It's a new Dawn

[clickhere4dawn]

I have been everywhere on the scale in my 44 years of life. I was super skinny as a child, developed curves, athletic build in teens and started gaining weight in my twenties and gone up and down the scale for the last twenty years with the high going higher each time I gain back the weight. I have gone through the whole process with my husband's company and was set to have gastric bypass - then my husband got another job offer with a better company and I had to start all over in the process. I have had major changes in my life with in the last year. Stress doesn't begin to describe it. The biggest change is my husband and I moved to Atlanta and our three teenagers stayed in Florida to finish school. For the first time in my life I can concentrate on myself, my marriage and my career. I started off great after first moving here. Joined Curves to meet people and get out of the house while not working. I went faithfully, then I started a new job and worked enormous amount of hours and let everything go, again! So how did I get here? I went through some medical tests and by the grace of God I don't have cancer! The doctor stated losing weight would really help with the medical condition I have. She was polite and not judging and I have other medical issues that would benefit from weight loss. So I started looking into the lap band and my new insurance to see what my options were. My children were up visiting and we went to our local hang out for some food and shoot some pool. The waitress we knew started talking to me and she said did I know she use to weigh 212 pounds? She said she lost 121 pounds in 11 months on the Atkin's diet. She said it was great because you are eating a lot of protien so your skin does sag and you feel great. I started thinking. So I did research online to find the real diet and not what I heard on the streets. I told my husband and today is my second day. I have a long, long, long way to go and I can do it. I currently weigh 288 pounds and my ultimate goal would be 150 pounds. I think the difference this time is I am reaching out for support and I came to an epiphany this last week. I was abused by mother as a child. I mean physically, emotionally, psychologically and verbally. I have worked the last 4 years really hard to accept and move on in my life. I have made fantastic progress. I identified the control I had over my life was eating. My mom couldn't make me eat and couldn't stop me from eating. My epiphany last week was I needed to forgive myself for gaining all this weight. I went through **** as a child, survived and raised three wonderful, healthy, happy children. I have had counselors state it's amazing how I developed. Until last week I was so disappointed and ashamed of myself. I believe everything happens for a reason and my reasons all came together last week. Sorry this was such a long intro and I am happy to be here.

[pattyannihilate]

Dawn,
I am so very proud of you for making the first step. I also grew up in a severely abusive household. For me, I became a drug addict at a young age and it ruled me for a long time. When I finally quit using drugs, I switched to food. Carbohydrates to be exact. I have only recently realized the impact my food addiction has had on every facet of my life. I see now that I was created for so much more. I am so looking forward to the journey!

You are in my prayers, sister.

PattyAnn

[carbless_in_seattle]

yay! Although I'm hoping you accidentally put the wrong numbers down for that waitress and that she doesn't currently weigh 91 pounds

But good for you! I hope to see you around the forums and wish you good luck with your journey toward a healthier and happier you!

[clickhere4dawn]

Originally Posted by carbless_in_seattle

yay! Although I'm hoping you accidentally put the wrong numbers down for that waitress and that she doesn't currently weigh 91 pounds

But good for you! I hope to see you around the forums and wish you good luck with your journey toward a healthier and happier you!

Well I don't think she weighs that now! She started at 221 pounds and lost 101 pounds - she weighs 120 pounds now. She isn't very tall so that was a tremendous amount of weight for her. Ironically she just told me in passing and yet it made me think about trying Atkins instead of trying to get insurance to pay for lap band - I have a long way to go but I really feel renewed in my mental thinking with forgiving myself. I say turning 40 changes women and by fifty we are fabulous.

[clickhere4dawn]

Originally Posted by pattyannihilate

Dawn,
I am so very proud of you for making the first step. I also grew up in a severely abusive household. For me, I became a drug addict at a young age and it ruled me for a long time. When I finally quit using drugs, I switched to food. Carbohydrates to be exact. I have only recently realized the impact my food addiction has had on every facet of my life. I see now that I was created for so much more. I am so looking forward to the journey!

You are in my prayers, sister.

PattyAnn

PattyAnn if I could offer any advice it would be to forgive yourself for any wrongs you feel you made in your life - you survived a terrorist attack at a young age. Think of what you would say to your children if they had experienced what you had in your life - would you blame them for acting out? Or would you swoope them up in your arms and hold them and tell them they are worthy of love and kindness? Tell yourself those same things. Hey - I am great at giving advice but not too good at taking advice.

I will always be here for you! I was a Navy brat so I am use to being away from family. If you want to talk - here it is - supposely there is another forum for that - I have to see!!

[gman]

Dawn, and PattyAnn -

You both told very real and hard stories. Thank you for opening up like you did about your past, your present ... and also about your goals.

I had a hard childhood myself - mostly verbal abuse and neglect, which I think was all the rage in the '60s. No lol. I am still learning about my childhood like you are learning about yours. I started on carbs as soon as I could get them as we had few in the house. One of my best friends had special access to Hostess bakery Ho Hos and fruit pies because his father worked there and would bring them home. It was an addictive snack and perfect to steal away with and to eat like a big fulfilling dinner ... as we sat comfortably up on a limb of a tall walnut tree in a field near our houses.

Today, like you, I think we are here because we realized recently that we need to face and deal with those times and now our current times, and furthermore that we can and need to do more for ourselves and for others. I agree it is a journey. Grab a hand. Let's get in shape. Then let's set some new goals for ourselves and achieve them!

Thanks again for your stories. Welcome to the ADBB.

Glenn

[DesertRain]

Dawn, welcome!
I'm new here too and I am loving everything Atkins, especially this site and the people here. Glad you joined!

[Desihue]

Dawn,
You can do it and ADBB is just the ticket when you need support, advice, or just good clean low-carb convo. I commend you on doing your OWN research on Atkins and discovering the many benefits that it has to offer. ((sigh)) Atkins is so mis-understood and mis-quoted. Forgiveness is powerful in the weight loss game and it's oh so empowering. You are setting an excellent example for your children; they need to see first hand how hard work and determination pays off. I wish you lots and lots of success and look forward to chatting with you around the boards.

[kikilynn]

Dawn,
Thanks for sharing your story. You have a positive attitude inspite of what you have been through and the insight to move forward! I know it is not easy. Now, is the time for you. I am just beginning Atkins too, and this board is very inspiring. After reading stories yesterday, I had the motivation to get up and move my butt for a walk! I felt great afterwards and my attitude was better. So, today is another day to eat right on Atkins and move towards my goal!

Kikilynn

[booklady]

Hi Dawn,
It is amazing how our childhoods have such hold over our entire lives. Mine was not as hard as yours, but I still had to learn to get over things and forgive. I do not want my past to affect my future anymore.
I have had a loving husband for 26 years and we have raised four amazing children , three of whom are married with kids of thier own. I made sure our kids had the love and acceptance I did not always feel I had growing up.
Atkins is a an amazing way to eat and live. I feel better than ever and I have dropped 21 pounds in a little over two weeks. I am eating better than I ever have and it is a good feeling to be taking care of myself . Our youngest just graduated this year and now, it is my turn to take care of me, and my hubby as he pretty much follows my lead. If I eat well, he will eat well, which is frustrating, sometimes I wish he would lead, but he seems to follow what I do and I want us both healthy, so here we are and we are both feeling pretty good and losing well.
I am so glad you joined us and I know you will find all the support you could need.
Congrats on taking a step toward the life you want, you will not regret it !!
Stephie