I found this on my computer this morning. This is from the old Zero Carb Forum in 2009. We had a thread titled “What has Zero Carb Done for You.” I see a lot of familiar names here, many who are in our Zero Carb Health Facebook group.
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4 months -30lbs.
After 10 months of LC/VLC (Low carb/ very low carb) and finding I had gained 10lbs and was at one of the lowest points in my life.
My kids resented and were afraid of me. My Dog cowered in the corner from me and my Hubby never wanted to come home from work.
That is like a whole other world from mine now.
One of the most non-physical changes is the fact that I fall asleep promptly and deeply within 15-20 minutes of laying down. Thanks GOODNESS for DVRs because I can’t get through a 30 minute sit-com. I am now wide awake, bushy tailed and happy no later than 6am every.single.morning. That extra 90 minutes a day in my life CHANGED my life.
That alone, makes ZC worth it’s weight in gold no matter where my weight loss stops.
-Margot
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I’ve been VLC – and sometimes ZC – for about 6 months. The best thing that this WOE has done for me is to reduce the inflammation in my body. I used to take arthritis meds every day for pain in my hands. Since going VLC/ZC, no more medicine is needed….no pain!!
In addition, I think I’m more mellow, laid-back, easy to get along with.
-Sharon
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No more migraine headaches! The change was immediate, the first week on ZC!
-Jenn
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I’ve been Zero Carb for 6 months, I’m down a little more than 40 lbs. in that time. My sleep has improved, my sinus problems are all but gone (just a little sniffle in the AM now), and my energy levels are steady throughout the day. I feel much more confident in myself. My mental clarity has improved 100-fold and keeps improving by the week. My workouts used to be lethargic before ZC and I had trouble improving my strength, but it’s VASTLY improved in the last few months – I benched 235 for 15 reps this morning.
-Mike
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I’m still fairly early in my Zero Ccarb journey (48 days) but this is it, so far.
Down about 12 pounds (it was 15 pounds, but I seemed to have caught Carolina’s mysterious 3 pound gain bug this week). More importantly, I dropped from a tight 36 inch waist jeans to wearing a khaki shorts with a size 32 waist. They run big but I can button some old 32 inch Levis 501’s from the old days. They are tight but I can button them. Not that long ago I couldn’t get them over my butt.
I seem to be putting on a fair amount of muscle, despite not working out very much.
I have a lot more energy. I have done the bare minimum around the house with various projects the last few years because I have been just too tired. I think I have gotten more done over the last month than I had the last couple of years. I still get pretty tired after working around the house/yard, so I have a ways to go.
I went to the doctor’s office yesterday to have a weird mole removed for biopsy. They checked my blood pressure and it was 110/77. For the last 10 years probably, it has been in the 140/85 range.
The middle aged men here may understand this, but I can pee a lot harder. It appears that my prostate gland has shrunk a lot. It would get really bad if I ate a lot of carbs.
I used to have a constant problem with tooth pain. It always seemed like I had one molar or another that would bother me for some reason that the dentist couldn’t find. I haven’t had any of that in four or five weeks.
I was having a chronic issue with both of my elbows. I had bad tennis and golfer’s elbow on both arms for over a year and it would not clear, no matter what I did. They still twinge on my now and then but they are a lot better.
In general, my hay fever is better, though, with the pine pollen flying right now, it isn’t so great. Better than normal, though.
My sleep isn’t better but I have always sucked at sleeping.
My digestive system works correctly for the first time in my entire life.
Good stuff and looking forward to it getting better as I go.
-Ryan
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I have been ZC/VLC since the beginning of November, geez, that’s almost 7 mos!!
My chronic constipation is gone. No more issues with gas or painful bloating. Dizziness/light-headness is gone. Blood pressure has gone down. I’ve lost over 20lbs. Moods/emotions are much improved & more of an even keel.
I feel great which is the best!!
-unknown
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Aside from joint pain practically gone [a very big thing] and many of what others have experienced – the main thing – is NO more acid re-flux.
My entire digestive system is so much improved.
-Chris
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I’ve been Zero Carb since February/March 2009. I am not trying to lose weight obviously (I could stand to gain) or cure a disease. I’ve just always been fascinated by human nutrition and physiology.
MY GOAL IS TO BE AS LEAN AND AS MUSCULAR AND IN AS OPTIMAL HEALTH AS I CAN BE. Yes, I love my body and I want it to be the best. I strive to be the best Katelyn in my job, my body and other areas of my life.
ZC has allowed me to eat delicious fatty ribeyes, ground beef, butter and pork chops. I no longer get starving while feeling bloated eating vegetables. I spend so little on food and have the convenience of buying meats, eggs, butter only. I can go hours without eating if need be. I feel like a queen.
-Katelyn
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Today is my 4th week mark on Zero Carb and I can say that the major improvement I’ve seen is reduced my moderate/severe acne by like 98%. Also, my tongue used to be very white coated (perhaps candida from 2 years of acne related antibiotics that didn’t help) is now only slightly white coated. Like I said, it’s only been 4 weeks so I can’t wait to see how much better I get with time.
-unknown
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weight loss that is uniform
joint pain gone
eczema gone
mental clarity
energy
calmness/even temper
decent sleep
no cravings or desire for sweet
better performance in Pilates and fun sports
not having to worry about gaining weight again as long as I stay zc, which I fully intend to do
It’s like everyone says, you get your life back, in fact it’s better than you ever remember, hope this helps!
-Claire
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5 months ZC.
cured acne -100%
cured dandruff 100%
cured candida?—- in progress
cured chronic constipation.
no hunger
improved sex drive
eliminates need to brush teeth, take showers..etc (still do though…heh)
-unknown
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I have been Zero Carb since the middle of March.
I am not including the first 2 weeks because I was taking diet soda, not realizing enough the importance of sweet sensations in my mouth and the insulin response. I have only recently (last 3 weeks) given up regular coffee drinking, but may have one on occasion when out with friends… one per week perhaps..always decaff.
So, in 2 and a half months, with absolutely no deviation from the above, I have so far:
Decreased my size by one dress size.
No more Bleeding gums.
No bloating or digestive discomfort at any time.
Deep sleep
Skin no longer dry.. this is one of the first things I noticed.
Incredibly good stamina /staying power for every day tasks/jobs.
A persistent big toe nail fungus , small… but there for at least 2 years… now gone completely and nail grown back perfectly.
Have just noticed that my nails are much stronger, but this is only recent, perhaps a week or two.
Not looking for food every waking moment. This is a major benefit for me. I now can focus on tasks at hand and concentrate on doing them… I’m also hoping my creative juices will be acting the same way for the start of my new job in a couple of weeks.
Sadly, my cleaning and dish-washing has not improved because of my family, lol!!… but my own food preparation is quick and easy.
Focus on people rather that food when in social situations… freedom from needing to have food in these situations..
I somehow feel more confident in most areas of my life… and happy, too!!
-‘Tilla
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I did not start Zero Carb for a weight problem. I’m here to get healthy. After 4 months of ZC –
*cured nasal sinus stuffiness & congestion (no more daily Benadryl needed)
*sleeping better than I have since I was a little kid
*instead of getting up 2 or 3 times at night to urinate, down to only once (I had a slightly enlarged prostate prior to ZC)
*nagging aches gone (my neck still hurts but I’ve had trouble with it for almost 40 years. it’s a little better and I feel ZC will cure it.)
*I feel much calmer, relaxed and confident. I’m no longer uncomfortable in social settings.
*I find I don’t need to take Cialis (erectile dysfunction drug)
*cracked, dry heels have been cured
*fingernails are much stronger
*very healthy digestion and elimination
*no more chapped lips
*no more bad breath first thing in the morning. I used to have to brush my teeth as soon as I got up to freshen up.
I’ll be 56 in June. I’m so happy ZC came my way.
-unknown
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Zero Carb almost 4 months (15 weeks)
–Chronic pain from the inflammation of three herniated discs in cervical spine sending awful pain down my arm EVERY DAY ALL DAY is completely GONE! (I do not take any meds to include OTC such as Tylenol or Motrin and I am gloriously pain-free!)
–Great energy level
–Psoriasis on elbows (suffered for 10 years) is resolving…some weeks gone completely and on others it comes back but almost unnoticeable. I did not/do not put anything (ointment, creams, blah blah) on it.
–Chronic post nasal/sinus problems (suffered for 4 years) also resolving similar to the psoriasis. Some weeks gone completely, and during other weeks it returns but faintly. I did not/do not take anything for it.
–TOM arrives like clockwork, every time. I only ever had that when I was on The Pill and even then it sometimes was hit-or-miss. I went off The Pill four years ago and I am not on any other hormones. Note that my period currently is extended but I’m still a ZC newbie and adjusting hormonally.
–No longer have any noticeable PMS symptoms…cravings are significantly diminished and my mood is stable.
–TOM is lighter albeit longer and cramps are MUCH less severe.
–Hair is shiny and full (I experienced significant hair loss on LC at the 3 month mark) — I’m probably jinxing myself by posting this. lol
–Moods are stable, happy, optimistic.
–Last on this list and definitely least important in light of the other health improvements, I’ve lost 12 pounds. I’m close to goal (within 10 pounds)…or there already and needing to tone up so my loss is a bit slower than others. My shape continues to shift even as my weight remains steady.
Nothing negative to report except for the battle with acculturation but that is to be expected. Frankly, it’s totally worth being seen as a freak of nature by ones social/familial circle while I’m experiencing such phenomenal gains in health.
-unknown
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Since starting VLC/ZC and progressing to ZC, I have seen many benefits:
– Rediscovering genuine hunger and the disappearance of random cravings.
– More level-headed moods
– No hypoglycemic Hell
– Being able to function without stopping to eat in the middle of the day
– More deep sleep
– Great energy
– Slow weight loss, compared to no weight loss on LC or LF dieting
– Pink tongue, no tongue sludge
– Healthy gums
Just the absence of hunger/cravings is enough for me to stay with ZC for life.
-Carolina
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I recently stumbled across this site in a quest for a cure per say. It has been 11 months of intense and insane itching. So much so that I was at the very end of my rope. I had done Low Carb in the past and was very successful but when i developed this itching it was all over with. Doctor appointment after doctor appt and nothing but more steroids and pills and lotions with NO avail. Allergy testing showed nothing, they even wanted to put me on some sort of kidney/liver transplant medicine.
I found this site and dove right in, what did I have to loose. This or my life. As of this May I have read and read some more. I am so pleased to say that almost immediately the itching stopped, totally gone. I have tons of scares but NO ITCHING!!!!! I itched from head to toe. Living on benedryl all day, 3 tabs at a time.
Friends think I am crazy but I am so thankful to this way of eating. I have enjoyed reading each post and learning. Not sure why or what made me itch. The itching does return even with bites of anything other than beef. I still have my coffee in the morning with heavy cream, 1 cup rather that 6-7 a day.
I have lost 25 lbs and at least 2 sizes…My skin is so much healthier looking and my hair has stopped falling out. My gums do not bleed and nails are growing strong….I am a firm believer in this way of life..Still have much more to learn but am very thankful.
-unknown
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I’ve been zero carb since January 2 of this year with a couple of slip ups. Since then:
I’m off my blood pressure meds
No longer diabetic
No more headaches when I wake up every morning
My sinuses seem to be opening up again (just recently but not all day yet)
Sleeping better, no more snoring
I only get up once a night to pee instead of 2-3
The skin on my body is no longer flaky. Used to see flakes when I took my black pants off. My face is still having some issues
Have lost at least 46 pounds (only weigh once a month) and have lost 3 sizes in pants.
Joint pain gone
TOM seems to be regulating itself (not quite there yet)
Eat twice a day most of the time with no hunger in between
Not eating all day long like I used to
Haven’t been sick since I don’t know when
Digestive problems have straightened themselves out. Used to be in the bathroom all morning sometimes with severe intestinal cramps
Have started hearing comments about how much better I look, not so washed out and tired.
Starting to care more about how I look
-Kim
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Today is 4 weeks:
11 lbs lost
eat 2x a day usually
no cravings, no insanity hunger
calmer, clearer thoughts- huge as i was scattered-brained
happier in general
deep sleep/more rested
digestion issues resolved- from severe constipation to severe diarrhea
TOM so far easier to the point that the usually group of characters (signs) are not there
more energy and even, no up & downs
no chapped lips
skin feels better
seems sense of smell is much better (not always good as it seems there are too many people that need to brush their teeth)
sinuses clear
-unknown
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For me, Zero Carb has allowed me to maintain my weight loss. I have been low carb for 6 years, ZC for 3 years, with a few minor hiccups along the way. Over the years I have lost and regained the same 20-30 pounds over and over……countless times. ZC has allowed me to maintain a loss of 60+ pounds for almost 6 years now.
-Jeff
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