Hello Everyone!

[Diabolical!]

My name is Lee. I'm what you might call a former Atkins success story, lol. I first did Atkins in 2001 at a weight of 275 lbs. (6'1") and with a goal of 200 lbs. I reached my goal in an amazing 6 months, and continued to lose an additional 25 lbs in the next year. I felt great, like myself. I maintained a weight below 195 for several years until August 29, 2005. Many of you may recognize that date. That's the day hurricane Katrina stole everything from me that I had worked my entire life for. I immediately went into a deep depression, and by the end of 2005, I was back up to 220 lbs. I lived in a FEMA trailor in New Orleans and lived off of prepackaged government meals (MREs) for over a year while I rebuilt my life. I gained, and gained, and gained, and I continually shifted the blame from myself to the hurricane. Well, I can no longer afford to shift the blame. My house is rebuilt, my job is stable, and my life is generally better now than before the storm, so I have to admit that the weight is once again MY PROBLEM. On my 24th birthday, July 15th, 2007, I decided that I could no longer avoid the scale, so I breathed deeply, and stepped on. Wow. 260lbs. I cried when I realized that almost all of the weight that I had worked so hard to lose was back. Then I sucked it up and told myself that if I had lost it once, I could lose it again. So, on August 1st, 2007 I restarted Atkins at a weight of 261 lbs. at 6'1" tall. My goal this time is 192 lbs and I will be weighing in weekly with my first weigh-in being... RIGHT NOW!
WOOHOO! 250 lbs! That's 11 down, 58 to go. Now I realize that most of that was water weight, but damn is it encouraging. I hope to utilize this forum often throughout my weight loss, as it was only through the support of friends (many of whom are no longer in my area due to the storm) that I was able to succeed the first time.

MY NAME IS LEE MORGAN, AND I'M A CARBOHOLIC!

[Ocky]

Hi Lee.

I am new too. Lets hope we can crack this weight loss thing together. Good luck with it. Thanks too for asking the question on Hummus as I too was wondering.

[*Wendy*]

Hi Lee. Thanks for sharing your story. I can't even imagine how hard that was to live through. Like most Americans I was glued to my t.v. set watching those events unfold.

Good for you for getting started again - and with such enthusiasm! You can do this again - after all you've done so before & you've lived through Katrina and rebuilt, so you know you have the stamina to do this too!

Good luck and post often so we can share in your success!

Wendy

[bivium6]

That's amazing.

Nice to meet you.

[BluegrassMama]

Welcome Lee, and congratulations on taking your life back. You inspire me!

Way to go on the 11 lbs! You'll be at goal in no time.

[sallyseachange]

Hello Lee Morgan! Welcome aboard. It was amazing to read your story... you must've really suffered at that time. But am so glad you've decided that now's the time to look to the future again and to your health.
You were amazingly successful on Atkins last time. You'll surely be so again, and have gotten off to a terrific start!

All the very best to you on your new Atkins journey. We're all looking forward to seeing you become an Atkins success story for the second time... and a permanent one!

[sillygirl]

Hi Lee! Wow, what a first post. I'm sure it was an awful time in your life. Your energy, your upbeat attitude, your determination is remarkable. Do come around the board often. Join some challenges. There's so many kind and supportive people around here, it's like family.

[owl48]

Welcome Lee! If the old saying is true....what doesn't kill us makes us stronger....you should be super human. What an ordeal that must have been!

You'll be back to your old weight in no time!

[guekjian]

Hey Lee! Welcome back! Hope to see you often...

[AlaskaGirl]

MY NAME IS LEE MORGAN, AND I'M A CARBOHOLIC!

.... Love the Carbaholic bit.Welcome Lee and congrats on you loss.

Julie