Hi.

[jade44v]

Hi,

I'm about to start Atkins. I am 205 @ 5' 4" and 41 years old.

I had lost 50 pounds about 2 years ago, slowly, just eating anything in moderation and speed walking 2+ miles a day but gradually the exercising dropped off and my intake has increased and I'm back up again.

I'm looking towards Atkins because this time I've gained weight around my middle, big time. That didn't happen the last time, I never really had a fat belly; the fat was more evenly distributed. But the things that have changed this time around are a higher alcohol consumption (not crazy, but usually on weekends, which will now stop), much higher stress level in a new job, and not much sleep (which will also stop), all of which I now know contribute to belly fat in addition to eating lots of carbs and not exercising. So I know I have more to change than just my diet.

I'm hoping to reach 160 by the end of July and that's around 10 pounds per month. I think I'm going to start Atkins next Monday because I have 2 mandatory work-related parties this week (and that almost never happens), so I plan to enjoy myself at these 2 events and then know I can start on Monday without distractions and temptations.

I know temptations will always come along, but I don't want to set myself up this early into it.

I'm sure I'll have plenty of questions, and am spending this week reading the book, cleaning out the fridge of everything I can't have, and making sure I have plenty of everything I can have and hopefully making it as convenient as I can for myself to stay on track.

Jackie

[Sunny_0ne]

Re: Hi.

Welcome, Jackie,

I'm so glad you joined us.

It sounds like you've done some good planning for this, so that means that your chances of success are very high!

I'm sorry about the job stress. Not too much you can do about that, but you CAN keep it from dictating how you eat and take care of yourself.

Be sure to start some kind of exercise program, even if it is just walking. I've found that to be the best stress reliever there is, and it will also help the pounds come off.

Good luck!

[imagood1]

Re: Hi.

hi Jackie!! I hope you have the DANDR 2002 book and have read it -- if not Amazon has very inexpensive copies. The best thing you can do until you can read the book is to go to the Induction area and read the stickies. There are also recipe sites you can go to and find tasty recipes that will keep you from getting bored with the same old thing.

It's probably best not to put the added pressure of a date and number of pounds you want to loose by -- your body will dictate what timetable and how much you loose. As long as you follow the plan the way it was written, exercise, take your supplements and drink at least 64 oz of water a day you should do very well.

There is a challenge forum where you can find and join exercise or other type of challenges - it helps keep you accountable to yourself and on track.

Good luck on your journey.

Rules of Induction:
http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.c...ead.php?t=6782 (What are the Rules of Induction?)
Induction Acceptable Foods:
http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.c...ead.php?t=6781 (What foods can be eaten on Induction?)

Linda's Low Carb Menus & Recipes - Daily Menus
Sheila's Low Carb, Atkins & Induction Friendly *ORIGINAL* Recipes Page!

http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.com/forums/atkins-diet-14-day-induction/58513-never-ending-induction-recipes.html

http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.com/forums/atkins-diet-14-day-induction/6807-induction-recipe-basics-more-recipes-added.html

[blueberrylady]

Re: Hi.

Welcome to the board, Jackie!

You've made some fine preparations and planning is key to success. Keep us posted on how it goes.

[jade44v]

Re: Hi.

Thanks so much for the replies. I do have the book, and it's funny because I just had a conversation with someone about the diet and they had so much misinformation. I got into an argument with a woman (an employee) at GNC yesterday when I stopped in for supplements, and never would have if I didn't have the book. I told her what I was about to do, hoping she would help me pick out the right supplements, but she wanted to sell me their diet products so she kept telling me how Atkins is "a very dangerous diet" and that it's very bad for you not to eat vegetables. I said I agree, that's why you eat vegetables... and I said too many people give the diet a bad rap because they hear from a friend that all you do is eat bacon and cheese the rest of your life and that people should read the book before dispensing information (especially somebody in her position). Then she tried to sell me some supplement drink with sugar in it. I said I don't want anything with added sugar, her response was that I should ignore the sugar, it's no big deal. I left. I saw another friend recently in a restaurant who told me she was on the Atkins diet as she scarfed down Chicken Francaise over linguine with a glass of wine. I asked her if she was in the induction phase and she asked me what that was. I'm certainly no Atkins expert but I'm learning the basics at least and I hope I get it right, but those 2 experiences this past week reminded me how important it is to make sure I learn everything I need to so that it works.

Unfortunately my friend from the restaurant will probably end up as one of those people who claim they did this and gained 10 pounds and it doesn't work and blah blah blah.

Actually I picked the end of July because I am going on vacation that week, and want to not feel as miserable as I have been feeling so I can put shorts on and be comfortable with myself. I find if I give myself a milestone like that, I do a little bit better. My target is 140 but if I can get close to 160 by the end of July I'll be thrilled.

Thanks again for the welcome and all the helpful advice and links!

[Chicklady]

Re: Hi.

Hi Jackie Yeah, the uniformed surely can put a black mark on Atkins. To heck with them. This WOE works, and is healthy! i've never eaten so many vegetables in my life!!
You sound prepared and informed....have a great Atkins journey!