As I am writing this, my heart is absolutely racing.

I am actually considering coming back to the Atkins way of life. It has been over a year since I visited here and I have missed it. My story is common, very much so.

I am 39 years old. I married my high school sweet-heart who thinks I am still hot, thank God. I have two children who have stolen my body from me! (can I still blame them, if they are teen-agers?) I am an American living in a foreign country and I am homesick!

I have done weight watchers for years and years. (sound familiar?) I am still doing WW, as a matter of fact. I have never lost weight. I have never been able to sustain the plan for more than a week.

In 2001, my dh brought home Dr. Atkins book. It changed my life. I loved every bit of it. I love the way of eating and I became motivated completely. I was never going to change. I reached my goal weight of 117 within five months, over thirty pounds gone. I bought a size four pair of jeans.

THEN, I moved and something about the traveling... I was unprepared and atkins was inconvenient. I just quit. Overnight. Why? I cannot tell you why I gave up the only thing that had ever worked for me.

But, as you know, the story doesn't end there. My story is the same as yours. I came back! I yo-yo'd for the next six years or so. Atkins, no WW, no Atkins. No, low carb modified for me plan. Sigh.

So, a year ago, we moved again! A year ago, I gave Atkins one more shot. 14 days and I *only* lost 4 pounds. (what?) I was devastated. I began to wonder if I had lost my window of opportunity to *do* Atkins. Was it not working for me anymore? So, yes, I quit.

Now, a year later... I have been doing WW another year and of course, my weight is the same. (hrm) I know WW works for some, don't get me wrong, but long term? for me? perhaps, not.

So, anyway, that is where I am now. Looking through photographs and trying to decide that it has been 15 years for me. I have been chubby for that long. I am starting to get older (39) and in recent weeks, feel really down on myself.

I am not sure where to go from here. Thanks for listening.