More Incredible Feel Good Success Stories About Healthy Low-Carb Living

Wanna be a low-carb success? Read about other successes!

Success always begets success begets success.

Just in case you haven't noticed it before, I like to encourage people. It's always been in my nature to pass on positive thoughts to those who need an uplifting word to get them through a difficult time. I'm a "can-do" kinda guy and want others to be able to experience all the best that life has to offer them. For all intents and purposes in my mind, it's the way things are meant to be.

That's why I LOVE hearing from people who have been able to accomplish incredible things with their health while livin' la vida low-carb. And that's not by accident either. This way of eating, whether the media and those so-called "experts" ever want to admit it or not, is an incredibly amazing and simple way to bring about massive improvements in not just your weight but your health, too.

I've blogged about so many ways your health is supercharged with low-carb living, but let's just take a look at a few right now, shall we?

When you start eating low-carb:

- Weight loss commences without counting calories
- Triglycerides drop below 100 very easily and quickly
- Blood sugars stabilize
- HDL "good" cholesterol rises above 50
- Sensitivity to insulin is improved
- Blood pressure decreases
- Insulin levels in the body are reduced
- Muscle mass is preserved
- Epilepsy is virtually cured
- Cancer is not allowed to spread and grow
- Concentration and clarity of thought emerges
- Energy like you haven't seen before
- More sound sleep
- A positive mood and attitude
- NO HUNGER!!!
- Beaming confidence about yourself
- Incredible fat loss

I could go on and on and on, but I've blogged about these and so many other ways your health gets better and better as a result of livin' la vida low-carb. Today, I wanted to share some more incredible feel good success stories about healthy low-carb living from some of your fellow readers who were inspired to tells their great news to me.

After sharing about my wife Christine's 55% drop in her triglycerides in just six weeks and my own incredible lipid profile numbers, the floodgates opened up and you couldn't help but express how much the low-carb lifestyle has and is STILL changing your life for the better. Be encouraged as you read these remarkable changes that have happened without the use of any prescription medications or other medicinal interventions.

Just diet, baby--a low-carb one, that is! ENJOY! :D

Hey Jimmy,

I left the American Heart Association diet to eat only meat, fish, eggs, butter and vegetables. No grains, sugar, fruit or starchy veggies of any kind. My blood pressure went down from 141/90 average to 116/65 average also was able to stop all my BP meds. Total cholesterol went from 241 down to 180 and HDL went from 43 to 62. Was able to stop taking Lipitor. Sorry but Atkins was more or less right. I no longer buy the no-fat nonsense.

YOU GO BOY! Your health improvements are indeed SPECTACULAR!!!

Jimmy,

Thank you so much for your support in my new way of eating. I read and listen to you almost every day. I read your blog about your blood sugar woes with great interest. I have been Livin' La Vida Low Carb for about 6 months only for blood sugar issues. I have had high fasting blood sugar for over 20 years. It has never progressed to anything beyond that and all other tests are normal.

I lost 30 pounds 2 years ago through sheer willpower and my fasting blood sugar did not improve. I have low trigylcerides and high HDL, and my BMI is 21. My only issue is the fasting number. My post meal numbers seem normal. I am so lost and I can't seem to get these numbers down. I am lucky my new physician has agreed that 30 carbs is a good daily max. Is there anyone out there can help me understand why nothing is helping these morning numbers!! Maybe I need to eat more fat and less protein.

I did read about a form of diabetes called mature onset diabetes of the young (MODY) where the only problem is fasting blood glucose and it never progresses to anything beyond that if carbs are controlled. I didn't start controlling my carbs at all until about a year ago and then really got serious about 6 months ago.

Can you point me to any good information about this?

It certainly sounds like you're on the right path, so don't give up hope. If you missed my podcast interview with Dr. Keith Berkowitz from last week, then you really should check it out because he may have some information that could help you. I'll be following up with him in another podcast soon, so let me know if you have any specific questions you'd like for me to ask Dr. Berkowitz. You're doing GREAT!

Hi Jimmy,

I found your podcasts today as I embark again on my low-carb "adventure." I have spent most of the evening listening, watching your YouTube videos and reading your blog and it's been a great inspiration.

I too was an Atkins follower back in 2003 and shed about 30 pounds to hit my goal weight and it was great. But things change and I left the low-carb way and I have paid for it. Still here we go again and I'm truly excited and will continue to listen and watch and read you as my body flips back (hopefully!) into the low-carb lifestyle!

Thanks very much and I hope your battle with the 30 pounds is not dragging you down too much. I am sure you will crack it!

THANK YOU so much and welcome back to livin' la vida low-carb. I urge you to make this your permanent lifestyle change and never let life get in the way again. Low-carb eating is HEALTHY eating, so there's no sense in ever eating any other way again, right? As for my recent weight woes, I'm not discouraged. Even if for some reason these 30 pounds refuse to budge, I KNOW without a shadow of a doubt that I'm healthier than I'd EVER be eating any other way. The good news is I feel better now at the age of 36 than I have in my entire life. How many people can say that? :)

Hi Jimmy:

It's your fellow low-carb buddy here. I have been following your info about Christine's triglycerides on the blog and I just had to share some related news of my own that I got last week!

I got my first ever cholesterol test done since I've been low-carbing now for about 8 months, and let me tell you it was SOOOO VALIDATING!!!

Here are my numbers:

Total Cholesterol: 197
HDL: 64
LDL: 120
Triglycerides: 61

What I find absolutely fascinating about these numbers is when you compare them to my last test in 2004 when I was in the middle of doing Weight Watchers to lose the last of my pregnancy weight. I have the food journals I kept during that 30-pound weight loss and it was soooo carb heavy (it's amazing I even lost weight). I was also exercising 1 hour a day during that time. So here's what the numbers were:

Total Cholesterol: 210
HDL: 72
LDL: 100
Triglycerides: 188!!!!

When I compared the two triglyceride numbers (61 now on low-carb, 188 then on high-carb, low-fat) I just about fainted. Totally amazing. So I wanted to add my story as more proof that consuming massive quantities of fat-laden foods does not kill you, it makes you healthier--AS LONG AS YOU KEEP YOUR CARBS LOW!!!

Oh, I had such a great time this weekend showing this to all my friends who are FREAKING out because I eat whole milk, butter and steak. It was great. I hope Christine continues to see her levels stay healthy.

The only question I have is: Can you have triglyceride levels that are too low? Any danger in that one? I hope not, cause I'm sure proud right now. Keep up the good work!!!

WOWSERS! I love the enthusiastic response you have for livin' la vida low-carb and can only tell you to keep doing what you're doing. The difference between your low-fat triglyceride numbers and your low-carb ones is astonishing. Not surprising, though, since you eat so many carbohydrates on a low-fat diet. We should pay more attention to triglycerides when we talk about heart health, but doctors usually only give it a cursory glance compared to the LDL and total cholesterol which is their be-all, end-all for determining your cardiovascular risk. Puhleez! Give me low-carb any day of the week. And I wouldn't worry about "too low" triglycerides. Mine were once as low as 43, but when they're below 100 it shows you are indeed doing low-carb the right way. YOU GO GIRL with your bad self!!! :D

Changing the world one dietician at a time!

In all seriousness though, think about what keeps people from doing low-carb in the U.S., which we know works for the vast majority of people, for weight loss and so many other levels. I've thought about this in my own efforts to help those in my own small circle that have asked for advice in achieving some of the success that I've enjoyed with low-carb. Even with the proof of a real human being standing in from of them, it's can be difficult for people to convince themselves that it's worth a try. It's not lack of knowledge, because the research has been done. It's not poverty or lack of access to the right foods. It's what I would call the "social" factors.

I stole this term from the computer world where they refer to computer hackers (sorry to have to use the "h" word) doing "social" hacking, as opposed to "technical" hacking. That is, taking the route of sweet talking or deceiving people into giving up their passwords, as opposed to using some program to guess the password, which is a lot more difficult. The white hat guys that focus their efforts on preventing the "social" hacking, by convincing users to create tough passwords and guard their information, are doing a lot more good, just in terms of sheer scale of hacking prevented, than the guys focused on the technical approach like installing better firewalls.

I make the analogy to what you are doing with helping people get past the barriers to starting low-carb. They're not technical barriers. Rather, it almost takes a rebel these days to do low-carb in the face of official opposition, in spite of the well-documented benefits and logical physiological underpinnings. Most doctors don't advocate it or they even discourage it. The USDA, ADA (OK, a glimmer of hope there), AHA, Ornish, Oz, and other high profile entities actively discourage it. If people can get past these "barriers to entry," then they will, in all likelihood, be successful.

Jimmy, you are helping to break down these barriers and in effect giving people permission to do low-carb without thinking that they will drop of a heart attack after 6 months from the fat intake. In so doing, you're doing more good to address the biggest health issue in the U.S. (and much of the world) today--the obesity and diabetes epidemics--than probably hundreds of doctors do in their lifetimes.

It's not that the technical medical advocates aren't important, but I don't think they have the potential for the scale of impact. You're doing it with ideas, and by making the ideas accessible to millions through the Internet. Let's review that again, because I really mean it, and I get the feeling you may be too humble to have digested it the first time--doing more to help more people than hundreds of doctors do in their lifetimes!

We can only imagine how many more husbands, wives, brothers, sisters, children, and grandchildren would have many more quality years with their loved ones if the professionals and professional organizations were to actually SUPPORT the low-carb approach. And I know you're working on them too! I think that day will come in our lifetimes.

OK, that turned into a long speech. But I've been thinking about these matters a lot since I got past the anger I felt initially after educating myself with information from books like Good Calories, Bad Calories. BTW, I'll be listening to more of your podcasts right after I'm finished writing this.

So, keep up the good work. Hopefully I'll get to go on one of your cruises eventually, but unfortunately I won't be able to make it this year. Phenomenal line-up you've got though, and very reasonably priced as well. Enjoy it.

What can I say to something like that? THANK YOU! I never realized when I decided to start blogging about my experiences on the low-carb lifestyle that my writings and other projects would reach so many people. All I wanted to do was have an outlet for sharing my experiences with this way of eating to show others there is an alternative to the failed low-fat diets that have been shoved down our throats for decades. It is humbling for me to think about the over three million people who have graced my blog over the past three years. I hope to keep this going for as long as the fire is inside of me to write passionately about the transforming power of low-carb living. Right now, that looks like it's gonna be FOREVER! :D THANKS for your support!

Jimmy,

I love your web site and appreciate very much what you are doing. I am just dropping a line to let you know I am a devout follower of yours and am better physically and mentally for it. Please never quit what you're doing for us low-carbers out here. Your impact is tremendous.

I have posted my story along the way on the Active Low-Carber forum. I was chronically obese, adult onset, for over 10 years. I tried dieting with Weight Watchers and on my own versions of a low-fat plan. But it never worked. I had to do something because I was definitely starting to see physical problems compiling.

My family physician--mum on diet plans--suggested I see a psychologist about my weight problem and he has been great. The first visit he had me get a copy of Protein Power. Since that January 2007 visit to him I have lost 125 pounds and counting (330/205/185). My life has improved so much.

I soak in all of your postings, all of the Drs. Eades postings, everything Gary Taubes writes, and whatever else I can find. I feel like I really understand my body now and can keep my weight stabilized without much effort. I have people all the time asking me how I've done it. I say low-carb. Most tell me they could never do it. I say I could no longer eat the way they are now because it was killing me. Anyway, thank you so much again.

Now that's interesting. Your doctor was clueless about what other diet options were out there to put you on, but he recommended a psychologist who said you should try livin' la vida low-carb. HA! That's hilarious. So a mental health doctor is better equipped to help you with your physical health than your own general practitioner?! Unbelievable! Maybe that's why people are losing faith in the medical profession and turning to alternative health sources like psychologists, chiropractors, and even online bloggers like me to give them truth that can help them truly change their lives. Your story is remarkable and probably more indicative of what is actually happening right now in our society. Physicians have let us down, so now we must take back control of our own health.

Hi Jimmy,

Thank you for the wonderful insights and speakers you provide on your blog. I just got through listening to the Berkley talk given by Gary Taubes. Actually, I found you because of him. My sister, who is a writer, is friends with him and told me about his work.

I have really enjoyed your blog and have been living low-carb for a little over a month now. Wow! What a difference! I am so happy that there is somewhere to go that provides insight, cooking tips, and general positive messages.

My husband and I are both eating this way and it has truly opened up an exciting new world. I can't shut up about it and am even chronicling my journey in a book that I am writing. I would love to send it to you when I am finished. This change has been a long time coming, but with all the information out there and my deep desire to make life better, it is a snap judgment. There is no return and that's a good thing.

I love that I have taken away my mode of coping with discomfort (food, sugar, sugar, and lots of carbs) and left myself no other option but to find real solutions. My husband and I both enjoy all the information and tips. (I tell him everything I learn.)

Thanks again and congratulations on Christine's triglycerides.

AWESOME! I look forward to reading that book when the story is completed. :)

Hi Jimmy,

The blogging world sure does take a while to get used to. I have a large number of blogging friends on MySpace and we all blog about weight loss and try and support each other. I am the only one that is living low-carb and I have a few blogging friends who don't like it when I post about low-carb.

One of them posted a blog today called "The Risks of Low Carb." It shocked me since I support all of their different lifestyles and have never posted anything bad about their diets. I was even more shocked when I read what it said. Anyway, to make a long story short I just told her that my lab work shows I am living a healthy lifestyle.

I believe it's healthier to eat a diet that allows me not to have to take my medications rather than eating carbs and have to be on medications all the time to stop the side effects carbs have on my body. It just made me feel so sad for her. She has diabetes and PCOS and I know this lifestyle is what she needs so badly.

What a witness you are for this way of eating and I admire you for standing up for the convictions of your heart about this. I've never understood the abject animosity people have for those of us who are livin' la vida low-carb. Here we are with a diet full of healthy and (GASP!) delicious whole foods like eggs, meats, butter, cream, cheese, nuts, etc. and all they can do is poo-poo it? If somebody wants to eat a low-fat diet, then knock yourself out. You won't find me criticizing you for doing so and I expect the same consideration about the way I eat, too. Remain firm in what you know is right for you and never let anyone convince you otherwise. WAY TO GO!!!

Dear Mr. Moore,

I was on the net today looking for info on Gary Taubes and his new book. I read about him in a magazine and am in absolutely in agreement with his science. The reason why I agree with him is this--I am a 60-year old woman who, when I was 22 or 23, read an article in Time magazine that dispelled the myth of eggs raising the level of cholesterol. At that time, folks were all talking about cholesterol.

A survey for cholesterol was done by some company in America, in which they took a few hundred people and put them on an egg diet. Some folks had one egg a day and the another lot had two, another three and so on up to some having 5 eggs a day. At the end of the survey which I think was done over a year, the amount of cholesterol level that the folks who had 5 eggs a day had risen minimally! There were figures and other proofs but I can't remember them, it was all so long ago.

I was particularly interested in the Time magazine article because my family had a cholesterol problem so it seems with my granddad and my father dying from heart attacks. Anyway I decided at that vain age of 23 that I would go on an egg diet in spite of the family's history and lost several pounds feeling healthier and happier.

Recently, in spite of the Atkins diet being vilified, and me being 28 pounds overweight, after having tried several diets, I reverted to the egg diet and lost those all those pounds within 3 weeks. A month has gone by and now and because of my age, I almost live on eggs and am healthy strong and still enjoying my nursing career.
If you know Gary Taubes email please send him a copy of my email to him. I'm sure he would be really happy to hear about the Time magazine survey of so long ago. Maybe he could pull it out of the archives and say, "There you are, I told you so."

LOL! That's GREAT! You sure are a fireball and I like it. I hope to have at least that much energy and vibrancy when I reach 60 in another quarter century. :) It truly is amazing that low-carb is so well-documented throughout scientific history with studies just like the egg one you noted and yet all we hear about is how Atkins low-carb is just a "fad" that is "dangerous" to your health. Oh really? If it's that bad, then why has it continued to stick around for 150 years if you go all the way back to William Banting's day? Wouldn't we be seeing massive sickness and death of Biblical proportions if low-carb was truly as bad as it has been made out to be? Me thinks these nincompoops protesteth too much! THANKS for your note and I did forward it to Gary Taubes who expressed his sincerest appreciation.

I saw the doctor today and I have GREAT NEWS. Everything went great at my check up!! I got on the scale and it said 266!!!! He looked back in my chart to see my starting weight from when he put me on his low-carb diet and was shocked to see how much weight I had lost!!! 59 pounds to his charts!!! Woohoo!! Woohoo!! Woohooo!!

He is keeping me at 500 mg of Metformin but I don't have to take any others meds!!!! He is a small town doctor here where we live and he told me that in his 30 years of practice he has never had a diabetic patient do so well and change their health around the way I have!!! Another Woohoo!!! He said he wished he could have his other patients follow me around so I could teach them how to do it!!!! LOL! He made my day! I also told him about your blog and he said he was going to look it up!

WOO HOO is right! This is the kind of story that needs to get out there to other doctors who are struggling with knowing what to do for their diabetic patients who keep getting WORSE on their recommended low-fat, low-cholesterol, high-carb diet. Put 'em on low-carb and watch how better they get almost instantaneously. This is what low-carb practitioners like Dr. Mary C. Vernon, Dr. Eric Westman, Dr. Jeffry Gerber, Dr. Keith Berkowitz, and so many more so in their practices on a daily basis. Changed lives because of livin' la vida low-carb. It's something EVERY doctor should know about and use for their patients who have not been successful on the more traditional treatment methods.

Dear Jimmy,

Last summer I was sent to a heart specialist who wanted to put me on statins for high cholesterol. I told him that I wanted to try diet and exercise. I followed a low-fat, high-carb diet dutifully for four months and lost 50 pounds. I was so excited to go in and get my cholesterol checked. I was stricken and dumbfounded when total cholesterol improved only marginally and HDL dropped and triglycerides rose.

It has taken since September 2007 for me to read and talk to enough people to finally get to the truth of the matter. I have been re-reading Atkins, Taubes, and other resources recently to figure this thing out. I have been following Atkins imperfectly for the past several months. I say imperfectly because following a non-traditional way of eating requires some very intense faith. My logic and emotions say that Atkins is great. My traditional Food Pyramid, clean your plate upbringing tells me to run to the nearest bag of carrots. With the help of the nurse today and my great HDL reading (85) and low triglycerides (78), the high-fat message has finally sunk in.

Total cholesterol 264
HDL 85
LDL 164
Triglycerides 78

All of those readings are better than my August test after two and a half months of the low-fat program, especially, the two most important indicators of heart health HDL and triglycerides. The nurse was definitely in agreement with a high-fat, low-carb diet. She told me she had been cautioned twice against this by her superiors and asked me not to mention our conversation to anyone. This is a big hospital with a huge pharmaceutical component.

Thanks so much for everything.

Now that's so scary! Here you have a nurse who "gets it" and has to engage in a covert low-carb mission to help patients like you get better. Why does a nurse who doesn't have nearly the amount of education and experience of a doctor (okay, maybe the experience, but not the book knowledge!) know more about healthy nutrition than a trained, professional doctor? What is WRONG with this picture? Frankly, I'm surprised they didn't give you a hard time about your LDL cholesterol being 164 and total cholesterol being 264. My own doctor freaked out with similar number and I haven't even shown him my recent 326 total cholesterol yet. He'd faint if he saw it! Keep fighting the good fight, my friend. You're doing super!

Do YOU have a story of low-carb success you'd like to share with me? I'd LOVE hearing from you, so don't be a stranger. Send me an e-mail with your fabulous low-carb results anytime at livinlowcarbman@charter.net. THANK YOU for being such a beacon of light in my life and giving me the motivation to keep doing what I'm doing for the sake of livin' la vida low-carb. The truth WILL prevail if we keep sharing it with a world full of people who feel so hopeless and helpless about what to do about their weight and health. God bless you guys!

LLVLC, Protein Power Among NOEDb's Top 100 Health and Wellness Blogs List

The "Livin' La Vida Low-Carb" blog has once again been recognized by a respected health web site to be one of the best of the best on the Internet today. I am always surprised when something like this happens because I am only one person with my own opinions and experiences about the subject of diet and health. It is what I learn from my faithful readers on a daily basis that warrants praise. So this is for YOU!

In August, my blog was featured at HealthCentral.com as one of the Top 5 "Diet And Exercise" web sites of 2007 and what an honor that was. Now the Nursing Online Education Database (NOEDb) has tipped their hat to my blog in their list of the "Top 100 Health and Wellness Blogs" among the distinguished "weight loss blogs" included.

There were other categories in the list, including an overall top ten, diet blogs, nutrition, walking & hiking, faster than walking, general fitness, physical health, strength training, medical outlooks, and alternative health. It was quite an undertaking to compile such a comprehensive list of 100 blogs, which also happened to include one of my favorite blogs in the whole world: Drs. Michael & Mary Dan Eades from Protein Power were listed among the top "nutrition" blogs. CONGRATULATIONS Dr. Mike and MD! You DESERVE it for your contributions to the low-carb community!!!

Other blogs of note that I recognized on the list from fellow bloggers I have dealt with include Amy Tenderich's Diabetes Mine (who recently featured my blog and forum), Steve Vaught's Fat Man Walking (I featured his amazing weight loss journey in this blog post last year), and Jim Foster's Diet-Blog (who was kind enough to publish an interview with me last April). I'm proud of you Amy, Steve, and Jim! Keep up the fantastic work you are doing for the sake of health!

It seems the staff over at NOEDb had some rather specific criteria on which they judged potential blogs to include on their prestigious list. This wasn't just thrown together real quickly, but rather there was a methodical set of requirements that needed to be fulfilled before the site would be considered.

They are:

1. Must include contact information.

"After all, you don't want to take advice from someone who wants to remain anonymous, do you?"

2. Exhibits a sense of humor.

"Losing weight, getting fit, and learning about diseases is serious enough - a laugh or two can provide some good medicine along the way."

3. Popularity among users and personal success.

"Both as professionals and as individuals who have changed or who are publicly changing lifestyles and overcoming their diseases and disabilities."

So there you have it! Special THANKS to Jimmy Atkinson from the Nursing Online Education Database (NOEDb) for honoring the readers of the "Livin' La Vida Low-Carb" blog with this and I encourage everyone to show their appreciation to him for naming two low-carb blogs--mine and Drs. Mike & Mary Dan's--in the Top 100 Health and Wellness Blogs of 2007.

You can e-mail Jimmy Atkinson at contact@noedb.org. Let's flood NOEDb with positive messages of support for the work they are doing to educate their readers on other health options for those seeking education, encouragement and inspiration in their personal health journey. THANK YOU!!! :D

It's Drive-By Low-Carb Blogging Time Again!

Continuing with the theme I started yesterday of catching up on some much-needed blogging that I haven't had time to do lately, here are a few more items of interest for fans of livin' la vida low-carb!

READER SHARES HIS UNPLEASANT ENCOUNTER WITH MALTITOL

Ever since I first started warning people about the sugar alcohol maltitol found in so many sugar-free, low-carb products, there have been some wang dang doozy stories that are both hilarious and horrendous all at the same time. Remember "Farting" Fred and "Sharted" Sarah. Now we have "Maltitol Macaroon" Mike. ENJOY!

I have a maltitol story to share with you that I'll never forget. I was driving out of town one day and I happened by a health food store. So I stopped in to see what they had. There was a package of little macaroon cookies with all kinds of good numbers, low fat, low sugar, etc. What could be wrong with that? Especially since I LOVE macaroons.

So I bought a bag and headed off to my appointment, snacking on the little macaroons as I drove. Before you knew it, I had eaten the whole package. The next day, I found out the principal adverse effect of maltitol--tropical strength diarrhea. I figured I simply had a bad reaction because I ate too much, so later I tried two pieces of candy made with maltitol, and that also gave me diarrhea.

Take if from me, DON'T EVER EAT ANYTHING WITH MALTITOL IN IT.

GOOD ADVICE, Mike! That why I shared in this recent YouTube video that people should avoid it if they possibly can. It's just not worth the trouble (or pain), is it?

HOOD'S CALORIE COUNTDOWN LOW-CARB MILK BEING DISCONTINUED?

Low-carbers who want an excellent milk substitute have been pleased to use a product called Calorie Countdown from a company named Hood. The milk comes in chocolate (my personal FAVE!) and white and contains just 4g net carbs per serving. This product used to be called Carb Countdown and had the Atkins logo on it before they changed the name to appease the health-conscious consumer last year.

Well, it appears this lone low-carb milk may be on its way out, but I'm still trying to confirm that with Hood. However, one of my readers said she visited her local grocery store to pick up a carton and was told by the manager that Hood Calorie Countdown was being discontinued. If I hear back from Hood about this, then I'll let you know what they say. We may be back to using cream again for milk.

READER DROPS 74 POUNDS IN 2007 AFTER FINDING MY BLOG

You know, when I started this blog I had no idea the impact it was going to have on the lives of real people who were just like me nearly four years ago looking for a glimmer of hope in this weight loss journey. But they're out there watching, reading, learning, and changing their lives forever for the better! I never get tired of hearing stories of low-carb weight loss success like this:

Jimmy,

You've inspired me to lose over 70 pounds in 9 months! I woke up at 41 weighing 270+. I got the "wake-up" call while tying to keep up with my two grade school aged boys. I got on a bicycle and tried to keep up with my nine-year-old and six-year-old. They cleaned my clock! I was so winded I felt as though I'd just ran 10 miles.

I took a long look in the mirror and said to myself, "Man, you're one fat, out-of-shape piece of *^&%!". Well, I decided to do something about it. I did all the stuff the "experts" advise. I went on that dreadful low-fat, low-calorie diet and started to exercise. Well, I had some marginal success, but the hunger was unbearable.

One day I remembered how I used to get to weight during my high school wrestling days. The coach would tell us to avoid all the "White Stuff". He gave us permission to eat two pieces of fruit a day with all the meat, cheese, & garden veggies (excluding potatoes) we wanted, but bread, rice, corn, & sugar were "no nos."

I pulled out an old photo and saw just how lean I was (talkin' about a six-pack!). I contemplated going back on the diet, but was worried about the health risks. I was obviously brainwashed by what I was being told on TV and by my Doctor.

I then started doing a little research to find out how I could do the old diet without the problems. I then stumbled upon your "Livin' La Vida Low-Carb" blog. You had it all laid out! I read the stuff you posted and checked out the studies for myself.

I got Dr. Atkins' book and started my journey. Since January I've went from
about 272 pounds down to 198 pounds. I was wearing size 46" waist pants in January and now I'm wearing 34". I'm the thinnest I've been since I got out of the Army 19 years ago. My bodyfat level is now at 14% and I haven't felt this good in years!

Keep up the good work! I appreciate your efforts--way to go!

Man, I NEVER get tired of these kinds of stories. Feel free to share how this blog has motivated you in your low-carb journey by e-mailing me anytime at livinlowcarbman@charter.net.

NUTRITION ANSWERS WEB SITE GIVE CARB COUNTS, GLYCEMIC INDEX OF FOODS

There's a brand new tool that I'm thrilled to be able to share with you for people who are confused about how many carbohydrates are in various foods. Or perhaps you are following the low-glycemic index diet (GI) and want to know what the numbers are for the foods you are eating. Let me introduce you to Nutrition Answers which was created by an Australian Type 1 diabetic named Derek Miller. This program is still in beta, but I happen to think it is absolutely FANTASTIC! When you get to the web site, click on "Sample Questions" and you will see a list of invaluable links to give you the answers to the carb counts for your low-carb lifestyle. Use this tool early and often to stay on track with your healthy low-carb food choices.

ONCE YOU LOW-CARB FOR A WHILE, DO CARBS ACT CRAZY IN YOUR BODY?

I've heard all kinds of stories from people about what has happened to them since they started livin' la vida low-carb and most of the time it is good. There is an occasional strange symptom or two like what this person shared right after I started this blog. We're all different and not everything is tied to our low-carb diet. With that said, though, there may be a connection sometimes like in the case of this woman who wrote to me:

Hi, Jimmy –

I started the low-carb lifestyle this past summer, on July 4, and am happy to report that I’ve already lost 35 pounds and am down 3 or 4 dress sizes! And I feel absolutely great. In fact, I used to have heartburn fairly regularly on my old “normal American” diet, with the sugar and starches – and had to take a Zantac or Tums or two almost every night – but a week or so after starting low-carbing, the heartburn simply went away and never came back!

I never want to go off this way of eating. I was not pre-diabetic and there’s no history of diabetes in my family – but I had read Dr. Atkins’ books and Protein Power by the Drs. Eades and it all made good sense to me. And I’m so glad I tried it and have taken up the low-carb way of life!

But I have a question for you – on the very rare occasions when I have “slipped” in the past few months and eaten something high-carb (like a couple of mini-Milky Way bars…arrgh, pure sugar! Don’t ask me why I did it – I just did it once!) or some bread-y thing (once or twice, just to be “polite” when it was served) my body has had a bad reaction. Not long after eating the sugar and/or starch, I feel my heart start to pound, sometimes my head will start to ache, and I just overall feel quite bad.

My question is – is this the way I was feeling all the time before I started low-carbing, and I just never noticed it?? Or is my ability to handle carbs somehow weaker than it was? Or has my body just adjusted itself to the low-carb way of life, and now it’s just warning me not to go back? What exactly is that shaky, achy, lousy feeling I get when I, rarely, eat sugar or starch? Is that normal to have that happen?

At any rate, it is a truly effective deterrent. I don’t want to feel lousy again; therefore when I want something sweet, I stick to Splenda or maybe some sugar-free Jello or a few berries.

Thanks so much; love your blog!

It's always interesting to hear how people respond when they reintroduce carbs after they started livin' la vida low-carb. It's an great object lesson to remind us that we are making a LIFESTYLE CHANGE that is permanently altering the way we eat forever. That's something I attempted to convey in my response:

THANKS for writing and congrats on your success.

Think about sugar/carbs like you would crack cocaine. It is addictive and your body goes through withdrawals when you try to stop consuming it. When you get "clean" from the addiction and try to reintroduce it to your body, it is TOXIC and the body rejects it.

That's what happens with carbs after you have been livin' la vida low-carb for a while. Your body no longer relies on them and treats them as foreign entities when they are consumed. You've learned your lesson and won't be doing that again soon. :D

THANK YOU again for your e-mail!

Something tells me she'll be on strict low-carb for a while. As she should.

That's all the time I have for now, but I'm happy to be catching up on some much-needed blogging! More coming soon! In the meantime, Celebrate Gary Taubes Week!

9-26-07 UPDATE: After one of my readers was concerned the Hood Calorie Countdown low-carb milk was being discontinued, I contacted them to find out the scoop. According to a customer service representative, it's still available:

"We appreciate your interest in Calorie Countdown Dairy Beverages. In answer to your question, we have not discontinued these. If you are unable to locate a particular product, we suggest you speak with the store or dairy manager and ask if it can be ordered in."

So, if it's not on your grocer's shelf, ASK FOR IT!!! And be sure to let Hood know how much you appreciate their products that cater to your low-carb lifestyle by sharing your product experience.

Despite Brouhaha, Kimkins Diet Generates 25-Pound Weight Loss In First Three Weeks

The post that appeared here has been removed for not promoting the low-carb community in the professional manner I have come to expect from myself. THANK YOU!

Read this blog post for more information.

'Men's Health' Editor Seems To Back Low-Carb

Men's Health magazine features an editor who seems to support low-carb

One of the premier magazines for the male population regarding fitness and health in the United States has got to be Men's Health. I've always enjoyed skimming through the articles and occasionally coming across one or two columns that were friendly towards the low-carb lifestyle.

But now it seems there is an editor at the magazine who is very supportive of livin' la vida low-carb and is not afraid to say so! His name is Adam Campbell and he is the Men's Health Sports & Nutrition Editor. He has won many awards for his writings and has even written a couple of books: the bestselling "The Testosterone Advantage Plan: Lose Weight, Gain Muscle, Boost Energy" (along with low-carb researcher Jeff Volek and "The Muscle Prescription" (which seems to be out of print because I couldn't find it anywhere online).



Campbell, who has a Master's degree in exercise physiology from the University of Kansas (the same state where low-carb medical practitioner Dr. Mary Vernon is based...hmmmm, the plot thickens!) and is certified as a strength and conditioning specialist, has a blog for Men's Health called "The Fitness Insider" where he discusses some of the challenges people face when they are working out and getting into shape.

But take a quick gander over to the right-hand side of the page in the "Related Links" section to find something rather peculiar for a mainstream fitness magazine web site. Do you see any familiar names on that list of links? Yes, we see the aforementioned Dr. Mary Vernon, Dr. Michael Eades as well as his wife Dr. Mary Dan Eades, Regina Wilshire's "Weight Of The Evidence" and then this no-name blog from an off-the-wall character who just happened to lose a lot of weight.

What do all of these blogs have in common? THEY'RE ALL BLOGS DEDICATED TO THE LOW-CARB LIFESTYLE! Sure, Campbell lists a few other blogs in his links section, but half of them are about low-carb dieting. WOO HOO!

I haven't personally met Adam Campbell and don't know what his nutritional philosophy is exactly, but I am glad to know he at the very least acknowledges the low-carb way of eating as a healthy way to lose weight and get fit. If I hear from him via e-mail (I can be reach at my e-mail address--livinlowcarbman@charter.net), then I'll see if he would like to be interviewed at my blog. That would be an incredibly interesting conversation.

It's good to know there are people in the health media who are still positive about livin' la vida low-carb even as most publications turn their nose up or maliciously slander this lifestyle change. CONGRATULATIONS, Adam Campbell! You get a gold star in my book for standing firm in your convictions and showing your support for low-carb living.

Eades: Huge Comeback For Low-Carb In 2007

Drs. Michael & Mary Dan Eades are still strong believers in low-carb

I cannot tell you how thrilled and honored I am to introduce to you today two very special people in the world of livin' la vida low-carb. This husband and wife team works tirelessly promoting the principles of low-carb living that we cherish so dearly because of the changes they have made in our lives with weight loss and improved health.

Of course I'm talking about Drs. Michael (MDE) & Mary Dan (MRE) Eades! I recently named them one of my low-carb movers & shakers of 2006 because they really are literally on the frontlines of promoting the healthy low-carb lifestyle to the masses through their books, television show, public appearances and blogs.

Be sure to visit the official web site for the Eades at ProteinPower.com as well as the always thought-provoking personal blogs of both Dr. Mike and Dr. Mary Dan. I had the distinct privilege of meeting them in Brooklyn, New York at the low-carb science conference that was held there.

You'll never meet two more gracious people who have opened themselves up to a world looking for answers about their weight and health problems. I think you will quickly sense that in my interview with them today.

1. I am pleased to welcome to the "Livin' La Vida Low-Carb" blog today Drs. Michael and Mary Dan Eades, the husband and wife co-authors of the low-carb book "Protein Power," among many others. Since your original book was released in 1995, literally millions of lives have been positively changed forever by finding this way of eating as their permanent solution for weight loss and disease management. Did you ever dream over a decade ago that this diet plan based on what our ancestors ate that would become the center of your lives and be such a hit with so many people around the world?

MDE: No, not really. We hoped it would be successful, of course, as did our publisher, but at the time that it came out, the low-carb approach, Atkins included, was as far out of favor with mainstream Americans as it seems to be today with the media. The early and mid-90s were the peak of the low-fat craze.

I remember our going one day to a bookstore to count the low-fat cookbooks and the low-carb cookbooks and the score was 660 low-fat and 0 low-carb (at least in our local Barnes and Noble) at that time. We used to say in interviews that we were out to change the way America eats and I think we were without doubt a part of a change that did occur and that is really still happening.

MRE: Ditto.

2. In just the past few years, the low-carb diets have seen the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat in the court of public opinion. While most of us low-carbers are grateful that the "low-carb craze" and all those disgusting processed Frankenfoods are now gone from our supermarket shelves, the unfortunate remnants of that fallout is that so many people have been unreasonably discouraged by misinformed medical professionals and the media that livin' la vida low-carb is too "dangerous" and "unsafe" for people to be doing at all. What do you as doctors and subscribers to this way of eating say in response to such criticisms?

MDE: Balderdash! The low-carb marketing craze, which rose like a tidal wave and crashed like a tidal wave has indeed swept away the bad and, unfortunately, much of the good (as tidal waves will do) but I’d wager that the number of people doing some variant of carb-watching is at an all-time high. The nomenclature has changed and marketers are justifiably frightened of and shying away from the words ‘low carb’ but the concept thrives. People are much more conscious of carbs, of starch, of sugar, of HFCS, of trans fats and of eating closer to the field and pasture than ever before.

Because the science of low-carb is utterly sound, and getting stronger it seems with every new journal publication, it won’t go away. As an effective tool for weight loss and revitalizing health it works like no other. That’s why it’s been around since Banting and why no matter what ‘fad’ comes along, it will be back again. It works, pure and simple.

MRE: The low-carb marketing craze—and that’s just what it was: a marketing craze—was based on the idea that low-carb was about switching from low-fat junk foods to low-carb junk foods. Low-carb junk foods are maybe a little better than low-fat junk foods, but they’re still junk foods.

Until people can get their arms around the idea of a quality whole-food low-carb diet, they’re not going to be successful. The fact that so many low-carb junk foods were promoted provided grist for the mills of the misinformed naysayers who want nothing more than to be able to seize upon any reason to trash low-carb. The promoters of these foods gave them the opportunity.

3. Speaking of that dastardly media, their transparent hatred for anything and everything to do with low-carb is evident in the stories they put out there with such hyperbolic headlines meant only to further present a convoluted interpretation of what this way of eating is all about (such as the recent saturated fat study). I try to respond to a lot of this misinformation at my blog and I notice that both of you do it at your respective blogs as well. But what more can be done to help educate people about the truth concerning low-carb and all of the incredible positive scientific research that is coming down the pipeline supporting livin' la vida low-carb over the next few years? Can the media keep on ignoring the preponderance of the evidence?

MDE: Well, they have so far. When Knopf brings out Gary Taubes’ book (which I think will probably be in the late winter/early spring of 2007) the media will have a much tougher time ignoring the facts. (When it hits, watch out; it’s huge, detailed, incredibly well researched, well documented, and well-written and, like his NY Times Sunday Magazine cover story back in July 2003, it should grab more than a few headlines.)

MRE: Despite their arresting and prosecuting Galileo for proclaiming the Earth wasn’t at the center of the universe, the Catholic Church could only suppress the truth for so long. Ultimately, the truth will out. As those of us who have followed the low-carb diet know, there is no better way to lose weight and improve health.

Now the research community knows this based on the recent spate of published, peer-reviewed studies, all of which demonstrate the superiority of the low-carb approach. It will take a while for this information to filter down to the local doctors who are spending so much time treating patients and fighting with insurance companies to stay abreast of all the recent scientific literature.

4. There has been a definite move away from using the term "low-carb" in describing the lifestyle that many on the Protein Power and Atkins diets, for example, have become accustomed to using since now there is such a stigma attached to it. Is there a downside for people who support low-carb living to continue using the term "low-carb" when talking about nutritional approaches such as Protein Power or do we need to consider changing the terminology to make our message more palatable for people to give the low-carb lifestyle a serious try? Why or why not?

MDE: Really only if you’re trying to sell something—a book, a TV show, a product. As I noted in a previous question, the marketers are already doing just that. Carb Sense has relabeled its low-carb line as Eat Well Be Well or something like that, I think.

And you’ll note on a lot of products that used to say ‘low-carb’ that they now just add a sunburst or tag that lists some low number of carb grams along with some low number of fat grams and/or 0 cholesterol or sodium or some other thing. It’s as if low-carb has just become a mainstream choice, like low-fat or low-cholesterol have done. Maybe "carb conscious" is a decent euphemism.

MRE: It’s a low-carb program. I don’t have a problem calling it that. Having said that, however, the South Beach Diet, which is clearly a low-carb diet, marketed itself to great success by claiming to not be a low-carb diet. The author got the best of both worlds, I guess. His readers got great results and he didn’t get tarred with the low-carb brush.

Still, I’m not a mincer of words, so I think it should be called low-carb or carb-restricted. I like the term Paleolithic diet also, but, unfortunately, some authors of Paleolithic diet books have tended to make their version of the Paleolithic diet a low-fat one, leading to some confusion.

5. Low-carb programs such as Protein Power are definitely meant to be a lifetime commitment for people to not only maintain their weight, but to maximize their health with a solid nutritional approach. That is why I have committed to eating this way for the rest of my life, despite the constant cries from people that I am destroying my health (even after losing 180 pounds!). How would you respond to those people who only believe low-carb is a short-term method for losing weight, but not safe to do over the long-term?

MDE: They need to take an open-minded and critical look at the hard clinical research, which is coming in almost every day. To my knowledge, there has never been a head-to-head trial between low-carb and low-fat/high-carb that has turned out any way other than the low-carb plan’s kicking the other’s tail. Mike regularly blogs on the truth or fallacy of studies that come out and our Discussion Board has compilations of the pertinent articles available to anyone who wishes to learn more about it themselves. Those of us who have implemented this lifestyle ourselves for decades prove the point that it’s a long-term healthy lifestyle—as anyone who tries it will also do. If the rest choose to ignore what’s obvious, it’s to their detriment and I’m sorry for that.

MRE: The idea that the low-carb diet is for the short term only slays me. It’s just a way for these idiots who embrace low-fat to save a little face. Early on in the low-carb movement these morons always went around with the cry on their lips: show us the studies, show us the studies. All you low-carb advocates say that low-carb does all these wonderful things, well, show us the studies. Well, we have shown them the studies.

Over the past 6 or 8 years there have been dozens of well-controlled studies showing at the worst that low-carb is the equal of low-fat in terms of weight loss and at the best that low-carb is vastly superior. In no case in these published studies has low-fat bested the low-carb diet in anything. So, now that the low-fatters can’t obfuscate the issue by demanding to see the studies, they have retreated into saying, "Oh sure, it works for the short term, but it can’t be safe over the long run."

I say: show me the studies. Show me the studies demonstrating that the low-fat diet is safe in the long run. These studies don’t exist. What we do have, however, is about 2.7 million years of archeological data showing that the low-carb diet was the diet humanity cut its teeth on.

6. Have you read independent researcher Anthony Colpo's book "The Great Cholesterol Con" where he discusses the positive role of saturated fat in the diet and how the cholesterol concerns that doctors have are more about lining the pocketbooks of the pharmaceutical companies than on protecting the cardiovascular health of their patients? What are your thoughts regarding saturated fat and cholesterol?

MDE: There is quite good evidence that saturated fats (especially certain ones, such as stearic acid) are beneficial for health—even cardiovascular health. Stearic acid, found richly in beef, for instance, has been clinically shown to lower cholesterol—if that matters, a connection for which, in our view, a case can’t really be made by the science. As to doctors lining the pockets of the drug companies, I think that’s a pretty unfair to subscribe evil motives to most of them.

You have to realize that most doctors, busy in their practices, get the vast bulk of their ongoing medical education courtesy of the drug companies—through meetings sponsored heavily by drug companies, through the ‘information’ the drug reps who visit their clinic ‘teach’ them, through the literature they read, which is heavily subsidized by drug company ad dollars. They prescribe cholesterol lowering drugs, blood pressure drugs, and diabetes drugs along with a high-carb diet (destined to make those drugs more and more necessary) because that’s what they were trained to do—to follow along with what the mainstream is told is correct. I know; we were those people twenty some odd years ago.

MRE: I agree with Colpo (though I haven’t read his book, I have skimmed through it) and Dr. Uffe Ravnskov that saturated fat isn’t an issue. There is no conclusive evidence that saturated fat causes any kind of problems. What I always find strange is the idea that people who worry about saturated fat usually also believe that palmitic acid, a 16-carbon saturated fat, is the most dangerous one of all. These people advocate consuming large quantities of high-carbohydrate foods instead of saturated fats. The irony is that the liver converts excess carbohydrate into palmitic acid, the very saturated fat they fear the most.

7. Many of my readers have enjoyed your PBS program "Low Carb CookwoRx" and all the yummy recipes you have shared on that show. But low-carb cooking programs are virtually dead at this point with popular shows from people like Blaine Jelus, George Stella and others sadly being cancelled and replaced with new chefs making high-carb, low-fat dishes that are decidedly unhealthy. UGH! What resources would you recommend for people who are wanting a place to find delicious and healthy low-carb recipes?

MDE: Other than our show on PBS, there may not be much out there except the occasional repeat of Rachael Ray purporting to do a low-carb meal that includes dried fruit and pasta. (Don’t get me wrong; I love Rachael Ray and watch her show regularly, but she’s no expert on low-carb and that shows.) Most of our show’s episodes are available for purchase on VHS through its website and so I suspect some of the others might be available, too. Beyond that, I guess it’s back to reading cookbooks of which we now have two: "The Low-Carb Comfort Foods Cookbook" and the companion book to the show "The Low-Carb CookwoRx Cookbook." Also, we add new recipes from time to time on our blogs (especially on mine) and just by doing a Yahoo or Google search for low-carb (name of dish) you’re likely to find some useful recipes.

MRE: I wouldn’t say these shows were dead. PBS just picked up "Low Carb CookwoRx" at the network level and will be showing it on their HD network starting in 2007. Also Create, which is PBS for cable, picked up the show in high-def, standard def, and digital and will begin airing in February of next year. Were this show not watched by a whole lot of people, it would not have been basically upgraded in the PBS hierarchy and renewed.

8. Where do you see low-carb going in the near future? Five years from now? Ten years from now? Will there ever be a time when this way of eating will be on an equal footing with the low-fat diet?

MDE: I think for at least the remainder of this year, the words ‘low-carb’ will be anathema for selling anything. After Gary Taubes’ new book hits the shelves, all bets are off. I think he’ll do what no researcher seems able to do, make people listen to the facts. I find that amazing; the testimony of actual physicians working day to day with patients and of scientists doing hard research is viewed by the public as somehow suspect, but the word of a journalist changes their minds. I say thank goodness at least something will change their minds. And yes, I do think (in fact I think it’s happening already) that low-carb will not only achieve the same footing as low-fat but will ultimately eclipse it.

MRE: Low-carb has been around literally for several million years. It’s going to be with us for a lot longer. It has only been fairly recently that the light of serious scientific scrutiny has been shined on this way of eating, and the evidence is all positive. Unfortunately, good things take a while to get widely accepted, especially in the face of a lot of naysaying know nothings.

9. If you had the opportunity to ask low-fat diet guru Dr. Dean Ornish anything you wanted, what would that question be and why?

MDE: How much Lipitor do you take?

MRE: Actually, I almost had the opportunity to ask Dr. Ornish a lot of questions, but he bailed. A few years ago one of the networks—CBS, I think—tried to schedule a debate between the two of us. Dr. Ornish declined.

I learned an interesting thing several years ago about how Dr. Ornish operates. He was going to appear on a local Denver radio show in a debate with our partner in our medical practice. His ground rules for the debate were that he, Dean Ornish, could decide AFTER the debate whether or not the show could be aired with him on it. Our partner ate him for lunch and he (Dr. Ornish) refused permission to have the show aired with his name or voice. The producer of the show was so infuriated that she aired the debate using herself as the stand in for Dr. Ornish. Unfortunately, she could not even tell the listeners what was going on.

Apparently in a venue like CBS in which he can’t dictate the terms of engagement to his sole advantage as he could with the Denver radio station, he is unwilling to debate the merits of his ultra-low-fat philosophy.

10. One of the things I enjoy the most about my low-carb weight loss blog is the people who give me the privilege and joy of encouraging and educating them on a daily basis with information they can use as they are livin' la vida low-carb. Do you have any specific words of inspiration for them as we conclude this interview?

MDE: Don’t be swayed in your opinions about nutrition by what this or that talking head says about it today or tomorrow or next week. Adopt a true, serious low-carb diet, follow it diligently, and then believe what you see in yourself, in your body, in your lab work. That’s the best evidence I can think of for deciding if a diet is "right" for you.

MRE: One of the best things about the low-carb diet is that it works so quickly. People don’t have to give it a three-month test drive to see if it is going to live up to its promise. I always tell those uncertain as to whether or not to try to give it a week. In one week on a low-carb diet people can get rid of GERD, sleep better, feel better, think better, get rid of excess fluid, and lose weight to boot.

For those folks on a low-carb diet, I can only say congratulations. You are on a regimen grounded in several million years of natural selection that will keep you healthy while keeping you free from hunger like no other eating program around. Keep it up because it will pay countless health dividends over the rest of your long life.

10-2-06 UPDATE: After reading the answers provided by the Eades for Question #9, Dr. Dean Ornish wrote me the following e-mail regarding what they said:

"All of this is completely false. And I have never taken any cholesterol-lowering drugs."

I responded back to Dr. Ornish, who I have also interviewed, to share what was "false" about what the Eades had alleged about him. As soon as he responds, I will post him comments here.

10-3-06 UPDATE: Okay, I heard from Dr. Dean Ornish with his response to the allegations made about him by Drs. Mike and Mary Dan Eades in my interview with them.

I welcome an open dialogue, which is why we had an in-depth interview last week, Jimmy--but it is not helpful for people to say things that are simply not true.

First, I have never taken any cholesterol-lowering drugs, as my cholesterol level has been below 140 mg/dl since I was a teenager.

Second, this story he tells about the Denver radio show is completely false. No radio show would agree to such terms, nor would I ask for them. Clearly, I'm not "unwilling to debate the merits of a low-fat diet" since I debated Dr. Atkins and others on numerous occasions.

I think it's time to get past these adversarial, personal attacks and try to find common ground, which is why I wrote an essay about this in TIME magazine.

Thank you. With best wishes and warm personal regards,

Dean Ornish, M.D.
Founder and President, Preventive Medicine Research Institute

Comments? Questions? Response from Dr. Eades?

10-4-06 UPDATE: I got a response from Dr. Mike Eades...er, sort of. He blogged about the Ornish controversy at his popular blog today and promised to show evidence that supports the position he took. If you want to dig a little deeper into why they answered #9 the way they did, then read this post!

My Intermittent Fast Low-Carb Menu

Last week was something else with my experimentation with intermittent fasting as recommended by low-carb expert Dr. Mike Eades. As you know, I didn't do so well on it and was only able to last five days on it.

I guess it did SOME good for my body since I lost another 4 1/2 pounds with it. Who knows if it was that or the continued Omega Diet I am on. Regardless, I'll take the weight loss and am happy to share my menu with you today. If you have been following my menus over the past few weeks, then you will notice something quite different in THIS week's menu!

As always, here are my supplements:

3 teaspoons of liquid multivitamin (no iron)
1 brick men's multivitamin (no iron)
200mg Co Q-10
200mcg Chromium Picolinate
250mg Acetyl L-Carnitine
1 brick B Complex Vitamins
6 tablets Shaklee Super Calcium Magnesium Plus
2 caplets Fibercon
2 softgels 1000mg each Flax Oil
2 softgels 1000mg each Fish Oil Concentrate

I drank lots of water and Diet Rite soft drinks. I have avoided all Nutrasweet-sweetened sodas for a month now as well as caffeine. Here was my menu and exercise routine from last week:

MONDAY
5:15AM - Atkins Shake
6:15PM - 8oz steak w/A-1, 3 grilled chicken tenderloins w/cheese & mayo
6:30PM - Sugar-free 1.1 oz dark chocolate bar (no maltitol)
6:45PM - 1 tablespoon of Naturally More Peanut Butter

EXERCISE: 80 minutes elliptical

TUESDAY
7:00AM - Atkins Shake
9:30AM - 4 organic eggs with cheese
12:30PM - La Tortilla wrap w/4 eggs and mayo
5:30PM - 4 small grilled chicken tenderloins w/cheese and mayo
5:45PM - Sugar-free 1.1 oz milk chocolate bar (no maltitol)

EXERCISE: 40 minutes elliptical

WEDNESDAY
6:00PM - 30 oz prime rib w/horseradish, 1 1/2 cups greens w/eggs, cheese, bacon, sunflower seeds, and Ranch
9:15PM - Atkins shake

EXERCISE: 40 minutes elliptical

THURSDAY
7:45AM - Atkins Shake
10:45AM - 4 organic eggs with cheese
11:45AM - ChocoPerfection dark chocolate bar
1:00PM - La Tortilla wrap with turkey, cheese and mayo
3:15PM - 3/4 cups almonds
5:30PM - 12oz prime rib w/A-1, 3 chicken tenderloins w/cheese and mayo
5:45PM - ChocoPerfection dark chocolate bar

EXERCISE: 50 minutes elliptical, 75 minutes volleyball

FRIDAY
1:15PM - Grilled chicken salad w/greens, cheese, tomatoes, Ranch
2:45PM - Whole rotisserie chicken
3:30PM - 3/4 cup vanilla caramel pudding w/coconut oil and ChocoPerfection bar
9:15PM - 3/4 cup vanilla caramel pudding w/coconut oil and ChocoPerfection bar

EXERCISE: 35 minutes elliptical

SATURDAY
7:30AM - 2 eggs, 3 sausage patties, 1 smoked sausage
2:15PM - 4 chicken tenderloins w/Feta cheese
3:15PM - ChocoPerfection bar
7:15PM - La Tortilla Factory wrap w/turkey, cheese, mayo
8:15PM - Heavy whipping cream, DaVinci caramel syrup and ChocoPerfection bar melted together

EXERCISE: None

SUNDAY
8:15AM - Atkins Shake
11:45AM - 1 pound of BBQ w/no sauce
12:00PM - ChocoPerfection bar
4:00PM - Atkins Advantage Granola bar
6:45PM - 4 grilled chicken tenderloins w/Feta cheese and mayo
8:00PM - Sugar-free 1.1 oz chocolate mint bar (no maltitol)

EXERCISE: None

Did you notice what I did differently this past week? That's right, I added back more of the low-carb "products" that some low-carb purists turn their nose up at. I happen to LOVE my low-carb chocolates, peanut butter, Atkins bars and more. As long as it's not adversely affecting my weight loss, then what's the harm? That's my philosophy.

Interestingly, there was very little weight loss during the fasting part of my week. But once I got off of the intermittent fasting on Friday afternoon and over the weekend, I noticed the scale begin to drop even without any exercise on Saturday or Sunday (I had previous time commitments that prevented me from sneaking in my workouts). Even still, I was stoked about my weight loss and expect it to continue as I eat the way I have outlined in this menu...sans the fasting part! :D

Feel free to post your comments or questions and I'll be happy to address them.

Terminating The Intermittent Fast At Last

The time came for me to put a STOP to my intermittent fast...AT LAST!

It lasted exactly 4 long days, 19 hours, and 15 minutes.

BUT IT FELT LIKE AN ETERNITY! Remember that intermittent fasting (IF) experiment I started this past Sunday night at 6:00pm? You know, the one that respected low-carb author and expert Dr. Mike Eades had suggested at his blog last week? Being the nothing's-too-hard adventurer that I am, I decided to try it. Boy oh boy, what was I getting myself into!

All I have to say about IF in retrospect is UGH, UGH, and UGH!

Perhaps it would be completely unfair of me to not tell you the lessons (yes, there was something good that came out of this experience) I learned about myself in the context of my diet and health.

Here is a recap of a few things I discovered:

1. I noticed I was pretty addicted to caffeine still. That first day of fasting was painful because of the massive headache I had for most of the day. Once I got to Tuesday, though, the headaches had subsided and I changed my diet soft drink choice to Diet Rite since it has both Splenda and ZERO caffeine. This is a change that will remain permanent until I decide the time has come to give up all diet sodas. I'm not there quite yet.

2. I felt what it was like to be truly hungry again. My philosophy has been to NEVER allow myself to get hungry so I don't slip back into those old habits I used to endure, especially during my low-fat diet experience when all I did was have hunger pangs. But listening to my body is something beneficial to me now that I am at the stage where food temptation does not befall me anymore.

3. I realized just how important eating enough food to fuel my daily high-powered cardiovascular workouts really is. While I tried to keep up the same resistance and speed of my elliptical workout on day one when I was fasting, it just didn't happen. While I usually have a 13 resistance at 8.5mph, I had to back off to 7 resistance at 7.0mph to make it through the same amount of time I usually do. Of course, I burned less calories as well. What was worse was even on the days I COULD eat, the very noticeable LACK of energy persisted and did not come back until I ended my IF experiment. I'm still trying to regain my strength and endurance.

4. I found out what being ravenously hungry was again. After my second fasting day on Wednesday, I told my wife Christine that we would be going out to Steak & Ale for their all-you-can-eat Prime Rib special. When we have gone there before, they haven't been as busy as they were this week. So the steaks took longer to come to the table than they usually do. I was so hungry that I ate a whole plate of salad in just minutes, devoured the first prime rib, waited 20 minutes for my second and killed that one, too. Then my server brought me another one about 30 minutes later (after my food had settled a bit in my stomach) and I started to eat it when I got halfway done and...WHOA NELLY, I was full! Not just full, but REALLY REALLY FULL! As in, it hurt so much I had to take some Tum-ta-Tum-Tums and lie down for a bit when we got home. I was quite the ravenous beast!

5. Going without food for 24 hours for me is not realistic. My head was hurting so much on the first day from the caffeine withdrawals that I barely noticed how hungry and light-headed I felt. But by my second fasting day on Wednesday with the headaches gone, I felt like I was floating around my office ready to tip over at any moment. My body was lethargic and walking around was so surreal as if I wasn't in the living world. As hungry as I was, my co-workers kept asking me if I was okay because I wasn't my normal chipper self. And it's true. All I wanted to do was have some food and it would even be low-carb at that. But it was not permitted on my fasting days.

Call me a wimp for not making it through even one whole week on this intermittent fast experiment, but it was just not for me. Like Dr. Mike, I think the biggest lesson I will take from this experience is that I don't necessarily have to eat when I'm "scheduled" to. Our bodies are quite complex mechanisms and know when to give us the signal for providing nourishment. The fact is that our stomach can remain quite satisfied even when everyone else around us is chowing down on food because it's "time to eat." Check out this follow-up post about the intermittent fasting versus Protein Power that Dr. Mike addressed at his blog a few days ago for some additional thoughts about this.

Will I do an intermittent fast again? If you ask me right now, then the answer is a resounding NO! But perhaps I'll rework it some in the future and maybe move it from 6:00pm to 12:00pm which may work better for my life. I'm always open to trying something a little different like this in the context of livin' la vida low-carb to see if it makes a difference. And that's the final lesson I think we can all benefit from. Never get so comfortable in what you are doing that you lull yourself into a false sense of security about your weight. We are all susceptible to putting on some weight when we least expect it even when we have been doing our low-carb diet perfectly. Believe me, it happens, so be ready for it!

So, THANK YOU Dr. Eades for reminding me that livin' la vida low-carb is an ever-evolving concept that should be continually worked on to help lose and maintain weight while always striving to improve our health. For now, I will be returning to my omega-based diet plan again exclusively for seven days a week and NO MORE FASTING! Hee hee!

Another day of this would have had me screaming from the top of my lungs, "CALGON TAKE ME AWAY!" Or even worse, "TO THE FUNNY FARM, THEY'RE COMING TO TAKE ME AWAY, HA HA, THEY'RE COMING TO TAKE ME AWAY, HO HO, HEE HEE, HA HA..." Yikeseroo!

9-23-06 UPDATE: It seems I'm not the only one who didn't think too much of the IF diet--read another person's take on it at detoxify this!

Top 10 Low-Carb Movers & Shakers Of 2006

With 2006 quickly approaching the fourth quarter, it's time yet again for me to continue a tradition at the "Livin' La Vida Low-Carb" blog to name my top 10 movers & shakers of the year. When I debuted this feature for the first time in 2005, the response was overwhelmingly positive. People were intrigued by the list of ten people who I thought had made the biggest difference on behalf of the low-carb community.

So why not do it again in 2006? And something peculiar happened with my picks this year when there was only one repeat from last year. While some of those chosen in 2005 are certainly worthy of mention again this year, it's time to introduce some new names and faces so people can see who is intricately involved in furthering the low-carb cause in a culture still feeling the effects of the constant negativity about this amazing way of eating.

As I stated last year, you may have heard of some of these people already and perhaps there are others you haven't heard about before. Regardless, each one of these men and women are low-carb leaders that you really should get to know and be grateful for their tireless contributions on behalf of livin' la vida low-carb.

The following is my random list of who I think are the top ten low-carb movers & shakers of 2006:

1. Drs. Michael & Mary Dan Eades - Protein Power



As the only carryover pick from 2005, I would be completely remiss if I overlooked the enormous contribution of Dr. Michael Eades and Dr. Mary Dan Eades. If ever there were two people more dedicated to helping people desiring not only weight loss but also a healthier life, then I haven't met them yet! The Eades are true heroes among us low-carbers who admire their continued bold stand on behalf of this way of eating despite the intense negativity that pervades our media and culture. This pick was a no-brainer!

2. Dr. Richard Bernstein - Diabetes Solution



If you are a diabetic, then you will most definitely want to acquaint yourself with Dr. Richard Bernstein, author of The Diabetes Solution. This incredible man heralds the low-carb approach to treating and reversing diabetes even as the ADA keeps pressing for more and more medications. Dr. Bernstein has more recently appeared on a new cable television show on CNBC called dLife in debates with Dr. Howard Wolpert and Hope Warshaw. This man is a true inspiration to all of us who believe in the miraculous power of low-carb living.

3. Veronica Atkins - The Atkins Foundation



When Dr. Robert C. Atkins tragically passed away a few years ago, everyone thought his legacy would quickly fade. But thanks to his faithful and loving widow Veronica Atkins, the great work of Dr. Atkins still lives on in 2006. Veronica Atkins has made several donations through her charitable Atkins Foundation to help further low-carb research. She has also recognized students for shunning sugar and continued the work of her late husband in helping diabetics defeat their disease. Mrs. Atkins has endured a lot of heartache and pain from those who choose to continue debating his death. She handles it with all the dignity and class that defines who she is.

4. Dr. Richard Feinman - Nutrition & Metabolism



It was my privilege to interview Dr. Richard Feinman recently and I found him to be a most fascinating low-carb researcher. His passion is evident in the meticulous way he goes about studying the metabolic science behind what makes the low-carbohydrate diet work so well. His study on metabolic syndrome would be headline-making news if it were about the low-fat diet. But Dr. Feinman just keeps plugging away at his research because he knows sooner or later the media will not be able to ignore the facts about low-carb.

5. Dr. Mary Vernon - Ask Dr. Vernon



One of the nicest and most personable people you will ever meet is Dr. Mary Vernon, who recently started answering questions from the public about livin' la vida low-carb at her new blog. She too had a lot to say in my interview with her and she is fully committed to continuing to educate the public about how low-carb can help with weight loss and diabetes management. Be looking for many more great things from this amazing woman in the years to come.

6. David Koch - "Low-Carb Dave"



If you haven't had the chance to read about "Low-Carb Dave" and his low-carb weight loss success story yet, then you have missed one of the most energetic and enthusiastic low-carb supporters on the planet. This Melbourne, Australia native, whose real name is David Koch, has lost over 100 pounds so far on the Atkins diet and is planning to lose another 100 pounds. In addition to his popular low-carb blog, he also has a fairly active message board called Aus Low-Carb. His story was recently featured on WLTips.com and I expect Dave to continue inspiring people the world over with his success.

7. Dr. Eric Westman - Duke University researcher



If you ever get the opportunity to meet Dr. Eric Westman from Duke University in person, then you will know that this man of research is not some lab rat who doesn't understand the workings of the real world. He is as real as they come from my brief encounter with him in January. But Dr. Westman made a name for himself in 2006 with this landmark study on the impact of the Atkins diet on diabetes patients. A long-time low-carb researcher, Dr. Westman has applied his skills to help the scientific world better understand how controlling carbohydrates helps the body overcome obesity and disease. We haven't heard the last of Dr. Eric Westman.

8. Kent Altena - Atkins Diet Videos



What can you say about a man who has lost 200 pounds on the Atkins diet? If his name is Kent Altena, then you can say plenty! Two years after weighing in at well over 400 pounds, this incredible man is now seeking to educate the public about how the Atkins/low-carb nutritional approach can help them lose weight and get healthy. From his motivating success video to his practical how-to videos, Kent is using his talents to spread the news about low-carb even further. Visit his YouTube feed often for new videos.

9. Anthony Colpo - Low-Carb Muscle



What a year it has been for independent researcher Anthony Colpo! Not long after my interview with him about his remarkable new book entitled The Great Cholesterol Con, he decided to pull the content from his wildly popular TheOmnivore.com down for good. However, he did decide to make those articles available in an e-book format. Currently, Colpo is cultivating his latest project Low-Carb Muscle to give low-carb bodybuilders a place to discuss fitness. Colpo will always be a voice of sanity in the insane world of health.

10. Richard Morris - Bread & Money



Last, but most certainly not least is a man named Richard Morris. He's another 400-pounder who lost a ton of weight and is now seeking to educate the public about the benefits of eating more organic, natural, whole foods instead of the high-carb, sugary, processed foods that dominate grocery store shelves these days. His autobiographical A Life Unburdened book about his weight loss experience is a stunning account of how one man changed his life forever. This talented individual was gracious enough to allow me to interview him for my blog so he could share his insights and lessons learned through life's experiences. This is a man you will want to keep an eye on for many years to come.

What do you think about my top ten low-carb movers & shakers of 2006? Did I get all the biggies in the wonderful world of low-carb who are making a difference? If nothing else, perhaps you learned a new name and face on the frontlines of defending livin' la vida low-carb to the masses. I encourage you to learn more about each of these people because they play a vital role in spreading the low-carb message in 2006 and beyond.

Comments anyone? If you believe I left someone off of my top ten list who deserves to be among the low-carb movers & shakers this year, then please post your comment below or e-mail me at livinlowcarbman@charter.net.

9-19-06 UPDATE: One of my regular readers said I missed another low-carb mover & shaker:

You forgot someone...YOURSELF!!!!! Come on, Jimmy, I know it's hard but somewhere you have to give yourself some credit. Most of those people you listed, I have no idea who they are. Anyone can write columns and columns of information about low-carb. But to do with the enthusiasm and support that you do makes people want to go back, time and time again.

You just never know who is out there and who you are helping but I think the whole thing is bigger then you can ever imagine. Having a COACH like you helps more then you know. So yes I would make a #11 and add yourself.

Awwww, that's so sweet! I appreciate the heartfelt words of encouragement and appreciation from my reader. I'm grateful for the privilege to come here day after day to do what I do. Every single one of you who reads this blog daily, weekly, or just every once in a while is why I keep on doing what I am doing. THANK YOU for your faithfulness and I will keep on sharing the positive message of livin' la vida low-carb to a world desperately looking for answers to their weight and health problems.

9-20-06 UPDATE: Low-Carb Dave is showing his appreciation for being named in my top 10 list by blogging about it and me today at his popular blog. THANKS for those extremely kind remarks, Dave. I too am glad to know there are good people like you in the world as well. :)

9-21-06 UPDATE: Several more honorees on the list decided to respond to being named.

Richard Morris said:

Hey Jimmy,

Thanks for including me on the list with some very impressive people. I feel really good about how the low carb message has evolved from being the diet of the week to a permanent and healthful part of the nutrition landscape.

Richard

Dr. Eric Westman said:

Thanks, Jimmy. I keep an eye on your blog because sometimes you discuss research articles that I haven't seen yet! Jeff Volek also was an "early researcher," like me. Keep it up.

Eric C. Westman, MD MHS
Associate Professor of Medicine
Duke University Medical Center


Anthony Colpo said:

Hey Jimmy,

What an honor to be included in your list, thanks!

I think it's great that you have included some of us low-carb "underdogs" on your list along with some of the more famous low-carb identities, this kind of recognition is always nice and gives that extra bit of incentive to keep battling on.

And I agree with the reader who said that you yourself deserve to be on the list--you're doing a great job!

Take care,

Anthony

Kent Altena said:

It was a tremendous honor to have my name listed next to some of the big names in the low carb field. I only hope I can reach or assist in making successful a small portion of low carbers as those researchers or benefactors have. Thank you for the honor, and I agree with Richard that moving low carb from a fad to an accepted healthy way of eating is my goal for 2006 and beyond. Keep up the good and inspiring all of us (those at goal and those just starting) with your work here.

Kent