WHO Is that face looking out at me from the mirror?

[unrecognizeable]

Hello everyone! My name is Misti and this is my first experience ever with the Atkins diet. I have always been scared to try it because I love everything that isn't allowed, and I love it in huge quantities. Hence, the 254lb start weight!! I have gone from a size 11 (VERY small for my height and frame) to a size 22 in just a couple of years. I had gained up to an 18 and then found out I was pregnant and it just got worse from there. I started to become fed up with myself a couple of months ago because I was so tired and couldn't play with daughter - I couldn't get up off the floor! So, I started exercising - my friend and I started off walking a few mornings a week here and there and I tried cutting back on what I was eating...yeah right! Halloween came and I ate almost all the candy - at least the good stuff! My friend and I started to walk at least 5 days a week (we get up at 5am) and I started going back to yoga classes to regain some strength in my core. I started looking into ways to kick start my weight loss - Weight Watchers, Atkins, low calorie, etc and found this web site and started reading everyone's stories and WOW! I was scared I couldnt do it but last Saturday I decided to try it. I am SO glad I did! It hasn't been as hard to give those things up as I thought - I guess this time I am really determined, and seeing all of your successes has given me real motivation!! I am down 10lbs from where I started! YIPPEEEE

thanks to everyone who is posting here, you guys are an inspiration!

[Skeptika23]

Welcome and congrats - 10 pounds, that's a great achievement!

If you haven't already, go get and read Dr. Atkin's New Diet Revolution (2002) - you'll find it very helpful and inspiring too. I got mine at a used book store cheap!

IMHO, it gets easier as you go (as far as managing carbs and overcoming cravings for "forbidden" things), and unlike the low calorie high carb diet I did before Atkins, you won't be STARVING all the time, which makes it even easier to pass up the no-no touch food groups.

[*Wendy*]

I LOVE your quote from John Newton - he wrote Amazing Grace, didn't he?

Congratulations on getting through your first week with flying colors!! You are doing fantastic - 10 pounds off your frame already that you will never see again!

Hope you have the book - like Skeptica said, it really does help - I flip mine open at random & start reading whenever I have a few minutes to spare. Every time I do, I seem to learn something new (even though I've read it cover to cover several times now!).

Welcome to the board & I hope to hear from you again soon!