Thanksgiving Week 2008 Reader Mailbag

I started back in March 07 at 293 pounds (pretty bad considering I’m 5′5”). I’m now at 251 pounds using cardio/weight training and a 1800 calorie diet but have been at this same weight for about four months, which is the reason she started me on the “body builder” diet this past Saturday.

My question is this–is this a sustainable meal plan? My goal weight is 140 pounds. That’s a LONG way to go on exactly the same meals of lettuce, chicken breasts and 10 almonds per day. I feel like I’m just going to give up because I’m frustrated by the lack of variety in the things I’m allowed to eat, and I’m only FOUR DAYS in. Any suggestions on meals I can eat that are low fat, low carb, or a place I can go to find this information?

I’ve never read the Atkins diet books and I’m also a confessed lifelong carb-a-holic. I can’t stop myself when it comes to rice, rolls, pasta, cakes, etc and wouldn’t have even CONSIDERED a low-carb diet a few months ago. But now I’m panicking and really want to lose the rest of the weight by my high school reunion in fall 2009, but I also want to KEEP IT OFF. Any help or encouragement you could give me would be awesome.

You seem like such a nice, down-to-earth human being. I hope your book sold enough for you to get that tummy tuck you mentioned – and that you met your three year goal on January 1, 2008. What an inspiration reading your book (and accomplishments/advice). I had gastric bypass surgery three years ago and have sabotaged myself into regaining 70 pounds back (it was the rat poison sugar that did me in).

I’m actually getting excited about trying Atkins again (for the 90th time); only this time armed with your success story and advice to make this a lifelong way of eating; not just something to knock off some poundage just to regain them back. I’m an animal rights veggie (who doesn’t like veggies and won’t eat fish/chicken/meat and can barely tolerate eggs). No wonder I’m fat.

Anyway, what book or website do you recommend I go to to arm myself with recipes so I don’t set myself up for failure by not being prepared. I’m thinking I’ll choose a date real soon…I’m just so tired of “waiting until Monday.”

Wow! What an incredible job you have done losing weight! Well done! I just discovered your site this evening.

I have done the Atkins plan before only to gain it back and then some. I recently tried going back on it, but only lasted 10 days. I don’t do artificial sweeteners except for Stevia and I just couldn’t handle it. I also freaked about the fat in the diet. (I’ve since learned from a naturopathic doctor that I don’t need to be concerned about the fat. ) I recently checked out Dr. Thompson’s book The Glycemic Load Diet. I got it from the library. I’ve almost finished the book and I feel like it would be a bit more doable than Atkins as you get a bit more fruit. I read your review of the book as well when I ran across your blog. I’ve even e-mailed Dr. Thompson. It does seem very similar to the Atkins plan, but doesn’t go through induction and allows very small amounts of sugar on occasion.

I have never written to you before but I have been listening to you on your iTunes podcast for the last year. I have embarked on Atkins many times (don’t want to bore you with the details) but something happens and I cheat and I can’t get back on until I have regained all the weight. So I have lost a hundred pounds on Atkins while still losing NOTHING at all.

So, here I am about to embark upon this journey one more time and I guess I just don’t feel motivated. I know how silly that sounds. I am probably 95 pounds overweight. One problem I have is meals. Any tips on Induction menus (simple) maybe with shopping lists that don’t cost money?

Another problem is soda. I hate to say, I think I am hooked – the regular kind. I was off for a week and thought to myself, “How did I ever drink almost 40 oz of this stuff or more a day.” But I’m off the wagon I suppose.

Lastly, Do you believe that I just need to be more motivated? If so, can you recommend anything – websites maybe???

I am so thankful you are here. When I first started Atkins about 9-10 years ago, the Internet was certainly not what it is today, and podcasts were pretty much non-existent I believe. I SHOULD have an easier time now right???

I’ve been doing low-carb for some time for the past 6 weeks and have re-read Good Calories, Bad Calories. I’m one of the persons who has to do super low carb to stay in ketosis if I want to move more fat out of my cells. I’m 58 years and boy, this is taking it’s own sweet time!

I’m doing the protein + fat at each meal with a small amount of carbs, trying to stay under 20 grams per day. It’s boring but I have no hunger and no cravings, well, maybe a bit for sweets but I use a small amount of Splenda to get me over that hurdle. (One of my crutches is Breyer’s CarbSmart low carb chocolate ice cream bars at 5 carbs a serving.)

I am starting to do a low carb diet. My husband does it on and off. When he is on it, I do see quick changes in his face and body. It seems to lose the water weight quickly. Well, I am not overweight but I am trying to get back to my body I had before I had my son. I am a very petite woman. I’m 27 years old, 5 ft tall, and weigh 109 lbs. I know that is not big. However I have very quishy thighs, arms and tummy since my son, haha. I need to lose a few pounds then tone up.

So I wanted to know if the low carb will help me lose the last of the weight I need to lose. I will be honest I do not exercise regularly but have started to. I eat horribly. Ever since my son… I never liked sweets before him now I cant get enough. Oh yeah and I loooove pasta, potaoes fries etc. Who doesn’t? Anyway eating too much red meat makes me feel sick but I can do some red meat and lots of chicken or turkey and salads I figured on low carb.

I started a few days ago…For breakfast I have a cup of tea with 3 equals and a sugar free creamer. For lunch I’ve had Egg Beaters with CarbSmart ketchup. For a snack I’ve been having pepperoni and cheese. For dinners I’ve been having a burger with no bun of course, or salmon with spices, broccoli and peppers, chicken with cheese, or a salad.

What do you suggest be the number of carbs I eat per day? First two weeks are less I understand.

I saw your site and you are such an inspiration. I know I don’t have much to lose but the amount I do want to lose has been here for over a year and I’m ready to feel like my old self again. I hate when people tell me I’m not fat I don’t need to diet. Well I know I’m not fat but I feel uncomfortable in a bathing suit and my clothes. I figured you would be the one to go to, to see if this diet can work for anyone regardless of age or size.

I am a 21 year old college girl trying to get started livin’ la vida low carb! However, I keep failing in my attempts at Induction!! I know that low-carb is the ONLY way for me to live, because I suffer from mild bulimia and negative body image. However, when I am low-carbing, all my obsessions with food and intense cravings disappear! I just went three days on induction and lost about 4 pounds.

But then today, I went to the mall with my friend and she and I ate ice cream. I know I should have said NO! I didn’t even crave it, as I was in ketosis, but she (like the majority of my friends) is a vegetarian and would KILL me if she knew I was living a low carb lifestyle. I’ve always prided myself in doing my own thing and going my own way, but it seems like when it comes to my diet, I am easily influenced by others.

I am starting Induction again tomorrow, and I am going to try for the ENTIRE two weeks this time. Why is something that is so beneficial sometimes so hard?? How did you overcome society’s negative reaction to low-carbing and become such a success? Any response would be appreciated.

I am enjoying your blog and I am glad you have experienced weight loss success. I have battled my weight since I was 12 and I find it extremely hard to lose weight. I have tried every “healthy’ diet out there and none of them has helped me lose weight. Since I have been on a low-carb diet I have already lost 6 pounds. I noticed my skin has become clearer and my scalp dermatitis is clearing up.

When I went in to get a physical from my doctor she told me with my family history of heart disease that I should not be on a low-carb diet and I need to use Weight Watchers instead. I am doubting myself and my decision to continue with low-carb. I would like it to be my diet for life, but I get very little support from anyone around me so it is very hard to stick to. My friend told me her dad got diabetes from doing a low-carb diet for too long.

I have embarked on a low carb diet a week ago. Mostly for health reasons all though I am 127lbs at 5 foot 1 I feel much better at 115lbs. I understand and have studied the role of carbs and insulin and how they just wreck havoc on the body. I myself was very addicted to cookies, cakes, etc. and wanted a change. I embarked on low carb a week ago and have not removed the fat at all–in fact all my foods are high fat. Here is an example of yesterday.

Up at 6 am to move into my new house (a lot of work ahead)

am 1 whole egg cooked with some butter and home made creamed spinach mixed in (made with heavy cream and butter)

snack: ice coffee starbucks with 1/4 c. half and half

lunch: salad with all the fixins you would find on an italian sub without the bread and dressing, but salami, ham, and provolone cheese, greens.

(my appetite is much lower so I was ok sharing this with my fiance, I eat less now)

snack: 5 brazil nuts, another iced coffee with 1/4c. cream

dinner: chicken bbq’d no sauce, then peppers and onions cooked in butter

dessert: whole cream 2tbs, 1/3c. yogurt plain, 2tbs almond butter, all mixed together

2 am (still moving and have been working hard all day) 3 sliced salami, 2 oz cheese, 15 pistachios, 3 tbs almond butter with 1 tbs full fat cream cheese.

OK so why the difference? Why does he lose so much with like 100 carbs per day and I can’t lose on 18 per day. I know he’s a guy, but still, he cheats. Insulin response has to be the answer. Other women have had pretty good responses. So more research/experimentation must be done with me (and you) as the guinea pigs.

We’ve e-mailed (off your blog…I’m not ready to post my failures yet) a couple of times and I have to say that I’ve tried Atkins twice in the last couple months, maybe a little less time. I’ve failed and quit both times. One time lasted only 10 days and the other lasted a mere week. I’ve obviously gained back what I lost eating sugar and lots of carbs! I am so mad and frustrated at myself and my family gets tired of hearing me talk about eating, nutrition, low-carbs, etc. I need to stop talking about it and JUST DO IT!

I had prayed long and hard and felt that this low-carbs thing was what God had brought to me when I cried out for help. But then when the going got tough and the expense of eating low-carb got to our budget, I gave up . I said I just couldn’t do it and it wasn’t realistic for a lifetime. I think I was boxing myself in too much. I just felt so deprived, I guess. I kept justifying to myself that low-carb was not doable, so I could eat all the carbs I wanted. I see now how that is “stinkin’ thinkin’” and I was just making up excuses.

Last night as I was trying to go to sleep and talking to God, I realized that I have a true sugar addiction. I don’t just like it…..I LOVE IT. That’s probably why I LOVE bread so much and carbs, they may not all seem like sugar….but it’s what it turns into in my body. We do try to do whole grains, brown rice, those sorts of carbs, which are the kind that if you’re going to consume any grain carbs….those are the best choice. HOWEVER, I need to get in sugar detox so-to-speak, I guess. This is SO hard though. I want to set a good example for good health for my family and I’ve not been succeeding at that very well, I must say.

I told my hubby last night that I felt like a failure and that I felt addicted to sugar and carbs. I felt like those particular foods were causing me to “boredom eat” and “emotionally eat” sometimes. I explained how I didn’t feel good about myself and the way I looked. Plus, I want to be healthy, not start developing health problems as I age due to my weight. I do not have the energy I should and that I hate working out. Exercising is SO IMPORTANT and I just don’t want to nor feel as if I have the energy to do it lately. I’m perfectly capable of doing it physically….I just hate it right now. I know, bad attitude! I also told him that since I’d been consuming milk sugars (regular skim milk, ice cream) that I have more nasal congestion and acid reflux again. In looking back, when I was trying the low-carb thing those two previously failed times, I basically had NO acid reflux and very little congestion…… Even though I did eat some cheese and a bit of heavy cream on occasion and my almond milk for a low-carb shake. So, the cheese (aged and/or fermented) and the heavy cream (without the milk sugars) apparently do not bother me like normal milk does. I told him it was weird, but there must be something to the low-carb way of eating.

I broke into tears this morning talking to God about all this and then again when I shared with my precious daughter my struggles, fears, and shame at not setting a good example to her.

This morning I checked out your blog and say your FitCamp blog entry. I also saw a reference to Dr. Mary Vernon. WOW! I checked out her blog and how she supports the low-carb way of life. I’m not completely sure, but I think she said her office(s) are in the Kansas City/Lawrence, Kansas area. I’m not that far from Lawrence. For some reason, that really encouraged me.

Anyway, things have got to change. I checked out some low-carb cookbooks from the library this morning and I found a very inexpensive (completely updated) Dr. Atkins’ New Diet Revolution book at the boutique book store at the library as well. Thank you,Jesus! What a blessing! I’ve not gotten that book yet as I simply couldn’t afford to purchase it new as our budget is particularly tight lately. I felt as if it was truly a blessing that I could now actually get a copy of the book (paperback version for only $1.00) to keep for myself….for encouragement and reference.

Anyway, I just want to say that I appreciate your mission, ministry….. whatever you want to call it in helping others with getting healthy, fit, in losing weight, and energized.

I think I find it difficult curbing my sweet tooth as I don’t do artificial sweeteners. I do use stevia, although it’s bitter sometimes in certain foods. When I can afford it, I might try some of the erythritol for a special treat in something. But I’m going to give this low-carb thing another try. It’s worth giving up certain foods if in doing so I feel better, regain energy, get healthy and fit, and feel better about myself as well.

I’ve really rattled on here. Sorry about that. But I thank you sincerely for listening (er, reading, I guess) to me. I’d love to read your book someday. I can’t afford to get your book of your story right now; but, is it available through libraries at all yet? If not, I’ll just add it to my wish list.

My doctor (GP) mailed me my results with a note saying “come back in 3 months.” I needed to go to his office and ask for a glucose meter. He told me to lose weight–something that was painfully obvious and has been a problem since my youth. I tried in vain for years to lose the weight via low fat/high carb diets and like many others was fruitless in my efforts.

I am truly blessed to have come across the information you and few others provide. I believe, without it, I would end up like my Father and paternal Grandmother–dead at the age of 61 due to complications of IR/Type 2 diabetes.

Part of me feels lucky to have this information. Past generations had little, if any, chance at controlling their diabetes without larger and larger doses of medication. Yet, the other half is very saddened by the fact that many people, including much of our medical community, have chosen to dismiss the current results and the promising future of the low carb lifestyle as a “fad” diet. I cringe at the thought of most diabetics being told to follow the ADA diet. Perhaps this is harsh but, I feel these people are slowly being tortured.

Anyway, watching you and the gals at FitCamp was so inspirational and motivational that I became jealous that I was only 45 years old and couldn’t move like that. I think what really got me was watching ya’ll playing freeze tag and dodge ball. I wanna play!!! At any rate, I started back on low-carb (modified DANDR, if you will) one week ago yesterday and already notice a difference.

I have followed your blog almost from the week you started. I could have decided to drop off without a word, but decided to let you know why I will no longer visit your site. I have noticed, off and on, that you seem to make personal attacks against people with whom you disagree.

Today, I went to Carbwire, as I do most weekdays, to see what new ideas you had posted. There was a reference to a noted UN scientist, and I assume any others that believe in global warming or that excessive meat consumption and the affect that has on the planet’s deforestation, etc., as one of the “radical voices of idiocy.” I’m sorry, Jimmy, but many professionals much wiser and better trained than you and I agree with what Dr. Rajendra Pachauri said, even an omnivore like me is willing to consider that it may be true that it is one of many things effecting climate change.

I really enjoy watching your YouTube videos! So clever and fun!!!

This is my first day on Induction (yikes!) and this eating fat to burn fat is still a new concept to me. Why? Well, I am switching from a VERY low fat eating way of life (no oil or any kinda fat) to this new way of eating…well this morning for breakfast….I don’t know what came over me….This morning I ate 4 whole hardboiled eggs (yolk and all!) with 2 tablespoons of mayo (Atkins guide not so clear on how much we can have)…

Two questions:

1) Do you think I will gain weight from eating 4 hard boiled eggs with 2 tablespoons of best foods mayo on top? Can I eat the eggs with yolks and all (Atkins is not clear about this)?

2) Also, I read in the Atkins essentials book that most people don’t see a loss in the first few days…will I see a gain then, and should I not panic if I do?

I was afraid to move on to OWL phase, and decided to stay on the induction for one more week. Shockingly enough during the third week, I began to see an increase in my weight of about a 1/2 pound every couple of days. I am now up to 157 pounds.

I am VERY concerned…and fast losing my willpower!! I have to say that this diet can get really difficult some days especially when you are cooking for your five kids and hubby and they are eating wonderful carb-filled meals. I have been so diligently following the diet that I won’t even taste the dishes I prepare for my family. I just wing it and hope for the best.

I had a snoop through your blog, and first I’d like to congratulate you on your success…it’s such a really big inspiration hearing how the Atkins has worked so well with some people…

I have been low carbing for over 5 years now and love this way of eating. My husband, who suffers from high blood pressure and high cholesterol (he is on medication for both), has recently followed my advice and has joined me in my low carb lifestyle. However, he often feels very tired and lacking in energy and keeps blaming this on lack of carbs. He will often then eat some high carb food and then claim he feels better!!

He recently found the following statement on the Lidl Supermarket website and is now questioning this way of eating. I have repeatedly told him that this advice is out of date and simply not correct. However, it does not help when supermarkets are putting this kind of misleading advice out there.

This is what they state:

Carbohydrates supply energy to our bodies. They should account for the majority of our food intake i.e. over 50 percent of our daily calorie supply. The brain is even reliant on carbohydrates as its only source of energy. Carbohydrate is found mainly in grain and grain products, but also in potatoes and fruit. Carbohydrates are not all the same. They have differing compositions and therefore different effects on the blood sugar level of an individual. The basic components of carbohydrates are simple sugars; an example of a simple sugar is dextrose. Some carbohydrates exist in this basic form; others consist of two or several hundred simple sugars. Carbohydrates in the form of fibre-rich starch products such as whole grain rice and pasta, wholemeal bread, beans, vegetables and potatoes are highly recommendable.

My name is Jessica, and I stumbled across your site/article when searching “Low Carb Foods.” Forgive the background information, but here it goes: I was a compulsive exerciser two years ago and my weight plummeted down about 40-50lbs. I was not eating properly due to stress and developed an eating disorder. This lasted about 9 months until I wanted to get healthy. I started eating “healthy” stuff like pretzels and tortilla chips, because you know, I needed to gain weight back because I was unhealthy.

I’m sure you can see where this is going. I have since gained all the weight back and THEN some and I know that I have screwed up my body. I do not like the low-carb idea because I don’t know what I will eat besides salads (I am a college student – not much choice here!), but I am willing to give it a shot. I also do not like eggs, celery, or cottage cheese.

I have made a list of some things to get, but I was wondering how I should go about this or if you think this is a good idea for me (or any other tips or suggestions!). I don’t think I can give up all carbs, but I’m willing to put a sincere effort into this and try to lower the carbs a fair amount at least.

I am 27 and a low-carber. I lost all my pregnancy weight, about 3 stone, on Atkins induction some time ago continue to eat this way, with perhaps an increase in carbs for cycling long distance (usually between 60-100km 4-5 days a week, but I’m not religious about it) or running (not so far!). Low-carbing also eliminates my PCOS symptoms that I would normally suffer on a moderate carb diet. I am 5’10 and weigh 10 stone 4 ish, which is a nice BMI, slim but with some booty.

I’d like to ask your thoughts on the most recent trend: ‘Raw food veganism’. Those who follow this regime live on organic fruit, veg, nuts, herbs, spices and seem to do rather well. The idea is that the food energy and nutrients are more ‘bioavailable’, with the enzymes in vegetables being used to construct protein for the human body for example.

The reason I ask is for two reasons. Firstly, I’d like to improve my athletic abilities, although I’m no Paula Radcliffe I’d like to improve my running for example, and run a marathon one day, maybe this ‘cleaner’ diet would help me? My mum wants me to give it a go for at least a month, she is a raw-food vegan herself, and grows all her own organic food. She has experienced weight reduction, improved lung function (asthma medication seriously reduced), increased energy levels and general well-being. The trouble is, she and I have such different bodies, she is shorter, stockier and is blood type A. I on the other hand am probably genetically closer to hunter gatherers, with my O+ blood group, tall and lean stature. That’ll be the Celt in me then! I feel quite good on low-carb diets and it helps to control my PCOS for example, whilst may be naturally more suited to raw-food veganism.

Secondly, I am well versed on the science of low-carb diets, and wondered how these people can continue to be healthy despite fruit smoothies (although professional RFVs advise limited fruit), obviously higher carb levels with the mainstay of the diet being vegetables, and low dietary fat intake? The notion of creating an alkaline environment in the body, one of the health benefits touted by the RFVs does not hold with me, as the body naturally regulates pH level in the blood for example, otherwise we would all be dead. However, apparently ‘cold’ food is better than ‘hot’ food, the latter instigates an immune reaction and it is this inflammation that is said to lead to ill-health. I am interested in this ‘inflammation’ argument, since being in a state of constant ‘inflammation’ is a marked feature of those suffering with PCOS (along with insulin resistance, higher levels of androgens, in fact I think that PCOS should be classified under the umbrella of syndrome X).

If I were to experiment with this raw-foodism I would be worried about possibly developing some kind of issue with food, being a perfectionist I know that I may end up very thin and ill? At the moment I eat foods that I love: eggs, vegetables, nuts galore, meat! Perhaps that fact that I do so well on this WOL suggests that removing everything except the vegetables and the nuts (I wouldn’t be able to have fruit because of the PCOS) might weaken me.

Additionally, we should all be concerned about how our lifestyles impact on the environment. I live with the guilt that my high animal-product consumption is contributing to global warming in a big way, more so than my Ethiopian friend subsisting on grain alone. I try to cycle instead of using the car, and pull a jumper on rather than whack the heating up, but if I were a raw-food vegan? If I lived on only local, organic veg then could I hold my head up high? My one consolation is that many of these raw-foodies are partial to exotic foods that can only be flown in from far and distant lands, and we all know that aeroplanes contribute significantly to CO2 levels in the atmosphere.

I want to first say that your podcast show is brilliant. I fell off the bandwagon a few years back (sadly) and your shows are motivating me no end to get back on. My biggest challenge is trying to follow a low carb lifestyle in a rather remote (physically speaking) fishing village in the western fjords of Iceland.

Anyway, as I absolutely believe in the health benefits of a low carb lifestyle, I want to direct my children that way. The problem is that I feel that there is not much information out there pertaining to children. Is it possible to interview someone who has knowledge in this area? How many carbs (roughly) should children eat or rather how far should we go in restricting carbs? What the hell can we give our kids to eat instead of cereals?

You would surely agree that not many kids are going to eat eggs and vegetables (yuk) for breakfast, and how often can you give them a protein shake (which one is even okay to use?) before they get sick of that every morning? Are there any low carb breads that kids would eat? I mean lets face it, low carb breads are okay for us adults, but there is no way my kids would put up with that.

I am writing you all the way from South Africa! I am a 35 year old woman who weighs 300 pounds and desperately needs to lose at least 130 pounds. I am 1.75 m tall. I joined the Atkins Bulletin Board in February 2008, but, despite all the motivation, I am still battling to pluck up enough courage to implement the plan. I have been a complete chocoholic since 1994, consuming up to 2kg of chocolates a day. Needless to say, my sugar levels have been playing havoc with my moods ever since. Trust me, I have been through the whole spectrum of emotional ups and downs over the pasts 14 years.

I have been to Weight Watchers more times than I can remember. Everything always starts out great, but my commitment and interest start to disappear as time goes by. I have studied the Atkins book and it all makes a lot of sense to me, but so does Weight Watchers and all the other diets out there. I am definitely a bit confused with all the information overload. I am also not so sure how to incorporate Atkins into my daily lifestyle, as a lot of the foods contain some form of carbs.

In the last 12 months however, the total cholesterol level has gone up a lot. Last time it was read ( 1 month ago) total was 248, HDL was 89, triglycerides was 20 (pretty awesome I think). About 4 months prior to that total was 278, with HDL at 92. So the decrease was almost entirely in LDL, a good thing, as I understand it to be. With the most recent numbers, it seems like my trig/HDL ratio is awesome, about .22.

Now, my question is this: I’ve got this lipid specialist doctor who wants to put me on statins because of my high total number and a high level of another indicator, LPa, which has never been measured before except for the last reading 1 month ago. I am looking for studies, evidence, etc, anything that could help me to a.) understand what things I can specifically do to bring down my LDL without lowering HDL or increasing triglycerides and b.) help show this “specialist” that I probably don’t even need to lower my LDL much, due to the trig/HDL ratio.

I would love to have the test done to measure the size of the LDL particles, too, as I’ve heard it mentioned on your show that that parameter also matters. I have read Good Calories Bad Calories already and plan on re-reading it soon and realize that I will probably be able to find studies in there to help my argument, but I wanted to get your perspective on things. It’s tricky talking to this doctor, since he’s the one with the medical degree and I’m not, but by doing my homework and talking to people such as yourself, I hope to, if not convince him, at least determine for myself, with evidence, that I don’t need to go on a statin and that I can lower my LDL through other means.

I learned about your podcast from the Nutrition and Metabolism newsletter. I am now obsessed with learning more. Can you please provide me with a reference for more information about the lipid particle sizes? I’m looking for a scientific reference that identifies the large particles as benign. I have been on statin drugs twice and have had to stop them both times due to muscle pain. I’ve been off the meds for three months and my numbers have gone up and my doctor wants to start them again. My small dense particles are 332 and my large particles are 1611. My doctor is in a panic.

I am 5′5″ tall and weigh 122 pounds which is a 9.4 pound weight loss over the past 2 months. I’ve listened to your interviews with both Dr. Gundry and Dr. Davis. I read the Diet Evolution and am in the process of reading Good Clories/Bad Calories. It’s amazing!!!! This is especially important to me because my husband has extensive heart disease and I am a registered nurse/certified diabetes educator. As you know, the medical community is obsessed with fat. I hear all the educators encouraging our patients to be sure and eat their carbs.

I became a diabetes educator not too long after Sugar Busters was published. The dietitians were shocked. Being new in the profession, I read the book with an open mind and it made sense to me. Joslin is now encouraging a greater carb restriction with 40% of the calories coming from carbs. I want to get on board and do all I can to help make a difference in the lives of the patients I see. I am the inpatient educator in a 700+ bed hospital in Fort Worth, Texas.

I started the Atkins Plan on Aug. 4th. I have only lost 15 lbs in this time. My usual diet of choice is WW, but on the low fat diet I was always hungry. I am also a meat lover. I have followed the plan except for last weekend when my sister got married in Orlando. I was out of town for 5 days and kind of blew it. I picked myself up and started over on Friday and was back in ketosis by Friday night.

I wanted to drop you an email to send my condolences for the loss of Kevin Moore. A loss like this is hard. I can imagine your loss feels much more tragic since Kevin was so young.

I also lost someone close this month. I lost my grandfather, Alfred Price Moore, on the October 7th, and it’s been really tough on my family. My mom was divorced shortly after I was born and my grandpa was like a father to me until I was 6. He taught me how to fish, how to shoot a rifle. He instilled his values in me and gave me his wonderful sense of humor. In the absence of a father, he was the man that first taught me what it meant to be a man. I’ll certainly miss him dearly.

Like Kevin, my grandfather made unhealthy decisions. He smoked cigarettes most of his life. He developed emphysema several years ago and shortly after decided to quit smoking. At the end of September, he was diagnosed with lung cancer. It seemed to the doctors that the cancer was caught early enough that surgery could be an option. We were all very optimistic, as was he. He was the kind of man that would never want anyone to make a big fuss or worry about him.

So, he goes in for some tests to determine if the cancer is operable. These initial tests caused him to not be able to keep food down. Then his blood pressure went crazy. Finally, his oxygen saturation was so off kilter he was put on a respirator to force air into his lungs. He went downhill so rapidly it was difficult not only to comprehend but also to see him in such a state. He couldn’t even talk. He wanted to. And, even in his predicament, he was joking around with the nurses around him.

The doctors came to give us the news in the waiting room that there was nothing more they could do and he wasn’t going to make it. My mother and grandmother immediately broke down. My father and I, being “strong” men, tried to hold it together and stared off into space, wiping our eyes.

I went in to see him one last time. I think he could tell we had all gotten bad news. For the first time that I can remember, his eyes and mine locked and we just looked at one other. I could tell he wanted to say he loved me and that everything was ok. All I could do was hug him and try to hold it together.

He passed away on October 7th.

Why am I writing you all this? Well, my grandfather’s passing has really put things into perspective for me. I’m 27 years old, I weigh 420 lbs, and I recently was diagnosed with very high blood pressure (180/120). I guess it really dawned on me what a toll it would take on my family and, especially, my wife if something happened to me. And, even more, seeing my grandfather, the strong, stalwart man that he was, completely helpless in a hospital bed, taken down so quickly and unexpectedly made me realize that it’s extremely important to make lifestyle decisions to keep ourselves healthy, not only for ourselves, but for those who care about us.

First, let me express my deepest sympathy to you and your family on the loss of your brother, Kevin.

I’ve been reading your blog for several months now and find in it both inspiration and human warmth. Your choice to share your experience with your brother had to be difficult, but you have helped your readers to remember how much honesty and compassion help to carry each of us through our daily struggles.

I’ve never written to you, but I’ve been a fan since I first discovered low carb WOE back in May. After falling off the wagon during the summer, I am back on Induction as of last week, (and 10 lbs lighter!). I’ve read your book, read your blog, and you’ve literally been in my head for about 8 hours a day! No, I don’t mean that I have a secret crush on you.

I’ve discovered your podcasts and have downloaded ALL of them to my iPod. In a feverish attempt to catch up, I’ve been listening non-stop for a couple of weeks while at work and during my commute. I started listening to them about two weeks before I started Induction again and your shows really encouraged me and pumped me up.

I just found your blog today & really like it. I’m contemplating going back to low-carb living. I did very well when I first did the Atkin’s program several years ago & I know that I need to get back to it and stay with it. I am probably 35 pounds over weight and I have asthma that seems to be getting worse. Thank you for your blog. I know it is going to be helpful. I’ve been enjoying listening to several interviews today, including the one with the ob/gyn. I’ve also had ovarian cyst issues since I was a teenager.

He also said that he could see no reason other than the increased appetite Zoloft produces that would stall weight loss on low-carb. He believes low-carb is the way to go and said that I should ignore the Zoloft issue. But I made the mistake of too much surfing the web and got discouraged by posters who said Zoloft prevented weight loss.

I’m sure you get countless emails every day from people who want to thank you for everything you do on your blog and podcasts. I wanted to send my own, though, because you continue to do an exceptional job and deserve so much praise.