A very new Newbie!

[bluewillow]

Hello everyone!
I am very new to Atkins and to this board. I have never been on Atkins, but am very seriously considering it, especially after reading some threads here and looking at the fantastic and inspiring before and after pictures!

Here's a little about me: I am a 52-year-old female with about 50 pounds to lose, was diagnosed with early stage breast cancer last summer and finished chemo and radiation treatments this past April and am still taking one other non-chemo treatment until November, work full-time, empty-nester and live with my hubby, who I share a great love of the outdoors. I came through my treatments fine and am thankful my cancer was caught early and is gone, and I am ready to get my health back!!
I confess-- I am a sugar addict and know that it is harming my health, not to mention making me feel just plain awful!!!! (the only thing that tasted good to me during chemo was sugar!)

I welcome your encouragement and cattle-prodding to get me started on Atkins! I am working up the courage to leave my high-carbohydrate and sugar-laden "friends" in the vending machine.

I do have a few questions: how did you get started; what were your typical first day menus; what were your biggest hurdles? how did you handle "social eating", like work parties, holidays, etc.

Thanks for having me here and I look forward to checking out the rest of the ADBB!

[chinadoll]

Hi Blue,
My first day menu was something like
eggs, scrambles with three slices bacon, coffee with heavy cream

chef salad with ham, cheese, roast beef, turkey, tomato, cucumber and lettuce with blue cheese dressing

dinner was usually 6 ounces of meat or chicken or salmon, green beans or broccoli or asparagus, pat of butter, and a cup of green salad

If I needed a snack after I would have a stick of celery with cream cheese.

As for social eating, take your own emergency food to parties or eat hearty before you go. I would often volunteer to make a very hearty salad with meats and cheese in it--that way I am covered if there is nothing else.