It's time for me to stop trying and just do it!

[dotsamantha]

Hi everyone, my name is Samantha, I'm from New York City, I'm 28 years old. I've tried so many eating plans, diets, and silly things to lose weight, and i never stick with anything. I've been a vegetarian, vegan, I've fasted, takensupplements, exercise binged, and I always revert back to my normal lazy ways. I've been in the army for nearly ten years, and i'm about to be a civilian again, so I want to start fresh, in multiple ways. I've always been "thick". i wasn't overweight as a child, and i've been relatively active and athletic, but I've always had a little extra hanging on and I don't feel good about it. i find myslef creeping up the scale little by little and it drives me crazy. I was diagnosed with Narcolepsy about a year ago and it's become my excuse for not doing anything. I've been tired most of my life and nwo I have medication to fight it, but I often find myself not taking the proper lifestyle steps to enhance the benefits of my medication. I love cooking. I'm a big fan of good tasting, hearty food. I'm also very inconsistent. I really want to make positive changes that will last. I don't want to be tired all day. I want to like what I see in the mirror. I have a wonderful boyfriend who will not be changing his eating habits, but he eats pretty well, and promises to be supportive. We're actually getting ready to move in together in the coming month, and I couldn't be more excited. So I'm going to be changing careers and in a new apartment! I think it's a great time to implement new habits. I'll have a fresh refridgerator to work with and possibly a lot of free time if the jobs i'm pursuing don't happen right away, lol.

I'm going to the grocery store this afternoon to pick up a few things to get myself ready. I don't plan on "starting" until next week only because I like to be overly prepared, I'm between two apartments and having a heck of a time with it, and I'm a procrastinator. There's also a hockey game this weekend and, well, they don't make a no-carb Guinness, so I'm going to scrimmage until Saturday so when I cheat I can use the excuse that I hadn't really started yet.
I am, however, all ears, and I am truly looking forward to getting back on the track to healthy living. Thank you for this great site and the tough love that so many of you embrace!
It's about time I became a loser and a winner

[Jasmain]

Hello Samantha, and welcome! Since you're taking some time to prepare, have you picked up your 2002 Version of Dr. Atkin's book yet? Starting fresh by stocking up and getting rid of the things that might haunt you in your kitchen is a great place to start. I hope you like to do some exercise too, you said you exercise binged, but not if you enjoyed exercise. Find something you like to do and stick with it! It will pay off in many ways when used in conjunction with the food changes. If you stick to it and make it your way of life, you'll succeed and be so happy you did! Good luck, and I look forward to seeing more about your journey in the journals!

FYI - Journal stats forum = no one else can post in it, a good place to keep thoughts, facts and figures that you don't want to lose in the jumble of other threads and comments.

Journal chats = other people can respond to your posts, say hi and cheer you on, give advice.

[jsj0305]

Welcome to ADBB! I am so glad that you want a fresh new start! You deserve it!!!

You you ever need anything, PM me!!!!

I think you'll do so great. Your goal seems very obtainable!

[dreamof145]

Hi Samantha...

Welcome. We are all happy to have you join us. ADBB is such a great support system to help you on your journey to get healthy and lose weight. You are so right about stop talking about it and just do it. That is one of my mottos. I spent most of my life wishing I could lose and doing dumb diets that made me miserable and feeling more like a failure. This time, I took the time to check out Atkins. I read the book, became a member here, joined challenges, participated in the conversations, kept a journal and most important...Made a plan to get healthy. Its easier when you have others to share your ups/downs with.

We are all cheering you on and want to see you succeed. Best wishes and please keep us posted on your progress. You can do this!! Make a plan and stick to it.

[dotsamantha]

Regarding exercise:
I love being active and working up a sweat. I hate running. You would think after ten years in the army I would grow to at least like it, but I've been "busty" longer than I've been running, so it's never been fun. I like aerobic activity though. Walking, bicycling, swimming, etc. The person who recommnded Atkins is an avid walker and lives right down the street from my new place so I plan on hitting the trail with her.

I like the journal idea also. I blog, but that's more of a creative endeavor, so I'm very glad there's a space here to log my journey. Thank you for the welcome!

--I don't have DANDR yet, but I bought the "Essentials" version yesterday, and when my coupon for Borders is valid on Thursday I'm going to pick up the full book.

--I can't get over the transformations that I'm seeing here, you're all amazing!

[Isabeau]

Hi and welcome! Wow, you're going through a lot of changes all at once. I'm glad you're taking your time with this this, reading and getting prepared. Many of us are more then ready physically to make big changes but sometimes not psychologically.

It's wonderful that you're an active person as it's such a part of this woe (way of eating) and just healthy living. I'm sure it must be difficult with your narcolepsy. A slogan around here is 'if you're not exercising, you're not doing Atkins'.

I'm also very happy that you're getting the book. We use the 2002 edition around here and yes, there are differences. The nice thing about the older edition is that you can often find it at bargain prices. The book will be your best resource, followed very closely, of course, by the ADBB! Welcome aboard!

[dotsamantha]

I want to have energy again, that's one of the biggest things I miss. I also want to stop buying larger bras.They're getting expensive!

[dotsamantha]

I forgot something else, very important to me. Narcolepsy is very complicated, and there are a lot of theories on the causes. I'm hoping that by balancing myself inside I can have a stronger hold over it. Alot of research points to certain brain enzymes being either not present, deficient, or not acting properly. These enzymes also effect emotions, sex drive, and ::drumroll:: appetite. So we'll see! I'm my own experiment.

[sunflowergrl]

Welcome and good luck!! You will love this way of life!! Anything we can do to help, just let us know!

[dotsamantha]

You guys are great, thank you!