Now or never....

[phoenixx]

Hi Everyone,
I'm Phoenixx (aka Sian) I'm 20, live in England and have *always* been overweight, In fact some of my earliest memories were of my mum putting me on diets (I think it started at around six), at the time I really couldn't care less about fat or thin.... I just wanted cool lunchboxes like all the other kids!
It was when I hit my teenage years that I first began to really *care*.... but at that age I really didn't know about eating healthily and just wanted a quick fix, food was both my best friend and worst ememy..... it didn't work and aged 17 I weighed over 230lbs!
Its at that point atkins came into my life.... I set myself a goal of being 13 stone by my 18th birthday and five months on I was only 4lbs away from my target. In total I lost around 65lbs and for a while felt great and really confident about myself..... but I learned that being fat or thin (okay - so I wasn't 'thin-thin' but it was in my healthy weight range for the first time since I was tiny and was happy about my weight) doesn't make you a better person, and it doesn't mean you won't have problems.... and gradually the weight crept back on.

I am ashamed to admit, at 218lbs I am less than a stone away from my heaviest weight..... and more importantly now than being thin, I am so worried about my health. I was diagnosed with PCOS around a year ago and was told I had a high chance of developing diabetes. I'm constantly out of breath and with bronchitus (down to smoking - but the weight doesn't help) and aches and pains are just a normal part of life. I don't want to be like this anymore....

So, todays the first day of the rest of my life, and I'm not putting it off any longer!

So thats me and my dieting-life in a nutshell, I *know* if I put my mind to it I can suceed again.... and not only do that but keep it off, and hopefully I can find some support from others. I've been reading through... well everything... and this is such a great community! I'm an exercise-phobe, but I love the ideas of the challenges!

Looking forward to meeting everyone!

phoenixx

[sallyseachange]

Hello Phoenixx and welcome! Good to see you on the board.

You've done Atkins before, so you know it works. And it'll work again this time if you stick to the rules. Try to embrace the thought that this is a change in lifestyle rather than a stop and start diet. That's the real key to success.
We have a Second Time Around forum here which you might like to look at. Lots of advice to be had there from those who've left and come back.

Here's wishing you every success with Atkins.
Happy low carbing!

[Laura1369]

Hey Phoenixx,

Welcome back! You have done this before and you WILL do it again! Get your copy of DANDR 2002 and get crackin girl! I find the first day to be the hardest. If you can get past that one, then you can get past day 2 and so on!

Come visit us in the STAC forum, good support group for those of us who have fallen off the wagon a timeor two or three!!!

Good Luck!

[dreamof145]

Hi Phoenixx. Welcome. I'm glad your joining us. As you've seen from your previous experience, it works. There is lots of good advice, motivational posts, challenges and recipes and inspirational people here to share your journey with as you begin again and change your life-style! Good luck and keep us posted on your progress!!

[Babs]

Welcome back to Atkins and to ADBB Phoenixx. It's nice to have you here! This is my second time too, so I can say you will start to notice changes in just a few days. Let us know how things are going for you. Oh, and be sure to check out the recipes and the fun exercise challenges. Babs

[phoenixx]

Thanks for the welcome you guys!
Day one down.... and I even may have convinced others to join me!


Hopefully ~crossing fingers~ I should be around for some time.... but I'll definately be going over to the stac.... my only problem is I can't find mybook! Hopefully I will before I make too much of a mess of going my own way!

[sallyseachange]

If you can get others to join you that's fantastic! Always nice to have company for support.

There are plenty of stickies to read on how to do Atkins which you can use as a refresher until you find your book. And feel free to ask any questions. Lots of advice and support to be had around here.

Yay for you, having gotten "day one down"! Taken in baby steps the days soon become weeks and months and yea...... Oh my! And you'll have probably reached goal along the way!

[sillygirl]

Hey Phoenixx! Welcome to the board. This is definitely the place to make friends, keep you accountable to your eating and for learning tons about this WOE! i look forward to reading about your success.

[13_jane]

Hi Phoenix

Welcome to the site!

I would definitley encourage you to join an exercise challenge - I have done so well since I started to do them!! My body has totally changed shape - and people are starting to comment on it, which spurs you on even more!

Good luck with your induction, I cant wait to see how you do

jane xxx

[Richt]

A big welcome to another fellow Englander!

Welcome Sian and good luck!

Rich