5th week, first time on this board. Hi!

[TitianWasp]

F/37/5'8" SW:159.8, CW: 149.4, GW: 125

Hi All,

My name is TitianWasp. About 7 years ago I left a fairly hip job in the movie industry to stay at home (both before and during raising a family). We moved out to the country and bought some property. (Roll "Green Acres" theme) The staying at home part was initially great for my figure as I became a workout fiend, but after two children in 3 years, somehow 30 extra pounds decided to take up permanent residence (hey, I had lost 100, but just not the last 30). My main workouts consisted in chasing after and lifting two toddlers.

Skip ahead to modern day. I have gone back to work in biotech, and all the great clothes I had for business are way (WAY) too small. After 5 years of focusing so myopically on everyone else, I want to spiff up a little and maybe feel a little cute and glamorous again. Losing the rest of the babyweight is really step #1. I am down 10 pounds, got a much cooler haircut, but there's still really 25 pounds to go.

I am in extended Induction. Because I don't have a very large amount to lose, I find that I lose a lot slower than other folks, and I have to be aware of calories more too. That's a little harder. Because on Atkins one isn't hungry, you don't have that physical reminder to prevent you from snacking. I am a huge snacker.

Right now I am cutting out even my decaf coffee (2 cups daily with heavy cream) and reducing my portions at each meal. I also wish to add more leafy greens in - both to inch towards OWL, as well as to aim towards less calorie density. I am a Crystal Light fanatic and wish to cut back on that as well, maybe switching to citrus essence (non sweetened) seltzer.

I welcome advice - particularly from those successful in losing those last few pounds. 25 isn't much on Atkins, but if it creeps along, sometimes it's easy to get discouraged.

Cheers all!!

TitianWasp

[fowlergirl]

Welcome TitianWasp. Congratulations on your weight loss thus far.

[sallyseachange]

Hiya Titianwasp (cool nic!) and welcome aboard! Good to have you around. Thanks for telling us your interesting story and congratulations on your success so far. Sounds to me like you've gotten a good grip on the mechanics of this programme which is half the battle. I'm sure you'll do very well indeed.

Can't comment on your Citrus Light and Citrus Essence as we don't get either over here... but someone will be sure to be along to advise. You certainly have to keep your water consumption up though... that's a huge aid to weight loss.

Post lots and tell us how you're doing! We're looking forward to applauding you along the way!

[TitianWasp]

Thank you ladies!

Wow, what a lovely response.

I have been alternating one sports bottle of crystal light with one sports bottle of water, and so I am getting adequate water, without suffering too much (never really liked the stuff except during exercise). Fruit essence seltzer is soda water with a little bit of lemon or orange oil or flavouring in it. It has the taste of the orange without any sweetnes, so sparkly, and not bland, but still no calories or even artificial sweetners. It's a compromise for me.
I was worried that the crystal light might stall me, but every time I worry about it, I lose a little more, so I am still debating.

This is a very friendly board. The other that I was frequenting didn't seem as cohesive or enthusiastic. Kudos.

I have particularly enjoyed the success stories and the before and after shots. Those are the biggest motivators for me. You, SallySeaChange, have undergone a remarkable transformation. Biggest congrats! I have asked my husband to take a "before" photo of me today before I actually achieve "after". I am not "Titian" anymore (hair turned nearly black while pregnant with my son), so maybe I will have to change my online tag.

[bradybunch]

Welcome aboard Titianwasp, I enjoyed reading your intro. Nice to meet you. I wish I could help you on the last few pounds success but I havn't got there yet myself. I look forward to seeing you around. SUPPORT is everywhere. Enjoy it girl

[sallyseachange]

Thanks for your nice comment!
Yes... we'd love to see a before pic if you can manage one... and it's great to have one for future comparison too.

I was thinking of Titian the painter...but of course, yes, it's a colour too! Cool!

[sillygirl]

Hi Titan! Welcome to the board. Absolutely remind yourself to eat, that is part of the beauty of it all, but we still do need food! Congrats on your loss so far! I am curious, you don't have all that much to lose, why are you planning on staying on extended induction?

I would highly encourage you to bump yourself up the food ladder in a fairly timely manner. The majority of people actually starting losing more consistently when they introduce more varied foods from different food groups. There's plenty of discussion about moving up the food ladder around here, I hope you are able to read some of it!

Best of luck to you!

[TitianWasp]

Hi Sillygirl,

Short answer? Fear. Because the last time I was on Atkins I lost nothing, and this time it is so very slow, I have been reluctant to be any less strict. I make occasional forays into OWL with nuts, berries and the rare beer or martini but otherwise stick to a relatively honest Induction style. I guess I'd like to be a lot closer to my goal before experimenting.

I have read the discussion back and forth between the extended induction camp and the OWL camp, and so yes - I do intend to move more deeply to OWL eventually, without a doubt.

-- TitianWasp

[D14965]

Hi Titian!

welcome aboard and good luck!

[Jace]

Welcome to TitanWasp!

Congratz on the weight loss so far...very impressive!

Best of luck on your weight loss journey and if you need anything please feel free to give a shout.

~Far la bella figura!