My low carb journey actually began sometime in 1996. My husband and I had decided to try and have a baby. I had always been heavy growing up. I would go through stages where I would lose weight but then gain it all back again. Before my wedding in 1995 I gained weight instead of losing it before the big day. I was somewhere in the range of 250 lbs by then. You can see wedding photos on my photo page.

We tried to become pregnant for a year before seeking help. The short version is that the OB did a laporoscopy and diagnosed me with Polycystic Ovarian Disease (see the links page for more info). I was crushed. I immediately came home and surfed the net for hours with tears streaming down my face as I read the implications of what I had. This is where I learned of Low Carb.

I began Low Carbing immediately. I didn't go about it the "right" way. By that I mean I didn't go out and read the book cover to cover and I didn't have any bloodwork done. I just jumped in and started cutting things out of my diet along with researching it on the net and hanging out on mailing lists, a newsgroup and in a chat room. It wasn't as hard as I'd expected. (Although, I did learn much by reading the books and I do wish I'd had the bloodwork done so I'd have some baseline numbers to compare to) I was terrified for my health and terrified I'd never have the baby we wanted so much.

When I went back to the Dr. for my post laporoscopy follow up I had lost 10 lbs. I was stunned !! This way of eating worked !! I had also been seeing a Reproductive Endocrinologist who said he thought it was more likely that I had Syndrome X and not PCOS. Between May of 98 and Sept. of 98 I had lost 37 lbs. I went from 244 to 207 and was enjoying what I was eating. Then came the worderful news that I was 6 weeks pregnant.

Well, between the typical pregnancy cravings and my perceived notion that I needed more carbs during pregnancy, I started eating bits of bread here and there which turned into Dairy Queen visits and all sorts of other junk food. My best of intentions to stay away from sugar went down the drain.

But, I lost all my pregnancy weight quickly and was back down to 207 by 6 weeks post partum. I was nursing and didn't go back on LC until my child's first birthday. Still at 207, I dropped 10 lbs right away then stalled for 6 months. I have tweaked, fiddled, cut things out, added things in, supplemented, and tried every logical combination of things.

Starting the first of this year (2001) I did embark on an entire month of NO DAIRY. Yes, that's right. Not a single bit. I'd been dreading doing this but after 6 months of stall city, I finally gave in and tried it. Well during the month of Jan. I went from 197 to 186. I've also cut 1" off of waist, chest, & hips.

Well, it's April 2001 and I've had to continue dairy free in order to lose weight. I also started lifting weights 2x per week and I love it !! During March I lost 6 more lbs and a total of 5.5 inches overall. That brings my current weight at 176.

Ahhh - it's May 2001 and I'm down to 172. There have been major changes in my arms, legs, and hips from the weight lifting. Even though the weight loss hasn't been as great as the past, the weight lifting has changed dramatically how my clothes fit and look. I'm satisifed with that tremendously !!! Goal for May is to stay away from trgger foods like almonds which cause big time cravings for me...

Well, May 2001 was a success and I did fine without the almonds. I ended up losing 3 lbs which is cool.

Sadly I have to admit June 2001 was a month of what I'll call "lazy lowcarbing" I didn't cheat but ate way too many nuts, didn't worry about measuring that salad dressing, didn't get all my water in, ate too many strawberries etc... So I pretty much maintained my weight.

Lots of things going on in June and July 2001. The first 3 weeks of June were spent doing what I'll call "lazy lowcarbing". I did not cheat but was eating too many nuts, not watching my water intake, drinking too much diet pop etc.... Needless to say I didnt' lose anything - actually the litte clandestine meeting with some strawberries in a dark alley had me retaining about 3 lbs of water. So from my low of 169.5 I was up to the 172 to 174 range for those 3 weeks.

During the last couple weeks of June 2001 I had been talking to several more experienced low carbers than I and we came to the conclusion that a lot of my symptoms could be due to an imbalance between the good and bad bacteria in my gut (too many bad and not enough good).

So, on Wednesday, June 28th 2001 I began an Anti Yeast diet. It wasn't a big leap for me since I was already sugar, carb & dairy free and mostly free of processed meats. I only had to cut a few more things: anything fermented or with vinegar like jarred pickles, olives, etc... I had to give up dried spices, commercial salad dressings and mayo. Pretty much I'm eating unprocessed meats, fresh veggies and drinking a ton of water. All my carbs are coming from veggies now.

It hasn't been as difficult as I thought it might be. Giving up mayo and my salad dressings was the hardest. But, I'm getting used to having olive oil and salt/pepper on my salads and I've learned to make homemade mayo which is no Hellmans for sure but it's passable for tuna salad.

So far, I'm losing weight (nice bonus) and some of the symptoms which had originally caused me to consider this are slowly going away. My pot belly has reduced some too.

Please NOTE : This isn't a quick fix for new low carbers who are stuck or stalled. I've done it for specific reasons that were not weight or stall related. Before you embark on something like this you should have a specific reason to believe it would be beneficial.

July 01 2001 update: Well after 3 weeks of anti yeasting I've lost 10 lbs and feel 200% better than I have in a long time. My bloated tummy has gotten flatter and my attitude and mood swings have dramatically improved. A minimum of 5 more weeks to go and then I will decide if I want to start adding things back in. Current weight is 162 :-) I'm ALMOST into those size 10 reference pants !!!

Feb. 02 2002 update. Wow can't believe it's been so long since I added anything here. I am still anti yeast and virtually paleo now. I eat unprocessed meats, fresh veggies, eggs, olive oil, and water. I even gave up my beloved Diet Sodas. My weight is usually around 154 to 156 and a size 8. Bodyfat % is approx 22% (goal was 20%). Although I'd still like to lose that last 5 lbs it is very slow in coming. I did reach my goal of size 8 so I am pretty satisfied with that.

I think I've finally mentally reconcilied with the fact that maintenance for me isn't going to be what I had always planned. I'd envisioned pizza once a month and being able to eat fruit and nuts again and maybe even some dairy !! Well that's not in the cards - the minute I deviate I pay with bloated belly and cravings and mood swings.

It's been over a year since I gave up dairy. There were days, weeks even that I did eat some but the retribution was always the same, bloated belly and tight fitting clothes so invariably I went back to my normal dairy free eating.

Anti Yeast will always be a part of my eating plan (see links above for my daily menu and other anti yeast info). Being dairy free is a part of that and also not eating fermented things etc.. Over the holidays, by my choice, I stopped following my anti yeast because I wanted to eat cheese and olives and processed meats like summer sausage and so on. I paid for it of course with upset stomach and water weight gain and a major downturn in my attitude which always happens when I deviate.

April 2003. Wow - over two years of no dairy and almost a year of anti-yeast / Gold Standard living under my belt. I've never felt better in my life and I truly mean that. Food is absolutely boring to me and that is the way I like it. No food has any hold over me like back in the high carb days when food ruled my life. I never would have imagined that I could maintain a 90 lb weight loss for so long and I have no doubt that this was a life change for me.

July 2004. Well I guess an update is in order. This weekend marks my 2 year anniversary of being at goal. and yes, I'm still doing low-carb / anti-yeast and loving it. I rarely give it much thought anymore - it's just how I eat. I survived a Caribbean Cruise and stayed low carb and came home the same weight as when I went.

I have fallen out of the low-carb online community a bit. I know most assume that I must have fallen off the wagon and re-gained my weight but in reality, low carb and *thinking* about low carb isn't something I do much of anymore. I don't give food much thought at all. Once in a while I wonder if this is what being "normal" is like? I know that I'll always be an addict though. Everytime I step over the line, and occasionally I do eat a strawberry or have a diet soda (both bad for *me*) I go into craving mode and start focusing on food again and then I know I'm walking a dangerous line. I have to reel myself back in and buckle down until I can once again walk past those berries without batting an eye.

As of Jan. 2004, I became a stay-at-home-mom. My focus has been on our child and enjoying being home to see all the things I'd been missing while at work. I wish I'd been able to do this sooner. Have a great summer everyone !

UPDATE: June 2005

Hello everyone ! 3 years at goal ! WOW is all I can say. Not much to really update on, live as a stay at home mom is great and my child will be heading off to kindergarden this year. I'm not sure whether to cheer or cry. I'm sure I'll do both.

I'm still following the same food plan as ever. Meat & veggies. My weight fluctuates between 152 and 155 these days. My shape fluctuates with how much lifting or cardio I'm doing at any given time. If I slack off, my waistline thickens up a bit and if I'm very diligent then I retain more of the hourglass. I hope everyone is well and continuing to lowcarb. Blessings to all.

UPDATE: February 2006

Wow, what a difference 9 months can make...... Noooooo I did not have another baby - LOL. (That's what you were thinking wasn't it eh??) *grin* Seriously, 9 months since my last update. In November of 2005 I decided to pursue my certification as a personal trainer. I've always enjoyed weight training and the desire to share that bubbled over into wanting to help others do what I've been able to accomplish. The opportunity fell into my lap to work for the local gym close to my town. Just before the new year I became certified as a personal trainer and can also teach pilates. I have several clients and am having a wonderful time.

I have increased my amounts of cardio to match my weight training and have seen a drop in body fat percentage but no change in scale weight. I'm still holding at goal. I never in a million years thought I could find a way to keep the weight off. Of course I never thought I'd have to go to the lengths I did. I am still content with all the changes I've had to make and seem to become even more at peace with them as the years go by.

I like to write about how it feels to be at goal for this long because I'm hoping that some of the poeple who read my writing will see how content I am with it all. I hope that it will spur some of you to want that peace for yourselves. No matter the foods you may have to give up - and I do hope that most do not have to go as far as I did - you CAN get to where you are ok with it all. It takes some hard work and determination but it is worth it.

You can reach me here... conniems@conniems.com