Finally Introducing Myself

[LookingForward]

Hi everybody! Technically I'm not new here; I dabbled in Atkins for a few months back in 2003, visiting the forums a bit, mostly lurking, posting just a little. I've been back full force since 1/3. But I've never taken the time to introduce myself, so here goes.

I'm a 35 year old female. My high weight is also my starting weight, which is 275 pounds. I can hardly believe I let it get so bad, but the scale doesn't lie! My initial goal is to get to 175... believe it or not I didn't look bad at that weight, despite being 5'2". I'm very muscular so I've always weighed more than I look. I will fine tune my final goal once I reach 175, but I wanted to set an attainable, celebratable milestone, and losing exactly 100 pounds seemed like just the pick. As of my last weigh-in a few days ago I'm down to 261, 14 pounds I intend to NEVER see again. 14 pounds... such a small percentage of what I need to lose that it seems minor, but when I think of it as having lost a pound every TWO DAYS since I got back on Atkins, I am inspired, thrilled, ecstatic with my progress. How fortunate that the first pounds come off so quickly and easily, it's such a huge motivating factor to stick with it, keep going, be more disciplined, and see more results!

I'm happily married to a WONDERFUL man. My life is very happy. I'm fairly active, considering my weight. But things could be SO much better, and if not now, when? I watched my 20s slip away, not fully enjoyed because I was overweight and insecure, and now I'm halfway through my THIRTIES, and don't intend to watch them slip away, too. This is the time I KNOW I am going to stick with it, make it my way of life, and make big and lasting changes. It is about so much more than weight. It is about confidence, self-respect, improving my marriage (and yes, sex life!), about getting the most out of life, rather than hiding from it because I'm embarassed. I want to hike, I want to go boating and swimming without feeling so intensely embarassed to be in a bathing suit. I want to be, feel and look healthy.

I only get one life, so I can't imagine why I chose to WASTE some of the best years of it wallowing in self-pity, laziness, depression, fear, embarassment and lonliness when I could have taken control of my own life at any time and FIXED it. But since I can't roll back time, I'm just happy I'm doing it now. I feel so much better already.

Thanks for reading, I thought it was way past time to introduce myself and come out from the shadows.

[tkdhabidah]

Welcome! I am so glad you have joined us! This is the best support system I have ever had, and there is so much useful information here! You sound like you are more than ready to expierence this Way of Eating!

So, Welcome to the family, and good luck!

Kristi

[Kate113]

Hello and welcome! Congrats on your loss so far! Great job!

[cstraq]

I'm glad you came out of hiding! Seems like I read some other posting you did about your diet. You seem very committed - sounds like you'll do great! This is a great place to be - none of us can do it very easily all by ourselves - it's easier to fail that way. Look forward to hearing good reports from you!!!

[Austlyn]

Welcome I could have been reading my own life your welcome to pm anytime