When I saw these photos and read Joyce’s story in my low carb challenge group, it literally brought tears to my eyes. It was incredibly moving.
Joyce gave me permission to share her low carb success story with you here as well…
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did – and find a renewed sense of inspiration, motivation and strength to become the healthiest, happiest version of yourself you can possibly be!
I know that we all have our own story, and our own reason for eating low carb. Many of us (even me) started a LCHF Diet just to lose weight. I did, and maybe that was your initial goal as well? But so many of us have experienced life-changing results far and above our original expectations! Joyce included. 😀
Read, enjoy, share, and leave a comment!
Joyce will be watching to hear your thoughts and join in on the discussion. 😉
Joyce – from June to December, 2014 – Low Carb Success Story
It may seem easy for one person to post inspirational comments, but for the record, I only post what I know works, from experience. I started this woe in June, 2014 at 235 lbs. and rising. At 63 yrs old, with a bad back, bouts of depression and isolating myself from all but family, I had pretty much given up on ever losing weight or changing my life for the better (although that was always in my mind, nagging at me).
Feeble attempts had failed time after time…
I was talked into giving this low-carb way a try. I freaked out that I would have to give up potatoes, bread, pasta and the sweet treats I lived on daily, but I agreed to just “try it”, expecting to fail again anyway. I saw results right away. Maybe only a few pounds in a week or 2, but it was in the right direction for a change.
In less than a week, the arthritis in my knees and hands disappeared. The bloat in my stomach went away (didn’t even realize that was bloat. I thought it was all fat). My mood improved as did my outlook for the future. I stuck with it. I stuck with this group. I researched. I floundered and never let it stop me for long.
Now, 9 months later and 65 lbs. less, I weigh 170, I feel like a new person. I’m getting out and meeting people (I had my first date in 15 years!). I like looking in the mirror in those smaller clothes. I love the comments from family when they notice the change. Even clerks at the stores where I used to stock up on candy and cupcakes have noticed.
I have a little bit to go to reach my goal, but I also know the end is not the end. This determination and effort is forever if I don’t want to go back to where I was or worse, and of course, I don’t. So the bottom line for anyone who is where I started is based on this graphic. We will all need support, advice, knowledge and encouragement on this personal journey. But the most important thing we need is that one little spark of determination, hope and belief in our own ability and strength. I believe everyone here has that spark. Sometimes it just takes a little more effort to find it, but have faith that you can do it, because you can!
I collected a LOT of graphics along the way that helped me and hope they will give encouragement and inspiration and sometimes a laugh to anyone who may be needing it. Even if it’s just one person on a particular day, it will be worth it. Remember, it all starts and ends with you. Pics are from June to December, 2014.
~ Joyce
Reading that again makes me just as emotional as it did the first time…
Wow. Just wow.
😀Here are Joyce’s low carb before and after pictures side by side:
What an AMAZING transformation!! Not just in her appearance, which is dramatic and inspiring, but in her attitude… and in her life as a whole. Talk about a success story!!
Joyce gives credit to her daughter Jill for the inspiration: “She’s the one who showed me this woe works and who kept at me until I gave in and tried her way, lol.”
See even more inspiring low carb diet results from our group. 😀
If you’d like to get started eating low carb, see the checklist at this link: Starting A Low Carb Diet. If you’re already eating low carb, and struggling with your own weight loss, check the 4 points at: Not Losing Weight Eating Low Carb?
Join us in the Low Carb Challenge if you haven’t already!
Best,
Lynn Terry aka @LowCarbTraveler
All I can say is “WOW”!! You look absolutely fantastic-younger, vibrant and healthy! You just shine like a beacon of light. I was so inspired by your transformation. I have been doing LCHF since May 2014 and have lost 56 lbs. It’s going slower for me but its ok. Nothing before ever worked at all! I too got relief from arthritic pain and my fibromyalgia does not feel like it exists anymore. If I were you I would take my story to the local newspaper. We need to spread the word that this WOE not only helps you lose weight but improves your health-especially for us older people with arthritis, fibro and depression. My depression has also lifted and I’m enjoying life more too. I still have a long way to go on weight loss but I know I will get there. Thanks for sharing your amazing transformation-it truly inspired me to keep on going!
I agree with you Marilyn – it wasn’t just her weight loss that really impressed me, but you can SEE it in her face that she’s truly a “new person” inside and out. π
Congrats to you too, on your amazing results!! I’ve really enjoyed getting to know you inside the 90DLCC group. π *cheers*
Thank you for posting my story here Lynn. The difference is I DO feel like a new person, inside and out, and actually want to smile now. There were so many “wow” moments along the way, but one I still laugh about is I kept noticing a dark shadow on each of my cheeks. I tried washing them off and kept rubbing at them, wondering what was going on with my face. It finally dawned on me they were the indentations under my cheekbones! It had been so long since I’d seen them, I didn’t recognize what they were, lol.
LOL Joyce!!
Thank YOU for letting me share it with the world. You are so incredibly inspiring. π I hope your date went fabulously well, from one single low-carber to another. π *cheers*
My first date was so much fun, I’ve got 2 more lined up! I plan on enjoying this new life as much as possible π
Thank you Marilyn! I also went through the slow loss periods and at times it was almost impossible to keep going and not give in to the old habits, but the key word is “almost”. I found my secret weapons were ‘knowledge is power’ and adopting the ‘mind over matter and never give up’ philosophy 100%. That wasn’t easy as I had lost most all self-confidence and hope to improve my declining physical condition. Your 56 lb. loss is fantastic! If you can do that, you can keep doing it to your goal. It’s so awesome that “us older people” can actually become healthier, happier and create a brighter outlook on our future than we ever dreamed by changing what we eat. No food is worth the damage it was causing!
“No food is worth the damage it was causing!”
Well said. π
Oh my you are my twin! Way to go! I am now even more encourage to stick with this WOE. I went to the doctor because I have so much pain in my knees, then started feeling it in my hips……never thinking I could have arthritis! he told me I needed to lose 60 pounds. I almost had a panic attack! I have had all of the same symptoms as you and told myself this is the year to fix me first! So I went on about my doctor visits. When he told me knee replacement might be the only way to get rid of my pain I said nope time to lose that 60 lbs. I am down 12lbs starting at 181lbs. and like you I am starting to notice little things changing for the better! Cant wait for the depression to go and pains that I feel and all with out surgery and medicines! Thank you so much for sharing and letting me know I am not alone! God Bless!
Good for you, Carrie! π Eating healthy is always a better alternative than surgery. In fact, after my last surgery (ack!) – the idea of it alone makes me cringe!! Congratulations on taking control, and losing 12 pounds already!! π
Carrie, I love your determination too! And no, you are definitely not alone. If you’re already noticing improvements with 12 lbs., imagine with 20, 30 or more! I can’t say I’m totally pain-free, except in my hands and knees, but the rest seem like nothing now compared to before the weight loss. Keep going like you are and the odds will be in your favor to avoid surgery and feel so good about yourself, there won’t be any room for depression!
You are all so inspiring!! Please keep on keepin’ on! and writing about it. I started this last Aug. and also come from a lifetime, 73 right now, of dieting and a lot of it fasting, stlll was almost always 20 t0 30 pounds too much. The time I was on the plan alot of positive was happening, but weight wasn’t moving. Satisfied and not hungry ALL the time. Then came Thanksgiving and the slipping started!!! Now 10 pounds heavier and not so pleased with myself, 5 days ago I said this is it, I’m getting on and staying on because I know it will work, my body just needs some time to adjust to all the years of misuse!! I love the help and support you have for each other! Blessings on our journey’s, Pat
PS Lynn, I LOVE MFP, thanks for all the help setting it up!
I love it too, Pat! π You’re welcome!! *cheers*
Joyce, I can relate to your story because I, too, am 63 years old, am at about the same weight you were when you started, and suffering from arthritis in my knees. I can no longer hike with my husband. And when we visit friends who have stairs in their homes, I cringe. I have to grasp the handrails and basically pull myself up. I had almost accepted that this is the way I will finish out my life…and I’m still not sure that it will change. But I’m hopeful. A few days ago, I decided to give this low-carb lifestyle a try. I am on my fourth day. I thank God that He brought me to see your story. I feel like, if Joyce can do it, there is no reason I can’t. Thank you for sharing your story and for giving me hope and encouragement.
Hi Patty. π I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised at the benefits of eating low carb as you get further into it. I also have inflammatory arthritis in my lower back, which pinches my sciatic nerve – so I know how painful that can be. Eating a low carb / ketogenic diet has been the solution for me. I’m even water-skiing again! π
Patty S. I just now read your comment. You said exactly what I was thinking before I started low-carb: “I had almost accepted that this is the way I will finish out my life”. It doesn’t have to be that way since we have this new knowledge and power to change things around. I hope you’re doing well since you wrote and you said something else that is so true: “I feel like, if Joyce can do it, there is no reason I canβt”. Take it from a prior junk food junkie, anything is possible!
Joyce, I know this thread is a couple years old but I just read it today and feel like you wrote your story for me. I’m 63 years old, weigh about 240 and have painful arthritis in both knees. I was looking for inspiration and I found it. To top it all off my Mom and I tried to lose weight together for years. I lost her 2 years ago and it has been the hardest thing I’ve ever dealt with. I keep thinking how happy she’d be if I lost my excess weight. By the way. My Mom’s name was Joyce! β€οΈ
What perfect timing, Laurie. π And what a beautiful tribute to your mother. Having lost my grandmother (my maternal figure) more than 10 years ago, I can tell you that as time goes on… you realize just how much she is still with you, and more so: within you.
That encourages and inspires me so much, and I’m sure it will you as well. I’m so glad you found us here. It’s a great community, and you’ll find a low carb lifestyle SO rewarding! *hugs*