125lbs down - size 26 to size 6

[julieboolie]

I guess this is the place to share your "story"! Here goes:

I have been obese all my life. I was a size 14 in 6th grade, and managed to continue gaining up to college. I did the Slim Fast plan for a year at 18, and lost down to 175 a size 14. That, plus aerobics worked for a while. I was a size 14 my first year of college. But, as w. crash diets, it didn't last. I gained back up to a 22/24 by the time I graduated. I then moved home to PA, and took a job as a chemist. I ended up spending a few years in the food & confectionery division, making and eating too much candy. I got all the way up to a size 26.

I met dh in 1996, and got married in 1998. I starved myself on a low fat diet before our wedding (miserable!!) and managed to get down to 195. I hated every second of it, and once the wedding was over, I rejoined life and ate again!! I popped back up to about 240 for a while.

2 babies, 3 miscarriages, 2 kidney infections, pneumonia, gall bladder disease and several surgeries over 5 years later, I get up to 272 and barely fitting my size 26's. A friend tried Atkins with success, and encouraged me to read the DANDR book. I did, and it was like a lightbulb went off. I had bought the FDA pyramid, low-fat, starvation diet for so long, that the idea of eating fat instead of carbs really appealed to me. I know that's not all that Atkins is about, but that was it's initial appeal.

So, in July 2003 I started. Decided to give it 2 weeks and see what happened. I was a very slow loser every time I'd tried in the past-so I knew it was a longshot. Well, I lost 12lbs in those 2 weeks, and felt great. Satisfied and lots of energy!! I love Atkins!! Over the next year I lost about 100lbs. By July 2004 I was down to about 175 and the happiest (and smallest) I'd been since I was 18. A whole new life!!

We did some moving around, to FL for 5 months, and then out to AZ permanently. I gained a little weight back, but took it back off w. LC and was maintaining around 175-180 for 5 years or so. I had 1 stint in there where I joined a lovely gym that has a beautiful pool and water slide, and ended up working out daily and watching the cals, to the point where I got down to 155for a week. It was amazing!! But, didn't last.

My father died around this point, and between the month in the hospital and the grief and adjustment afterwards (my dad and I were VERY close) I ate my way back up to 175. Still holding steady at the -100lb mark though - thank you Atkins!!

In Sept 2010 I decided to try hcg. Atkins was working well for me in maintenance at that point, as I am a LCer for life, but I was not able to get down to the 150's which is where I'd really like to be. So, I gave hcg a whirl. I was very skeptical and doubtful, but like my initial experience with Atkins, I'll give it 3 weeks. Well, after gaining 9lbs during the "loading phase" of the diet, I lost about 20lbs in that time and was surprised and pleased.

Several rounds later and I finally reached my all time adult low weight of 148!! I've been able to maintain around 150 for the past few months. It is a bit of a struggle, and will likely take lifetime commitment. But, I like being in the "normal" range. I feel good, look better, and am back to exercising regularly. I am strong, healthy and fit!! I am going to see if I can drop a bit more weight through some LC calorie restriction the next few weeks. But that's basically gravy at this point for me. I'm always going to "want to lose a little more" but I guess that's pretty "normal" too!! Here are some pictures, because what "success story" is good without them?

Here are some "before" pictures. Like many of you, I ran from the camera at this stage. One pic is my older dd and the other is my younger one.

Sorry for the long saga!! Hope you're still with me!!

[julieboolie]

Here are some "after" Atkins pics: This around 175-180lbs - size 14.

[julieboolie]

And here are the most recent "after's"- 148-150lbs. Size 4, 6, 8, 10 - depends on the manufacturer

These are from my recent vacation - sorry, didn't really pose for "afters" .

[julieboolie]

One more post, a before next to an after. This is fun!!

As you can see, I've come a long way. If I can do it, you can too!! Atkins has saved my life, and given my family a "better" me. Hcg has added a little vanity loss to my body, and allowed me to be in the "normal" weight range. Very happy now!!

[laminix]

You look great! Thanks for the inspiration!!

[cfine]

Love it! Thanks for sharing your story.

[shelby'snana]

Wow !! Amazing........ what a transformation !!

So proud of you and appreciate you sharing with us. You look like a totally different person

WTG !!

[cheri]

Wow Julie.. You have done so well!! Your story is so insirational! Thank you for taking the time to share with everyone! What a great motivational tool!

[Monkeyfish]

Way to kill it, Julie! Lookin' fantastic! Thank you for the inspiration!

[~PaperMoon~]

What a transformation! You did great! Your before stats are similar to my before stats and your goal is the same as my goal too. Great job on reaching your goal! That's exactly what I'm working towards. Great job!

[iminit4me]

Truly amazing. I'm so looking forward to being able to tell a wonderful story in 2013. What an inspiration you are. Thanks for sharing!

[sterlinggirl]

Wow i am impressed as well as envious.. i do have a personal question.. When i look at your before photo i see what looks to be my body.. so, as i have lost weight i wonder.. what happens to the excess flesh? Have you been able to exersize the loose stuff away? Does it ever really get better looking.?{with out clothes} I am trying so hard my self, thinking that if i work hard enough i can reverse what i had done to my own body with a similur story as yours.. Sorry if this seams to personal, but i was courious as too.. can i really make it all go away?? You look great and what an inspiration you will be to many!

[julieboolie]

Thanks guys!! Trust me, if I can do it, so can you!! The wonderful thing about Atkins is you can eat until you're full!! First plan ever to do that!!

Originally Posted by sterlinggirl

Wow i am impressed as well as envious.. i do have a personal question.. When i look at your before photo i see what looks to be my body.. so, as i have lost weight i wonder.. what happens to the excess flesh? Have you been able to exersize the loose stuff away? Does it ever really get better looking.?{with out clothes} I am trying so hard my self, thinking that if i work hard enough i can reverse what i had done to my own body with a similur story as yours.. Sorry if this seams to personal, but i was courious as too.. can i really make it all go away?? You look great and what an inspiration you will be to many!

Well, I'd like to tell you that I'm all tightened up and good to go. But that's not quite true. It's definitely better, but still a work in progress. I'm exercising and lifting weights and that helps. I also have some fat left, which I'm trying to decide if I'm motivated enough to try and lose. Once all that extra fat is gone I suspect I'll be tighter too. But, for now, lifting weights and HIIT a few times a week is my plan. Lotion helps too.

My advice? I'd start lifting weights now. I wish I'd done it sooner, and kept it up. You'll see the scale go up initially, but after a few weeks, the scale will settle down again. Eventually as you build up the muscle, you'll be strong and leaner. It will tighten up .

There's some info on dry skin brushing available too. Many have seen good skin tightening from that. I haven't really tried it.

Thanks!!

[~PaperMoon~]

I've never heard of dry brushing, thanks for the advice! I just googled it and it looks interesting.

[sterlinggirl]

Originally Posted by julieboolie

Thanks guys!! Trust me, if I can do it, so can you!! The wonderful thing about Atkins is you can eat until you're full!! First plan ever to do that!!



Well, I'd like to tell you that I'm all tightened up and good to go. But that's not quite true. It's definitely better, but still a work in progress. I'm exercising and lifting weights and that helps. I also have some fat left, which I'm trying to decide if I'm motivated enough to try and lose. Once all that extra fat is gone I suspect I'll be tighter too. But, for now, lifting weights and HIIT a few times a week is my plan. Lotion helps too.

My advice? I'd start lifting weights now. I wish I'd done it sooner, and kept it up. You'll see the scale go up initially, but after a few weeks, the scale will settle down again. Eventually as you build up the muscle, you'll be strong and leaner. It will tighten up .

There's some info on dry skin brushing available too. Many have seen good skin tightening from that. I haven't really tried it.

Thanks!!

Thank you for responding.. I have chose to do curves(Resistant training) And after that i will progress to free weights like you have advised.. I am very very impressed with your progress.. you must feel like a million bucks!

[shelbyla]

Julie - as long as I have been around and seen your pics, they never cease to amaze me! What an inspiration you are! You rock!

[LJB]

Originally Posted by julieboolie

One more post, a before next to an after. This is fun!!

As you can see, I've come a long way. If I can do it, you can too!! Atkins has saved my life, and given my family a "better" me. Hcg has added a little vanity loss to my body, and allowed me to be in the "normal" weight range. Very happy now!!

Great job, Julie!

[Gracie514]

Wow! You look fabulous! I'm obsessed with arms and yours look fantastic I've been trying to keep up a good lifting regime and keep putting it off. I need to bookmark your before and after pics so I remember that I can get my arms to look good! Great job!

[julieboolie]

Aww You guys are so sweet!! Thank you!!

Gracie- I'm into shoulders lately!! dh thinks I'm silly. But I've always had "no shoulders" and my purses always slide right off. I've focused more on that area lately, and think my arms get work along w. it. I'm a pear though, so my legs are where I'm still nicely padded!!

Shelby-you're so sweet. Thanks!! your pics inspired me to keep going!! You're so fit and lean!! I'm making progress, but think exercise is all I'm up for these days. At least for now!!

Sterling-I've heard good things about Curves. Good for you!!

Just worked out and am off to shower. Good day!!

[sya_unit]

Yeah Julie!! You are an inspiration to us all. Thanks for sharing your struggles and successes!! And I live in AZ too, hoping that losing some weight makes this summer less sticky...and I am so excited for the low temps this weekend. under 100 degrees makes it hiking season!!

[countrycookinmama]

You're an inspiration! Thank you for sharing.

[socaligirl714]

wow thats so cool!

[tybeeanna]

Congrats Congrats You look amazing & So very happy.

[leena_k]

Amazing Transformation .. so so proud of you ...

[girondet]

You look fabulous! Thanks so much for sharing. Stories like yours are true motivation when we need it

[Portia]

Fantastic story - you look gorgeous!

[Cara]

Thank you!

[anir]

OMG

[julieboolie]

Thanks guys!! I'm still maintaining and although I'm up 10lbs from my all time low, I'm working on losing them again!! It's all part of maintaining. Keeping a tight reign on things and not allowing bdays, anniversaries, vacations etc. to become a lifestyle!! I'm working on dropping this 10lbs and will keep vigilant with it.

It's so good to have this forum to inspire, hold accountable and encourage one another!! Thanks!!

[springalong]

Originally Posted by julieboolie

Thanks guys!! I'm still maintaining and although I'm up 10lbs from my all time low, I'm working on losing them again!! It's all part of maintaining. Keeping a tight reign on things and not allowing bdays, anniversaries, vacations etc. to become a lifestyle!! I'm working on dropping this 10lbs and will keep vigilant with it.

It's so good to have this forum to inspire, hold accountable and encourage one another!! Thanks!!

Thanks for taking the time to share your progressive story. Very inspirational to see how you have come thru so much upheaval to where you are now

Im just curious, how tall are you cause you are in the 140's and are a size 6 you look soo good!

That will be me one day!