Success Stories

Kerry’s from Oz

Her Story so far………….. 

My name is Kerry and I am from Australia - the Northern Territory, fondly known as the Outback. I live in a tropical climate that is hot and more hotter all year around. We have only two seasons, the Wet and the Dry, which I think is very much self explanatory.. I am 47 young, single and work for NT Government.. For anyone who saw the movie "Crocodile Dundee", all the scrub/bushland scenes were done in my neck of the woods; Kadadu.

With regards to my weight, I have been a big girl all my life but since the 90s my weight has climbed hugely and I am now obese. This weight gain has been contributed by the death of a father and emotional issues in 1991 - giving up a 50 a day smoking habit in 1992 and finally thyroid surgery in 1996 (I have half removed).   I currently weight around 143kgs (315pds) and stand at tall (well I can dream cant I?) at 5ft 4inches. 

I started Atkins program in March 2001 and had great success with it, losing 18kilos (39.6pds) in a matter of 12 weeks. I was so pleased and happy for myself, as I have felt doomed to my obesity over the last three/four years. I actually stumbled onto the low carb WOL when I was researching Obesity surgery, which lead me to research thyroid complaints and related issues. It was during this research I found out that low carb was highly recommended for thyroid problems, so I decided I would give myself a year to see how low carbing and I lived together before instigating further surgery options.. 

I cannot really explain why I fell off the low carb wagon for the period of late May until late August. With my father anniversary in mid May could have had something to do with it but I cannot find any radical explanatory for the duration of my off wagon period. It’s really totally crazy! Here I had been for years feeling doomed and stuck in this obese body that I was seriously considering Obesity surgery, then I stumbled onto a WOL and it really works with no great effort. It has me feeling sooo good and well, a feeling I haven't felt for so long and then poof, I am sabotage myself big time; ruining the good work I had done.. 

The is one instance that might have contributed to it but I not sure.. I work in a small agency and have so for many years. The staff are very caring and a close bunch.. For the 12 weeks I was doing so good, each Monday I would come in and prance around the office telling whoever wanted to know how good I went and they were genuine pleased for me. Later on, they would be bounce on me, on sight, to know how I went.. Anyway,,, close to last few weeks of being on program, I was downstairs and the girls were making a fuss on how much weight I had lost and one of the bosses came out and ask me how I was going. When i told him I had lost 18 kgs (39.5pds) I can still see the way he looked me totally up and down and then up again and mentally said to himself, "From where?" You could see it in his face... 

I can still remember how I felt at the time. I came back to my workstation and was devastated; my good work has been crushed down to nothing, to a no success somehow. I think reality kicked me in the face and make me realise I would have to lose heapsssss and heapssss before most people would notice.. I think my whole bulk hi time in the face in that instance and well; I was no knocked for ten. I can remember thinking from then on, I would not say or tell anyone how much I lost.. I would just say I lost this amount this week; yes I was losing again.. Keep it general... I suppose in some way, I got embarrassed about the amount I had to lose, People see me as big but they don't realise the kilos/pounds and when they do,  well that is embarrassing, shame job as a local here would say. 

I started back on Atkins in mid August and in a matter to two weeks I had lost 2kgs (4.4pds) of the 3kgs (6.6pds) I had put on during the "off" time.
Since then I seem to be at a standstill with only losing 1 pound in three weeks which is frustrating but I am hanging in there.. I cannot totally complain, as I know I am losing inches. I have been into ketosis for weeks ranging from 1.5 to 4.0 during each day. 

During this period, I have changed my eating and drinking pattern and I wonder if that might be the cause of it.. For a while there, I upped my cream consumption daily eating wonderful chocolate mousse each day,. I started making SF jello, then I have cut my diet coke consumption, which was a huge step for me; I'm the original addicted diet coke. I have reintroduced protein drinks into my program to up my protein allowance.. All, which can effect weight loss. I have read. But I am learning, and have put myself on a no cream this week to see how I go. If no luck on the scales I will cut my protein powder out for the week and review. I have been told that it can take up to 6 weeks for my body to get used to the no caffeine after such a long time having.. Wont it be a scream it I am one of those people who lose more effective when having caffeine and have to reintroduce! I dream!!!! 

Apart from water and green tea, I drink nothing else... Gee with all the required water consumption I need to drink 16 glasses, I find I struggling getting a green tea in.. I hope to take a more active role in this group's chat/discussion, and intend posting my daily meal plans for all to see, comment,, suggest, advise and direct.. I am soo open for any help or assistance you can give me,, I love the ease and the food choices of low carbing, I know this it the one WOL that will get me back to normal size.. And more importantly, I know I can learn so much from this group, which will enhance my progress and get me to goal.  

Finally, if I was going to come back in another life, I love to be a butterfly.. The grace, beauty, the ease... and preferable in the shades of purples and mauves and lilacs.

Thank you for reading.... 

Kerry from Oz   Seabreeeze_99@yahoo.com
Start weight = 160kgs (352pds)  01/03/01 
Current weight = 143.0kgs (314.7pds) down 17.0kgs (37.3pds)

 "I can do this, I really, really can!