Question:
Should I keep dieting

While on the verge of getting my WLS referral for an initial consult, my sister urged me to try the Atkins diet with her. What made it different this time is that my husband agreed to do the diet with me - then my oldest son. Both need to lose about 60 lbs (they both are 6 ft 1 in, with heavy build). My delimma is this - after one week, I've lost 4 lbs. My husband's lost 8. My BMI is currently 39.5. With type II diabetes, I might just qualify. If I lose 10 lbs more, I probably won't. I don't want to be disappointed again with another failed diet, but with 3 of us doing it I'm reluctant to bow out and go for the surgery without making a good faith effort. Anyone else been it this boat? Thanks in advance for any advice/suggestions on where I should go with this.    — Kathleen P. (posted on August 29, 2000)

August 29, 2000
Hi, Kathleen. While I don't want to discourage you from trying to diet again, please consider the long-term...is this a diet you can live with FOREVER? If not, while you may lose even a substantial amount of weight, once you stop the diet the weight will come back on. I did excellent on Atkins--for about a month. Then I felt bad, my breath was bad, my cholesterol rose and I got acne to top it off from all that grease! And naturally I gained back every single pound, plus ten. That was my result, anyway. You have to look inside yourself and think about what happens if your husband, sister and son stop, will you have the strength to go it alone? I don't know how old you are, but there comes a time when I, for instance, had to say "okay, I'm 38. Obviously diets are not going to work for me. If they did, with all I've tried, I'd be skinny already." I personally don't think that any of the super-restricted diets will work--really, how long can you realistically eat all the fat and meat you want? It'll be great for awhile, but then your body will crave fruits, veggies, milk...and there goes the diet. Even Atkins says one slip up will put you back at square one. Thats not a lifetime plan. (Even Atkins admitted recently to being overweight himself!) But obesity is a lifetime problem if we don't nip it in the bud, and I say, the sooner the better. Best wishes to you on whatever road you choose.
   — Linda J.

August 30, 2000
Hi...that was my last diet that was the final straw for me...I followed it to the "T" threw away my sunflower seeds(which was my adiction 30 years), got rid of my mochas(another adiction) suger, carbs etc...I was convinced carbs were my problem...My husband also went on it with me...we got all the atkins supliments etc...I lost 15 lbs then started gaining..my husband who has only put on 10 lbs just the last 5 years lost more...but now he's gained it back...I guess my point is not to discourage you but to remember we're here if it doesn't work out for you....Sincerely
   — Debora H.