Coming back to low carb..

[LadyP]

Hi, have never joined a forum like this before, so by the very nature of becoming a member, means I'm serious about losing weight this time!
I've tried Atkins off and on for a few years, mainly to lose a few pounds, not a lot of weight.
About 6 years ago, when I was 19, I weighed about 250lbs, I'm 5ft 10. I'd never been a large child and was very slim up until I was about 17, but due to being unhappy rapidly put weight on living at home with my parents. Mum just fed me! I decided to lose the weight and get down to my previous (uk size) 10 (US . I did a low fat, low calorie diet for about 7-8 months and miraculously lost all the weight rather quickly. However, I became very obsessive about my weight, what I ate and counting calories. To maintain my new figure, I went down to 4-5 calories a day - which left me cold and shivering, my periods stopped, I started to grow a fine downy of hair over my body - I had severe anorexic symptoms. HOwever, I met a lovely man and we fell in love and I started to eat more normally, we both loved cooking and the finer things in life, and gradually my weight increased, after it had been in starvation mode for so long. I moderated what I ate, and to lose weight I'd go on Atkins for 3-4 weeks, and I stayed a healthy 160-180lbs for about 5 years. However, my man and I split up last year, and since then - through drinking, eating late, eating too much, we weight has gone up to 250lbs, as it was 6 years ago. IN about 18 months. That's a lot!
I now feel, extremely unhealthy, I do get exercise and cycle everywhere, but my fitness is a fraction of what it was. I feel uncomfortable in my skin, and not only want to be healthy again and an active 25 year old, I want to be able to not feel embaressed about my weight. I've done atkins before but never longer than a month. I've been doing it 3 days. I know the foods, I know the diet, I know in the past, my downfall has been drinking alcohol so I am attempting to stay off it for 2 months. This time around I could really use support, I want to change my lifestyle, not just be a thin person again!
Thanks

[joee5]

And you can and will change your lifestyle. Just psych yourself up and you can do it. Stay strong, stay focused and believe in yourself. It will come in due time all you need to do is hang in there. Good luck and keep us posted. Progress. God Bless, Joe

[mitzimarie]

Hi, LadyP


Welcome to the ADBB family.

I'm glad that you found this board, because it truly has been a very major factor in my success this time around on Atkins. Make sure to spend as much time as possible here, and post often. You will find that a strong connection here will help you stay focused.

LadyP, it's very important for newbies to understand - this WOE (way of eating) is for a lifetime... it is not to be used as a means to drop weight. To be successful for the long run, you must change the lifestyle habits you have had, and embrace this new healthy way of eating. It takes time, patience, and knowledge. This board follows the 2002 version of Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution (DANDR for short) book. It was the last book written by Dr. Atkins himself, and it outlines this WOE very specifically.

This board is also a wealth of information and motivation! Here are a few links to get you started. The first one is to a site that a lot of us use for recipes, and the others are to popular places on this board. Good luck!

Linda's website for lowcarb recipes:
http://www.genaw.com/lowcarb/index.html

STAC forum:
http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard....isplay.php?f=82

Atkins FAQ forum:
http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard....isplay.php?f=79

Review My Menu forum:
http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard....isplay.php?f=50

Exercise Challenge forum:
http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard....isplay.php?f=51

Journal Chats forum:
http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard....isplay.php?f=31

Journal Stats forum:
http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard....isplay.php?f=94

[LadyP]

Thanks guys for being so welcoming. I'm not normally someone who posts on forums, however I agree that it is a great support resource and can help along the journey. I'm glad I've joined and thank you for your support.
xxx

[momwith5kids]

It's great that you are here! I've tried other diets using other forums and NONE of them are ever as supportive as this group is! I think that's one thing that makes this way of life doable is the great people here that offer advice and support when you need it. Good luck to you!