Hi

[Grant]

Hi, I've been looking at the boards the last couple of days and am really glad there is a community like this out there.

My wife and I started seriously dieting (Weight Watchers) on 9/1/2006. What motivated us to start this is the fact that my wife, myself and 5 other family members are doing a "Biggest Loser" weight loss competition. We all put in $100, whoever loses the most (as a percentage of lost weight vs original weight) will get $500 and second place will get $200. I started at 334 pounds. We did pretty well but I stalled at 306 and stayed there. I found the weight watchers diet to be incredibly difficult. I constantly craved my favorite carbs and cheated quite a lot. Every day was rough and I hated it.

Three weeks ago we decided to try a new plan and switched to Atkins. I bought the book and read it and it seemed to make sense so we jumped right in to induction. Everything has been going great, I've started to lose weight again, I have more energy, and I feel GOOD. I havn't cheated or even felt (almost) no desire to cheat whatsoever, and we've begun exercising regularly.

I really believe Atkins is the solution for me.

Although we plan on continuing with the Atkins WOL after the competition ends we have decided to do an extended induction to lose as much weight as possible as quickly as possible to try to win the competition (don't worry, it ends in Febuary so it won't be unhealthily long).

Well that's pretty much it for me, glad to be here. Please wish me luck in reaching my goals and good luck to all of you as well.

Stats:

Height: 6' 2"
Top weight: 9/1/06, 334 pounds
Switched from WW to Atkins: 12/11/06, 306 pounds
Current weight: 12/30/06, 292 pounds.
Goal Weight: 220

A gloriously horrible shot of me, darn near my max weight. This is going to change soon.

[julirama723]

Re: Hi

Hi Grant!

I hope you win the competition! If I give you tips and pointers, will you split the loot with me 50/50? Just kidding.

I will say that for me, Atkins really really works! Well for most people I think it works (it doesn't tend to work when people create their own rules, or follow a "modified" atkins) but for me it's a smart health decision. Diabetes runs in my family and I don't want to go to an early grave...but the main reason I started is because I looked and felt horrible. I feel 1000x times better now, and I'm actually learning how to control portions, LOVE veggies, and I've begun to learn how to eat healthy for the rest of my life.

Many people decide to stay on induction or do "extended induction" and that's cool for them. I decided to move up the rungs and I actually have lost the majority of weight on OWL, NOT on induction. And moving up through the rungs of OWL gives me more food choices, more exciting things to try, less boredom, and WAYYYYY less of a desire to eat something off-plan! Just something to think about...

I am SO glad you bought the book and have read it! Keep it handy. There is SO much info in there, it's hard to get on a first read-through. Or maybe I've got a lousy memory...either way, it's a great reference, and it's really neat to go back and take that blood sugar test again after a few weeks! YOu'll be a totally different person.

Best of success!

[Adena]

Re: Hi

Hi, Grant -- welcome! So glad you found us here -- it's a great board full of committed folks who really want to see others succeed.

I found that I lost more weight when I started moving up the OWL rungs -- I was on extended induction for several weeks, and found I immediately lost more when I started adding in more carbs. Now, I've moved all the way through the rungs (yay for low carb breads and tortillas!), and still typically lose about 2 pounds a week. So, my word of advice is that if you find your losses slowing down, consider moving up the rungs. I learned first hand that less food and less carbs doesn NOT necessarily = more weight loss.

You may want to consider starting a (joint?) journal, and/or join a challenge. It's a great way to be involved on the board and build a network of ADBB buddies. Best of luck to you and your wife. I look forward to reading about your progress -- keep us posted!

[Atkid]

Re: Hi

Just wanted to drop in and say welcome! Plenty of others around to help you with any questions you may have, post often and happy lowcarbing!

[sallyseachange]

Re: Hi

Hello and welcome! It's awesome that you've decided to do Atkins! If you eat the way the program specifies you'll soon be fitter and leaner!
Roam the board and see all that's going on. Join any exercise challenges you like (exercise really does help - take it from a one time non believer), maybe start a journal...
If you have any queries, we're all more than ready to help where we can.

I'm rooting for your winning your competition!

[sillygirl]

Re: Hi

Hey Grant! Big welcome to this board! The family competition is a wonderful thing to help keep you accountable for your eating, and eating this way with your wife is even better! Keep us posted as to your progress, we love to watch people shrink and eat healthy!

[Lisa M]

Re: Hi

Welcome to the board, Grant! I hope you and your wife kick booty and win the first and second prizes so you can go do some serious shopping! Best wishes and keep us posted!

See Grant in his Journal

EDIT

*This Spotlight-Introduce Yourself thread has been closed due to extended absence of owner. Please feel free to private message any compliments and/or comments to the original poster. If you are the owner and would like to revive your Spotlight-Introduce Yourself please PM the forum mod or an Admin.