Hi, also quasi-new here

[Viking Jim]

Hi my name is Jim, and I am a 6'1" 54 year old from Florida.

I have been a lurker around the boards for months, seeing many stories of weight, weight loss, triumph and despair...nearly all of which parallel my own experience in some way.

I did Atkins for the first time about 5 years ago. I went from 235 to about 195-200 and felt pretty good. The diet was hard for me. I had done NO reading about Atkins at all, but someone had given me a copy of the Atkins Diet...not the book, a one-page summary of the initial diet. They didn't know what it was either...and what they gave me was a one page summary of just the Induction Phase. So, by mistake I did only the induction phase for 3-4 months! By the end of it I was so upset at the diet I just quit. The idea of a life without vegetables...fruits, any bread or pasta was just too hard to bear. I am amazed to this day I had the willpower to do strict induction for a third of a year.

I restarted Atkins October 1st , 2007 (after getting the books and reading and re-reading them) and watching this board. As nearly everyone else has said the board, you the people here on it, are a tremendous source of inspiration for success. More importantly you seem to be there for us when we fail too, when we gain a couple of pounds even tho we didn't cheat AT ALL (sigh!), and when we wonder if it is worth it.

When I started 50 or so days ago I weighed 261. So in five years my weight crept up from 235 to 261, a gain of 26 pounds or over 10% of my body weight. At my age and my family history (father died on his 11th heart attack) and my sedentary lifestyle, I knew this was a death sentence...maybe many years too early. I have two daughters (16 and 21) that I want to be around for.

In the 50 days I have lost 25 pounds, down to 236 now, or about where I was five years ago. My mini-goals are to get to 230 by Christmas and 220 by my birthday at the end of February. After that I hope to be 200 (ok really its 199!) by 4th of July. At work they are naming a urinal after me since it has become my "remote office"

I struggle with the diet at times. The water is just very hard to consume all the time...I NEVER drank water before (Pepsi) but fortunately have some very good local bottled water here (Zephyrhills) which I like. I am hardly ever hungry and changed my lifestyle a lot. I eat breakfast (never did before), eat lunch (often skipped) and no longer eat a huge dinner late at night. I do not eat anything after 7 PM. I DO have a little more energy and losing the 25 pounds have improved my knees...they dont hurt getting up and down anymore.

I still dont excercise and still want Lasagna and Portugese Sweet bread...but I am going to try and stay with it this time. I do realize that I am not really "on a diet", that this is the way I am going to eat basically for the rest of my life.

Next week I go to the doctors to see if they can reduce my high blood pressure and cholesterol meds. Wish me luck!

[Bluebelt2007]

Hi Jim,

Welcome to the board and congratulations for signing up officially. Sounds like you are already well on your way. I think you will continue to find everyone helps each other here. Good luck and keep it up.

[dreamof145]

Welcome Jim. So happy to have you join us. You are on the right track in reading the book and making attainable mini-goals to strive for as you become comfortable with this WOE (Way of Eating). It sounds like you're already benefitting from changing your life-style with less knee pain and increased energy. It only gets better as you proceed towards goal. A positive attitude about the program, making friends and sharing your success with others (ADBB) and becoming involved in the forums, journals and challenges. These all help keep you focused and motivated to succeed.

Have you measured? Watching the inches decrease is a great motivator and helps you see how your body is shrinking even when you aren't losing weight. An important suggestion I'd recommend is to start some sort of exercise program. Start small so you don't get overwelmed. I started by walking short periods of time several times a day. This is an excellent way to keep a positive attitude and tone up the body as you shed fat.

You're doing great - there's lots of encouragement here from folks who really care and want to see you meet your goals. Get involved, make friends and enjoy the changes you are making in your life-style. We're here for you!

[julirama723]

Hi Jim!

Thanks for sharing your story. I too, did Atkins a few years ago...or at least, what I *thought* was Atkins. I didn't read the book, lasted about 4 months, and somehow managed to maintain my loss for a while. Eventually I gained it all back, and then some. BUT, this time around, I made sure to do it BY THE BOOK. After all, like you said, this isn't a diet, it's just a way to eat for the rest of my life!

I admit, when I first started, the road seemed long and daunting and I was sad about not having certain foods again. I couldn't imagine life without pasta. Well, it's been OVER A YEAR, I haven't had even the slightest desire for it! Your tastes will change as you go further on the plan. And you'll be able to incorporate so many healthy foods as you move up the rungs, you won't feel deprived.

CONGRATS on losing 25 pounds! No wonder your knees feel better--for every pound you lose, it takes 4 POUNDS of pressure off your knees! So far, you've taken 100 pounds of pressure off your joints. Keep up the great work.

If you ever have questions, don't be afraid to post them!

[SunnySmile501]

Originally Posted by Viking Jim

Hi my name is Jim, and I am a 6'1" 54 year old from Florida.

I have been a lurker around the boards for months, seeing many stories of weight, weight loss, triumph and despair...nearly all of which parallel my own experience in some way.

I did Atkins for the first time about 5 years ago. I went from 235 to about 195-200 and felt pretty good. The diet was hard for me. I had done NO reading about Atkins at all, but someone had given me a copy of the Atkins Diet...not the book, a one-page summary of the initial diet. They didn't know what it was either...and what they gave me was a one page summary of just the Induction Phase. So, by mistake I did only the induction phase for 3-4 months! By the end of it I was so upset at the diet I just quit. The idea of a life without vegetables...fruits, any bread or pasta was just too hard to bear. I am amazed to this day I had the willpower to do strict induction for a third of a year.

I restarted Atkins October 1st , 2007 (after getting the books and reading and re-reading them) and watching this board. As nearly everyone else has said the board, you the people here on it, are a tremendous source of inspiration for success. More importantly you seem to be there for us when we fail too, when we gain a couple of pounds even tho we didn't cheat AT ALL (sigh!), and when we wonder if it is worth it.

When I started 50 or so days ago I weighed 261. So in five years my weight crept up from 235 to 261, a gain of 26 pounds or over 10% of my body weight. At my age and my family history (father died on his 11th heart attack) and my sedentary lifestyle, I knew this was a death sentence...maybe many years too early. I have two daughters (16 and 21) that I want to be around for.

In the 50 days I have lost 25 pounds, down to 236 now, or about where I was five years ago. My mini-goals are to get to 230 by Christmas and 220 by my birthday at the end of February. After that I hope to be 200 (ok really its 199!) by 4th of July. At work they are naming a urinal after me since it has become my "remote office"

I struggle with the diet at times. The water is just very hard to consume all the time...I NEVER drank water before (Pepsi) but fortunately have some very good local bottled water here (Zephyrhills) which I like. I am hardly ever hungry and changed my lifestyle a lot. I eat breakfast (never did before), eat lunch (often skipped) and no longer eat a huge dinner late at night. I do not eat anything after 7 PM. I DO have a little more energy and losing the 25 pounds have improved my knees...they dont hurt getting up and down anymore.

I still dont excercise and still want Lasagna and Portugese Sweet bread...but I am going to try and stay with it this time. I do realize that I am not really "on a diet", that this is the way I am going to eat basically for the rest of my life.

Next week I go to the doctors to see if they can reduce my high blood pressure and cholesterol meds. Wish me luck!

Congratulations on reading the book, and finally knowing how to do Atkins right! Look at all those yummy veggies you missed the first time around. You are still in early days--soon you won't miss those high-carb death bombs on a plate any longer. I think you have set out very realistic weight loss goals and when (not if) you start to exercise, you will firm up and lose inches in a hurry!

The Zepherhills water is almost the only thing I miss from living in Florida. I do miss the little Cuban sandwich shop at Mile Marker 1 in Key West and The Rusty Anchor on Stock Island--awesome red snapper.

Sunny!

[sallyseachange]

Hello Jim... welcome! Nice to have you join with us, after a period of lurking. You seem to be well on your way to better health and a trim figure.

I'll ditto everything the others have said... especially about starting some gentle exercise. You can increase it slowly; no need to rush. I was a non-believer in exercise, but I had to re-think that when I saw what it did for my weight loss and skin/muscle tone. It's really a necessary compliment to this way of eating.

Don't be despondent when you say: Quote: I do realize that I am not really "on a diet", that this is the way I am going to eat basically for the rest of my life. Unquote.
You'll find that as you move up the OWL (ongoing weight loss) rungs the extra food choices are very welcome and that there are substitutions for almost anything. Lots of tips for those right here on the board.
By the time you hit maintenance, you'll only really have taking out highly processed foods, sugar and white flour... and you'll be ultra healthy for it!

Post lots and share your journey. We're with you 100% of the way.

[Jace]

Welcome to Jim!

Congratulations on your success to date, 25 pounds is a great start!

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

~Far la bella figura!

[sillygirl]

Originally Posted by Viking Jim

I still dont excercise and still want Lasagna and Portugese Sweet bread...but I am going to try and stay with it this time. I do realize that I am not really "on a diet", that this is the way I am going to eat basically for the rest of my life.

Next week I go to the doctors to see if they can reduce my high blood pressure and cholesterol meds. Wish me luck!

Hey Jim. It's been a few days since this post, how are you holding up? I wanted to welcome you to the board. I think it's great that you've re-read the book and are going to the Dr for a check up. He may put you on meds, and keep in mind that generally, people eating this way see a decrease in both cholesteral and blood pressure as well. Be sure to have it monitored either way!

You aren't on a diet, you have simply changed the way you eat. now, we have to get you exercising a little! You can check out the pedometer challenge thread. There's only a few of us in it, but we love it and faithfully wear our pedometers. You can pledge as many steps in a day as you think you can handle. You would be surprised how quickly the steps add up!

Here's the link, I hope to see you there:
Pedometer Challenge ~ month to month reporting thread

[Sherri]

Welcome to the board Jim! I look forward to seeing you around on the board. Post often and let us know how you're getting along.

[Viking Jim]

Thanks, still doing well. Tonight making mashed cauliflower for the first time, using an ADBB recipe wish me luck, and thank you for a very nice welcome