No topic, just an addict checking in

[Finelly]

<giggling> Hi all! I reread the "not getting any work done"post and realized that I do not care WHAT the topic is, I just need to read and respond to stay motivated! lol

So here I am again. Friday almost noon. Have no idea what I weigh or measure. Don't care. Feel good. Thankful that you guys are here on the board - it makes me all ferklempt!

I feel like we're all close Atkins buddies already, so I thought I'd post a little about myself. Then we can find out what we have in common and what wonderful differences we can embrace!

I am 44, live in California, am a special education teacher. I have four kids ages 10, 15, 18 and 20. They all live at home. I also have four CATS, all siamese. I am married for the second time to the most amazing, wonderful man in the world. We both used to be lawyers and gave it up to become teachers.

I love: reading, history (particularly European royal history), decorating (my house is in various shades of purple,red, teal!) and going to the beach.

I was on Atkins last year from February 15 to early August. During that time I had amazing success, losing about 40 lbs but more importantly a ton of inches. I was a mod, as well, under the name ImCookin. I was addicted to this board as much then as I am now, but got into a car accident which injured my arms so I literally couldn't be on the computer! I disappeared from here since nobody in my family knew my password and couldn't sign on to let people know....<sob>

I was ALWAYS thin until about 6 or 7 years ago when I suddenly ballooned about 50 lbs. Then another 40 lbs crept up on me......I desperately want to be thin again,and I WILL! When I lost those inches last year, I looked fantastic.

How about y'all?

[DebbietheHugBug]

Finelly, great thread!

Ok, about me! My name is Debbie (obviously) and I live in Salt Lake City, UT. I am 48, soon to be 49. I have 2 daughters, ages 31 & 26. My 31 y/o lives in OR, my 26 y/o lives with me, for now. I remarried Aug 13, 2004 (not for 2nd time, we won't go there) but for the last time to THE most wonderful, perfect man in the world! :nod I have some kitties, too (big cat freak here) Muffy, age 12-1/2 almost 13, Tasha, age 11 mos (my daughter's cat actually), Stalker, age unknown, stray that lives in my backyard, and a few others that come to visit.

I love: camping, gambling, walking, decorating (not good at it though), making things, music and relaxing.

I started Atkins March 2004 to lose weight for my wedding last August. According to the book, and what Dr. Atkins published, I figured I'd be close to goal. Well I lost 15 lbs and ended up having to buy another dress because the one I had was too small. So with the wedding, honeymoon and everything else, I went back to the old habits and here I am again!!! About 7 years ago, I lost 40 lbs just doing portion control. I ate everything I wanted, just small portions. When you think about it, Atkins, WW and most others are about teaching portion control. I think Atkins is easier for that because I'm never hungry. When I was on WW, I was ALWAYS hungry!

Finelly, we are so glad you're back. I seem to remember your other name and I'm sorry you couldn't let us know what happened. It's been a wonderful experience to get to know you. You have some awesome and creative ideas and I want you to know that I'll be able to stay on program this weekend because of what you shared. :hug

[Sarah1341]

You guys are so great! :hug

Well, my name is Sarah and I'm an ADBB addict. I'm 25 years old and live in Michigan, but grew up in Columbus, Ohio. I'm a Paralegal in a law firm focusing primarily on divorce. I have always been a chubby gal, but in 2000 I discovered Dr. Atkins and lost 56 pounts. That was the best I have ever felt in my life. However, life changes came about and I moved to Michigan with DH (Michigan is where his family is from), became depressed because I absolutely hated by job and since, packed on almost 70 pounds :sadblinky Since then, found a great job (despite the sad area of practice, but I at least, for the most part, feel as if I'm helping people through it). We had a son and adopted a puppy. My son is 19months old and his name is Christopher. We call him CJ. Our dog is a Rottweiler and is the biggest baby ever. Not aggressive at all. His name is Remington, but we call him Remi. I am now quite happy with my life but very unhappy about my weight. I'm tired of feeling depressed and miserable over something that I have the power to change. So, here I am.

And finally, since I found this board, I get absolutely NO work done. :laughing

[elfish99]

I'm Erica and I just turned 28 (have to say that so 30 seems farther away). I live on south Georgia. I've been married for 6 years and i have 2 beautiful boys, Tyler, 2 and a half, and Luke, 6 months old. I'm a graphic designer/web developer and I work from home, "work"though these days is code for " ha ".

I've always been a little chubby and never happy with my body. I've never had a dramatic wieght gain, it's just been the slow creep. When I got married i weighed around 150-155 and it held there until I had my first son in Dec '02. My stable wieht after him was 180. I tried Atkins and got down to about 145 breifly by Oct '02. I knew it worked for me but I slowly started eating carby again. Here I am, 6 months after my 2nd baby and back to where I started. I need to take this weight off because I have Fibromyalgia which comes with lots of joint pain and fatigue. I need to be healthy for my boys. My wieght loss will determine wether we have more children or not, and we want more children. At this point, i don't think I could handle it, 50lbs from now, I know I can.

Every single post I read here helps me work it out. Thank you all!

[Kizzie520]

Hi! I'm Christina from NC and I'm 44. I have 3 boys 14, 17, 23 and one grandson who is 8 moths old. I was a hairstylist, nail tech and pedicurist for years until in 1998 I moved in with a fantastic man I met online. I weighed 130 then.
We got married in 1999 and then we both put on those happy marriage pounds. I went up to 156 and didn't want to have to buy new clothes so I started Atkins. I lost 13 pounds the first two weeks and went on to lose a total of 28 pounds in about 3 months total. Below my 130 goal. In 2002, my husband's company closed (he was there 20 years) and he was unable to find work for over a year.
I was working as an accounting rep at a local bank. We were living in upstate NY. He decided we should sell his house and move to NC for more job prospects. Well, I suffer from panic and anxiety disorder and can't drive much anymore. Seems to trigger them. So I don't work at all, get depressed easily also. Bites that I went from making $500.00 a week to nothing........sigh.
Anyway, I took up a beading hobby. Now I sell wire worked bracelets, handpainted beads I make, and beaded jewelry on Ebay. I love it and my income is improving monthly. Takes time I guess.
Since my father died last August I put some pounds on, just sad alot and making comfort food for the kids. I ate it too. So I weighed in last week at 146 and today I'm 142, but also it's TOM so I'm sure I'll be down more later in the week. I am having fun here so far........great support system and I know tons about Atkins.
If you'd like, check out my Ebay store and auctions to see if you like my jewelry www.stores.ebay.com/sweettjewelry

If I can do it, anyone can!

[Kizzie520]

Hi! I'm Christina from NC and I'm 44. I have 3 boys 14, 17, 23 and one grandson who is 8 moths old. I was a hairstylist, nail tech and pedicurist for years until in 1998 I moved in with a fantastic man I met online. I weighed 130 then.
We got married in 1999 and then we both put on those happy marriage pounds. I went up to 156 and didn't want to have to buy new clothes so I started Atkins. I lost 13 pounds the first two weeks and went on to lose a total of 28 pounds in about 3 months total. Below my 130 goal. In 2002, my husband's company closed (he was there 20 years) and he was unable to find work for over a year.
I was working as an accounting rep at a local bank. We were living in upstate NY. He decided we should sell his house and move to NC for more job prospects. Well, I suffer from panic and anxiety disorder and can't drive much anymore. Seems to trigger them. So I don't work at all, get depressed easily also. Bites that I went from making $500.00 a week to nothing........sigh.
Anyway, I took up a beading hobby. Now I sell wire worked bracelets, handpainted beads I make, and beaded jewelry on Ebay. I love it and my income is improving monthly. Takes time I guess.
Since my father died last August I put some pounds on, just sad alot and making comfort food for the kids. I ate it too. So I weighed in last week at 146 and today I'm 142, but also it's TOM so I'm sure I'll be down more later in the week. I am having fun here so far........great support system and I know tons about Atkins.
If you'd like, check out my Ebay store and auctions to see if you like my jewelry www.stores.ebay.com/sweettjewelry

If I can do it, anyone can!

[Finelly]

Wow, that's great jewelry!

I understand about the panic/anxiety thing. Been there, done that. Luckily, meds work for me and leave me symptom-free.

Guess what? I met MY hubby online, too!

I love learning about everyone, don't you?

[Sarah1341]

Thanks for sharing everyone! It is really great to get a story connected with the name :yes

[sunsetsue]

Hey, I met my dh online also! :yikes In 97, we got married in 99. I'm 37, my dh is 44. We are a blended family..his two 16 yr girl, 14 yr boy..and my two boys 16 and 13. :help a houseful of teens. We have a 2 1/2 yr old together. We have custody of all kids (his go visit their mom in the summer). I used to be a telecommunications technician, but quit to stay home when our youngest was born. Now I'm a wahm. My site is http://www.SunsetOnTheHill.com I make lots of toddler items. I love doing embroidery and gardening :nod

We have one dog, an Austalian Shepherd named Hailey.

I gained a bunch of weight after I got married (the 2nd time). After I had my youngest, I was breastfeeding and schlooped off a LOT of the weight. Then Easter came around...I LOVE jellybeans...and I don't think I stopped since then. :anger

So here I am. Oh, and I dont' know how you all can have the most wonderful dh... when I HAVE HIM :nod ROFL

[victoriansoup]

Thanks for sharing everyone! I think its so nice to know something about one another!

Me..I've lived in MN all my life. Been married a few times! I was married (to a gigolo) right out of high school and had a daughter born with Down's Syndrome, her name is/was Jessica, she passed away when she was almost 6 years old due to heart complications. She taught me more in her short 5 years than I could of learned in a lifetime. At the time of her death, I was married to my second husband who was a control freek and possesive and verbally abusive. We have two children, Scott 25 and Emily 22. I ended up having a nervous breakdown and left him. Not without the fight of my life for my two kids, wasn't about to loose anymore children. I worked constantly to support my kids and to try and get my head back together. I was very thin then, about 111 lbs. I stayed single for 4 years and found ME again and must of been a little more happy, cuz the weight went to about 123 lbs. and I was beginning to feel good and had some of my confidence back. Then one day I walked into Kmart and saw a guy that I was (secretly) in love with since high school. Well I walked up to him and started talking to him, about 3 months later, after spending alot of money in KMart to take sneak peaks at him, I asked him out on a date! That was 14 years ago July 4th! We'll be married 11 years in Oct. I finally found my soul mate, the best thing that has happened to me! Besides my children of course! So with comfort, came weight! He is my best
(besides this board) support system and cooks for me!

I have two wonderful grandchildren!! Who are the light of my life. Mariah Paige(Scott's daughter) who will be 4 in August, she's a gramma's girl all the way! Scott and Mandy (Mariah's mommy) will be getting married July 22 2006. Weight will be 125 or LESS!

Ethan Duane (Emily's son) my grandson will be 3 in August. He is gramma's boy, and he is all boy! Emily and Alex will be getting married Sept 2006. Weight will be 124 or less!! LOL

I work in a pork processing plant, I work for the Gov't. I've been there only about a year but I LOVE my job, even though the hours stink!

So thats me in a nutshell! Hope you weren't to bored!

Its so nice to meet you all! Its fun to know something about everyone!!

[Finelly]

Victoriasoup - Wow. You are SOOOO strong! If you ever feel like you just can't lose the weight, re-read what you wrote about your life.

We are ALL strong! Look at us! Committed, willing to fail and try again (in relationships, in woes, in jobs, in LIFE!), with wonderful spouses!!!!

And Christina, if you are reading this and thinking "well, except me, I have a panic disorder and don't drive much" - SHUT UP! As a person who has gone thru the same thing, I know that it takes great strength just to make it thru the day sometimes. You are WAY stronger than you think.

I'm crazy about you guys......

[Shay]

Hey I love this thread! It was great reading about each of you.

I'm 28, my real name is Tiffinae. Been married almost 6 years and have 2 children. My son is 4 and my daughter is 2. I have ALWAYS struggled with weight but never totally lost the battle until after having my daughter. Don't know why or what happened but I just gave in and gained tons of weight. I am wanting another baby in the next year and need to lose some weight before trying for another one so I can have a healthy pregnancy and baby.

I live in Idaho, though we are hoping in the next 2 years to relocate. My husbands in school so we will wait until he finishes. I run a group child care in my home. It's enabled me to be home with my babies and I love that but I am burning out even as I type this! Once dh is done with school I will go back again (Have a degree in Early Childhood education) and do something different once my kids are all in school.

We have a chocolate lab and a golden retriever...as well as 3 cats.

Look forward to reading more about others!

[DebbietheHugBug]

I just wanted to add that I also met my husband "online". Match.com. Who says those things don't work? He is the man that I've wanted ALL my life! :yes

[Shay]

WOW! I can't believe how many people met their husbands online...anyone else meet their hubbies the old fashioned way? LOL

[Finelly]

I met mine in a chatroom, btw!!!! Who knew?