said I was going on a diet, I cut back and thought
eating less would make a difference," she says. "But I didnt know the
details about things like side dishes, breads or carbs. I didnt know
what effect these foods were having. Your ignorance can hurt you. "With Atkins, it goes through everything. It has a carb counter.
Its
like the book is talking to you. It goes through the steps to make sure
you dont get discouraged. For breakfast, she enjoys eggs and bacon or sausage. Lunch might
consist of an Atkins bagel. For dinner, Natcole has baked chicken or a
hamburger with broccoli and cheese. She tends to stick to the same
foods, adding new Atkins products or checking out new recipes when she
becomes bored. I figured nutritional foods would be nasty," she says. "The first
thing I tried was the Atkins peanut butter cups. I couldnt tell it was
low-carb. "I also eat a lot of Carbolite low-carb products. Its good to have
substitutions. That way you dont feel deprived. Over Thanksgiving, Natcole kept some Atkins desserts on hand so that
she wouldnt feel left out while everyone else was munching on the
traditional treats. Whenever shes tempted by her old favorites, she
talks herself down. It was important that Natcole change her mindset.
One of the major modifications she made to her lifestyle was
integrating a fitness regimen. She started walking 3 to 5 miles at
between 3 to 4 days a week. It went from something Natcole had to do to
something she wanted to do. The routine has boosted her energy level
and her weight loss. In addition to eating healthier and exercising regularly, she has
replaced soda with water. The combination of all three changes caused
the weight to virtually melt away. The physical and mental changes have been overwhelming. Natcole no
longer wants to sleep all the time and she isnt self-conscious about
her figure. You can go in to a store and try on clothes and actually get some
cute
stuff," she says. "They dont have much in bigger clothes. Shopping has
become something you look forward to versus before. Before I would go
in and get the size I usually wore only to find I gained two sizes.
When I wore sweat pants and spandex clothing I didnt know what size I
was. But when I would go get dress clothing and jeans that told me
everything. Now I try on clothes just to see what range Im in. Even now I have
to
think differently when I go into a store. I want to pick up a size 12
or 13. Then I think I dont wear that anymore.
After following the plan for a month, the 23-year-old was frustrated to
find she had lost next to nothing. Natcole was so disappointed she
called it quits and began searching for a better way to take off the
weight for good. from a family member.
During the time I was pregnant, I didnt care
that much. I was more focused on having a healthy baby.
After my daughter was born, I was the biggest Id ever been. There was
no way I could stay at that weight or increase. Thats when I got the
determination to be focused and committed. 
Not everybody is on a diet in my house," she notes. "Sometimes
chocolate will wander into the kitchen. But I have to ask myself if
its worth it. Will I be full after I eat this? If Im going to be
greedy, I might as well be full. I just have to talk to myself longer.
I usually end up not eating it. There are times I say Im going to
treat myself. Then I say no, Im going to feel awful and its not
going to be worth it.
Are you ready to take that all-important
first step to becoming the next Atkins success? To get started with
your own eDiets-personalized plan, click here and fill out a free
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