Here I go again!

[JenStar71]

Hello Everyone,

My name is Jennifer, and I have been overweight since I was about 6 years old. I have struggled my whole life with my weight and wished I was dealt a different hand than this one. I have tried very loosely a few different diets in my life, and stuck to them about 2 weeks at the most. Most only lasted a few hours. I did however start Atkins in May 2001 and stuck to it for about 2-3 months and lost about 30 pounds. I felt and looked so much better but I still had about 75 pounds to go.

I gave up and started eating the way I was addicted to eating and went from 200 pounds up to 276 pounds within 3 years. It was devastating and yet I still haven't done anything about it. I am about 255 right now, and I started Atkins again today 3/10/10 one day after my 39th birthday. I want to reach my goal weight of 125 by my 40th birthday next year. I have 5 children and I feel so sick and dizzy all the time, tired, bored with life, and have no passion for anything. I haven't felt like a woman in 9 years. I feel like an invisible troll! Nobody notices me in public, yet I feel so self conscious.

I am doing this to feel better, to get rid of my diabetes and high blood pressure and depression/dizziness. I just need help from friends that are going through the same crap in life. I will start to walk 30 minutes tomorrow and hopefully join the gym for some serious work-outs. I feel so hideous and scared for my life. I don't want to die from this weight problem and I want to live and feel human again.

I hope I am not being too heavy for this introduction but I really just wanted to express my feelings. So we shall talk again on another posting next week on the 17th, Saint Patty's Day and hopefully I will have dropped some poundage!! Here I go again....

[chinadoll]

Re: Here I go again!

Welcome Jen. Acknowledging all of the baggage you have been carrying all this time is a good thing! You know this works, so come often to post, drink your water, eat your veggies, and consider starting a journal page to keep track of your progress and frustrations. I am in the same boat as you--have been heavy since 2nd grade and I am pushing 50 now. Sad to think I have been fighting this weight thing my entire life, but there it is. Atkins is by far the best way of eating for me. I feel better and am healthier--no sugar issues, no cholesterol issues, fewer allergic reactions, no reflux. Hopefully you will feel terrific in your new lifestyle too!

[Farley]

Re: Here I go again!

Best advice I was given when I started was to read the book (DANDR 2002). It really got me excited about the diet. Re-reading the book if you've read it before will remind you of rules you may have forgotten. You can post your food diary to the "Review my Menu" section if you have any questions about what you are eating during induction.

Any drastic change in diet should be done under the supervision of a physician if you have underlying health concerns. Consider having blood work done before starting the diet as suggested by Dr. Atkins in his book. Also, remember to take measurements before getting to far into the diet, they will tell you how you are doing as much as the scale will.

Welcome, and "bon appetit".

Farls,