Finding Me

[Diva68]

This is my 1st time on Atkins. I'm 39, 5'5", female, single and have a 17yr old daughter who graduates high school in May. I have really just let myself go. My weight gain started around 1994-(I was 125lbs) and has been on the rise since. I'm in the middle of a career change and preparing for my daughter to leave for college in August, so I think this would be the best time to get this weight off. I'm embarking on a new chapter in my life and I would love to have all this extra weight gone to help me deal with these changes--or add to the excitement of it all. My daughter leaving will be a big adjustment for me. I've never lived alone and I'm afraid if I don't get this weight off now, I'll just sit around-alone and continue to gain and start having medical problems. I hate what I see in the mirror and know that only I can change me. I miss the energetic, full of life person I used to be, so that's why I decided to title this "FINDING ME". That's exactly what I'm doing. FINDING ME!
I have been navigating around the website and finally decided to join. I have a horror story with diets. My family actually make jokes about me and MY DIETS. If you mention the diet, then I've probably tried it. Yes, I've had results, but that whole thing of--"I gained it all back, +some." Well, that's me. I had been holding steady at 215 for awhile now, but my highest weight was 220lbs a couple of weeks ago. It only lasted a few days and I fell back to 217.5. My brother had purchased the Atkins videos and gave them to me. (He's never been overweight, so I'm figuring he really puchased the videos for me). I watched the videos and decided I could do this, so I started MY NEW LIFESTYLE on tuesday-02/26/08 at 217.5lbs. The 1st few days were ok--I was a bit tired with a headache, but had already read that could happen. I did have more energy on the 3rd day. On the 4th day, I started to workout using Billy Blanks' Tae Bo Basic 1 dvd. On saturday-03/01/08-(the start of my 5th day on Atkins), I was feeling down and really wanted a bowl of Kellogg's Frosted Flakes for breakfast, but I knew I shouldn't. I had decided to weigh-in once a week and this was only day 5, but I decided to weigh-in anyway to see if I had lost any. This was to keep me motivated. At the start of day 5 on Atkins, I was down to 213. I lost 4.5lbs in 4 days. This really boosted my confidence and I didn't have the Frosted Flakes. Over the next few days I've either walked or TaeBo-ed for exercise. I weighed-in on Tuesday-03/04/08, the start of day 8 on Atkins and I'm down to 211lbs. This is really working for me. I haven't been hungry--not even once and I made a committment not to weigh myself too much. That can be discouraging. I see that this WOE does work. I'm excited and really grateful for this website. You all--(including new members) are so encouraging. Your words and photos-(along with how great I'm feeling) are keeping me inspired.

[Carb Addict]

Re: Finding Me

Welcome to the boards! You should be celebrating your weight loss! It is a start and you can do this!! I was just alittle under where you started and I have released 16 pounds since mid Jan. I think with this diet you really need to make the comittment to jump in full force and not cheat! It is a biological thing - if you eat what you are allowed on induction, you will lose. If you cheat, that will change the biological process and you will not. Even the simplest of cheats will do it. This last Friday I had chicken wings- thinking that there really wasnt that much batter on them and I was ok. It knocked me right out of ketosis and out of losing weight. They certainly were not worth it. I love losing and I love getting up in the morning and winning with the scale and with the way my clothes fit. I love the energy that comes with it! It is great! Just wait until you are doing the happy dance because you are back in control and can now charge the hill and partake in all your old activities!! Enjoy the comraderie of these boards! The people here are great and want you to succeed!! WELCOME!!

[sallyseachange]

Re: Finding Me

Hiya Diva and welcome aboard! Thanks so much for telling us your story and about your Atkins start.

Congrats on your loss so far... you're doing splendidly! And kudos to you for not caving over the Frosted Flakes. Isn't it great when you get results which inspire you to continue and not cheat? Awesome!
Now, you have to slip into the mindset of not cheating and hanging in there, even when the scales isn't quite so friendly... and sadly, the scale can be a beast at times.
A good tip is to take your measurements. The tape measure is a far more reliable guage of success than the scales and sometimes it takes the scales a little while to catch up with the real weight loss, i.e. inches.

Have you read the book? If not, that'll also inspire you, as well as being a great help. Understanding this way of eating and how/why it works is fundamental to success. Dr Atkins New Diet Revolution (2002 edition) is the one you need and the one this board goes by.

Keep us posted. We're all in this together!

[mitzimarie]

Re: Finding Me

Hi, Diva

Welcome to ADBB!

Finding this board is the best tool you can have, to be successful with Atkins. Make sure to spend some time looking around... we have so much to offer! There is a wealth of information, and tons of motivation and support.

Here are a few links, to get you started:

Linda's website for lowcarb recipes:
http://www.genaw.com/lowcarb/index.html

STAC forum:
http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard....isplay.php?f=82

Atkins FAQ forum:
http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard....isplay.php?f=79

Review My Menu forum:
http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard....isplay.php?f=50

Exercise Challenge forum:
http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard....isplay.php?f=51

Journal Chats forum:
http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard....isplay.php?f=31

Journal Stats forum:
http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard....isplay.php?f=94

It sounds like you have gotten off to a GREAT start! Keep it up!!

[Diva68]

Re: Finding Me

Thanks for all the encouragement and advice. Before I joined, I viewed you guys before and after pics and read your stories. Very encouraging. You guys are amazing. I haven't been hungry not even once. I think the Frosted Flakes craving talked about in my introduction was about stress. I never wanted to admit I was a stress eater, but I really am . I haven't cheated and don't plan to. Thanks so much for all of this!!! And yoohoo for Dr. Atkins!!

[Diva68]

Re: Finding Me

I'm not sure if I'm posting this in the right place or should I start a new thread-(someone advise, please)--BUT, I'm on my 13th cheat-free day of Induction. This has been the easiest "diet" I've ever tried. I haven't had any sugar cravings or been hungry. That's unbelievable. I have no appetite--at all, so at meal times, I'll just throw a salad together or steam some broccoli to go with my meat. I usually have eggs and bacon for breakfast. Food just doesn't taste the same. My weigh-ins are tuesdays of each week, so I'm excited about that. After one week, I lost 6.5 lbs, so I'm hoping for great results again. Just one more victory to tell you about: I have actually gotten through Tae Bo Basic 1 without stopping, so maybe in the next week I can move on to Tae Bo Basic 2. No "almost" butt cramps, either (LOL) and I can tell I'm more flexible. I can almost put my head on my knee when stretching. I had been alternating the Tae Bo with walking, but here in Georgia--we had a Tornado on Friday and it was really cold and snowing on Saturday, so hopefully today after church, it will be pleasant enough for a good walk.

I'm thinking I should write this in a journal, so someone please let me know.

Thanks!!

[Adena]

Re: Finding Me

Welcome, Diva, and congratulations on your success so far! You really sound motivated and committed. I was thinking.... I think it's great that you are starting to change your life for the better as your daughter prepares to leave for college. While I know you'll miss her, know the great thing about that? All your time will be your own. You can workout when you want, spend time experimenting with lots of different recipes, not be tempted by someone else's non-Atkins-legal food in the house, etc. Heck, it makes me want to shoo my kids off to school. Too bad they are only 4 and 5.

I always like to see follow up comments in the introduction threads as so many post and then disappear. GOOD FOR YOU for not being one of those! But if you'd like to keep the conversation going, you might want want to start a journal. Just go to the link below and click on "new thread."

Journal chats: http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.c...splay.php?f=31

By the way, just want to emphasize what was said below about getting your hands on a copy of Dr Atkins New Diet Revolution, 2002 edition. The videos (I think) were produced after Dr A passed, and we consider HIS last book, the 2002 edition, our bible around here.

Best of luck to you!

[OzLover]

Re: Finding Me

Welcome to ADBB!!!

Definately start a journal. I see that Adena gave you the link. Join a challenge or two. Please take your measurements so you can keep track of inches lost!! Take some photos also! Most importantly get a copy of DANDR!!!

Congrats on you success thus far!

[Diva68]

Re: Finding Me

The videos I have are of Dr. Atkins himself--and only him. I do plan to get the book DANDR 2002 edition. I haven't had time to get to a book store that has it. I may have to order it online, so within the next couple of days I may do that. I really need the book and I've seen some pretty good deals online. I will take my measurements and some photos tonight and try to post them. This is sooo much fun. You guys are awesome. I can't wait to get to 130 lbs!!!!!

[KellyNew4Me2]

Re: Finding Me

I am brand new to the boards but I did a lot of research using the boards before I started. I'm only on day 3, but I feel so great! I'm so amazed that I'm not at all hungry either! Everybody on the boards is so encouraging, I really appreciate it. By the way, how do you get the pictures and the ticker graphics that track your progress into your messages?

[misplaced southerner]

Re: Finding Me

hi diva and welcome! wow you are doing great. change is hard. my son left for college and he is in his second year. it was a huge adjustment. and i still have a 12 year old at home! good to see you taking charge of your life and making such positive changes...and yes start a journal. we all have lots of fun there!

[Diva68]

Re: Finding Me

Yeah, change isn't always easy, so I've decided to make the most out of it. OK--today was my weigh-in day (tuesdays of each week). I've completed the 14-day Induction, so this is day #15. I lost 6.5 lbs the 1st week and only 1/2 lb the 2nd week. I must admit that I am disappointed. I was hoping for at least a grand total of 10 to 12 lbs. BUT!!! I am not giving up. I am 7 lbs lighter than I was 2 weeks ago and for that I'm HAPPY!!! For the last week, I did eat Smoked Turkey (from the whole turkey--not pre-packaged sandwich meat) almost every day. I know the sodium count is rather high, so maybe that's where I stalled a bit. I'll check my journal later tonight and "STUDY" what I did differently. Is it normal to lose 6.5 lbs one week and 1/2 lb the next week? I've decided to do "Extended Induction" and I'll get my daughter to take my measurements and post them later tonight. I haven't cheated, have no appetite, no sugar cravings, I'm exercising everyday and drinking 64 oz of water everyday, but I do know that my stress level is up. My aunt-(Dad's side of the family) has cancer and has been put on hospice-(when the doctors say "we've done all we can do"). My Mother died of cancer in January '04- (and had been placed on hospice, also) and all of this happening again with my Aunt is VERY STRESSFUL. I plan to hang in here, because I know all of this SUCCESS is real and I want to be a part of it!!!

(Since I have no appetite, I'm eating the easiest thing to fix--usually a salad and I haven't eaten the 3 meals as instructed. I'm just not hungry. Any advice would be greatly appreciated).

[sallyseachange]

Re: Finding Me

Diva... sorry to hear about your current stressful time and your aunt's illness. I can imagine it would be very hard to cope with a repeat situation. Hang in there; better times are around the corner, for sure.

I'd certainly try to eat at least every six hours. You don't want your metabolism to slow down by having your meals too few and far between. If you aren't hungry, just have a small snack. A few olives.. a piece of cheese... a piece of cold meat. It doesn't have to be much, at all.

Eating high sodium foods will certainly translate into the scales being horrid to you. Drink masses and masses of water to flush out the sodium and look for foods that aren't so salty.

[Diva68]

Re: Finding Me

Hello. My name is Diva and I'm a stress eater. I was doing so great, but for the last couple of days I have cheated. Not because I'm hungry or having cravings. I don't fully even understand why. If you read my last post, you'll know that my Aunt has cancer and has been placed on hospice--the same scenario that happened to my Mother in 2004. I'm not going to use this to make my cheating ok, but that was just to explain my level of stress. I still have no appetite, no hunger, and no cravings, so all I can come up with is that I cheated because I'm stressed. Yesterday, I had a slice of garlic toast with sprinkles of mozzarella cheese. Today I had 1 slice of garlic toast with sprinkles of mozzarella cheese...AND!...16 oz of Edy's "Light" ice cream(Vanilla Bean)...AND!...I put some chocolate pudding in with it. YIKES!!! (I Know). Tomorrow is a new day and I plan to get back on plan, but right now I'm really pissed with myself and think I'll just go to bed.

[KellyNew4Me2]

Re: Finding Me

Hey Diva,

Yes watching somebody go is very painful. My mom passed in '96 from an anneurism, and my Grandfather is currently in a nursing home with Alzheimer's. Don't beat yourself up, just get back on the wagon. You know this way of eating works, so just work it out. Keep stuff with you, string cheese, shoot even pork rinds helped me out! We've got your back, sis. I'm lifting you up in my thoughts. The results are gonna be SO worth it! By the way, my cousin (who lost ~60lbs on Atkins is my hero. She lives in Hotlanta too!) Stay strong, girl.