Greetings from the Midwest!

[supaflyrobby]

Hmmm? Where to begin? Well I guess introductions should come first. My name is Rob and I am from Kansas City Missouri, and I am a 25 year old student and am involved part time in a local semi-pro Ice Hockey league (I grew up in Ontario). Until recently, I have never even given the idea of watching what I eat a second thought. Normally, I would woof down late night taco bell after an all night drinking binge and never gain a pound, but I guess my age is beginning to catch up with me.

So anyway, lately I have been beginning to notice my pants getting tighter and what not, all of which I intially wrote off as my clothing shrinking from being in the dryer too long etc, until I went to weight in for the beginning of pre-season workouts 4 days ago. Last season I was listed as 5'11'' 202 pounds, which seemed about normal since my weight hasent changed much since high school, but when I tipped the scales at 245 I was more than a little bit alarmed. I dont get it either since I am a fairly active guy and live less than 2 miles from my local rink and skate all the time. Since I was able to rule out lack of physical activity as the culprit, the next obvious choice was the nasty food that I always eat.

Since I am a pro-active kinda dude, and am not really interested in waiting for my girlfriend to dump me or to be spending some quality time riding the bench this season, I figured that I had better get off my *** and see to it that I get back in fighting form. After doing some quick searches online and a couple hours of reaserch, The Atkins approach seems to be the best way for me to shed off some baggage. Also, the support structure that you guys seem to have for one another was inspirational to say the least.

I went to my local Barnes and Noble and bought the book and am now on my second day of Induction. I think my body is gonna fight me every inch of the way (not literally of course), but I am determined to get back in better shape. I look forward to talking with all of you!

Rob

[Scooterjam]

Welcome! This is an excellent program man. It's is really easy as long as you're committed to it. I've lost like 50 pounds in just over three months and it's been a breeze! Good luck!

[supaflyrobby]

Thanks Scooter, and wow dude, what a huge change in the bod! congrats! This may seem like a mundane question but I realize that soda is a big no no right now (I will sure miss my Mt. Dew), but what about sports drinks like gatorade and powerade? I am also a big junkie for energy drinks like Rockstar, Monster, etc. Do I really need to cut those out as well? Thanks.
Rob

[DragonflyMoon]

Hi Rob ~ Welcome to ADBB! Make yourself at home! Keep posting and get yourself a copy of the 2002 edition of Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution (DANDR). All of those sugar drinks are no-nos... i know it is hard... i was a big time coke addict... not the snorting kind (ha ha ha). But you can do it! It is worth it in the long run... i am down 40 pounds! Stick with it, keep coming here and posting. You'll find lots of support and some really cool people!

[Scooterjam]

Unfortunately yes man. Actually, if you can do it, try drinking at least 96 ounces of water a day. If you drink that much, reward yourself with a Diet Rite with Splenda. Aspartame is not our friend!!! Bad Bad Bad.

As far as Gatorade, and Powerade, they are sweetened with High Fructose Corn Syrup! Another bad bad thing too!

I have been drinking 200 ounces of water every day. I swear this has been instrumental in my success. I have also had 1 Diet Rite, or Diet Coke with Splenda everyday (never ever more than 1) since I was on induction, and it never caused me to stall one bit.

Caffiene effects different people in different ways. Some of the ladies here have stated that it makes them stall bad. I have been lucky.

Start with the water man. Throw a lemon slice or lime slice in it for flavor.
I also find that it's easier to drink that much water when it's room temperature. Plain old club soda works too, but doesn't count towards your water intake!

As far as energy drinks.....well to each his own. I won't lie, I've downed probably 3 red bulls (sugar free) in the past 3 weeks. I'm a musician, when I play out late at night and I have and hour drive home, sometimes, I have to do it. But I would not recommend doing it until much later. Much later!! I shouldn't be doing it either!!

Good luck!

[Sheshy]

Hi Robby and welcome to ADBB!!

Yeah, amazing how a few years and a lot of junk food can put on the weight!! Good for you on being proactive with the issue!

But, it's great that you're active and already exercising...so now you can concentrate of the weight loss! There's a 14 Day Induction forum that you might want to check out...people in the same stage of Atkins and lot's of experience and knowledge sharing from the rest!

See you around the board!

[dotsamantha]

Welcome Rob! Great to have another member who loves hockey (I'm a huge Islander fan). Try you best to stay away from the energy drinks. Many have tons of sugar and they just aren't good for you.

[DragonflyMoon]

I was also just thinking how cool it is that we have some hockey fans on this board! I am a big Avalanche fan, but since we lost Forsberg i haven't been following it as much. And the Devils too, but that is because i am a Jersey girl. (Even though i am now displaced - once a Jersey girl, always a Jersey girl. But i don't have big hair.)

I told my husband back when we first got together that he got to choose ONE sport for me to be involved in with him, and he picked hockey! So there it is...

[supaflyrobby]

I also am glad to have a bunch of peeps that love Hockey. I grew up rooting for the Oilers of course, but my Grampa always instilled a deep love for Montreal, and it has managed to stick to this day. Not that I have had much to cheer about lately, mind you. I am glad to see the NHL expanding into non-traditional hockey markets like Tampa Bay, Phoenix, and Carolina. If you would have told me 5 years ago that I would be in a chatroom discussing proper penalty kill tactics and rebound coverage with a guy from Durham NC I would have told you that you were insane.I think that it is very good for the sport. However, being Canadian born, I was sure hoping for my boys from the Oil to knock off those Hurricanes.