Inspiration

This month's awe inspiring success story comes from a good friend of mine named Hank Garner. Hank describes himself as a man who is incredibly blessed. Happily married for 17 years to his wife Dawn, they have 5 wonderful children and enjoy small-town life in Southern Mississippi. A web designer, Hank loves spending time with his family, the outdoors and being active. His newest passion is running, which he does 4 or 5 days a week.

This month's source of inspiration comes from a sweet lady named Debbie Cusick. Debbie, retired from IBM, resides in Florida with her dog Flo, and three cats who graciously allow Debbie and Flo to bask in their presence. She's a birdwatcher, avid reader of mysteries, involved in choral singing and working with Flo, whom she hopes to eventually enter into obedience and/or agility competitions with in the near future. Another hobby of Debbie's is pastel painting. And let me tell you, this lady has some talent. She also has the talent of inspiring others. Today, you'll see why.

Ten years. It's been ten crazy, fantastic, sometimes frustrating years that I've tried to live the low-carb lifestyle. What is has not been, is perfect. Or rather, I haven't been perfect, and I'm okay with that.

I have noticed a real trend with dieters: A great first week, maybe even a great second week, third week, no or less loss... and they quit. Done, finished, next!

"Morbidly Obese" Those words dangled from my medical chart like a scarlet letter. How could the doctor have used those words to describe me? Surely, the doctor made a mistake, or maybe my eyes were mistaken. Perhaps it was someone else's chart. Cautiously, I looked at the chart and read the name: April Bradford. I was only 25 years old at the time. I was mortified and shocked, but I could not deny those words staring back at me from my own chart. The walls seemed to close in around me. How did I arrive at this place? How did this happen to me?

Dana Carpender answers a reader's question about diabetes, breast cancer and the Low-Carb, Keto, Gluten-Free lifestyle.

Karen Rysavy from Colorado is 38 years old and 5'11 inches tall. Karen started low carbing in 2000 doing a combination of Atkins and Protein Power but since that time has studied most of the popular low carb plans out there and implemented parts of each (the parts that worked for her) into her own personal Way of Eating. She began at 271 pounds and wearing size 24/26 and is now 210 and wearing 14/18. Karen revised her goal of a size 12 and 185 pounds to "happy and healthy". A very important goal for Karen, one which she has REACHED!

Cindy from Maine is 45 years old and 5'6 inches tall. In October, Cindy will have been following the Atkins program for four years. She has gone from 239 pounds and a size 24 to 147 pounds and a size 14. Cindy's goal is to weigh 135 and wear size 10's.

Clyde from Texas is 47 years old. He follows the Atkins program and is current at goal weight and on maintenance. Clyde began at 280 pounds and a 40 inch "tight" waist. He was delighted to reach 210 pounds and wear size 36 waist pants for the first time in over 20 years. Clyde's weight is currently 222 pounds but not from fat gain, rather lean muscle from weight training.

Dana Carpender is the number one low carb author in the world. Check out Dana's articles for CarbSmart Low Carb Magazine every week.