"What if this is as good as it gets?"

[Tru2mee]

That was a question I was faced as the new year of 2006 stared me straight in the eye. I had a wonderful new year, in New York City with my boyfriend, who proposed to me on New Years Eve. But after I left NY and returned home to Memphis, I began to think... about my life, my future... OUR future... and saw there were so many things about myself that I wasn't happy with, and decided it was time to change. That was the first step. After speaking to my best friend who is an avid Atkins WOL'er and former bodybuilder, she told me to read up on Atkins and see what I thought. After spending several days now reading up on everything I could find about this WOE and WOL, and reading many posts on this board, I decided to start. I started myself on induction 2 days ago, deciding I would stay strict to the book and not falter this time. Even in just 2 short days into a strict induction, I've gone from 242 lbs to 238 lbs. Four pounds already gone, and I've never felt better.

At 25 years old, I've always been heavy throughout my life since I quit all my dance classes at the age of 10 due to another family move (military parents). I've been married and divorced, I"ve lived all over the world, I've accomplished many things but the one thing that I have never accomplished is the weight I'd like to get off of my body. I, too, have always heard "you have such a beautiful face" or "your eyes are amazing." but one day, I want to hear "You're HOT! SMOKIN!" My fiancee loves me just as I am and is so supportive of me wanting to do this, even with us being 1100 miles apart from each other. I hope that the next time he sees me and each time after, his jaw will be hitting the ground. All total, I had 107 lbs I wanted to lose to be at my goal weight of 135. I'm also posting a before picture, just to remind myself of why I am doing this. Sometimes, it's hard to see yourself "outside the box".

I look forward to making so many new friends here, all of us sharing in each other's accomplishments and pushing each other to go onward. If anyone happens to live in the same area I do (MS or TN) I'd ABSOLUTELY Love to hear from you. Between work, school, and running my own business I don't ever have much time to get out and meet new people, but any support or partners I can find to push me even more would be truly appreciated.

You're all amazing, with amazing stories and unprecedented strength, and I admire each and every one of you for making the decision to change your life, just as I hope to do. Wish me luck!!!!

-Monique

[biogeek]

Congrats on starting Atkins WOE/WOL, Monique! I wish you the best of luck as you progress through this journey!!! Our Atkins start dates are very close together, so we'll be taking the same road together. Let me know if I can be of any help!

[Kate113]

Welcome and much luck to you. Cute pic.

[Tru2mee]

thanks for the support guys.... I appreciate it more than you know!

[Austlyn]

Welcome You will do it !!!!!!!!!!!

[Brook]

Welcome to ADBB, Monique!

I absolutely love your siggy pictures. You're gorgeous, lady! And isn't it cool knowing the best is yet to come?!

Most of all, I love the tag - "Because I love myself as much as he loves me." That just makes my heart smile. Good for you!

Read until your eyes bleed. Ask lots and lots of questions. Lean on us for support. Let us hold your hand when ya need it and kick ya in the butt when you need that too. This community is amazing and I'm really glad you decided to join it.

Welcome aboard!
~Brook

[songstories]

We are very close in both start date, age, and predicaments. My boyfriend is in Iraq for the next seven months and while I know that I have too much weight to lose to hit my goal in time for him to come back, I still want him and his buddies to be wowed when they see me. It's a rough road but when you see the results it will make it easier to stick with. The best advice I can give you is EXERCISE even if it is only 25 or 30 minutes a day. It will make a huge difference.

[Tru2mee]

Kristin that's awesome.... and same goes here, if there's anything I can do to help or keep you going please don't hesitate to contact me! My IM contacts are all in my profile as well....

Best wishes!
Monique

[californiacasey]

Welcome to you! (I can't see the pic though!)

Happy Low Carbing to you!

[Analog6]

Monique, welcome to . I reckon with that attitude you're going to do very well here. 30 lbs by April 10 should definitely be acheivable. As you've seen, it melts off real fast once you get started. A strict induction gives you the best idea of how successful you are going to be.

I lost 11kgs (24 1/2 lbs) on Induction, that was almost 8% of what I want to lose. It gave me great impetus and if I feel a bit faltering I just look back at my weight loss chart.

Keep a journal - I have a special 2006 diary where I enter all my food, exercise and my moods for the day, plus anything that affects my WOL (not well etc). I used an exercise book before but the diary will last the whole year.

Good luk with it.

BTW, when is the wedding? You'll definitell be slim and gorgeous for it.