Long time lurker, first time poster.

[Jeremy]

Hello Atkins forum. I just wanted to drop in and introduce myself.

I first heard of the Atkins diet when I was 18. I worked for the Men's Wearhouse and had several men come in needing their suits altered because they had lost weight on this diet. I bought the book, went and bought some meat and cheese and gave it a go.

I have always referred to it as the meat and cheese diet since then, because I did not eat anything but those two things. I lost some major weight in a month, burnt out, and ended it with a giant bowl of mac and cheese and never went back.

Tried it a couple more times always met with the same results. The big problem was all I did was overcooked meat on a George Forman grill with cheese on it on occasion.

My wife (user name ErinLea) and I are now on it and I feel very motivated to loose weight and get in shape.

I am 6 foot tall and about 5 months ago I was just under 390. I started cutting soda out of my life, excersizing more and slowly reducing the ammount of food I ate. I did this for four months and averaged 1-2 pounds a week weight loss. I started Atkins last week at 365 pounds.

It has been 8 days and I am down to 355. I am only a few pounds away from my weight three years ago. I am a Loooooooooong way off from my end goal of 200-220. I have not weight that amount since I was 15.

I have been lurking on this site for some time and am very encouraged to see people who have lost a lot of weight and maintained it. It seems impossible to me that I could ever get that small, but seeing your success stories makes me feel like I can make it.

I have also learned to cook since the first attempts so this week I have enjoyed Chicken Kabobs,a home made induction friendly version of Olive Garden's Zuppa Tuscana soup (AMAZING), chili, Buffalo Wings, fajitas (sans shells of course) grilled steak, no rice chicken gumbo, grilled chicken, jalepeno poppers, pork tenderloin, stuffed mushroom caps, and plenty of other delicious low carb foods. BIG THANKS to Linda's Low Carb Recipies for great ideas.

The variety makes this a LOT easier for me this time around.

So, here's to seeing the next 140 Pounds go away forever (Wow. It seems almost stupid to actually type that. Still seems like a pipe dream right now) and stay gone.

[sallyseachange]

Hi there Jeremy and welcome! Glad that you've dropped your "long time lurker" status and decided to join us here.

Congrats on your good start! Congrats too on adding variety to your diet. That's so important. Also that you've added veggies... also very important and necessary.

Ask any questions you might have; make friends; use the board for all it offers. I'm sure you'll do really well.

Happy losing!

[Sarina D]

Hi Jeremy!

Welcome to the board, it's great to meet you!!!

I too tried Atkins a number of years ago and dropped away from it and gained the weight back I lost and a pile more. to boot...the reason that happened to me was because I "skimmed" the book and made up what I thought was the Atkins way of eating....but it wasn't...it was my version....that's where I went terribly wrong. This time I read it very carefully from cover to cover and have stuck to it...doing it the way it's suppose to be done. I've also incorporated drinking lots of water and exercise plus vitamins. I know you can do this....you're well on your way to having that 140 lbs off.

I'm so glad you came out from "lurker" status and are now posting. This is an amazing board and the people here really care about one another....it has been an incredible blessing to me and has been a big part of my success to date. Read lots of posts, post as often as you like and let us know how you're doing.

I know you and your wife will have great success. Do everything you're suppose to and before you know it you'll be feeling and seeing a difference!

All the best!
Sarina
----------------------
Heaviest weight last year- 400 lbs. (2007)
April 1, 2008 - 387 lbs.
Atkins start weight – 347 (July 19, 2008 )
(100 lbs. lost as of Oct 2, 2008 - Hit 300 lbs. on this day )
Current weight – 252 lbs.
Goal weight - 150 – 160

[mmorlock]

Hi Jeremy!
I'm glad you're finding variety in Atkins this time around! It's the only way I survive.
Good luck with everything!

[Bree031]

Hi Jeremy!! Welcome! I think the best way to do it is one day at a time, I cant believe I've already been doing this almost a month. Just work on getting thru each day and before you know it you will be at your goal...time doesn't stop when you're losing weight. You might also try the naked strips at Popeyes OMG they're fabulous!!! Good luck to you and your wife on your journey, your words are very encouraging so keep posting ok!!!

[Sunny_0ne]

Welcome, Jeremy!

Wishing you and your wife great success!

[dreamof220]

how do you get to linda's low carb recipes? Those foods you listed sound good.

[sallyseachange]

Originally Posted by dreamof220

how do you get to linda's low carb recipes? Those foods you listed sound good.

Linda’s low carb recipes:
http://www.genaw.com/lowcarb/index.html

The recipes with an asterisk are the induction friendly ones.