October 04 2006

 

Victoria Shephard

Country: San Francisco Bay Area, California, USA
Age: 35
Weight before diet: 206 lbs.
Weight now: 145 lbs.
Target weight: somewhere around 140 lbs.

Going on the Atkins Diet has not only allowed Victoria to lose weight, it also changed her outlook on what it means to become and stay healthy. Add to that her passion for going to the gym, it's no surprise then that she is now very close to reaching her goal weight.

-What finally made you decide to start with a weight loss program?
I entered a drawing for a free membership at Curves.  I didn't win, but they called me and asked if I wanted to come in for a free body composition test.  I figured it's free so why not.  When I stepped on the scale and they said I was 211 (I had clothes and shoes on), I *freaked.* I signed up that day and did my first workout the next day.  The food part didn't change until about 6 weeks later when exercise alone wasn't giving me the results I wanted.

-What type of weight loss program are you following?
Atkins, and I also count calories.

-Why did you choose this weight loss program?
It was very popular when I decided to lose weight so I decided to give it a go.

-How long have you been on your weight loss program?
About 2 1/2 years.  I started March 29, 2004.

-What kinds of physical activities do you like doing to help you lose weight and stay fit?
I love love love weight training because you can not only feel yourself getting stronger, but also see the results.  I also enjoy cardio.  Going to the gym is a "get to" not a "have to" and I miss it on the days when I can't go.

-What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome or are still overcoming?
My medication.  I take an SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) for depression and one of the side effects is weight gain.  I gained 40 pounds, so it's the reason I'm losing weight to begin with.  It makes me hungry 24/7 and causes carb cravings.  Low-carb eating takes away most of the cravings, but the hunger never goes away and I battle that daily.

-How do you keep yourself motivated?
I'm a strong-willed individual and don't usually give up easily.  For those days when I am really down and want to throw in the towel, online people have helped keep me motivated.

-Do you have any weight loss tips for our readers?
* Drink your water, eat your veggies.
* There are no magic pills.  Diet pills lighten nothing but your wallet.
* Find what works for you and stick with it.  Any weight loss program that is done only until the weight is lost will result in weight regain.  Get rid of the word "diet," and replace it with "lifestyle change."
* If there's a book that goes with the program you have chosen, read it - cover to cover.  Then read it again.
* Take your vitamins.  Everyone, no matter what plan they are on, should be doing this.  It's virtually impossible to get all the nutrients we need from food, so find a good multi-vitamin/multi-mineral and take it!
* Get rid of everything white - white bread, white rice, white sugar, potatoes.  You will be MUCH better off without these things in your life ever again.  Remember that starches and grains are just complex sugars and are broken down by your body into simple sugars.  Treat all starches as the sugar they are and use them just as sparingly.
* It's not just about weigh loss; it's about health, getting your life back, and having that life to be better than ever!
* Failure is not the end of the world.  We all indulge from time to time.  When you fall off the wagon just get back on. The past is the past.  Get back on track for the future.  I've fallen off plan many times, but I am where I am because I get back on my program.

-Do you think it will be easy to fall back into your old lifestyle pattern? How do you prevent this from happening?  
I've been at this for so long now that I can't imagine going back.  It's become a lifestyle change; this is just how I eat.

-Do you have a favorite Web site or blog that helps or inspires you to lose weight?
My blog, which keeps me accountable and helps me vent my feelings and track my progress: Carbohydrate Addict.

Dr. Michael Eades, of the Protein Power plan.  He is a wealth of information on low-carb health and wellness.  I've read a couple of his and his wife's books and they are excellent.

The official Atkins Website, with support forums and tons of information on how to eat the way our bodies were designed to.

Jimmy Moore's blog, Livin' La Vida Low-Carb.  He's encouraging, funny, and informative.

Weight of the Evidence - science-based, but understandable.