Well, here I am...

[Hope4me2]

Hello Everyone!

My first name is Janice and I'm from Connecticut, USA. I'm married and have two cats. I love to write and am currently working on a novel.

I have been overweight most of my life, starting at the age of 8 when I lost my Dad and began using food for comfort. Eventually food became my best friend and my weight gradually creeped up year by year. I yo-yo dieted over the years, gaining and losing and gaining and losing, to the point where I killed my gallbladder (removed in 2003). Now, at 50, I'm realizing that a lot of my life is behind me and was spent feeling miserable about the way I look and feel. High carb diets (Remember that nutty Stop the Insanity woman???) put even more weight on me so didn't work. Not to mention the havoc it wreaked on my blood sugar levels! (Hypoglycemic) I was exhausted most of the time on that diet. Richard Simmons' diet left me hungry all the time so I would wind up cheating, plus you have to be a choreographer(sp) to keep up with the dance steps in his videos. I'd wind up doing two minutes of the tape and getting discouraged because I couldn't keep up. I know he's worked for a lot of people, so it really made me feel like a failure that I couldn't make it work for me.

Anyhow, I finally decided to give Atkins a try...Again. (Yep, I did try it a few years ago without success--but that time I fully blame ME and ME alone. I just gave up.) Diagnosed with a sluggish thyroid and having been put on Synthroid has made me feel a bit more energetic, but my metabolism is still dreadfully slow, but this time I am DETERMINED to make it work for me.
I began the Induction phase exactly a month ago and am now into the OWL phase. You can bet I'm going to pop on here for moral support from now on. I'm so glad I came across this site. I registered a while ago, but didn't want to post until I was sure I was going to make it all the way through Induction!
I'm looking forward to getting to know you all!

[Laurenfra]

Hi and welcome! We are so glad you found us.

[loo-see]

Welcome Janice,
good that you have decided to try Atkins,there is nothing to lose but pounds....
And good luck on writing that novel! Let me know when it's published .

[*Wendy*]

Hi Janice and welcome aboard! I'm glad that you found us too.

Congratulations on making it through induction and continuing on ... you've proved to yourself that you CAN do it!

You mentioned your metabolism is still very low but that you are on Synthroid and I'm wondering if you've had your bloodwork tested lately. I know it took about four months of jockeying my dosages around before we settled on the correct dose for me. (And now that it is correct I can't believe I went so LONG feeling so lousy!)

[sillygirl]

Hi there Janice! Welcome to ADBB! You have made a wonderful decision to eat this way, and visit this board. it's absolutely fantastic that you've moved yourself up to OWL! That's the way to do this right! Do you want to let us know how much weight you'de like to lose?

Do come around the board often, there's amazing support and friendship here.

[stephjill]

Hi Janice, I'm N My 4th Time Doing Atkins But Thank To This Site I'm Actually Seeing Rsults, Oh And I Have The Same Problem With Videos , It Really Makes It More Difficult. You Just Have To Look Around And Youfind One That Woks For You. Just Stck To This Board And You'll Get All The Support You Could Ever Ask For!!

[Hope4me2]

Originally Posted by *Wendy*

You mentioned your metabolism is still very low but that you are on Synthroid and I'm wondering if you've had your bloodwork tested lately. I know it took about four months of jockeying my dosages around before we settled on the correct dose for me. (And now that it is correct I can't believe I went so LONG feeling so lousy!)

Funny you should mention this. They recently up'd my dosage and that has made a difference. I can actually finish a book chapter or movie without dozing off. LOL

[Hope4me2]

Originally Posted by sillygirl

Hi there Janice! Welcome to ADBB! You have made a wonderful decision to eat this way, and visit this board. it's absolutely fantastic that you've moved yourself up to OWL! That's the way to do this right! Do you want to let us know how much weight you'de like to lose?

Do come around the board often, there's amazing support and friendship here.

First: Thank you ALL for your warm welcomes and responses.

I need to lose about 150 lbs. Frankly, I haven't been on a scale since my doctor weighed me about two years ago. The number was just too shocking and discouraging. Right now I'm gauging by how my clothes fit and the private pictures I've taken of myself and hidden from all other probing eyes. As my confidence grows and other parts shrink, I'm sure I will be able to eventually get back on the scale and share my pictures with the world at large. Right now I'm still dealing with some major self-esteem issues, but I'm working on it!

[sallyseachange]

Just adding my warm welcome to you Janice! Glad you found us here.
Post lots and keep us updated on your progress. We're with you all the way.
You can do it!

[Scooterjam]

Welcome to ADBB Janice. It is wonderful to meet you, and to have you with us.

Here are some other threads and links you may find help to get the wheel in motion. The intial step of moving that wheel is all you need, these links will keep to keep building up the momentum!

Rules of induction:
http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard....read.php?t=6782 (What are the Rules of Induction?)

Acceptable foods:
http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard....read.php?t=6781 (What foods can be eaten on Induction?)

Awesome Recipes:
http://www.genaw.com/lowcarb/index.html

Caloric Counter/Carbs/Protein/Etc/Reports:
www.fitday.com (Free on-line, this is awesome!!) or some members use this one http://www.thedailyplate.com

Anyway, congrats on going low carb, make sure you jump around the forums and make your presence known, we are very happy to have you with us!!

Best of wishes! Life is good!