Hello!

[cmooregreen]

I spent a while familiarizing myself with this forum one day last week and am very impressed with everyone's accomplishments, honesty and support. So...I thought I'd join in!
I have been doing Atkins since January of 2005 and have lost approx. 30 lbs. I am a 5 foot, 9 inch tall female, mother of 2. My beginning weight was 180 and am now at around 150. My goal weight is 140 and I am having a hard time getting there. My body seems to like 150 pounds! I have lost (and gained!) weight pretty much all of my life, but at the age of 30 it became increasingly more difficult to lose the weight. Atkins changed all that, thank goodness!
I have recently joined a gym to hopefully aid in the loss of these final 10 pounds and firm up the flab. I stuck to induction WAY to long and have lost a lot of lean muscle mass, apparently. Wish me luck and I look forward to hearing from, and talking with, all of you guys!

[MotherOfGizmo]

Re: Hello!

Hi Cmoore! Welcome to ADBB!

Sounds like you know the ropes already! Good for you, almost at goal, I think 150 is pretty darned good for a 5 ft 9 in woman! Maybe your body is happy there? At the least, the gym should tone things up for you and you may decided you're happy with 150! Good luck~!

[dreamof145]

Re: Hello!

Welcome and congratulations on your 30 pound loss. This site is fantastic. As you've probably already learned it is full of exercise challenges, motivational success stories and photos (loser's lounge) and health issues to answer all your questions and concerns.

Best wishes!

[cmooregreen]

Re: Hello!

Thank you both very much, and dreamof145, you should be so proud of yourself. You look like a TOTALLY different person! Wow, what an accomplishment. I bet you have a whole new life now!

[adreliluc]

Re: Hello!

Congratulations! It’s got to be awesome to be so close to your goal weight… yet frustrating I’m sure for it to be ‘just out of reach’. You’ll get there, don’t worry!

How long did you stay on induction? Is losing muscle mass common during induction? (lol that’s probably a stupid question but I’m paranoid!) good luck with the gym!

[cruiser gal]

Re: Hello!

Welcome aboard and congrats on the 30 lb loss. The last 10-20 lbs are always the hardest to lose, but keep plugging away at it and it willcome!

[2big4mysize]

Re: Hello!

welcome to ADBB.

I can't understand why you would think you lost any lean muscle tissue doing induction unless you ddin't eat enough food. There is no way to burn muscle for fuel on Atkins unless you undereat your Atkins!

Have you been doing the mandatory exercise part of the Atkins plan both resistance and aerobic during this past yr? We have losts of exercise challenges going on right now. the ^WEC is very motivsationg trying to avoid a public slugging from Skkyye.

Happy low carbing.

[cmooregreen]

Re: Hello!

I stayed on induction for about 5 months and I began a fast paced walking routine of about 10 miles a week, but I never trained with any weights, so I wasn't highly utilizing my muscles necessarily. I think the biggest problem is that I lost my desire for food, so you are right, 2big4mysize, I just wasn't eating enough in general. But I have started eating well now, going to the gym has really increased my appetite, and I feel great! I just have to remind myself that I am still in control, even if I am consuming larger quantities of food.

[pipee_pl]

Re: Hello!

cmooregreen,
I am also 5'9" and have around the same starting weight as you. I am also giving myself a first goal of 160 then 150 and maybe 140- depends on the struggle. I was healthy and happy at 150 before, i will see what it feels like when I get there.
I think weight training is key when used in combination with cardio- I like to do 3 days a week cardio and 2 weights. I like to do a set of 10 then 12 then 14 all with the same size weight then work my way to something heavier, but find what works for you and go for it!

[cmooregreen]

Re: Hello!

I met with a trainer on Saturday who took my muscle mass/fat indexes-DEPRESSING! Just when I was proud I had lost the weight, I am now looking at a lot more hard work apparently. He recommends I get down to 140 pounds and lower my body fat by 8-10% over the next 7-8 months. I am getting married in July so the timing works out well. So, I start officially working with a trainer, for the first time, as of Jan. 1. Wish me luck!