Jimmy,

I’m really enjoying your Livin’ La Vida Low-Carb site. The encouragement, inspiration and education are such a great help in my personal battle of the bulge. I’ve been reading since July 1, 2007 when I began my Low-Carb journey [for the second time]. But today’s Podcast entitled “I’m a donut nut, I’m a donut nut…..NOT!” must have been written just for me. You’re readin’ my mail with this one man!

I’m jokingly referred to among my friends as the ‘Donut Guy’. They all know how much I love(d) donuts. As a matter of fact, I can truthfully say, “I never met a donut I didn’t like.” Krispy Kreme, Dunkin’ Donuts, Dad’s Donuts, Dippin’ Donuts, Little Debbie Donuts, Merita Donuts, Richie Kreme Donuts, Entenmann’s Donuts, Dolly Madison Donuts…to name just a few of my favorite brands. I lusted for Krispy Kreme Original Glazed and Krispy Kreme Maple Glazed; I also loved their Chocolate Glazed Creme Filled. I loved Dunkin’ sour creme, buttermilk, coconut, glazed, chocolate glazed creme filled, munchkins and apple fritters. I won’t bore you with any more details, I think you get the picture how much I loved donuts.

I often [3 - 5 days a week] went to Dunkin’ for a breakfast of their fantastic coffee, an apple fritter and sometimes a side of a couple donuts. After finishing that, I might get me a couple donuts to go. Then sometimes if my schedule permitted, I would come back in the afternoon for a donut break to kind of ‘de-stress’ for the day. I knew all the donut stores and they all knew me. I even bought donuts to take to other people as business gifts or rewards…hey what better gift than a couple dozen donuts.

One day I realized I had a problem. It was when I was driving down the highway minding my own business, when all of a sudden I passed a Krispy Kreme truck. It not only triggered a donut craving in me…I began to have thoughts that I didn’t know I was capable of having. I began to wonder how I could stage a ‘hold-up’ of a Krispy Kreme truck and get away with it! In a few seconds I came to myself and realized I had serious problems. I have laughingly shared this story many times with my friends and they all thought it was cute…but it was for real Jimmy. Now don’t tell me sugar is not addictive! Donut violence…the donut cartel…donut kingpin…dealing donuts on the street…what’s next? In all seriousness, I realized, now at age 54, I had to make a change or I was headed for some big time health problems in short order.

I was up to my heaviest weight ever…288 pounds…on my 5′8″ frame! Just like a fireplug, short and round, and built close to the ground. I was having a hard time bending over, breathing, walking, sleeping, working, getting in and out of my truck….and the list goes on and on. Like many of us, I have struggled with my weight all my life, literally! I still remember my mother taking me to the pediatrician and him putting me on a diet several times while I was growing up. Bless his heart, he did what he knew to do I guess, but he had me ‘dieting’ on such food as baked potatoes for dinner, dry toast with a little honey for breakfast and other non-sensical abominations. He allowed ’small’ portions of tuna and chicken breast [if only he knew]. I’ve tried dieting off and on since that time…I’ve never totally given up and I don’t plan to. Then in 2003 came my first ray of hope when a buddy of mine lost about 40 pounds on a diet I’d never heard of…The Atkins Diet.

I purchased a copy of DANDR and I was on my way. I started at 283 and lost down to 238 in a little over 3 months. I kept it off for about 6 months and went off the plan thinking I could eat ‘regular foods’ [read ‘carbohydrates’] again. WRONG! I once again hit the donut shops and swelled up like a toad frog in short order. It was nobody’s fault but my own. I gained it all back plus 5 pounds, putting me at my heaviest weight ever of 288.

July 1 of this year [2007] I began Lo-Carb again. I’ve been reading voraciously everything I can get my hands on about living the low-carb lifestyle. I know I must educate myself about more than getting thin. I must educate myself about the long term health benefits of the low-carb lifestyle. I’m following the Eade’s “Protein Power: Life Plan” this time around. I’m reprogramming my mind that this way of healthy eating really is a “Life Plan”. I’m down 17 pounds in four weeks…and no sugar has crossed these lips! I still have to give myself a ‘talkin’ to’ when I pass the donut shops…but I’ve not stopped at a single one…not even for coffee, and I don’t plan to start again. I realize that I’ve not been a carbohydrate addict as much as I’ve been a sugar addict. I have no problem leaving potatoes, pasta, rice and bread alone…it’s the sweets that call my name. However, I know that I’d be experiencing diabetic symptoms sooner than later if I didn’t kick the sugar habit.

One Dunkin’ Sour Creme Donut or Apple Fritter has 41 carbs! And I ate 2 to 6 or more a day! One donut is more carbs than I eat now in an entire day! The KK CEO’s quotes are all so ridiculous and unintelligent. But when you’re addicted to sugar…what does intelligence, logic and reason have to to with anything? DONUTS ARE EVIL! DONUT STORES ARE EVIL! DONUTS ARE POISON!

I now have power over donuts! I now have victory over donuts! Donuts shall no longer have rule over me! I’m on my way to healing a good health. I’m developing a healthy lifestyle and donuts have no place in that lifestyle!

And on another positive note….I’m taking all that donut money and spending it at the health food store on my supplements and healthy, fresh, low-carb foods! Take that Krispy-Kreme!!!

I know this is kind of long, but I just had to let you know, you really got my attention with your ‘donut’ post. Keep up the good work Jimmy! I look forward to your posts.

Sincerely,

Signed…..DONUT FREE IN TENNESSEE!

There are so many low-to-no carb treats one can have if the desire for sweets grows that strong.

As you talked about in the podcast - there is no reason I ever need to ingest sugar. None! Not one mouthful.

THANK YOU for sharing your comments!