Hi, Everyone. I just wanted to introduce myself and see if anyone here has any advice to offer. My name is Dreama. I officially started my low-carb eat today. But this isn't my first time. About 8 yrs ago I did Atkins for several months and lost 40 lbs. I felt absolutely wonderful when I was on the diet and found that it was really easy once I got started. Why did I quit? I have no idea. I was a lot thinner then than I am now, so I guess I just didn't have the motivation. At that time, I wanted to lose weight so I would look good in my bathing suit for vacation. I have started it several times since then and just didn't have the willpower to continue for more than a week or so.
Now I have much different reasons for wanting to lost weight. At 215lbs, I NEED to lose weight for health reasons. The bathing suit is long gone, replaced by high blood pressure, depression, a severe neck injury that is causing chronic pain, and 2 beautiful daughters that I don't have the energy to run and play with anymore. I have felt sorry for myself long enough. I have hit rock bottom and decided that it's time I take the initiative and do something about it. I thought it might be helpful to join a forum for some support and venting. Mostly, I am hoping for some encouragement to keep me on the wagon, or to help me back on it if I do fall off. I need some friends to give me some positive reinforcement. Thanks for having me...

hello dreama. we're glad to have you with us. i suspect you'll find lots of helpful info and encouragement here. (i certainly have, at least.)

i'm sorry to hear you've been having a rough time, but glad you've decided to change it. i also am a huge believer that a healthy, happy parent is a wonderful gift to children, and i know it impacts their habits and therefore future as well. you're doing a good thing here.

just a couple notes to be aware of - if you don't have your atkins book on hand, get one. having the book helps a lot, and people almost always do better if they have access to a book for their plan.

the other thing i would suggest is that you stop using the word dieting. Not that there's something wrong with dieting, really, but if you're dieting, you're making temporary changes to lose weight. What you already found out was that if the changes are temporary, the results are as well. What you're looking for is ways to comfortably integrate a healthy way of eating that you like into your lifestyle completely. This is how you find permanent freedom from the weight demons.

participate in the forums, read up, and have fun here! looking forward to getting to know you.

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Welcome, Dreama.

Hope you'll make yourself at home here.

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Welcome, Dreama! I hope you find this site to be of a lot of help to you.

BTW, I'm originally from NE Ohio, but have been a "Texan" since 1979. Actually got back home for a nice long visit last May, and loved every minute of it.

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Nita

Hi Dreama! You have come to the right place for encouragement and words of wisdom. I too lost weight before doing low carb and loved it but life happens and we just let those carbs creep back in. The bright side of the story is you know you have made the first step. Glad you could join us!

Dreama. Before I started Atkins a little over 5 years ago, I read the book, Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution. I also surfed a number of low carb web sites to get as much information as I could. I did not know if the Atkins approach would work for me, but what my reasearch showed was that if it did, and I subsequently stopped following it, I would regain all the weight I lost. That told me that if the low/controlled carb lifestyle worked for me to reduce my weight and control my blood pressure, it would have to be something I did for the rest of my life. As a result, I looked for recipes that I liked and could make as part of a regular WOE and also for substitutes for high carb things that I liked. When I had the initial success, I never considered not following the approach and have not regretted that decision. As Dixie mentioned, you cannot expect to be successful for the long term if you view l/c as a "diet". It must truly be a Way Of Eating. You are responsible for everything you eat. There are good low carb alternatives available that will keep you "On Plan", however, you have to make the effort to find what works for you and then use it. Good luck on your weight loss journey.

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Henry

Hi Dreama,

Just know that you are not alone. I too am in the same boat as you. Started this WOE a few years ago, gained all the weight back and started again. The second time around is tougher.....but you can do it. We both can!!!

I have complete faith in this WOE and will not make the mistake I did the first time around..... THIS IS NOT A DIET.... THIS IS AND MUST BE A LIFESTYLE CHANGE. I repeat this to myself over and over again everyday!

This is the one and only WOE that has EVER worked for me. I've tried everything under the sun! You best believe it!

We can do it together! Come on!!!! Break out of that depression you're in!!! Pick that head up!!! Put on your best outfit!!! Throw that Atkins book in your purse!!! Head on out the Door to one of your most favorite restaurants and enjoy a nice meal - Atkins style of course!!! Then get focused!! Pull out old pictures of you in that HOT bathing suit and post it up on the fridge. Go thru those cabinets and throw out all of those refined carbs!!! Throw em on the floor and STOMP all over them!!! You can do it!!! Show those rat bistardo refined carbohydrates who's boss....... !!!!

LOL @ micaram - you make a great cheerleader!

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Thanks Micaram
I am in the same boat as Dreama but after that pep talk If I wasn't all the way in I sure am now.

Hello, Redguitar here in search of friends and answers. I've recently started a Low Carb Diet, (Atkins) and am having issues with Ketones. Not seeing alot. I have been very careful about what I eat, but was curious if Splenda might not be my problem? Any ideas?

red guitar - welcome to lce.

yes, splenda can create issues for some people. what form do you use? liquid splenda has no carbs but isn't as readily available as packets (about 1/2 carb each) and granular splenda, which has about 24 carbs per cup.

it is okay not to be in ketosis, however, or to be there sometimes; some people never show ketosis on the sticks but lose fine. just use the sticks as another form of reinforcement, but don't live or die by them. if other things are going well - you feel good, the overall trend is what you want, clothes getting looser, etc. - then you're probably doing fine.

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Welcome Dreama ... I found the food log really a great tool to LCE... I use a spiral notebook to keep track and also put any medical notes on each day ... seeing healthful results has helped keep me on track. I then enter my food in an online food and activity calculator. (Fitday). Best Wishes! MaryLee