Howdy from Montana

[brabea22]

Hey there man. I am glad that you have found your way here. I know you are looking at just how much you need to lose right now and I'll bet you are probably pretty overwhelmed. Understand, YOU CAN DO THIS! I couldn't believe it, but it gets easier everyday, and before you know it, you are going to be losing pounds and inches left and right.

Here if you need me, fella, and congratulations on starting a new way of life.

-bran

[MontanaRebel]

Hello!

What are the best days or times to visit chat and what rooms are most active? Thanks, Johnny :hug

[jroche5998]

The chat room has been dead as of late. We had a few months there where people were in all day, but now it's just hit or miss. I guess spring is in the air and people aren't spending as much time at their computer.

[MotherNature]

Johnny....You have gotten a lot of good advice from many people here who were once where you are today. Believe me when I say that you can do this. In 2003 I weighed 283 pounds on a 5'3" frame. My knees were shot and just moving was painful. Walking across a room caused me to huff and puff. In May of that year I had already had one mild stroke in 1999 and realized I was cutting my life short by being as heavy as I was. It took me until I saw myself in Christmas pictures in December to make up my mind to do something about my weight. On January 12, 2004, I began Atkins. I found it to be the easiest weight loss plan I had ever tried, and believe me I had tried them all. I was never hungry, didn't crave sweets, and had more energy than I had had in years. One year later, I had lost 89 pounds and 5 clothing sizes. All my bloodwork was excellent and my doctor was thrilled. I have maintained that loss for the last 5 months and plan to begin losing more weight in June when my husband can go on Atkins with me. If I can do this, you can, too. I was a sugar and starch carboholic with zero will power. This way of eating enables you to gain control of your eating habits so easily. Use this board for advice and encouragement and one year from now you will be a healthier, thinner, happier person. I guarantee it!

Cathy

[MontanaRebel]

Thanks Tom and Cathy!!

I am looking into the Atkins program and hope to be starting soon...The time has come for me to get with the "program"! :yes

[weiner]

Hi. Welcome. I'm from Montana. I was born and raised in Billings. I have a twin sister. I now live in Wyoming but I'm only 90 miles from Billings. Montana is a great state. I wish you well in your journey on Atkins. This is the only way to eat. You will feel terrific.

[Eireamy]

Jhonny -

Good luck on this adventure. Being a Montanan (Billings area) myself, I am jumping for joy that you are going to make your physical life better since I know that your location is wonderful! We have so many beautiful places to explore that you will be able to (re)discover as your weight quits getting in the way. At least that is what I am finding. My ultimate goal is to hike down to the uppermost glacial lake on the Beartooths when I move into the life maintenance phase. Perhaps we'll get a group trip planned for some others here and make a vacation out of it. ensive

Anytime you need us, there are many great motivators and advisors here for ya!

See you on the journey

[Dawn]

My goodness look at all us Montanans on the board! I was raised in Vaughn outside of Great Falls and have family in Plaines, Missoula, and Big Timber.

It's too cool seeing all of yall here!

dawn

[MontanaRebel]

Well gang I went out today and bought the latest updated version of the Atkin's book and have started on the third chapter already..

Some very interesting and eye opening reading to say the least. Going to get a pic of the two people(maybe three) that is me and hope some day to take a pic of the real me hidden behind a wall of fat and misery.

I was on Weight Watcher's program one time and lost 74lbs in two and a half months but that was way to fast and ended up eventually putting it all back on and many more pounds besides.

I realized that something had to be done as I could no longer do my job anymore and worked at a lumber mill for 36 yrs and would have retired (in a little over 4 years to go) which would have given me 40 long hard years working in a lumber mill.

My employer highly recommended I go on SS disability and my doctor said I was totally disabled and would no longer work because of heart disease, Type 2 diabetes and morbid obesity. So now in the process of waiting for a decision on my claim and probably will have to retain a lawyer to win the award.

But I am going to look on the bright side of all this and use this time to get myself healthy again and be around to see more of this world that I would love to explore. As they say this is the first step. I know I am in a dark hole but maybe with shedding the fat and putting it under my feet I can slowly climb out of that hole and shed all that fat that was above my feet and lessen the load and see the light of day. :yes

[cleochatra]

Hi there, Montana! This is Texas ringing in with a big 10-4 and a welcome to ha

Way to go on getting the book and for reading it, too.

[MontanaRebel]

Thanks everyone for reading my thread....

Well I have read almost 11 chapters of the new updated Atkins book...plan to read it all from cover to cover. I really recommend the reading to anyone wanting to do this program...understanding what this program can do is a sure way of succeeding.

I have an appointment with my doctor on Monday and will discuss the Atkins program with him and have some tests run so I can compare down the road as to my progress. Not sure but I think he did not like the program when I talked to him several months ago. But then I can be a very convincing person when need be. :guns

Also on Wednesday will start my rehab program with some treadmill work and also completed a training course to be a visitor for MENDED HEARTS program to help those who are about to have a heart operation or have been through one. On June 21st I go through the "Tour" with others to see the patients room and get a feel for what we have to do.

So as you can see I am not just jumping right into this program without reading the book, coming to the forum, seeing my doctor and not making a rash decision and hopefully will get started as soon as the book is read and my doctor gives the ok....

I may have to bite the bullet and just do it on my own but rather weigh all the factors and never have to look back and be sorry....What do you all think? Johnny

[Isabeau]

Hi and welcome aboard. Glad you read the book and are really doing some planning before starting. I think you're about to change your life. :hug

[Bikergranny]

Hi to 1 Montanaian from another Montanaian

:wave Hi Johnny,
I live just on the other side of the mountains from you in the Great Falls area. Half of my husband's family live in either Missoula, Plains, or Big Timber. I want to extend a warm welcome to you and let you know that I have seen for myself what Atkins can do for you. (I'm Dawn's Mom, and I can't beleive how great she looks now even if she does have a bad case of pregnancy.) I don't have that much weight to lose, but as you get older, it sure gets harder to take off. The best part of Atkins is I've never been hungry!!!!! I eat until I feel full and I've realized I'm eating heathier too. So enjoy your meals, LOL.

You can find the Atkins book on Reserve Street in Barns and Noble Book Store, Shopko, or Wal-Mart. You might even find it in Cosco.

As for going to Florida, why?????? I go there all the time (Dawn lives there), but I just can't leave the mountains and alpine lake fishing in Superior, MT. during the summer.

Good luck, and hang in there. There are a great bunch of poeple in here and they sure give you a lot of support.

[MontanaRebel]

thanks alot bikergranny!

Montana is awesome but my wife has two sons in Florida and she wants to spend time with her grandkids...My wife battled and beat lung cancer so every day is precious and be nice for her to be with them...

She has sacrificed alot being here in Montana with me and my kids so it is her turn now. :yes

[Bikergranny]

i hear ya

:wave I hear ya Johnny, family comes first. I moved here from Virginia 33 years ago, and the only way I'll go back is in a box and I'm not paying the postage, LOL. The way I see it, Florida gives us a place to go in the winter. I want to be a snowbird! Love it here in the spring, summer and fall. Not to crazy about the cold temps and snow. We still have 2 sons, and 4 and counting grandkids in Montana. The girls are the ones who moved away. Both of them moved to the south. Dawn in Florida and Cindy in Louisiana. See how this snowbird thing could work?

I know Atkins can work for you. Some doctors like it and some don't. I had a check-up last month and the doctor I saw is on Atkins. My regular doctor doesn't care for it. But he's a skinny little guy, so what does he know, LOL. Good luck.