New to the board, second time on Atkins.

[AudreyM]

Hi everyone! My name is Audrey. I'm 19 years old and new to the board but this is my second time on Atkins. I started Induction on Thursday night and so far I am doing really well, eating nothing but approved fresh foods.

The first time I was on Atkins I was 17 years old and about 230lbs. A good friend of mine told me about the diet and how much success his mother's best friend had on it. At first I was skeptical because he has always been thin and what he told me seemed to go against what I had been told was "good eating" my whole life. However, since nothing else seemed to work for me, I decided to go ahead and read the book.

What Dr. Atkins said really made sense to me and a month into the diet I had already lost 10lbs. I kept on it for a bit longer than 5 months and was down to about 170lbs by the time I fell off. I'm still kicking myself for giving up when I did - The mistake that knocked me off track was going to concert hungry, caving and buying french fries. After that it was easy for me to justify a major cheat every here and there - It wasn't long before I fell right back into my old habits of eating junk several times a week and two years later I have gained back a lot of my weight. (I'm actually still 15lbs thinner than before the first time, so i'm not completely back to square one!)

I made the decision to go back on the diet for a second time on Thursday night. I was on the phone with my best friend and I found a picture of me at 170lbs. Now, I don't know why, but I was deluding myself into thinking that at 216lbs (my current weight - I am 5'7", for anyone curious) I looked basically the same as I had at 170lbs. WRONG! Finding that picture really woke me up to how much weight I had gained back and how good I looked two years ago. I've really let myself go. Went from a size 12 to a tight 18.

I decided right then and there to start the diet. I know I was never "thin", but since I gained back 46lbs I have been very unmotivated, tired all the time, and most of all depressed. I looked the picture and asked myself if I would be happy looking the way I look now for the rest of my life and the honest answer is that I can not imagine always being this big. So it was time to stop talking about it and just act!

My male friends are all being very sweet and telling me that I look fine the way I am and that I don't need to diet, but none of them understand how much of a blow it can be to one's self esteem to gain 46lbs in two years. Not to mention the fact that when I exercise now I get so tired... The first time I was on Atkins I could run for an hour and feel great. I'm hoping to start spending more time exercising as well as dieting. More than anything else, i'm hoping I can make it back down to the size I was before and then take it even further - I'm hoping to get into the 135-140 range. I've never been that thin in my life and I can't imagine how great I would feel. (physically and mentally)

Sorry for the long introduction. It just felt good to get all of this off my chest to people who will support me in my desire to lose weight. I'm looking forward to meeting everyone!

[DAWNIMMEL]

Audrey, you are in the right place. The people here are fantastic and will help you along the way. Good luck to you and read the book and drink lots of water.......D-

[AudreyM]

Thanks. Browsing the board, I was definitely impressed with the members here...They are all so nice and their before and after pictures look GREAT. Very inspiring.

[Sheshy]

Hi AudreyM and welcome to ADBB and back to Atkins.

Do you have a copy of Dr Atkins New Diet Revolution (2002)? If not, you'll want to pick one up!

Sorry to hear about your weight gain, but it sounds like your motivated and ready to start again! Yeah, finding skinny pictures or fat pictures can be quite eye opening, I totally understand that feeling!

So, this is Day 3 ... how are you feeling? You might want to check out the 14 Day Induction forum in the Atkins Phases section of the board &/or the Second Time Around Club (STAC) in the Miscellaneous section of the board. They're both great for support and information!

Hope to see you around the board!

[AudreyM]

Thanks for the welcome, Sheshy.

I do have a copy of the book from the first time around but it's currently at my mother's house. I left a message on her machine asking her to return it because I want to read it again from the begining.

I'm feeling pretty good this morning, actually. Yesterday night I had a horrible headache and cravings for McDonald's but I didn't let myself cheat and i'm doing ok this morning. Thanks for pointing me towards the 14 Day Induction forum - i'm sure it will be a huge help since i'm trying to do a clean Induction.

(Also, unrelated, but I wanted to add in for everyone that I do understand that Atkins is a way of life - I also know from experience that it's the way of life for me! But I am used to refering to it as my "diet" because then most people don't ask questions...The first time around, I hated having to justify my eating habits to every naysayer who saw some 15 minute segment damning the program and then thought they were an expert on it. At least people who are quick enough to figure out that my diet is really Atkins tend to be somewhat informed on what it's really all about. )

[killerbombshell]

Hi Audrey, welcome to the board! I understand that it can be hard to be young and on Atkins, especially when all your friends are not. Please let me know if you have any questions or need any support =)

[sunflowergrl]

Welcome to ADBB!! Glad you found your way back to this WOL. I am sure you will do great, I can't wait to hear how you are doing. The 'Induction Flu' will pass, I had it and was so glad when it was over. Its a good thing, getting rid of all the carbage!!

[dreamof145]

Welcome Audrey. Congratulations on coming back to Atkins and taking control of your weight.

You'll find this site full of people who are willing to help you with challenges, information, tips and inspiration. Their friendship really makes a difference in helping you stay motivated as you make life-style changes that will help you stay focused on your health.

[AudreyM]

Thanks killerbombshell, sunflowergrl, and dreamof145 for the welcome!

It is hard to be young and on Atkins...All of my friends want to order pizza, go to McD's, etc because so many of them have great metabolisms. (for now, anyway) But since i've told most of them I am back with Atkins they have been pretty understanding. Except my roommate offered me a small thingy of peach yogurt today and then looked at me like I had twelve heads when I told her I couldn't eat it because of my eating plan. *L* C'est la vie, I suppose.

I'm so glad I found this place...I have to admit that I had my doubts today, thinking is it really worth it, going through the induction flu all over again? I just came back and looked at the before/after forum and knew right away that sticking with it was the right choice. You are all seriously inspiring!

dreamof145 - WOW at your sig. o.o! Your transformation is amazing! You look so young and happy in the Sept 05 pic.

[Jasmain]

Welcome Audrey. I'm so glad you found this place, and that you decided to speak up. You will definitely find all the info, help and support that you need here. There are a lot of people here, including myself, who are doing this for the second or more time. You're in the right place!