thanks

My name is Julie Goheen. This is my story of why i started a low carboyhdrate eating plan and where i am now.

On August 8, 2002, I found out that i had diabetes. The doctor immediately put me on medicine. On August 9th, I went to go see a dietitian who suggested the Atkins eating program. I weighed while I was there and was an alarming 278.3!! I was so shocked that I was that heavy. I always knew that I was big, but until then I never knew that I was FAT!!! Not wanting to stay on medicine my whole life or move on to injections, I got serious about Atkins eating plan. The dietician, who I owe much of my success to, gave me the basics of the Atkins plan and then I went to researching. I found out that there was a book at Wal-Mart for $6...I figured it was worth the buy....I searched online for information. My husband and I discussed the plan and we decided that i should try it.
We planned meals, went grocery shopping, and experimented with different recipes. Other than my husband and other family I found great support at a few online support groups. Sometimes a person needs to have contact to someone or some others that have been where you are and have succeeded.
Whithin a month, I had lost 17 lbs. That in itself gave me the motivation to continue this...Iadmit the first few weeks were tough. Cold turkey I gave up my daily mountain dews, nightly pasta for supper, and my favorite bedtime snack of peanut butter and jelly sandwhiches with a glass of milk. I had headaches, I was grouchy, and I was tired for the first week. However, I continued on...From the first day I started i began walking. I recruited friends, family, neighbors to walk with me. I was doing 2-2 mile walks a day. I continue to weigh every Saturday morning, same clothes, same time at the hospital. The ER staff got used to seeing me every Saturday morning at 6 a.m. At the end of October I went back to the doctor to have my blood sugar checked and it was perfect. He looked over my log of blood sugars and was pretty impressed I felt. I asked him if I could be taken off the medicine. He suggested that we wait a little longer but he would reduce the dosage.
After 3 months I joined the local recreation center and began lifting weights (although i know now that i didn't have a clue as to what i was doing). By Thanksgiving, with my goal set at to lose 40 lbs, I had a loss of 43 lbs!!!! By Christmas I wanted to have 50 lbs. gone. I was down 53 lbs!!!! I was on my way!!! I went back to the doctor on December31st, 2002 and with my great blood sugar levels I was taken off the medicine. I was only on medication for 4 1/2 months. I continued to lose over the next 22 months. Then the dreaded word that had heard so much about happened....I hit a STALL in my weigh loss...Now Dr. Atkins considers a stall being 4 weeks of no loss in inches AND pounds. Well I began that stall at the beginning of August. I tried to up my carbs, I added a little more exercise, I decreased my exercise...nothing worked...Nothing worked, in fact, for 7 months. On March 1st. I started a exercise program called Body For Life. It is a 3 days of weight training and 3 days of cardio. It is a 12 week program. That meant I had to trek to the gym 6 days a week. With my husband and his work schedule, I had to count numerous times on my grandmother, my parents, and other family members, and friends to watch my girls. At the end of 12 weeks (May 31st. 2004) I had lost 18 lbs and 27 1/2 inches. My stall was broke.
To date my lowest weight has been 162. I am currently hanging around 180 lbs. I have went from a size 26 pants and 3X shirts to a current 6/8 pants and medium shirts. My body fat went from 42% + to a current 18%. I am in the best shape of my life. The funny thing about this was at 162 lbs. I was wearing 12/14 pants and now at 180'ish lbs. I am wearing size 6/8 pants, and even a size 4!!!
Fast foward to the present...I am eating more carbs, more protein, and moderate fat. I am building a body that getting looks like never before. When you see me, you can tell that i work out. My muscles are showing which is great. (see "What i am doing now" for current program) I have to say that one of my proudest moments was when my aunt walked up to me, gave me a big hug and said, "Julie i am so proud of you!!" I could have cried when she said those words to me!! A huge thrill!!
I also have to say that I owe my success to all of my friends (around me and online) and family for their continued support. I am determined to continue this journey for the rest of my life.