advice for someone new...

[elainecat]

Hi, I'm really glad I found this board. I've been reading it for the past few hours and eveyone is so supportive and its very encouraging.

Two years ago, I weighed 130 and was comfortable with how I looked. After a year and a half of law school, I have gained 34 pounds. I started working out regularly a month ago and am on my third day of induction.

I guess, I'm just a pessemist. I have not cheated, been drinking 100 oz (!!!) of water each day and no soda. Will this really work? I guess I just want a guarantee. My motivation for starting Atkins was my overall disqust with how I looked and felt, but also, I'm getting married in 12 weeks. I'm so scared that I will look like I do now on my wedding day -- - and that really depresses me. So I'm motivated and really want to do this for so many reasons. And I guess, I could just use some encouragement. Someone telling me that it's not going to not work...

[cypressgirl]

12 weeks and you will be one beautiful (thin) bride! You just have to stick with it and give it an honest effort. Once you begin to see the results, it will be easier to be excited about it. Stick with the book and don't try to wing it!

Can't wait to see your results posted!

[dreamof145]

Atkins works. It sounds like you have a committment to yourself to improve your health, self-esteem and lose weight. We all come here with doubt, but for those who take Dr. Atkin's advice and follow his plan....it works.

Everybody here is supporting each other thru the ups/downs in this journey to health. We are all human, we have good days and bad days. Things happen in our lives that upset us, we are invited to celebrations with lots of illegal foods, people say negative things to us that cause us to look for comfort in food. Thats why it is so important for you to make a plan of action.

Come here to the ADBB for the encouragement and support from the members that are making this work. Read the forums, participate in the challenges, make friends. YOU can do it. WE are all here to help you.

READ THE DANDR (Dr. Atkin's New Diet Revolution, edition 2002)
Drink lots of water
Take supplements
EXERCISE
Take your measurements every two weeks.

I look forward to hearing about your success and upcoming marriage!!

[Sheshy]

Hi and welcome to ADBB!

The information is above is so right on! Follow the rules of Induction to the letter, exercise, drink your water and visit ADBB for support! You'll do great!

[elainecat]

thank you for the advice and support. I know there's no real average, but how much weight can one really expect to lose in a 12 week period?

[ttdriver]

Your success depends on your commitment. Period. Nobody can guarantee what you will lose in a given period of time because nobody knows how committed you really are EXCEPT YOU! You determine how well it works for you.

I would caution you, however, NOT to just do this until your wedding and then abandon it and return to eating high carb/high sugar foods. The weight will come back with a VENGEANCE .. many people can testify to that. So please, if you are going to commit to Atkins, do it for the rest of your life, to take control of your HEALTH for good.

I'll admit, 4 years and 2 months ago, when I started Atkins I gave it "2 weeks" .. I had my doubts too .. well lemme tell ya .. my life has TOTALLY CHANGED now and I will eat this way for the rest of my life because it has made ALL THE DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD in how I look, how I feel, how I think, and how healthy I am.

Wishing you the same success!

REMEMBER: 'if its to be, its up to ME!'

Betty

[elainecat]

Thanks for the advice. I wasn't just planning on stopping after the wedding, I'm too miserable with how I look...and the upcoming wedding simply amplifies that feeling of despair and sadness about how I see myself. The hard thing in terms of the wedding is just that because we had a long engagement due to law school, two years ago at our engagement party, I was what I considered slim, a size 4. I had to even buy a totally new dress, because the dress I bought then couldn't even be let out to the size I am. It's just very depressing because in a way it feels like it crept on so fast...

Before, I never ate anything with gluten, so in many ways, I was doing a modified atkins. I had IBS for years, and my doctor had me cut it out. Then when we slowly started introducing gluten back into my diet (and thus carbs) wihtout my stomach getting upset....a ton of weight just packed on to my body...weight that had never been there. In a year and a half, I could not fit into a single thing in my closet, including jackets and even boots. And my engagement ring is so tight on my finger that sometimes I do not wear it. It's just very upsetting that it happened so quickly and as busy was I was, it seems like I didn't notice. I was doing a lot of stress eating (at 3 am in the librayr, what else to do but eat some cheese curls and drinke a coke?). I really just want a jump start, something to make me feel like I can do this. And keep me motivated.

Since I wanted to make sure I was committed, I began working out regularly a month before starting Atkins. I have been going to the gym four times a week for the past four weeks (i realize not that long) but it has helped me feel like i can really make these changes.

I'm just so scared and maybe convinced that for some reason it could work for everyone but me...

[Sheshy]

Don't be afraid of taking care of yourself. The 4 weeks of exercise is awesome, keep it up!

The best thing you can do for yourself is be prepared - it sounds like you have very early mornings, so being prepared the night before would be the best. Make it a priority to take care of you and you'll do fine!

How are you feeling today?